St. Louis Chapter 19 part 1

It's Wednesday around lunch. McKenzie and Logan have known each other 8 days. LOL


Ending of Previous Post:

After a few hours of work, Logan closed his laptop. "I've only found a few names. How you doing?"

Lifting her notes for Logan to see. "Here. What we don't know is if there is any background information on these people. That would help."

Logan leaned over to get a closer look at the names. "I don't recognize any as Megan's friends."

As he looked up, his eyes met McKenzie, and they locked in a gaze. Logan gulped. "I think I'd better fix something for lunch."

McKenzie released a deep breath. "I'll look over the list of names you came up with."

"Good idea." He went into the kitchen.

TODAY'S POST:

ST. LOUIS CHAPTER 19 PART 1

McKenzie walked into the kitchen. "We'll never get background checks on all these people. We don't have probable cause. I guess we'll have to do old-fashioned surveillance."

"You're right, but with everything that's happened, I'm not sure it's safe for you to be out in the open. Did you forget the attempt on your life?" Logan paused and pointed to a chair. "Have a seat. Lunch is ready."

She plopped down. "I haven't forgotten about Monday evening. How could I? But I can't stay cooped up in the house forever. We'll never discover who murdered your sister."

Both heads turned as they heard a knock on the door. Logan stood. "You're very popular today. Stay..."

"I know stay put," interrupted McKenzie. "I can't even answer my own door." She took a bite of a pasta dish. "This is good. What is this?"

"Hello, what brings you this direction? Come in. We were just sitting down to lunch. Have you eaten?"

Simon answered, "Yes, we ate. Sheila had a doctor's appointment. On the way home she asked about Mac. I've heard rumor that things are getting nasty." He glanced back at the door. "I can tell by the heavy police presence, what I heard is correct."

McKenzie had joined them and hugged Sheila. "How'd your appointment go?"

"It went well. Things are moving right along." Sheila put her hands over her stomach. "I'm getting bigger and bigger." She smiled. "This baby's going to be huge."

"I think you look radiant." McKenzie took her arm. "Let's go in here and sit. We'll let the men discuss men things.

*****
Logan watched the women. "Thank you for stopping by. I think the stress is getting to Mac. It's nice to see her smile."

"It was all Sheila's idea. How you holding up? How's your relationship with Mac going?"

"I'm doing fine. This isn't my first rodeo. There is no relationship with Mac."

Simon laughed. "Keep telling yourself that. I just saw the way you were watching her. I know you better than you know yourself. You're in love with her. I know you've been under stress before, but never when somebody you love has been targeted. I'm asking again, how you holding up? Knowing you, my question should be how many miles are you running every day?" When Logan didn't answer, Simon continued, "Out with it."

"Okay. Today I ran twelve miles. Seven before Mac got up and then five with her at the gym."

"Doesn't surprise me. Want to talk about it? Why don't we go out back for privacy?"

Logan nodded. "Hey, we're going outside and let you ladies talk in peace."

The ladies acknowledged the men and kept talking.

After both men sat in lawn chairs, Simon asked, "What's going on?"

Logan filled him in on everything that happened since he had seen them Sunday evening.

Simon's eyes widened. "All of that in only three days? Wow! The dead rat was bad enough, but her friend getting shot. Not good."

"It isn't, especially since the bullet had her name on it." Logan hesitated. "She doesn't want to be held hostage at home either. She wants to get back to work."

"Can you blame her? She's usually very active."

"Not really, but she needs to stay safe." Logan studied the backdoor. "I can't be in love with her. Half the time she's not speaking to me."

"Maybe that's her way of dealing with her feelings for you? If she's angry with you, she can't be in love with you."

He chuckled. "That's ridiculous but that's exactly how Mac would think. I swear sometimes she conjures up things to get upset over."

Simon raised his hand for a slap. "Welcome to the world of women." He checked his watch. "I need to take Sheila home and get back to work."

"Thanks for dropping by. I think it helped."

"It was all Sheila. She had this little voice that said she needed to visit with Mac. She listened to that wee voice."

Logan opened the door. "I'm glad she did."

Simon walked over to Sheila and offered his hand to help her stand. "We need to get going, so they can finish their lunch, and I need to get back to work.

The ladies hugged good bye, and Simon and Sheila left.

McKenzie sat at the table. "I'm glad Sheila came by. We had a nice visit."

"It's good you and Sheila have become friends."

"I agree. In my line of work, one doesn't make many friends."

"I guess you're right." After a pause, Logan continued, "The Cardinals are on tonight, right?"

"They are. I think they play the Dodgers." McKenzie took a bite. "This is really good. Are you going to make it for tonight or something else?"

"I'm thinking about a ravioli lasagna casserole, lettuce salad, French bread, and a caramel apple crisp for dessert. What do you think?" He grinned. "Or we could always default to mac-an-cheese and hot dogs. You're choice."

"Sounds delicious. Can I watch or maybe help?"

"I guess, but I usually work alone." Logan glanced at the kitchen. "I'll clean up, and we'll need to go to the store. While I clean, why don't you start a grocery list?"

*****
As McKenzie sat in the car, she sighed. "I hate being followed everywhere. I doubt anybody would try something at a grocery store."

"You're probably right, but don't let it ruin your day."

"You're right."

Logan backed from the parking slot. "What did you and Sheila talk about?"

"Not much. She wanted to know how I was handling the threats." McKenzie studied the passenger window.

"What did you tell her?"

"At times, I struggle with the idea I have security around all the time."

He stopped at a red light. "Did she offer suggestions?"

"She thinks I should discuss it with you. She said you're a good listener."

"Hmm, wonder why she'd say that."

"Maybe because the time she threw Simon out of the house, you listened and told her to discuss it with Simon, and it saved their marriage."

"Well, I think they talked and realized how much they loved each other and saved their own marriage. I had nothing to do with it." Logan reached over and put his hand on hers. "But if you ever need somebody to listen, I'm available."

"I know. Sometimes, it's just a feeling, and I can't put it into words." McKenzie stared in the side mirror. "Logan, that SUV behind us. I think it's the same one at the warehouse and it went by when Jose was shot. It's license plate starts with an ST-365." She took out her phone and took a picture through the mirror. "I hope this works. I can't see the last two numbers." After she finished, she added, "I'm calling Bill."

"That plate fits the one I saw. Now we have the additional numbers."





Characters:

McKenzie 'Mac' Morgan a 27 year old private investigator
Major Logan Nelson 34 years old and an active duty soldier
Arlo McKenzie's black and tan dachshund
Megan Nelson Logan's younger sister - murdered
The Lou local name for St. Louis
Simon Knight and Sheila Logan's former Army buddy and a Lab technician. Sheila's his wife.
Fan name for the St. Louis Cardinals - a major league
baseball team.
Yadi What Cardinal fans call Tadier Molina - Cardinal's all-star catcher.
Edger McKenzie's black and tan rottweiler
John Benson Man who murdered McKenzie's parents
Bill Abbot A D.A and McKenzie's God-Father; he was a high-
school friend of McKenzie's father. Joanie is his wife.
Jose Lopez his wife is Lucy Chicago Police Department undercover police
department.
Kate Hartford Megan Nelson's friend they taught middle school
together.
Donny Carlton A man Megan Nelson dated.
Mitch Gardner St. Louis Police Department detective who has
partnered with McKenzie's dad.
Ivan Smart A bad guy
Peter and Nancy Nelson Logan's parents
Sidney Parks works for the St. Louis Police Detective with the drug unit.
Mack and Helen Morgan McKenzie's parents - both deceased
Gus Piper McKenzie's abusive grandfather - deceased
Austin Bryant an old boyfriend - McKenzie broke up with him because he's a jerk.
Joshua Davis so far a nobody, but is a neighbor to Donny Carlton
Mark Young an acquaintance of McKenzie, a state trooper, and will become important much later in the novel