Ballad of the Widowmaker: Never to be Unsung, a rock trilogy, #5

By JT Thilbertson

True to the style of this series, 'Ballad of the Widowmaker' follows a serious story line through a thicket of occasional comedic outbursts and romantic sentiment.

The son of the man who sabotaged Eddie's plane, Edgar Tate, who is now running for his life from the very crime syndicate he tried to quit, shows up at Glen and Lisa's door, seeking their scheming talents to escape his former cronies' clutches. Needless to say, Glen and Lisa are less than pleased with this notion.

Meanwhile, two of the original members of Wicker Dale show up in London in search of their two recently 'resurrected' band mates. And Libbet plans to record a solo album while the band is on temporary hiatus.

While still trying to deal with the whole 'Edgar' situation, Glen and Lisa stumble across a 1963 photograph of their FBI friend, Alvin Torres, wearing a 1980s digital calculator watch! One wild thought leads to another, and before they know it they're imploring his help to pull off the impossible before he soon retires.

Torres, however, has his own ideas of how to resolve the matter...

• Language: English
• Publisher: JT Thilbertson
• Release date: Jun 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393949213

Book preview

PROLOGUE:

Previously in the story...

(From Volume 3, chapter 33)...

The day’s recording session was done by 3:45. Albeit accomplished under a dark cloud of scrutiny, Song two of Labor of Love was done and ready for mix down. They stayed around until 4:30, talking with Edgar as he asked questions from a notepad, subtly probing for what he came there to find out. The band let him off the hook for a while so that their cover wouldn’t be blown. They had gotten in their first round of left-hook jabs. Tomorrow was coming soon enough... At that, everyone threw in the towel for the day and headed home.

As Glen and Lisa turned left onto West Street extended, Lisa grew a thoughtful look. Tell me something, Sweetie, She opened. I know why Cuz became such a schemer. In her situation, she just did what she had to do to get out, but you didn’t learn that from her, did you? He drew a deep sigh. No, he confessed. I didn’t. Would you care to share? she asked.

Normally, he began, I’d prefer not to talk about it, but I’m not of a mind to keep secrets from you like...

I’m sorry, he offered. I shouldn’t have said that, especially since she’s not here to defend herself. Well, she mused, for what it’s worth, you’re not the only one who struggles with that. Anyway, I was just asking. No pressure. Glen drew a deep sigh.

Listen, Lisa, he began. As you know, I didn’t have much of a father. One of his friends felt sorry for me, and kind of took me under his wing, so to speak. He was a reporter who wanted to break into the big time. He had his eye on the Big Apple, and he tried to impress them by breaking some big embezzlement case. He was a smart man. He understood people, and he knew how to make them dance on puppet strings to get what he wanted.

Looking back, he continued, his only problem was that he was too impulsive. He didn’t take the time to think things through, and it became his undoing. That’s the biggest lesson that I learned from him. That’s why I double check the double check, and I still get blindsided sometimes. It seems there’s always something waiting around the next bend that you just can’t predict.

What happened? she queried. He then wiped his eyes and stared into the dashboard. I don’t want to talk about this anymore, he said. She then reached over and placed her hand on his shoulder. It’s alright, luv, she comforted. I’ve heard enough...

CHAPTER 1

Codename: Cupcake

July 4th, 1987. Manchester. The morning after their concert at Royal Albert Hall...

At 10 a.m. it was time to get all the Annapolitians to Manchester Airport to head for home. It was decided that the smartest thing for the Tuckers to do would be to spend the next two weeks with Tony and Libbet while the media frenzy calmed down a bit overseas.

Being exhausted from the night before, Lisa asked Clive to drive the second car load. Just get some rest, hun, Glen assured. I’ll be back in less than an hour. Oh, I intend to, she remarked. I may have pushed things just a bit too far last night. He then kissed her goodbye, and soon the two-car entourage left the driveway.

On their way across town, Clive dropped Maria off at the market, intending to swing back and retrieve her on his way back to the estate. Lisa then crawled into bed, but was still too wound up from the night before to sleep.

Perhaps some chamomile, she pondered, and then shuffled into the kitchen where she lit the burner under the whistling teapot, and sat down. As she waited for the water to come to a boil, she felt a sharp pain in her belly. She then groaned and doubled over, clutching her stomach.

No! she half-whispered. Please tell me that this is only Braxton-Hicks! After a moment, there was a second shooting pain, even more intense than the first. I need to call Doctor Phillips! she declared and began to make her way to the phone. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Perhaps that’s him! she hoped. He said that he’d be by today to check on me. Still clutching her belly, she started for the door as the teapot began to whistle. She then opened the front door, only to see a face that made the hair stand up on the back of her neck. Mr. Tate! she exclaimed. Hello, cupcake, came the deadpan response. How’s tricks?

What are you doing here, Edgar? she breathily demanded. I thought you were in Chicago! It seems I’m not welcome there anymore, he commented. Thanks to you, and your little ‘drama troupe. Well, you’re not welcome here, either! she announced, as she began to close the door in his face, only to find his foot in the way of it’s closing.

Glen,’! she called out. I need your help! Save your breath, he interrupted. I watched everyone leave twenty minutes ago. What then? she queried. Have you come to do me first? Surely you know that I’m with child. I’m not here to ‘do’ anyone, he assured. I just want to talk to you. Well, even if you were welcome here, she responded, you couldn’t have come at a worse time".

Suddenly, she clutched her stomach and doubled over, crying out from a third wave of abdominal pain. What’s the matter? he inquired. I don’t know, she grimaced. I was on my way to the phone to call the doctor when you knocked on the door. I think I may be losing this baby! What do you need? he asked.

You can start by going away! she answered. I need to make that call! Please... if there’s an ounce of decency left in you, at least settle your score with me another day. Just go! 

At that, she turned to head toward the kitchen. As she got to the end of the foyer, she clutched her belly and dropped to her knees with a groan. Suddenly, he was standing over her. We need to get you to hospital, he announced. I’m not going anywhere with you! she declared. I might never come back. You don’t seem to have a choice, he rebutted as he removed the teapot from the hot burner and turned it off.

Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear enough,, she argued. You are not getting me alone in a vehicle! I’m calling an ambulance,. At that, he got on his knees, facing her. Lisanne,, he explained. If I wanted you dead, you’d have been standing before your maker before you even knew I was here,. At that, she locked a fearful gaze at him.

Yeah, he confirmed, I’m that good... or I was, no thanks to you and your mates. He then stood up and reached for her hand. Come on’, he offered. If you want that child, you’d best not wait for an ambulance. Why are you doing this for me?  she queried while reaching back to him. I’ll explain along the way", he said, while helping her to her feet.

From there, they started gingerly for the door. Once outside, Lisa saw a rusty, red, late ‘50’s Citroen sedan in the driveway. After helping her into the passenger side, he got in the other side and began fumbling through his keys.

Were all the soapbox derby cars taken? she quipped. I thought that assassins made good money.

They do,, he confirmed. That’s exactly why I am driving this,, he explained while backing out of the driveway. They’d never think to look for me in some old rust-bucket,. I don’t understand,, she remarked, while doubling over with a wince. We’ll get back to that in a minute,, he re-directed. Just where am I taking you?

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Wythenshawe Hospital, she explained. All right, he responded. Now, you’re going to have to try to stay conscious long enough to tell me how to get there. I don’t know this town. Bear left there on Stannybrook, she directed. I’ll show you from there. Very well, he agreed, and then slowed down and flipped on the turn signal. The front end of the old car shimmied as he made the turn. 

Blimers,! she exclaimed. Maybe you didn’t come to rub me out, but your car may be having second thoughts,! Look,, he explained. Thanks to you and your mates, I can’t kill anymore. You don’t just quit that organization, cupcake. Once you’re in, you’re in for life. If you say that you want out, then they get antsy about you possibly turning State’s evidence. It’s an automatic death sentence. That’s why I’m playing parkway patty-cake in this clunker. I’d be a fish in a barrel driving a new Jag.

Wait a minute, Lisa realized. Are you telling me that you tried to quit the...

Mob,? he interrupted. Is that the word that you’re trying to skirt around,? Well... yeah,, she confessed.

Until recently,, he remarked, I would have preferred the word, family. Even defended their honor. But the answer is yes. I did quit, and now there’s a price on my head. It’s a little hard to think of them as family now.

Turn right there on Westminster Road,’, she interrupted. Or if you like, you can just follow the signs with the big, ‘H’ on them. Just pretend that they’re targets. I’m sure you won’t miss. Personally, I’ve never fired a weapon".

You probably couldn’t hit a dead elephant with a snow shovel, anyway he returned. And quite proud of that, I’ll have you know! she boasted.  

She then looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. You really didn’t come to hurt me, did you,? she mused. Truth be told,, he revealed. I may be at your mercy,.

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Oh, now there’s an irony,, she sputtered. The son of the man who murdered my best mate is asking me for mercy. You’ll pardon me while I bask in the moment,. I need your help,, he sighed. Yours and Glen’s, both.

She then looked out the side window, wagging her head.

Oh, now this is rich,’, she marveled. It would seem that karma has a sense of humor. Let me tell you something, Edgar, I spent much of what was supposed to be my childhood fantasizing about seeing your father strapped to a chair that the Americans like to call ‘Old Sparky’".

Oh, look, she interrupted herself. Another sign with a big’H’ on it. Do follow the arrow, would you?

Anyroad,, she continued, humor me, do. Just what in blazes do you need our help with? I could use a good laugh today.

Just then, the outside mirror seemed to explode, leaving only a stump of the supporting bracket protruding from the door. What was that? Lisa gasped. Edgar quickly glanced at the inside rearview mirror. Get your head down! he ordered. We’re being shot at!

Lisa quickly slumped down in her seat while clutching her belly with another groan. Edgar then began weaving back and forth on Mersey Road North in an attempt to confound the aim of their would-be assailants. I swear, Edgar, she declared. If we get out of this alive, I’ll teach you what kind of damage I can do with a bloody snow shovel!

Suddenly, Edgar cut off an oncoming car, skidding onto Oldham Road as a front hubcap popped off and rolled across the grass, pinging a front porch step, whereby causing a sleeping cat to jump about 3ft into the air before running for its life. As it ran toward the street, the 2nd car squealed around the corner in hot pursuit, and the cat quickly darted under the nearest parked car.

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Edgar soon spied a police car which was parked along the side of the road along the next block. Move away from the door! he ordered. I’m going to get us some help. What do you mean, move away from the door? she demanded.

He then quickly reached over and pulled her close to him as he deliberately sideswiped the police car on her side, whereby losing the other outside mirror. That did it, she declared. Just you wait until I get my hands on that snow shovel! It was our only chance, he explained. Just then, the police car pulled out with lights and siren blaring, causing the second car to turn down the nearest side street and abandon the chase as the police car whizzed by in a blur behind them.

Why didn’t you just shoot back? Lisa demanded. Because I’m unarmed, he explained. What do you mean, you’re unarmed? she queried in amazement. You’re a flipping trained assassin, and there are people after you! What are you doing mucking about without a blooming weapon?

You still don’t get it, do you, Leftenant? he responded. If they get me, they get me. I’m not killing again. Lisa then shot him an icy stare. My friends call me Leftenant, mister, she glared. You are not allowed that privilege! 

Tell me something, cupcake,, he queried. What is your definition of a friend,? Perhaps you should ask the girl who taught me what it means,, she snapped. The way you’re going, you’re liable to see her way before I will again,. He then drew a deep sigh. Friends, ay,? he mused. You know? You have got to be the thickest little... Oh, what’s the use,? he muttered. Just watch.

He then immediately pulled to the side of the road. Exiting the car, he spread his hands on the roof, waiting for the two officers to arrive and take him into custody. As they approached, he called out to them;

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Lisanne Ray is in the passenger seat! he advised. She’s in a bad way. I was just trying to get her to hospital.

Get on the ground, now! one of the officers ordered, as the other rozzer cautiously approached the passenger side of the abused and knackered antique.

Criminy! he exclaimed. He was telling the truth. It’s her! Please, she pled. Can you get me to Wythenshawe? I think I may be losing my baby! Go ahead, Corporal, ordered the first officer. Backup is on the way. I’ve got this. Very well, sir, he answered. Are you able to walk, Ms. Ray? He asked. I think so, she answered.

As they ambled toward the police car, Lisa paused to muse at Edgar, who was sitting handcuffed on the ground. "Thanks for the lift... cupcake", she sputtered.

Chapter 2

De Ja View

About thirty minutes later, Glen arrived back at their estate in Littlemoss to find Remy waiting for him in the driveway. Parking next to her car, he scurried to her window.

Remy,? he queried. What’s going on,? Lisa’s at Wythenshawe,, she revealed. Get in,. Why didn’t she call me,? he asked. She knew that I had the car with the phone,. She said something about looney Yanks on a British motorway,, she explained. She asked me to scoop you up on my way there.

Is she all right,? he fretted. Well, they let her make the call,, she cited. What happened,? he asked. She started premature labor, as far as we know,, she answered. Well, how did she get there,? he wondered. She wouldn’t tell me,, Remy said. All I know is that her mother is already there.

When they arrived, they found Sarah in the waiting room. Mom,! Glen fretted, what’s going on,? Hello son,, she greeted while shouldering in a hug. Well, it seems that she is going to be all right. They have her well sedated at the moment. She was having some rather massive contractions, so they have her on an anti spasmodic a drip in an attempt to curb them. They’re recommending no visitors until they get things back under control,. 

All right,, he sighed. How did she get here, anyway? Sarah then closed her eyes and drew a deep sigh, then looked around the room. Let’s see if the chapel is unoccupied, she suggested.

Why,? Remy queried. Are things worse than you said,? It’s not that,, Sarah assured. "Although