Radio Waves to Love by Deb McClatchey – Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Frannie sat there, unharmed, looking across the room at Dave. With her eyes, she tried to relay her plan. Of course, he couldn’t read her mind, so she sat there in frustration. Charles looked like he was losing it furtherby the minute, and she was afraid for their lives at this point. What did he mean, he’d done this before?
“Charles, tell me about what happened before…when you got caught?”
Charles smirked and proceeded to tell her. “I was following someone. Like I’ve been doing with you. And, well, things got a little out of hand. She got injured, and I got arrested, but charges were dropped, and that’s all you need to know! You see, I told you I was very, very wealthy. I mean, you think Perot is wealthy!” He snorted out a laugh. “The Bartholomew family has more wealth in shipping lines and oil than he’ll ever have. So, my dear, see what you could have married into?
“But as I was saying, Flora—that’s the woman I thought I loved—got slightly unnerved at my way of fun and games. Which, like I told you, is planting myself near the object of my desire and watching her daily. Playing little tricks and whatever I feel like doing while she thinks she is completely safe. She didn’t find it amusing or flattering that I’d go to all that trouble to adore her from afar.” He grinned and chewed briefly at a ragged nail on his index finger.
“So one night, as I was doing my usual midnight visit, she woke up, got out a gun, and we struggled. It went off, piercing her shoulder, and the neighbors, hearing the shot, called the police. So there I was, sitting in the country jail until my lawyer bailed me out. Flora was convinced, in a monetary way, by my family, that I meant no harm and charges against me were dropped. It was documented that my ‘eccentricities’ were harmless and posed no public threat. But, I’m not an idiot! I know if I’m hauled in again, it could be really bad for me.” He waved the gun around, causing Dave to flinch and duck.
“Now, who’s this guy?” He waved the gun in Dave’s direction.
“He’s a friend—” Frannie started to say.
“I’m her boyfriend! I guess an ex-boyfriend, but I still care for Frannie more than ever. I heard her call and came right over—”
“Heard her call? What call?” Charles asked.
“The radio. The ham radio. She’s a ham—didn’t you know that?” Dave said snidely. “I thought you knew all about her.”
“I do. But that doesn’t matter now. But I guess that’s why the cops showed up. You shouldn’t have done that, Frannie. Look what you’ve caused! Things could have been settled much more peaceably.”
“Please, Charles–” Suddenly a loud crash and explosion of glass startled the trio as a smoke bomb started emitting disgusting-smelling fumes.
Chaos erupted. Men in dark clothing could be seen hanging on the balcony through the billowing drape over the now-shattered sliding glass door.
Coughing, eyes watering like rivers, they three staggered about the living room. Charles was heading for the bedroom, probably again refusing to surrender. Dave was trying to grab for the doorknob, scrabbling to undo the chain lock.
Frannie drifted toward the shattered glass door, then thought better of it. She could get cut! She turned and headed for the front door ,which Dave finally threw open and staggered out, a haze of smoke following him.
“Police! Hands up!” a voice shouted at Dave, who threw his hands up high as he tried to see where the steps were. Frannie bumped into him, nearly knocking him down the cement stairway. They made their way down slowl,y and Frannie was met halfway by Pete, who hugged and kissed her wet face.
The first policeman grabbed Dave and twisted an arm sharply behind his back before Frannie could tell him, “Please! Stop! He’s not the one! Charles is still in there! Dave’s okay….”
The officer said, “Sorry,” and released Dave, who rubbed his wrist furiously and then wiped the tears from his eyes.
“He’s still in there?’ asked a couple of cops, who started up the stairway. They slipped masks over their faces and continued on up to the apartment.
The men all gathered about Frannie and Pete and offered their help. Frannie looked around at the sea of concerned faces in the glare of the parking lot lights and felt a sense of relief. Help had come. These were her friends on the air, and they hadn’t let her down. She hugged each and every one of them.
Finally, the police emerged from the hazy apartment with Charles in custody. He was angrily babbling, and tears streaked his handsome face. He didn’t even look at Frannie as they placed him in the backseat of the police cruiser. Frannie turned her head and buried it into Pete’s chest.
Dave stood about looking uncomfortable. “Um, I’m Dave Harvey.” He extended his hand to Pete.
“Pete Lake. Nice to meet you.” They shook hands firmly.
Dave could see that Pete cared for Frannie in a way that he never could. The look of love and concern on his face said it all. He only hoped one day he would be able to love a woman so completely and openly.
“Frannie?” said Dave. “I guess I’d better be going now. I’m glad we’re…you’re okay. I tried to help—”
“I know you did, Dave. I appreciate it very much. You’re very, very brave.”
“Well…I knew you were in trouble, and I just did what I could. You’ve got a very nice man here, Frannie and I wish you both well. Good night.”
Frannie had never seen him so humble. Maybe this scare had changed him? “Thank you again, Dave. You’ll be fine.” She patted his shoulder as Pete encircled her waist, hugging her against him.
Dave smiled shakily and waved his hand weakly, then turned to find his car. The other men, relieved that it was all over, said their good-byes and good-luck; then they, too, left.
“Oh Pete. It’s finally over. I was so scared! I should have told you about Charles, but I didn’t think he was that important! He was really a crazy person….”
“You got that right!” He closed his eyes and started thinking of ways to guard against ever losing this woman. “I think it’s time you move in with me. Once the smoke clears, we’ll go in an get your clothes and things. Hear me?” he said sternly. “And then I want to hear all there is to know about this character.”
“Yessir!” she replied with a smile. She should have listened to him in the first place!
* * *
A few weeks later—way before April 1st—Frannie and Pete got married. Pete couldn’t wait a moment longer. He’d come too close to losing this wonderful woman, and he didn’t want to let any more time elapse before she became his wife.
The last they’d heard about Charles Bartholomew, his family had admitted him to a mental hospital, where he’d be spending quite some time to avoid prosecution. That was fine with Frannie, though it did bother her that another woman might some day have to face the same terror she had, if he was ever let out to continue his wacky ways. But she was not going to let it worry her. She had a new life now with Pete!
They had invited the ham club members to attend the ceremony, and they had quite a turnout. Her parents even flew out for the event. Frannie had never looked lovelier in her beautiful peachy-cream dress with a matching veil and shoes.
Pete looked like a matinee idol dressed in a cream and gray tux with a peach-colored cummerbund. They were perfectly matched.
The wedding was held at the Unity church and the reception at a large hall wonderfully decorated by the Radio League ham club. They even provided Frannie and Pete’s beautiful three-tiered cake! It was wonderful and exciting and the two had never been so happy. They had made so many incredible friends!
“I guess I can legitimately say I found love on the radio waves now, can’t I?” said Frannie, smiling up at her handsome husband.
He answered her with a kiss that curled her toes.
THE END
