Three strikes

Base hit

Connor disappeared.

The next morning when I awoke there was no sign of my brother. Fortunately, Kelly's mane of red hair was spread out on the pillow next to me. Without disturbing her, I made my way to the kitchen to start the coffee.

"Mindin' your own business still is the best way to stay out of trouble." My dear Uncle Moe. He's sitting at the kitchen table.

"And this would be advice that you yourself have followed, is it?"

A brief chuckle. "No laddie. But bein' that your dear father is no longer with us, I felt it my duty to impart the wisdom of my experience upon you."

"No offense Uncle, but you're full of shit."

"None taken, boyo."

Kelly came padding into the kitchen and sits. To me, "Coffee." To Moses, "Good morning Uncle Moe."

"Aye, and a lovely day it is."

I deliver the cups to the table. "Want to take a trip to London." Kelly tilts her head ever so slightly; looks up to me and said, "Sure. I can get away for a couple of days. What's this all about?"

"Connor needs some help."

"You know what, tough guy. I suspect that deep down inside you're committed to dragging me into a life of crime." Penelope Kelly Anne Lane is about as straight an arrow as the Good Lord ever created. My little acts of stepping over the line were a great source of consternation to her. Truth be told, it nearly destroyed our relationship. Today, while not thrilled with these transgressions, Kelly appears to have accepted me, blemishes and all.

She asked, "Where's Connor?"

Last evening, upon our return, Connor repeated that he had a plan; that he would be gone for the better part of the day and to leave matters in his hands. My response was, "Whatever you say." He was off to bed and I haven't seen him since.

"What are you up to today, sweetheart? I'll be at the museum."

"Kill some time until I hear from my brother. Run up to New Hope."

Kelly rose, kissed me sweetly on the mouth and went off to shower. I loaded the Morgan, told the beast to hop in and took off. An hour and a half later I was parked in the courtyard of 96 E. Bridge Street in New Hope.

"What have you got today Picker?"

H amp; K Incorporated specializes in period garden accessories including urns, statues, fountains, fencing, and benches. Larry also carries fine Oriental rugs and antiques.

"I picked this up the other day." I pulled the 8' x 11'5" carpet from the car and laid it out on the ground. "Wiener Werkstatte," I said. "Probably Otto Prutcher. What do you think."

Larry walked around the carpet studying it with a trained eye. Turned it over to check out the back. "Nice. Very nice. How much?"

"I've got seventy-five in it. I'd be happy with… let's call it eleven five." Warning: Telling another dealer what you’ve paid is a definite no-no. In this instance, however, I wanted to communicate that I wasn't being a pig. What I wanted was a fair mark-up. Larry is one of those rare breed of antique dealer; he's honest.

"Sounds fair. I'll cut you a check." He went into the back door of his shop. I popped the trunk and pulled out a box of cigars. Went inside; he handed me a check for $11,500.00 and I passed him the cigars. "Hope you enjoy these."

Kato was waiting patiently when I returned to the car. The cell rang. "Where are you?" Connor.

"New Hope. You?"

"Center City. How long?"

"An hour-fifteen."

"The Ritz." He cut the connection. I cranked up the Plus 8, the lightest V8 passenger car on earth. Maximum power of 367 horse power from the BMW engine.

I let her rip.