A James Everhard Adventure

By Wayne Wallace

Everhard was in a foul mood. He was just finishing his fifth, or was it his sixth scotch? Rick, the owner of Rick’s café’ American, meeting place for fictional characters both famous and infamous, was trying to console his old friend from behind the rosewood bar. "I know it has to be a woman who has you so out of sorts James." Rick told the hard drinking, and at the moment, hard headed detective. "You’re right Rick, a beautiful, sexy lady whom I’ve really let down. And it’s eating me up inside!" Everhard told his old friend. "How’d you do that James?" "Well Rick, she let us all know that she was going to be in town on business and because we were all so damned busy with our everyday mundane lives, no body planned anything, nobody met her for lunch or dinner, and WORST OF ALL, I didn’t bother to even be around when she was here!" Everhard said." "However, I plan to do everything I can to make it up to her." As he made himself this promise, he pulled out his cell phone and called his private hanger at the airport and spoke to his mechanic Carlos. "Amigo, I’m going to fly the Lear to the west coast in the morning. Can you have her checked out and fueled up for an 8 AM departure?" "Si, senor Everhard, she will be ready!’ Carlos assured him. Rick who had heard the conversation said, "Go home and get some sleep James, before you take off, let that scotch run its course, okay? Call me and let me know date and time and I’ll take care of everything on this end." "Thanks buddy I will." Everhard told Rick as he headed out the door for home and a few hours of sleep.

Scene 2

In his hanger at Wiley Post Airport, Everhard found an airport capable of handling small jet traffic just a few miles east of El Centro. His destination city was virtually on the Baja California border and he wondered if Melany ever went over the border to sample the tequila and night life. Everhard filed a flight plan at the control tower and then returned to his hanger to flight check the Lear. Everhard had a personal rule, never to fly without a copilot, however Chapel was vacationing with Tom Manners and a group of senoritas in Costa Rica, so this flight would have to be a solo.

Twenty minutes later, the Lear Jet was streaking down the runway, taking off for the California/Mexico border.

As Everhard remained on a westerly heading across the arid, desert regions of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, his mind wandered to a time when he and Melany were just high school kids and had a wondrous romantic liaison in the Hollywood hills. He believed that he had been probably been in love with her since that night so many years ago. He was anxious to see her again and perhaps rekindle that flame that had burned during their teens.

Scene 3

As he flew over the California border and looked at the far eastern edge of Death Valley, Everhard had a sobering thought. “Hell, I haven’t even spoken to Melany.  She might be out of town or something.”  He pulled his cell phone out of the pocket of his flight jacket and dialed Melany’s home phone number.  Melany answered on the first ring.  “Hello.”  “Melany, this is a voice out of your past. It’s James;  James Everhard.” “Oh James, it’s so good to hear your voice.  Where are you?” Melany asked excitedly.  ”At about 25,000 feet and crossing the Arizona/California border, Everhard answered.  “I am beginning a southerly turn, and  should be at the Desert airport, east of El Centro inside half an hour” James answered.  “Here, your coming here?  I can’t believe it, my hair, Oh my God, I’ve got to do my hair.  James, are you really here?” Melany asked.  “You bet I am Melany and I plan to literally sweep you off your feet tonight.  How does dinner in San Francisco sound?” After a brief, shocked silence, Melany answered, “It sounds fantastic my love, but it will take so long to get there.”  Everhard laughed and told her, “Only about two hours and twenty minutes flying time, and I’ll show you a beautiful sunset from my cockpit along the way.”  “Oh James, this is like a dream or something.” Melany said.  “It’s not a dream darlin’” Everhard told her with an exaggerated Okie drawl.  “Do your hair, dress up nice and I’ll pick you up at 6:00 O’clock.  I have a few things to do once I land, then I’ll be there.  And Melany, there’s one other thing.  I can’t wait to see you.”  “Oh God James, I can’t wait either.” She said.   “See you at 6 darlin’.”

Scene 4

“Calling Desert Airport Control Tower, this XML 2278.  I am 15 miles out and approaching from the north.  Requesting  clearance to land.” Everhard told the tower.  “Roger XM2278, I have you on scope and you are cleared to land on runway three north, welcome to El Centro.” “Thank you El Centro, beginning my assent now.” Everhard said as he maneuvered the Lear into a landing position and began to ease back on the throttles.

Moments later, the Lear Jet’s tires barked against the runway and Everhard began breaking the sleek jet to a stop. He had already made arrangements by telephone to rent a hanger and a car, so he taxied the sleek, white, jet towards the rental hangars.  As he approached rental hangar 33 which was open and ready for him, he saw a vintage DC-3 sitting on the tarmac.  It had been beautifully restored, and a crew of workers was busy unloading boxes from its cargo hold.  This all seemed perfectly normal to Everhard until he spotted two sinister looking fellows with automatic rifles supervising the unloading of the elegant, old plane.  Everhard decided that he would follow up on this suspicious activity as soon as he could, and taxied the Lear into the waiting hangar. After shutting down the Lear, Everhard climbed down from the plane and examined the new Corvette that the rental agency had dropped off at the hangar for him.  After arranging to have the Lear flight checked and fueled for the dinner trip to San Francisco, he retired to the pilot’s lounge to grab a shower, a shave and a change of clothes.

Everhard checked his watch, 5:00 PM.  He went to the tower to file his flight plan to Frisco and noticed that the DC-3 he had seen earlier was still on the tarmac, but no one was around it. He inquired about it at the tower and was told that it belonged to a wealthy El Centro resident who just flew it now and then, and then the clerk abruptly changed the subject.  Everhard filed his suspicions under “drug smugglers” in his mental filing cabinet and jumped into the jet black corvette and headed for Melany’s house.

Scene 5

Everhard drove the shiny black corvette to the address Melany had given him. The house was a single story ranch house with a tile roof in the predominant Spanish style of the area. He pulled into the driveway and shut off the powerful engine. As he headed to the front door, he saw Melany there, waiting to greet him. Melany opened the door and threw her arms around him. "James, I can’t believe that you’re here. You look so good." Everhard kissed her deeply and passionately. Melany returned his kiss eagerly. "You look wonderful," Everhard told her. She had selected a black dress for their dinner date. It was short and showed a lot of shapely leg and the low cut bodice accentuated her ample breasts. She wore a single string of pearls with matching earrings. She had curled her shoulder length hair in spiral curls. After his visual inspection of Melany, he said, "I take back what I said.. You are absolutely breath taking!" Melany blushed and buried her head against Everhard’s muscular chest. "Are you ready to go, darlin’?" Everhard drawled. "Yes James, let’s go." He noticed that Melany had packed an overnight bag, he considered this a very good sign. They jumped into the corvette and James headed to the air field.

Scene 6

On the way to the airport, Melany asked Everhard, "James, why me, why now?" After a brief pause Everhard said, "Because my dear, I did you a terrible injustice when you were in your hometown recently, we all were aware that you were coming, but nobody planned a lunch, or a dinner or even a get together at Rick’s. It was terrible of the entire gang. We should have welcomed you and gotten together, but we didn’t. We were all so busy with our mundane lives that we just let you come and go without saying a word. It bothered me terribly and that is why you and why now. We, think much more of you than that. That’s why I’m here. I want to make it up to you." "Oh James, it’s alright, I understand." Melany told him. "I knew you were much too sweet to have even mentioned it to anyone, but hell, I haven’t been out with a beautiful woman in a while, so let’s just drop it and enjoy the date, ok? "Okay, Melany said and leaned over and kissed him.

When they pulled into the airport hangar area, they saw the old DC-3 sitting on the tarmac, again being off loaded of its cargo by a group of men, being overseen by the same thugs holding automatic rifles. "They’ve made another trip," Everhard said,

"They’re some busy boys. I think I’ll call Chapel and have him notify the Federalies." "What are they unloading James?" Melany asked. "My guess is meth amphetamine," Everhard answered, "It’s the new high profit drug of choice out of Mexico. I’ll call Chapel as soon as we’re airborne, he’ll know exactly who to call." Ten minutes later, Everhard and Melany were aboard the Lear and taxing down the runway. Melany took the copilot seat. "I’ll be flying along the coast all the way to Frisco. The sunset promises to be exceptional," James told her. "I hope it doesn’t bother you to fly in smaller plane." James asked her. James knew that her mother and father had been killed in a private plane crash. "No James, it’s okay, but thanks for asking." She answered quietly.

Scene 7

Once airborne and heading north, Everhard punched in his old friend’s number into his satellite telephone. "Chapel" answered the cigar chomping detective. "Bill, how are the sand, surf and senoritas?" Everhard asked. "They’re wonderful Jim. What’s up?" "I’ve stumbled onto a drug smuggling operation at the airport east of El Centro. I also think that perhaps the airport officials and perhaps even the local authorities are looking the other way. Can we get some federal intervention?" Everhard told him. "I believe I can get their cooperation. Let me make some calls." Everhard told him about the DC-3, the armed guards and every detail he could remember. "Thanks Bill. See you in a few days."

"That problem taken care of let me direct your attention to the gorgeous sunset on your left." Everhard said. "Oh James it’s so beautiful, the orange melting into the blue ocean. I’ve never watched a sunset from the air before." Melany told him. "It’s breathtaking."

"We’ll be landing in about an hour at San Francisco International. Then we have dinner reservations at the Top of the Mark. Then dancing in the club, also at the Mark Hopkins hotel." Everhard told her. "And then what James?" Melany purred. It might be too late to fly back without a copilot, so I took the liberty of booking a room." "Perfect," Melany said.

Scene 8

“Just one room James?” Melany asked.  Everhard just stared at her for a moment and then said, “There is a sofa in the room.  If you want, I’ll sleep there.” For just a moment the hum of the jet engines was all that could be heard in the cockpit. Then Melany placed her hand on Everhard’s and said, “James, there’s nowhere in this world I want you to be tonight except right next to me, in the bed and not on the sofa. I was just teasing you darling. James, ever since that night in the Hollywood Hills all those years ago, I’ve wanted to be with you again.”  Everhard kissed her lips lightly and then said, “Ten minutes to San Francisco my love.”  Everhard began cutting back on the throttles and slowing bringing the nose down as they approached the airport.

Moments later, the Lear’s wheels touched down and Everhard taxied the jet to the rental hangar he had arranged.  A stretch limo was parked outside the hangar, waiting to take the couple to the Mark Hopkins Hotel. A tall muscular man who might have been a 49er linebacker opened the door for them and said, ”Good evening Mr. Everhard, we’ll be at the Mark in about ten minutes.  There’s champagne in the back.  You and your lady please relax and enjoy the ride.”  Inside the huge limo, Everhard popped the cork on the chilled champagne and poured he and Melany each a glass. “To rekindled loves,” Everhard eaid and they clinked the champagne flutes together.

Scene 9

"The only things tastier than the strawberries and champagne were Melany’s lips," Everhard thought as he kissed her deeply. Then the driver pulled the limo into the drive at the Mark Hopkins hotel. As the driver opened the door for them, he asked, "Will you need me any more tonight sir?" Everhard looked directly into Melany’s eyes and answered, "No thank you. I believe we’re good for the night." Melany smiled and said, "yes, we are good for tonight," and looking into Everhard’s blue eyes, she said, "and thank you for the romantic ride."

Inside the elegant hotel, Everhard hit the up button for the elevator. The door opened and the couple entered the car and pushed the button marked, "Top of the Mark Restaurant and Club." After going up twenty-five floors, the car stopped and the door opened to the sights, sounds and wonderful aromas of one of the finest restaurants in North America. "Ah. Mr. Everhard, Ms. Marcutte, your table is ready," the tuxedoed gentleman at the front of the restaurant said as he led the couple to their table, seated them and gave them menus. "Your server is Manuel and he will be with you shortly." Everhard asked Melany, "Are you hungry my love?" "Starving," Melany answered. Everhard selected a wine to accompany their meal and they ordered Delmonico steaks, medium rare and lobster tail, a specialty of the house.

As Everhard poured Melany a glass of wine, she said, "I still feel as though this is a very, very good dream James". "I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself Melany" Everhard told her, "and here’s to the dream continuing to be good." Everhard told her and clinked her glass with his.

Scene 11

The two exhausted lovers were entwined in a tangle of covers when Everhard’s cell phone chirped. Everhard was up instantly and snatched the phone from the bedside table. "Everhard," he answered. "Chapel here. I’m in El Centro with the DEA. I thought I’d give you a heads up. We are about to bust the smugglers with the DC-3. According to the DEA, these boys work for the Martinez Cartel out of Mexico City. Their specialty is Meth. This bust won’t put them out of business, but the Feds think it will cause some major financial problems for Martinez. When I gave them your tip, they offered to let me participate in the bust. I caught a charter from South America and the rest is history." "Well, you old flatfoot, you just couldn’t resist the opportunity to blow up some bad guys with that cannon of yours could you?" Everhard said. "I never miss a chance to protect the public from bad guys," Chapel joked. "Gotta go, we’re moving in." "Okay you old fart, keep your head down and let me know how it went", Everhard told his old friend. "Will do,Jim," said Chapel as the phone went dead." Melany had awakened while Everhard was speaking to his old friend and partner in adventure. "Who was that?" she asked sleepily. Everhard watched as the covers slid down, exposing Melany’s gorgeous breasts. "Chapel, baby, he’s in El Centro busting drug smugglers. But right now, I have a more important agenda. The naked Everhard told her as he climbed back into the bed. "Oh James," Melany said as she welcomed him into her arms.

Scene 12

"Come home with me Melany." James asked her after they had both, at least partially, recovered from their latest love making session. "What? You mean to our old hometown?" Melanie asked. "Sure. The gang would love to see you and you can stay at my condo." Everhard said. "With you?" she asked. "Of course, with me." He laughed. She pondered this for just a moment and then said, "Okay James sounds great!" "We can fly back to El Centro this morning and you can pack some clothes and then we’ll fly back to our hometown. We’ll be there by early afternoon, Central time." Melanie said nothing but just kissed James.

Hours later, Everhard was approaching the El Centro airport in the Lear. After receiving landing instructions from El Centro tower, the Lear’s tires barked against the runway. As Everhard and Melany taxied the Lear to the rental hangar, they saw the aftermath of what must have been one hell of a firefight on the tarmac. The DC-3 was there. Its sleek aluminum skin, however, had been punctured by literally hundreds of bullet holes. Both of its landing gear wheels were flat, shredded by M-4 rounds. The cockpit windows were shattered and its propellers were full of bullet holes and splintered.

After shutting down the Lear in the hangar, Everhard and Melany looked for the agent in charge. Finally, they found Captain Richard Mason of the DEA. "Looks like all hell broke loose here." Everhard said. "They put up quite a fight, but in the end we took out twelve bad guys and confiscated over a ton of refined meth." Captain Mason told them. "Well hey, where’s Chapel?" Everhard asked. "That’s the bad news, the DEA man said, "Chapel was hit, and before we could get to him, four of their guys grabbed him and escaped in a small jet they had stashed in the hangar. Radar traced the jet to Mexico City. Our operatives are on it now." Everhard looked at Melany and asked, "You up for a trip to Mexico,baby?"

End………………………………………