An Unlikely Hero (1) (30 page)

Zoric arrived back with food, looking to Tessa with hands shoved in her jeans pockets then to Chase who kept looking out the window in every direction. “Eat something, Tessa,” he said with a familiarity that drew her eyes up to meet his. “Mr. Crawley, are you hungry?” Zoric tried to be civil but his raspy, smoker’s voice, pale skin and sharp features made it easier for Mr. Crawley to ignore. Short sleeves, revealed tattoos running up both hairless arms. His clothes smelled of cigarette smoke and perspiration. A bulge at the waist under his loose fitting shirt hinted at a weapon.

Mr. Crawley shook his head and looked down at his hands.

“Mr. Crawley, sir, if you don’t mind my partner and I need some information.” Chase came to stand in front of the old man.

He continued to stare at the floor as if in a trance. The two agents looked at each other impatiently before glancing at Tessa. Having her here changed the procedure.

“Sir, can you tell us…”

“I don’t know anything,” he mumbled, shaking his head. “Leave me alone!”

Tessa moved toward the agents and pushed them aside. “Go make some coffee,” she said looking at Zoric. When he hesitated, she pointed toward the bathroom. “Now, Zoric. And you,” she looked at Chase, “warm that sandwich up for me in the microwave—over there.” Tessa opened a bottle of water from the table before leaning down to whisper in Mr. Crawley’s ear. “It’s me. Tessa. You’re safe now, Mr. Crawley.” She put her hand on the old man’s shoulder and gently rubbed it. “Boy that was pretty exciting wasn’t it?” Tessa began telling the old man about the last couple of days and how she’d managed to clobber the macho captain standing there with a sour face. Mr. Crawley smiled a little and took the water. “Mmm. Smell that? Zoric is making us some coffee.”

“It’s hot outside,” he said hesitantly.

“Never too hot for a good cup of coffee, right Captain Hunter?” she said looking over at the agent who’d returned with the warm roast beef sandwich. He nodded and forced a smile when the old man looked his way. “Why I’ve been known to drink coffee when it’s 100 degrees outside. Remember last summer when you saw me eating ice cream and drinking coffee?”

Mr. Crawley smiled sheepishly. “You were at Dairy Queen. I said that was ridiculous.”

“Yep. You sure did. Then my boys ran right into me spilling coffee all over the floor and my ice cream.” She laughed. “Wasn’t funny then, of course. I yelled at the kids and you came over to help me wipe up the mess. Remember? I thought I was going to crack and then there you were, reminding the boys to be good and telling Heather she looked like a little princess. I calmed down and you left before I could say ‘thank you’.”

“Ungrateful!” he teased softly.

“Well you are an old grouch sometimes, Mr. Crawley.” Zoric returned with two cups of coffee. “Here, warm your hands.” Tessa pulled up the stool and placed the cup in his hands, covering them with her own. The shaking stopped in his wrinkled hands. His light brown eyes looked into hers, searching for answers. “Eat something. Smells so good.” She tore the sandwich in half and gave him the larger side. She nibbled one end of her sandwich in spite of not wanting it. Tessa reached out and pushed the other sandwiches toward the agents. “Eat. It’ll make you feel better.” She nodded toward Mr. Crawley. “Isn’t that right, neighbor?” Mr. Crawley began to eat a little faster and soon finished off his coffee. Tessa dabbed her mouth with a scratchy paper napkin, wadded it up and shot it toward the waste basket. When she missed she groaned. “Man! I never miss. I must be off my game.” She handed Mr. Crawley a napkin. “Here. You try.” He also missed. The two agents tried next, both finding their mark with little effort. Tessa turned back to Mr. Crawley. “Showoffs!” she smiled.

The old man leaned back in his chair now, shoulders pulled back and surveying his surroundings with interest. She’d sent Zoric for a bucket of ice to wrap in a wash cloth for the bruise on Mr. Crawley’s face. Tessa pulled her stool closer and laid her hands on his knees and patted gently. “Mr. Crawley, I know you’ve been through a lot. But these men are trying to stop the man who kidnapped and beat you. The man, who took you, Essid, is trying to hurt a great many people. They need to ask you some questions. Do you think you could talk to them a little while and then maybe we can both take a rest? I’m exhausted. How about you?”

Mr. Crawley laid his free hand on top of hers and leaned close enough where he could place a kiss on her forehead. “You came for me? Why?”

Tessa cupped his brown face in her hands. “Beats me. I guess because you’re the closest thing I have to family out here in California. I just couldn’t stand the thought of someone hurting you. Who would set me straight about my yard, my kids, and my overgrown garden?”

Tears formed in the corners of his eyes and he sat back in his chair. “What do you want to know, Captain Hunter?” Mr. Crawley said handing him his cup for a refill.

“She is amazing, my friend,” Zoric said hours later when the sun had begun to dip behind the trees with a cool breeze drifting down from the mountains. “That old man was almost comatose when Tessa started working on him.” Zoric chuckled and slapped his leg before lighting up a cigarette. “He didn’t even know she was playin’ him.”

Chase leaned against the hood of the Hummer and stretched. “I don’t think she was.”

Zoric inhaled deeply then exhaled slowly. “No matter. She got him to spill his guts. At least we know where we stand now.” The smoke formed a cloud around his head making his weasel eyes narrow as he scratched his thin mustache. “I’m in love with her!” he grinned slapping at Chase’s arm.

“Well that could be a death wish,” Chase quipped as he watched Tessa through the window helping Mr. Crawley stand. “But you’re right. He would have never talked to us.” He wondered what it must feel like to have those small hands touch your face, your shoulders… “Going for a walk?” he asked Tessa as she linked her arm in Mr. Crawley’s and came through the door.

Tessa patted Mr. Crawley’s arm with her free hand. “Yep!” She smiled over at her neighbor. “And while we’re at it, he’s going to show me how to hotwire one of these cars so we can ditch you guys,” Tessa smiled over at the agents revealing clenched teeth.

“Better watch it, Jericho.” Chase had personalized the questioning by referring to him by his first name. “She’ll get you into a heap of trouble.”

Zoric took one more puff off his cigarette before flicking it out into the parking lot. “I’ll take some of that trouble,” he said meeting Tessa’s eyes with interest.

Mr. Crawley pointed an arthritic finger at Zoric and frowned. “You watch your mouth, Mr. Zoric.”

Zoric nodded and grinned as they slowly strolled away. “Think he’s in love with her too?”

“You’re not in love, Zoric,” Chase said motioning for him to walk with him. “You’re in lust.”

Zoric clamped a bony hand on Chase’s shoulder. “I wasn’t talking about me, my friend.”

Tessa entered the motel room with Chase on her heels. He slung his backpack in the chair after sitting her bag on the table. They had walked to a café at the end of the parking lot, ordered a light supper and continued to stroll around the grounds until the light had become dappled. Mr. Crawley grew tired and wanted to go back to his room. When Zoric announced he’d be watching after the old man through the night, Tessa assumed she’d get a room to herself. Chase bolted the door, closed the curtains, and flipped on the light before turning on the television and air conditioner. He removed his belt that held his holstered weapon, keys and tee shirt, revealing a well-muscled chest. Tessa gasped and laid her hand on her heart.

“What are you doing!” she demanded as she backed toward the door.

Chase felt the cool stream of air from the wall unit as he channel surfed until he found the Giants and Cardinal game. It was the third inning. “I’m going to take a shower. I won’t be long and then it’s all yours.” He turned to leave.

“What!” she stormed. “What do you mean it’s all mine? Where is my room, Captain Hunter?” she fumed putting her hands on her hips and scowling.

“This is it.”

Tessa pointed at the bed. “But that’s a king size bed! Where am I supposed to sleep?” Her voice showed an edge of panic.

Chase reached down and patted the covers. “Right here next to me.”

Chapter 21

Tessa waited until the water started to run in the shower before grabbing her bag and unbolting the door. She took one more glance behind her as she threw open the door and froze. Standing six feet away, leaning against the Hummer, Zoric opened his knife and began cleaning his nails. Looking up casually, he smiled and eyed her without restraint.

“Going someplace?” he asked curiously as his eyes fell on her bag.

Tessa turned on her heels and slammed the door in Zoric’s face. She thought she heard a snicker as it closed. The sound of the ballgame annoyed her to the extent that she turned it off. Just as she did, Chase came through the door wrapped in nothing but a towel. “Oh my gosh!” she stuttered as she backed away. Chase reached out and grabbed the remote and turned the game back on and the volume up.

“I’m watching the game! Do you mind?” Chase retreated back into the bathroom.

Tessa covered her mouth to keep from screaming her indignation of the whole situation. All she could think about was the captain in a towel, moisture clinging to his chest and hair. “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!”
What was happening? Did Chase really think she was going to share a bed with him?
A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she began to pace.
That would just be the frosting on the cake,
she mused throwing up her hands in frustration. Tessa peeked out the curtains and could see Zoric standing in the shadows.
What a ghoul,
she fumed. The bathroom door opened again and this time Chase came out partially clothed in some kind of sweat pants and a wife beater undershirt.

“Aren’t you going to put more clothes on?” Tessa jerked up her chin and pointed to his chest as he flopped on the bed and crossed his legs.

“Nope.” Chase’s attention was on the game. He’d taken a baseball out of his backpack and tossed it back and forth between his hands.

“I want my own room, please.” Tessa tried to sound matter of fact and stood in front of the television.

Chase stopped tossing the ball and let his eyes drink her in. “You’ll feel better when you clean up. There are plenty of towels.”

“I want my own room. This is inappropriate for me to stay in here with you. I’m a…”

“married woman. I know.” He motioned for her to move aside so he could see the game. “This was all they had left. This bed is huge. You’ll never know I’m here.” When she stiffened and put her hands on her hips Chase knew he was in for an argument. Tessa still had not come to grips with the day’s events and probably suffered some kind of post-traumatic stress.

Tessa rolled her eyes incredulously. “How convenient for you,” she snarled.

Chase cheered as the Giants scored a run before cocking his head and gazing silently at the scruffy looking Tessa. She seemed to fidget under his gaze. “Convenient? Don’t flatter yourself.” He couldn’t help letting a condescending laugh escape his throat.

“You are an arrogant Neanderthal that…” Chase looked at Tessa with amusement and started to toss his baseball up in the air and catch it, over and over without looking at it. “Ms. Coleman told me all about you!”

“Oh that’s right. You did interrogate the dear soul. You should be ashamed of yourself taking advantage of such a sweet lady.” Chase scooted to the edge of the bed to make Tessa skitter away from the TV.

“I seriously doubt anyone at Enigma is sweet. She told me you’re quite the Don Juan.”

He yelled at his team for striking out before turning back to Tessa. “That would be Carter. Not me. You’ve never cheated on good ole Robert, have you?”

“Of course not! I adore Robert.”

“Then why didn’t you go to Tahoe with him and the kids?” Chase could tell a lie was about to spill from those tempting lips of hers. “Go on and make something up, Tessa.” He laughed again. “You were fighting. He ticked you off and you thought you’d teach him a lesson.”

Tessa gasped. “How did you know?” Chase cut his eyes up at her and grinned. Tessa blushed. “You guessed, didn’t you? Well, he wanted to try and do the trip on his own so I could…”