Authors: J. M. Griffin
"Marcus saw us, didn't he?” Lola asked, as her chest heaved and she gulped deep breaths.
"He did. I'm in for it now, I can feel it in my bones.” A sense of dread cloaked my body and mind. I remembered the look in his eyes as he saw us outside the shop. Surprise had mingled with something else, but I hadn't waited to find out what it was.
The car started and Lola weaved into the heavy traffic on Benefit Street as we left Power. She slipped down Angell Street and crossed Memorial Boulevard toward the police station. I left Lola in the car and ran into the building to see Frankie D.
He was headed down the corridor when I got through the security station. I'd managed to sidestep the remarks from the PPD officers concerning my near arrest experience. With a smile on my face, I waved to Frankie D. and waited for his approach. When he came alongside me, we walked together while I explained my dilemma.
Hooded brown eyes focused on my face as Frankie nodded. He agreed to check out the two dummies, and I felt better for it. With a quick hug, I left him at the entrance of the station and jumped into Lola's car.
We hit the highway as I sighed and leaned my head against the backrest of the seat. What had Marcus and Aaron found out from their interrogation? Was Livvy involved or was it just the two women and the dummies? How could I prove Livvy wasn't guilty if nobody would tell me anything? Frustrated, I heaved another sigh and glanced at the worried frown on Lola's face.
"What do you think will happen now, Vin?"
"I don't know, but it's a safe bet that Marcus will be on my doorstep before long. He won't swallow any stories either, so I'm going to have to own up. By the way, Frankie D's going to check out my cousins and call me when he has news."
"Great, maybe he can answer some of your questions. If you need me to, I'll back you up with Marcus and Aaron, just let me know what you've said, okay?"
"I'm gonna tell the truth and be done with it once and for all. If only he'd give me those damned stones, we could flush these idiots into the open."
"Well, we can do the craft store fake gems thing and make sure you meet this person after dark. It'll be hard to tell the stones are fake in the dark."
"Right, we'll just wait and see what happens from here. Don't be surprised if Richmond or Grant shows up at the deli, though."
She dropped me at my door and scooted to work. Guilt riddled, I left the sidewalk and entered the house. With a cursory glance in each room as I wandered through the apartment, I knew I was alone. The light on the answering machine blinked. I played the messages with trepidation.
One message was an invitation to dinner from my mother. The second was from the university and the last was from none other than the creepy voice. The caller last night hadn't left a message.
The voice rasped from the machine and demanded to know when I would turn over the gems. Another threat followed the question and my breath caught in my throat. Fear hammered against my ribs while my pulse pounded in my ears. It was imperative that I get the stones back from Richmond and I wondered how I could manage it. I pressed the save button and walked away from the machine.
Outside, sunlight dappled leaves on the trees and a slight breeze swiffed the hair off my face. I leaned against the rail of the deck and stared into the heavy landscape of the reservoir property abutting mine. It was lovely here in the village and Livvy must have enjoyed this very sight just as I did.
I rambled off the deck and strode past the garage toward the rear of the property. A car slid into the driveway and I swung towards the back of the garage. Tires crunched on the stones and the vehicle drew to a standstill. A heavy door opened and closed and I heard a knock on the side door. It would be Richmond for sure. The sounds of his car were embedded in my psyche and there was sure to be a facedown.
Rounding the building, I headed for the deck watching Marcus peer in through the French doors. He turned when he heard my steps.
"Where were you? I was worried.” His gaze wandered my body as I approached.
Heat radiated through my lower parts, and my breath became shallow when I looked into his hazel green eyes. They warmed my heart as he glanced over me. I wondered if he was remembering our night of love. It was emblazoned in my memory and a repeat performance wasn't out of the question as far as I was concerned.
I stepped onto the deck and slid down onto the chaise. Marcus took the seat across from me while his gaze lingered on my legs. The silence grew between us. I waited for him to start the conversation. He seemed to awaken from a dream with a start as his eyes met mine and I smiled. No question what he had on his mind a moment ago, but that changed as suddenly as the New England weather did.
"Why were you and Lola in Providence this morning and no stories, please?” he asked, leaning forward in the chair.
"We went down to interrogate the women who run my shop. I think they know about the gems and are in this up to their makeup plastered eyeballs."
With that blunt statement, Marcus sat back and crossed his legs as he considered me. I couldn't read him, but he didn't look happy at my confession.
"You just can't stay out of this, can you, Lavinia?"
Here we go again with the name thing
. He was annoyed, but hid it well behind those wonderful eyes and craggy features. Dang, he was going to press me on this, just like I feared he would.
"It was worth a shot. Since nobody else will help me out with information, I guess I just have to gather my own,” I said with a shrug and hoped I didn't sound as pathetic as I felt.
"Don't you think it's unfair to drag Lola into this?"
"It was her idea. I didn't drag her into anything, Marcus."
"I suppose you still want the stones back?"
"Well yeah, if you'll give them to me,” I said hopefully.
"Not a chance in hell, I was just checking. Any new calls from the creep?"
"As a matter of fact, there's a call on the answering machine inside. I saved it for you since I figured you'd come by today."
"Did you? Well, let's listen to it then.” He stood and went inside before I managed to get off the chaise.
A tap of his finger on the button sent my messages across the silent room. He turned the volume higher and we listened to my mother, the university and then the creep. Richmond's face was still and dark at the threat to my safety. Angry eyes turned to mine as he deleted the messages when his finger hit the button.
"This is exactly why I want you to stay out of things. It becomes increasingly complicated, and you make me crazy."
He stepped toward me, grasped my arms and yanked me to him. His lips met mine with a force that knocked the breath back into my throat. We got carried away for a moment with tongues and gnashing teeth as the kisses became hotter and so did I.
In silence, he held me away from him, heat radiated from his eyes and Mr. Winky stood at attention. I'd have taken advantage of the situation if he'd given the slightest inkling that it was what he wanted. Instead a fierce look replaced the heat.
Here we go again
.
"Do you think you can stay out of trouble and out of my investigation before you get hurt? Please?"
That one word was magic and I nodded in dumbfounded silence while I stared at him. My breath came slowly and I licked my dry lips with a dry tongue. His eyes channeled downward and watched the tongue action.
Marcus leaned in and caught my mouth once again and held me so tight I feared I'd break. It was heavenly to have his hands run over my body, but he was in uniform and I knew he couldn't stay. It would never do to have him in trouble, I thought with disappointment.
A cell phone jingled somewhere on his person, and I realized I was right. He'd leave and I'd feel empty once again. I was bewildered at the way things had gotten so far out of control. My feelings for this man were in a jumble and from the way he reacted to me, it was a safe bet that his were jumbled as well.
In a snit, he answered the call. I watched him march into the living room. Muffled words drifted back as he paced over the wood floors. Then there was a long silence. I heard the word
yessir
tear from his mouth and figured he was on the hot seat. This was not good for me, since it probably concerned my inability to obey the rules and keep my nose out of trooper business.
When he marched back into the room, I waited at the counter, hands folded and silent as a rock. Our eyes locked and he heaved a vehement sigh. His mouth opened and shut before he glanced around and said, “Got anything to eat? I'm starved."
"Sure,” I said.
I slipped off the stool and opened the fridge. There were leftovers from the other night. I heaved them onto the counter.
He pawed through the dishes and slid one loaded with a bit of everything into the microwave. He cranked the timer and waited for his meal. While I wrapped the remainders up, he watched with folded arms. This stance was familiar, but I couldn't quite get the gist of the meaning it held at present.
"What's up with you, Marcus? What was the phone call?"
"Nothing, just my commanding officer telling me what to do. I do have a boss or several bosses, you know. I'm not a free agent like Romeo is. He comes and goes as he pleases with little or no interference from the FBI. It's different at state level."
"Why were you at the shop this morning?” It was a long shot, but if I didn't ask I wouldn't know. I might not know anyway, however, it was worth a try.
"Grant and I had a chat with the ladies. Maybe ladies would be too kind a word. Anyway, they denied ever knowing anything about the gems. Ask me if I believe them."
"Okay, do you believe them?"
"Not a chance in hell."
"Does Aaron believe them?"
"Nope, he doesn't. We have them staked out.” He stopped talking when I perked up. “Don't look at me that way. That's all I'm telling you. I shouldn't have said that much."
I fumbled with the napkin in my hands while he retrieved the hot dish from the microwave. I tossed the napkin down beside his plate and handed him flatware from the drawer next to me. While he ate, I sat and fiddled with another napkin, thinking fast about how much he'd left out and whether he had told me the truth about the women's denial.
"What's going through that head of yours, Vinnie? I can see the wheels turn and smell the smoke.” A half smile covered his lips and softened the rugged features.
"I just wonder how much longer it will be before I'm attacked because you won't give up the gems.” Ah, emotional blackmail. Another family trait I'd inherited.
His smile disappeared, replaced by what? I couldn't tell. He tossed the fork onto the empty dish and wiped his mouth with deliberation. Buying time, I guessed. Unwilling to answer me, I was sure.
Shadows played on features that intrigued and turned me on without effort as he leaned back. Marcus Richmond was a stubborn, pigheaded man who wasn't used to back answers or headstrong women. It was plain as day that his thought pattern might run along the Neanderthal line, but I adored him anyway.
"If you'd stay out of things that don't concern you, the world would be a safer place for everyone, Lavinia."
My voice rose and I think I yelled at him. I'd lost my temper and there'd be hell to pay, by God.
"For once in your life, can't you just see things from my point of view? I teach law and order every freakin’ day and I know what you're saying. However, this concerns me and my family. My mother is devastated, my father is too and I,” hesitating a second I said, “Well, so am I.” I ended on a huff and slammed back in the chair, uncurling fists that had Marcus on his guard.
He nodded and stood up. His hat placed back on his head, he turned toward the door to leave. At the last second, Marcus reached back across the counter and squeezed my hand.
"I know, Vinnie, I know. We're doing the best we can. Just be careful and please be patient. This will be over soon, I promise.” With that said, he left me alone in the kitchen, wishing I believed it would end well for Livvy, my parents and me.
Around two o'clock, Lola popped in and gave me a ride to pick up my new wheels. She dropped me at the dealership and scooted back to work. The car was ready, and I drove around and into Scituate for an hour or so getting the feel of it. It was a neat vehicle with more buttons than I'd ever figure out how to use and the stereo was awesome.
I parked the car in the driveway and locked it before entering the house. As I glanced around, I realized Aaron's truck was nowhere to be seen. With a shrug, I unlocked the back entry door and went inside.
Too tired to go to Cranston, I lounged around in front of the television. Another night sped past as I watched reruns of I Love Lucy and fell asleep on the sofa.
Around three in the morning, I awoke to popcorn splayed across my torso after the bowl had slipped from my grasp. Kernels lay scattered over me and strewn onto the freshly cleaned floor. I shook off the kernels and stumbled to bed. Again, sleep overtook me and I dreamed of hazel eyes and a warm mouth.
I had the whole day ahead of me and nothing to fill it with. With a mental shake, I could hear my little voice nagging me.
It was all Richmond's fault that you feel so down
, it said.
If he was more forthcoming, you'd feel better,
the voice nagged. With a moan, I turned over and huddled farther under the covers.
I could smell coffee brewing and figured I may as well face the day. My mother had invited me to dinner last night and I'd never gone. She must wonder what had happened and it would give me a good reason to go down and show her my new car.
Straddling the side of the bed I tried to get my bearings. I slipped my robe over my short pj's. Wandering into the kitchen, I pulled a coffee mug from the cupboard. The rich, black, steaming brew filled my cup.
Birds chorused outside the kitchen windows and I opened the French doors for a whiff of fresh summer scent. Glorious weather lifted my spirits as bright sunlight filtered into the room. The deck was surrounded by lush flowerbeds and bees hummed as they went about their daily routine. I stepped outside and watched the fat, puffy bodies bumble from flower to flower.