by Tracy Ellen
“Oh yes, that Jack. I did not connect the first name when you mentioned it. He is the tough guy that always had his eye on you.”
“Yeah, he’s watched out for all of us since I was a kid.”
He smiled at a memory. “I recall very well. For a period of time, I was somewhat concerned he may take advantage of you. When we were seniors, I asked you if older dudes around forty attracted you, remember?” He smiled again. “When you answered that I was trying to make you hurl and it was not going to work; I did not worry about him any longer.”
I let out a peal of laughter. “That’s why you asked me that? I thought you were asking because of Mr. Brock, that sub we had in Biology for two weeks. He was such a douche. So many of the girls thought he was hot, too. Major icky!” Crookie laughed while I shuddered at the memory of Mr. Brock’s fixed, creepy stare on my chest or rear, depending on if I was coming or going. “Jack’s the Chief of Police now in Northfield. Reggie and I both think you need to report Cheryl missing to the cops. If you agree, Jack will tell us the way to go about it.”
Crookie sat forward enthusiastically. “Absolutely, I agree. Something is not right about Cheryl being missing this long.”
“Gee, you think?” I didn’t try to conceal my snarkiness.
Crookie may be relieved to have all this off his chest, but I didn’t have a good feeling about any of this situation. It wasn’t my Law and Order SUV voice talking in my head; it was more like my Law and Order SUV voice screaming in my head. This was not the end of the mess, but only the beginning.
I know women, I like most women, and I know how women think.
Cheryl is too much of a troublemaking bitch to drive off quietly into the sunset without a word of farewell.
It appeared my baby brother was the last man to see a woman now known to be missing for over two months. He had just reacted in uncharacteristic fury at the mention of her name.
I needed another coffee.
Chapter VI
“Call Me When You’re Sober” by Evanescence
Saturday, 11/17/2012
9:15 AM
Sitting on my faux leather chair in my office tucked under the stairs, I was swiveling idly back and forth while staring blankly at the November’s sales numbers displayed on the monitor in front of me.
I only had a short window of time to get in some work, but I was finding it hard to concentrate on the open Excel spreadsheet. I usually get so absorbed poring over reports that I have to tear myself away from the computer, but today I couldn’t focus worth a damn.
Crookie had left about fifteen minutes ago to meet Jack Banner over at the police station. When I had called Jack, he had listened impassively to my explanation of events without much more than a grunted question here and there. When I was finished, he had ordered Crookie to the station immediately.
Jack had also been explicit Crookie come alone. I reluctantly agreed, but only once Jack reassured me my friend didn’t need me to hold his hand. At least for today, Jack had bitingly added, he’d probably hold off beating Crookie with a police baton.
I guess it was my day to torque off the males in my family circle.
That still didn’t stop me from cautioning Crookie to be careful what he said, and to query whether he was positive he wanted to go to the station without legal representation.
He had given me an incredulous look. “Why do I need a lawyer to report Cheryl missing, Bel?”
“Let’s suppose the worst here for a minute. Say something bad has happened to Cheryl.” I could get into this idea and rubbed my hands together. “Suppose someone has butchered her into manageable Cheryl pieces and then put her through a wood chipper, ala Fargo. Then the killer throws the mulch, formerly known as Cheryl, up in the air like confetti all over a plowed up corn field.” I smiled brightly up at Crookie’s horrified expression. “Can you account for every moment of your time over the last two months without knowing what time you may have to account for?”
Crookie appeared so struck by this idea it was my turn to be incredulous. Had he never once thought of foul play as a reason Cheryl hadn’t shown her face in two months? I wanted to kill her myself and I hadn’t set eyes on her in over two years.
I gave up trying to talk sense. Crookie was too happy knowing Reggie had seen Cheryl later that night. I hoped I wasn’t sending a big-brained lamb off to slaughter.
Before I locked the lobby door behind him, an exuberant Crookie turned and swept me up in a boot dangling, bear hug. He nearly squeezed the life out of me. “I have missed you, Anabel.” He squeezed me again. I think I felt a rib cracking. “Thank you so much for your help.”
When he started to squeeze me a third time, I started smacking him about the head and shoulders in muffled protest. My face was mashed against his chest. Being hugged as a five-footer is often not pleasant.
He set me down and lifted his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. I will see you tomorrow night for sure. I will contact you later today with an update--if that meets with your approval?”
At my regal nod as I fluffed my messed up hair, Crooks went smiling on his way, a much more optimistic man then when he arrived.
I glanced over at the door leading to my apartment.
I bit my lip and clenched my fists. I was so incredibly tempted to run up those stairs. I forced myself to turn right and keep walking back into the store. I checked the time on my cell. 9:20 AM. I touched a finger to my naked earlobe.
‘When would Luke wake the hell up and leave, and quit harassing me?’
My cell vibrated in my hand. It was before ten in the morning but I saw it was a text from my sister, Jazy, so I read it.
R we on 4 2nite @ Macs?
I thumbed, Yep 7 Pick me up?
Almost instantly, Jazy’s response buzzed back. K Ciao
I put my phone away appreciating Jazy’s no-frills approach to plan making. It was her basic approach to life, as well. She wanted something, she went after it. She didn’t want to do something, she didn’t do it. No fuss, no muss. It would never cross her tomboy mind to ask me what I was wearing before we went out. Sometimes she was called cold; but that was usually by a frustrated, horned up guy disappointed to realize he wasn’t getting lucky. I called her refreshing.
I headed to my office where I still sat minutes later, staring off into space in a fugue state. I kept thinking over what my brother had said about Cheryl Crookston.
Things weren’t adding up and it was nagging the bejesus out of me. What had he meant when he initially asked if Anna had put me up to asking about Cheryl? That was so high school. I hadn’t even done that sort of thing when I was in high school, so it rankled. It also made me speculate what Anna could know about Cheryl’s disappearance.
I had to wait to talk with Reggie until later sometime today. He was out on a job. I was impatient for answers and waiting isn’t my style, but interrogating him on a job site isn’t cool. Not with power tools to be considered. It was a relief when this train of thought was interrupted by my cell.
It was a text from Anna again.
Do not worry. Am sure Luke OK.
I leaned back in my desk chair and stretched, then snickered and shook my head. Luke really had an admirer in my old friend.
Anna had met Luke, and fell in love with him, on what was supposed to be our sixth date at the end of October. This was a little over three weeks ago, on yet again, another Friday night.
Luke showed up to the store earlier than expected that night. His flight landed ahead of schedule and he came straight from the airport in Minneapolis to Bel’s Books, about a forty-five minute drive with no traffic.
Before he arrived, I was closing out the last till and preparing cash drawers for Saturday. Anna was still doing her own work over at the Fare. We were alone in the closed store. Anna’s laptop was open on her service counter and softly playing some Andrew Byrd. We talked sporadically of inconsequential things as we plugged away.
I was privately amused Anna was still here becaus
e I knew she was dragging her feet. She was dying to get a chance to check Luke out. I had inadvertently whipped up her curiosity to a fever pitch. Not by saying so little about our first few dates—that was the norm—but by the very existence of a sixth date.
Anna had clapped her hands together earlier today and stated she had to meet this paragon of perfection. If Luke still had me interested after the fifth date, instead of ditching him or turning him into only a friend after the second, then she wanted to meet the man.
I didn’t think I was that bad with the men I went out with, but Anna assured me that I was even worse.
If I had my way, I’d keep my time with Luke a secret between ourselves and not let the real world intrude. Unfortunately, I have to live in the real world.
It’s my choice to live in a smaller town. I’m highly visible as an owner of an established store; a big fish in a little pond. For the most part, I’m very satisfied with my choices. This is one of those rare situations when I regretted never leaving Northfield. I know what a fish swimming in an aquarium feels like, and I long for the anonymity of the open ocean found in big city life.
My personal life seems to be of acute interest to many people. I know most of these people care about me, so fair enough. If Luke and I were going to continue seeing each other, it was probably necessary for Luke to meet my friends and family before the speculation grew too rampant and our dating was made into some big deal. Secrets appear juicy, but reality often proves duller than the fertile, dirty imagination. Dull is exactly the image I like to present where my personal life is concerned. To keep everyone out of my business; I was going to have to let them in it a little first.
Luke had been gone for work and we hadn’t been out in over three weeks. I had missed his last two phone calls because I was out on other dates. When I’ve missed his calls in the past, I don’t call him back unless he leaves a voicemail requesting I do.
Luke did ask me to call him back on Wednesday. My date was at a Euchre tournament with Rob. He’s a guy I consider more as a fun friend who likes playing cards as much as I do. It ran late. I was wiped and fell into bed when I got home. I meant to call Luke back, but crashed before I did.
Thursday’s date was with my octogenarian banker. Mr. Barkley is an old school charmer whom I adore and respect. He’s one of the last of a dying breed of gentlemen from a different era, and this is a great pity.
I have a vastly entertaining time sharing a late Thursday dinner at his bachelor pad at least once a month. My banker has forgotten more on most subjects than most people will ever know in their lifetime, and he’s a fascinating conversationalist. Mr. Barkley is very droll and debonair.
Last night, after a simple dinner of perfectly prepared oven roasted chicken with tarragon buttered root vegetables, I was sitting back on a plush loveseat. While sipping on my Chardonnay and nibbling a piece of dark chocolate, I teased my distinguished host.
“Mr. Barkley, with all due respect, if you were even fifteen years younger and didn’t manage my business affairs so expertly, I’d cave to temptation and give you a run for your money.”
Eyes twinkling roguishly, his patrician silver eyebrows were as waggish as his response. “My dear Miss Axelrod, were I even five years younger, it would be to your greatest pleasure to fire me.”
The Thursday night missed call from Luke had no voicemail. I had only been able to text Luke a quick hello in reply to his missed calls during the hectically busy last two days. This week had been hellish at the store. Getting with Luke over dinner and drinks after not seeing him for such a stretch was a plan I could totally get into.
My smile of welcome was enormous that evening when I looked up and saw him silently entering through the unlocked, back entrance of the store. Seeing him dressed all in black with a matching black expression on his swarthy face, it hit me how much I’d missed him.
I could see his eyes glittering from several feet away.
Bel’s had been closed for awhile and Luke had no idea Anna was over at the Fare finishing her own work. She must have been down behind the service bar and I’m sure he thought I was alone.
With no return smile, he pinned me with a look. It was rife with sexual intent. My body responded by shooting pings of tingling awareness down to my very favorite vacation spot in the universe. I didn’t say a word, finding myself fascinated and unable to look away from Luke’s mesmerizing eyes. I wondered vaguely if this was how a staked goat felt being stalked by a ravenous lion; happy to be the sacrificial offering and eaten alive. He strode up behind the counter and then I was up against my closed office door, his mouth on mine with demanding hunger.
His kisses seemed almost harsh or angry, but I was too busy loving the touch of his lips and tongue to care too much right then what his problem was. When I moaned my desire softly into his mouth and pressed up closely against him, Luke paused in his sensual assault on my senses.
Straightening up, he slid his hands down from encircling my waist to cup my bottom. He was staring down at me, broodingly silent and unmoving, while he held my ass in his hands. Then I felt his fingers slowly gathering up the hem of the back of my short, sweater dress. Feeling the thin fabric moving up higher, inch by inch, I was glad I’d chosen not to wear tights tonight. There was nothing but smooth thighs above my boots. His long fingers were absently stroking high on my thighs. Soon they were outlining the lower curves of my ass they’d found left exposed along the bottom edge of my boy shorts. Those fingers would come close, but never quite touch, the wetness his caresses and kisses were causing between my legs. His eyes were hidden beneath the lowered fan of his dark lashes and his mouth was serious, but I caught a flicker of satisfaction pass over his face at my unconcealed pleasure.
He slowly raised his eyes. I didn’t try to hide the aroused smile of happiness I wore as a result of his greeting. I didn’t even know if I could hide my desire should I want to for some reason; it felt like it would shine through. This man could bring me from zero to creaming my bikinis with only his knowing stare. His passionate kissing and intimate touches set me on fire in a way I’ve never experienced. I burned for him and let him know it.
I sensed something in Luke relax at my candid look. He smiled slowly, and heat flared openly in his eyes before I closed mine to his softer, slower kisses. He was expert and thorough, not missing touching on any area of my parted lips.
My hands flat on the door, I tilted my head back offering my exposed throat to his mouth. He leisurely kissed and sucked on me while his hands trailed up my sides, and teasingly skimmed over my breasts. At the feel of his teeth gently biting and then his tongue licking against my neck, my nipples hardened to tight, distended points obvious through even my bra and sweater dress. Luke continued to ignore them, except for brief, feather light touches with his fingers as he traced the curving fullness of my breasts with his hands.
I ran my fingers up the back of his thighs and squeezed his ass, digging into the rounded, taut muscles. I pulled him against me and rubbed his heavy arousal slowly against my lower stomach. I brought my hands between us, and ran my nails and palms up the front of each thigh. Lightly tracing over his balls, I cupped and softly squeezed him. Using both hands, I stroked up the length of his erection straining against the zipper of his pants. I allowed my roving fingers to apply harder pressure around the head of his dick for a moment, moving up and down. Luke murmured hoarse encouragement in my ear and pushed against my hands.
It was his turn to groan faintly when I sent my hands moving slowly up under his open jacket and along his hard stomach muscles. I caressed across his chest. I lingered over his flat nipples. I lightly pinched on the tips until they hardened into points I could feel through the cotton fabric of his shirt.
Luke pulled my hands away and held them down against my sides. He gave me quiet compliments while placing slow, open-mouthed kisses down my neck and across the tops of my breasts. I smiled dreamily.
Earlier this evening, I had dashed upstairs to get ready bef
ore my crew clocked out. Black is my color, and I was all about it tonight except for the sparkle of my silver jewelry. My mid-thigh length sweater dress was incredibly soft cashmere. A wide belt cinched in my waist, and I wore suede, high heeled boots that zipped up the back. A multi-strand necklace of delicate, silver chains graduated down from my throat and over my cleavage partially revealed by the scoop of the sweater’s wide neckline. My streaky blonde hair was twisted and piled up on my head in a tousled look. I wore diamond studs in my ears.
Squeezing his hands, I arched against him like a purring feline under his kisses. Luke murmured against my skin, “You look pretty tonight and smell so good.” He kissed the top curve of my right breast. I felt his tongue lightly lick my skin. “When you didn’t answer my calls…”
“I’m finished!” Anna popped up from behind the Deli case, shutting the sliding door with a thud while wiping her hands on a towel. “I am going to have to….”
Anna’s voice trailed off as she saw us. Luke had instantly spun around at the sound of her voice while keeping his left arm protectively around me. Even plastered boneless against the door and still in a sensual daze from Luke’s ministrations, I had to snicker at the identical shocked surprise on both their faces. Luke had made me forget we weren’t alone.
Anna recovered quickly. She made a beeline over to where we were standing. She glanced at me, and I groaned silently. I knew that innocent, quivering lips from trying-not-to-smile look. She gave in and grinned broadly.
“Hey, I’m Anna Johnson, Junior’s friend and partner. You must be Luke.” She dragged her gaze from Luke’s face and looked at me again with bright, inquisitive eyes that didn’t miss a detail of my unfocused state against the door. Her grin got bigger, if that was humanly possible. “I’m so happy to meet you.”
Luke bumped Anna’s fist with his own, losing his dark glare and smiling back easily. “Thanks, Anna. It’s great to meet you, too. You two have been friends a long time, since grade school, right?”