Time for Love

by Lynn Michaels

  “Thank you.”

  “No sweat, man. Listen, Tabby knows a good real estate agent. I’ll get her to hook us up. ‘Kay?”

  “Does she know, like, everybody?”

  “Pretty much, yeah.”

  Jeremy chuckled. “Well, okay. That works.”

  After they hung up, Jeremy stared at his phone. With that decision made, he should feel better. Relieved. He didn’t. He thought about Ollie and that first day they’d met. Ollie had said he wanted to get under Jeremy’s skin. That’s what he’d said. Something like that, anyway.

  Well, he’d done that and more.

  Twenty – Jeremy

  Jeremy got out of bed with the same uncertainty he’d had all week. He’d made decisions. He’d made up his mind. Scottie was taking him back to Clearwater on Sunday, and the condo was going up on the market. Bernie had helped clean out most of the stuff, only the furniture, the TV, and some kitchen stuff were left. Everything else had been thrown out, donated to charity, or hauled off to Bernie or Scottie’s. None of it made Jeremy feel any better. Damn, Aunt Christy. Why’d you have to die and turn my world around?

  Jeremy skipped making coffee and headed toward Coffee Kraze. He hoped to get some good, hot caffeine and maybe another visit with the hippie. He’d come to think of him as his spirit guide of some sort. He’d shown up when Jeremy needed him, so he expected another visit to go the same way.

  The bell jingled when he entered, and he made his way to the counter to order. Though there were plenty of people in the cafe, none of them were the hippie-guide. He asked the girl at the counter about him, but she looked at him like he was crazy, so he gave her his order, letting it go. When he picked up his coffee at the other end of the counter, he asked the barista about the guy as well.

  “I’ve never seen anyone in here like that. You sure you met him here?”

  “Yeah. Twice.”

  The young kid shook his head. “I have a pretty good memory for faces.”

  “Thanks anyway.”

  Jeremy chose a single table by the window and sipped his coffee. Maybe he’d show up.

  After he finished his coffee and got a refill to go, he was resigned to the fact that meeting the guy had been a fluke, and he wouldn’t show up again. Expecting to see him there again had been kind of silly.

  He took his coffee back to the condo. The place was empty and lonely. He didn’t want to watch TV, so he changed into swim trunks and headed for the pool. At least it was water and sunshine, even if it had that chlorine-chemical smell that burned his eyes.

  After swimming a bit, he stretched out on a lawn chair and closed his eyes, enjoying the sun on his face. He could fall asleep like that if it weren’t for the kids laughing and screaming and splashing around.

  He’d lost track of time and had no idea how long he’d been there when someone bumped his chair. He sat up with a jolt.

  “You’ll get burned like that. At least put on sunscreen.”

  Jeremy looked up at the feminine voice. Star.

  “What the hell do you want?”

  She sighed and put her hand up to her forehead to block the sun, even though she wore an oversized pair of shades, framed in white plastic. She also wore a red tank top that had been cropped high and showed her belly button ring. Her jean cut-offs hung low on her hips. White flip-flops and a big white bag slung over one shoulder finished off the look. “I, uh, saw you here and wanted...I don’t know. To say sorry. I guess.”

  “You guess?”

  “It wasn’t me. You know? Not me. I had to go along, because of Nick.”

  “That’s bullshit.” Jeremy was surprised at how calm he sounded.

  “You don’t understand.”

  He stood up, towering over her by at least four or five inches. “No. I don’t. Not at all.”

  She took a step back and put her hand on her hip. “It’s Dano. See? He...he has shit on Nick. So we had to do what he wanted. I thought you were nice. So...”

  “Have you ever heard of Karma, Star?”

  She pursed her lips together so tight they turned a little white, despite the pink grease she had smeared on them.

  “Karma is a mean bitch. Meaner than you and Nick or Dano. Eventually, she’ll get you.” He pointed at her. “She doesn’t forgive or forget. I don’t have to do anything. Not a damn thing. That’s what y’all don’t seem to get. Karma will be around.”

  He turned and walked away, went inside. Pushed the button on the elevator. He didn’t look back until he was in the elevator. He didn’t see Star. She hadn’t followed him. His hands shook the instant the doors closed.

  Once inside his condo, he texted Ollie, Star was here. She confronted me at the pool. Please call.

  After a few minutes of silence, he texted one more time, I’m not lying. Damn it. Please.

  He thought about calling, but it would only roll over to his voicemail. He tossed his phone on the coffee table and seriously considered going out for a drink, then remembered he was still broke. Maybe he could call Scottie?

  His phone buzzed.

  Don’t move. Don’t go anywhere. Stay in your apartment. I mean it.

  Jeremy texted back a quick, Ok.

  Twenty minutes later, a knock on the door had Jeremy jumping up, heart pounding. He looked through the peephole as Ollie called out, “It’s Ollie. Open the door, please.” He sounded professional. Hard.

  Jeremy unlocked the door and opened it. His hands still shook He had maintained his cool long enough. He was ready to fall apart and almost sobbed as Ollie stepped inside and shut and locked the door behind him.

  “Hey...” He pulled Jeremy into his arms, and Jeremy buried his face in Ollie’s neck. He smelled like warm tortillas and figs and curry and comfort. “What happened to all that Zen shit? You’re shaking.”

  “It's Tao, and it doesn't mean you don't get upset or angry or scared. It means you think about the reasons for your emotions and think about your reactions to them. I think...I’m kinda scared.” He spoke his words into Ollie’s skin, hoping not to be pushed away.

  Ollie pulled him a little tighter. “I’m sorry,” he whispered softly in Jeremy’s ear, giving him a chill.

  He pulled back for a moment so he could see Ollie’s face, his honeyed-eyes filled with want.

  “Sorry for what? I know why you didn’t call.”

  “I...damn, Jeremy. I never wanted to hurt you. Not like that.” Ollie sighed and ran his hands up and down Jeremy’s arms. “When are you going back to Clearwater?”

  “When I can. Scottie is working on getting me a car, or he’ll drive me.” Jeremy shrugged. He wanted more than ever to get back home, but he didn’t want to leave Ollie’s arms, even for a second.

  “Can I stay with you? Until you go?”

  Jeremy couldn’t answer. His body tingled with the need to have Ollie close. He wanted to say yes.

  “Here’s the deal. I have a team searching the area. If Star or Nick are anywhere near here, we’ll find them.”

  “I’m not worried about them. It’s...the other one. Dano. He... Star said he was running the show.”

  Ollie nodded and swallowed hard. “I have some pictures I want you to look at. We have it narrowed down to who he could be.”

  Jeremy nodded.

  “Let’s go sit.” Ollie gestured to the couch. When they both sat there comfortably, knees and thighs pressed together, Ollie pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. Jeremy’s hand rested on Ollie’s thigh as if it had a right to be there. He wanted to have that right. If Ollie stayed, he would...at least a little longer. His chest tightened.

  “Here. This one. Is this him?”

  Ollie showed him a picture on his phone. The guy had shocking red hair and dark eyes and was not Dano. “No.” The next had blondish hair with a hint of red and piercing green eyes and freckles on his nose and cheeks. “No.” The third picture had a guy with darker hair, reddish, but could still be considered brown, and hazel eyes, and a wolfish smile. “It’s like a fairytale
.”

  “What?”

  “That’s him. Third one. Like a charm.”

  Ollie leaned in and kissed the side of his head near his temple. “You’re odd, but I sure like you. Huh. Fairytale.” He tapped on his phone. “I’m putting an APB out on him. Okay?”

  Jeremy nodded and sucked his lip in. He didn’t want to come across as pouting, but he felt fragile.

  “I am sorry. It’s—”

  “No. I get it. Ollie. You don’t have to explain.” He stood up and tucked his shaking fingers into the waistband of his trunks behind his back, so his elbows stuck out. “I’m not some little twink that needs protecting. I don’t have daddy issues. For real. I may be a little shaken up. I’m fine, but no need for you to stay. I don’t want a babysitter.”

  “Not babysitting. I know you’re capable. Damn, J. I...damn...I missed you. I want to spend some time with you.” He didn’t say the words Jeremy expected to hear next. Before we have to split up. Before you go back to Clearwater. Before I go home to New York. He didn’t need to say them, they hung in the air like the stench of rotten eggs. A strange awkwardness that hadn’t been there before sat between them.

  “No.”

  Ollie’s eyes pleaded with him, flashing hurt and need.

  “I can’t. I can’t do this.” He gestured between them, hoping Ollie would understand. Being together one more night and then getting the same brush off would break him. Ollie was right to end it. Jeremy needed to go home.

  Ollie stood up and tucked his phone in the pocket of his dress slacks. He walked to the door with a curt nod.

  Twenty-One – Ollie

  Ollie left Jeremy’s apartment and made his way over to where Walker stood next to his car in the parking lot where he coordinated the search. “Didn’t think I’d see your ugly mug until tomorrow, Mendosa.”

  “Yeah, well...” He couldn’t think of a smartass reply. “Whatever. I screwed things up with Jeremy. So...” He held up his hands. Walking away from Jeremy was the hardest thing he’d ever done, but they both understood that it was the right thing to do.

  “Giving up then?”

  “What else am I supposed to do?” He reached in his pants pocket for another Lifesaver candy, but it was empty.

  “Beats me. But we haven’t found any of our suspects, and Chief is calling us off. We’re posting a uniform in the lobby, though. They won’t be getting back in here, but your app better start predicting a little more accurately, or we’re going to be off the case.”

  “Hey. Did you get the picture I sent? That was found because of my app.”

  “And Jeremy.”

  “Yeah...well...”

  Walker snorted and opened the car door. “Meet you back at the station in twenty. We’ll grab some burgers or something after.”

  “Sure. Whatever.” Ollie turned to walk away. He wanted to march back up to Jeremy’s door and post himself there, but he’d be more useful in finding the assholes if he figured out his app. D-TAPPPSS would work. It had to. That didn’t mean he liked leaving Jeremy.

  “Hey,” Walker called out, making him stop. “Don’t give up so damned easy. Sometimes you have to, like, pursue a chick, er, dude. Whatever...”

  Ollie laughed and flipped Walker off. He could woo Jeremy. It probably wouldn’t take a lot of effort. The problem was he liked the guy too much and pursuing him would mean more than a hookup or whatever they had been doing. It would end with one or both of their hearts broken, and Ollie couldn’t take that chance. He didn’t want to see Jeremy hurt. He’d already seen enough of that, and he didn’t like the situation at all. Jeremy was right—they couldn’t keep doing this. “Shut the fuck up, Walker.”

  “Hey, trying to help you out here, dude.”

  Ollie flipped him off again and trudged over to his bike. The last thing he wanted was to head back to the office, but he didn’t have much choice. The search had been called off, but at least they were allowed to post a uniformed cop in the lobby of Jeremy’s building. Ollie couldn’t ask for more than that at the moment.

  Twenty-Two – Ollie

  Ollie pushed his seat back and kicked his feet up on the desk. His topsiders he’d bought new when he’d gotten into town were scuffed up. So was his heart. He laced his fingers together behind his head and leaned back with elbows out and closed his eyes.

  The Chief’s loud baritone interrupted his pondering a few minutes later. “This ain’t no country club, New York.”

  “You’re fucking kidding me? I wouldn’t have signed up for this shit, had I known.”

  The Chief shoved his feet to the floor and glared at him. “I want you and your partner in my office in less than ten minutes. Where the fuck is he?” He thumbed toward the other side of the desk.

  Ollie gave him a placating smile. “Getting coffee.”

  “Well, tell him to get it and get in here. I’ve got updates, asshole.”

  Ollie rubbed his fist into his eye as the Chief walked away. Updates were a great way to start the day. He texted Walker, Get in here—updates from Chief in 5.

  He stared at his phone expecting a reply, but he didn’t get one. Two minutes later Walker walked in and dropped two tall cups of coffee on their desk. “Here’s your fru-fru drink. I’d have made it sooner if you’d ordered a regular damned coffee like everyone else.”

  “What the fuck? It’s sweetener and cream. Not some Mocha Latte Carmo-bullshit. Whatever...”

  “Save it for someone who cares.”

  “You Florida assholes are grumpier than anyone back in New York.”

  “That’s because it’s so fucking hot out.”

  “Whatever. Come on. Chief wants us.”

  Walker pulled out his phone and presumably read over the message, before nodding and tucking his phone back in his pocket.

  Ollie rapped his knuckles against the Chief’s door and took a sip of his coffee. Thankfully, it was still hot. When the Chief grumbled something, Ollie opened the door and went in, followed closely by Walker. They stood in front of his desk until he looked up.

  “Okay, y’all. Here’s the deal. The uniform we left in the lobby picked up a guy matching one of our descriptions, and after fingerprinting him, turns out we have one Nicholas Broxson in custody.”

  “Holy hell!” Walker cheered.

  Ollie kicked the chair in front of his desk out and sat in it. “He’s not the ringleader. He’s working with more people than Star and Dano. We need to get some info from him.”

  The Chief didn’t look excited, though. “Yes, we do. Your app-thingy can only do so much. It did help us with this case, but I’m still not sure it’s worth the cost.”

  “It’s a trial.” Ollie defended his app in a way he never bothered defending his actions.

  “Yeah. Trial. Got that. But I’m thinking it’s not very conclusive. You managed to close the gap on the suspects, but not where they were. Your app said they’d be out of state now, not in our own backyard. And...we’ve only managed to pick up one of these bozos.”

  “That doesn’t mean anything. It’s predictive...the out of state was simply the most likely scenario...”

  “I’m pretty impressed so far, sir,” Walker added, and Ollie felt a surge of affection for the man for defending him, at least in part. “I don’t think we’d have ever found out who some of these guys were so quickly.”

  “Why not? They were in our database, and this Ringer kid picked ‘em out.”

  Ollie’s temperature rose about three notches. “Are you trying to discredit my app?”

  “I’m trying to be realistic, son. That thing’s gonna cost a fortune that our taxpayers don’t need to be shelling out cash for if it can’t do any more than we can already do.”

  “Well, it’s not up to you. My reports go up to New York.”

  “I’m putting in a report, too. And it’s not going to be all that flattering, Mendosa.”

  Ollie’s temper boiled. He took a deep breath and nudged Walker’s shoulder. “Come on let’s go talk to Broxson
.” He had to get the hell out of there before he exploded and ruined his career.

  The Chief stood up with a loud screech of his chair legs on linoleum. “No, you don’t.”

  Ollie jerked around. “What do you mean?”

  “You’re not a detective. Nor are you impartial. I know you’ve been way too close to the witness. You’re not going to screw this up for us. App or no app. We need this ring broken up. Leave the questioning to the professionals.”

  “Walker’s the lead detective—”

  “He’s off the case.”

  Walker’s head jerked up to look at the Chief. “What?”

  “That’s bullshit,” Ollie blurted out at the same time.

  “No. That’s the facts.”

  “We’re finally making progress, and you’re calling us off the case?”

  “Yes. From this point forward, you don’t have any reason for fieldwork. You can get your updates at the end of the day from Lieutenant Baker.”

  “That’s not how this works.” Ollie had never been ready to fight so much in his life. “That’s not what was agreed upon. This app is supposed to be used in the field. If I don’t update it in real time with a real case, it blows the trial.” Ollie took a few breaths. The Chief stared at him with a scowl on his face. “You already know that, though. Don’t you?”

  “Doesn’t matter. I make the rules here. This is my house. If you don’t fucking like it, go back to New York.”

  Ollie threw his hand in the air and stormed out. That was it. The trial was over.

  Walker followed him back through their office. Ollie sat on top of the desk and put his feet on the chair. “What the hell? For real. What was that?” He flung his hands up. How was he going to help Jeremy without D-TAPPPSS?

  Walker grumbled, “He doesn’t like you.”

  “How can you tell? No, for real. Is he god damn homophobic or something?”

  Lieutenant Baker chose that moment to show up. He stared at Ollie with raised eyebrows over green eyes that sparked with intelligence. He hadn’t worked much with Baker but he had a reputation for being very quick minded and solving cases, which meant more than anything else in almost any precinct. “He’s not homophobic.”