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 handed 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 she 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 was talking about you, 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. 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
T essa 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.
~ ~ ~
Chase opened the bathroom door in time to see Tessa peek out the curtains. He decided Zoric’s idea of standing watch for a while was a good idea. Stretching and yawing, Chase watched Tessa turn and examine him with eyes which might be his undoing. Maybe he should have worn more than 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…”
Chase stood and faced her, continuing to toss the ball in the air with one hand, then catching it repeatedly. “Another lie. You’re nervous now because you’ve not been in a motel room with a man, besides Robert, of course, in a very long time.” He watched her comfort level tank. “I bet the only man you’ve ever slept with is Robert. Am I right?” he grinned as the ball stopped.
“I-I-I’ve slept with many men, actually,” Tessa said backing away and looking down at the floor.
“Well whata ya know. Robert’s a lucky man,” he said shaking his head. “I’m number two.”
“Excuse me!”
“You’re practically a virgin in this day and time.” His face went stern as he tossed the ball on the bed. Chase moved toward Tessa forcing her to awkwardly take backward steps. “I’ll have to say I’ve never met anyone quite like you.” He made eye contact with Tessa causing her to stumble against the table then into the door. “I know why you ran, thinking your family was in danger but we never did talk about how you managed to get away from Essid.”
Tessa dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. “I simply told him it wasn’t a good idea. He agreed and left.” A large hand went up on the door beside her head. “Didn’t you talk to Mr. Crawley about this?”
“I wanna hear it from you, Tessa,” he said as he brought his other hand up on the other side of her head.
“You are invading my personal space, Captain Hunter. I’m warning you, I’ve had a self-defense class.”
Chase pressed himself up against Tessa lightly so that she couldn’t knee him like she had the last time she’d felt threatened by his close proximity. “We’re back to captain again. Tell me, Tessa and I’ll stand back.”
She shivered and nodded as Chase slowly took two steps back. Her eyes blinked rapidly, no doubt, remembering her encounter with Essid. She owed it to him to fill in the gaps of the morning.
“I didn’t see him come up behind me. Mr. Crawley was in bad shape when I got to him.”
“He told me how you got him out of the trunk. Where did you learn to do that?” Chase searched her face as her eyes seem to focus on events that occurred earlier in the day. Events he could not see.
Her eyes met his. “Boy Scouts.” He felt confused. “I’m a den mother for my boys. I taught the survival merit badge.” Tessa pushed her hair away from her face. “Well, I actually taught myself first.”
Captain Chase Hunter smiled at the simplicity of it all. “I’m somehow not surprised. Go on.”
Tessa began telling how one of Essid’s thugs yanked Mr. Crawley out of the car, bound his hands and mouth with duct tape then shoved him onto the floorboard of the backseat of Essid’s Volvo. When Tessa tried to scream for help, Essid slapped her so hard she spun back against the door and cut her forehead.
“One of his men tried to put tape on my mouth. I started to cry,” she sniffed back tears as a show of strength. “The next thing I knew he had a gun pointed at my stomach. I…” Tessa swallowed hard as a tear escaped squeezed from the corner of her eye, “I told him you would be there any minute and…” Tessa reached out as if to lay her palm on Chase’s chest, “I’m so sorry, Chase. I told him you were coming for me.” Tessa shook her head. “I could’ve gotten you killed too, just because I was trying to save myself.” Tessa pushed past Chase and started to rub her arms as if she were suddenly cold. “He’s an evil man.”
Chase gently turned Tessa around to face him. “Then what happened?”
Tessa blinked back more tears and swallowed. “When he glanced away, looking to see if you were there, I took out the red pepper spray I had in my pocket.”
Chase remembered that Tessa had used it on one of the terrorists in Knoxville, and had taken it from her later. “I thought I took that.”
Tessa smiled weakly. “I had another canister in the front zipper section of my purse. I took it out this morning and stuck it in my jean’s pocket in case…you know---just in case.”
Chase smiled warmly, feeling that surge of respect and something unfamiliar well up inside him. “Please tell me you assaulted him.”
“When Essid looked back at me he reached out and grabbed my blouse.” Tessa pointed to the front just over her breasts. “He said something in a language I didn’t understand. It didn’t sound like he was paying me a compliment. So I,” she paused.
Chase chuckled. “You didn’t!?”
Tessa had rammed her knee into Essid’s groin, rendering him unable to make good on his threats. When the second thug had caught Essid and pushed him aside to rest against their car, he lunged at Tessa only to be sprayed in the eyes with her pepper spray. He collapsed moaning and cursing into her Equinox, rubbing madly at his face and eyes. Another pair of hands from behind knocked the spray from her grip and managed to duct tape her hands behind her back. They secured her feet by tying them to her hands after pushing her onto the backseat of Essid’s car onto her stomach.
“Someone took a picture of you two tied up and sent it to me. We thought you were in the back of the Equinox.” Chase realized after he’d found her alive neither he nor Zoric had taken the time to distinguish between the vehicles.
“The phone I stole from Ms. Coleman’s desk, I guess. He threw it on the ground and stomped it before throwing it at my head. My mouth was taped, and I couldn’t move.”
Chase thought she must have turned her cheek to receive the full impact of the phone. The bruise was now visible in a soft shade of blue. “Mr. Crawley says they locked the doors with the windows up and t
ook off.”
“I saw the Equinox back out with two of the men, but Essid wasn’t with them. They must have been trying to lure you away from him.”
Chase nodded, hating he’d fallen for such an amateur’s trick. “And then?”
“It was so hot. Mr. Crawley hadn’t recovered from being in the trunk. It was even hotter in the car. I scooted as close to the door as possible and started kicking the door, but no one came. I heard gunfire and thought you’d arrived. Just when I thought I’d pass out I heard two women screaming for others to get down. I started kicking again. The next thing I knew the fire department was breaking out the window and pulling us out.” Tessa unconsciously rubbed her hands together as if finishing something important. “I, I was so scared,” she confessed rubbing her arms again as if chilled.
“You’ve been through a lot these last couple of days.”
“This was far worse than at the house, nearly going over the cliff or in Knoxville,” she said meeting his gaze.
Chase grinned. “Why is that?”
“Because I thought you might not come in time,” she said with a helpless shrug.
Chase stepped forward and Tessa fell into his arms. He held her so close he could feel her heart beat and the warmth of her cheek on his skin. Without thinking his hand went to the back of her head where he could feel the blond curls twist around his fingers. Chase felt her begin to breath normally and then stiffen as if she became aware of her close proximity to his body. Carefully Tessa pulled away, straightening her shirt, her hair and tear streaked face.
“Thanks. Robert always says I’m such a baby.”
Chase cringed at her husband’s name and took out his phone. He saw that he had a message; read it then deleted. His eyes went back to Tessa. “Tell you what…” he pushed a button on the phone. “Why don’t we give ole Robert a call? You can catch up; reassure yourself that someone really is looking after your family.” He handed her the phone and went back to the edge of the bed to watch the game.
The Enigma Series Boxed Set Page 23
