For Love of Livvy

by J. M. Griffin

  "You mean there're two hunks hanging around?"

  "Well yeah, one is a trooper, but he's there on business and the other is my new tenant."

  "Cripes, you get all the luck. Must be those long legs and great body that draws ‘em in.” Pearly teeth glistened in the sunlight. Her tanned skin was to die for and I seemed to be the only one without color.

  Traffic was minimal in the village and I wasn't surprised to see the same people drive back and forth. They slowed down as they passed us, geeking at what we were up to. People were curious about everything going on, especially in a small town like this one.

  Changing positions so she could see, Lola stepped to the back of the car and leaned against the trunk. I sidled up next to her.

  "What are they gawking at, for Chrissake? You been breaking the law or what?” Lola asked.

  "Nah, they're just nosey and like to watch everything going on whenever they can."

  "You're right, so tell me about this tenant."

  "He came by the other day when Lanky Larry and I painted the apartment upstairs. He asked to rent it and I agreed, that's all. Larry says it's time I moved on and he's right."

  She stared at me with all seeing eyes for a moment which made me real uncomfortable. I hedged a bit and then angled back against the trunk of the squat auto.

  "You've done well dealing with Livvy's death and maybe Larry's right, though it's early days yet. Give yourself some time, Vin.” Her serious eyes steadied my chaotic thoughts and I gave her shoulder a squeeze.

  "You always say the right thing, Lola. I wish I had that knack."

  "Well, we do counsel each other when needed, right?” She chuckled.

  We had been friends forever and when either of us had a problem, each would listen in turn. We called it teatime and it was our private joke. I just didn't care to have my brain picked until I was ready. Still too many cobwebs in the attic at the moment.

  "Want something to eat? I can whip up a snack if you're interested.” Anything to change the subject.

  "Sure, why not? I can go to the deli a little later. The staff has everything under control at the moment.” Her laughter tinkled like glass chimes and I envied her petite form and generous nature.

  I folded myself into the car and we drove the short distance to the house. She parked in the side driveway and we went inside by the rear door.

  "What do you want to eat?” I asked with a grin.

  "Got any leftovers from your father?"

  I laughed and shook my head. She knew I always had a goody bag and adored my father's cooking as much as I did. He'd taught us to make some tasty dishes and while I didn't cook much, Lola had absorbed his knowledge. Her well known culinary talent kept customers coming back.

  "Now tell me what's really going on.” She looked right through me and knew there was more.

  While I heated up the chicken, I explained about the jewels, note and Trooper Richmond. I also mentioned how opportune it had been that The Hunk, Aaron Grant, had shown up on my doorstep.

  Now call me suspicious, but curiosity always played a huge part in my life. I enjoyed a mystery, real or written and that's probably why I taught criminalistics. Crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, evidence gathering and such were but a taste of the fare offered in my classes.

  I enjoyed myself immensely as did my students. They were strictly hands on kind of classes with role playing included and touted as the most sought after in the program. I usually had a waiting list of people who wanted in.

  "Do you think this guy upstairs is up to no good or is it your predilection for suspense and mystery that's driving you?” Lola loaded her dish after I slid the plate of leftovers and salad across the counter.

  "I'm not sure. He appears to be quite pleasant, but then so was Ted Bundy and look what happened to those trusting women. My father thinks he's an ax murderer.” I chuckled. “On the other side of the coin, Detective Bellini sent him to me, so he can't be all bad, right?"

  She rolled her eyes as I spoke and sucked the chicken off the bone. Man, she could really eat for someone so tiny, but I'm no slouch in that department either.

  "Maybe you should run a check on him and find out for sure. Even though Ted Bundy seemed above reproach, his alibi's fell apart after the cops wised up.” Lola shrugged and ripped a hunk of bread off the loaf to do la zuppa in the salad dressing left on her plate.

  "I could, I suppose, but if he found out, I'd look pretty insecure, don't you think?” I'd almost whined and caught myself up short.

  "It's up to you, but with what's been happening here with the gems, break-in and the cops questioning you all the time, it wouldn't hurt to take precautions."

  A truck door slammed and the front foyer door swung open. I heard a sharp rap on my apartment door and went to investigate with Lola hot on my heels. I opened the door and stared into Aaron's dreamy dark eyes.

  "Hey Aaron, what's up? Come on in.” I stepped back and tripped over Lola who hovered behind me. She was so short, Aaron hadn't seen her and I stumbled backwards over her while her arms flailed beneath me. We must have looked like a Hindu Vishnu statue, with outstretched, multiple arms. I landed on the floor with a loud oomph and squashed Lola, who struggled for breath.

  Deep laughter burst from Aaron and echoed around the room as Lola and I tumbled away from each other.

  "Don't crush the poor woman,” he said between chuckles and helped Lola from the floor before turning to me.

  "I came by to see if you wanted to go to Federal Hill tonight and listen to the opera in the courtyard. I'm meeting some friends up there and thought you might like to join us."

  My eyes slid to Lola, but she stood there with a goofy grin on her face, unable to take her eyes off the handsome man towering over her. Geez, I guess the Ted Bundy theory had just flown out the window along with an ID check. Oh well, what the hell.

  "Sure, I'd love to go. What time?” I asked.

  "Around four, if that's okay. The crowd arrives early and our group usually has dinner while we listen to the music. I'll come by then and pick you up."

  "If it's easier, I can meet you there. That way you won't have to come back out here twice.” I preferred to drive my own car in case the Ted Bundy thing was real.

  "If you'd rather, that'll be fine. I'll wait for you near Mama Leone's Bakery then.” Aaron flashed a grin at Lola, who stood quite mesmerized by him, and then he left.

  "Wow,” Lola said, all goggle eyed. It was similar to Lanky Larry's response. I guess I was the only one who wasn't completely overwhelmed by the man. Now, that's not saying I didn't find him attractive as hell, I just wasn't goggle eyed, is all.

  "So, I guess the Ted Bundy theory is out the window?” I asked in a wise ass sort of way.

  "Um, well, um, maybe you could still look into his background, but he does look WWF to me, sort of like The Rock, don't you think? Was that your first impression?"

  "Yeah, it was. He says he works for the gaming commission. His license plate has the letters H-I-R-L-L-R which I take to mean high roller. Interesting, don't you think?” I noticed Lola had come out of her bleary eyed trance and considered what I said.

  "Hmmm, well, run him through NCIC and see what you find. You've got the connections for it, so do it, for God's sake. He's really gorgeous though, those arms are ... well, ya know?” Her smirk and waggling eyebrows conveyed the thought better than words.

  Laughter rocked my body as I watched this little bombshell and pictured the idea she'd proposed. Cripes, she and Lanky wanted to use and abuse his body, all I wanted was protection. Well, maybe some use too, but mostly protection.

  We polished off the chicken, opened some beers and sat on the deck like two stuffed piglets. My father was a phenomenal chef and his food didn't allow for waste. Once we'd started eating, there was no end until it was gone. We'd finished all but one piece of pie, and that I was saving for a weak moment later on.

  The beer bottles were empty, and Lola heaved herself out of the lounge chair
with regret.

  "I'd better get to the deli. The staff will be wondering if I've been abducted by aliens. God forbid the place should run without me for more than a few hours.” She laughed.

  Lola had hired honest help who handled all and everything that came their way. She didn't need to work every day, but then, that was just Lola. She enjoyed the heavy seasonal business and lived well off the profits all winter long when things slowed down.

  "Come by tomorrow for lunch and tell me how the date went with this handsome brute.” She giggled and hustled out the door.

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  Chapter 7

  At four o'clock, I parked in the only space available near the piazza on Federal Hill, in the Italian end of Providence. The crowd was enormous and people milled around the fountain while the various restaurants filled up, inside and out. I headed toward Mama Leone's, a bakery that sold delicious pastries with melt in your mouth goodness, which lay just past the Tratoria's.

  In a casual stance, Aaron leaned against a stone pillar watching the traffic and turned to stare at me as I approached. His grin turned to a full on smile and white teeth glistened against his tanned skin. Gosh, he was delicious.

  My heart rate hiked as I stared back from behind Tommy Hilfiger sunglasses. The lenses were dark and my eyes were hidden, which gave me the opportunity to take in his entire being from head to toe and back. Mmm, lip licking good.

  Square hands and strong arms hung from wide, broad shoulders. No jewelry was evident except for a watch. Khaki cargo shorts revealed well muscled legs and boat moccasins adorned his feet. The shirt was crisp, fresh linen. Though he looked smart in the outfit, it was a far cry from the attire he'd arrived in the other day. Maybe he was just a regular guy, but I was still curious about him.

  His eyes flicked over my outfit while I smiled at the pleasure on his face. I'd chosen a sleeveless v-neck, stretch pique dress in bright cherry with white piping on the neck and arms. The short dress showed a lot of leg, and I carried a matching lightweight jacket. Three inch heeled sandals were strapped to my feet. I was already tall, no sense in wearing the spike heels I'd been tempted with, even though Aaron was still taller than me.

  He reached a hand out. Taking it, I walked alongside him. I noticed heads turn as we strolled by and figured he was the cause of the stir.

  "I'm glad you could join us. One of our crew couldn't make it, but I think you'll enjoy meeting everyone.” With that, he tucked my hand into the crook of his arm and we turned toward the piazza to sit at an outside table.

  "The dress is quite nice, and I enjoy the view, by the way.” His smile was contagious.

  With a wide grin, I said, “Glad you approve."

  The restaurant wasn't far from the space allotted for music and dance by the theatre company. I stared around with interest. Sliding my sunglasses off, I placed them on the table.

  A waiter stepped over and took our order for drinks and I watched people wander the courtyard. Some were dressed well, others more relaxed and some downright outlandish. I smiled while my eyes traveled the crowd.

  The waiter brought our beverages as two couples waved to Aaron and hustled toward the table. I watched them make their way through the crowd and settle at our table. Introductions were made and I did the “smile until my face cracked” thing as I memorized everyone's name. Curiosity shadowed the smiles and greetings I received from the two women, but the men were cordial.

  Conversation started, but the music began and the singers drifted into view. The program lasted an hour or so and while traffic never ceased, the audience was held spellbound. I enjoyed the show and laughed heartily when the tenor pitched the soprano into the fountain. It wasn't supposed to happen that way, I'm sure, but she was heavy and he was slight, so there you have the dilemma.

  After the opera ended, we ordered dinner and I listened while everyone chattered on and on. I'd finished eating when Aaron caught my eye, grinned and glanced around the table.

  "Did I mention that Vinnie is my land lady?” He smirked as though a secret joke was in play.

  A smile skittered across my features at the response of everyone at the table. Julie and Frank Monsorie stared in surprise while Madeline and Edward Gibson tittered in disbelief.

  "You didn't move to the country, did you?” Edward asked. He was a tall rail of a man with thinning hair scraped across his dome, a slight mustache and hard eyes. His wife, Madeline, was short, dark and wide in the girth, but merry to say the least. I'd put them around fortyish and well heeled.

  "Yes, I did. I've wanted to for a while now and this apartment came along, so I rented it. Is that surprising to all of you?"

  Heads shook in the negative, but it was easy to see they thought otherwise.

  Julie Monsorie glanced at Aaron and then at me with another summing up look similar to the one I had received when we'd first met. There really hadn't been a lot of time to talk before the show, so who knows what they all thought.

  "It's nice that you've relocated. It's been long enough and you need a change.” With that said, another roving glance went around the table then landed on me.

  I turned a curious stare toward the lean woman. A change from what? I wondered. With a quick glance down, she leaned back in the chair and swirled the stem of her wine glass in silence. Cripes, just what I needed, a match maker. Ugh.

  His hand on her arm, Frank Monsorie gave Julie a small squeeze and smiled in embarrassment. I glanced away and then caught Aaron's eyes on me.

  "It has nothing to do with change, just moving into the country,” he said.

  I smiled and stood up with an uttered excuse that it was time to leave.

  "I should get back to the house. Nice to meet all of you,” I said.

  Aaron's gaze flicked around the table before he stood and said he'd walk me to the car. I knew the talk would start the moment we left, but hey, who gives a shit?

  We strolled down the shaded street and Aaron unlocked my car. Before I could climb inside, he held my arms in a soft grasp and turned me toward him.

  "Thanks for joining me tonight. I had a nice time and think we should do this again. Maybe without the friends, though.” He leaned into me and his lips covered mine. It was a light kiss, one that didn't make demands.

  I could feel my temperature rise and wondered if every handsome man I met lately would have this affect on me. Gosh, was I hot to trot or just a slut?

  When he stepped away, I smiled a bit and agreed to another date. He watched me drive away.

  My thoughts were jumbled. I wondered what the time for a change thing was about. Dang, maybe he was an ex-con or even a widower. I could certainly do without either and chewed my lip.

  Route 6 was quiet, and I reached the village in a short time. It wasn't a long trip from Providence, depending on traffic and speed. Scituate was dark with few lights showing in the homes along Danielson Pike. I meandered along toward mine. It was good be out of the city.

  Turning into the driveway, I parked the car in front of the oversized, two storied garage. Motion sensors kicked in and lights blazed. I'd found the bulbs had been loosened when I'd checked them earlier. Deep shadows stretched along the side of the garage and backyard, where the light couldn't reach. Large areas of the drive and deck were surrounded in brightness.

  My feet crunched over the crushed stone covered driveway. I entered the back door, stepped into the hall and flipped the light switch while I unlocked the apartment door. The outside lights faded as the inside overhead bulb popped and darkness swarmed over me. I swore under my breath while struggling to fit the key in the lock. As it slid into place, I turned the handle and pushed the door open.

  My handbag and jacket landed on the counter and I kicked off the high heeled sandals. Heavy fragrance hung in the air as I stood in the kitchen. A cheap men's cologne. I sidled toward the alcove where I kept the bat. I listened intently, but no sound reached my ears as I slid forward on nylon stocking covered feet.

  My heart thumped
with chaotic rhythm against my ribcage while I moved farther into the house, flipping light switches as I went. Each room I entered had a switch near the door frame, except the living room. That switch was at the front entry door.

  The rooms were empty, even the closets. Though, in a house as old as this one, closets were at a premium and too small to hold much of anything. I gathered what courage I could muster and slowly entered the living room. Maybe I should have called the police, I thought belatedly as the fragrance reached my nose.

  Wood shutters lined the front windows. Muted street light slipped through the cracks. Gloomy shadows stretched out from the dim lights behind me. An apparition separated itself from the other shadows and crossed the room at warp speed. It struck me, connecting with my shoulder, as I jumped sideways. Startled, I bounced against a chair, dropped the bat and flipped backwards in surprise.

  The intruder leaned down, grasped my arm and then hauled me to my feet.

  "Where is it?” he growled in a deep, coarse whisper.

  By this time, my eyes had adjusted to the dark. I could see the silhouette of a man.

  "I don't know what you want,” I said, and trembled.

  He reached back to hit me, but I formed a spear with my fingers for protection. I struck at him, missing his face, but hit his neck instead. With a sideways stance, I lifted one hand in a blade shape while I fisted the other. It wouldn't be easy for someone to beat my brains out, not if I could help it. Anger boiled just beneath the surface as adrenaline coursed through my veins.

  The stranger advanced with his hand fisted, on my left. I leaned back on my right leg, raised my left knee and straight kicked the flat bottom of my bare foot. A woof of pain came from him when the blow connected with his knee. I knew I'd struck home and resumed a defensive stance once again in hopes that he'd run away. I was wrong and didn't that rankle a bit.

  He swept toward me and shoved his hand toward my face. With a gasp, I dodged away from him. To gain space between us, I stepped back and tripped over debris on the floor. I feel against the sofa and it slid back against the wall with a crash as I tumbled onto the floor.