“Now, Martha on the other hand,” Betty countered, “is dating that Roland fellow. He sounds like a geriatric case if you ask me.”
“What is with her?” asked Hazel. “She’s proving to be absolutely no competition at all.”
“Forget her for now. We’d better stay focused on this David fellow,” ordered Betty. “I’ve seen the way he keeps eyeing Samantha. Why, it downright gives me the willies!”
“By the way, said Hazel. “I checked out his license plate like you suggested. And you know what? You will never guess in a million years. That 1965 Mustang convertible of his, he’s been driving all over town, is registered in the name of Pat Sterling, that real estate agent who works for that fellow Bill, who owns that agency, and…”
Betty held up her hand. “Whoa! Stop! Back up a minute. It’s registered in the name of who…?”
Chapter 52
Rationalizing Relationships
I was still standing there after the two of them had abruptly left the library. Some guy approaching the area spooked them. My mind was trying to untangle what I overheard. So far, it was undeniable that, when seen, David and Pat were on a so-called…business date?
But what was with the car thing? Why was it registered in her name? I thought Bill introduced the two of them for the purpose of Pat showing David the local landscape and what it had to offer. Obviously, those two were treading different terrain.
For what reason?
Offhand, I couldn’t think of one. Another thread was still working its way through my thoughts and still going nowhere. David said he was sent to watch out for me. Why?
For who?
My mind was making leaps here and maybe there was more to this than I was willing to consider.
I’d seen Mona and David meeting secretly at the market. That was relationship number one.
Not so innocent.
Then there was the meeting of Pat and David at one of the casino bars. That was relationship number two.
Innocent enough at the time.
In the meantime, David had been driving Pat’s car, as though it was his very own.
Was it innocent coincidence? Explainable?
The third relationship, a few years ago, was with Mona and Pat. That was confirmed by both of them.
That sent me to a strange fourth relationship, one between Mona and Stephen.
One of convenience? One of greed?
Then Mona finally revealed she mailed the disc to Stephen to protect herself from the last relationship on my list, one between Mona and Joey.
A potentially dangerous one?
But now that Stephen was dead, I was left with a question that was still proving harder to answer.
Who had the disc? Supposedly, it was yours truly, me.
I felt like I was making inroads, but traveling nowhere. Same old. Same old. I knew there had to be something else Mona wasn’t disclosing. Come to think of it, there was probably a lot she wasn’t disclosing.
I had explanations, reasons, and some corroboration. This whole thing was wearing thin on me. Who was telling the truth and who was lying? What a quagmire! And to think I was trapped in the middle. Who would have guessed I would be ensnared in another complicated web of deception?
Sound rational to you? I didn’t think so!
Chapter 53
Transmitting Information & Infectious Contagion
Now, I know this sounds crazy, but some individuals you can’t envision being inside a library. The in your face Harley girl was high on that list. I could just about picture her anywhere, but not there. And I have a pretty good imagination.
Trust me on that one.
I could see her in a bar, casino, athletic event, or riding a motorcycle, which she does very skillfully by the way, but in a library? That would not be the first thing that would pop into my mind.
That’s why I was thrown off kilter when I smacked into her the minute I whipped around to go grab Martha’s reserved book and make a fast exit to get back to my laptop and my writing before I forgot any of their conversation.
I stepped back in surprise. “…Crystal?”
She smiled. “Shocked?”
“Sort of,” I said, still trying to get over finding her there.
“I’m known as the local oxymoron, a rebel with a soft spot for literacy.”
What was I supposed to say? “…Well I…it’s just that…seeing you here sort of threw me.”
Crystal was clearly enjoying having caught me off guard. “Unexpected, huh? I volunteer here a couple of hours a week on the computer, cataloging books. No heavy lifting required. You know me with my chronic back problems. Gotta be careful. Sometimes I…” On and on she went.
It was hard to believe, but had to be true. I eyed her up and down. How long had she been standing behind me? Had she heard what Betty and Hazel said too?
I took a calming breath. Here we go again. I was starting to get that paranoid feeling in the pit of my stomach. My brain cells and intuition were kicking me for attention. Too many people were popping up in the strangest places in this town. Why?
Now that I had a personal stake in this since my skin was in the game, I needed to put into perspective these unusual sightings that were unsettling. Why were certain individuals materializing in these unexpected places?
I slowly made a move to edge away from her rant to pick up the book that Martha had waiting at the main desk. “…Well,” I said. “I’d better grab that book I came for and get moving. I have to get back to write.”
“Oh! By the way,” Crystal said, trying to keep a straight face. “Tell Martha her book on infectious diseases is ready for pick up.”
I stood there mute, struggling for a clever retort that obviously wasn’t forthcoming.
Crystal finally burst out laughing. “I bet those women will be the death of you yet, Sam.”
“No, I figure I’ll probably die of embarrassment first.”
I slowly walked away considering future alternatives.
Do libraries deliver?
Chapter 54
Paradigms And Paradoxes
Silence ruled our relationship since my last words with David. It spoke volumes about what was left unsaid between us. Ever since that last incident, my suspicions and the contradictions in his behavior were flourishing.
His last admission of watching out for me disturbed me more than anything else he could have revealed. I couldn’t shake the sense of unease after that. What was he watching out for? My main objective was finding out why that subject wasn’t open for discussion with him.
Mona felt certain that Joey thought I had the disc.
The reason? Originally, Joey linked Stephen to all of this, and then after Stephen’s unexpected car accident, me.
The culprit? That fateful email with Stephen’s address. Now, I’m asking myself. What was Mona thinking in being so careless like that?
Even I knew that’s what the delete key was for!
I had more than enough time to think about the other implications as far as my wellbeing was concerned. Could I trust David at his word? Was he really looking out for me? If I was in danger, I’d like a little warning about what I was in for. Well, giving it second thoughts, maybe not.
Who could have possibly asked him to do this? I was at a loss in that area too. Mona didn’t have the wherewithal to hire anyone. Where would she get the money?
So, did David owe her a favor? Why was David involved with Mona? This intricate web of connections left me at a distinct disadvantage, and was starting to get on my nerves.
Big time.
My doorbell rang. I smoothed back my ponytail and slowly opened the door. There stood the biggest oxymoron of all, Mr. I-don’t-know-your-girlfriend, -but-I-sure-do-talk-to-her-all-the-time-kind-of-guy, David.
His smile could melt hearts, I was sure. Not mine. I don’t go there anymore. When I was itching for some answers, I scratched my intuition instead. No sir!
I was now on the lookout for patterns and inc
onsistencies.
Chapter 55
Making Clever Imaginative Choices
David stood there, smiling cheerfully. In one hand was a picnic basket, in the other, a bottle of wine.
Hmmm. My first clue!
“Ready?” he asked, laughing and holding open the foyer door for me. “I thought I’d entice you with one clue for you to think over while we ride.”
“Clue to what?” I asked, alert.
“A clue to figure out where we’re going.”
“Hmm,” I greeted, already thinking hard. Then it dawned on me. Ocean City was a dry town. No alcohol. Not even the restaurants served it. “We’re going off island.”
Earlier, he had asked if I was available and open for a picnic. Hey, I’m clever enough to know when to jump at an opportunity staring me in the face. Besides, I wasn’t doing well in the shadowing department anyway.
Nothing new had popped up on my screen and the ‘girls,’ mind you, and I’m using that term loosely here, I figured, were currently in Atlantic City trying their luck. Now, whether that meant with gambling or men I wasn’t quite sure. If Martha had her say, it probably meant both.
“Sure,” I had earlier replied to David. “I’m game.”
Crystal was upstairs with her cleaning crew. She said she would lock up and set the alarm when she was finished. I was currently at a stalemate in my book too, not sure which direction I was taking the storyline.
Or, to phrase it more accurately, which way it was taking me. Hopefully, it was toward a safe conclusion. At the moment, I was scavenging for the smallest crumb of information that might lead me anywhere, except not back to square one.
I heaved a sigh of relief. No Harley was in sight in the courtyard. Not that I had anything against riding it, but I didn’t want to tempt fate with someone out there thinking I might have that notorious disc. I did not want to be someone’s ‘accident’ waiting to happen. I smiled. “Well, do I at least get another clue as to where it might be?”
“It involves animals,” he said, and then laughed when he saw my double take at hearing his reply.
“Animals? Sounds interesting.” Now, I used to be an insecure person and kind of fearful in the past. So, I half expected a relapse kind of reaction due to my tendency to get into situations deeper than I had originally intended. But this time, I chose to ignore that old feeling by confidently walking right over and getting into his car.
A half an hour later we exited off the New Jersey Garden State Parkway, made a right, and drove past the sign that read Cape May Zoo, directly ahead. I turned to him, surprised for a second time that day. “The zoo?”
“Hey, what better place to have a picnic?” he laughed. “It’s such a beautiful day, too. I bet you haven’t even taken the time to come here yet, have you?”
“I’ve been too busy keeping other animals at bay,” I replied, waiting for him to take the bait. If he was keeping an eye out for me, I wanted to know why. And his reason better be good. As for the zoo, I was reserving any final judgment on that one.
After glancing over and watching him as we drove through the entrance, I suddenly had a change of heart. He was a good-looking guy in a dangerous kind of way. My reasons and their importance could wait until later.
Been there. Done that before.
But then I smiled, realizing what a great opportunity I had on my hands. The only difference this time was that my mysterious male friend/adversary? was more mature and mellow, but probably once again, would prove to be just as complicated. Maybe, I should be winging this self-styled interrogation instead and see exactly where it led me.
He turned to me, flashing one of his effortless smiles. “I’ll park here. We can grab a picnic table under the shade of that tree over there,” he said, pointing. “More privacy.”
I glanced around after we were finally settled. “Nice place. You’re right. It’s a spectacular day to be outdoors.”
He smiled slyly. “I have a rep for arranging surprises.”
I, on the other hand, wondered what else he had a rep for. “Have you been here before?” I asked. “It’s an unusual place for a picnic.” But as I uttered those remarks, I noticed a lot of other people with families, also setting tables and firing up their grills for their own picnics.
“I picked up a brochure downtown,” David said, removing the cork from the bottle and filling my glass with wine. “I’m open to the totally unexpected. How about you, Samantha?” Then he raised his glass in a toast. “To zoos and picnics!”
Intrigued by our unique destination, I raised my glass, responding with my toast. “Clever choice! Imaginative!”
Chapter 56
Lions, Tigers & What? Oh No!
The Cape May zoo took an unusual approach. No entrance fee, just donations. I liked that. Maybe people would tend to be more generous that way. We had finished sharing the bottle of wine after eating crusty French bread, slathered with cherry topped Brie and some sliced chilled fruit. It was an elegant, but simple zoo picnic.
Then we started off toward the entrance of the actual zoo itself, stopping to chat with a county sheriff on horseback who was patrolling the woods and foot trails. Off to the side, I noticed a small train ride and carousel filled with small children. Finally, we stopped to speak to a few zoo personnel to get acquainted with the layout of the park before entering.
Workers and volunteers kept it clean and tidy and were very informative about the animals they were responsible for. The monkeys were adorable, as were the goats, eating out of our hands through the fencing, feeding on special food pellets available in dispensers along the walkways.
We couldn’t believe all the numerous exhibits, amazed by the assortment of animals and species for a zoo of that size. Sometimes we found ourselves encased under a towering canopy of trees, while numerous elevated walkways afforded everyone a better overall view of the larger animals that were encased below in assorted caged fenced in areas on ground level for everyone’s protection. As the animals stared back at us, I laughed, thinking, who was observing who?
Midway, we entered another raised walkway section where a female tiger lounged on an elevated platform inside a spacious two-story wire cage. A small crowd had gathered. I wedged my way through, as I stared, leaning into the wooden railing, feeling it sway, as the excited crowd pressed forward to catch a glimpse. How regal she looked, while still keeping a watchful eye on her offspring, who were wandering around on the ground pacing the perimeter of their caged enclosure.
Off to my left, I heard a loud crack and turned to look. Suddenly, I was thrown off balance, as I plunged several feet to the ground below and landed with a painful thud. Confusion reigned with everyone backing up, screaming and yelling.
Down below the crowd, I shook my head, confused, the wind knocked from my lungs. What hap…? I rolled over, collapsing back onto the dirt, slightly disoriented, as my one arm smacked hard against the wire caged pen. The threat, eyeing me from nearby, hadn’t occurred to me yet.
David’s image came into view. “Sam, are you okay?”
I nodded with sporadic, fluttering breaths. “…Dav…
He leaned in real close. “It’s okay, Sam. I’ve got you.”
Growling erupted and fur brushed against my skin, just as David snatched my hand back from the wire fencing, and quickly swept me up in his arms. With the help of others, I was carefully hoisted to the walkway, while zoo personnel tried to distract the mother who possessively paced, roaring territorially and slamming against the cage with her claws. Arms reached for me, and I was finally handed over and set down on the elevated viewing area from where I had fallen. David was pulled up next.
“How could that have happened?” an employee asked. He looked over toward the railing that had detached from its posts. “Are you okay, Miss?” he asked, nervously.
People were shoving to get a closer glimpse at us, but were politely asked to leave so that the zoo personnel could secure the area and repairs could be made. I slowly turned back,
watching the mother tiger growl and pace along her cage.
That was one pissed momma!
I was eased into a sitting position, finally breathing comfortably and propped up against David’s chest. He held me firmly, still visibly shaken by the whole event. Smudged with dirt, and still dazed, I told the employee I was fine and then finally turned to David. “Thanks for the rescue.”
“I didn’t have to think twice. I just jumped,” he replied.
“Well, it was brave,” I whispered, trembling from the ordeal. “…And risky, jumping down to get me out.”
Then, I swear, I saw his big brown eyes tear up, as relief washed over him when I reassured him again that I was fine.
I nudged him. “You did well today. Score one for the neighbor.”
He finally cracked a smile. “Believe me, I couldn’t afford the loss,” he said, giving me a gentle squeeze on my arm.
I waved off further assistance from the others and with David’s arm wrapped around me for support, we slowly headed back to where his car was parked in the lot.
I tried to shake off the bad feeling that still lingered, but I was having a hard time doing it. “That was one for the books,” I said to David. “Well, my book anyway.”
After a long pause, David finally said, “…Sam that could’ve ended up… You are one lucky person.”
I turned to face him, frowning and still processing what had happened back there, shivering once again. “Yeah, I guess you could say I was lucky.”
But it still didn’t change the fact that I was pushed.
Chapter 57
Sweet Cirque de Home
As David made the last turn onto my street, we were greeted by flashing lights and police cars parked at odd angles in front of my house. He slowed to a stop as Crystal marched over and greeted us at the base of the driveway. The courtyard gate was wide open.
Without Any Warning (A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 2) Page 13
