CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The woman drove the nondescript rental car into the parking lot of the Marriott Residence Inn and picked a parking spot in the outside row adjacent to the Chase Bank parking lot. She backed into the parking spot, exited the car and walked to the trunk. Opening the trunk, she retrieved a small shoulder bag. As she closed the trunk, she casually placed a small object resembling a satellite radio receiver on the trunk lid. She leaned into the car through the open driver's door and activated the bluetooth receiver and recorder clipped to the sun visor. The receiver immediately found the signal being transmitted by the camera concealed in the object affixed to the trunk lid.
After locking the car, she walked toward the entrance of the hotel nonchalantly removing the vinyl medical gloves she wore and disposing of them in the trash can outside the door. She strode across the lobby and around the corner toward the elevators. Pausing in front of the elevators for a few seconds, she then continued down the hallway to the exit at the far end. She walked purposefully across the parking lot and turned right on the sidewalk in front. She was a block away from the hotel when the Ford Expedition pulled to the curb alongside her. She opened the door and climbed into the truck.
The man driving asked, "Everything go okay?"
"Piece of cake."
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
After I returned to the booth with our drinks, the conversation turned to Elena's new project in Boca Raton. PJ seemed sincerely interested, but as time wore on she was exhibiting ever increasing symptoms of too much alcohol and too little sleep. She excused herself to go to the ladies room and the walk that is usually a captivating sway was more of a wobble. Elena turned to me and said, "I don't think she's going to last much longer. I think we need to get her upstairs soon. I hope you don't mind that I suggested she stay here tonight. I knew she shouldn't drive and that seemed like the easiest solution."
I nodded, "Sure. You're right, she has no business driving. We could have sent her home in a cab, maybe?"
"I started to suggest that, but when I did she said she could just drive herself. I think that it's as much the change of scenery as anything else. My guess is that something is really bothering her and home just reminds her of that. I think the alcohol and staying here are just a little escape from whatever her problem is."
What is it with this woman, does she have ESP or something? I don't know where our relationship is going, but I do know that if we end up in some type of long term connection I won't be able to keep anything from her. I find that just a bit disquieting. I asked, "How did you know I had an extra bedroom?"
She looked startled, "You told me. Don't you remember, we were having dinner at the Nexxt Cafe in South Beach, I asked you to describe Cap's Place and your apartment?"
How can I be expected to remember that, it was three weeks ago? "Oh, of course, I remember now."
I looked up from our conversation in time to see PJ stumble twice on her way back toward the table. Fortunately, it was crowded and noisy enough that I don't think anyone else noticed. She slumped into her side of the booth and said, "Sorry guys, but I'm afraid I've had it for tonight. Can you point me in the direction of that spare bed?"
I stood and replied, "Sure. You need anything from your car before we go up?"
PJ bolted upright in her seat, "I do. I have my go bag in the car. Toiletries and a change of clothes for situations where I end up working through the night and need to freshen up to make it through the second day." As she exited the booth she stumbled again.
I looked at Elena and said, "Why don't you go with PJ and you two come up the outside stairs. I'll go up inside and open the door for you."
Elena looked at the swaying PJ and said to me, "Good idea."
I said, "Pick up anything you need out of your car, too."
A coy smile crossed her face, "I didn't bring anything. I plan to sleep nude and I can use your toothbrush." She looked me up and down and purred, "After some of my experiences the past two nights, using your toothbrush does not present a concern." With that she linked arms with PJ and the two of them headed for the back door like two old friends out on the town.
Fifteen minutes later, PJ was safely tucked away in the second bedroom. I had shown her where the towels were in the bathroom down the hall, but she said she was just going to wash her face tonight and deal with the shower in the morning. Sounded like the safest plan to me. Really didn't want to need to call EMS because she fell and cracked her head in the shower. There was no doubt she'd need a long shower in the morning to help fight the monster hangover she'll likely be experiencing.
I found Elena sitting on the balcony, looking out over the marina and on to the Atlantic. The breeze was making her platinum hair flutter around her face and in the subtle light she seemed to glow. She'd kicked her shoes off and her feet were resting on the railing. Looking very much at home, she looked up at me and said, "I liked it when you called me Sweetheart earlier in your office, I liked it very much, but if you don't kiss me soon I'll never let you call me that again. I've been here for hours and not one kiss."
I said, "Well the last few hours have been . . . unusual, to say the least," before leaning down and kissing her tenderly. I lowered myself to one knee and the kiss became a little more urgent. Elena wrapped her hands around the back of my neck and contributed to the intensity.
When our kiss ended Elena said, "Now that's what I was missing. How about we have one nightcap and then go to bed. That is if you'll let me sleep with you. I guess I could always go across the hall and sleep with PJ, that's a double bed."
I replied, "I don't think that'll be necessary, I think I can make room for you in my bed. What would you like for a nightcap?"
Elena paused and then said, "How about cognac, do you have cognac?"
"Sweetheart," there I am using that term again, "we're sitting on top of a bar. You can have whatever you'd like."
"I don't want you to go back downstairs. What do you have up here?"
"Up here? Mostly, Landshark and more Landshark. It won't take five minutes, I'll be right back." With that I turned and headed for Cap's downstairs.
Business was slowing some, but still a respectable Saturday night. I asked Dana for an unopened bottle of cognac. She asked me what brand and being the connoisseur that I am I replied, "Good stuff." She gave me one of her eye rolls and headed for the liquor cabinet behind the bar.
Moe spotted me from across the room and in three long strides he was towering over me. In a low growl he said, "I was taking the trash out a while ago and I saw both of those women going up the stairs to your apartment. Do you have a death wish or something?"
I shook my head, "It's fine Moe. Everything's fine." Hoping to change the subject I asked, "You hanging around until close?"
"Yeah Boss, I don't want to miss the fireworks."
"Fireworks?"
"Yeah fireworks, your little threesome can't end well. You do know that PJ carries a gun, don't you?"
After walking up to us, Dana handed me the bottle of cognac and asked, "Put it on your tab?"
Turning to walk away I said, "No, put it on Moe's."
I could hear that deep rumble of his laugh all the way down the hall to the inside stairs.
When I got upstairs, Elena wasn't on the balcony, but I heard the shower running in my bathroom. I wandered through the bedroom to the doorway of the bath and called, "I'm back, still want your cognac?"
Over the running water she called back, "You bet I do. I just felt a little greasy, so thought I'd take a quick shower. Be right out."
I went into the kitchen and found a couple of brandy snifters tucked away behind the beer glasses. I had just poured the two drinks when Elena came walking out of the bedroom. She was wearing one of my tee shirts. She said, "Hope you don't mind? I found it in the first drawer I opened, so didn't have much opportunity to rummage through your stuff."
"I don't mind one bit. Most exciting evening that old shirt has ever experienced."
&n
bsp; She smiled, kissed me lightly and said, "Let's go back out on the balcony. It's beautiful tonight."
I chuckled, "I don't think the view from my balcony comes close to the one from your condo."
Another warm smile, "This view is much better. You're here tonight, not there."
It's been a long time since a woman came on to me this strongly. Okay, never before.
We sat down on the balcony and Elena put her feet back up on the railing. The shirt rode up to a point where it was very difficult to even pretend I was looking out at the ocean.
After a sip of her cognac Elena asked, "So Jack Nolan, are you scared?"
"Scared, what should I be scared about?"
She batted her eyelashes, "Maybe because this crazy broad is stalking you."
"I've never thought of you as a broad. Crazy, maybe."
She laughed and punched me lightly in the arm, "Just want you to know I'm not a crazy stalker. I am coming on pretty strong, in case you haven't noticed, but I'm not crazy. I've found something that interests me, interests me very much, and I'm going after it. Been a long time since I found anyone even remotely interesting. Maybe, as I get to know you better, my interest will wane. If that's the case, so be it, but I won't let this slip through my fingers without giving it every opportunity to become something."
I started to say something, but she put her finger to my lips to quiet me and said, "Let me finish my little speech. I rehearsed it the entire drive down here tonight and I need to finish." I was silent and Elena continued, "It's my assessment that you and I have been living very passive lives since our divorces. Letting life direct us rather than us directing life. We're both stuck in limbo. So, I'm taking charge of my life and going after something I want. At least, I think I want it. I'm not going to look back later in life and wonder what could have been if just one of us had pushed. So I'm pushing, but anytime you want me to stop pushing, I'll stop. Like I said, I'm not a crazy stalker."
"Sure, that's what they all say."
"Damn it Jack, I'm being serious here."
"I am too."
Her warm eyes locked into mine and she said, "No, you're not. You're being a clown to attempt to keep anyone from getting too close."
Damn, the woman's insight is scary.
Our conversation was light and punctuated by long periods of comfortable silence as we sipped our cognac. Eventually, Elena turned to me and said, "I'm thinking of a line from the movie, Top Gun, can you guess which one?"
I thought for a minute and then catching the glint in her eye answered, "Take me to bed or lose me forever?"
"That's the one, big boy."
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The bedside clock said 7:30 a.m. when my eyes opened to the light streaming in through the window. Last night as I followed Elena off of the balcony, she pulled the tee shirt she was wearing over her head and dropped it on the floor. In my frenzy to take the fastest shower in history and get into bed with her, I'd neglected to close the blinds. I got up and closed them, but it was too late, I was awake. Elena turned over and groaned, but made no effort to open her eyes. I pulled on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt and slipped out of the bedroom, closing the door quietly behind me.
I went into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. Taking an inventory of my refrigerator, I quickly ascertained that I had nothing that even remotely resembled breakfast food. I did find a couple of packets of some type of breakfast drink that Sissy had stocked when she was living with me months ago, but that didn't seem like what I should be offering my house guests.
I decided I'd go downstairs and raid the pantry. I seldom do that, because I seldom have any inclination that I should cook, but on the rare occasion I do it really makes Juan mad. Something about inventory control. I think he overreacts a bit just to push my buttons, but if it entertains him, so be it.
I picked up bacon, eggs, a loaf of bread, and a pound of butter. Sounded like a good well balanced breakfast to me. I stopped behind the bar and picked up a couple of cans of Coke for PJ. I know she doesn't drink coffee, but also know she is going to need the caffeine this morning. Just as I was getting back upstairs, I heard PJ's bedroom door open and movement headed in the direction of the bathroom.
I put my plunder away and poured myself a cup of coffee. It was then that I noticed my laptop and the file folder of my notes about Tim laying on the table. I slipped both into a drawer out of sight. No sense raising Elena's curiosity and having to confront the issue of what to tell her. After all, she is Lorenzo Mancuso's daughter. Wonder how PJ's going to react when she learns that little tidbit?
I heard the shower start in the bathroom down the hall. PJ must be taking the first steps toward recovery. I took my coffee out to the balcony. It's always peaceful at this time on a Sunday morning. A couple of people were headed toward the bathhouse at the marina, but that was the only stirring in my domain. My mind drifted back to the conversation Elena and I had last night in this very spot. Well, I guess Elena talked and I listened.
There may be something valid to her assertion that I've become passive in directing my own life. What really troubles me is that I'm not certain that I've ever directed my own life. I've followed the path of least resistance most of the time. When I think about it, I attended Michigan State University because it was right there in my hometown. Followed that with Thomas M. Cooley Law School, again in my hometown. After law school, it was Katherine who landed the big job in the prestigious law firm. The only position I could land in the same area of the state was in the prosecutor's office. Sure, later I joined a well established private practice firm, but that was more out of a desire to try to compete financially with Katherine and not because I had a burning desire to leave the prosecutor's office. Then after Katherine decided to share her insatiable sexual appetite with a local judge, I just walked away from it all and fled to Florida. I didn't fight for anything. Uncle Mickey took me in, then died and left me Cap's Place. That's the only reason I'm here now.
My self-examination was interrupted by the sounds of PJ's bedroom door again opening and closing. She must have finished her shower and either gone back to bed, or she was getting dressed. I went back in to refill my coffee cup. I was surprised to find Elena standing in the kitchen pulling a coffee cup from the cabinet. She was again wearing my tee shirt.
She looked up and smiled, "Good morning. How are you today, Jack? Good as last night I hope."
There is no mirror in the kitchen so I couldn't see if I was blushing or not, but it certainly felt like it. This woman says the most unexpected things. I replied, "I'm great this morning and if you keep prancing around in that tee shirt you're going to find out just how great."
She stepped closer, grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me down to kiss her saying, "Oh I'm counting on it." After our kiss parted she said, "But first I need a cup of coffee. The last three nights have been long on fun and short on sleep. I need a shot of caffeine."
I filled both cups and we returned to the balcony. Just as we sat down, PJ's door opened again and she came slowly walking toward us. As she stepped out onto the balcony she shaded her eyes from the rising sun and groaned. She was wearing a different set of work clothes, her standard dark slacks and white top. She had looked tired when she first arrived last evening, but now she looked like she had been run over by a truck. The narrow slivers of eyes looking out through her squint, were severely bloodshot. She slowly lowered herself into a chair and said, "I'm so embarrassed. I was an idiot last night. I want to apologize to both of you and thank you for taking care of me."
Elena spoke before I could, "Nothing to be embarrassed about PJ. We've all been where you were last night. Sometimes the demon rum just sneaks up on you."
Another groan, "God, was I drinking rum too?"
Elena and I both chuckled. I said, "Figure of speech. You stuck to wine. Of course, I'm going to need to place an emergency order later today or we'll be completely out of Chardonnay."
Elena asked, "Would you lik
e a coffee, PJ?"
I said, "PJ doesn't drink coffee." That drew a quizzical look from Elena.
PJ said, "I'd give my right arm for a Coke though."
I stood and said, "I'll get you one, I picked a couple up downstairs for you." This brought a second quizzical look, followed by a not so subtle smirk of suspicion. Tread lightly here Jack.
I returned with the Coke for PJ and the coffee pot to refill Elena's cup. Seemed like a tactful move. PJ held the cold can against the side of her face and sighed. Finally, she opened it and took a long drink. It was obvious that the road to recovery was going to be long and painful.
Elena and I assured PJ that she had done nothing embarrassing last night and I added that I doubted anyone else even knew she was drunk. Probably true if you don't count everyone who works at Cap's, but I decided it best to leave that point out. As we were finishing the last of the coffee Elena asked, "Any chance you have anything here that remotely resembles breakfast Jack, or do I need to get dressed so that we can all go out for nourishment? A poached egg and some dry toast would probably be good for PJ."
With pride I responded, "How does bacon, eggs, and toast sound?"
Elena smiled, "Just like breakfast as defined by a guy."
My ego was somewhat deflated, "Oh, well . . . I can see what else we have in stock downstairs. What did you have in mind?"
Elena stood and headed inside saying, "Just kidding, Jack. Sounds good. I'll pull it together."
I said, "You need help?"
"I've got it under control. You stay out here and keep PJ company. I'll call you two when it's ready."
PJ took another long drink of her Coke and said, "I don't know what happened to me last night. That's not like me."
Looking at her, it wasn't the old feeling of passion that gripped me. It was more a feeling of sympathy. This whole mess with Tim was tearing her up. I said, "Don't be too hard on yourself. You're under a lot of stress right now. You just used the alcohol as a short term escape. You're entitled to do that. No harm done."
Quick Be Jack: A Jack Nolan Novel (The Cap's Place Series Book 3) Page 10
