by Alice Addy
Tony grinned at the radiant creature waiting on his every word. “I look forward to our evening, Miss. He held out his hand. “I’m Anthony Barton and I’m honored and happy to make your acquaintance. I sincerely hope we see a lot of each other. Shall I pick you up at your place or would you prefer to meet me here?”
“I think I’ll meet you there, Mr. Barton. I have to go home and get cleaned up, and feed the cat, and leave a note for my landlady. I need to set my recorder—don’t want to miss Idol, you know—and I need to stop by the ATM—just in case you don’t have the necessary funds to pay for our dinner. That happened to me once before, and I don’t intend to let it happen a second time. I promised myself, right then and there, never to be caught without cash, again. Besides, I can’t be giving out my address to simply anyone who asks for it—even if he is a client, can I? I don’t really know you, do I? Don’t forget there is a murderer on the loose, and you’re so very tall, and dark, and yummmm…”
Grant lightly placed his hand over the girl’s mouth to silence her, and grinned at his friend. “I predict you’re going to have a very interesting evening, Tony,” he chuckled.
“I hope so,” Tony replied.
Turning toward the door, Grand shook his head, slowly. “See you at ten.”
* * *
God, but you’re adorable, Tony thought to himself, as he sat across from Sophie. Don’t you ever stop talking? He sat smiling like a lunatic, staring at the young woman. He heard nothing she said, but was mesmerized by watching her sensuous mouth move seductively, while forming her words. Her lips were plump and moist, the upper lip slightly fuller than the lower. How interesting, he mused. He imagined sucking on those sweet lips and drawing her small pink tongue into his hungry mouth.
“Well? Say something, Mr. Barton.”
Tony’s eyes darted up to see Sophie staring back at him as if he had grown another head. “What?”
“You weren’t listening, were you? Don’t bother denying it. I’ve been blessed with the ability to completely bore to death, any man I meet. Do I talk too much, Mr. Barton? I’d really like to know. Be honest. I can take it. It’s important to learn the things about yourself that irritate others. I guess I could talk too much. Only, there are so many things I have to say. What do you think?”
Tony’s mouth slowly drew up at the corners in a sly smile. “Please call me, Tony, Sophie. I love the sound of your voice, actually. The problem you have is that it’s so melodic; it lulls the listener into a restful trance. I can’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed. I thank you for that, Sophie. You have a real gift.” Tony watched as the concern disappeared from her lovely face. He had only bent the truth, slightly. Her voice was melodic; like a metronome. But compared to her sexual attraction, it paled in significance. Tony was having a great deal of difficulty keeping his imagination from picturing her naked and lying beneath him. It had been decades since he had wanted a woman so desperately.
“Well, Tony, this isn’t going to work at all,” she pouted. “How can I work for you, if you don’t listen to what I say? I asked you what you wanted me to do for you.”
Tony smiled, broadly. If you only knew, he thought. He cleared his throat.
“Okay, Sophie, I will try. However, I must go on the record as saying, I find you stunning, and it will be my extreme pleasure to work closely with you.”
“You know, Tony, you talk funny. Kind’a like the men in those old black and white movies. Grant likes those, too. How old are you, anyway?”
Tony sobered quickly. Age was not his friend. “It isn’t important, Sophie,” he said, gruffly. “It’s time we get to work. There’s a murderer out there, remember? And Grant and I—along with your help—are going to find him. Your job will be to coordinate the information we gather, and search records, vital statistics, and such, on the Internet. I don’t want you asking a lot of questions. You do what’s asked of you, and we’ll catch a mad man. Got it?” His manner had deliberately turned cool, and his voice was firm.
The beautiful blonde looked stunned and close to tears. “Sure, but are you mad at me? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
Tony stiffened his neck and gritted his teeth. What was wrong with him? One minute he wanted to make love to this bubbly bit of femininity, and the next, he wanted to put as much distance as possible between them. “Forget it, Sophie. I’m a moody bastard. Better get used to it now. I’m not as likeable as your boss. Now…finish your salad.”
Tony was well aware of his problem. For decades, he had been filled with such self-loathing for what he was, for the freak of nature he’d become, that he actually yearned to see another’s scorn for him. He expected to see contempt reflected in her amazing eyes. Freaks didn’t deserve understanding, nor did he want it. It was best for all concerned, if he were to remain alone.
* * *
The next morning began dark and dismal, as a damp mist settled heavily upon the wet pavement, coloring everything a somber gray. The overall landscape was forbidding and lent a feeling of hopelessness. Oddly enough, that’s just the way Tony felt after a long and sleepless night. He couldn’t get the delicious Sophie out of his thoughts, nor could he forget the despicable creature preying on the innocents of the city. Hopefully, Grant would have some ideas on where they should start looking. After a quick shower, fingers through his wet hair, and a strong cup of coffee, he was ready to face the day.
As Tony opened the door to Grant’s outer office, a blast of warm, friendly sunshine smacked him in the face, and completely stole his breath away. Sitting up straight, in her high backed chair, a smiling, perky, and unbelievably beautiful Sophie waited for him.
“Good morning, Tony,” she giggled. “You look like you’ve had a rough night. Want to talk about it?”
Tony noticed how open and friendly she was with him. Even after he’d been such a shit the night before. He also noticed how she wiggled around on her curved, little bottom, causing heat to rush to a certain part of his anatomy. “Damn,” he muttered.
“What did you say, Tony?” Sophie looked just the smallest bit wary, but tried to keep upbeat and pleasant. “What do you want me to do first?”
There were several things he wanted her to do, but none of them were work related. It was obvious to him that soon, he was going to lose control and start busting the place up. He crammed his fists into his pockets. It was torture, standing in her sunny presence, when he felt like the purveyor of gloom and doom. He wasn’t worthy to share her air, so he growled. “Are you always so bloody cheerful?”
“No,” she whispered. Her brilliant smile disappeared.
Blessed silence prevailed, and Tony wanted to scream. “I don’t think our working together is a good idea, Sophie. Our styles are just too different, and I really don’t need your help.” He noticed the slight downward curve of her sweet, sweet lips and the almost indiscernible tremble of her chin. She was going to cry. Shit!
“I’ll make sure you get paid,” he continued on. “This is, after all, not your fault.”
Her lustrous turquoise eyes filled with unshed tears.
Tony cleared his throat. “I really do like you as a person, but I don’t want to work with you. You understand, right?”
She nodded silently, as a huge tear dropped onto her desk, wetting a sticky note, and blurring the words together. It was then that Tony noticed the fresh flowers she had put into a vase, trying so desperately to brighten the otherwise dreary room. A framed picture of a cat, curled up in a cardboard box, sat to her left, and a porcelain cup picturing a kitty hanging precariously from a limb and reading, Hang in There, sat to her right. It was a very domestic scene, and rather sad and lonely. Was she all alone, too?
“Dammit, Sophie. You’ve got no business chasing psychos. Why don’t you spend time with your family? Go out with your friends and leave hunting fugitives to the professionals?” He was digging himself deeper and Tony felt sick about it.
“Don’t worry about me, Mr. Barton,” she stiffly re
plied. “I don’t work for you, anyway, and Grant has faith in me, even if you don’t. As far as I’m concerned, you can just kiss my behind.”
Tony could barely restrain the laughter he felt building inside. Kiss her behind? I’d like to do more than kiss her perfect behind, he thought to himself.
Throwing his hands in the air, in a futile attempt to defend himself from the lovely termagant, he conceded, “Okay, Sophie. I apologize, dammit. I didn’t sleep well last night, and I’m in a hell of a bad mood, today… even for me. Get me some coffee and maybe I can try to make all this up to you. Can you forgive me?”
Sunshine once again filled the drab little office, as Sophie smiled brightly. “Yes, Tony. I can forgive you being a terrible grouch, and I can get you the best coffee you ever drank, too. On the first floor, there’s a little coffee shop that very few people know about. Their coffee is heavenly. What do you take in yours?”
“Black and very hot. That’s it, darlin’.”
She blushed at his casual endearment. No one actually took the time to say personal things to her. Sophie couldn’t remember anyone ever saying they loved her. She prayed, that one day, she would hear those words.
“If you’ll watch my desk, I’ll leave right now. Be back in a flash, Tony.” The young woman blushed again, as she grabbed her purse and slipped past the very tall, dark and handsome, Anthony Barton.
No sooner had Sophie left to fetch coffee, than Grant rushed in, leaving the door ajar. “Good to see you, old man. I’ve had some luck. Couldn’t sleep last night, so I started walking down by the docks. I do my best thinking when I’m close to the water. Go figure. Anyway, I saw the little kid. He’s naked, but he appears to be healthy. The really odd thing is…he glowed green.”
“Green?” Tony repeated.
Grant grinned. “Yeah, but it’s perfectly normal for someone with night vision.”
“You mean…we’re looking for a brother that has built-in night vision? What the hell?”
“Hey, we’ve all got something special, right? My guess is, that is his gift. It explains why he can live in total darkness and why it’s so difficult for the authorities to find him. Have you had any luck hearing him?”
Tony shook his head. “No. I hear grunts, sniffs, even something that sounds vaguely like laughter. I thought I heard a horn blast, but it was over too quickly. Could have been a boat, I guess. I’ll take a walk down past the docks this evening. If I can get close enough, I’ll hear inside his head, whether he wants me to or not.”
“You going down to the docks?” Sophie walked in, balancing three cups of coffee in her hands. “I’ve got muffins in my pockets, if anyone is interested.”
Grant grabbed for the muffins, while Tony took his cup. “How much did you hear, Sophie?” He popped the lid off the hot brew and took a long drink, mindless of the scorching temperature.
“I heard you tell Grant that you’re going to the docks to listen to someone’s head. I’ll go with you. Two sets of ears are better than one.” She grinned brightly. “Is this the guy that snatched the baby?”
Grant wiped the crumbs from his lips and nodded. “Yeah, could be. He’s a bad one, Soph. I don’t know if you should get too close.”
“Hell, no,” growled Tony. “If you want to help, then stay right here, and wait for the phone to ring. I’ll call and have you notify the police…or whatever. The last thing I need is to have to worry about you getting into trouble.”
Sophie stomped her foot and pouted prettily. “Grant said I could help, and as you pointed out so clearly, he is my boss. I take my orders from him. Besides, the baby will need a woman to care for him, while you take down the monster that kidnapped him. I can take care of myself, Mr. Barton.”
Grant looked from Tony to Sophie, and then back to Tony. Sexual tension filled the room, sending bolts of electricity through the air. It had been many years since he’d seen his friend seriously interested in a woman—and what a woman she was, too. Sophie was a man’s erotic dream, come true. Men found her innocence highly seductive. In her presence, a man desired to be her protector and own her, all at the same time. There had been times when even he had lusted for the ripe little piece of baggage.
“Sophie. Maybe, this one time, you should stay here. The man we’re after isn’t your average criminal. He’s much, much, more, and neither Tony nor I want to see you get hurt. Can you promise to stay here, while Tony and I go out in search of him?”
There was no doubt in Sophie’s mind that these two big and very handsome men had their minds made up. On this, they would not relent. Chewing on her bottom lip, she let her breath out slowly, and agreed. “I’ll stay…but you’re making a big mistake. I could help,” she pressed. Sophie was not one to give in easily.
As far as Tony was concerned, the matter was resolved and he decided to ignore her last remark. Crushing his empty coffee cup, he threw it in the trash basket and headed toward the door. “Now that that is settled, I’m going for a walk-about. I’ll be back when I’ve learned something.”
He looked to the lovely, disgruntled office assistant and smiled. “Thank you, Sophie. I really do feel better knowing you’ll be out of harm’s way.”
She plopped down onto her chair and snapped, “Whatever!”
* * *
Tony had always liked the sound of water lapping at the shoreline. It may be New York City, but it was comforting, nonetheless. Sitting on the dock, he closed his eyes, allowing the sun to warm his face and clear his head. He concentrated on the sounds within his skull, blocking out the external sounds of the city. Deeper into his mind he traveled, losing his relationship with the present.
“Listen,” he told himself. “Listen. What are you thinking, brother? What are your thoughts?” he whispered, silently.
Time crawled by. The minutes ticked away, but soon, Tony received his answer. Another’s thoughts rang through his head.
“Play,” the man snickered, as he clapped his hands together. He could not speak, but he could will his thoughts to others. “Laugh and play. I like you and I’m going to keep you with me, always.” He giggled like a man caught up in an absurd dream. “Stay”, he demanded. “I have to hunt. I’ll bring you back a treat. You’ll like it, little one.” His grunting grew louder and more excited. Then there was silence.
After several minutes had elapsed, Tony opened his eyes. He’d made contact, as he knew he would, and he discovered the man he sought, was not speaking with his lips, but only with his thoughts. His animal-like grunting was what Tony heard from his throat. One thing was clear. The man would be on the hunt again, tonight. Tony wasted no time in getting back to Grant.
“He’s definitely down by the docks during the daytime. He talks to the toddler as if he was a pet—a puppy, would be my guess. I believe the child is safe enough, for the time being. However, that’s more than I can say about his next female victim.” Tony was angry.
“Well, friend, you’ve had more luck finding him than I’ve had. We need to head down there ASAP. If I can get close enough, I can see where he is going. I’ll be able to see his victim. With God’s help, we should be close enough to stop him.”
As the two men left the inner office, they passed by Sophie’s desk. Grant stopped to inform her of their mission. “We’re heading for the shipyards. We’ll call you and let you know what’s going on. Stay here, Sophie. Don’t go out until you hear from us. That’s an order.”
The young woman looked up, startled. “You know he’s out there?”
“Yeah, darlin’,” Tony said. “We know he’s searching for another victim, and we hope to find him first. Be good, Sophie. Okay?” His green eyes grew dark with concern. He really didn’t trust the stubborn beauty to do as she was told. “Sophie?” He waited for her promise.
“Sure, sure. I’ll be right here when you both get back. Be careful, guys,” she pleaded.
Grant chuckled good-naturedly. “You don’t have to worry about us, kid. Tony and I have been doing this for a while now, and w
e’re still here. See you later.”
Both men were laughing as they disappeared through the door, leaving a very curious Sophie alone, at her desk.
She looked around the quiet and desolate office. There was nothing that needed to be done. She had already watered the plants, dusted the shelves, and straightened all the papers. She painted her nails at her desk, and braided her short curls so that they stuck out all over her head. After looking in the restroom mirror, she decided she looked twelve years old and that was okay with her. The only man, to whom she was attracted, didn’t want anything to do with her anyway. Maybe he was gay? Maybe she was just annoying. Maybe…maybe if she helped to capture the perp, he’d see her in a different light. Yeah, that’s what she’d do. Tony and Grant couldn’t possibly be mad at her after she helped catch the bad guy.
Sophie grabbed her sweater, her purse, and scribbled a short note. They’d end this thing, tonight!
* * *
As the light began to fade, the various offices shut their doors and their employees departed for the subways. The bustling streets began to quiet down. Any smart person had already left the area for safer and more populated locations.
Tony led Grant to the dock where he had heard the sounds so clearly, earlier in the day. “He was here. I could feel him in my head.” He looked toward the old tunnel heading beneath the Hudson River. “How about in there?” he asked Grant.
Grant walked several yards in the direction of the abandoned tunnel and stopped. Closing his eyes, he stood motionless for a few minutes, and then shook his head. “If he was in there, this afternoon, he’s moved on. Let’s start from here, but split up and head for the closest bars and clubs.” Looking around at the sad, dilapidated buildings, he had no doubt that the worst of human refuse would be out and about in a few short hours. It seemed some things never changed. “The pickings should be pretty good in this neighborhood.”
Tony agreed. The two men went in opposite directions, with the plan to meet back there at eleven o’clock.
