by Jamie Hill
He turned to look at her, eyes flashing. He nodded to the sleeping children and repeated, “Stay here, damn it! I mean it.” He went into the hall and closed the door behind him.
Chapter Five
Crystal listened at the wall anxiously, but never heard any more noise. A few minutes later she heard a rap on her door and Jack said quietly, “Open up.”
“Who is it?” she snapped at him.
“Open the damn door, please.”
She opened the door and stepped aside so he could come in. “You get bossy when you’re playing cop.”
He gave her a scorching look and locked the door behind him. “This is not a game, damn it. Someone was in there. The door was wide open again.”
Anxiety thudded in her gut. “Did they do anything else?”
He gave her an unbelieving look. “How am I supposed to tell? It’s all so neat and tidy over there.”
“Oh, yeah.” She followed him to the kitchen, where he poured himself a cup of coffee.
“Go to bed, Crys. I’m going to stay up for awhile.”
“Yeah, okay.” She looked at his grim face, and ran a finger over his cheekbone.
He pushed her hand away gently. “I can’t let myself get distracted. If I'd been paying closer attention, maybe I could have caught somebody next door.”
She looked at him for a moment and then nodded. “Good night Jack.”
“Night.” He didn’t say anything else, so she went to her room. She remembered that she hadn’t made up the sofa. She walked back out with a sheet, a blanket, and a pillow for him. He was staring at the wall. She set the linens down quietly and went to bed.
In the morning Crystal roused Mark and sent him into the bathroom to change and brush his teeth. She leaned against the back of the sofa and stared down at Jack, who lay stretched out asleep in his jeans with his shirt unbuttoned. At some point during the night, Devon had crawled up on Jack’s chest and settled there. Jack had his arm around the child protectively. Both slept soundly.
Crystal ran one finger down Jack’s bare chest and circled his navel. “Lucky little kid,” she muttered.
Jack’s eyes remained closed as he asked, “Would you like to climb up here and join us?”
“You don’t know how much I’d like that,” she smiled at him and continued to run her finger in circles over his stomach.
His eyes were still closed as he told her, “I’m hornier than a rooster in a henhouse, so you might want to be careful with that finger.”
She grinned again and murmured, “I’m always careful.” She looked up as Mark came out of the bathroom, and knew she needed to send Devon in next. With four people, they’d be pressed for time. She leaned over the sofa and reached for Devon. “Excuse my boobs,” she whispered to Jack. His eyes sprang open. By that time she had the boy in her arms and was already straightening up.
“You’re evil,” Jack announced.
“And you’re awake. Good morning.”
He yawned and sat up. “I’m going to see them one of these days. Plan on that.”
“Oh, I am.” She winked and took Devon off to get dressed.
Jack dropped the boys at school and pulled his SUV into a parking space in front of the diner.
“Sorry about your shirt.” Crystal looked over at him, noting he only had about half his buttons. It hadn’t mattered in the dark, but this morning she felt embarrassed.
He shrugged and pulled his leather jacket closed. “Not a problem. I’ve got to run home to take care of Zeus and clean up, anyway. What is a problem is my distraction with you. I can’t act on that, baby, until we get this mess figured out.”
“I understand. It makes perfect sense by the light of day. It’s just when we’re alone in the dark that I have trouble remembering.”
He chuckled. “So no more being alone in the dark, for a while anyway. Besides,” he ran a finger under her chin, “I don’t think I’d be satisfied with a quick roll in the hay. I think we’re gonna need some time. A lot of time.”
Crystal closed her eyes at his words and enjoyed the play of his hand over her face. She finally looked at him and swallowed. “We’ve got time.”
“Yeah.” He smiled and pulled his hand away. “We do. So I’ll pick you guys up at four?”
“We’ll be here.” She tossed him another smile and went to work.
* * * *
Crystal kept expecting him to show up at the diner with more news of one kind or another. She considered herself a patient person, but this mess was driving her crazy. She chuckled to herself. She and Jack referred to all the various aspects of their situation as "this mess," and it was a painfully appropriate term.
The boys were chilled but in good moods when they got to the diner after school. Crystal hoped the warm weather would hold a little longer—October in Kansas could mean seventy degrees or barely thirty, depending on Mother Nature’s whims. Unfortunately, the old gal was being cranky and this week they were blessed with thirties and forties for high temperatures. “Come in, we’ll get you warmed up. How about some hot chocolate today?” She rubbed Mark’s and Devon’s arms.
“Yeah!” they both agreed, and she fixed them hot cocoa with extra marshmallows. Moe set out a plate of cookies, and the energy expended chewing warmed the boys up in no time.
Crystal had everything cleaned up and was looking out the window at four-thirty when she saw Jack pull up. He jogged from the Explorer to the diner, and blew on his hands when he got inside. “Damn, it’s getting cold.”
“Hi.” She smiled at him. “Busy day?”
“Yeah,” he said, and looked at her apologetically. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“It’s okay. The boys had time to polish off a whole plate of cookies, so they didn’t mind.”
“I’ll bet.” He chuckled, and touched one finger to her cheek. “But you look worried. I never want to be the cause of that look.”
“It’s okay.” She slid up next to him and planted a quick kiss on his lips. “You’re here now, and I’m very happy to see you.”
“I would be, too.” Tina, the evening waitress, set an empty crate that held glasses on the counter and sighed at them.
Crystal lowered her eyes and gave Jack a small smile as she turned from him. “Jack, this is Tina. Tina, Jack.”
“Hello, Tina.” Jack smiled at the girl charmingly, and she practically melted at his feet.
“Hello yourself!” She flipped her long brown ponytail over her shoulder and batted her big blue eyes as she peppered him with questions. “So you’re the detective? Wow, I’ve never met an actual detective before. What’s it like being a police officer? Is it like you see on Cops?”
Jack took a breath, and Crystal could see he didn’t really want to answer her questions. Maybe because if he did, he wasn’t sure where to start. Crystal started to speak up and rescue him when Moe intervened.
“Tina-Marie, you need to get that crate to the kitchen and have Caesar bring out more glasses.” He looked at the girl and when she didn’t move, he added, “Now, please.”
She rolled her eyes and picked up the crate. “It was really nice to meet you.” She smiled dreamily at Jack.
Crystal stuck her arm through Jack’s possessively, and watched Tina go into the kitchen. The girl was barely seventeen. Crystal knew Jack wasn't casting a glance in her direction, but if he had glanced after her, he might have seen the wiggle in Tina’s hips, added purposely for his benefit. For some reason, that irritated Crystal. She held Jack’s arm a little too tightly.
He smiled. “Are you ready to go?” His voice sounded amused.
The kitchen door swung open and Caesar appeared with a new crate full of drinking glasses. He slammed it down on the counter near Crystal, eyeing her stance next to Jack. “Who’s your pimp?”
Crystal shot him a dirty look and grabbed her coat off the barstool next to her. “Yes, I’m ready,” she told Jack and smiled at him sweetly. “Come on, boys! Good night, Moe.” She deliberately didn't address C
aesar.
“Good night, Crystal-ina. Good night, gentlemen,” Moe nodded as they headed out of the diner.
“Bye, Moe!” the boys called.
“See you all tomorrow,” he waved at them and gave Jack a nod.
Jack waved and helped Crystal into her coat as he led everyone out. He muttered under his breath. “Who’s Mr. Nasty?”
“Caesar Juarez, the cook.”
“He seems a tad unfriendly.” Jack's words were laced with sarcasm.
“He’s a total jerk. I went out with him once. He wanted more out of the date than I was willing to give, and he’s never quite forgiven me for disappointing him. I try to avoid him.”
“Good plan.” He opened her door for her and then grinned. “There you go, Crystal-ina.”
She gave him a look. “Moe thinks nicknames are cute. I don’t especially.”
“Ah ha,” he replied and nodded, helping the boys into the back seat. He got in the truck and started it up. “So, does Moe wear anything besides plaid?”
Crystal chuckled. “Not that I’ve ever seen. I know he’s a little eccentric, but he’s the nicest boss I’ve ever worked for. And believe me, I’ve had some doozies.” She rubbed her hands together in front of the vent.
“Heater shouldn’t take long to kick in. I had it all nice and warm.” He turned it up a notch so they could get warm faster.
“That feels good.” Crystal continued to rub her hands together as the air turned warm. “You guys okay back there?”
“Yep,” Mark said, and Devon nodded.
“Then let’s go home.” Jack gave Crystal a smile and headed to her place.
“Any new developments today?” she asked him casually.
“None. Nada. Zippo.”
“I get the picture, thanks.” She gave him a look as she climbed out of the SUV and looked around her building. “I haven’t seen Ralph lately. I hope he found someplace warm to go.”
“Like Florida?” Jack grinned as he held the door open for the boys to climb out.
Crystal snorted and they started up the stairs.
“I talked to him yesterday. After, you know.”
“Yeah?” Crystal understood that Jack was trying not to say too much in front of the kids. “He see anything?”
“Nah. Evidently Sister Theresa’s puts out a pretty good breakfast spread. He says he was there until mid-morning.”
“Did you tell him they have showers over there?” she asked, only half-joking.
Jack chuckled. “I was trying to make nice so, no, I didn’t tell him that. He’s got quite a memory, though. Remembers my name every time I see him. Can’t always pronounce it right, but he remembers it.”
“Which may or may not be such a good thing.”
Jack shrugged and nodded. “Valid point.” He reached her apartment door and pulled the key out of his pocket. “Here we go.” He held the door open for all of them.
“Thank you.” Crystal squeezed past him coyly, and then she froze when she got inside. “Jack!”
“Yep?” He tossed his jacket on the easy chair.
“You did laundry!” There were three piles of clothing on the sofa beside one big pile of towels.
“I had to go home for a while anyway. I did it when I was there.”
She looked at the laundry, and then him, with amazement. “Oh, Jack.”
He smiled at her. “I washed, dried and folded them, but I draw the line at putting them away. You’ll have to do that. Hey!” he wiped a tear from her cheek. “I sorted the white and darks, I promise.” He picked up a bra from the top of her pile. “I especially liked folding your things.”
She snatched the bra away from him and threw her arms around his neck. She murmured softly in his ear, “Thank you. Did I ever tell you that you’re my hero?”
He pulled away gently. “Hold that thought. I had another brainstorm today. My sister has a couple boys a little older than these two. She had some clothes they’d outgrown and was thrilled to find someone who could use them.” He went around the sofa and pulled up two bags of clothing.
“Oh my gosh!” Crystal took a bag from him. The first things she noticed were two heavy winter coats, gloves and hats. “Oh my gosh!” She looked through the clothes and murmured “These are like new! How can we ever thank her?” She hesitated when she noticed a price tag hanging from the sleeve of one shirt. “Jack…why is your sister giving away clothes with price tags still on them?”
He quickly yanked the tag and it came off. “Oh, you know, she’s one of those snooty society gals. Has more money than she knows what to do with.”
She looked at him with suspicion. “You drove to see her today and still had time to do three loads of laundry? Did you have time to work?”
“Of course.” He took the bag from her and set it down. “Just call me Super-Jack. Now let’s try on these coats and see if they fit.” He gave one to each boy.
When they tried them on, she saw that they fit perfectly. Crystal leaned against him and smiled. “I bet you’re a good uncle.”
“Hmmm?” Jack looked at her for a second, and then said, “Oh, yeah. Kids are great.”
She smiled again as she watched the boys checking out all the pockets in their new coats. Crystal wondered if Jack really had nephews, or even a sister for that matter, but let it go. He was helping them, and they definitely needed his help.
They ate, cleaned up, checked homework, gave the boys showers and had enough time left for a few hands of Crazy Eights. When they tucked the boys in and turned out the lights, Crystal knew she needed to go to bed too. She gave Jack a quick but good kiss, and smiled. “See you tomorrow.”
He dropped back onto the sofa. “Going to bed so soon?”
She snorted. “I know what would happen if I stayed out here. You call it distraction. Most people have another name or two for it.”
He closed his eyes. “I guess I’m left with my fantasies, then.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “I’d better be in them.”
He opened his eyes and grinned at her. “Baby, you’re the star.”
“Good. See you in the morning, Jack.”
“See you.”
Crystal walked to her room and stopped in the doorway. “Have happy dreams,” she said softly, and caught a glimpse of his smile.
She’d slept for several hours when Crystal heard a noise and hopped out of bed. She tiptoed into the dark front room and ran smack into Jack’s bare chest.
He cursed and raised his gun to the ceiling. “What are you doing, Crys?”
“I heard a noise,” she whispered.
He tucked the gun between the sofa cushions and peered at her while their eyes acclimated to the darkness. “Noises are my department, babe. You’re supposed to let me handle that stuff from here on out.”
“Like that’s gonna happen.” She looked around. “Did you hear something too?”
“Yes, and I checked, but it seems to have been nothing. Everything's secure, both here and next door.”
She nodded and looked him over. He looked extremely sexy wearing nothing but jeans, unsnapped at the waist. She put two fingers through the belt loops on his waistband and pulled him closer. “Here we are again, alone in the dark.”
“We keep managing to end up this way.” He stared into her eyes.
“Must be fate.” She stared back and licked her lips nervously.
Another voice said softly, “Jack, I heard something.”
Jack looked at Crystal’s mouth and then her eyes as he spoke. “It’s okay, Mark. It’s nothing. Well, it was Crystal hearing me thinking I heard something. But it was nothing. Go back to sleep.”
“Okay Jack,” the boy answered, and rolled over.
Crystal was impressed that Jack knew the boys’ voices already. She still had trouble telling them apart sometimes. She smiled and let loose of his jeans. “So much for being alone in the dark.”
“Yeah. I guess I should tell you goodnight, Crys.” He hesitated and then sai
d, “I guess I shouldn’t call you Crys, since you don’t like nicknames.”
She took a step closer to him. “I like it when you call me Crys. It makes me feel strong for some reason. Like that tennis player. What was her name? Chris Evert?”
He chuckled. “She was pretty strong. I have a feeling you’re strong, too. You underestimate yourself.”
“Years of practice,” she replied simply.
He touched her cheek with one hand. “I want to hear all about those years. I’m fascinated to find out what makes you tick.” He caressed her cheek. “But it isn’t going to happen tonight. I can’t stand here looking at you any longer. I want to do so much more than just look.”
She took his hand in hers and kissed his palm. “Good night.”
“’Night.” They went back to their separate beds.
They all managed to oversleep the next morning, and it was a hectic madhouse for the half-hour it took everyone to get dressed and out the door. Crystal checked herself and the boys over and decided they had everything they needed before she pulled the door shut. She smiled quickly at Jack and planted a noisy kiss on his mouth. “Couldn’t have done it without ya. Thanks, babe.”
“You bet.” He patted her butt and hurried them all down the stairs.
He left her at the diner with promises to be there at four, but it was just an hour and a half later at nine-thirty when he returned.
“Hey!” She smiled as he walked in. “You must have news. Please tell me it’s good news. The way this day started, well, you know the way it started. And then I dropped a tray, which is not like me at all. And I…” her voice trailed off as she looked at his face. “It doesn’t appear to be good news.”
He gave her a look and shrugged. “Depends how you choose to look at it, I guess. It’s sort of a good news/bad news type of thing.”
She looked at him hopefully. “I’m a good news kind of a girl, so let’s have that first.”
“I found Dave.”
Crystal sat in the nearest chair. “That is good news. Which means the bad news must be that he’s either in jail or dead.” She looked up at Jack. “Please tell me he’s in jail.”
Jack touched her hand. “He’s not in jail, Crys. I got a return fax on the inquiries I made to the local morgues. They’re pretty sure they’ve got him over in Hutchinson.”
