Jayce & Emma

by Barbara Winkes

  “She’ll be fine,” Tanya said. “We don’t have a lot of time.”

  “Let’s get Connor in here, and send them on their way.”

  Jayce caught Tanya’s gaze on her. Everything had worked according to plan. They would have a better picture of the routes and the supply network soon.

  * * * *

  Connor regarded her with suspicion, something, Jayce learned soon, that had nothing to do with her abrupt addition to the group.

  “Another girl? That’s all they could do?”

  “Really? What body parts do you think I’m driving with?” she asked, exasperated as they walked towards the box truck.

  “At the moment, you won’t be driving anything. You sit, shut up and listen. When I tell you to do something, you do it. We have the papers. If cops stop us, we have no idea what’s in the back.”

  “I have no idea what’s in the back, and I don’t care,” Jayce assured him as she climbed into the passenger’s seat. “My friend told me I could make a few bucks. That’s what I’m here for.”

  “What part of shut up and listen did you not get?”

  “Whatever.”

  For the next fifteen or twenty minutes, they drove in less than companionable silence, leaving Jayce with not much to do other than to contemplate her current situation. She’d pull the routes off of the GPS, so she didn’t have to memorize the way. This was…different. She had done a lot of undercover assignments where people were interested in details of her story that she needed to have ready at any moment. It wasn’t yet time to relax, but perhaps this could be as easy as she’d hoped, leaving the bigger part and the credit to Tanya while she did her own job. After that, no more. She had a wedding coming up.

  “What’s funny?” Connor snapped, and she quickly schooled her features into a more neutral expression. She couldn’t slip up like that again, allow herself to daydream.

  For Jayce, those ten days couldn’t be over soon enough. At least, she didn’t have to get close to those people. Her discretion and driving skills were all they were interested in.

  * * * *

  Emma had a busy morning at Kitty’s Greeting Cards & Stationary, but every once in a while, she snuck a glance at the calendar on the wall behind the counter. Ten days. It wasn’t that long and yet it seemed like an eternity. It might have to do with the fact that she couldn’t wait to start making wedding plans with Jayce. She had been fantasizing about that day a lot ever since the proposal. For a long time, she hadn’t even dared hope something like this could ever happen to her—now it was within reach.

  Jayce had hinted at some more permanent changes to come after this assignment, adding to Emma’s anticipation. When Emma had worked for a financial planner before a series of tragic events turned her life upside down, she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Prison and the life after had changed that outlook. She had welcomed the opportunity Kitty had given her. Now, after she’d cleared her name and gained some financial stability, she had made herself at home in her new career.

  Jayce had worked hard to come back to her job after her accident. Her perspective had changed as well. Emma wanted to be supportive of all her decisions, even though she didn’t want to be the sole reason Jayce left a profession she’d once loved. They would have many more conversations once she was back.

  Despite her many musings, the workday came to an end. Emma was about to close the store when Kitty, the owner, and wife of Jayce’s partner Daniel, knocked on the glass.

  “Hey. I thought when you’re done here, we could have dinner?” Emma stepped aside to let her in. Their friends could be too obvious at times.

  “You’re supposed to keep me out of trouble, I assume,” she said, amused. None of them had forgotten that when Jayce went undercover at a local psychiatric facility, Emma had gotten herself a part time job at the same hospital, ending up finding crucial evidence. Jayce certainly hadn’t forgotten. Emma wasn’t going to try and insinuate herself into her work this time. While she worried the same, she understood her own motives better now, and she felt secure and independent enough to make it through ten days. A lot would change after that.

  Kitty shrugged.

  “Sometimes I like to have dinner with my favorite employee. Besides, it’s anyone’s guess who needs to be kept out of trouble. Daniel is working late, and I feel like going out.”

  “I could eat,” Emma admitted. “Well, at least you know he’ll be coming home tonight.”

  “Jayce is coming home in a few days,” Kitty reminded her.

  “I know. So what did you have in mind?”

  Kitty waited until she had gathered her keys and coat.

  “It’s a new restaurant I’ve wanted to try for weeks. Since my husband is AWOL, you’ll be the first to share the experience.” Before Emma had time to react, she must have realized how that sounded. “And that’s not how I meant it. I am so glad we met you…and that someone knows what it’s like.”

  They came back to the subject once settled in the booth in the cozy bistro-style restaurant in the city center. It was next to a bookstore where Emma had once hoped to find a job. Over appetizers, Emma shared her dilemma.

  “It’s not my decision, I know,” she said. “But it’s getting harder each time, and we’ve been together for less than a year.”

  “It’s a decision you will make together. I’ve known Jayce for a long time, and when she says she’s tired, she’s not kidding. Daniel hasn’t even done as many of those jobs, but it took a toll on us at times. It’s important to be honest about these subjects.”

  “Yeah.” Emma sighed. “We will talk about all of this soon.”

  “Well, there are other important things you need to talk about, too. Have you figured out where to hold the wedding?”

  “We haven’t been able to figure out much other that we want to get married. Something small and private.”

  “And the honeymoon?”

  “I’m not sure we could afford…” Emma became aware of Kitty’s patient gaze and shook her head, laughing. “Yes, I know, we could now. I’m still getting used to the idea.”

  “I’m not saying you should do a trip around the world, but some time away would do both of you good.”

  “It’s true. I’ll add it to the ever growing list.”

  After the meal, they walked along the main street, deciding to finish the day with a cappuccino in the nearby coffee shop. Kitty went to get their orders, and Emma sat at one of the tables in the back. Nearby, an employee was wiping tables, and when their eyes met, it took Emma a moment to realize they knew each other. The other woman, Caren, was as baffled as she was, but she came over, smiling.

  “Emma! It’s so great to see you. How are you?”

  Kitty arrived at the same moment, regarding the scene with friendly curiosity as she set down the cups.

  “Caren, this is Kitty, my boss. Kitty—Caren, an old friend.” Emma didn’t care for giving Kitty a timeline, and she felt instantly guilty about it. She had done whatever she could to leave the past behind. There was no reason to be worried about what either of these women might think, about her, about the decisions she’d made. Not anymore, right?

  She saw Caren’s eyebrow rise at the description, and couldn’t blame her. What was she afraid of?

  “Yes. I was just asking how things were, but I guess the answer is pretty good if your boss takes you out for coffee.”

  Oh, no, Caren was possibly getting the wrong idea altogether.

  “I’m good. How long have you been working here?”

  “Three months,” Caren answered. “How about you come by another time, and we talk some more? I’d love to catch up.”

  “Yeah, me too. I’ll definitely do that.”

  “Great. Excuse me, but…I need to go back to work now.”

  “Of course,” Kitty answered for a tongue-tied Emma. “Nice to meet you, Caren.”

  * * * *

  Jayce wasn’t going to spend 24/7 with the group, Connor or even Tanya, but she could
n’t go home either. They had already demonstrated that they checked their associates thoroughly, so she spent the night in a non-descript one bedroom apartment rented for this purpose. There was a motel across the street, and a 7-11 on the corner. She had bought some beer, and frozen pizza that was thawing in the microwave while she was going over her notes. She hadn’t yet been able to get the data from the GPS, but they had indeed paid her for the first day. Connor was grumpy and silent most of the time, however, he was doing his job and seemed to assume that she’d be able to do hers. He let her drive on the way back.

  So far, so good.

  She stood at the window and watched the cars down below as she sipped her beer. Jayce was certain that they had someone watching her. For Roger Winston, a multi-million dollar business was on the line, and he wasn’t even all that high up in the hierarchy. They only let her play because she didn’t ask questions, and they could get away with paying her a minimum in return. Who would she complain to?

  The sound of the microwave alerted her that the pizza was ready. Jane didn’t have a care in the world other than getting the job done and earning a few bucks.

  Jayce’s thoughts were drifting. She missed Emma, not just because of this one day they weren’t spending together, but knowing this was only the first of ten—and knowing that the world outside wasn’t all that safe.

  The pizza was surprisingly good. She put away the notes and settled onto the couch with another beer. Halfway through her meal, the sharp knock on the door interrupted her.

  “Who’s there?”

  Jane didn’t carry a gun to her job, not unless her employers told her so. In private, that was another story.

  “Can I come in?”

  Connor. She didn’t think this was a good development. It meant they were even more blatant about watching her than she’d thought.

  Jayce went to the door and opened it, but left the chain in place.

  “What do you want?”

  “Just talk.”

  This was curious. Jayce wasn’t sure how much she could learn from him, considering that he, too, wasn’t supposed to ask too many questions, but he had been with the organization for a while and might have picked up some things.

  “About what?”

  He shrugged.

  “You can put that away,” he said, guessing correctly even though he couldn’t see the gun she’d picked up. “We’re going to spend a lot of time together in the next few days.”

  Jayce finally removed the chain and opened the door.

  “Funny. Judging from today, I didn’t peg you for much of a talker.”

  He didn’t give her any explanation.

  “You want a beer?”

  “Sure. Thanks.”

  Jayce went to open another bottle and returned to the living room, handing it to him.

  They drank in silence for a moment, until he asked, “Why did you take this job?”

  Could they really be this obvious, or did he have a personal agenda? Either way, Jayce was going to find out.

  “Why did you? Pays the rent. It’s better than waiting tables, and no one tries to grab my ass on a regular basis.”

  “Aren’t there other ways to make money? Your friend seems to have enough of it, if she can do business with Roger. Why doesn’t she help you out?”

  Jayce leaned back against the couch, shaking her head.

  “Well, this is her helping me out. We’re not that close, and I’m not a charity case. Besides, she didn’t always have that kind of money. Worked herself up.”

  “That something you want to do, too?”

  “I’m not thinking that far ahead. I hope the guys can see I’m doing a good job, and they might hire me again.”

  “Yeah, if there is another job.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Connor looked startled, as if he’d already said too much. The evening was taking a promising turn.

  “Hey. You came here to talk, right? I’m not going to tell anyone, especially if there’s something I should know. I was told I’d do a few miles, ask no questions, and I get to take the money home. I’m not looking to get arrested.”

  “That won’t be the problem,” he said and drank from his bottle. “The cops have no clue. We’ve been doing this for months, and they are still in the dark.”

  “Oh. That’s a good thing then. What are you worried about?”

  “It’s probably nothing. Thanks for the beer, Jane.” He got up and put the bottle on the table. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Yeah. Good night.”

  Closing the door behind him, Jayce smiled. Not as much in the dark as you imagine.

  She was optimistic that Connor would be a whole lot more talkative in the next few days—if only to save his own hide.

  * * * *

  Kitty and Emma had planned to share a cab, but when the driver pulled into the driveway of Kitty and Daniel’s house, the space was still empty.

  “I guess since the girls are busy, it’s a boys’ night out,” Kitty said, referring to the fact that both Detective Tanya Flynn and Jayce were away on the job. “Do you want to come in for a nightcap?”

  Emma hesitated. So far, she had successfully circumvented every mention of Caren. It wasn’t like she was under any obligation to tell Kitty. No matter how caring and understanding her new friends were, something would always separate them. Wouldn’t it? In any case, if she was to approach the subject anytime soon, she wasn’t sure she could do it sober.

  “Just one drink,” Kitty coaxed.

  “All right. If I don’t show up to work on time tomorrow, I’ll blame you.”

  Kitty laughed. “It’s Keisha’s turn to open anyway.” She took a bill out of her wallet to pay the driver, and they went inside where Kitty poured them both a glass of Irish cream liquor over ice.

  “It’s okay not to get used to this, their job…” she said. “I never did.”

  “Everything will be fine,” Emma declared, unsure who she was trying to convince, Kitty, or herself.

  “Of course. And perhaps this is a good time to connect with an old friend. That will take your mind of things. I’m sure she’ll be happy for you.”

  Perhaps that was true. Caren was one of the most generous people Emma had met during the darkest time of her life. She also presented a reminder of that time. It might not be fair, but Emma found it hard to make the separation. Especially now, with everything about to happen for her. She nearly downed the drink in one gulp, prompting a surprised look from Kitty.

  “Or maybe I should stop talking, because I don’t know if you have any good memories with that woman at all. I’m sorry, Emma.”

  “No, don’t be. It’s fine. I met Caren in prison.”

  It had been a different reality, one in which Emma could only hope to do her time and try to make a living afterwards, stay by herself, stay out of trouble. She hadn’t imagined being able to work full-time, manage a business, or even fall in love. The rules had been completely different.

  “I figured. But things are better now, for both of you as it seems.”

  “Am I a bad person for wanting to pretend it never happened?” Emma wondered out loud. “For wanting to pretend I didn’t know her?”

  “Oh honey, if that’s the worst a bad person did, the world would be so much better. I understand wanting to focus on the good. It’s important. But if we ignore the rest, it can sneak up on us.”

  Kitty and Daniel’s marriage was a happy one, as far as Emma knew. She was aware that Kitty, like herself, had been in an abusive relationship before. It was important to name things appropriately.

  “I was so afraid, all the time,” she admitted. “I didn’t even realize how much, until it was over.”

  Kitty wordlessly refilled both of their glasses.

  “So I’m not sure if she and I have good memories. I suppose we do. It wasn’t so much about making friends as it was about forgetting reality for a few minutes.”

  Emma didn’t have to go into more details.


  “You don’t have to catch up if it makes you uncomfortable. You don’t owe anything to anybody.”

  To Emma, it was incredibly liberating to hear those words. She straightened her shoulders, relieved to feel the tension leave her body.

  “I might go for a coffee, to see how she’s doing. You’re right. It doesn’t have to be more than that.” There was no need to fear the past when the future was looking this bright. Chances were Caren wanted to talk about her present life more than anything they’d shared back in those dark days.

  * * * *

  Connor picked her up the next day, 4:00 a.m. once again, and drove them to the warehouse. He had brought coffee. Aware of Jayce’s surprised look, he lowered his voice to a whisper. “For the beer.”

  “All right. Thank you.”

  It was her turn to move a truckload full of designer shoes, handbags and watches to the location closer to the big sale. Later that day, they would pick up another load at the docks, but for now, their route took them out of the city. The state police had a couple of people on the task force. They weren’t going to bust Winston yet. Everyone was focused on the players higher in the hierarchy.

  They had about an hour to go. Jayce found the drive surprisingly relaxing. Her latest assignments had all taken place within the context of an institution, where she’d been under observation constantly. At least, in this, there was no doubt as to who the bad guys were. The only question was when she got to arrest them. Even that was becoming clearer.

  Connor requested a pit stop, and she parked the truck at the next rest stop, waiting until he was out of sight. Then she quickly pulled the data from the vehicle’s GPS, and went through the glove compartment. She found a handful of receipts from gas stations, and a note with some numbers and names. Jayce copied them quickly and had barely closed the compartment, when Connor asked, “Looking for something?”

  “No. Trying to find a radio station, but no such luck.”

  “You’re going to fall asleep?”

  “No way. I’m good.”

  “You better be. We don’t want the cops to stop us.”

  “Yeah, you’re right about that. So, about last night…” He stayed silent, so Jayce continued. “You said the cops weren’t the problem.”