by Deborah Camp
“Yeah, I guess so.” He touched the short sleeve of her white eyelet blouse. “Where did you get this? It looks great on you.”
“Thanks. I think I bought it at Sears,” she said. She poked him in the side with her elbow. “I like your shirts, too. They remind me of Magnum P.I. You know that old TV show?”
He grinned. “Yeah, I get that all the time. A couple of the guys at AP call me Jaynum.”
Her cell phone rattled against the planks between her and Jay. She snatched it up, her heart soaring, and then falling when she saw that it was Quintara’s number – not Levi’s. She brushed her finger across the screen, glancing at Jay as she did. “I should take this.”
“Go ahead.”
“Hello? Quintara?” Trudy scrambled to her feet, clutching the phone in one hand and Mouse’s leash in the other.
“Yes, dear. How are you? Do you miss me?”
“Oh, Quintara, you have no idea how much I wish you were here this very minute. Hold on a second.” She smiled at Jay. “Good to see you again, Jay.”
“Nice to run into you, too.”
Tugging on the leash to get Mouse moving, Trudy left the fishing pier and walked along the crushed seashell path toward her RV. “I’m back,” she said into the phone. “You there?”
“Yes. Have you made any headway on the case since I left?”
“No, not really.”
“Levi said you had been in contact with the murderer.”
“You’ve talked to Levi? When? Today?” She realized her voice had hitched up with each question and she stopped in her tracks and forced herself to get a grip on her emotions.
“I spoke with him before he left for Los Angeles. You have him in a tailspin, dear.”
“I . . . I what?” Trudy shook her head and started walking again. “I don’t understand.”
“He has risen above a terrible upbringing, Trudy, but he still has very tender spots that you must not poke or he’ll lash out. He doesn’t mean to be rude or unfeeling. It’s just that some of the pain comes back and his defenses rise to protect himself.”
Trudy realized that she was standing in front of the RV, frozen by Quintara’s revelations. “What kind of terrible upbringing?”
“Someday he might tell you about it, but it’s not my place to do so. I don’t even know all of it because he simply shuts down when I probe too deep.” Her sigh whispered across the miles. “I so want you two to get along and work together. You’re both so dear to me.”
“I like working with him, but –.”
“No, no! Don’t give up so soon, dear. It’s only been a week.”
A week? God, it seemed longer than that! “He’s very draining.”
“He says the same thing about you. But he also finds you exhilarating and exciting.”
“He does?”
“Of course, he does. You challenge each other and there’s nothing wrong with that. Makes life worth living, I say.”
Trudy closed her eyes for a moment and felt a weight lift off of her. Maybe Quintara was right. She was expecting too much too soon. “You always make me feel better.”
“That’s why I’m here, dear. To lift you up and set you on the correct path. I do the same for Levi. Now you two must learn to do that for each other. But it will take longer than a week.”
Trudy smiled. “Okay, okay.”
“I must go now, dear. I’m expecting a gentleman caller.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. A man I met yesterday at the grocery story. We both reached for the same avocado and I told him if he let me have it, I’d let him have it later.”
Trudy couldn’t help it. She burst out laughing because she knew Quintara wasn’t kidding and she wasn’t exaggerating. “Poor man,” she sputtered. “He has no idea what he’s in for.”
“Goodbye now, dear. Play nice with Levi.”
###
At two o’clock, Trudy let Mouse out of the RV to do her business. She stretched and wished the hours would speed up. She missed Levi. Missed him like crazy. She had called Tom and asked him about the sighting of Zelda. He’d tracked down the notations about the call and said he would talk to the guard, too. Then she’d sent Tom her notes about what the guard had said to them.
She had opened her laptop and gone over the information on the case, the autopsy reports, and the photographs of the bodies. She had checked her phone over and over, unable to concentrate because she kept thinking about Levi. Attractive wrapping paper. Nobody really sees me. That’s how he thought of himself? She shivered now, recalling how he’d said it and the self-contempt and vulnerability that had been so evident on his handsome face and in his expressive eyes that she had fought back tears.
Damn it! Why didn’t he call her? Was he so flipping busy that he never gave her a thought? Out of sight, out of mind? Guess he was having a grand old time with Lexi. Was he sleeping with her, too? Wait . . . didn’t she read somewhere that Lexi was married and—.
A black wave engulfed her, almost knocking her to her knees. Trudy stumbled, momentarily blinded, and she felt her way to the picnic table bench, pulling Mouse with her. She sat down as words and images spread through her mind, blotting out everything else.
She was walking along the beach behind a shapely brunette. The girl had short hair that fluttered in the ocean breeze. It was sort of like her own – layered, covering her head with shiny curls. She wore a two piece suit that was demur for the current barely there bikinis favored by most women her age. She sauntered toward a beach bar and slid onto a stool.
Yeah. I could do her. She thinks she’s all that and a bag of chips, but she’s clueless.
Trudy closed her eyes. Oh. No.
Want to be my friend? Want to play?
The girl sipped a drink. Orange drink. She turned on the seat and looked behind her, around her. She was young. Maybe twenty. She had a pretty face. Round face. Big, brown eyes. Small nose and mouth. The bar was colorful . . . on the beach . . . in front of a hotel. Parrots. Orange chairs. The Jolly Roger?
I’d like to fuck that mouth. Then I’d fuck your ass. Then your mouth again so you could taste your own shit. Yeah. That would be awesome. Tag, you’re it.
Walking away now . . . along the beach . . . and the vision lifted from her eyes and Trudy fell back into her own frantic thoughts. She fought the urge to vomit. She had sensed more violence in him this time. His insanity was escalating, his need to inflict pain was more avid.
Flinging back her head, Trudy stared at the blue sky and breathed deeply, imagining the fragrant air chasing away the dirty, smutty feelings that the killer’s thoughts had left in her mind. After a few minutes, she grabbed her cell phone.
With trembling fingers, Trudy crafted a text to Levi. “Please, please, please,” she begged softly, hoping and praying he would answer her. She hit “Send”.
Levi, are you there?
Then she hit the number to speed dial Tom Sinclair. He answered on the first ring.
“Tom, I just had a vision and I saw his next victim. Have you got something to write with or are you at your computer?”
“Uh . . . ummm, wait.” Seconds ticked by and she could hear the rattling of paper. “Okay. Shoot.”
“Is there a bar called The Jolly Roger?”
“Yeah, I know that place. On the beach.”
“That’s it . . .” Her phone beeped and she knew Levi had sent her a text, but she continued on, telling Tom about what she’d seen, what the girl looked like, and every detail she could pluck from her memory.
“Great, great,” Tom mumbled. “I’m on it, babe. I’ll dash over here right now and talk to the bartender. I’ll be in touch.”
She ended the call and looked at the text from Levi. Yes. What’s up? No “Buttercup” this time, she noted with sinking spirits. Where are you? she typed.
His reply came within seconds. Sound stage. Just wrapping up. Need something?
He’s back. I just saw his next victim. Her fingers shook as she pressed the “Send�
� button. God, she wished Levi was here with her! Or Quintara. No, Levi.
Her phone rang and she sucked in a little gasp, then laid her hand over her pounding heart. Levi’s name floated across the screen. “Yes?”
“Tru, are you okay?”
She closed her eyes. Oh, she liked his voice! It was like a cooling night breeze.
“Yes. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I know you’re busy and I’m sorry to bother you.”
“Please, Tru.” He sounded a little irritated. “You’re never a bother. I’m going right to the airport as soon as I leave here. I’ll be there in a few hours.”
“Okay.” She closed her eyes and tried to block out the echo of that other nasty, depraved voice that had been in her head a few minutes ago. “I called Tom and told him about it. He’s on his way to the bar to talk to the bartender and find the girl.”
“Good. Hey, remember to write down your impressions in the netbook. Do it as soon as you hang up. Every detail you can recall. Okay?”
“Yes, I will.”
“I shouldn’t have come here, damn it. I should be there with you. It’s irresponsible of me to leave you when we’re in the middle of this.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” He sounded mad, but not at her. His voice also was huskier than usual.
“Are you okay?”
“Some kind of stomach thing – it’s nothing. See you soon.”
She pushed the “end call” button slowly, regretfully. But then a faint smile touched her lips. He was coming back . . . back to her.
###
The headlights of his car didn’t sweep across the mostly empty RV spaces until after eight o’clock. Trudy threw open the door to her RV, jumped to the ground, and sprinted toward the car that Levi parked in front of Cabin Four. It was a different car this time. The Nissan had been replaced by a sleek, black Jaguar. Although she wanted to rocket into his arms, she stood back a few feet from the car as he emerged, looking tired and achingly handsome.
“Hi. Welcome back,” Trudy said, uncertain of how much to reveal to him about how positively, absolutely, freaking glad she was to see him.
“Thanks. It’s good to see you.”
She stepped closer and he placed an arm around her shoulders, giving her a hug. She looked up into his face and saw the paleness of his skin.
“Hey, you’re really sick!”
“I’m okay. I’m just . . . it’s jet lag mostly, I think.”
“Did you see a doctor? Are you taking medicine? Have you eaten?”
“I ate some antacids earlier. I’m not hungry.”
She shook her head. Men! “Stow your luggage and then come to my place. You should eat something besides Rolaids.”
“No, really. I don’t think I could keep anything down.”
“Leviticus David Wolfe, do as you’re told.”
His brows arched and then lowered slowly. “Someone’s been on the Internet reading about me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she teased him. “I swear, you Scorpios!” Then she turned and went back to her RV. “Make it snappy. I have something to report!”
###
Levi took a swallow of orange juice, but shook his head when Trudy offered him another Oreo cookie or saltine cracker and cheese. His stomach did a pitch and roll.
He sat across from her on the banquette. Her netbook sat before him and he finished reading the last of her notes on what she’d seen and heard earlier. Forcing himself to concentrate on the task at hand, he glanced over her notes again. “Did you recognize the beach?” he asked, his voice echoing in his head. He flexed his jaw and his inner ears popped.
“Not really, but when I told Tom about the bar, he knew which one it was.”
“So, he’s there now.”
She nodded. “He called again right before you got back. He said they were talking to the bartender who was on duty. I gave them a description of the girl. They’re hoping the bartender will know her.”
“Good. The sick motherfucker could kill her tonight.”
“God, no!” She slammed her green eyes shut. “She’s so young!”
“Hush.” He rested his hand on hers. Just that slight touch made him want her. He’d thought of little else while he’d been away. “It’s my fault that we’re not on top of this case. I shouldn’t have gone to L.A. I told Darla to cancel all of my public appearances for the rest of the month.”
“You had other appearances scheduled?”
He nodded. “It’s what I do, Trudy.” Shaking his head, he resented the censure in her eyes. If only she knew how much he’d already altered his life for her . . . hell, she wouldn’t believe him. He’d never wanted to work with anyone before, but since meeting her he’d been obsessed with the idea. And now he hated to be away from her. Postponing appearances, turning down money, changing appointments with people he needed to see. Even Darla had questioned him about some of the meetings he’d put off or canceled outright.
“Who is Darla?”
He ran a hand down his face. He felt hot and clammy. “My assistant.”
“Oh. You have an assistant? Like a secretary?”
He leaned back and folded his arms. Was she really that clueless about him? Most women he knew had researched him thoroughly within hours of meeting him – if not before actually meeting him! “Yes, I have several secretaries and one executive assistant. I run a company, Trudy.”
“Oh.” She shrugged. “I admit that I know nothing about that side of you.”
“I thought you were investigating me on the Internet today. I own Wolfe Enterprises, Inc.”
“You have so many irons in the fire,” she said, almost in a whisper. “I’m surprised you have time for this kind of thing.”
“This is my passion,” he said, and her gaze lifted to his. “This is my calling. The other things help pay for it.” He looked at her netbook again. “I got a report from Sinclair this morning. Nothing has come from the tips called in to Sissy’s show about Zelda. Several people said they had met her and confirmed that the sketch was accurate, but no one knew her last name or where she lives.”
“You look tired. You should get some rest.”
His eyelids were leaden and he rested his head in his hands, feeling jet lagged and drugged. “You said the girl is young?”
“Yes. Maybe twenty.”
Rocking his forehead against the heels of his hands, he fought off the sense of helplessness and failure. He shouldn’t have gone to L.A. If he’d been here when Trudy had experienced her vision, they could have set off right then and found the beach bar and maybe even have found the girl. Fuck! He forced his head up and his eyes open.
The cell phone on the table chimed and he automatically reached for it, thinking it was his.
“Hey, pretty lady,” Tom Sinclair said before Levi could say anything. “I have some news for you and I’d like to deliver it in person and make good on that rain check you owe me!”
Ice cold fury blasted through him and it took everything in him not to throw the phone across the room and smash it to bits. His gaze snapped to Trudy and he could tell by her wide eyes and red face that she had heard each smarmy word. Knowing that if he opened his mouth right now he would call Sinclair every foul thing he could think of, he held the phone out to Trudy and nodded at it, silently bidding her to answer the detective.
“Hi,” she said, her tone high and breathy. “What news? Levi’s here.”
“Oh, okay. Well, that’s good. I guess.”
Holding her gaze, Levi felt his upper lip lift in a snarl. Stupid son of a bitch. And he had thought he might like Tom Sinclair when he’d first met him. He’d even thought they might go out for a drink, play a game of pool, and talk shop. Now, as he imagined the man’s hands on Trudy and his mouth and tongue on her and in her, he wanted to crush the phone he held.
His stomach muscles bunched and twisted. That damned tuna salad sandwich at the airport, he thought. It had tasted a l
ittle off. He should have stuffed it into the trash instead of into his mouth.
“Tom, can you tell me your news now? I’m really anxious to hear.”
Levi put the phone down on the table and slipped out of the booth, unable to withstand any more of Sinclair’s chit-chatting with Trudy.
“It was the Jolly Roger Tavern right on the beach. The barkeep knew the girl you’d described to me. She and her folks were staying at the adjoining hotel. Good work, babe! We talked to her and her parents. We thought they might stick around and let us put surveillance on the girl and maybe catch this guy that way, but they weren’t having any of that. They’ve already booked a flight back to Omaha.”
“I’m glad she’s safe.”
“Yeah. We either saved her life or ruined her family vacation. We’ll never know for sure, I guess.”
Levi stood at the kitchen sink with his back to Trudy, but he glanced around at that and saw her stiffen. She hitched up her chin in that way that made him want to kiss her until she was breathless. He could almost see the smoke coming out of her ears.
“We saved a life, of course,” she snapped. “Do you actually think I made all that up? How could I have?”
“Okay, babe! Sorry.”
“Thanks for the news, Tom. I . . . I have to go and . . . I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Thanks again.”
He heard her place the phone on the table, but he didn’t turn around. He kept his eyes closed as he gripped the edge of the counter. Sickness rose in him and he realized he was going to spew. Pushing away from the counter, he thought he might make it to the bathroom, but then in the next second, he knew that there was no way. He spun back toward the double sinks and heaved up the crackers, cheese, cookies, and orange juice.
“Levi!”
He heard her, but he wasn’t finished. More of the horrible tasting stuff filled his mouth and then the sink. His gut knotted, clenched, and knotted again. He groaned and felt something cool and wet touch his forehead and cheek. Reaching blindly, he took the wet washcloth from Trudy and pulled it down his hot, sticky face. It felt like heaven and he moaned appreciatively.
