by Tina Donahue
“You’re on. Seriously though, we have to go soon or we’ll be late for work. I still have to change clothes.”
“I offered you one of my tank tops after we showered.”
“Alice would love me showing up in your stuff.”
Tor brought Marnie back to her place well ahead of her shift. Although she said he could leave her off at the curb, Tor insisted on walking Marnie to the door. “My mother would smack me upside my head if I didn’t. Besides, I think I left my gold chalk here the other day. The piece wasn’t in my box when I sketched you last night. Must have fallen on the floor here and rolled under something.”
A dumb excuse, Tor knew, but Marnie didn’t question him coming inside her place. After a quick search under her bed and her bathroom, he could see Ethan wasn’t hiding in either spot. “Not here. Damn.”
“Maybe the chalk rolled somewhere you haven’t looked. I’ll keep checking and can bring it with me when we have lunch.”
They agreed on a day and time. Marnie gave him the shop’s phone number and her email address so they could stay in touch during the interim.
As Tor left her place, he decided to get her one of those disposable cell phones as soon as possible. No way could Ethan locate Marnie with one of them. If she argued against accepting his gift, Tor would simply state the obvious—them talking dirty on the phone was much more fun than shooting X-rated emails to each other or using Instant Messenger. A lot easier too. Most of all, she’d have a way to contact him quickly if anything went down.
Even the thought made him ill.
Back on the street, Tor entered the shop, knowing Marnie wouldn’t start working for an hour.
An older woman who had to be Alice smiled from behind the counter. “Welcome to Alice’s Wonderland. Looking for anything special?”
Time alone with her to talk. Thankfully there were no customers in the shop. He approached with a smile and offered his hand. “I’m Tor Avana.” He kept his voice low since the apartment was right overhead. “Marnie did mention me, right?”
Alice grinned and shook his hand. “Repeatedly and with high praise.“ She spoke as softly as he had. “Don’t tell her I said that. So good to meet you, Tor.”
“You too. Thanks for helping Marnie out when she left Miami and came here.”
Alice’s smile froze. She got a deer-in-the-headlights look for a moment before recovering, feigning confusion. “Marnie told you she was from Miami?”
“I know about everything, including Ethan.”
“Thank God.” She sighed loudly and pressed her hand to her beaded top. “I told her she should tell you, but you know Marnie; she doesn’t want to bother anyone with her problems.”
“Do you know Ethan’s last name? Did Marnie ever show you his picture or describe him to you?”
Alice looked worried again. “Why?”
“Given what she told me about him, I’m worried he’ll come looking for her. I sense you are too. Just want to be prepared and keep her safe.”
“Of course.” She looked stricken. “Marnie never mentioned his last name. Want me to find out?”
“Please don’t. I’m afraid if she thinks either of us is worried, she’ll run. You know, to protect you and me from him.”
“Right.”
“Do you know the name of the garage where he works?”
“I do. Auto something. Give me a sec.” She bit her lip, shook her head, frowned…
“We could check online by pulling up the white pages for vehicle services in Miami.”
Alice brightened. “I’ll have the page up in a sec.”
A few minutes later, she pointed at the computer screen. “That’s it. Auto Aid AAA Service and Repair.”
Tor wanted to check out the website for staff photos but couldn’t risk Marnie seeing him here if she decided to come down early. Although he hated doing anything behind her back, he didn’t want her taking off because of a misguided desire not to be a burden. “Keep an eye on her, okay? Let me know if anything unusual happens.” He took one of Alice’s business cards from its vintage holder and wrote his cellphone number on the back. “You can reach me here.”
She held the card to her chest. “How will I know if he shows up or is lurking around? I don’t know what he looks like.”
“Soon as I find a photo of him, I’ll email the picture to you. What’s your personal email Marnie doesn’t have access to?”
“Right. She monitors the one for the shop.” Alice gave him the address. “Is she going to be okay?”
“You bet.” He smiled as confidently as he could despite his churning gut. “I’m not going to let anything happen to her.”
Tor would see Ethan dead first. As he’d told Marnie, he wasn’t a violent man. However, if anyone threatened those he loved…
For Tor, there was no denying or sidestepping his feelings any longer. He wanted Marnie in his life for the long run, adoring everything about her.
* * * * *
Tor reached the parlor shortly before anyone else did, using the time to bring up the Auto Aid website. As he’d hoped, there was a group shot of the mechanics and their supervisor. Ethan Dobbs was taller than the rest, possibly six-one or so, looked to be in his early thirties, wore his sandy-blond hair in a modified crew, and was trim with muscular arms. Unlike the rest of the crew, Ethan hadn’t smiled for the camera. He had the look of authority about him, as though he ruled the world.
Not any longer, coward.
Tor had to check his anger to keep from driving to Miami to confront the prick. Exactly what Marnie didn’t need—her new boyfriend giving away her location and what she’d been doing these past months.
He cropped the photo so only Ethan showed and enlarged the shot as much as possible without losing sharpness. After Tor had printed off numerous color copies of his work, he emailed the photo to Alice. Next, he called Dante’s private number.
His brother answered after the second ring. “Hey,” Dante said. “This is a surprise. Not a good one, mind you, since I’m busier than hell.”
Tor didn’t have time for their usual banter. “I need your help.”
“What’s wrong?” Dante asked, instantly serious. “Did you get hurt?”
“No. This concerns a woman I’ve met. Marnie Cruz.” Tor spilled everything except the sexual parts. “I need to know more about Ethan. Can you call your cop friends and see if they have anything on him? Assaults, arrests, hopefully incarcerations that have put him away for a long time. If not, I’d like a recent driver’s license for his photo and address.”
“You’re not thinking of confronting him, are you?”
“Of course not. I need to know if he still lives in Miami and what he looks like in case he shows up here. Clearly, he’s a maniac. I have his photo from the ‘net, taken at the garage where he works, but the license will probably have a better shot of his face.”
There were clacking sounds in the background, as though Dante were typing. “Where’s he work?”
Tor gave him the info. “Is there any way you can get the cops to keep an eye on Marnie? She lives above Alice’s Wonderland, the giftshop where she works.” He told Dante the address.
More typing sounds came from the other end of the call. “I doubt the police would be able to provide much in the way of protection unless something happened. This man hasn’t committed any crime.”
“Outside of beating her black and blue, threatening her life, intimidating her, keeping her from her mother’s funeral?”
“You know what I mean.”
Tor did and knew he wasn’t being fair. “I’m afraid Ethan will kill Marnie if he finds her. Couldn’t the cops check on her each night as a favor to you?”
“Maybe, but they might want to talk to her too so they know what they’re up against.”
“Out of the question. She’s skittish as it is. Some of her uncles are cops and did shit for her mom when she needed help. Marnie doesn’t trust the police. She won’t tell them anything. Believe me, she’
ll run first and I might not be able to find her.”
Dante was quiet a moment. “You really love her, huh?”
Tor smiled then sighed. “I think I’m losing my mind.”
“Yep, that’s love. Congratulations, by the way.”
He laughed. “You’ll adore Marnie when you meet her. She’s gorgeous, sharp, sweet. Fuck, I can’t say enough to convey everything she is. I can’t wait for you and Lauren to have dinner with us.”
“Me either. I’ll call my buddies now and will get back to you as soon as I can.”
“Thanks.”
Tor ended the call and researched Ethan on the ‘net in case the cops didn’t pan out. There were over three hundred thousand hits, most having nothing to do with the Ethan he wanted. Tor was checking out records sites that promised to find dirt on anyone when Lauren came down the hall.
“Afternoon, Tor.”
“Hey. Can you come in here for a minute?”
She rounded the jamb. “Sure. What’s up?”
“Is Jasmina here?” They generally arrived at the same time.
“Right behind me,” Lauren said. “Jasmina, can you come to Tor’s station for a sec?”
The young woman joined Lauren.
“Inside,” Tor said. “Close the door.”
Lauren and Jasmina exchanged a glance but did as he asked.
“This is about Marnie,” he said, keeping his voice low should Van Gogh, the other artists, or clients suddenly show up. “What I’m going to tell you stays between us, all right?”
For the first time in weeks, Tor saw a spark of the old Jasmina.
“Is Marnie okay?” she asked. “She’s so nice. She didn’t get hurt, did she?”
Lauren went to him. “Is her tat all right? Please don’t tell me she’s in the hospital because of it.”
“She isn’t. This is about the guy she used to live with. He was abusing her.”
“What?” Jasmina frowned. “The bastard. How dare he? Did he come here?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out.” He handed her and Lauren one of the color copies he made. “Either of you see this guy here before?”
Lauren studied the photo and shook her head. “Never saw him in my life. The picture’s not the greatest but he doesn’t look familiar.”
“I asked Dante to call his friends on the force,” Tor said. “See if they could provide a driver’s license with a good head shot.” He turned to Jasmina and felt bile rise to his throat at her expression, the way she stared at the photo. “What?” he asked. “Has he been here?”
“I don’t know. There’s something about the mouth but I’m not sure. Like Lauren said, the photo isn’t the best.”
“What about the mouth? When did you see it?”
Jasmina lifted her shoulders. “I’m not sure. I could be wrong. When Van Gogh inks in the window, there are always a lot of men watching.”
Tor frowned. “Those guys are old.”
“Not all of them,” Lauren said. “We’ve had lots of younger men walk in and ask for tats because of Van Gogh’s work.”
“Not him,” Jasmina said, jabbing her finger into the copy. “I would have remembered the hair. It sucks. I hate modified crews.”
Tor didn’t bother pointing out that Ethan might have let his hair grow in the time Marnie had been gone. Hell, he could be wearing a wig these days. If not… “You notice any guys here with dark-blond hair?”
“All the time,” Jasmina said. “Along with those who’ve shaved their heads or have dark hair. The only guys who stick in my mind are the ones who have Mohawks or dyed their hair weird colors. Sorry.”
“Not your fault. Keep an eye out though. Let me know if you see him hanging around.”
Jasmina squeezed Tor’s shoulder. “We won’t let anything happen to Marnie. I’d gouge out the SOB’s eyes first.”
Tor smiled. “Thanks. Good to have you back, by the way.”
Jasmina’s face flooded with color. “I know I haven’t been easy to live with.”
“Not a problem,” Lauren said, rubbing Jasmina’s back. “We understand.”
“You don’t have to any longer. Brad called me last night.”
Lauren made a face. Tor wasn’t certain how to react.
“He tried to make nice,” Jasmina said and rolled her eyes. “Like I was going to forget he’d messed around on me and would even consider forgiving him. No damn way. I told him to screw off. I’m done with everything concerning that jerk. No more moping around.” She lifted Ethan’s picture. “I’ll watch out for him. You and Marnie have nothing to worry about.”
* * * * *
On their first luncheon date at Rafe’s restaurant, Tor handed Marnie a package wrapped in hot-pink paper, the red bow studded with white hearts.
After glancing around the crowded dining area, she leaned into him and whispered, “This shouldn’t be what I think it is. Not in a public place.”
Tor pressed his mouth to her ear and whispered, “The box is too flat and small for the King Kong rubbers I use.”
Marnie giggled. “What did you get me?” She stopped shaking the box. “You shouldn’t have gotten me anything.”
“Why? Show me the rule saying I can’t get you a surprise.”
“Is this a wallet-size shot of the sketch you did the other night?”
He laughed. “Baby, you don’t want to carry that portrait around in your wallet. Stop guessing and open your gift.”
The moment Marnie had, she stared at the cellphone as she might a black widow spider.
“There’s no contract,” Tor said, speaking softly despite the din from the lusty Cuban music and customers. “No way anyone can trace you.”
“You want me to use this to call you?”
Her question surprised him. “Only if you want. I’m not asking you to check in, okay?” He remembered what she’d told him about Ethan monitoring her every move. “The phone is for your use. If you were to hurt yourself in your apartment and needed help, you’d have to use the ‘net to contact 9-1-1, if you’ve set up Skype. I’m guessing you haven’t. Now you don’t have to. If you ever need assistance, make sure you give the operator your cell number. Emergency services don’t have the numbers of no-contract phones on file.”
“Are you worried about Ethan?”
“I’m concerned about you being in an apartment with no means to contact anyone. Chances are nothing will ever happen, but why tempt fate? Besides, with the phone you can call me late at night and talk dirty. Way more fun than if you send me a smutty email.”
Marnie didn’t smile. “Why haven’t you answered me about Ethan?”
“Do we have to discuss this now?”
“I’d like to.”
Tor sighed. “I want you to be safe. I’m only human, okay?”
“Are you worried he’ll show up?”
“As far as I’m concerned? No. I’d love to have a crack at him. Level the playing field, so to speak. I’d lay odds on the fact he’s a coward when facing someone his size.”
“You’re bigger.” Marnie kissed him. “Way bigger.”
He grinned. “I’ll take your word for it.”
She put the phone in her purse. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
“You’re accepting my gift?”
“No. Well, yeah, I am. Now I’ll have to get you something.” She smiled. “I can’t wait.”
* * * * *
The following Tuesday, Dante called Tor with what he’d learned.
“Ethan still lives at the Miami address on his license. I emailed you a copy. Still works at the garage. He’s had a few disorderlies in the past, nothing major the cops know about. Doesn’t own a firearm.”
“Thank God.”
“You didn’t let me finish. He doesn’t have a registered gun.”
Shit. “Do you think he has an illegal one?”
“Don’t know. I asked the guys who patrol the area where Marnie lives to keep an eye out. They have the plate number for his car an
d his description. No sightings thus far.”
“You work with shrinks in your cases. Do pricks like him give up and move on to other victims?”
“I haven’t discussed this particular scenario with any psychiatrist. My guess is, some men do, others don’t. Everything depends on how obsessed they are. Wouldn’t hurt to be careful.”
“Can’t the cops get him on what he’d done to Marnie in the past?”
“Not without her cooperation and a lot of evidence—eyewitnesses, photographs—things that would hold up in court to prove he caused her injuries. Depending on how the assault is charged, as a misdemeanor or a felony, you’d then have to consider the statute of limitations. Some might have already run out on the things he did to Marnie.”
“Jesus, this sucks.”
Dante was quiet a moment. “You having second thoughts about being with her?”
“Never. Not even in the equation. I’m insulted you asked.”
“No reason to be. I’m glad you found the woman you need but I want you to be safe. Her too. I’ll do anything I can to help. Call whenever you want.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Tor spent the rest of the afternoon trying to figure out how to make Ethan go away, short of murder. He came up with zip.
* * * * *
Alice called at eleven Wednesday morning right before Tor picked up Marnie for her leg tat.
“Hi, I’m glad I caught you,” she said. “I don’t know if this means anything…I feel kind of silly bothering you.”
“You’re not. What happened?”
“Nothing actually. I got a call at the shop a few minutes ago. Picked up the phone but no one answered. Do you think it was him?”
“What did caller ID show?”
“The screen said private number. I answered anyway, figuring whoever was calling might be interested in buying something.”
“After the person hung up, did you star sixty-nine to see if you could get anything?”
“I did. Nothing.”
“How often have these calls been happening?” Tor asked. “Have they started recently?”
“No. I’ve had people hang up in the past. I wasn’t certain if something was up now and wanted you to know.”
