Wine and Roses

by Ursula Sinclair

  “Not sure. But I’ll make a few calls.”

  “So will I. I might be able to find out faster. I’ll pass it along.”

  “How do you know this guy?”

  “He was the head of security for a corporate exec a few years ago, and we butted heads. My agency ended up taking over the security job. I didn’t like him then, and now I’m glad.”

  “This means we might finally be able to pin something on this bastard,” the detective said.

  “It also means Eboni is in danger.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m taking care of that.” Jackson pulled out his phone and moved away from Simon, who frowned at the detective’s back. He returned to Eboni’s room.

  Chapter Three

  “I’m…a witness aren’t I? Am I in danger?” she asked Simon as soon as he opened the door. She’d been scared before, knowing she’d witnessed a murder, but the police presence at the hospital and Simon put her at ease. The fact Simon recognized the guy and both the detective and Simon left the room scared the shit out of her. This wasn’t just a robbery or something gone bad.

  “No,” Simon quickly stated. “This guy’s not going to get near you.”

  “What did you and the detective talk about? What did he say?”

  Simon stared at her for a moment before responding. “This guy is ex-military and is wanted for questioning in several suspicious deaths of government officials. So far he’s never been caught. Always leaving the area, disappearing before he can be questioned. But you have nothing to worry about.”

  Detective Jackson entered the room and must have heard Simon’s last statement. “That’s right, Ms. Stiles. You’re going to have round the clock police protection until we catch this suspect.”

  “Are you saying he’s some kind of assassin?” she asked Simon.

  The men glanced back and forth between each other. “We’re not sure of anything yet,” Detective Jackson answered. “Merely taking precautions.”

  “But…if what you’ve said is true and no one’s been able to catch him before, what makes you think you can now?”

  Simon grinned. “She has a point. Besides you and I both know sooner or later the feds will become involved. This was no random kill.”

  “Well, until I know otherwise I’m treating this as a local matter. I’ve made a few phone calls but I need to get back to the precinct. Start by bringing this guy in for a line up.”

  “Do you know who he killed?” Eboni asked.

  “Not yet. We’re still working on that. There was no wallet on the man.”

  “Okay, can you let us know as soon as you find out?” Simon asked.

  “If we can ID him. When will you be released?” Jackson asked Eboni.

  “I’m hoping first thing in the morning.”

  “Okay. A uniform officer will be stationed at your front door, and there’ll be added drive-bys to your neighborhood.”

  “And I will be inside,” Simon said.

  She cringed at the thought of being confined in her small space with Simon for an indeterminate amount of time. No way could she be around him and not want him again. The police should be able to handle this. “I don’t think that will be necessary….”

  “Like hell it isn’t.” His tone remained firm, insistent.

  “What!” She frowned. “You are not speaking to me that way.”

  “Ah, I think now might just be a good time for me to go. I’ll give you a call later.” Eboni watched the detective leave; she waited until he shut the door behind him before turning to face Simon. “Look, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me but I’m sure I’ll be fine. The police appear to have this all in hand, and there’s no need for you to waste your time worrying about me.”

  He shifted so his entire rather large body frame leaned forward, towering over her. “In case you haven’t been paying attention, this guy has never been caught.”

  “But….”

  He shook his head, and his hair fell across his face. He quickly brushed it back with his hand, the sight of those long blunt fingers momentarily distracting her. “There is no but,” he stated. “This guy’s been a suspect in other suspicious deaths, wanted for questioning and manages to disappear until after most of the files are closed. He hasn’t even been spotted for a year. And now he pops up, and there’s another death. Look, I like Detective Jackson, but no way are these cops going to find a guy like this, and the feds will become involved as soon as they get wind Len Bennis is a suspect in a murder investigation.”

  “Well, won’t that be a good thing. If the local police can’t handle this then perhaps the FBI or somebody should get involved. They would have resources the local cops won’t. Shouldn’t they? So either way I’d still be fine. Besides, like you said he always disappears so he’s probably long gone.”

  “Babe, you still don’t get it. This was no random killing; this guy is a hired gun. He is not going to leave behind a witness.”

  Her heart raced at his words. At the daunting thought some maniac might really be trying to find her. It all sounded like some suspense movie. “Okay, now you’re scaring me.”

  Simon straightened up. “I’m sorry.” The tone of his voice softened like he tried to calm her. “You don’t need to worry about this. I will not let him near you. Once he realizes you won’t be that easy to get to he’ll move on. He’ll have no choice because he won’t be able to hang around here for long. The longer he stays the greater the chances that he’ll get caught.”

  “Okay that…that makes sense.” She took a deep breath. “What about Ross and Shanna? Should we call them let them know?” They’d gotten back yesterday and spent the day by her side until Simon sent them home.

  “Yeah, I’ll call and give Ross an update.” He took out his phone but a nurse walked in, not the younger one who ogled Simon earlier. She appeared to be in her late fifties early sixties, gray hair shot through the brown, and introduced herself as “Barbara.” And yep, she admired Simon, too. In fact, she flirted outrageously with him, but she had a nice pleasant demeanor as she removed the tube feeding medicine through her vein. Barbara told him she’d buried three husbands and if he weren’t already taken, she’d be willing to take him on as her fourth. Confident he’d last more than six months like the others.

  “Child,” she addressed Eboni. “I’d put a bag over this one’s head so the nurses don’t see those fine looks. But then again you might need a bigger bag to cover up all of him.” She laughed at her own joke.

  “Are you kidding me? I’d need to be ten years younger just to keep up,” Simon said laughing with her.

  Since Simon didn’t correct Barbara about the nature of their relationship, Eboni, wasn’t going to either. She laughed, too. She didn’t mind this woman’s flirting. Yet she minded the young pretty red-head. Not because the young nurse seemed attracted to Simon, for that she couldn’t blame her, but she didn’t do her job. Unlike Barbara, who did her job and was also funny.

  After the nurse took her temperature and checked her bandage, she said, “You’re looking mighty fine.” She took a pill packet out of her pocket and placed it on the tray, getting her a glass of water. “Go ahead and take this and the doctor will check on you again later. But meanwhile get some rest.” She glanced over at Simon and winked. “Although with him around not sure how much rest you’d get.”

  Simon grinned at the woman and winked. He’d laughed and flirted right back at Barbara. Eboni frowned. He hadn’t with the other one. Why?

  The nurse left, and she turned toward Simon. “I like her,” Eboni said yawning.

  “Yeah, she’s hysterical.”

  She smiled. “So how come you haven’t taken her up on it?” She yawned again and blinked a few times. It became difficult to keep her eyes open.

  “Let’s just say my interest right now lies elsewhere.”

  Did she hear him right? Her gut clenched at him wanting someone else. “Oh… other…one.” She mumbled unable to really focus on talking. Her mind however had clar
ity sorta, but what did she expect. It’s why she didn’t pursue anything more with Simon, understanding his type. Not the permanent staying monogamous kind.

  “What?” His voice came from far away but she could no longer respond.

  ***

  Simon frowned at the sleeping Eboni, confused by her statement. Then it dawned on him, she thought he wanted the red-headed nurse who kept hitting on him. He smiled. Only one woman interested him. He got up and brushed the hair back from her forehead kissing her before he moved back to step out into the hall for a few minutes. He’d call Ross and give him and Shanna an update on Eboni’s condition.

  ***

  He stretched his arms above his head before sitting down with the cup of coffee he’d gotten from the snack bar and placed a cup of tea on Eboni’s tray. “How are you feeling today?” When the nurse had come in first thing this morning to check on her, Simon had left the room. She’d actually slept through the night, and her breathing seemed more normal to him. He hoped the doctor would release her. He wanted her out of the hospital and well.

  “Better,” she said sitting up and taking a sip. “Thank you. How did you know I liked tea?”

  “That first night I had dinner with you and Shanna, you asked the waitress for tea and said you’re a tea girl.” He shrugged.

  “And you remembered?”

  “I remember lots of things about you.”

  They both turned at a sound by the door, but only to see the doctor standing there. He nodded at them and came into the room. “Ah, Ms. Stiles,” the man said moving closer to the bed. “Good morning. You’re looking better today.”

  The doctor held an electronic pad in his hand and checked it. “I see you’ve been off the medication all night and your temperature is good.” He took off his stethoscope, pulled the curtain around to give her some privacy from Simon’s eyes, and examined her further. When done with his analysis, he pushed the curtain back and entered something on his chart. “Everything seems to be fine. I’m going to release you this morning. You’re free to leave whenever you’re ready. But you still need to take it easy for the next couple of days. I do not want you to have a relapse because you’ve over done it. Your immune system has taken a beating and still needs time to recover. So, plenty of fluids and rest. Over the counter medicine should be fine if you require it. But rest is what you need.”

  “Thank you, doctor,” she said shaking his hand.

  “Yes thanks, doc. And don’t worry, she’ll rest.”

  ***

  Simon came around the bed to shake the doctor’s hand and walk him out. When he stepped out into the hall with the other man and shut the door, she used the opportunity to sit up. “Okay so far so good,” she mumbled relieved she would be able to leave.

  Simon returned to the room, saw her, and came over to the railing and lowered it.

  “Thanks.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed and took a deep breath. As soon as she stood the room seemed to sway, her hand reached out to hold onto something. Simon’s sturdy arm.

  “Easy, babe. You’ve been flat on your back for the last few days.”

  “Bathroom need….”

  “Say no more.” He held her around the waist and guided her to the bathroom.

  “Thanks, I can manage from here.”

  “I’ll be just outside the door.”

  “Can you grab the bag of clothes Shanna brought for me last night?” She shut the door. Glancing at the shower, she opted to only wash her face and brush her teeth. She wanted to go home and take a long hot shower in her own house. After she finished her toilet, she opened the door.

  “Did you find it?” she asked Simon who sat on her bed.

  “Yeah.” He got up and grabbed the bag on the floor at his feet, handing it to her.

  “Thanks.” She returned to the bathroom to dress quickly, although she had nothing to hide from him. The one night they’d been together, no spot on her body remained untouched by his hand or tongue. She could say the same about his body. She closed her eyes to hide the thought but like a movie on rewind, she could still picture them together. “No.” Who was she kidding? Turning to the sink, she washed her face again and took a deep breathe to calm down.

  She needed to get out of the hospital and back to some sense of normalcy and most importantly away from Simon Blackcat. But it might not be so simple. She knew two things for sure: he would not leave her alone until the killer was found, and the longer she spent in close proximity to him the stronger the chance she’d sleep with him again. A huge mistake to her peace of mind. As well as an even bigger one for her heart.

  Eboni came out of the bathroom, the hospital gown in her hand. She placed it on the mattress and glanced around the room. Simon stood beside the bed, yet his presence dominated the room. “Wh…where’s my purse?” she managed to stammer out.

  “I grabbed the bag you had on the kitchen counter the night we brought you in. I put it in the nightstand drawer right there.”

  She opened the drawer he indicated and found her purse inside. “Okay great. Well, I’m ready.”

  “Hang on. I’ve got to go get the nurse and let her know you’re ready to leave and also the guard. Be back in a few minutes.”

  She strapped her purse across her shoulder and put the overnight bag at her feet. She’d already packed up the get well cards she’d received and put them in the bag and tied the balloons she’d also gotten to the handle. Then, she sat on the bed and waited. Wondering how in the hell her life had become so complicated. Just as she got tired of waiting and stood up to go sign herself out, Simon returned with the nurse, Shelia, one she liked and a wheelchair. She pointed at it. “I don’t need that.”

  “Hospital policy,” the woman said.

  “Come on, sweetheart. Hop on,” Simon said, holding the bars at the back of the chair.

  She sat down. “Seriously, this is not necessary.” She continued to protest, feeling foolish.

  “Yeah it is.” Simon picked up the overnight bag and carried it with one hand while Shelia pushed the chair. He walked beside her but she didn’t see the police officer. She looked around. “Where’s the cop that was supposed to watch my room?”

  “He’s gone ahead of us. I brought my car around; it’s parked out front. He grabbed his patrol car and will escort us to your condo.”

  “Oh, okay. Is he going to stay with me, too?”

  “Yeah, but not for long. His replacement will meet us there.”

  They were escorted through the sliding glass doors. A forest green Range Rover parked just past the front of the entrance, and the nurse wheeled Eboni right up to the door. Simon opened it for her.

  “There ya go,” the Shelia said. “Now, remember to take it easy. Let this man of yours take care of you for the next few days.”

  She stood up but couldn’t let the woman’s comment go and needed to set her straight. “He’s not ‘my’ anything.”

  Unrepentant, Shelia grinned. “Well, why the hell not?”

  Simon, listening to the exchange, smiled and winked at them. He helped Eboni into the car but before he shut the door, she heard him tell the nurse. “Just give me time.”

  Chapter Four

  Taking the key from Eboni, Simon unlocked her condo door. They moved aside for the officer with them to enter the condo first and look around while they remained in the hallway.

  “Looks fine,” said Officer Carl returning to where they stood. “I’ll stay out here until my replacement arrives. As soon as he does, I’ll knock and introduce you.”

  “That works. Thank you,” Simon said, leading the way inside. He was not leaving Eboni alone at all. Even though technically he should be on down time, it never occurred to Simon to turn her case over to Frank, Allen, or any of the others. This was different. She was personal to him. And if danger stalked her then he damn well planned on protecting her.

  He closed and locked the door behind her. “Where do you want this stuff?”

  “Just leave them right t
here by the couch.” She looked at the long mustard colored couch taking up most of the space in the small living room. “I’ll take care of it later. Besides those clothes have to be washed, and the washing machine and dryer are right over there.” She pointed to the second door against the wall to his right. Taking the balloons she still held away from her, he placed them and the burgundy-colored roses in his hand on a side table. The colorful balloons immediately rose to brush against the top of the ceiling.

  He put the overnight case down near the couch as she’d instructed and straightened up. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “No. But I am a little tired. I think I should probably just lie down for a bit.”

  “Sounds good. After you get up, I’ll fix us some dinner.”

  “What? You cook, too?” Surprise evident in her voice.

  “Oh yeah. My mama taught all of her kids to cook.”

  She moved to sit on the couch, and he took off the black light weight jacket he wore and joined her. “I didn’t know you have siblings.”

  He shook his head. A slip. He didn’t talk about his family, his background. Ever. Ross and Noah knew his history but very few other people outside of where he grew up, and he liked to it keep so. The explanations were not pretty.

  Not that he was ashamed of the way he grew up. While he had far less than most there were still those in the country worse off. But then one day his family had nothing, not even each other. So he knew exactly how far he’d come. He was his own man now and needed no accolades to tell him that. He was a half-blood Indian, country boy, from the back hills of Bitterroot Valley, with a drunk for a father. Nothing too bad there or unheard of. It was the rest of his past he wanted kept buried.

  He’d come home one day to find his mother bleeding on the floor of the storage barn, protecting his younger twin brothers from the wrath of their father. It marked the first time Simon ever took a life. One he did not regret taking, but he did regret the backlash, the damage done to his family. By the time his court-appointed lawyer got all charges dropped on the grounds of self-defense and him released, he’d already spent six months in jail. His mother dead from the wounds she’d received at the end of his father’s hammer heavy fists, and the twins were missing. Lost in a damn welfare system that didn’t give a shit. Lost like a set of keys. A seventeen-year-old boy, alone, no help from no one, no way could he crack the system. After months trying to find his brothers and only running into red tape, on his eighteenth birthday he joined the military, but he’d never stopped searching for them.