Hayden unlocked his door and let me enter first. Olga was making my bed and tidying up the room.
“I hear we have a house guest.” Olga smiled at me.
“Hopefully, only for a short time. I don’t want to be a bother.” I told Olga who was shaking the sheets out.
“You’re no bother.” She turned and smiled at me. “Let me know if I can get you anything.” She slipped a pillow in it’s case and patted it flat.
“I think I have everything I need. I pretty much know where everything is located.”
The door bell rang and Hayden opened the door. The young man’s arms were full.
“Where shall I put these bags?” Hayden pointed to the guest room where I will be staying.
“I’ll be right back up with the remainder of the bags.” He said as he looked around the room. It must have been the first time he had seen Hayden’s private quarters.
He brought up the second group of bags. I put everything away in the bathroom and went for my clothes. I looked around and all I could see were empty bags.
“Hayden, where are my clothes?”
“Olga, took them to the laundry room.” She said they needed to be washed. Something about sizing in the fabric and other people trying them on. Anyway, she’ll hang them up when she’s finished with them.” He smiled and took me by the hand. We walked into the living room.
“I really need to call Randy. He’s going to be upset with me staying here.” I picked up the phone.
“I called Randy before I asked you to stay here. He’s okay with it. He knows you will be safe here.” Hayden set back on the sofa with his fingers weaved together behind his head.
“I should call.” I opened my phone and looked at the number pad.
“You’re right he would want to hear from you.” He said as he got up from the sofa and headed for the deck area.
I hit speed dial. Within moments Randy came on the phone.
“Hi sweetie, are you okay?” Randy’s caring voice came from the other end of the phone.
“Yes, Hayden told me he talked to you about me staying at his place.”
“I want you to be safe. Of course, you can stay here.” His voice trailed off knowing I would be safe at Hayden’s.
THIRTY-FIVE
I was sleeping in when the phone rang. It was Randy.
“Hi Sweetie. You up and about?” He asked with a cheerful voice.
“Actually, I’m still in bed but need to get to the office. Mona will be calling in a few minutes wondering why I’m so late.”
“Can you and Mona drop by the office this morning? I have some information for you on the massage parlor murders.”
“Of course we can. I’ll be there in about an hour. But don’t hold me to it. It might take me a tad longer.” I giggled.
“Not a problem. I’ll be in my office all morning.” Randy said as the phone went dead.
I jumped up and raced to the bathroom. I was opening every drawer trying to remember where I had placed my personal items. Finally found my tooth brush and paste. Brushed my teeth and gargled. Located my new hair brush in another drawer and a large clip to clip my hair up. I turned the shower water on and instantly it was hot. I showered and shaved my legs and under my arms. Turned off the shower water and took the towel from the rack and dried off. I wrapped the towel around me and walked over to the mirror and dabbed on some make-up, pulled my long curly red locks up in a pony tail and called it good to go. Olga had placed my clothes in the closet while I was sleeping. I slipped into my new jeans and a soft teal blue tee shirt. I pulled my boots on and laced them up.
Lee was in the kitchen. I walked in startling her.
She stepped back and caught her heart before it jumped into her mouth. “Tiffany, I didn’t know you were here.”
“I’m sorry I startled you. Yes, I’ll be staying here for a short while.” I told her.
“I’ll have breakfast ready for you in a short while.” She took the eggs from the refrigereator.
“No, that won’t be necessary. I’ll get something on the road.” I told her as I threw my bag over my shoulder.
I got in the elevator and pushed parking garage level.
The elevator door opened. I walked toward the Honda parking space. I looked up and the space was empty. I heard a voice from behind.
“Tiffany, Hayden said for you to take the Lightning pick up.”
“Where’s the Honda?” I asked a little confused.
“Hayden had one of the guys take it to the body shop. He said it need a little body repair work.” He smiled at me shaking his head.
“He’s right there but I could drive it with it’s beat up front end.”
He tossed me the keys to the Lightning Chevy truck. I really didn’t want to drive Hayden’s favorite sporty pick up but it was his decision to have the Honda worked on.
I met Mona at the office. She was sipping on coffee and licking the jelly from the sides of her hands as it dripped from her jelly donut.
“Mona, you are a mess.” I laughed at her.
“Get washed up Randy wants to see us.” I picked up a couple of files on Linda’s desk and thumbed through them while waiting on Mona to freshen up.
“Looks like we have plenty of ‘no shows’ to pick up.” I laid the files down on her desk and glanced out the window while waiting on Mona.
“Tell Mona I’ll meet her out front.” I told Linda as I stepped out the door.
I got in Hayden’s pick up and waited for Mona.
Mona came from the office and hopped in the pick up.
“What’s with this fine lookin’ pick up. Why are you driving it?”
“Hayden took the Honda to the body shop for repair.” I looked out my side mirror and pulled from my parking space.
We arrived at the Sheriff’s office before noon. The deputy was standing at the counter when we walked in the office. “We’re here to see Sheriff Reagan.” I told him as I sat my bag on his counter.
“Who may I tell Sheriff Reagan is here.” He said with authority.
“Tell him it’s Tiffany and Mona.” I turned and walked to the row of chairs lined up in the middle of the room where Mona had already chosen a seat. Within a few minutes Randy was inviting us into his office.
Randy shut the door behind us. “Take a seat ladies. I have some news for you. We got the ballistic test back on the bullets used on the murder victims at the massage parlors. The same weapon was used on all the murders. We are looking for a serial killer and Tiffany for some reason someone is trying to kill you.” He shook his head in wonder of who would be wanting to kill the woman he loves.
“How is Sophia doing. Has she regain consciousness?” Mona asked.
“Sophia is still in a coma. We aren’t sure when or if she will regain consciousness. Her family is thinking about taking her off the life support.” Randy set down at his desk. “Right now she is our only witiness.” He fumbled through his file. Closed it and bounced it on his desk, pulled his desk drawer open, slide the file in and closed the drawer.
“That’s all I have. You two be careful.” Randy warned us.
“Thanks Randy. We will keep an eye out for anything suspicious.” We excused ourselves and made our way out of the office.
I turned around, opened the door and looked at Randy. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. You wanna do pizza and a movie Friday evening at my place?” He smiled and gave me a wink.
“I’d like that. Seven at your place.” I blew a kiss and closed the door.
“I’ve got a hunch. Let’s stake out The Oasis Bar. I think Curly and Marty are into something illegal. Marty was arrested for transporting drugs and hasn’t showed up for court. We need to watch what’s going on with those two. If we can bring Marty in that’ll be a big payday.”
“How about this evening?” Mona said. “Let’s go by my apartment and let Bailey out for his hike and poop. Then we can get some take out food and stake out the bar.”
“Sounds like a plan.
” I turned the sporty pick up toward Mona’s apartment.
Bailey was ready to get out of the apartment. Mona opened the door and he flew into my arms knocking me on my butt, licking and pawing me. Mona tossed me the leash and I hooked him up. Bailey and I jogged to the park.
Bill the Dog Park Ranger was on duty with Buster.
“Hello Bill.” I yelled across the park waving.
Bill waved back and started walking toward me. Bailey was romping across the park toward Buster.
“I haven’t seen you in some time. A blonde lady has been bringing Bailey to the park.” He took a plastic bag from the bag rack and picked up dog poop someone had left behind. “I don’t understand why people can’t pick up after their pets.” He shook his head and wiped his hands on his pants.
“The blonde lady is my friend.” I didn’t give out any more information.
Bailey romped for a while and Bill and I exchanged a few words out of courtesy.
I whistled for Bailey and he came running.
“Let’s go Bailey. I’ve got things to do and you need a drink.”
“Bill, you take care. I’ll see you and Buster again soon.” I hooked up Bailey and waved as we jogged toward Mona’s apartment.
Mona and I stopped off at Mia’s pizza for our dinner. We picked up a large pepperoni pizza and a couple bottles of water and headed to our stake out the Oasis Bar.
“I don’t think anything will happen out front. Let’s stake out the alley.” I turned the pick up toward the alley and parked behind a large dumpster. I could see the back door of the bar from my vantage point. A dim light shined on the back door. We watched a few guys go in and out. My bet was they were selling drugs out of the back of the bar.
After staking out the place for a few hours we decided to head out. Marty drove up in his maroon Chrysler. We set tight. He went in the back door and after about an hour he left carrying a large box. He loaded the box in the trunk of his rig. We follow him down Main Street. He drove to a house on Pine Street, parked in the driveway and unloaded the box. A man met him at the door holding it open for him to pass through the doorway.
We parked down and across the street.
“Let’s take a look at what’s going on in the house.” I told Mona. “You have your 38 ready?”
I pulled my Glock from my bag and we stepped from the pick up. Marty stepped out of the house empty handed. We immediately ducked behind the pick up. He got in his maroon Chrysler and headed out.
“Let’s go ahead and check the house.” I said walking toward the side of the house.
Mona made her way through the overgrown shrubs to the side window. She motioned for me to come and take a look. I peered in the window. A man was emptying the box. It was a case of cigarettes. We made our way back to the pick up.
“What’s he doing delivering cigarettes?” Mona said.
“I would guess those cigarette cartons do not contain just cigarettes. They are probably laced with drugs.” I started the pick up and took Mona home. Mona hopped from the pick up and looked through the window back at me.
“Well, stake out the Oasis again tomorrow. I think this will lead into something.” I said.
“And we can nab Marty one evening when he is leaving the bar.”
“You got it and to have more on him will be good for the authorities.” I told Mona and put the Chevy in gear and drove toward Hayden’s, the place I call home for now. The drive through the city was quiet. Not many cars on the surface streets. I noticed Marty’s Chrysler parked in front of The Oasis as I drove past. I wondered what he was up to. I circled the block and parked down the street with Marty’s Chrysler in full view. I waited for a couple of hours. I drove around to the back of the bar. There were three men including Marty unloading a van truck of boxes. The boxes looked like the box Marty took over to the house a few nights ago. I drove back to the front of the bar and parked waiting for Marty to finish up with the unloading. My phone rang. I looked at caller ID and it was Randy.
“Hi Randy.”
“What are you doing?” He asked.
“I’m…” He stopped me in the middle of my sentence from fibbing to him.
“I know where you are.” He said.
“Get away from there. My guys have the place staked out. We are getting a lot of good evidence on Marty. You can pick Marty up another time.”
“You got it. I’m heading out right now.” I told him.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“I’m about three blocks down the street. How about meeting me at my place?”
“I’m on my way.” I told him thinking Randy needed some assurance there was nothing going on with Hayden and me.
Randy waited for me at the gate. I followed him through the open gate and into the neighborhood. I parked in the driveway behind Randy. He met me at the pick up and walked me to his home. We walked in the house neither of us saying a word. Randy opened the door and stepped back for me to enter first. I walked in and turned around and fell into Randy’s arms.
“Randy caught me, wrapped her arm around my waist and began to kiss my neck. His lips felt smooth and tantalizing on my neck. I kissed his cheek and nibbled at his ear. My libido was rising and Randy was walking me to the bedroom. He reached around my back and unhooked my bra, pulled my tee shirt over my head. My nipples were hard and Randy nibbled on them sending me to places unknown. He unbuttoned my jeans while running his tongue around my nipples. I stepped out of my jeans as Randy pulled his shirt off. I unbuttoned his pants and they fell to his knees. Randy kicked off his pants and briefs and picked me up. He carried me to his bed and laid me down. He lay beside me and rolled over to me pulling me close to him. It felt good to have my skin touch his. His hands smoothed across my body. His kisses were passionate as he made love to me.
“You are so wonderful.” He told me.
“You make me feel so good.” I smiled at him burying my head in his chest. We lay for hours in each others arms.
I woke to music coming from the living room.
I put on Randy’s tee shirt and stepped from the bedroom.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Fixing us breakfast before we have to leave for work.”
“What time is it?’ I asked rubbing my eyes.
“It’s only six, you go ahead and get yourself showered. I’ll have breakfast on the table by the time your are ready.” He flipped the bacon over and gave me a grin.
I showered and put my clothes from yesterday on. Brushed my hair and put lipstick on. I walked out of the bedroom to the smell of bacon and eggs.
“You looked refreshed.” Randy said. He put a vase with a beautiful yellow rose he picked from his rose garden on the table.
Randy had already showered and was ready for work in his GI Joe uniform. He looked masculine and desirable.
Randy pulled out my chair and I set myself down. We enjoyed breakfast together. Randy sipped his coffee and looked over at me. “You make me very happy. Maybe we should talk about you moving in here after we catch the bomber.” Randy said with that boyish grin he can give me.
“We can talk about it later. Right now lets savor the moment.” I said smiling over my cup of coffee.
“You’re right. Time will take care of everything.” Randy smiled.
We finished with breakfast. I carried the dishes to the sink and rinsed them out. Randy loaded the dishwasher. I dried my hands on the kitchen towel and tossed it to Randy. He dried his hands and hung the towel on the oven door.
Randy walked me to the door. “Thanks, I enjoyed my time with you. I’ll see you Friday night.” I gave Randy a kiss on the cheek, turned and walked toward the pick up.
It’s Friday night and I’m ringing Randy’s phone for him to open the gate to his neighborhood. The gate swung open and I drove in. Randy was standing on the porch when I drove up. I walked up to the porch.
“Good to see you Sweetie.” He said as he put his arms around me and pulled me close.
We walke
d into the house. He kissed me on the cheek and walked me to the sofa.
“Good to see you too.” I sat on the sofa and Randy joined me.
“You’ve been on my mind a lot lately.” Randy pushed my hair from my face. “You are so beautiful.”
“You say that to all the curly red headed girls.” I laughed and pushed him away as he tried to kiss me. “You think you can have your way with me just because I came over for pizza and a movie.”
The phone rang. It was the pizza delivery guy waiting at the gate. Randy buzzed him in and within moments the pizza guy was at the door. Randy took the pizza and put it on the table and paid the delivery guy.
“Thanks, thanks a lot sir.” He pushed the money in his pocket, grabbed the insulated pizza case and headed out the door.
Randy took two plates from the cupboard and set them at the bar. He opened a couple bottles of beer and set them on the bar. I pulled myself up on the bar stool, twirled around and picked up a piece of pizza. The cheese stuck to the box and I had a cheese string hanging. Randy leaned over and bit it off and continued chewing up the string of cheese to my pizza. I laughed and he smiled up at me with pizza sauce on his chin. We both giggled. He took another piece from the box and gave it to me. We ate pizza and swigged down a beer. Randy closed the box and put it in the fridge. He took me by the hand and led me to the sofa.
“What’s it gonna be romantic or funny?” Randy asked tossing me the movie jackets.
“Let’s do funny. Things have been pretty hectic in my life and I think laughing would be good for the soul.”
I’m sure Randy is somewhat upset with me moving in with Hayden. It’s probably best we watch something funny.
“Chevy Chase, Vacation.” I tossed the video back at him.
He put the video in the player and we snuggled up on the sofa. It took Randy a couple of minutes to get comfortable before he put his arm around my shoulders. I snuggled close to him laid my head on his chest and pulled my feet upon the sofa. He patted me on the hip. It felt good to know he cares for me.
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