“Of course.”
“How is he?”
“Very well.”
“Good to hear. We grew up here in town. Went to school together. I’ll be right back with that copy.”
Sophia returned with the copy and after a bit of small talk Detective Davis was on her way. She quickly stopped and returned to the receptionist area.
“Quick question. Is the rooftop bar open to non-hotel guests for lunch?”
“Certainly. Would you like me to show you up?”
“Thank you, but I know the way.”
The elevator was occupied so Donna made the short ascent up a few flights of stairs.
As she reached the top, the elevator light flashed its availability.
“Figures,” she laughed.
“Figures,” O’Connor said as he exited the elevator on the first floor. I knew she’d follow up sooner rather than later.
CHAPTER 9
As O’Connor made his way to the front entrance, a second man put his drink and followed O’Connor in lockstep.
The similarities were obvious. They didn’t walk, it was more of a controlled march done as casually as possible. Two tall men with broad shoulders who looked as if they would be as equally at home as they appeared in the hotel with such understated elegance, as they would be in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness.
Her government vehicle wasn’t difficult to spot. She had parked just across Pacific Coast Highway. Directly up Cress Street. She’d fed the meter for half of the three hour maximum.
“Looks like she was planning on grilling you,” the second man said.
“The shrink’s already called dibs on that,” O’Connor shot back.
“The one the Navy recommended any good?”
“She tries, but she’s not getting anywhere.”
“She’s probably used to the resistance.”
“If not, she will be after she eventually gives up on me.”
“We’re only required to give our name, rank and social security number when captured, right?” the second man joked.
“That’s what I’m talking about.”
The second man bent over to tie his shoe where her tire met the curb. He removed a small device from underneath the shoe’s tongue and inserted it up and underneath the wheel well. “We’re good back here.”
“Don’t see anything unusual inside.”
“I think she’s clean.”
“Can’t be too sure.”
“Roger that.”
The two men made their way back down Cress Street. They crossed Pacific Coast Highway and reentered the hotel.
The second man returned to his seat in the lobby. The ice cubes were still in tact. O’Connor made his way through the lobby towards the elevator when he heard his name called out from the receptionist desk.
After displaying his surprise at the mention of the detective’s presence, he took the elevator up to the rooftop bar. The detective had secured a corner table facing out to the ocean.
Donna stared out at the ocean as she sipped on a Corona and nibbled on chips and fire roasted salsa with guacamole. When she arrived at the hotel she felt embarrassed that she had come to question the man who had saved her life. It was a bit awkward to say the least. That internal conflict that didn’t sit well with her was offset by the curiosity of getting to know more about him. It seemed she had missed her chance, which made her all the more curious … and suspicious.
She wanted his answers to be lock tight and verifiable. She was nervous, but excited about seeing this man again, and she knew that looking into his beautiful eyes could lead her to believe any answers he might give. A dangerous situation for a detective who was just appointed the lead in a new murder investigation.
“Is this seat taken?”
Donna recognized the deep, earthly notes of his voice immediately. “O’Connor. Hello. No, please join me.”
“Thank you. You can call me Cain.”
Cain was already tall, but in her seated position he towered over her. He excited her and slightly scared her at the same time.
He pulled out the chair next to hers, angled it directly toward her, and sat. He never broke eye contact from ‘hello.’ He was an exiting mix of calmness and intensity at the same time. Donna could feel her heart about to beat out of her chest.
“Did you decide to tie up some loose ends, or just come for the view?”
The ocean view was postcard worthy to be sure, but the breathtaking view of the sculpted lighthouse of a man in front of her was calling her like a beacon of safety to a ship lost at sea. The way he looked at her made her feel like they were the only two people on the entire rooftop, which was easily accommodating nearly one hundred people on such a beautiful day. His gaze drowning out the bustle of waiters, chitter chatter of diners, and the waves gently lapping at the sand below.
“A little of both, actually.”
The waiter came by and Cain ordered a Corona to match hers. She passed on a second. Having one already meant she had to take the trolley the short distance downhill back to town. She was by the book when it came to safety and drinking and driving was a definite no.
“Where should we start?”
‘What a question,’ she thought to herself. She could definitely think of a few places, and positions, to get the ball rolling.
“I guess the biggest question, is what the heck happened last night?” She wanted to keep the mood informal. She wasn’t ready to thank him yet, not only because she wasn’t totally ready to admit she needed help, but also because she wasn’t entirely sure he wasn’t involved. Her well-honed instincts told her he wasn’t, but listing instincts in her official report would do little more than get her a reprimand from the chief.
“You don’t remember?”
“Of course I do,” she said. “I’d just like to hear your thoughts. Maybe I missed something.”
Cain admired the way she had quickly recovered with that last statement. Just how much did she remember after being unconscious and freezing cold last night? Something was going on inside that head of hers.
“Well, I saw a man in black running, which I thought was odd of course, especially considering the time of morning and the location. A few seconds later and I see you arrive. You pulled your service weapon and began instructing commands. Shortly thereafter a wave took you under and that’s where I came in.”
“You mention my service weapon.”
“Yes, you did pull your service weapon.”
“I’m not doubting that. I just noticed you referred to it as a service weapon. Why did you refer to it in that way”
“Because that’s what it is.”
“Are you prior law enforcement?”
“No.”
“Military?”
“Yes.”
“Branch?”
“Navy.”
“I guess that explains your lack of fear for diving in those waters.”
“Not the lack of fear. Helping someone, especially a woman, in a challenging time is a basic instinct. But yes, my Naval training is almost certainly what allows us to be having this conversation.”
The waiter arrived with the beer. Cain offered up a simple toast of “cheers” which Donna accepted. They both took a drink.
“And you’re no longer in the Navy?”
“No, not anymore.” Donna could sense the pain in his answer. The tone and steadiness in his words were sure and strong, but a small pain was visible in his eyes. She could see it was a sore subject and contrary to her training, she didn’t want to press on, but this was an investigation.
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“It’s a thing. All things must come to an end at some point, right? C’est la vie.”
“Have you been out long?”
“Not too long. Just a few months now.”
“And since then?”
“I’m taking some time off. Enjoying the down time.”
“Anything in particular?”
&
nbsp; “Well, I enjoy the water, so I try and spend as much time around it as I can.”
“Is that what brought you down to the ocean last night?”
“It was high tide at full moon. That’s always worth a look.”
“Had you been there long?”
“I arrived at the same time you did. It happened so fast I didn’t really have time to think.”
“And if you did?”
“Have time to think?”
“Yes.”
“I would jump in after you a million times out of a million. No thought required.”
Donna wanted to get out of her chair and lock her arms around him in a big bear hug. There were only two problems. One, she needed an alibi. Two, his shoulders were so broad she wasn’t sure she’d be able to get her arms all the way around him. She’d sure like to see for herself, though.
“Thank you. That’s the nicest thing someone’s said to me in quite some time.”
“You’re welcome, but really, there’s no need to thank me. I meant it.”
Donna leaned in slightly and narrowed her eyes. She didn’t realize she was doing it, but Cain certainly noticed. She was bringing their faces closer together and looking at him more deeply. They could both feel it.
She caught herself and leaned back a bit.
“I’m sorry, but I must ask you,” she began. “Where were you just before you arrived at the cliffs?”
“On the street.”
“Were you by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“And before that?”
“I was having a scenic walk through the neighborhoods here.”
“At that hour of the morning?”
“It’s a peaceful time. The bars have closed. Most people have left. In another hour it would have been perfectly still. Just the violent crashing of the ocean in the midst of all that calmness.”
“Is that why you went to the ocean last night?”
“Not really.”
“Why then?”
“I just went out to get some air. Sure, I knew it was a full moon and high tide was coming, but there’s more to it. The military is very structured, probably a lot like being a police officer. One of the things I enjoy now is the lack of structure. Just walking out the door and seeing where I might wind up.”
“Do you do it often?”
“Recently, yes.”
“By yourself?”
“Usually, but not always.”
“Last night?”
“By myself.”
Donna thought for moment. She knew this guy was clean, and she wanted to make sure her report indicated so. “Did you by chance walk by the gas station at the bottom of Canyon Road and Pacific Coast Highway?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“Did you pass by anywhere that was open?”
“More than likely, yes, but I didn’t stop inside. Didn’t buy anything or get any receipts or speak with someone that could possibly identify me if that’s what you’re asking.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that it makes life a lot easier if I can document it.”
“I understand, but after years of paperwork and official orders and signing in and out of everywhere I go, I’m making an effort to go low key right now. Go with the flow.”
“Are you off the grid?”
“Is that even possible?”
“If it was, would you?”
“Good question. Not sure I’d make a conscious effort, but wouldn’t exactly mind it either.”
“You mentioned you have no phone.”
“Right.”
“What about credit cards?”
“They don’t really give those to people without phones. At least that’s what I’m guessing.”
“So no credit cards?”
“Right.”
“Driver’s license?”
“Guess that’s strike three. I’m out.”
“How do you get around?”
“Planes, trains, and automobiles.”
“How do you book planes without a credit card.”
Cain smiled. “Cash is still legal tender these days.”
“Which you get from…?”
“I collected some severance pay. Plus I saved a lot when I was active duty. Everything’s paid for so you can sock away everything you get, if you live a Spartan lifestyle.”
“Which you do?”
“Which I do.”
“Do you plan on settling in any specific place soon?”
“Not particularly.”
“What about here?”
“Laguna Beach?”
“Yes.”
“Just passing through.”
“For how long?’
“Not sure.”
“Why not?”
“Well, you had asked for my number, but all I could give you was the name of the place I was staying. But that all changed this morning when the hotel told me they were booked tonight. Told me I had to check out, so I did.”
“Where to next?”
“Guess that depends on if you’re still considering me fishy after what happened last night.”
“What happened last night?”
O’Connor looked at her strangely. “What happened with us at cliffs.”
“Is that all?”
“What do you mean?”
“The cliffs. Is that all?”
“Between us? I hope not.”
CHAPTER 10
Donna walked Pacific Coast Highway just over one mile back into town. She told herself she did it because it was a beautiful day, but she knew the truth. She needed some time to cool down from her visit with O’Connor. Mister Cain O’Connor. He was hot and his words were hotter.
She followed the sidewalk along Pacific Coast Highway until she reached Broadway Street. She turned right and ran into Laguna Drug to stock up on more headache medicine. She had used everything she had earlier that morning when she got home.
She made her way to the pharmacy counter and couldn’t believe the line.
Felicia Foster, the pharmacist motioned for her to wait one minute. She was going to let Donna cut the line. Donna motioned back a no and took her place in the back of the line.
So much for a quick in-and-out.
Felicia was a knowledgeable and hard-working pharmacist. Donna hadn’t been in town long, but she’d managed to make friends with her ‘drug dealer.’
After twenty minutes of foot tapping and clock watching she was up.
“The usual, Donna?”
“Got anything stronger?”
“Any stronger and headaches will be the least of your worries. Be right back.”
Felicia returned with her medication.
“You’ve got a week left on your prescription and then you’ll have to renew.”
“No problem. I’ll make an appointment.”
“Perfect. That will help speed things up next time.”
“Speaking of which, what’s up with the line today?”
“Yeah, big day, huh?”
“Yeah, but I couldn’t help but notice—”
“That they’re all kids, right?”
“Exactly. What’s up?”
Felicia glanced right and left and then out at the line. She then lowered her voice. “I tell you, it’s out of control. When I was a kid I saw first hand how prescription meds made my grandma and grandpa’s last years so much more vibrant and pleasurable. It really made our last few years together count.” Felicia’s eyes started to water.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, please. I’m sorry. But back to the matter at hand … prescription drugs still do that. I see a lot of good every day and it makes me feel so good about what I’m doing, but recently I’ve seen more and more questionable prescriptions.”
“Medical fraud?”
SEAL's Secret: A Navy SEAL Romantic Suspense Novel (A Man Who Knows What He Wants Book 24) Page 3