Without Any Warning (A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 2)

by Peggy A. Edelheit

  “Why not? I’m feeling faint.”

  “Remember what you said about bugs and spiders?”

  “…Yeah?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Now add to that crabs and… ” I never got to finish. She shot out of there like a bullet.

  “Ahhhhhh!” She was hopping around in circles on the sandy beach, frantically smacking at her clothing. “Oh, no! Help, Sam! Help me brush my clothing! Quick! Ahhhhhh! I can’t see what’s on me!”

  I promptly reached out and slapped my hand over her mouth again. “Shhhhh! What if he comes back? Quiet! Be thankful he didn’t get anything.” Finally, she stopped, and I slowly removed my hand.

  “Let’s go!” she spat out. “And I mean now! That was too much. What kind of place are you staying at? He could have gotten my purse!” She shuddered. “…Or worse.”

  “Don’t I know it,” I added quickly. “We were lucky. Let’s continue going south. My house is only about two blocks further. We’ll cross over the boardwalk there and enter through the cabana door.”

  As we walked cautiously, keeping an eye out for her attacker in the dimly lit shadows of the boardwalk, Mona turned to me.

  “Initially, this place reminded me of that song, you know, that oldie by the Drifters? Well, after crawling under the boardwalk, I’ve changed my mind. That was definitely not exactly what I envisioned when I heard those lyrics.”

  I started to hum a few bars to keep us company for the rest of the way home.

  “Very funny!” she shot back.

  I swear, that girl had no sense of humor.

  Chapter 9

  Crystal Clear

  The door closed loudly a few times. I should have been used to it by now, but I jumped with each distracting slam. Although a little sore from the scuffle the night before, I had managed to get up early in preparation for the cleaning crew. Like clockwork, they came once a week, right on schedule. It was part of the package with the house lease.

  After the previous night’s escapade, there was no way I would even attempt to try and clean three floors. This crew made it look effortless. They each attacked a different area and had it done in no time. It was a nice bonus and the beautiful bowl of fresh fruit and bottle of French wine definitely helped seal the deal as I happily signed the papers for the pricey lease just before I arrived.

  I sat there staring at the beach, taking a brief break from my laptop, mulling over last night’s unforeseen trouble that marred a perfectly pleasant evening out with Mona. Sometimes I took too much for granted, my safety in particular. Even though this was a well-protected area, the beach and boardwalk were public domains. Anyone could access the island from the bridges. Even so, an attack like that was rare and unexpected.

  Or was it?

  A loud scream pierced the air. “Get out of here! Who the hell are you? What are you doing in my bathroom?” Another scream followed. And then, “Sam, call the police! We’ve got intruders! Where the hell is my cell phone?”

  “Uh oh,” I said. In all the chaos of last night, I had forgotten to mention that the cleaning crew was coming today. I also forgot to tell the crew’s boss about Mona.

  I heard some commotion in Spanish. Three of the crew flew to the stairs for the other levels. Then I heard someone running down the hall. My hand flew to my mouth to stop my laughing.

  It was Mona, wrapped in nothing but a bath towel, her hair dripping wet, brandishing her weapon of choice, the oversized umbrella. With her other hand, she held her cell phone.

  “Whoever heard of 911 having a busy signal? That’s ridiculous! Answer, you morons. This is an emergency! I’m desperate!” She stopped short at my desk, panting and out of breath from her rant. “Thank God you’re all right Sam. Let me try again!” She dialed furiously as water dripped everywhere.

  I grabbed her phone and promptly terminated the call.

  She looked at me like I was crazy. “Hey, why are you so calm? I mean, after last night, I’d think you would be more on guard! I think you made a big mistake renting in this area. We’re being attacked night and day, for God’s sake! Give me back my phone.” She tried unsuccessfully to yank it out of my hand. “Give that back!”

  I quickly tried to explain. “Mona, take it easy. They’re not intruders. It’s the cleaning crew. They come once a week and have their own key. It’s included in the lease. Relax.”

  “Relax? Are you crazy?” She had worked herself into a frenzy and wasn’t listening to me. “I’m naked, trying to dry off from my shower, and this guy comes in carrying a ninja stick!”

  I could just picture it. “Ninja stick?” I asked, trying not to crack up. “What are you talking about? You mean his mop?”

  She stood still. “Oh!” Then she sat on the edge of my bed. “Is that what that was? I ran out, and then saw there was one more in my bedroom and another in the hall. I thought we were goners for sure! After last night, I envisioned all sorts of nightmarish scenarios. I figured the beach mugger came back with his whole gang.”

  By that time, I could barely talk, I was laughing so hard. “They’re… the… cleaning… crew,” I repeated, doubling over.

  “Hey, it’s not that funny,” complained Mona, and then finally looked down, noticing her drippy towel. “Well, I guess I sort of panicked, okay? How was I to know?”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, trying to get it together. “I should have warned you beforehand. Please forgive me.”

  “Oh, I’ll live, I guess,” she replied with a shrug. “I’m completely embarrassed, but I think I’ll survive.”

  “Mona, didn’t you notice that all their shirts said ‘Crystal Cleaners’ on them?”

  “You know, I thought it was sort of strange they were all wearing the same shirt, now that you mention it.” She began to laugh. “I thought it was a gang thing. I was so beside myself, I didn’t bother reading it.”

  I tried not to, but burst out laughing once again. “I’m sorry, but it was a sight to see… you chasing some guys down the hall, wearing nothing but a towel, carrying that umbrella of yours.”

  Mona bit her lip, and then she started laughing, too. “Don’t you dare tell anyone about this, or I will get even, I swear!” She was at the point of tears. “You know, I haven’t had a good laugh in so long,” she said, choking on her last words. “You are exactly what I needed at this time in my life.”

  “Well, thank you. I’m glad I could be of service.”

  Mona sobered. “No, I really mean it. I’ve been going through a rough patch. You’ve been a real life-saver, taking me in like this. I guess I’m a little tense, that’s all.”

  I smiled. “You know, you are always welcome here. We go way back. Don’t ever hesitate to ask me for help or a place to stay.”

  Why was she so tense and on edge? There had to be something more.

  The house had been unusually quiet. Then a male, heavily accented voice called out: “Sam? Is the coast clear? Is it safe to clean? We have work to do.”

  “Oh, my God. I am so embarrassed,” Mona said, and started to giggle again.

  “Ella está un poco loca!” I yelled. She is a little crazy!

  I turned back to Mona. “Don’t worry. It’s all crystal clear to them now.”

  Chapter 10

  A Sixth Sense And Common Sense

  I kept trying to concentrate on my writing, instead of looking for another excuse to become distracted. Once focused though, there was no stopping me. That was when I tended to start tuning out everything, including the phone, which was ringing. Loudly.

  I was obviously failing miserably, since I reached for it before voicemail picked up. I couldn’t imagine who was calling. I had just spoken to Sandra earlier, Mona was making herself presentable, and the cleaning crew had just left.

  “Hello,” I said distractedly. I tried reviewing my notes.

  “I need to talk to your girlfriend,” a man said brusquely.

  “May I ask who’s calling?” I asked, not paying attention to his words, figuring it was regarding
one of Mona’s interviews. I had long ago lost count.

  “This doesn’t concern you. Put her on the phone. I gotta talk to her now!”

  I sat up straight, instantly on guard. I hesitated before uttering another word. I knew this was no return call from an interview. Besides, why call my house phone? How did he get it? Mona had been using her cell phone.

  After overhearing her one-sided conversation the other day, I figured this call had something to do with that. My protective mode took over. I tried to play for time. “Excuse me? I think you must have the wrong number. What did you say your name was?”

  “I didn’t,” he threw back. “Good try, babe, but I’m calling the shots, not you.” He laughed, and then abruptly disconnected.

  Mona rushed in seconds later. “Sam, I can expl—”

  I whipped around, staring at her. “Were you listening in on the extension?”

  She hesitated. “Well… sort of.” She was finding it difficult looking directly at me.

  “And I suppose you can tell me what just transpired?”

  “I have a very simple explanation,” she said cautiously.

  “You do? Great, because I would like to hear it, if you don’t mind.” I waited.

  “I was expecting an important call,” she said slowly, “…and I figured you were too busy with your book… and that it might be for me. So I tried to save you the aggravation of being disturbed, but unfortunately I wasn’t fast enough. You got to the phone first.”

  Talk about a lame excuse! The whole thing didn’t make sense. “Why was someone calling you on my phone? Why not call your cell?”

  “I must have given yours by mistake and read the wrong number back to them.”

  Why wouldn’t she know her own cell number? Why was it written down next to my number?

  Something was going on here that she wasn’t telling me. “Are you in some kind of trouble, Mona? Because if you are I would appreciate knowing right now. Okay?”

  Mona faltered and then sat on the edge of my bed, clearly uncomfortable. “Look, I lied to you before. I was never really getting married. I made all that up.”

  Finally, the truth!

  “Why?” I asked, surprised, but after some consideration, I wasn’t, not really. Mona had always been unpredictable.

  It’s sort of complicated,” she said. “I had to get out of town quickly.”

  She still wasn’t offering me much to go on. “And what was the emergency?” I asked, frustrated. “Why didn’t you get in touch with me afterwards? Maybe, I could have helped.”

  “Look,” said Mona, “I think I have it totally under control. I swear. We go way back, right? Trust me on this, Sam. I would let you know if I was in any kind of trouble.”

  Been there, seen it, done it myself.

  Who was she kidding?

  “Then how come I’m not quite convinced of that. What are you not telling me, Mona?”

  “I’ll fill you in on everything when it’s all over. I promise. I want my life back, and you’re the only one I can trust right now. Of all the people I know, I was hoping I could count on you. How about it? Can you please wait?”

  I sighed. It seemed that was all I was doing lately, sighing. At this point, I figured the only way I was going to help her and get to the truth was to go along with this insane and possibly dangerous request of hers. I sighed again, deciding to take a chance. “Of course.”

  But a sixth sense and common sense told me that this was just the beginning of something really bad.

  Chapter 11

  Cleaning Up A Misunderstanding

  Crystal was standing at my door. I figured she would show up sooner or later. She was the owner of Crystal Cleaners, a no-nonsense kind of woman with a no-nonsense approach to cleaning houses. She didn’t appear to be happy at the moment. I greeted her with a smile.

  “Hi, Crystal. What brings you here?” I asked, knowing already. I guessed her workers weren’t used to being chased through houses with an umbrella when they were cleaning.

  “Very funny, Samantha. Look, we’ve become friends. So, can I be honest here? You know me. Time is money. The season will be starting shortly and I can’t afford to have anyone quit. Competition is bad enough with other cleaning services trying to steal my help as it is. What is going on with your house guest?”

  She cracked her knuckles. Crystal never stood still. A part of her was always moving. She was currently wearing a low-cut, skimpy top, but looked dressed in more clothes then she wore with all the tattoos she sported. Some were exotic and extraordinary, covering her well-muscled physique.

  I made an attempt to smooth things over. “I’m sorry for any misunderstanding, Crystal. I’ve spoken to her about your crew. You know how close friends and family are, totally unpredictable.”

  “Don’t get me started on family,” she groaned. “If it weren’t for my father-in-law causing so much grief for me and my husband… And his debts? That’s another story. I swear, it’s enough to make you crazy. Bad enough he drinks, but I also have to put up with his gambling up there in those casinos, not to mention his so-called friends. I’ve never been one to gamble away my paycheck. No way! Time’s money, you know? I work too hard. Every time someone calls in sick, nine times out of ten, I end up taking their place. I’ve got a bad back, too…”

  I found myself zoning out and just watching her lips move. I felt terrible, and didn’t know what to say. I knew from past experience she wouldn’t stop until she was good and ready.

  I held onto the doorknob, trying my best to steady myself from falling over with boredom. My hand was feeling numb already, but I still stood there, waiting patiently for her to take the slightest breath so I could jump on in and make my case. I forced myself to focus on what she was saying.

  “So, I had to stop by and let you know how I felt…”

  I cut in quickly. “Oh, and I understand all your concerns. Trust me, it won’t happen again.”

  She laughed. “Oh, forget it, Sam. You know how I love to vent. Let’s get together for drinks, okay? Hey, I’ve got to go. I need to check on another crew.” She turned and started walking away. “If I don’t keep an eye on them…”

  I watched her hustle down the walkway, still talking. “Sorry for the trouble, Crystal,” I called out. I closed the door, shaking my head in amazement. Once again, I had somehow accrued an odd assortment of acquaintances in my travels. In the past, I found their exploits made great writing.

  But what about now? Good question! I only knew I had to get back to my notes and a story that was proving to be a challenge to write, because so far, I didn’t quite understand what was going on myself.

  Where was the truth?

  Then I smiled. That was the best part about writing. Throwing the dice first, without the first clue as to how I would proceed from start to home, and with no free pass in sight to get me safely there in one piece either. Would this one be any different? I didn’t think so.

  Mona’s unexplainable overreactions were more than misunderstandings. That was for sure. In the meantime, I had my work cut out for me by writing down the intriguing, mystifying statements that she actually expected me to believe.

  Chapter 12

  Liability And Responsibility

  “I’ll be right there,” I yelled as I made my way down to the front door. Mona was out job-hunting, but I had my doubts, especially after that strange phone call I had intercepted. “I’m coming,” I said as I loped down the last steps. I swung the door open.

  A good-looking woman greeted me with a smile. Her brightly colored red hair was held back neatly with a clip, like she was trying to repress her sexiness and attractiveness. She had a red designer jacket draped over her shoulders.

  “Hi!” she said. “I’m Pat Harris, the agent who’s handling your lease. Sandra, your literary agent, and Bill, my boss, mentioned me, I’m sure. I wanted to stop by and introduce myself.”

  The name took a second to register. “Why, of course!” I said. “Come on in. How
nice to finally meet you.”

  I had heard a lot about Pat from Sandra, who was also my friend. Sandra met Pat while on vacation in Ocean City, and immediately thought the house on the beach was the perfect getaway for me to write. All the others on the beach for long-term leases were booked so, in spite of it being four bedrooms, it would suit me perfectly.

  Sandra had also said the woman was no-nonsense and all business—except for one thing. When she had gone with Pat for drinks after viewing the property late one day, she witnessed another side to this proper professional, observing a flashy personality that surprised her. I gave Pat the once-over, sort of doubtful about that. She looked normal to me.

  Maybe Sandra was exaggerating. I guess hanging around fiction writers so much left Sandra with an active imagination. I found it very hard to picture this respectable woman, I’d say in her early forties, to be anything but what she presented herself as: pretty, straightforward and very business-like.

  Pat looked around the foyer. “At the market, I heard some interesting news from a friend of mine who works on the police force. The word is you had quite an exciting evening the other night.”

  I almost asked her which night, but caught myself as I figured she meant the broken statue episode. I tried to play it down. “Oh, that. It was completely my fault.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I forgot to lock the cabana. It was a careless mistake. I’m really more careful than that and don’t know why it slipped my mind.”

  Pat leaned in and lowered her voice. “Confidentially speaking? I also heard that’s not all you weren’t conscientious about,” she said, eyeing me meaningfully.

  “Oh, the statue. Right. Believe me, all of it was purely accidental. It was pretty dark and I forgot it was there. I was nervous and then the baseball bat got in the way too, and then I turned too quickly and…”

  Pat smiled. “I’m only advising you to be more careful next time, that’s all. You know, lock all the doors.”