by Lora Lindy
After twenty minutes Mike stuck his head in the living room. “Babe, are you ready to go?”
“Yes, I’m more than ready.”
Mike reached for the suitcase and he waved to a few of the officers as they walked to his truck. He put the suitcase in the passenger’s seat and Lana slid in the middle.
*****
Nothing was said for a couple of miles. “Mike, what were you doing on the wall outside the bedroom?”
At first, Mike didn’t want to answer. He told Quent it could wait until they left. Quent insisted the evidence had to be processed immediately. They had no way of knowing if it would rain or snow. Collecting evidence was imperative to gather as soon as possible. He took a deep breath before answering her. “Whoever came to the house masturbated on the wall outside the bedroom window?”
A wave a panic swept through her. Even though law enforcement wasn’t her field, she imagined why he would be there. “That’s disgusting, does that mean he watched …” she paused to swallow. “… and listened?”
“I don’t know, but I’m assuming he did.”
“Oh God, what the hell is going on around here? Mike, please be honest with me, was this from the men who delivered the wood? Surely this can’t be a coincidence.”
“Here’s the honest answer. I know it doesn’t have anything to do with the men who delivered the wood. They’re in jail. There were several footprints in the snow and since it snowed today, it has to be someone else. We’ll let the police do their investigation and we’ll know more when they’re finished.”
Chapter 20
9:45 p.m.
“Where are we going?” She asked.
“I called a friend and we’re going to Hull, to his beach house. He has a beach rental. His name is Raymond Smith and I work with him. He offered his place tonight so we’ll have a safe place to stay.”
She couldn’t get the vision out of her mind. “Someone stood outside the house and watched us make love. Mike do you know how violated I feel? Doesn’t that bother you?” She suddenly felt desperately sick to her stomach. “Mike please pull over, I’m going to be sick.”
By her reaction he knew he had to hurry, he slammed on his brakes and the truck slid to a stop and just in time. She jumped out of the truck and didn’t make it ten feet before she heaved. Since her stomach was empty all she could do was dry heave. The pain in her head only heightened every time she heaved.
“Honey, what can I do?”
She cried and threw up at the same time letting her emotions got the best of her. “Nothing, I’m sorry I got sick.” Tears ran down her cheek. She knew none of this was Mike’s fault. The whole thing seemed unbelievable to her. She led a simple life at home and all this was more than she bargained for and her stomach told her that.
“Honey we’ll stop someplace and get something in your stomach. How does that sound?”
She stood up and took a deep breath. “How far do we have to go? And where is this place Hull? Maybe we can get something to eat there.” She could tell they were very near the water, because she could hear the ocean nearby.
“It’s at the tip of a peninsula near Nantasket beach, and it’s about twenty minutes away.”
“Do you think what happened tonight had anything to do with the two men who delivered the wood?”
“No, my guess it’s some vagrants wondering around the rentals looking for a place to sleep. Maybe they were pissed we were there.”
“Whatever happened to the other guy who delivered the wood?”
“What do you mean the other guy?” Mike tried not to appear shocked by the statement. His cop interrogation mode kicked in, but he would be extremely gentle with Lana.
“One of the guys you arrested was not one who delivered the wood. The police officer said it was his son. So, I just thought he had two sons.” She explained while holding her stomach and listening to it gurgle.
Mike tried to act cavalier about her statement. “Did you tell the police?”
“No because they never came to talk to me. I fell asleep in the car.”
“Honey that might be who was at the house tonight.”
The hurt in her stomach started acting up again when she remembered him and his demeanor. “I’m a little shocked if it is him.” She thought back and he seemed quiet and timid. Even though he seemed gross, he seemed nice and cordial to her. He nodded to her as she walked by, then he looked down towards the ground. Nothing he did gave her the impression he would harm her.
“Honey I’m going to pull into the diner down the road and get you a cup of coffee and something to eat, and we are going to talk about this.”
When they walked in they sat in a booth at the farthest corner of the diner. She felt better when she smelled food cooking and the plates clattering. There were many people in the restaurant along with some truck drivers who sat at the counter and watched the news on the TV. Mostly they were interested the weather especially this time of the year. The waitress walked over holding the menus. Lana ordered without looking at it. “I would like a small cheese burger well done and a side of onion rings, Mike do you know what you want?”
He ordered crab cakes with slaw. She guessed every place on the coast had crab cakes and slaw. The waitress asked what they wanted to drink, and they both ordered tea, and she wrote down their order and left while never looking up at them.
“I want to make sure I have this straight.” Mike questioned. “The two men who delivered the wood are not the same two men arrested at the house?”
“That is correct.”
“But the older man who delivered the wood told you the man in the truck was his son?”
“That is correct.”
“Well the older man who delivered the wood, according to detective Quentin, has only one son, and he’s the one arrested at the house,” Mike said. When he saw the look on her face, he stood up and walked around the booth and sat next to her. Mike talked softer because he didn’t want anyone to overhear. “Baby this is very important, what did the guy in the truck look like, do you remember?” Mike waived over the waitress and asked for some paper. She brought a piece of paper and a pen to Mike.
“He had filthy brown hair a little below the ears, but not quite to the shoulders, and he had brown eyes and his hair was about the color of Kevin’s the police officer. He’s about 5′11″ and about average built, not muscular and not fat. He had a small scar on his chin and a mole by his eyebrow, um, the left one. I noticed it because the hair in the mole was very black. I guess it could be a birthmark, I’m not sure. He was missing what looked like a front tooth, third from the left or there was a gap in his teeth. He had a tattoo on his hand that said Satan lives here, or something about Satan. I think he might have been missing a pinky fingernail but I’m not sure, I didn’t want to stare. I want you to know I am horrible about remembering names, but I never ever forget a face,” she paused trying to think of something she might have missed.
Mike’s mouth dropped open. He was shocked of all the details she remembered. “How did you get all that information from looking at him in a truck on a gloomy wet, snowy day?”
“When I brought the money to pay for the delivery, he had started unloading the wood.”
“Baby, you should have told me. He could have been the guy who was there tonight. He could have come back to hurt you. If I would not have been there, God only knows what might have happened to you.”
Tears whelped up in her eyes because she thought he had scolded her.
He gave her a hug. “I’ve got to call Quent.” Just as he grabbed his phone, the waitress brought their food, but Mike didn’t hang up knowing the importance of this call. He stood up and walked to a corner to talk privately to Quent.
When Mike sat down, Lana asked. “Do you think you will get him?” She asked while playing with her food. The onion rings weren’t done enough for her. She liked them almost burned.
“I know we will, don’t worry your pretty little head about that. Besides, the
description you gave and all those little details something should pop up on the computer. I’m starved. Your burger looks great and it smells good.”
She could tell he tried his best to reassure her. “I’m hungry too, so much for the steak.”
They looked at each other and grinned.
It amazed her how quickly Mike puts tragedy on the top shelf, she guessed that’s the cop in him.
*****
They pulled up to the rental house in Hull and the air was much colder on the peninsula. When they arrived Raymond was inside cleaning up and turning everything on and uncovering the furniture. Lana noticed he had a new Dodge Journey, so new it didn’t have a license plate yet. She wondered if all Mike’s team liked Dodge.
Raymond heard them drive up and he greeted them at the door.
“Hey Raymond, I do appreciate you letting us use the house. I would like for you to meet my girlfriend, Lana. Lana this is a very good friend and colleague Raymond Smith.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you and thank you so much for allowing us to stay here.” Lana noticed he seemed a little younger than Mike. He had hazel eyes and about six feet tall with sandy blonde hair. His frame was much smaller than Mike, but well built like Mike.
When Mike introduced her as his girlfriend Raymond looked bewildered, but he didn’t say anything. He knew when to ask questions, now wouldn’t be the best time. “It’s nice to meet you too. I’m sorry to hear about your troubles.” He glanced quickly at Mike. He knew he could see in his eyes if there might be a problem. The look in Mike’s eyes told him the answer of yes. He would call Mike later to get the scoop. “I’m going to head home if you don’t think you’ll need anything else. My wife sent some coffee, sugar and cream for the morning.”
“I don’t think we need anything else. Thank you so much for giving us a place to stay.”
“No problem and if you need anything else just call. Good night and it was nice to meet you Lana.”
“Same here and tell your wife thanks for the goodies.”
He nodded and left.
She noticed the house was a little smaller then Mike’s. The colors were bright and vibrant and she wondered if Raymond’s wife decorated the rental. This house had a lot of bright greens, blues and yellows and master bedroom was blue. The colors matched the ocean. Lana is more like Mike when it comes to decorating because she liked the richer darker colors.
Exhausted, Mike turned on the TV and she snuggled in next to him and within a few minutes they both fell asleep.
Chapter 21
Day 7
8:41 a.m.
“So what’s the game plan for today?” She wanted to leave, all her things were at Mike’s.
“We’re waiting to hear back from Quent and get the scoop on what’s going on with finding the third guy. I think we should stay put until we hear something. I could whip you again in a game of scrabble.”
Not paying attention to his invitation, her mind was preoccupied with more important thoughts. “Mike, what type of women do you usually date?”
Wow, that question came out of left field, and it was a question he hoped she would never ask. That subject he wanted to be off limits. These types of questions always preceded something disastrous. His piercing look let her know he didn’t want to go this direction, but he answered anyway. “Well,” he took a deep breath. “I usually date tall thin women. I’m usually attracted to brunettes and thinner athletic type. Why do you ask?”
“I was curious, that’s all. Are you saying you’re not attracted to me?” She was heartbroken. This description didn’t fit her at all, but she did ask so she had to listen to the answer.
He rolled his eyes knowing her reaction was inevitable. “I’m just being honest. I told you I fell head over heels for you the minute I saw you. I don’t think it has anything to do with the way you look, it’s just a feeling. And maybe I’ve been dating the wrong type. But it doesn’t matter anymore, I have you, and I love you very much. Besides I’m beginning to like the voluptuous look you have.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I was just curious.” The weird thing is, she pictured him dating that type. He was tall, dark and athletic and she pictured him with the same type of woman.
“What did you like in me?” He couldn’t resist asking. He imagined her dating attorney types with suits and briefcases and someone who might wine and dine her, give her the best of everything. Visions that swept his mind were men around six feet talk, medium build, educated, wealthy, and into physical fitness. Definitely not cops, more the office types.
“I don’t know, I guess the same answer you gave. It’s a feeling you get. I always said I would never date a cop. Also, I would never get involved with anyone who lived over fifty miles from my home. Look at me now, I have broken every rule I ever made. To answer your question, I’ve never been attracted to any particular type. Most of the time, I’m more interested in their personalities. With you, it was a combination of looks and personality. My heart skipped beats from the second I saw you. I think we have something that’s called pheromones.”
“What are pheromones?” Mike backed up and looked at her like she had just made up a word.
“It’s some kind of chemical our bodies release to attract the opposite sex. Don’t look at me like I’m crazy. It’s a scientific fact. I read about it.”
“If you say so, but I think you’re pulling my leg.” He stared into her eyes trying to determine if she might be teasing him.
“Honey, I’m telling you the truth,” she said as she sprawled out across his lap so he could hold her. She decided she wanted to smooch on this handsome man, and she did. Their kissing led to more passionate kissing when his phone rang. That damn phone.
He grinned at her as if to say it happens every time. “Hello ��� hey Quent ��� yea ��� so they finally told you? ���. Great ��� pick him up ��� We will be there ��� let’s hope this is the guy��� thanks and we’ll see you at 2:00.” Mike looked at her as he pushed the hang up button. “Guess what, you got a reprieve. Quent thinks they have the other man who helped deliver the wood. They want you to come to the police department and look at a line-up to identify the man.”
“How does it work, me identifying him?”
“You will enter into a room that has a tinted glass and you will have you fill out a form with the number of the person you saw. That’s all.”
“He can’t see me, right?”
“Not at all, and Quent will be there the entire time and I will be down the hall in another room.”
“Will there be any other people in the room?”
“I don’t know. When it’s us, we don’t allow anyone in the room but the detective and the witness. We are afraid of contamination and intimidation.” Mike remembered one incident, somehow a mother of the suspect got into the identification room. When the victim pointed out her son the mother ran over and attacked the victim. She called her a liar and pulled her hair and hit on the poor girl. After that, the marshals changed their policy. He got angry just thinking about Lana in the room in case something happened. There would a long talk with Quent when Lana wasn’t around to hear.
“That doesn’t sound so bad, but I do have one concern.”
“What?”
“Do the police know what we were doing when this pervert was masturbating? I don’t want them to laugh at us. And if it is him do you think he’s talked about what he saw?” Her face turned red just thinking about it. She started twisting her hair out of nervousness.
“Honey I would not think twice about what he saw. And yes the police know. I’m sorry babe, but they had to know the truth about everything. There will not be any comments or snickering, but if there is, I will handle it.”
“A man masturbates outside a window while two people are making love, and the police know. It really bothers me they know.” Hopefully they have enough respect for Mike they won’t ask any questions. Worst of all what if she had to talk about it in court
. The thought of that made her head start aching.
“You will have to trust me when I say the police have heard worse.”
“I’m sure they have heard worse, but I don’t feel better.”
“How about we go get some lunch and head back to Plymouth and enjoy the drive today.” Mike wanted to get her mind off the hoopla with the police. Maybe after they finished at the police department they could catch a movie.
*****
“I can’t wait to eat I’m getting a migraine headache.” Lana said as she rubbed her temples.
“You don’t look like you feel well. Do you want me to call Quent and cancel our meeting?” He could see it in her eyes that she wasn’t up to par. Guilt filled his heart for fussing at her last night. He didn’t realize the stress she had been under and he should have been more considerate.
“No, I want to get all this mess behind me. If this is the guy, I will feel better when this is all over and we get back home.” Deep down, she wasn’t sure if she should be more upset about picking him out of a lineup, or the cops knowing they were making love.
Mike pulled into a diner and there were lots of cars parked. That was a dead giveaway the food must be good. When they walked in, the place was overflowing with people. Mike noticed a buffet through some double doors. His height allowed him to see over everyone. He leaned down where she could hear him. “I’m going to check out the buffet, I might just get that if it looks fresh.”
“I’ll join you, I might get that too.” She didn’t see a buffet at first, then her eyes widened when she saw it had four rows of food.
As they walked closer, many people were filling their plates and the waiters were bringing out more food. The buffet had many items on it such as; shrimp, crab, fried and baked chicken, meatloaf, pot roast, and just about every veggie you can think of; corn, potatoes fried, mashed and baked, green beans, broccoli, pinto beans, and spinach. The other side of the room was a desert and salad bar. The food looked amazing.