Dark Deeds

by Jill S. Behe

  “No. I didn’t. And this isn’t the place for a personal confrontation. Go home. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “I want to talk about it now.”

  “Fine. Go right ahead.” He held out his hand to Teal, she grabbed hold. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

  “What? Wait a minute. You can’t just leave.”

  Decker opened the restaurant door, allowing Teal to exit. He followed.

  “Dad!”

  At the truck, he unlocked it, helped Teal in, and proceeded to his side.

  Carin was waiting, and pushed against the truck door, preventing him from opening it.

  His eyes, cold and angry, penetrated her meltdown. “Move. Your. Hand. Now.”

  She did, but wasn’t happy. “Why won’t you talk to me?”

  “I will. Not now. Go home to your apartment. I will call you tomorrow.”

  “Why? Because you and she are going to burn up the sheets tonight?”

  His jaw went rigid. “Get out of my way, Carin.”

  “Dad.” Now it was more of a plea.

  “Move.”

  She stepped back, hurt and furious. “You owe me an answer.”

  “I gave you the only answer you’re going to get.”

  “I’m your daughter. I deserve—”

  “Yes, you are. My grown, living-on-her-own, thirty year old, daughter. You have your life. I have mine. Good night.” He got in the truck, slammed the door, and turned to Teal.

  She held up a hand. “Don’t you dare even think about apologizing. Start the truck, and drive.”

  He took a breath. “Yes ma’am.”

  They left Carin, mouth agape, fists clenched, standing on the sidewalk, in the dark.

  Decker pulled into Teal’s driveway, and put the truck in park.

  She waited thirty seconds. “Would you like to come in?”

  He looked over. “There are a lot of things I’d like. At the moment, that one tops the list.”

  “Good. Then come on.” She pulled out her keys and unbuckled her seatbelt while he shut off the engine. “Don’t dillydally.”

  He snickered. “Yes ma’am.”

  She turned, halfway out of the truck. “And, if you call me ‘Ma’am’ one more time, I’m going to have to hurt you.” Scooting the rest of the way out, she closed the door and started up the walkway.

  He laughed, loud and long. “You are so good for me, Teal Hannigan.” And dammit, he still didn’t know her full name. And why did that matter? She was young and beautiful, had agreed to a date, and was more fun, more resilient, more…everything, than he’d anticipated. All good things.

  Besides, if she’d thought you too old, she’d’ve said no. Right?

  Teal waited just inside the door for him to catch up. Flipping on the overhead light, she studied the room. She’d been meaning to move the side table and lamp closer to the door but kept forgetting. With Decker an involuntary critic for feedback on the changes, she decided to go for it. If not now, when? And you might forget, again, later. And proceeded to rearrange part of her living room.

  Decker leaned against the door jamb and watched, fascinated. He liked that she wasn’t treating him with any pomp and circumstance. That she wasn’t real worried about the impression she might make with her impromptu domesticity. “Can I help?”

  She straightened, blowing stray strands of hair from her face. “Tell me if it works this way.”

  “I’ve only been here once before, but yeah, it works. More open. Flows better.”

  She tilted her head, assessing.

  He straightened. Moved closer. “Liz used to do things like this all the time, especially when I was gone—deployed—for a while. I got good at knowing what worked, and what didn’t.” A grin. “Of course, that was after I’d tripped over the coffee table in the dark a few times.”

  She sighed. “That would be a deterrent, if it were in the middle of the room.” A shrug. “Anyway, I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Why would I mind? It looks good, Teal.”

  “Decker?”

  “I know you told me not to, but—”

  “Then don’t.”

  Hands on hips, he hung his head. “Still….”

  She walked to him, laid a hand on his chest. “Stop. If I can’t feel guilty about not going to a friend’s funeral, you can’t feel guilty about that girl’s…rant.”

  “That girl, as I’m sure you figured out, is my daughter. And, she pushed you. Hard.”

  “I assumed. And?”

  “At the very least, she owes you an apology.”

  Her mouth went flat. “I wanted to retaliate, but it would have made the situation worse. I didn’t know who she was then, but if I had decked her, you might not have been feeling very friendly towards me.”

  He reached around, pulling her close, and lay his cheek on the top of her head. “You’d’ve had every right. You should’ve decked her. And if you had, we’d be eating pie right now, and there would have been only a small dilemma as to whose side I was on, though I’m pretty sure it would’ve been yours. Still, it was an unprovoked attack.”

  She smiled, savoring his embrace. “This feels good. You feel good.”

  Hmm. “So do you. Smell good, too.”

  “We never got our pie.”

  “No. We didn’t.”

  “I can make coffee, but I don’t have any pie. Not even a frozen one.”

  “Coffee’s fine.”

  She stepped back and out of her shoes, kicking them aside. “I’ll go make some.”

  He looked at her feet, noticing perfectly polished purple toenails. Sexy. He met her eyes, wiggled his brows. “May I watch?”

  Amused, and secretly pleased, she shrugged. “Whatever floats your boat.”

  “You make me laugh.” He caught her arm. “Thank you.”

  “Same here.” She went up on those fancy toes and kissed his chin. “You’re welcome.” And sashayed into the kitchen.

  Coffee mugs in hand, she led the way back to the living room, halting in the doorway. “Yeah. I do like this arrangement.” She continued into the room, motioning for him to sit.

  He chose the sofa.

  She set the cups on coasters on the coffee table, and sat in the overstuffed chair opposite.

  He picked up a green frog-decorated mug, and sipped. “Mmm. You do make a good brew.”

  “Thanks. I like it strong.”

  “You had something you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “I do, yes. Is the previous conversation—or lack of one—off the table, then?”

  “Looks like.”

  “Uh huh. Decker.”

  “It will keep.”

  “Sure?”

  He nodded, and took another sip. “We’re comfy, and private. What’s up?”

  She watched him with narrowed eyes, over the top of her mug, and took a swallow. “First, I’m scared. It, scared me. Not the first time something ever has, and certainly won’t be the last, but this particular thing, is worrying because of other things that are going on.”

  He stretched out an arm, in invitation.

  After a ten-second debate with herself, she slid her cup across. Rounding the table, she sat next to him, her shoulder against his chest, their thighs touching.

  His muscles jerked.

  “Is this okay?”

  He squeezed her shoulder. “Perfect. Tell me, what has you scared?”

  Neither of them saw the car, lights off, stop and park across the street. Nor did they notice the driver’s glass lower, or binoculars appear and focus on Teal’s front window.

  The car’s occupant was not aware of the blinds twitching in the house it was parked in front of, nor the curtains that separated slightly in the house next to Teal’s.

  Chapter 12

  “I’d just gotten home from the grocery store yesterday morning and was unloading the bags when someone knocked on the front door. I always keep the storm doors locked, as well as the front and back doors. The person standing there
showed me a plastic ID badge that looked like it was from the water company, but as I didn’t open the door, I couldn’t examine it very well.

  “They stated— Okay, hang on. I couldn’t tell whether the person was male or female, so I’m just going to use male gender-specific pronouns. Is that okay?”

  He nodded, and took hold of her hands.

  She held tight. “He ordered me to let him in, stating he was there to read my water meter.”

  “Is that what normally happens?”

  “Yes, and no. The water company does send someone out to read the meter which, by the way, is in my basement, but they’ve always before sent a letter first, giving timeframes so I can make sure to be home. No one just shows up on the doorstep. I’ve not gotten any notice. I asked him to verify the address, thinking maybe he got the wrong house, but he rattled mine off. I told him I’d have to call the water company to verify his orders. He got angry and began to demand entry.”

  “That’s definitely not normal.”

  “No. I closed the door in his face, and he didn’t much like that either. Started kicking the door. I yelled out that I was going to call the police, and he ran. I didn’t see a truck, or vehicle of any kind.”

  Classic con. “It’s good you didn’t let him in. Can you describe him?”

  “Not well. His hair was short, dark, and he wore a utility cap. Could have been a wig. He was wearing a water company shirt, and jeans. The clipboard looked real, as did the order he showed me.”

  “Eye color?”

  She shook her head. “He was wearing sunglasses. But, you know, now that I think about it, his hands….” She pulled hers free, spread and flexed her fingers. Studying. Thinking.

  “What about them?”

  “He was being very careful to not let me get a good look at them. Could have been a smallish man, or it could have even been a woman.”

  “Good observation. Did you call the water company?”

  “I did, yes. They had no one in this area yesterday. And, my house isn’t due for a reading until May of next year.”

  He patted her hand, keeping his features neutral so she wouldn’t know how much her story disturbed him. In that me-Tarzan-you-Jane protective mode, the mere thought of someone barging into her home elevated his blood pressure. “Excellent. You should talk to the police chief about this.”

  She gave him a brilliant smile. “Already did.”

  Holy Christmas and Happy New Year. “You need to quit doing that.”

  Her right eyebrow lifted. “Doing what?”

  “Smiling like that.”

  “Why?”

  “Because my brain melts to mush every time you do.”

  Her laugh had the same effect.

  “You’re so sweet.”

  “Hah. Feel hot and sticky, but….” He met her eyes. “Whatever floats your boat.”

  She giggled.

  “May I ask a personal question?”

  Her head tilted. “Okay.”

  “I know it’s rude to ask a woman her age, but would you indulge me? I should have asked before now, or before we had our date—”

  “Why?”

  “I’m, uh—” He gave a short laugh. “I’m hoping, beyond hope, that you’re not too young for me.”

  Teal laughed and laughed.

  Decker frowned. “It wasn’t that funny.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Ah. Turning the tables, eh? Okay, fair enough. I’m fifty-eight, or will be in another month.”

  Her smile got wider. “Silly man. Age isn’t relevant at our…age. No, I’m not as old as you, but….”

  “Please?”

  She pooched out her lips. “I’ll be forty-seven on my next birthday.”

  “Which is?”

  “May twenty-third. When’s yours?”

  “November tenth.” Watching her face, he ran a hand through his hair. Eleven and a half years. “That’s—”

  “Not a worry. Not an issue. Not for me.”

  He studied her now serious face. “You’re sure?”

  “I can do math in my head too, Decker Brogan. I’m absolutely sure.”

  “Okay. Okay.” He needed to regroup. Use his old standby: Evade and move on. “Then, to get the train back on track, what did Levi, er, the police chief, say when you told him?”

  “Levi said to run it by you, which I was going to anyway.”

  “He did, did he?” Decker sat back, taking her with him. “Of course he did.”

  “He seemed to think—”

  “I know what he seemed to think. And mostly, he’s reaching. Just so you are aware, he’s asked me to be a consultant on the…case. Are you okay with that?”

  Cautious now, she moved away. Hands clasped in her lap, brow creased. “What case?”

  Shit. Decker rolled his eyes. Either Levi hadn’t connected her story to— What a mess. “I’m going to strangle that man.”

  “Decker?” Her hand was on his chest again. “What case?”

  “You know about the body in the woods, yes?”

  “Yes. That was a week or so ago.” Then it donned. “Oh.” And then, more, “Oh.”

  “Um, perhaps you’d better clarify those ohs.”

  “He thinks Bea’s death and my…visitor are, connected to…to, the first—?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s the case? Possibly a serial killer?” Eyes wide, on his. “Do you?”

  “I don’t have enough information to say positively yes, or no. It’s definitely possible those three incidents are related.”

  “That would mean—” She swallowed. “That would mean I was...am, a target.”

  “Wait.” He sighed as she lost her breath. “Let’s not jump to conclusions, but precautions should be taken. As I said, there is a possibility.”

  “Oh, god. Oh my god. I was scared before, yes.”

  He shook his head and tried to interrupt her, “Teal—”

  She was a runaway train. “Being shot at because I’m part of a police raid is almost expected, but being shot at deliberately? Because I’m the intended target? That’s a whole new level of terrified.”

  “Stop. Stop. Take a breath. And please, don’t take this as a Neanderthal statement, but I’m here now. I’ll give you as much protection as I can.”

  Eyes a little wild, she stared. Mouth pinched. “And just what the hell am I supposed to do when you’re not around?”

  His shrug didn’t help his cause. “Just what you did yesterday. Even more so. Be aware of everything around you. Before you get in the car, look for anyone watching, anyone close by or acting oddly. Whenever you leave the house, when you get to work, and when you get home, always be on the alert for a threat. When you’re out and about, be extra vigilant.

  “I’d suggest making the others at the library are aware of the threat. We don’t know who is on his radar.” He cleared his throat. “I know you’re afraid. I wish I could alleviate the threat altogether.”

  She was quiet for a few minutes. Everything he’d said she was already aware of. But still, knowing someone wanted to kill her was disturbing, to say the least. She was going to need to access every possible coping method she could remember.

  He figured she was replaying yesterday’s close call.

  “Decker?”

  He waited.

  She took a breath and seemed to relax, some. “Why would Chief Kincaid ask you to consult? I thought you were a retired carpenter?”

  Of all the questions she could have asked, that was the least expected. But if he was going to start a relationship with this woman, he needed to be as honest as he could. How much was enough? How much was too much, before she ran screaming in the opposite direction?

  “Are you going to answer?”

  He looked down, contemplated, rubbed his face. “I used to be a special investigative agent.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “FBI?”

  “No. A private firm.”

  “And you’re not anymore.” It wasn’t a quest
ion.

  “No. Technically, I’m retired.”

  “Technically?”

  He nodded. “Things got a little too hot, a while back, and my wife gave me an ultimatum.”

  “Quit, or she’d leave?”

  “More or less.”

  “Good for her. Oh, but—”

  Another nod. “They came after me.”

  Hand on her heart. “Oh, Decker, I’m so so sorry.”

  “We had five peaceful years here before they found me.”

  “She wouldn’t have blamed you. You know that, right?”

  Teal’s face blurred momentarily as Decker fought back emotion. “I know. She told me. Not word for word, but almost the last thing she said to me. I was commiserating with her about leaving. About her being alone.

  “There was a trial going on in Miami, and I was slated to testify. She was helping me pack. I tried to get her to go with me, but she said no. She didn’t want to be a distraction.

  “Two days later, I’m on my way back. Called from the Miami airport to let her know what time my flight got in. I couldn’t get through. Then Levi was calling me.”

  Teal hugged his arm.

  “Sorry.” He pressed a palm to his chest. “I thought I was past this ache.”

  “Decker, it’ll never go away completely, especially not until you tell yourself it wasn’t your fault. And not until you start to believe it.”

  “If I’d been home it wouldn’t have happened. And some of that bastard’s goons would be dead.”

  “But maybe so would you.” Teal sat back. “And then who would be helping Levi find this new killer?”

  He shook his head. “Doesn’t take the guilt away.”

  “No. I wouldn’t think so, not for a while.”

  “I had to think long and hard about agreeing to Levi’s request. Had to take our potential relationship into account, also. Levi thinks they may have come back. I don’t.”

  “That’s what you were talking about at the restaurant when you mentioned his sensitive gut.”

  “Yeah.”

  “You’d be the only one who would know for certain, if they did.”

  “I think he thinks I’m too close to make a rational decision.”

  “You seem very decisive to me.”

  “You’re prejudiced.”