“I keep seeing this person who has two sides.”
“Like the yin-yang card?” Rob carefully watched her face for the slightest inflection.
“Yes and no. It’s hard to describe.” She ran her hands through her hair out of frustration.
“Are you sure it’s not two separate people?”
“I’m positive it’s one person.”
“Okay, a single body. Is it similar to Tommy Lee Jones’ character Two-Face in Batman Forever?”
“No, because in the dream I only see one face at a time. Never both. Have you ever seen the dolls that have two sides? One side is happy then you flip it over and the other is asleep or crying.”
“I’ve seen those.”
“That’s what it’s like in the dreams, one person but two sides. First, I’m talking with this faceless person who is nice, kind and funny. You know—normal. Then the next instant, I’m facing a raging, murdering lunatic.”
“Is your faceless person male or female?”
“Female.”
“Women serial killers are out there and the number is rising, but they are generally nonviolent. Pills and poison are the preferred method for that group. Not to mention the brutality of these would take the strength of a man.”
Eris waved a hand at him as if she didn’t care about his facts. “I’ve heard all of that before, every time I say that we should be looking for a woman.”
Rob rubbed a hand across his face. “Tomorrow I’ll get my laptop, show you the facts and make you believe.”
Her laugh was low and heartfelt, sending warmth through him. “Tomorrow I’ll tell you how I work and make you a believer in my ability.”
Rob chuckled and watched as she covered her mouth to hide a yawn and wondered if she was about to leave him alone. A feeling similar to panic hit him at the thought she was about to leave. He’d spent most of his life alone and learned at an early age that the only person he could depend on was himself, so this feeling was disconcerting.
She shifted and Rob stiffened, preparing himself for her to go back to her bed. He clutched the cover to keep from grabbing her leg as it rubbed his. He didn’t let himself touch her because he was scared to death what might happen if he did. He wouldn’t hurt her, of that he was sure, but he wasn’t so sure she wouldn’t destroy him.
“What you told Debra, was it true?”
Rob had hoped that they wouldn’t get around to this topic, but he should have known better. He’d already learned that Eris didn’t miss anything and didn’t give up easily. She also didn’t do things like others. Like now, she brought this up in the middle of the night when he couldn’t get away from her.
He met her gaze and thought about lying then dismissed the thought. She would only bide her time then ask again, and again if necessary. He’d never told anyone the truth about his life growing up, not even LD. He got enough pity growing up from the school counselors and social workers, and he didn’t want her looking at him that way.
It surprised him how much the thought bothered him, but he figured he might as well get it over with. “Actually, I sugar-coated the story I told her today.”
Her eyes filled with sympathy and concern, but he saw none of the pity he expected. “I was afraid of that. Did any of the men ever…ever…did they…?”
“No, although I did hear one of them offer my mother money if she would leave us alone for a few hours.”
“Oh my God. Is that when you stopped sleeping there?”
The look of horror in Eris’ eyes caused the old hurt and pain to resurface. “Yeah, I figured sleeping on the streets was better than putting up with one of my mom’s johns going for me instead of her.”
“I can’t even imagine growing up like you did. No child should have to deal with those kinds of things.”
“Oh it gets better. By age eight I was an experienced Dumpster diver. I knew where all the good food was dumped. At ten I was one of the best pickpockets on the streets. Then at sixteen I started dancing in some of the slimier clubs to pay the rent, electric and put food on the table.”
Eris studied him and he wished he could make out what she was thinking, but she wasn’t one to keep him waiting. “It’s sad that those are your childhood memories. Don’t you have a few happy ones?”
Rob thought about that for a few seconds. “I remember being grateful when Mom didn’t show up at a school function stoned or drunk.”
Eris snorted in disgust and he wasn’t sure if it was meant for him or his mother. “I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
There was another deep sigh and a short stretch of silence. “Come on, there has to be something good to remember. Don’t you remember getting that ‘must have’ present at one of your birthday parties? I can still remember getting my three-story dollhouse. Dad cussed for hours putting the thing together, but I was in heaven.”
Rob watched as her eyes misted over and her face softened at the fond memory. He wondered if he would ever have a memory like that. “I never had a birthday party, but my fondest birthday memory is when I was twelve. We were going to be evicted again if we didn’t come up with the money to pay the landlord by midnight. Mom used what little she had to buy a bottle so she could forget we didn’t have enough rent money.
“I was really good at saving the money I managed to earn and steal, but I was short by sixty-five dollars. I went out on the street to lighten the pockets of a few tourists and managed to come up with the last of the money by eleven forty-five. I ran all the way home and paid the landlord with four minutes to spare. That is my fondest birthday memory. Not what most people remember about their childhoods, now is it?”
He watched as Eris wiped a tear away from her cheek. The sight of her crying for him eased some of the pain he’d been holding in. No one ever shed a tear over the little bastard kid who always needed a bath, haircut and decent clothing.
“You are a remarkable person, Rob Jackson, truly.”
He shook his head. “Don’t glorify my life. There are things I did that I won’t talk about. Many of those things I’m not proud of.”
“I didn’t say you were a saint. I think it’s the fact that you weren’t proud of those things that motivated you to change your life. I’m sure it would’ve been easy to have gone along with the life you were handed. Change is never easy. You didn’t take the easy road, which in itself makes you remarkable.”
He was amazed this totally out-there woman, who’d obviously had a much more normal childhood than he, could relate to his plight. “It wasn’t easy, but I did make it out.”
“See? Extraordinary.” She smiled and laughed as she snuggled down under the covers opposite him. “Do you mind if I sleep here?”
“Stay, I’ll sleep in the chair.” He started to get up but stopped when her hand wrapped around his ankle.
“Don’t go. I didn’t mean for you to leave. I thought we could both sleep here. If you don’t mind?”
Rob’s brain couldn’t form a coherent thought. The warm, soft hand resting against his leg sent desire bursting through his body. The sudden explosion of lust wasn’t what made him so frazzled though—it was her simple request to stay near him with no sexual strings attached. The fact she was willing to stay so close to him even after learning all she had left him feeling uncommonly happy. He made himself more comfortable. “There’s plenty of room for the both of us.”
Chapter Six
Rob sat by the window, sipped a cup of hot coffee and marveled at how good he felt. He fell asleep after Eris and slept peacefully for four and a half hours straight. The old dream of being locked in a dark, dank closet and wondering if and when he’d be allowed out did not return to haunt him.
It’d been months since that old nightmare haunted his dreams, but last night it had resurfaced full force. It must have been telling Debra the story that brought it back, which is why he couldn’t sleep in the middle of the night. Funny though, none of the other old dreams came back to haunt him after spilling his guts
to Eris. Instead of feeling weighed down by the past, he felt free of it, or at least a large portion of it.
He glanced over at the woman who was still sleeping like an angel. In the dark, moonlit room the night before he couldn’t make out the color of her hair, but now the morning light highlighted her natural chestnut hair. The urge to run his fingers through it was strong and he couldn’t seem to pull his gaze from it.
Finally, afraid she’d wake and find him staring, he forced his attention to other things. Checking his watch, he went to the miniscule kitchen and pulled cinnamon rolls from the oven. Placing a couple on a plate and pouring another cup of coffee, he grabbed both and walked over to Sleeping Beauty.
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead. We have places to go, people to see.”
Eris groaned, pulling the cover over her head. He was sure she’d muttered a few choice words under her breath. Setting the plate down, he yanked the cover back and pulled her into an upright position.
“Hey, I was trying to sleep.”
“I’m aware of that.” He slid the cup of java into her hands. “We have a lot to do today and need an early start.”
She yawned and then took a sip of coffee. “When are we leaving?”
“Ten minutes.”
Eris laughed as she stood and headed toward her room with plate and cup in hand. “No problem. I’ll be ready in forty-five.”
* * * * *
Eris followed Rob into his office and dropped into an empty chair. He wasn’t lying when he’d said they had a lot of stops to make.
“I’ll be right back.”
She watched as he disappeared and knew she could take him at his word because so far this morning, they’d visited the police station, the drug store, the post office and now his office. Standing, she surveyed the man’s domain with a deft eye.
The desk was more of a large walnut table with carved legs. On top, there was a stained glass desk lamp, a gold pen and pencil set and a desk blotter, which was perfectly clean even though it was midmonth.
Only a demented person didn’t doodle, Eris thought as she continued to scan the room. The space was sparsely decorated but the few items present were obviously high quality. Above a row of cabinets hung a large oil painting of a black and chrome motorcycle. The brush strokes and the colors were bold, causing the picture to come to life. She was certain she knew who’d created the magnificent piece and crossed the room to verify the artist. “Nate Carmouche” was gallantly written in the lower right-hand corner.
She glanced back at the work and smiled. Nate’s work always amazed her. Who would’ve thought her brother’s friend would grow up to be a great artist? As she studied the work, a glimmer of light caught her eye. She turned to see what caused the bright flash and spotted a lone picture frame on the modern computer table located behind the desk.
The frame looked as out of place as the painting, mostly because they appeared to be the only personal touches to the office. With a quick glance toward the door, she made her way around the desk and scooped up the frame.
A bright-eyed little girl smiled up at the camera from inside her pink Barbie pedal car. The child bubbled over with happiness. Eris ran a hand over the picture and smiled back.
“That’s Kayla Carmouche, my goddaughter.”
The sudden broken silence startled her, causing the picture to slip from her hands. She grabbed the frame only inches from the floor. She felt heat engulf her face as she stood. “I’m sorry for snooping, but did you say ‘goddaughter’?”
Rob handed her a glass of iced tea. “Yes, and don’t look so shocked. I have actually entered a church once or twice in my life and, on more than one occasion, I put money into the offering plate instead of taking from it.”
“It’s not that, but knowing some of your background, I’d think it would be hard to be around kids. Doesn’t it bring back memories?”
Rob perched on the corner of the desk and sipped his drink. He was silent for a few moments and then spoke softly. “I never had birthday parties as a child. So going to Kayla’s gives me a chance to be a part of something I missed out on.”
Rob’s face was in profile to her as he studied the picture of the little girl. Her gut twisted and tears sprang to her eyes for the man who never got to be a boy. Then black anger took hold toward the woman who couldn’t even offer her child a Ding Dong with a candle stuck in it on his birthday. She didn’t grow up in the lap of luxury, with there being five children to clothe and feed, but there was always money for a new toy on their birthdays.
“I found those files you wanted and picked up your faxes, darling.”
With her emotions still rolling over Rob’s statement, Eris watched in detached astonishment as a medium-height, slim woman entered the office and walked directly to Rob.
“Thanks, sweet’ems, you’re efficient as always.”
The woman scooted onto the desk next to Rob and as she did, her skirt rode up her legs. As she crossed them, a good four inches of her thighs showed.
“Anything, anytime, anyplace.” The woman batted her lashes and swung a foot.
Eris watched as the foot wearing a five-inch stiletto moved back and forth. How did she walk in those? More importantly, how did she keep the shoe on her foot? The last time Eris had tried that seductive move, the stupid shoe slipped off her foot and she’d spent the remainder of the meal trying to locate the darn thing.
“Remember that the next time I wake you up in the middle of the night,” Rob responded as he leaned into the young woman.
Eris narrowed her eyes at the pair. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind Rob was an accomplished player, but she didn’t need a front row view of the man in action.
“Excuse me.” Eris watched as the two turned their attention to her. “Are we going to be here all day? I thought we still needed to make a few more stops?”
“Sorry.” The woman slid off the desk and extended her hand. “I’m Tammie Bernard, the company’s ‘girl Friday’.”
Eris shook the woman’s hand, but honestly, she’d rather have tossed a cream pie in her perfectly made-up face. “Eris DuBose.”
“Nice to meet you,” Tammie stated as she walked seductively toward the office door. “Until next time, darling.”
Rob mumbled an incoherent response as he moved around the desk and studied the information he was holding.
Eris paced the office a number of times as she gave him a chance to read over the material. She was elated to see him flip to the last page. Soon they would be able to leave. She retrieved her satchel from beside the chair in anticipation of their departure. She was in no mood to watch another of Tammie’s performances. The girl had to be a good fifteen years younger than Rob. He wasn’t the type of man who needed an immature woman.
Eris perked up as he turned back to the first page—and then the feeling plummeted just as fast when he picked up a highlighter and opened it. “Please don’t tell me you’re going to read all of that again.”
Rob had flipped back to the beginning of the file and now held a highlighter in one hand.
“Can we please go back to my place so I can have something to do while you work?” Eris hated the note of desperation that sounded in her voice but couldn’t seem to keep it at bay.
To her surprise, Rob started packing up his work. “Sorry. I have a tendency to get a little carried away when it comes to research. I’m ready if you are.”
Eris controlled the urge to bolt for the door like a caged animal being set free and forced herself to walk at a normal pace. She needed to get a grip because these feelings were just silly and so not her. The ringing of a phone broke the silence.
“Hello?”
Eris turned to see Rob answering his cell phone. He looked at her then turned his back.
“I can’t talk now,” he responded to the caller, followed by a brief silence. “Look, I’ll call you when I can.”
Rob fell into another silence and she watched as his back stiffened then he turned to her.
&n
bsp; “Would you mind waiting in the lobby for me?”
“No, not at all.” She closed the door softly behind her.
The uncertainty that flashed in Eris’ eyes was like a knife to his gut. He didn’t pretend to understand why she felt the way she did, but it made him mad as hell that he’d been forced into that position.
“These phone calls cannot persist at anytime of the day or night. You’re granddaughter is one sharp woman and if you keep this up, she’s going to figure out what we’re doing.”
There was a moment of silence, followed by a deep, rough laugh. “If that little speech was meant to scare me off, son, you’ve got a long way to go.” Criswell’s voice boomed over the line.
Rob resisted the urge to simply disconnect and put an end to the conversation. “What is it you want?”
“A report. Why else would I be calling?”
“Look, I gave you one last night.”
“That you did, and I want another.”
“When I have something new to tell you, I’ll call.”
“You’d better, and don’t you forget who’s paying the bill.” Criswell disconnected.
Rob put the phone on vibrate and dropped it into his pocket. Out in the lobby, he found Tammie behind the receptionist’s desk, chatting with one of the new part-time detectives they used. She smiled at him and he raised an eyebrow, then she pointed to the far side of the room.
Eris stood alone beside the elevators with her back to the small group. The carpeted floor silenced his approach. He couldn’t help but wonder why she wasn’t over with the others. As he closed the distance between them, he realized she was swaying from side to side. Uneasiness started to take root.
“Eris.” She didn’t respond to his softly spoken voice. He circled her and noticed how pale her skin was. Her large green eyes stared vacantly into space.
She shivered then wrapped her arms around herself and shivered again.
“What’s wrong?” He wrapped his arms around her.
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