by Bess McBride
“What would you like?”
Penny scanned the barrels of colorful ice cream in the freezer bin and glanced up at the prices posted on the wall.
“Rainbow sherbert. Two scoops, please, in a cup.” She beamed like a schoolgirl. Rainbow sherbert was her favorite. Not everyone carried the flavor, and she was delighted to see a lovely large barrel of it.
Kevin laughed. “Rainbow sherbert it is.” He placed their order. When the young girl at the counter handed them their ice cream, they moved toward the window to sit down at one of the small, round, white, soda shop-style tables. Other than the server behind the counter, they had the place to themselves.
Penny dug in with her spoon, now convinced that a stop at the local ice cream parlor might very well be the highlight of her day. Kevin took his time with a two-scoop chocolate cone.
“This is great,” Penny said as she savored the fruity, tangy flavor. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
“No problem,” Kevin grinned over the edge of his cone. “I’m glad you agreed to come. I’ve been wondering how to draw you into my web.”
“Oh, Kevin, please.” Her lips twitched, but she shook her head. The sunlight streaming through the floor to ceiling glass windows brought out the ash-brown shine to his hair. He looked masculine, virile, healthy and young. She turned away from his come hither grin.
“You sure don’t make it easy on a guy, Penny.”
Penny shook her head and eyed him steadily.
“I-I...I don’t know what to say, Kevin. Most of the time, I think you’re kidding. I’m flattered--”
“Oh, don’t be flattered,” he pretended a mock pout. “That’s the kiss of death.”
Penny grinned and turned away from the twinkling in his blue eyes to look out onto the main road of town. Traffic seemed light. Her spoon stilled halfway to her mouth when she saw Matt’s dark SUV pull into the parking lot. She threw Kevin a quick glance and dropped her eyes to her ice cream, willing Matt not to enter. But she wasn’t strong enough to come between a man and his ice cream, because he walked in and headed straight for the counter.
“Hey, Missy. How are you doing today?”
“I’m okay, Chief. What’s new?” The little blonde server waited for his order.
Kevin’s head swung around at the voice of the newcomer. He stared at Matt’s back for a moment and then turned back to Penny whose eyes darted from Matt to Kevin to her ice cream and back up again. She put down her spoon.
Kevin tilted his head in unspoken inquiry, and Penny shrugged with a crooked smile.
“I’m good, Missy. Can’t complain. Let me have a scoop of cookie dough.”
“Cone or cup, Chief?”
“Cup.”
Penny tried to duck low in her straight back parlor-style chair, but there was nowhere to hide. Matt would soon see her. It was unavoidable. She cast a quick glance at Kevin, wondering for a brief instant if he would consider dashing out the door with her, but the idea was preposterous. His expression caught her attention. The narrowing of his eyes and the rigid set of his chin gave his face an undecipherable expression she’d not seen before. He turned toward her, caught her watching him and grinned playfully with a pump of his eyebrows.
Matt turned around to survey the room as alert policemen often seem to do. Penny watched him give Kevin a friendly nod which froze when his eyes landed on her. He opened his mouth to speak and then clamped it shut.
“Here you are, Chief.”
Matt swung around.
“Thank you, Missy.” He retrieved his wallet and paid her. When he turned around once again, his face wore a blank expression. He nodded at Kevin and Penny and strode out the door without a backward glance.
“Uh oh,” Kevin murmured.
Penny followed Matt’s progress toward his car. She noted he dropped his uneaten ice cream into a trash can before he jumped into his vehicle and pulled out of the parking lot.
In abject misery, she dropped her eyes to her melting ice cream, ready to throw it into the trash as Matt had done.
Kevin reached over to lay a warm hand over hers as it lay limp near her spoon.
“Hey, there... A penny for your thoughts?” His soft voice penetrated her consciousness, his hand warmed her cold one.
“What?” She dragged her eyes from the empty parking lot and looked at him.
“A penny for your thoughts.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
“Me? Nothing. No thoughts. None.” She left her hand under his, too apathetic at the moment to move it.
“So, that was the Chief, huh?”
She managed a heavy nod. “Yes, that was Matt.”
“I thought--” He paused for an instant. “He didn’t seem too friendly. Are you guys on the outs or something?”
Penny’s eyes flew to his face, and she felt heat rise to her cheeks. “Not that I’m aware of,” she said testily.
“Was that...? Was that because of me?” He eyed her sympathetically as he removed his hand.
Penny shook her head. “I doubt it. He isn’t the jealous kind...at least, not that I remember. Besides, like I said, that was over a long time ago.”
Penny turned to stare at the empty parking lot. Why had Matt taken off as he had? The Matt she knew hadn’t had a jealous bone in his body, not that she hadn’t tried to flirt a time or two--maybe more--in his presence early in their relationship to see if he really “cared.” He’d only watched her with narrowed eyes and shook his head silently, never giving her the “passionate jealousy” she hoped would prove his love. If she could have done it all over again, she would have treasured every moment in his presence, asking only that he show her his love, letting him take his time toward trusting her enough to tell her he loved her. But as she found herself saying all too often lately...that was a long time ago.
“I see,” Kevin murmured.
Penny turned back toward him. “Well, I think I’m done. I’m ready to head back. Are you?”
“Sure,” he said readily. “I’ll drop you at home.”
“That would be great, Kevin.”
Penny was silent on the short ride back, lost in memories that she couldn’t undo--memories of a passionately destructive young woman who could not force a quiet man to scream his love for her from the rooftops.
Kevin pulled up to the entrance of the garage, and Penny stepped out. He climbed out of the car and came around. Penny had almost turned away when he grabbed her hand. She swung around startled.
“Penny, I was wondering. Would you like to have dinner tonight?”
Penny stared down at the brown hand holding her.
“I-I can’t, Kevin. The truth is...I’m not really feeling well. I don’t think I’d be good company.”
Kevin let go her hand. “Oh...I’m sorry. I thought you looked a bit under the weather on the way back. Well, how about tomorrow night?”
“Why don’t you call me tomorrow?” she murmured. She gave him her phone number and moved away with a wave.
Penny entered her apartment and surveyed the small living room with a feeling akin to loneliness. She shook her head and walked over to the balcony door, sliding it open and wondering at her mercurial mood. If she were lonely, she should have accepted Kevin’s invitation. She dropped into one of the acrylic chairs and stared out at the white-capped sea. A stiff breeze had risen and whipped the waves around in a brisk fashion. She looked at her watch. Three p.m. The sun would set in a few hours. It lingered low in the western sky.
She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and stared at the silent silver gadget, debating on whether to call her mother or Travis. Against her better judgment, she found herself making a call she never thought she would.
“Gulf Shores Police Department. Is this an emergency?”
Chapter Ten
Penny caught her breath. Was it an emergency? She certainly felt an urgent need to call.
“No.”
“Can I help you?” Penny recognized Patty’s voice.
“Umm...is Ch
ief Williams in?” Penny gripped the phone tightly.
“Just a moment. I’ll check. Can I tell him who’s calling?”
“Uh...Penny Brown.”
“Hi, Mrs. Brown. It’s Patty. Just a moment, ma’am.”
Penny would have slammed the phone shut at that moment had it not been the police. Could they call her back and accuse her of hanging up? Who knew? She had little experience in the world of law enforcement.
“Chief Williams.”
Penny held her breath and bit her lip. Why had she called?
“Chief Williams. Can I help you?”
“Matt, it’s Penny.”
It was Matt’s turn to be silent. Penny cringed. Please say something, Matt.
“Matt? Did I catch you at a bad time? Are you busy?”
She heard him sigh and wished fervently that she’d called her mother instead.
“No, this isn’t a bad time. What is it, Penny?”
Penny gulped. He sounded so...so distant.
“I... I... Well, I was wondering how your case was going. You know, the bank robbery?”
“You called about the case?”
Penny bit her lip so hard, it hurt. “I’m sorry, Matt. Maybe I shouldn’t have called. I just thought--”
“No, that’s okay, Penny.” She heard his heavy sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to jump down your throat.”
“Oh, that’s okay. I’m sure you’re very busy.”
“A little. Can you hang on just a minute?” Penny heard a muffled exchange beginning with the words, “Yes, Patty?”
She waited, wishing for all her worth that she hadn’t called. Her stated reason was extremely flimsy...even to her own ears.
He came back on the line. “Penny, why didn’t you tell me you got another call? Patty just laid your statement on my desk. Where are you?”
“Well, I didn’t actually get to talk to you this afternoon, if you’ll recall.”
“Oh, that.” His voice quieted for a moment. “I’m sorry about that. Where are you?”
“I’m at my condominium.”
“Wait there. I’m coming right over.”
“Okay,” she said uncertainly--at once elated by his pending arrival and unclear on why he was coming.
The line went dead, and Penny stared at it for a moment. The best she’d hoped for was a chance to explain that Kevin was just a young fellow she’d met, though she wasn’t quite sure Matt really cared. His brief nod of greeting in the ice cream shop gave her no clues to his inner thoughts. Hardly a surprising state of affairs with her enigmatic ex-lover.
She trotted into her bedroom to pull on some jeans and a long-sleeved rose print shirt. She moved to the bathroom, ran a brush through her hair and applied lipstick, hoping no one would ever know she preened for what promised to be a quick official visit by the Chief of Police.
A knock on her door within fifteen minutes heralded his arrival. She pulled open the door and stared at him. His face looked haggard, and he wore the same blue jeans and polo shirt she’d seen him wear earlier in the day. Her heart melted at his obvious exhaustion.
“Hi, Penny.” Matt entered her apartment and moved purposefully toward the kitchen table. Penny followed and watched him produce a pad of paper and a pen as he took a seat.
“Okay, I need to know everything this guy said. I read the statement, but I’d like to know more. This is obviously not a prank. I think you might be in serious danger.”
Penny stared at him with wide eyes. The knit between his dark brows revealed his concern. Her hands trembled as she repeated the conversation to the best of her ability. She told him about her conversation with Tim, but left out the details about Jerry.
Matt jotted down some notes and shook his head. “And you don’t think Tim could be doing this?”
Penny shook her head. “No, not at all. He seemed offended when I asked.”
Matt searched her face and leaned forward. He reached over to brush back a stray lock of hair from the side of her face. Penny held her breath.
“You’re not telling me something, Penny. Not only can I read faces pretty well, I can darn sure read yours. You keep dropping your eyes. You always did that when you were hiding something. What is it?”
Penny dragged her eyes to his face. He smiled gently and gave her an encouraging nod.
Penny sighed. She wished above all things she didn’t have to do this. Could she bear to see the shock in Matt’s eyes?
“I had a client named Jerry who struggled with severe depression for years, for most of his life as a matter of fact. He’d come from an abusive home. The things that happened to him when he was young...” Penny shook her head, swallowed against the knot in her throat and dashed a hand against the outer corner of her eye. “He came to me last year because he was suicidal. We got him into the hospital for a week where the psychiatrist started him on some medications. The antidepressants really seemed to help, and I thought he was getting better. Every now and then, he would mention thoughts of suicide, but we talked about those feelings when they arose, and the urge usually passed. Jerry never married, and his only connection was some sort of foster son he spent a lot of time with...a young man who’d grown up in another abusive home. He used to hang out at Jerry’s house when he was younger.”
Penny raised her eyes to check Matt’s expression. He leaned back in his seat with his arms folded, apparently enrapt. He nodded.
She sighed. “Anyway, last year, Jerry’s foster son, David, stole some money from Jerry. He refused to call the police or press charges.” Penny sighed and shook her head. “I encouraged Jerry to distance himself from David, and Jerry agreed.”
Two hot tears rolled down Penny’s face.
“But Jerry’s lifelong depression deepened severely after that. He called me one day to tell me he was going to kill himself. I couldn’t do anything but beg him not to. We called the police, but it was too late. Jerry shot himself while I was on the phone.” Penny gritted her teeth against the overwhelming grief. She shrugged her shoulders in an effort to avert a crying spell. “That’s it. He’s dead.”
Matt expelled an audible sigh. He leaned forward with his elbows on the table. “Geez, Penny. How awful... I can’t imagine how you must feel.”
Penny glanced up and shrugged again. Her jaw ached from clenching her teeth to prevent a wail of despair. “Not half as bad as Jerry must have felt. I should have been able to stop him from killing himself. That was my job. I should have been able to help.”
Matt stood and came around the kitchen table. He knelt down on one knee and took Penny’s cold, shaking hands in his.
“You and I both know you couldn’t do any more. It sounds like you did everything you could.”
Penny curled her fingers tightly through his. “I tried,” she whispered. “I tried.”
“I’m sure you did,” he murmured soothingly.
She stared down into his warm green and brown flecked eyes. “Then why do I feel so bad?”
Matt reached up to wipe a tear from the corner of her right eye. “Because you’re grieving over someone you cared about.”
Penny rewarded him with a watery smile. “Jerry had such a great dry wit...considering all he’d been through and his depression. He could always make me laugh.”
Matt nodded and rose to his feet. He returned to his seat, picked up his pen and tapped it on the pad.
“So, why don’t you think you’re caller could be someone who knew Jerry? What about the foster son...this David?”
Penny shook her head. “Jerry said he hadn’t heard from him in months. I don’t even know his last name. I doubt if he even knows Jerry is dead.” Her voice shook on the last word.
Matt nodded. “Did Jerry have any other family?”
Penny shrugged. “He didn’t seem to want to talk about his family. I couldn’t really get him to say much other than to relate a few of his experiences...almost as if they happened to someone else. I think his parents were dead. At least, I hope they are.” S
he shuddered. “But there was an older brother. I never heard his name. Jerry usually changed the subject.” She paused for a moment and remembered something. “Oh, and Jerry was in group therapy with Tim. He was very popular there. Tim’s going to see if he can figure out whether one of his clients might have made the calls, but I know that group. Those guys are pretty harmless. I don’t think they’d do something like this.”
“Good,” Matt nodded. “I want to know what he finds out.”
Penny nodded.
“So, who was the guy?” Matt’s casual change of subject caught Penny unaware.
“I’m sorry?” She wiped an exhausted hand across her eyes.
“The guy at the ice cream shop.”
Penny dropped her eyes for a moment before raising them. “Umm...oh, I told you about him. His name is Kevin. I met him on the beach. You know, he looks a lot like Travis.”
Matt shot her a quick unreadable look. “Really? The last time I saw Travis, he was...what...five? This guy looks pretty grown up to me.”
Penny blushed. “You know what I mean. Kevin’s just a nice young kid who reminds me of Travis.”
Matt nodded. “How old is he?”
Penny had directed her eyes toward the balcony window, but she jerked at his added question.
“Ummm...thirty, I think.”
“Yup, I’d say he’s pretty grown up,” Matt murmured with a thin-lipped smile.
She hunched her shoulder and shook her head. “Oh, please!”
“You’re only thirty-nine, Penny. I doubt he thinks of you as a mother.”
She gasped at his unusually outspoken words. “Matt! I can’t believe you said that! I’m not... I have no interest-- Well, really!” she sputtered.
“Now, don’t get riled up, Penny. I was just making an observation, that’s all.” Matt scanned her face for a moment before dropping his eyes to the pad of paper. Penny turned away and locked her eyes on the balcony door.
“I’m not riled up. That’s just silly.”
“So, are you dating this guy, Kevin?”
Penny swung her head back toward Matt.
“Matt! No! Certainly not! In all the years I’ve know you, you’ve shown more interest in this one young man than all the men I ever flirted with to try to make you jealous.”