A Penny for Your Thoughts

by Bess McBride

  Matt laughed, a hearty sound that made her lips twitch.

  “I knew you were trying to get me jealous then. I didn’t want to give in.”

  Penny swallowed hard against a surge of guilt.

  “You’re right, Matt, and I’m so sorry. I was just thinking today that if I could go back and do it all over again, I’d change a lot of things.”

  From out of the corner of her eye, she caught Matt’s sharp look in her direction.

  “But we can’t ever go back, Penny.”

  Penny swallowed again to ease the ache in her throat.

  “Oh, I know that, Matt!” She hoped her voice carried the right note of nonchalance. “Of course not. I wasn’t suggesting... I was just apologizing for everything I put you through in my younger, more passionate days.”

  Matt’s voice was quiet. “You don’t have to apologize, Penny. I never regretted a minute of it.”

  “Oh, well, that’s nice of you to say. Really!” She put a hand to her face and left it there.

  “I didn’t say it to be nice.”

  Penny raised startled eyes. Matt’s face seemed to soften as he looked at her. He stood up and came around the table to pull her to her feet. Penny rose willingly and looked up into his dark-lashed eyes. A familiar light danced in his green irises.

  The ringing of his phone startled her from her hypnotic trance. Matt narrowed his eyes and grimaced. He dropped her hands and pulled the phone from its holder on his hip.

  Penny turned away with her lip between her teeth and wandered over to the balcony door to gaze outside.

  “Chief Williams.”

  Penny eavesdropped shamelessly.

  “Right now?”

  She dared not turn around.

  “Can’t this wait? I can’t keep doing this.”

  Penny’s ears pricked. She heard his heavy sigh.

  “I’ll be right there.”

  Penny turned, relieved and disappointed. Whatever Matt had in mind when he pulled her up from the chair was not going to happen that night.

  Matt stared at the phone in his hand with a look of distaste. He looked at Penny and shrugged.

  “I’ve got to go, Penny, wrap some things up. I’m sorry. Will you be all right?”

  Penny crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. “Oh, sure. I don’t think I have anything to worry about here in Gulf Shores.”

  “Maybe not, but I think I’d better make some inquiries. I think I might ask Cliff to take a look into it since Michigan is out of my jurisdiction.”

  Penny bit her lip, but she couldn’t keep the grin from her face. “You know? That old line...Don’t make a federal case out of it... just came to mind.”

  “Very funny,” Matt murmured with a crooked smile. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek near her ear.

  “I’ll see you soon,” he whispered.

  A shiver ran up and down Penny’s spine, and her arms broke out in goose bumps. She followed him to the door.

  “Lock the door,” he ordered before he stepped out. Penny locked the door, turned around and leaned against it with a sigh.

  She surveyed her empty apartment for a forlorn moment before she pushed away from the door. She crossed the living room and pulled open the balcony door, stepping out to inhale the salty air. The sun had set, and it would be dark soon. She stared at the water, a lovely lavender color against the soft orange and purple sky. The vista of the quiet beach at sunset seemed at once relaxing and yet lonely. Penny wrapped her arms around her shoulders and leaned against the railing.

  “Hey!”

  Penny looked down in the direction of the voice to see a man standing on the beach below her building. He seemed to be waving up toward the building.

  “Penny!”

  She squinted to make out his face in the twilight.

  “Cliff?”

  “Yeah! Are you busy? Can you come down for a walk?”

  “Sure! I’ll be right down.” Penny waved and hurried out the door with a readiness that surprised her. Matt’s departure left an unexpected hole in her day.

  She tripped down the stairs and trotted through the garage to the beach, arriving slightly out of breath at Cliff’s side.

  “Well, that was quick. I just happened to be walking by and saw you standing there,” he laughed.

  “Oh, I wasn’t doing anything anyway.” She jammed her hands into the pockets of her shorts. “I think I was just looking for an excuse to get out of the apartment.”

  “An excuse, am I?”

  She squinted in the dim light to see his expression, but his white teeth revealed a pleasant smile.

  “Oh, I didn’t mean it that way.” As if in agreement, they turned and started to walk down the beach. Enough light remained to allow them to see their steps along the shoreline.

  “So, how was your day?” Penny asked.

  “Busy. How about yours?”

  “Pretty crazy.” She pressed her lips together. She’d had enough of talking about herself today.

  “How are you settling into your place?”

  “Oh, it’s great! I’m enjoying such close proximity to the beach.”

  Penny nodded and grinned.

  “Say, you haven’t seen Matt by chance, have you?”

  “Why would you think that?” Penny threw him a hasty glance.

  “Well, I called the station looking for him, and Patty told me to call his cell phone, that you might know where he is. He didn’t answer his phone. I just tried it a minute ago.”

  “Oh! Well, as a matter of fact, he was just here.”

  “So, you two are dating!” Cliff peered at her with a half smile. “I thought I saw a little something-something there.”

  Penny blushed and shook her head. “No, we’re not dating. He was just checking on me and taking down some information about a phone call I got this morning.”

  “What kind of phone call would require the presence of the Chief of Police?”

  She heard the teasing note in his voice and hurried to set the record straight.

  “I’ve been getting some phone calls since I’ve been here. They started just the other day.”

  “What kind of phone calls?”

  She sighed. She had hoped for a pleasant walk on the beach without giving her persecutor more of her time and energy.

  “Well, it’s a man, and he’s been threatening me. He seems to know who I am, but I don’t know who he is.”

  Cliff came to an abrupt halt in front of Penny.

  “You’re kidding! What kind of threats?”

  “He says he’s going to kill me.” A wave of nausea engulfed Penny. She wiped her mouth with a shaking hand as if to brush away the sensation.

  “Penny!” he exclaimed as he grabbed her hands in his. “Who is this character?” His grip was secure, warm. “What can I do?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing, Cliff. In fact, I got the second phone call this morning on the beach after you’d left. I sure wish you had still been there when he called.”

  “I do too,” he murmured. “Tell me about it.”

  While they walked, Penny told him about the phone calls, including her decision to change her phone number. His reaction was both grim and sympathetic. There was another note in his voice that she couldn’t quite make out.

  “Is Matt working on this?”

  “Well, I don’t know what he can do. In fact, I think he was going to ask you for help. Something about this might be out of his jurisdiction since the calls originated in Michigan.”

  Cliff nodded. “I’ll look into it tomorrow. I’ve got to make a trip into the office anyway. Is it okay if I talk to your boss...what’s his name, Tim? Since the calls are coming from his number?”

  “Sure, though he’s probably limited in what he can tell you about clients because of confidentiality laws.”

  “You said you’d changed your cell phone number?”

  Penny nodded.

  “Good, good. Why don’t you give me your new number, and I�
��ll give you a call if I find out anything. After I tell Matt, of course.” With a half smile, he gave her a pointed look. Penny complied.

  With the darkness of night rapidly approaching, they turned to retrace their steps. The bright lights of the high-rise buildings provided some light along the beach.

  “Penny.”

  She glanced at Cliff, but he stared at the sand beneath his feet.

  “Did something happen to you recently? This sabbatical of yours. I’m not familiar with folks in the mental health professions taking ‘sabbaticals.’”

  Penny grimaced. He was FBI. He could find out if he wanted. What was the point of hiding? Once again, she related the horrible ending to Jerry’s life and her role in it. The story became easier to relate the second time around, and she was able to control the ever present tears.

  Cliff remained silent at the end of her explanation, and Penny pressed her lips together as hard as she could. She clasped her hands behind her back uncertainly. What was he thinking? Every horrible thing she’d thought about herself?

  “Cliff?” Her voice quavered, and she cleared her throat.

  “Hmmm?” He seemed lost in thought.

  “Ummm...you’re so quiet.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s just...” His voice trailed off.

  Penny looked up to see they had arrived back at her building. She jammed her cold hands into her pockets and peered at his face. The lights of the building reflected a troubled face--his eyebrows were drawn together, his lips appeared tight, a muscle twitched in the side of his jaw.

  “Just what?” She feared hearing his verdict.

  Cliff raised his eyes from a study of the sand at their feet and looked at her.

  “It’s just that...” He dropped his eyes again, and Penny swallowed hard against the lump in her throat--the internal manifestation of her shame and guilt. She looked down at the ground.

  “It’s just that I...I thought I would hate you.” Cliff turned on his heel and strode off into the darkness, leaving a stunned Penny in his wake.

  Chapter Eleven

  Matt pulled into the visitor section of the parking lot of the Safe Harbor Condominiums. He pushed open the SUV door with a sigh. Was this ever going to end? How long was Marsha going to keep calling him? It wasn’t like she didn’t have plenty of other choices. Geez, he’d just seen her out and about with some silver-haired fellow in a Mercedes the other day.

  He dragged his feet across the parking lot, past her white convertible, and over to the elevator, stepping in to push the button for the tenth floor.

  All too soon, the elevator chimed its arrival, and Matt stepped out. He straightened his shoulders and strode down the hall, stopping to knock on the door of number twenty-one. Five minutes. That’s all he was giving this thing. Five minutes.

  The door swung open, and Marsha threw herself into his arms.

  “Oh, Matt, I’m so glad you came. I’ve had the worst time.”

  He staggered for a moment under her assault and then put her at arm’s length. For all her tears, her makeup was remarkably intact--all of it, including the bright orange lipstick she wore morning, noon and night.

  “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

  She grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. A slam of the door, and she faced him, hands on her hips.

  “Yes, something’s wrong. I thought I’d be able to call you if I needed something. But you seem to be too busy to take my calls these days.” She swung her short blonde hair and gold earrings for effect. He’d seen it before, and it had never had any effect on him. Why did she keep doing it?

  He sighed, glanced behind him and slumped onto her expensive white sofa.

  “Okay! What’s going on? I’ve been very busy at work, and I haven’t had a minute to return any calls.” He shook his head. “I told you the other night that I’m not going to come running every time you get hysterical about some imagined slight from a new boyfriend. You’re going to have to find a female friend to call.”

  “Hmmmppff,” Marsha snorted and took the white crushed velvet seat opposite and leaned forward. She wiped at the inner corner of one eye and sniffed.

  “This is different. Jack dumped me. I told you last night I thought it was going to happen.”

  “Is this the same Jack as yesterday?”

  She shook her head with irritation.

  “Jack! Jack! The guy with the boat. You know you’ve seen me with him.”

  “I see.” He crossed his arms and sighed. “So, what happened?”

  “Well, I don’t know. He just said he’d had it with me.” She threw herself back in her chair and locked her arms across the front of her black lace top.

  Matt pressed his lips together and waited for a spasm of laughter to pass. He could well understand what Jack was saying.

  “I’m sorry, Marsha. You’re probably better off without him.”

  “Well, I’m sure I am, but it’s still humiliating.” She narrowed her eyes as she stared off into the distance and tapped long fingernails against the front of her white teeth.

  Matt squinted.

  “Is that a new diamond ring?”

  She splayed the fingers of her right hand and beamed.

  “It is. Isn’t it gorgeous?”

  “Did Jack get it for you? Because he must have liked you a lot if he bought that for you.”

  “Are you kidding? The cheapskate. He told me no, so I bought it for myself.”

  Matt nodded at the right time. “Sounds like you’re better off without him.”

  Marsha tore her eyes away from her ring and eyed him with a glint in her eyes. He recognized the look.

  “No. That’s been over for a long time.” He shook his head firmly. “No.”

  “Oh, come on, Matt. For old time’s sake.” She leaned forward, allowing him a view down the front of the lacy thing she wore. Her salon tanned skin simply didn’t compare to the golden lines of Penny’s neck.

  “Sorry. Nope.” He pushed himself off the couch. “Well, if that’s it, I’ve got to get going.” He checked his watch with regret.

  “But you haven’t even been here a minute.” She jumped up to move closer to him. Matt took hold of the door handle. “Can’t you stay?”

  “No, Marsha. It’s been almost a year now. And it was just a quick thing. It didn’t mean anything to either one of us. Why don’t you let it go?” He twisted the knob and pulled open the door. “Someone else will come along pretty quick. I haven’t known you to go without a man for more than a week.”

  Marsha moved with him as he stepped outside. She tried to press up against him, but he held her at arm’s length.

  “Yeah, I know, but I’m lonely tonight.” She pouted.

  “You need to stop calling me for all your troubles, okay? Please don’t call me again, Marsha.” He turned to walk down the hallway.

  “Matt...” Her voice came out in a two syllable whine, and he refused to turn around. A loud bang told him she’d slammed the door.

  He was furious with himself for walking out on Penny for this ridiculous business. Couldn’t he figure out how to say no...and mean it? He was such a sucker for women in distress.

  Distress. Penny. He wasn’t sure what would have happened if the ringing of the phone hadn’t interrupted them, but if he had his way, Penny would still be in his arms, all night long.

  Matt pulled out his phone. No reception in the elevator. He pushed the first floor button again as if it would make the elevator go faster. When the door opened, he started when he saw a silver-haired man in white Bermuda shorts and an island shirt waiting to enter.

  “Good evening,” Matt murmured.

  “Good evening,” Jack answered as he passed Matt and stepped in.

  Matt grinned and clicked open his phone. He had reception. He checked his watch again.

  ****

  The ringing of the phone awakened Penny from a restless sleep. In fact, she thought the tinkling sound was a part of her dream as she struggled out of the arms of
a man who hated her.

  She reached for the blinking and buzzing phone on the nightstand and checked the caller ID. Once her eyes focused, she saw it was a Michigan number but not Tim’s...and not the man who made death threats. In fact, it appeared to be from her office. She relaxed as she remembered that she’d changed her phone number.

  She looked at her bedside clock. Three a.m. Could it be Tim? Had something happened to one of her clients?

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, Penny. Did I wake you?”

  Penny shot up straight in bed and gripped the phone tightly to her ear. The pounding of her heart echoed against the receiver, magnified two-fold as she held her breath. Her bedroom lay in darkness with only a sliver of light showing through the crack in the curtains. She almost knocked the lamp over in her anxiety to flick it on and dispel the darkness that rendered her blind and vulnerable.

  “H-how did you get this number?” She couldn’t control the squeak in her voice. She pulled her legs to her chest and searched the far corners of the room. The intimate sound of his voice in her ear made it seem as if he was nearby, perhaps in the room.

  “What?” He gave a short laugh. “Your number? Did you think I couldn’t figure out you would change it? I would if I were getting death threats. I wondered what took you so long.”

  Penny cleared her throat and deepened her voice. “What do you want? Why do you keep calling? How did you get the number to my office? Do you think I don’t know how you’re making these calls? I’ve got the police and the FBI on this!”

  “No kidding!” The voice exuded sarcasm. Though the pounding of her heart made it difficult to hear, she strained to listen for any familiar tones in the voice or nuances of speech that she recognized. “The police...and the FBI. Very impressive. I’m honored.”

  “How did you get the number to my office? Are you...are you a client?” She choked on the question. If he was indeed a client, then he needed more than just a frightened therapist to help him. She wished Tim were here at the moment so she could hand him the phone. She felt completely incompetent to handle this matter.

  “A client? Of yours, Penny? I sure hope not. What could you possibly have to offer me?”