by Rose Pressey
Just running errands, I sent back.
What, no witty comeback? Is this really Cece?
Now he thought I’d been kidnapped. No time for that now.
Another text from him. Are you doing something you shouldn’t?
Always, I answered.
I placed the phone down and pulled back onto the road. I’d go to the office and prove to him that I wasn’t being sneaky at the moment. To be honest, I needed someone to talk to and that someone was Derek.
A few minutes later and I wheeled into the parking lot. As soon as I walked through the door, Derek jumped up and came out from behind his desk.
“You’re actually here,” I said.
“Of course I’m here. It’s the middle of the day,” he said. “Where else would I be?”
“Sleeping? Playing the casinos?”
He frowned. “I seriously thought something had happened to you.”
My body tensed and his expression changed.
“Are you okay?” He held my arms and looked me in the eyes.
No, I wasn’t okay when he held me like that. My heart thumped wildly and my stomach danced. The emotion from his eyes cashed through me like a tidal wave.
“I’m fine,” I said with a fake smile.
He stared at me and I knew he didn’t believe me.
Finally, I broke free from his embrace. After stepping back, I looked him in the eyes again. “I’m surprised that you’re worried about me.”
A strange look crossed his face. “After all this time we’ve known each other and you’re surprised that I care? What kind of monster do you think I am?”
Now I really felt bad for my words.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I said.
Derek stared at me a moment longer without speaking. I didn’t know if he was going to leave or just make me feel worse with his big sad blue eyes. George was staring at us like this was some kind of reality show and he was actually sitting in his living room at the retirement village.
“I can’t stand the sexual tension in the air,” George said.
Derek took my hand and pulled me across the room to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit down and tell me what happened.”
At least Derek was still speaking to me.
I shrugged. “I was driving down the highway and this car swerved over in front of me. I ran off the road. Other cars almost hit me and I almost ended up in the ditch.”
I left out the part about my life flashing before my eyes. He probably already guessed that much.
“There are terrible drivers in this world,” George said as he shook his head.
“This wasn’t just a bad driver,” I said. “The person did this on purpose. If they had only swerved once I could have assumed it was just a bad driver, but when they swerved at my car again, I knew it was intentional. It was like they wanted to play bumper cars with me. Only this would have ended with me dead.”
Derek studied my face. “What kind of car was it?”
“A little silver Subaru.”
“Do you remember anything else? What the driver looked like?” Derek asked as he sat on the edge of the desk.
I ran my hand through my hair. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get a good look at the driver.”
We sat in silence for a moment. I relived the incident over again in my mind. Not something I wanted to do, but I had to if I wanted to remember anything.
“Wait. There was one thing I noticed.”
“What’s that?” Derek asked.
“There was a sticker on the back window. I’ve seen it before and I’m almost sure it was for the university.”
Derek’s eyes widened. “Interesting.”
“I don’t think that was a coincidence,” George said.
Sadly, now that I thought about it, I knew it wasn’t a coincidence either. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
“Do you think it was Mark?” Derek asked.
I met his stare. “It almost has to be, right? He was driving a different car earlier. I wonder what happened to it?”
“Good question, but I have no idea.”
“Why would he do something like that?” I asked.
“What exactly did you do at the club that I’m not aware of? I’ve seen bad dates before, but never one that made the guy want to murder the girl.”
“Funny,” I said.
Derek pushed to his feet. “I think I need to pay this guy a little visit.”
Fury flashed in Derek’s eyes. It was kind of exciting to see him this angry.
I grabbed Derek’s arm. “Wait. I don’t know if you should do that just yet.”
Chapter 17
I hoped Regina didn’t realize that I was looking at her Snapchat again. There was probably no way for her to know, right? At least I hoped that was case. Now I was hoping to find out where she was today. Maybe I’d get a chance to speak with her.
I clicked on the little icon for her Snapchat and the photo of her came up. She was shopping at Louis Vuitton. That narrowed it down. Now I could go find her and I hoped to reach her in time.
I grabbed my bag and headed out of the office.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Derek asked as he jumped up from his desk and hurried behind me.
“I have to do a little shopping,” I said.
“I know where you’re going. I saw her Snapchat post.”
“Why are you even watching?”
“Because it’s my job to look and I’m going with you. George, we’ll be back. Hold down the fort.” Derek followed me down the hallway and into the parking lot.
“I’m driving.” I pushed my key fob.
The car beeped and the lights flashed.
“That’s fine with me, I guess I can handle it.”
Derek and I got into the car. I eased out of the parking lot so he wouldn’t think I was driving too fast.
“Is my better?” I asked.
“You’re driving like my grandmother,” Derek said.
“Hey, I was just driving slowly so you wouldn’t complain.”
“Okay, your driving is perfect.” A tiny lopsided smile appeared on his handsome face.
We’d just turned the corner from the office when Derek said, “Hey, Cece, is that the car that ran you off the road?”
“Where?” I asked.
“Right there by the next street.” Derek pointed.
I followed his pointing finger and spotted the little Subaru. I couldn’t be for sure since we were still a bit away, but it did look just like the car.
“I think the person was here at the office. It has to be the car,” Derek said.
The thought that this car had been at the office sent a shiver down my spine. If it was the same car, then that meant that the person really did want to harm me. Maybe they’d come back to finish the job that they had started.
“You have to follow the car,” Derek said.
“What will I do if I catch up to it?” I asked.
“We’ll ask the guy what the hell he thinks he’s doing.”
“What if it’s the wrong guy?” I asked.
“Then I guess he’ll be really confused.”
Traffic was heavy and now I had to maneuver through it to catch up with this car. It didn’t help that he was speeding either. Actually, I didn’t know if the driver was a man or a woman. Whoever was driving needed to slow down. The erratic driving made me think even more that this was the car I’d encountered on the highway a short time ago. I punched the gas and switched lanes. Derek was holding onto the side of the door.
“Oh, how’s my driving?” I asked in a too-loud voice.
Okay, I was more than a little stressed. What if the police pulled me over and arrested me?
“Oh, it’s great… just great. You do realize those lines on the road are painted there for a reason, right?”
“Funny,” I said as I clutched the steering wheel a little tighter.
I’d just run a red light. The thing was, I didn’t even think t
he guy knew I was back here following him. He was just driving like an idiot because that was his style. I wasn’t sure that driving like this just to catch up to the car was such a good idea. I was almost ready to abandon the mission.
The car turned on the next street and then made the next left. I thought I recognized the street. Just a little bit further down the road and I knew where I was. The car slowed down, but it didn’t stop. I slowed down as well, staying back so that the driver wouldn’t see me. The car drove by the abandoned house on Brook Street.
“Well, what do you think about that?” Derek asked.
“I don’t think it was a coincidence, that’s for sure.”
“Do you think he knows someone in that house or associated with the place?” Derek asked.
“I’d say so, yes,” I said.
The driver made the next left.
“I wonder if he’ll turn around and go back?” I asked.
“I guess there’s only one way to find out. You’ll have to keep following him.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.” I made the left turn too.
Unfortunately, the car hadn’t driven as fast as he had before. Now I was right behind him. The windows were slightly tinted, so I couldn’t get a look at the driver. I had a feeling that he knew we were following him now. It was kind of obvious when he took off as if someone had just waved the flag signaling the start of the race.
“He’s on to us,” I said.
“Punch the gas,” Derek said.
“I think we should just give up,” I said.
“We can’t let him get away now. We have to find out where he goes next.”
Now I was stressed to the max. He made a quick right turn and I almost passed the street. I had to swerve in order not to miss the turn.
“I know I’m going to get a ticket for this,” I said.
“You haven’t gotten one yet, although I’m not sure how that’s possible.”
Then the car made the next left, I couldn’t slow down in time. I passed the street.
“Sorry,” I said, hoping Derek wouldn’t be upset with me.
That turn had been impossible to make. He’d taken it at the last second. There was no way I could make it.
“Don’t worry about it, Cece, you did a hell of a job keeping up with him.”
“I should have done better.”
I made the next turn and tried to cut over to the street where I’d lost him, but I knew that it would be hopeless.
“We’ll find him again,” Derek said.
Yeah, that was what I was afraid of. We’d find him because he’d be looking for me again. At least one thing was for sure—I knew that it was the car that had tried to cause my death in a fiery crash on the highway.
“I guess we need to get to that Louis Vuitton shop now. I hope Regina’s not gone yet. Did you check her Snapchat?” I asked.
Derek looked at his phone. “Nothing new yet.”
We arrived at the shops. Palm trees, lush landscaping, and a bubbling fountain decorated the entrance. I parked the car and we headed toward the store.
Derek toward the storefront. “There it is”
When I walked in, I spotted Regina over by the counter, talking to the sales associate. Bright lights and glass shelves featuring beautiful handbags were the next things I noticed. Focus, Cece. I was here to talk with Regina, not shop.
“Maybe you could get something in here so she won’t be suspicious of us,” Derek whispered.
“I don’t think I can afford it.” My bank account was practically dry. “Come on. Let’s move closer,” I said, motioning to Derek.
As we made our way closer, the sales associate made eye contact and smiled. With a nod she indicated she’d be with us soon. When Regina glanced back at us too, she eyed us up and down. She had to remember me. Would she wonder why we were there? Would she acknowledge us? I held my breath, hoping that she wouldn’t. Finally, she turned her attention back to the handbag.
After another minute the sales associate came over to ask if we needed help. I wasn’t sure what to say.
“I’d like to look at a wallet, please.” I didn’t sound all that confident.
“Do you know what kind of a wallet?” she asked.
“Whatever you have,” I eyed the items in the glass case below.
She stared at me for a second as if I was crazy. “Let me just get a few and you can take a look.”
“Great, thanks,” I said.
Now that the sales associate had walked away I had a chance to talk to Regina. She must have felt my stare because she looked over at us. Finally, she gave a half-hearted smile.
“Hi,” I said. “I really don’t know what I’m doing. This is my first time shopping here.”
She gave a courtesy nod and then she said, “You know, I’m actually a personal shopper. I guess you could say it’s a hobby, but I’m good at shopping. Maybe I could help you.”
Bingo. This was what I needed. A way to talk to her without her knowing what I was up to. If she knew I was a private investigator she wouldn’t want to give me the information I needed. However, as just a normal person then I might be able to ask some personal questions.
“If it would be okay with your husband.” She winked at Derek.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Of course. Whatever my little lady wants.”
I was going to get him later for that.
“Great. Well, here’s my card.” She pulled it from her handbag. “Just let me know when is good for you.”
“Actually, I’d like to do this as quickly as possible, if that’s okay.”
She shrugged. “Sure. How about tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow is great.”
“How about four o’clock?” she asked.
“Four would be perfect. Thank you,” I said.
The sales associate came back with the wallets. “You can look at these and I’ll take care of her while you do.”
“See you tomorrow,” Regina said as she walked away.
I tossed my hand up and waved. “See you then.”
“Nice work, Cece,” Derek said when we were alone again.
“I thought that worked out rather nicely. I’m proud of myself.”
He chuckled.
“Now what do I do about the wallets?” I whispered.
“Buy one, of course,” Derek said.
The lady came back over. “So, have you made a decision on which one you’d like?”
“You know, now that I think about it, I’m really not much of a wallet person. So thanks anyway,” I said and hurried to get out the store.
Derek finally caught up with me. “That was completely awkward.”
“Well, at least I got out of there before I was forced to buy something that I don’t want and can’t afford.”
Solve a few more cases like this one and maybe I would actually be able to get something at that store.
Chapter 18
The next day, I had left work early so that I could come home and wait for Regina to arrive for our appointment. I had a recorder next to me on the table so that I could secretly record everything she said. I didn’t want to miss a word of it.
Just then the doorbell rang. I looked at the clock. It was still thirty minutes before she was supposed to arrive. I hoped she wasn’t early because I wasn’t quite ready. I rushed over to answer the door.
Derek was standing there with a big smile on his face. “Hello, honey, I’m home.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked.
He marched in without me even inviting him inside.
“You need a husband here. She’s not going to believe that you live here by yourself. Remember she thinks I’m your husband.”
“I can tell her you’re away on business. Or that you left me.”
“I would never leave you, dear,” he said, looking at me with a serious expression.
I felt completely uncomfortable. “Just don’t do anything funny and we’ll be fine.”
/>
“Great, so what’s for dinner?” he asked as he plopped down on the sofa.
I placed my hands on my hips. “Derek North, you know that you’re not supposed to act that way. Now stop it right this minute. I’m gonna call your mama and tell her what you did.”
He sat up straight. “All right, all right. I’ll behave. Just don’t tell Mom.”
That always worked. He didn’t want to have a scolding from his mother, even if he was a grown man. She had a way of talking to him unlike anyone. I really needed some pointers from her.
Just then the doorbell rang again.
“Okay, she’s here. Please be on your best behavior,” I said with a wave of my finger.
Derek gave me a little salute as I hurried over to the door.
I opened the door. “Hello, please come in.”
“Thank you for having me over. I’m really looking forward to helping you,” Regina said.
Regina looked the part of personal shopper. Her gray skinny jeans hugged her curves. The white and gray striped blouse plunged in the front revealing just the right amount of cleavage. Her black heels gave just the right edge to the outfit. She stepped in and looked around. A flirtatious look crossed her face when she saw Derek. Oh, please, I could do without the flirtation stuff. That was no way to treat your customer’s husband. Not that I was jealous or anything.
“We can have a seat over here at the table if you’d like. We can discuss everything.” I pointed.
“Sure, that would be great.”
We walked over to the white table and chairs.
“Can I get you something to drink? Maybe some sweet tea?” I asked.
“Do you have unsweetened?” she asked.
I chuckled. “Derek and I are from Savannah, we don’t know how to make tea without sugar.”
She forced a smile. “Right… well, sweet tea is fine. Though you really should watch the sugar.”
I stared at her for a moment. I would bite my tongue. My sugar consumption was hardly any of her concern.
“Derek, honey, could you please get us some sweet tea?”
He gave me a smirk and I gave the look back when she wasn’t watching.
“Two teas coming right up, honey,” he said as he walked across the room. He was staring at me the whole time.