“It’s early,” Morgan announced as Chaz was making a quick calculation of the earnings based on the paper logs for that evening. “But it’s Friday. The room will be full in another hour.”
“If everything is on schedule, why did you call me?”
“Because Rick Benton called.” He watched Chaz perch on the edge of the desk and studied his reaction. There was barely any. “Someone important has been asking questions about what’s going on beneath the billiards tables.”
“Really?” Chaz rubbed his chin with interest. Rumors had been floating for months that Evan Mosley, a well-known local criminal, was looking for a way to expand his own gambling dens. He was apparently planning to absorb businesses that were already established and with a predictable clientele—but, most importantly, those businesses needed to be well-camouflaged and secure. In exchange for absorption, he was offering to provide additional security and back all bets with his own money. The current operator would only need to worry about keeping the dealers happy and splitting the profits.
Yes, Chaz was interested. For a variety of reasons.
“The guy in the gold tie at the blackjack table is his representative,” Morgan continued and nodded to the view through the glass. Chaz was already watching the room.
Gold Tie looked calm, but Chaz suspected otherwise. He was in unfamiliar territory, bringing a message that might not be well received, and with back-up that was probably in the pool hall since they wouldn’t have been admitted underground. The previous operator of the establishment had set into place an elaborate referral process that assured all patrons that the environment would remain selective as well as discreet and safe. Newcomers were never allowed to bring in unscreened guests.
Morgan went on to explain that Gold Tie had made inquiries at the upstairs bar for only a few minutes before asking to speak with Rick Benton, who in turn had called Morgan. Chaz trusted that Rick had done his job of checking the man’s references.
“Thanks,” was mumbled as Chaz pressed a button to let himself reenter the gaming area.
He walked to the bar in the far corner and had the tender pour bourbon on the rocks: it might be a long night. Then, he settled at the blackjack table and began what he knew would be the preliminary round of negotiations for a peaceful takeover of his illegal activities. The larger question, which he knew wouldn’t be addressed tonight, was whether Evan Moseley planned to take over the pool hall, too. Or, would he demand that Chaz run it as the legitimate face of what was hidden from all but a few well-known patrons? A package deal would be nice.
What he’d said earlier about not wanting the business to get sold outside of the family was a lie. His plan was to make a clean break from everything. He sipped his drink and wondered how to make Moseley’s representative think he was only cautiously interested in his boss’s offer.
~ ~ ~
At the same time, across town, Stephanie was slipping into a nightgown and wondering how long it would take for Chaz to see her again. Victor had dropped her at home less than an hour earlier, after they’d had dessert and a long conversation about their impressions of how the night had gone. She thought about what was said.
“What did you see?” Victor had asked his fiancée. All of them were very confident in Karen’s ability to perceive the energy fields that surround people and in her accuracy about determining the different colors that represented parts of the person’s mood or personality.
She had swallowed a chunk of ice cream before answering.
“Well, I’ve told you before that he’s a very sturdy green: powerful, intelligent, and detailed. But tonight, I mostly saw shades of orange, meaning he was very confident about the way the evening was progressing and he had a good feeling about Stephanie. Certainly, both of you noticed that he seemed to light up whenever she was talking.” Then, to her friend, she had further explained, “I also saw small bits of purple that make me think he’s probably going to be receptive to spiritual things. Anyway, he followed your every gesture with amazement and interest—and you are definitely spiritual.”
“You still see me as blues and violets, right?” Stephanie had asked. Those colors indicated her intuitiveness, calmness, and willingness to trust whatever life brings.
“Yep, that’s a good thing. Blues can sometimes balance greens; plus violets and oranges share a lot of traits. But regardless, both of you seemed to have had a good time.”
“Then, why did he leave so suddenly?” Victor had wanted to know. Karen shrugged.
They all thought about the phone call from the pool hall. Maybe it had flipped him from being able to just relax back into being that very strong person who needed to take charge.
As she was turning off the bedside lamp and pulling the covers to her waist, Stephanie knew that her friend wouldn’t accept that as an excuse. Karen might wait a couple of weeks, but eventually she’d walk into the pool hall and boldly hand Chaz a slip of paper with Stephanie’s phone number and a chastisement to stop wasting time. That would be typical of Karen.
CHAPTER THREE
Karen wouldn’t see Chaz anytime soon. Two weeks after the blind date, Victor Matthews Jr. was born and everyone’s attention was understandably captured by the baby and the couple’s decision to finally set a wedding date. Actually, it was Karen’s decision since she had been the one delaying the inevitable, claiming the formality could never improve on the connection and comfort she and Victor shared.
One month. That’s all the time Karen was giving her family and friends to prepare for the ceremony; not that there was a lot of work to do. The bride-to-be insisted that there would be one bridesmaid and the best man. The event would be held at a cousin’s restaurant that had a banquet room with a dance floor and an informal ceremony would be performed by Victor’s aunt. Judge Aunt, he liked to joke. Invitations were printed within a couple of days and in the mail exactly three weeks prior to the occasion. The rest of the month was spent finalizing details Karen had checked into many months before: baker, photographer, deejay, and florist.
“You’re gorgeous,” Stephanie told her friend as she helped her into the antique white, Victorian-style wedding dress whose high waist and flowing layers were perfect for the new mom’s figure.
“I’m fat,” she countered with a light laugh. “But it’s fine because I already have the man and the baby. A certificate is just a technicality that Victor won’t let me put off any longer. But then, you already know that.” Yes, it was a conversation the women had had several times. And Karen’s general upbeat personality was only bolstered by Stephanie’s assurances that she’d foreseen a happy future for the young family. “It’s good having a friend with psychic abilities.” Karen smiled broadly now and studied that friend’s warm expression.
“Tell me you’ve seen something good for yourself,” she urged as Stephanie made Karen turn so that she could fasten a huge drooping bow onto the back of the dress.
“Today isn’t about me.”
“He’s coming today, isn’t he?” Stephanie was silent but she was glowing. “I’m right, aren’t I?” Karen laughed. “You’ve had a dream, haven’t you?”
“All right—yes. I dreamed that we were dancing and I was wearing this dress. Everything else was hazy, but we were definitely here.” She didn’t say that she’d had the dream twice in the past few weeks or that her sense of connection to Chaz had only gotten stronger because of the dreams. Stephanie’s instincts about him kept her patient, despite the fact that she hadn’t seen him. She took a deep breath and tried to contain her excitement.
Yes, she was looking forward to seeing Chaz, but her friends were getting married in a few minutes. Nothing could make her happier than that. She double-checked the wedding dress and Karen’s make-up before giving her a kiss and going to make sure everything else was in place.
The banquet room was set with round tables along three sides and seating for the ceremony placed along the remaining wall. Gold and cream decorations brought a lot of lightness to th
e burgundy carpet and upholstered chairs. Karen’s dress flowed around her as she walked toward the altar. A happy groom, also in antique white, reached for her hands as they turned to face each other. The vows were short but so touching that nearly everyone teared up. And then, with the lighting of the unity candle, the ceremony was over and they were officially Mr. and Mrs.
It didn’t take long for the restaurant staff to move the chairs from their initial location to the sidelines while the deejay was changing the mood with soft traditional reception music. And then there was the first dance for the couple. Stephanie stood near the doorway and was happy for her friends.
“You’ll have to save a dance for me,” a voice said from close behind her. Chaz placed a hand on her shoulder and she placed her hand on top of his.
“Just one?” she quietly asked with a smile, still without turning.
“As many as you’ll let me have,” he clarified.
They silently watched the newlyweds. Their hands touching felt as intimate as a kiss. Chaz didn’t understand the quiet comfort between him and Stephanie, but he wasn’t about to break it. Somehow, it made him feel as he had that night at the restaurant: connected. And, when she eventually turned to face him, he was reminded of the confidence and warmth he’d also seen on that blind date—warmth that drew him.
When he opened his mouth to apologize for not having contacted her, she cut him off and reminded him that they hadn’t exchanged phone numbers and that everyone had been very busy since then.
“Besides,” her eyes smiled at his, “I knew we’d see each other again.” She shrugged. “Things happen the way they’re supposed to. So, here we are.”
“Yeah, here we are.” He pulled her aside as another couple squeezed through the traffic around the doorway and wondered whether her skin felt as soft as the gold silk of her thigh-length dress. He couldn’t resist running his hands along her bare arms, sighing when she gave him a knowing smile, or feeling lost in the moment.
Chaz stayed by Stephanie’s side through the buffet line, sat with her at a table near the happy couple, and held her close on the dance floor. He knew a few other guests, friends of Victor’s who had played pool with the newlyweds, and they introduced him to other friends, including several young women that he assumed were also single. He was characteristically pleasant toward everyone. But Chaz was barely paying attention; he wanted to be with Stephanie. She was why he’d come.
She was periodically busy interacting with the restaurant staff and coordinating with the photographers. But whenever he looked for her among the crowd of well-wishers, their eyes met and she smiled at him from across the room. As had been the case all those weeks earlier, he was captivated by the sincerity he saw in them. She was clearly not insecure about letting her emotions be exposed, unlike the deceptions that normally surrounded him. He sipped iced tea and reprimanded himself for not being strong enough to resist seeing her again.
Thoughts about his job got pushed aside as he crossed the room and easily pulled her into an embrace. Music was still playing, wasn’t it? He wasn’t sure when she ran a finger along the edge of his jaw in a way that was intimate without being inappropriate. And the desire that passed between them made him uncharacteristically lonely.
No, his coming tonight wasn’t a good idea.
“It’s okay,” he heard her say.
“What?” The words had caught him off guard.
“Not knowing what you want to do is okay.” She moved closer. “Just dance with me.”
And he did. Exclusively. For the rest of the evening.
“I feel like the night is ending too soon,” he admitted around 11:00. “Can we go somewhere and talk?” He wasn’t prepared for the disappointment that hit him as Stephanie shook her head and explained that she still needed to take care of matters for the married couple. Then she kissed him very lightly before smiling and reciting her phone number.
“No excuses next time,” came out with a laugh.
Next time. Chaz reluctantly released her hand and forced a smile as she turned away. There really shouldn’t be a next time, but he knew there would be. He opened his cell phone and saved the number under her initials. The fact that the phone divulged no names was a reminder of the life he would need to protect her from.
His phone vibrated with a text message from an unidentified number: MIDNIGHT. BOWLING ALLEY.
Less than an hour from now, he’d be sitting with Evan Moseley discussing the business of illegal gambling. And he’d better not think about these past few hours of fantasy with the woman who was happily supervising the removal of the pile of wedding gifts.
His face clouded over as he walked out of the restaurant and slid behind the wheel of his car. He placed a quick phone call before starting the engine and heading to an urgent meeting in advance of the rendezvous with Moseley.
CHAPTER FOUR
Stephanie wanted to scream but the sound wouldn’t push through her shock.
In her mind’s eye, she could see Chaz’s body pitch sideways as the bullet struck his chest, high but near his heart. Pain exploded in her own. She was having trouble breathing. Where was he? An alley? No, a parking lot. The person who shot him was running away: blue jeans and brown jacket getting into a dark green Ford. Light colored eyes flashed at her, illuminated by the single security light that was perched at the corner of the building. What building?
Chaz was moving. He was alive.
That was when she woke up from the dream.
She took several deep breaths to calm her racing heart. This wasn’t the first time she’d had that dream; it had come to her three nights ago. And while it had scared her then, she’d actually convinced herself that it hadn’t meant anything. The details had been fuzzier and the shock had subsided almost immediately. That wasn’t the case tonight—everything had been frighteningly clear and she had somehow been physically linked. Her chest still hurt as if she were the one who’d gotten shot.
Near-panic crept over her. A couple of weeks had passed since the wedding and he hadn’t contacted her. She chastised herself for not getting his phone number; at least she would be able to call and make sure he was all right.
Another thought hit her and made her shiver. The dream had happened at night. Was it occurring as she was dreaming it? Or, was there still time to warn him?
Stephanie extricated herself from the sheet that had gotten tangled around her legs, climbed out of bed, and went to the kitchen. Lots of ice and a little water. She leaned against the counter while slurping down the liquid before popping a miniature cube into her mouth and chomping down on it. What should she do?
She’d find the pool hall, tell him to be careful, explain about her gift—and hope he wouldn’t laugh in her face. If he did, it wouldn’t be the first time she’d been doubted.
Her most recent ex-boyfriend, Justin, had scoffed when she’d told him that his sixteen-year-old sister was pregnant and planning to run away with the baby’s twenty-year-old father. But he wasn’t laughing after he’d gotten off the phone with the teenager; he’d spent nearly an hour convincing her that he would help tell their parents and bring her to stay with him until she could sort everything out. When he’d ended the call he’d been upset about his sister, but confused and afraid about Stephanie’s unusual ability.
“Only con artists claim to see the future,” he’d accused.
“And prophets,” she’d corrected. “I’m neither, but I do have the same gift.
“Gift? Is that what you call it?” More angry words had come from him. Frightened thoughts jumbled together until he was thoroughly convinced he didn’t want to be around her.
It was okay. They’d only been dating for a few months and weren’t really attached. Besides, this scene had played out in Stephanie’s dreams a couple of weeks earlier. She’d been prepared for everything he’d done and said.
Chaz’s situation was different. Not only had the dream caught her off guard with its intensity and its urgency, she’d felt indistin
guishable from him. She didn’t understand how she was so attached that she’d felt what he was experiencing. Stephanie replayed every detail of the dream: his distractedness, the instant he became aware that he wasn’t alone, a strange power the moment he thought to react, the flash of the gun being fired and physical impact of the bullet, the shock and fear, the gasp when his body hit the ground, and the relief when he realized he was still alive. She was used to recalling details, but hadn’t been prepared for knowing every emotion—or feeling them.
But her confusion didn’t matter. She still had to find him and tell him.
She crunched another piece of ice and tried to imagine what the scene would be like. Her mind wouldn’t let her. It could only see his body spinning around from the impact of a bullet.
~ ~ ~
After work, she drove to the neighborhood she’d thought Karen had mentioned as being where the pool hall was located. No way was Stephanie going to ask her friend for the address or reveal that she was linked to Chaz. Not yet. Karen would worry that his danger would extend to Stephanie. No, she’d handle this alone.
She found the billiards room easily enough, but Chaz wasn’t there. He probably wouldn’t be in for a couple of days, the bartender told her.
So, she waited three days and went back. When she walked into the building at nearly 8:00, the bar side was full of people and there were nearly as many bodies at the billiards tables. The tastefully arranged establishment was obviously popular and successful. She scanned both areas in an effort to find him.
He had seen her first and couldn’t mistake the concern on her face. Chaz excused himself from the person he was talking with and was already heading directly toward her when she looked in his direction. He didn’t miss seeing the moment she noticed the sling supporting his left arm or the sadness that filled her eyes when theirs met.
“It’s nothing,” he dismissed as he reached her.
Premonitions: Dream Catcher Series ~ Book 1 Page 2