Her eyes darkened and her smile widened. “Thanks but you’ve seen it all before,” she said in a sassy tone. She’d piled up her braids on top of her head with a clip. In the form fitting green suit, hair up, he thought she looked like a classic statue – and very beautiful. She tossed her clothes and his into a rented locker along with everything but a bottle of sunscreen.
Daniel let his gaze travel from her face down her body with slow deliberation. “Some things,” he said in his best Texas drawl. “don’t have any limits. What do you want to do first?”
“I don’t know,” Cecily said. “Wave pool, lazy river or water slide?”
If he didn’t discharge some energy soon, Daniel feared his desire for her might be evident through the shiny red swim trunks. “Let’s do the water slide. C’mon.”
He grasped her hand and took off running, something he hadn’t done except in pursuit in too damn long. They joined the queue and climbed the three stories of stairs. Near the top, Cecily peered down with a frown. “I didn’t know it would be this high,” she told him. Her voice quavered a little and he shot a closer look. Her hands twitched and she moved with restless agitation.
“Shit,” he said. “You’re scared of heights, aren’t you?”
Cecily faced him with deep, dark eyes. “I’m not scared of anything but no, I don’t like heights much and yes, I’m nervous.”
“Don’t look down,” he cautioned. “It’ll be over fast once we’re on the slide and at the bottom, I’ll grab you. You can swim?”
“Oh, yeah,” she said. Her cheeky grin returned. “I swim like a fuckin’ mermaid so I won’t drown.”
“Good,” Daniel told her. Although she joked, he felt an odd little pang at the idea anything could happen to Cecily. He knew all too well how fast death could strike unexpected. By then they were at the top of the slide and he followed her into the fast flowing slide. Her yips and shrieks delighted him so much he felt like a kid for those swift moments until they splashed into the deeper area at the bottom. As he’d promised, Daniel caught her and held her close for a moment. He wanted a kiss but they couldn’t block the way out so he put an arm around her waist instead. “It wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Her body trembled but she giggled. “No, I made it. But let’s do something else.”
They strolled around the water park, dripping wet, and when a slight breeze blew over them, enough to send a momentary chill through them both. “We forgot to bring towels,” he told her with a chuckle. Almost everyone else sported colorful beach towels, tied around their waist, draped over their shoulders, or carried.
She shrugged. “If we need some, they’ve got them in the shop over there. I want to stop and put some sunscreen on or I’ll get sunburned. You want some?”
Daniel opened his mouth to tell her ‘no’, explain his thick skin had weather sun, cold, and weather but then he considered she might apply it on his back. As he imagined her hands rubbing the cold lotion onto his skin, he changed his mind. “Sure, it’s a good idea.”
At the next vacant bench they found, Cecily sat down and poured some creamy white sunscreen into her hands. She rubbed them together and then massaged up her legs. She smeared some on the tops of her breasts rising out of the suit, on her throat, shoulders and face. Then she turned away from him and said, “Can you smear it on my back? I can’t reach it.”
Cecily offered temptation and although Daniel thought he should refuse, he didn’t. “Sure,” he told her. His large hands worked the lotion into her back, his touch lingering on her light bronze skin. He couldn’t resist a few caresses and once he let his fingers slide beneath the fabric to stroke her breast. Although she didn’t say anything, she leaned back into him and sighed, a soft, happy sound. When he’d done all he could, Daniel handed her the bottle. “Now it’s my turn,” he told her.
“Turn around, sugar.” Cecily squirted lotion into her hand and rubbed it across his back. The cool wetness contrasted with the hot sun beating down onto his skin. Her fingers worked it in with deft motions and then she massaged his shoulders with a confident, capable touch. Daniel felt his taut muscles ease as she continued. Tension ebbed as her fingers worked magic and he wanted to moan with pleasure. It wasn’t quite erotic but it still felt damn good. “Oh, god, that’s great,” he told her. Eyes shut tight he enjoyed the moment and almost forgot they were in a public place. When she finished, he failed to notice for a few moments and then opened his eyes to brilliant sunlight. Blinded, he stood up. “Thanks. Let’s float the lazy river.”
He grabbed an inner tube at the entrance point and handed her one. She sat down into the ring and headed down river into the current. Daniel parked his rear on his and followed Cecily. The cement channel offered enough depth to keep people afloat without dragging bottom and just enough momentum to keep moving. Already relaxed from her massage, Daniel thought the languid float might put him to sleep. He struggled to remain alert as he relished the experience. Ahead of him Cecily called back something but he couldn’t make out the words. They rode the river for a full three loops before she stood up and mouthed something he didn’t hear. Then she strode out of the water onto the edge. He followed and caught up, “Hey,” he said.
She understood his inquiry. “I’m going to the ladies’,” she told him and pointed. “After, I thought we’d try out the wave pool.”
“Sure,” he said and hoped she hadn’t realized how close he came to dozing.
In the wave pool, Cecily plunged out into the deepest area before the first series of artificially generated waves struck with force. Daniel hadn’t expected such a powerful rush and lost his footing until he floundered in the water. Cecily, caught swimming, rode the wave with a triumphant grin. She rolled past him and waded back. They spent a half hour, fifteen minutes too long for his taste in the wave pool. After the first two series of waves, Daniel decided the pool was overrated. By the time they left it to return to the lazy river, his body ached from being pummeled with force. They spent the rest of their time until the park closed on the lazy river, floating in tandem, close enough to talk and often touch.
At the end of the day he bought them each a neon hued bath sheet and after they’d dried off, changed back into their street clothes, Cecily tied up the wet suits into a neat package. The warm seats of the Ford provided comfort. “Ah,” he sighed. Daniel glanced at her, curled into the passenger seat, head back, eyes shut. “Did you have fun, Cecily?”
“Oh, yeah,” she said. “I loved every minute. Thank you, Daniel.”
“Sure,” he replied, somehow embarrassed by her thanks. “So, what now? Do you want me to take you to get your car or grab a bite or what?”
Her eyes popped open. “I forgot about my car,” she said with a dazed wonder. “Shit. I hope it’s still there.”
Daniel squelched a professional urge to gloat. If she had any clue about the auto theft stats, she’d squeal louder. “It is,” he told her. “I looked when we went past earlier.”
“I guess I need to go get the damn car or I won’t have a ride to the shop in the morning,” Cecily said. “Otherwise I’d ask you to come home and I’d fix something to eat.”
Why can’t she do it anyway? Aloud, he said, “I’d love it. I’m starving and I’d rather eat at your house than a restaurant. I live on fast food, frozen junk and canned stuff at home.”
“I’ll do you better than any of that crap,” she said. “The one thing I know I can do is cook. Why don’t you come on back with me, then, and I’ll whip up something. It’ll be good, I promise.”
He should refuse and he knew it. He’d gone too far already. If his supervisors should learn of his intimacy and down time with the subject of his investigation, Daniel’s career would suffer. There’d be a reprimand, at the least. But Cecily intoxicated him like liquor. He basked in her presence and ached for more on both a physical and emotional level. She reminded him of the man he’d once been, stirred his ashes back to life. “Sure,” he replied. “On the way I need to swing by the
motel and pick up some clean clothes. My shirt reeks of sunscreen.”
“No problem,” Cecily said. “Before or after I get my car?”
“Before,” Daniel told her. “The motel’s on the way.”
Until he turned into the place he’d almost forgotten what a total dump it was. The single story cinder block structure might’ve been nice sometime around 1968 or so but time hadn’t been kind. The place could use a paint job and Daniel suspected half the other ‘guests’ lived here, year round. When he checked into room six, dust coated the scarred dresser with the beat-up analog television set and stale air hung heavy in the space. “I’ll be right back,” he told Cecily as he parked.
Her lips puckered into a pout. “I can come with you.”
“God, no,” he said. “It’s a hell hole. I’ll be right back.”
Two steps into the room he heard his cell phone beep and picked it up to check for messages. His boss, Special Agent In Charge, Andrew Martin, had left two and with a guilty twinge for leaving the phone behind, Daniel listened to the brief message and then dialed Martin.
“Hey, it’s Padilla,” he said. “What’s up?”
“That’s exactly what I’d like to know. Did you find Ms. Brown?”
“Yeah, I’ve located her. She just opened a little boutique in Branson.” Stick to the truth and keep it basic.
“And?”
“I haven’t got much else, yet. I thought I’d go shopping Monday and see if I can get a good impression of her, scope out the place.”
“Sounds like a plan but don’t spook her. I don’t want her to run, Padilla. So far, we haven’t identified any other possible suspects in her ex-husband’s murder or the jewel theft so I need her available, understand?”
“Yeah, I do.” And it sounds like you’ve judged her without evidence, a trial or a jury which is too fucking bad because I think she’s as innocent as a little girl making first communion.
“Good. Keep in touch, Padilla. After you visit her shop Monday, call me.”
“Will do,” Daniel said. During the phone call, he’d gathered up clean clothes, his shaving kit, toothbrush and a few other essentials. After he ended the call, he shut off the phone but tucked it into his pocket. Sooner or later, he had a lot of explaining to do – both to Martin and to Cecily.
The lazy afternoon in the sun and water leached away most of his tension. Despite the brief phone call, Daniel remained more laid back than he could remember being for ages. He dropped her off at Pink Neon to pick up her car and trailed her back to her house. As he drove, fatigue crept over him, a good kind of tired and he relished the feeling.
At Cecily’s house, she took a quick shower. She reappeared wearing a sleeveless sundress and headed for the kitchen but paused for a moment. “You stay out until I tell you supper’s ready,” she told him. “I can’t cook with someone underfoot.”
“You mind if I take a shower?”
“I don’t mind at all,” she told him with a warm look. “Take your time. You look tired, sugar.”
“I am,” he admitted with a grin.
“So stretch out on the couch if you want,” she told him. “Just be sure you take off your shoes.”
Daniel laughed, pleased with her sass and spunk. He showered, shaved, and put on clean clothing. Domestic sounds issued from the kitchen, the rattle of pans, the noise of utensils put to use, and Cecily humming as she worked. He surveyed the small living room, sparse as his own place, and sprawled on the couch. The large crushed gold velvet sofa had to be decades old but appeared to be gently worn. He tucked a purple throw pillow under his head and exhaled as he got comfortable.
Before sleep crept into his consciousness, he noted the lack of personal touches. No framed photographs graced the bare, off white walls. Cecily hadn’t hung any mirrors or decorative accents. Daniel hadn’t seen a single knick-knack or figurine. There weren’t any fresh or artificial flowers on display. A jar candle sat on top of the entertainment center and he suspected she’d burned it for the pleasant scent. He sniffed the air and decided it must’ve been rose fragrance. Her bathroom had a hair dryer plugged into the sole outlet and there’d been a few health and beauty items sitting out on the counter but no other decoration. Although it had been dark and he’d been preoccupied, her bedroom lacked anything but a bed, a nightstand with a lamp, and a single straight chair. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear this was a safe house or that Cecily was a new member of the witness protection program. She didn’t bring anything from her previous life along, no pictures, no memorabilia, and no favorite things.
Either she’d owned nothing she wanted to hang onto or Cecily made a clean break. Daniel wondered which as he settled down, sleepy and relaxed. Damn, he couldn’t recall napping since he became an adult, ever, although he knew plenty of guys who treasured their weekend afternoon dozes. And the last time a woman cooked for him, it’d been either his mama or a co-worker’s wife. It sure as hell wasn’t Lisa. He thrust any thought of Lisa away before he could summon Mollie. He didn’t want to think about Mollie because it still hurt too much and summoned nothing but bad memories and negative vibes. Instead, Daniel focused on Cecily, her pretty face, the way she acted familiar with him, and how she’d made love with him with a beautiful intensity.
Sleep crept over him, delicious and seductive and he drifted. The pleasant sounds from the kitchen faded away and deep in dream country Daniel traveled into the past through a dream.
He drove up in front of the ramshackle house on Euclid Avenue, maybe a nice neighborhood a half-century earlier, not so nice now. Although he couldn’t see it, he heard the rusty chains of the beat-up old swing set in the backyard swing in the wind. On the front porch, his daughter Mollie rocked a baby doll in her arms, singing ‘Jesus Loves Me’. When she heard his car down slam, she glanced up and squealed. She ran to meet him in her almost ankle length dress, long hair flowing down her back. Two months ago, he celebrated her fourth birthday by taking her to Chuck E. Cheese’s but Lisa didn’t like it. She’d said it introduced Mollie to a sinful world and until today, Lisa hadn’t let him come over despite the court ordered visitation.
“Hello, Daddy,” Mollie said as he picked her up. She weighed very little and he could feel her thin body through the homemade dress, plain and unadorned. “Can we go eat pizza?”
“Not today, Niña,” he said. “We’re going to see the animals at the zoo.”
“Mama says we can’t go,” Mollie told him, her green eyes serious in her pale face. “She says you won’t come over any more.”
“I’ll always come to see you,” he told his little girl. “We’ll go to the zoo, then get a hamburger or some chicken nuggets.”
“How ‘bout ice cream?”
Daniel hugged her close. “Sure, ice cream too.”
“She’s not going anywhere with you.” The sharp voice cut into their conversation. He glanced up to see Lisa, hair pulled straight back and skewered on top of her head. She wore a shapeless dress too with a hem just above her ankles. The woman he’d known so briefly had spark and she’d known how to laugh. Back then, her hair fell free in masses of blonde curls and she chattered with happiness. She’d been pretty, then, in an old-fashioned, different way. When he met her, she’d been bucking her family’s Pentecostal traditions by going out into the real world and although she refused to see a movie or go out for a beer, Lisa made love with him one night. She let passion override her religious objections and Mollie happened. Daniel didn’t marry her but he acknowledged his child and when he moved to Kansas City as an FBI agent, he talked Lisa into relocating. He paid child support and saw his daughter as often as he could but Lisa retreated into the strict faith of her childhood. Their worlds clashed more often these days and Daniel did the best he could. Sometimes he dreamed of taking Mollie away so she could grow up normal, healthy and happy.
“Why not?” he asked.
“You do the devil’s work and I don’t want her around you anymore.”
Mollie clung
tighter to his neck and buried her face against his shoulder. He could feel her quiver. “Lisa, I don’t and you know it,” he began and then stopped. He couldn’t convince a mad woman of the realities. “Listen, she’s my daughter and I love her. I have the right to see her.”
“I want you to go away,” Lisa said. “You reek of sin and the world. I smell it on you. Put her down and leave.”
He resisted but after a few moments Lisa began to pray aloud, screaming and crying to her god for help. Then she babbled in tongues, supposed to be a gift of the Holy Spirit but it sounded like hogwash to Daniel. Mollie began to cry and then asked him to put her down. “It’ll make Mama stop,” she whispered. “I’ll see you another time, Daddy.”
After he released his daughter, she ran to her mother who scooped her up and still praying, went inside and slammed the door shut. Daniel waited for a moment or two then shrugged his shoulders and left. He bought some booze, went home and drank.
In his apartment he always kept a scanner running so if something happened, he’d have a heads up and he heard the fire call go out. He recognized the address and he drove back to Euclid Avenue, mumbling the prayers of his Catholic upbringing all the way. Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles blocked the street so he parked a block away and ran, his feet hitting the concrete sidewalks with force.
By the time he fetched up in front of the house, there wasn’t one, just a blackened, smoldering ruin. The flames had been dowsed but the smell of burning hung over the yard with thick intensity. And Daniel stood there when they brought out the bodies, Lisa’s and then the small, blackened figure of his daughter. Crazy with grief, eaten alive with guilt, he’d pushed his way forward and pulled away the sheet to see her. What he saw burned into his memory and imprinted there, unspeakable and horrific beyond words.
And in the dream as he had, he screamed.
Still hollering, Daniel woke with a jerk. He struggled to breathe and the nightmare clung to his consciousness until he thought he could smell the rank smoke and other odors. His throat hurt from the force of his outcry and in the first few moments, he had no idea where he was or why. Someone spoke, though, in a hushed voice brimming over with concern and said his name.
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