Death and Deceit

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Death and Deceit Page 4

by Carol Marlene Smith


  “That he’s free game? You’re right. He obviously doesn’t consider himself my boyfriend.”

  Jessie didn’t wish to hurt Liz, and normally she would never have dated someone who Liz liked. But, something was different with Kent. When he laid those eyes on her she couldn’t think straight. And she wanted more. She wanted lunch with him. She wanted to be near him. The feeling he created inside of her was just too powerful to resist. She had to take a chance on losing Liz’s friendship, because she couldn’t take a chance on not seeing Kent again.

  Jessie tried to compromise. “It’s only lunch, Liz. Probably next time he’ll ask you again. Maybe that’s the kind of play-the-field- guy he is.” Jessie tried to make Liz feel better, but in doing so she made herself doubt Kent, and she hoped with all her heart that what she was saying about him wasn’t the truth.

  “You’re probably right. Does he think we’re twits? He’s not fooling me...that’s no client.”

  Jessie eyed the beautiful redhead sharing a laugh with Kent. Her heart went cold, but she turned a warm smile on Liz and her faltering voice replied, “Doesn’t look like a client relationship to me either.”

  “I saw her with him yesterday too.” Liz raised her coffee cup. “May the best woman win,” she said clicking cups with Jessie.

  “No hard feelings then?” Jessie asked.

  Liz smiled. “Of course not.” But inside Liz was seething. Jessie wasn’t getting this guy without a fight, not if she could do anything to encourage him her way. Just as two lunch specials arrived at their table, Liz pushed back her chair and rose. “I’ll get the check for mine,” she said. “But I can’t stay. I’ve too much work waiting for me.”

  “You want take out then?” The waitress asked.

  “That’s fine,” Liz said dropping a tip by her plate.

  Jessie glared at her. “Liz, we just got here.”

  “You just got here. I’ve been waiting for fifteen minutes for you. Sorry, gotta run. See you later.”

  Liz stood at the counter drumming her fingers, while she watched the waitress put her meal in a brown paper sack.

  Jessie turned back to her plate in confusion. What in the world was Liz’s problem anyway? She never worried about being late before. She had to be upset over Kent. Well, that would explain things. Poor Liz. But what was a girl supposed to do? Deny her heart for a friend? She watched Liz leave the restaurant and felt guilty.

  “So, you’re alone.”

  Jessie turned back and gazed at Kent. He grinned. “My...client left. May I join you?”

  Jessie noticed he looked a little sheepish too. She motioned for him to sit. “Liz is mad at me.”

  Kent edged into a chair opposite her. “Oh?”

  “Don’t act surprised. You dated her didn’t you?” Jessie couldn’t believe she was being so bold with someone she’d just met, and someone so important to her, for whatever reason she was yet trying to figure out.

  “I did,” he said, seriously. “But only once. One lunch, one dinner.”

  “And, one kiss?”

  He grinned. “You share.”

  “She’s my best girlfriend. We don’t keep secrets.”

  The grin grew. “Okay. There was a kiss.”

  “And, you left her hanging.”

  Kent laughed out loud, then he saw that Jessie was serious. He grew serious too. “Jessie, I hardly know you. But I want to be honest. I like Liz and we had a good time. But I also like you and I want to see you again.”

  “That’s what I told Liz. That you were a person who plays the field.” She couldn’t believe she was being so blunt. It was like someone had given her a truth serum and she couldn’t stop making her point.

  Kent wanted to laugh again, but he didn’t dare. Jessie was really serious looking. He wondered how he could redeem himself. He decided he had to be totally honest too. He’d play her game and hope it worked. He shook his head. “I’m not like that at all. If I’d never met you today, I’d probably have asked Liz out again. But I hardly saw her at the table. My eyes were only for you.”

  Jessie dropped the fork with a piece of fish still stuck in the tines. She rose, fumbling with her purse strap.

  “Wait!” He clasped her hand and looked up at her. A little-boy grin was all over his face, and he looked like he was about to ask permission for something important. “Would it be possible for us to have dinner together rather than to wait for another whole day for lunch time? Like maybe seven?”

  With his words hanging in the air, Jessie could have sworn that every word was musical. He wanted to see her tonight, so much more romantic than lunch, and so much nearer in time. She was breathless. “I’d love to,” she whispered. “I live on Willow...242. Apartment 403.” She slipped her hand from his and waltzed dreamily out the door, barely remembering the journey from the restaurant to the health club. She was no longer earthbound. That day Jessie became a pro at her job. She must have, because she went through the movements in all three afternoon classes and never once took her mind off Kent.

  ****

  At home she dazedly punched the elevator buttons and it wasn’t until she shut herself inside her apartment that she shouted, “Yes! I think I’m in love.” Then she fell apart.

  Trembling and shaking she took a shower, then wondered how to make her short, uninteresting hair look sexy. She brushed it, gelled it, pulled on it. The end result was not what she’d had it mind. It was just impossible she decided, slipping a tiny black dress over her head. She wore pearls her dad and mom had given her on her sixteenth birthday. At that time she had wondered what she’d ever do with them. By six- thirty she was ready and sitting on the sofa, hoping her hands wouldn’t sweat and her hair wouldn’t droop too much. Having long hair had never been a problem, she’d had it all her life and had been happy with it. If it hadn’t been for Mike she probably would still have it. Were men really worth all the worry anyway?

  The door buzzer startled her and she jumped from the sofa. She’d never in her life gone through anything such as this. Her relationship with Mike had started out easy, just sort of friendly. It had given her time to be ready when love started to grow. After Mike there had been others, but Jessie was reluctant to give her heart so easily the next time, until Kent appeared.

  The buzzer again. Jessie had frozen in the centre of the room but the buzzer got her going. She let him in and he bent, kissing her hand with a smooth caress of his lips. Her heart fluttered and she swallowed dryly. What a beautiful man. His blond hair cut short in back but longer in front, was now parted neatly off centre.

  “Hi,” he said releasing her hand. “Am I late?” This afternoon she’d just looked short and cute, but tonight her clear skin and fine bone structure looked three-dimensional against the body-moulding black dress. And the provocative spikes in her auburn hair gave her a sleek and complicated look. Her wide brown eyes that had earlier held a touch of apprehension had now turned sexy with lashes that went on forever.

  “No, you’re actually early.” Jessie smiled widely and fumbled with her wrap. He quickly helped her drape it around her shoulders, and they took the elevator to the main floor.

  The dining room at the Royal Palace was small but had a high ceiling. Paintings in gilded frames lined the walls displayed against a soft, blue patterned wall covering. A large, fieldstone fireplace was centred in the far wall. In the heat of the night it looked forlorn and empty, like a house when all the occupants are away.

  Kent pulled out one of the captain’s chairs for Jessie, while a waiter in a stiff, white suit with a red bow tie hovered over the table. “Drink?” he asked.

  Jessie looked at the waiter. He was of average stature but his wrists and hands were larger than normal for his size, making the wine bottle he carried look dwarfed. His smile was hesitant and she wondered if he was new.

  “A white wine for me,” she said.

  Kent seated himself across from her. “The same for me.” He smiled at her as if he agreed whole heartedly with her choice o
f drink.

  “This is one of the finest restaurants in town,” she said to him, as he watched her with adoring eyes.

  “You approve then?” he asked, smoothing down his tie in a nervous gesture.

  “You have good taste, Kent.”

  “Yes, I’m with you aren’t I?”

  Jessie blushed. “I’m nothing special.”

  “You’re blushing. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so corny. I’m nervous though. I’m twenty-eight years old and I feel like this is my first date.”

  Jessie gaped at him. “You too?”

  Two gold-rimmed dinner plates arrived, scrumptiously arranged with a salmon dish they’d both agreed on, and the waiter fussed around, pouring wine for testing. Kent approved the choice and the waiter left. He raised his glass. “To a wonderful evening,” he said.

  Jessie drank to that, sipping her wine with caution. She didn’t want to overdue it and get silly, not on her first date with Kent.

  Later, when the dinner was finished, Kent pushed aside his plate and leaned his chin on his hands. In the discreetly lit dining room his eyes seemed to smoulder as he watched her. Jessie dropped her napkin on her plate and shifted uncomfortably in Kent’s steadied gaze. She breathed a sigh of relief when the waiter interrupted the moment by wondering if they preferred coffee and dessert now.

  “Just coffee for me,” she said, and Kent nodded his agreement.

  Jessie glanced around the nearly deserted room. They were practically alone to enjoy their coffee in solitude. Their table seemed to form a little island, so private she found the intimacy almost agitating.

  Then Kent asked her to dance. And while they danced the room seemed to fill up again with diners and dancers. And the evening took on a glow that was everything she’d hoped for. She relaxed in his arms and her earlier trepidation floated away. Not once did Jessie think of Liz. Not while they enjoyed their dinner, not while they danced, with him holding her against him, and certainly not when he took her home and gave her the passionate kiss that she’d earlier dreamed about in the restaurant at lunch time.

  She dreamed of him that night, and only had to wait until noon to see him again. But instead of lunching at a restaurant, Kent came prepared with a picnic basket.

  “Thought we’d go the park, if that’s okay with you,” he said holding out the basket. “And just so you know in case you were worried about it, I paid your lunch tab yesterday.”

  Jessie’s hand flew to her face in a surprised manner. “Oh, my God! I guess I just walked out. I…I totally forgot!”

  Kent laughed. “So you want to go to the park?”

  “Yes, I’d love to. Where is it? And by the way, thanks for taking care of that.”

  Kent laughed again. “Not a problem. The park is a small one just a couple of blocks over.” He hung the basket on one arm and held out his other arm for Jessie to link. They walked arm and arm towards the park. It began with a gravel path between two rows of trees bordered by lawns. The branches were loaded with new spring leaves and the trunks were stained with a plump mossy covering. Flowers bloomed against the dark earth next to the path. Jessie felt exultant. They walked hand in hand down the path separating the lawns. The path turned and a full figure of an old sculpture loomed out from a hedge. It was a lady holding a babe in her arms, almost possessively as if someone would tear it from her at any moment. Jessie stopped in her tracks and Kent had to also, otherwise she would have pulled her hand from his, and he didn’t want that. Not today of all days.

  As Jessie admired the Madonna form, Kent’s eyes dropped to the freshly-dug bed at the statue’s feet. It shone with beautiful petunias ranging from a light mauve to a deep purple. He couldn’t resist bending and plucking the deepest, darkest one for her beautiful shining hair.

  “That’s sweet,” she gushed, her eyes moving from the statue and resting upon his face.

  They continued down the path, strode off the gravel finally and relaxed on a garden bench. The green branches of a large willow, now in full weeping bloom, shaded their retreat.

  “I can’t believe I’ve never been here before,” Jessie said.

  He smiled at her. “You work too hard. The park’s been within your reach. You’re just down the street.”

  “And usually I walk home,” she said. “But my apartment is in the opposite direction. I don’t often spend much time in this part of town, except when I lunch with Liz.”

  Just then a woman walked by pushing a young child in a stroller. Jessie stared at the little girl with blonde curls that glowed like a shining halo.

  “You seem to have a fascination for children,” Kent observed. “Is it your motherly instinct kicking in?”

  Jessie knew she was blushing now. She smiled, still looking on as the mother and child moved away down the path. “I hardly think so,” she said in defence of her actions. “I like children but I’m certainly not ready for any. The commitment is huge, and I’m still trying to learn how to look after me.”

  “You’re doing a good job, aren’t you?”

  “Not really. I’m teaching aerobics after four years of university.”

  “Getting a job isn’t easy these days. You’ll get into your chosen field soon, I know. What was it you do again?”

  “I’m a librarian or should be.”

  Kent leaned back and slapped a fly off his knee. “It just so happens,” he said, “that in a couple of weeks I’m scheduled to do a check on the computers at the city library. I’ve been there before and I know my way around. I could scout for you...see if there’s any openings coming up. Put a good word in, you know? That is if you want me to, Ms Albright.”

  His smile was infectious and Jessie found herself giggling. “And what do I have to do in order to repay you for this kind gesture, Mr. Morgan?”

  “I’ll start with a kiss.” He leaned towards her in anticipation, and she didn’t disappoint him. Their lips met in a sweet tremor with Jessie feeling a little conspicuous kissing in public.

  Kent pulled back and looked at her. “That’s a good start. A down payment. I’ll collect more later… I hope.”

  Jessie brushed nervously at her hair. “We’d better collect our lunch before I have to get back to work.”

  Kent leaned down and picked up the basket. “It’s collected. How about on the grass over there?”

  Jessie nodded and they walked to a grassy knoll.

  While Kent opened the basket and distributed sandwiches and drinks on the grass, Jessie sniffed a subtle scent in the air — a dark, richness of earth like from a greenhouse only headier. The scent of summer. The fragrance pouring from the park was overwhelming her senses, and she felt weightless, light-hearted, and maybe just a little in love.

  Kent had parked his car near the restaurant where they’d first met. He walked Jessie backed to the car then drove her to work.

  “See you tonight?” he asked, while sticking his head out the car window as she climbed the stairs of her work building.

  “I thought you’d never ask,” she called back.

  “I’ll pick you up. What time?”

  “Seven?”

  “Is that what time you get off work?”

  “No. Six.”

  “Then I’ll be here. Six it is.”

  ****

  Jessie hurried out the door glancing at her watch. 6:10 and she’d been running late today. Ever since lunch she’d found it hard to concentrate on her afternoon classes. All she could think of was the park and the heady scent of flowers. She pushed on the heavy door and descended the stairs. It was another hot day. Her apartment would be steaming again. She really didn’t want to go there until the sun dropped.

  Kent waited in his silver car. When she got in, the air conditioning blasted her. “Thank God,” she said. “I’m wilting.”

  “Yeah, you look a bit undone. You wouldn’t have a swim suit on, would you?”

  Jessie turned and grinned at him. It seemed he could read her thoughts. And the thought right now of a cool ocean
breeze was at the top of her list. “Not really. But I have one inside.”

  “Go get it. That is if you want to go to the beach.”

  “Sure,” she said, her hand on the car door latch. “I’ll just be a minute.”

  Jessie was back in a flash carrying a small tote bag. “Got your swim trunks?” She grinned.

  “I’m prepared,” he answered, while edging the car out onto the street and into emerging traffic.

  Jessie leaned back on the soft leather seat. She closed her eyes and listened to the vocals from a tape Kent was playing. If not for you I’d be undone. I feel like life has just begun...She felt a smile play across her lips. This was living. This was life.

  Kent leaned back as well, his left hand on the steering wheel, while his right hand drummed along with the melody of the song. He glanced across at Jessie’s sereneness. He’d take this woman anywhere if she asked to go. He’d go to the ends of the earth for her and that surprised him. He had always been courteous and mannerly, taught by his mom to respect and uphold a woman’s feelings and desires, but he had just never felt it so intuitively before. They climbed the long hill of Pine Street and headed down towards the water. Turning left at Clayton and following the harbour, Kent sped quickly past the city streets and drove into the sandy area of Treemont Park.

  Jessie opened her eyes and sat erect. She glanced at Kent, throwing him a huge smile then gazed out at the watery horizon.

  “Race you to the change houses,” Kent yelled as he jumped from the car and slammed his door. Jessie grabbed her tote bag and followed him.

  Soon they were standing on the shore watching the waves lap gently at their toes. A white sun danced across the water, as the water rose and fell in great swells in the distance. A sailboat drifted aimlessly and crossed in front of the sun, creating its own reflection there to mingle with the array of deep golds and oranges. The white sails seemed to beckon from the azure distance.

  Kent grabbed Jessie’s hand and pulled her into the water. Before long they were swimming and laughing and splashing each other. Later, they walked to a selected spot on the thick sand. Kent spread a blue blanket and gestured for Jessie to relax. The sun, hot and drowsy, caressed her back as she eased onto the sand, burying her face into a small, red cushion he’d brought from the car. The next caress she felt was from warm hands slick with sun screen. Long fingers rubbed the lotion in sensuous streaks over the exposed area of her back.

 

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