Leap of Faith

by Arianna Hart

  Jane took a step towards the main door but Detective Stalanski stopped her.

  “I’ll need to get some information from you first while they’re dusting for prints. Could you come with me?”

  Jane nodded. They crossed the threshold of the common entryway and she gasped. Both her door and Mr. D’Angelo’s had been smashed open.

  More police officers crowded into the two condos. A skinny man with a Red Sox hat on backwards took pictures as other men and women crawled on the floor and spoke in low tones.

  Detective Stalanski tried to move her to the alcove near the mailboxes, but Jane stopped dead when she saw her home. Or what was left of it. Family portraits lay on the floor, frames broken and the glass shattered. Her micro-fiber couch was sliced open and multi-colored throw pillows vomited stuffing.

  The refrigerator had been knocked over. Food and milk spilled over her white tile floor. The destruction was amazingly thorough.

  “What did they take?” Jane’s throat closed up and the words came out in a squeak.

  “That’s what I want to talk to you about. The thieves didn’t take your stereo or TV or any other easily fenced electronics. It appears they were searching for something specific.” He flipped open his notebook and slipped a pen out of his pocket. “This isn’t your usual smash and grab. A job like this must have taken a long time, especially when you figure they did it to your neighbor too.”

  “But what could they be searching for? I don’t keep money in my house.”

  “You’re a doctor, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you keep any prescription pads or drugs around?”

  “I’m a psychologist, not a medical doctor. I can’t prescribe medications. And I only have over-the-counter meds in the house.” She’d gotten rid of the sleeping pills when she started depending on them every night in order to get to sleep. Being overtired was better than being addicted.

  Jane let herself be led away from the carnage. Her brain spun in disbelief. Mr. D’Angelo’s house was just as bad. How could someone, why would someone, do that much damage?

  Jane answered Detective Stalanski’s questions in a daze. Marital status? Divorced. Any recent fights or altercations? No. Any clients hold grudges? Any jilted boyfriends? No.

  “What do you know about your neighbor, Luther D’Angelo?”

  “Not much.” Other than he had a steady stream of female companions warming his sheets. “He’s gone a lot.”

  “You’re telling me this guy has lived across from you for,” He glanced at his notebook, “a year and you’ve never been over to his place?” He raised a shaggy eyebrow at her. “Never shared a drink or maybe caught a movie or something?”

  “No.” She didn’t elaborate. If he thought it was weird she didn’t socialize with her neighbor that was his problem.

  “Hey, Detective, we’re all done in here,” a man wearing latex gloves and a blue windbreaker called from her doorway.

  “Thanks.” Detective Stalanski waved the man off and snapped his notebook closed. “Why don’t you take a look around and see if you can find anything missing. If you’d like, I can have one of our female officers wait with you while you pack an overnight bag. You’ll want to stay with a friend tonight.”

  “Yes, of course.” She’d stay in a hotel. Most of her friends were colleagues from work, or social friends, but not confidants she’d feel comfortable sharing this unsettling experience with.

  “If you call the department they can give you the names of some cleaning services. You’ll also need to pick up a copy of the report for your insurance company.”

  The detective prattled on but Jane didn’t hear him over the blood rushing in her ears. Her porcelain cat figurines had been broken into a million pieces. The vases of dried flowers she’d arranged were nothing but dust. Even her plants had been ripped apart.

  Every drawer and cabinet in her kitchen was tossed, the same with her bathroom and bedroom. Jane stepped carefully over broken glass and picked her hairbrush off the floor. All her lotions and hair care products had been dumped out. Even her toothpaste tube was slashed open.

  Her closets had been ransacked and her clothes scattered about the room. She had to maneuver around her mattress, which was thrown to the floor, to get to her dresser. A chill shook her as she picked up her underwear. Someone had pawed through her panties and bras.

  The thought of putting them on after some sicko fondled them turned her stomach. She knew it was irrational, but she’d rather buy new ones than wear those.

  Most of her clothes were covered in broken glass from where the thieves had destroyed her mirror and picture frames. The only items to escape unscathed were a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that were in the dryer. Every suit, sweater, dress and jacket would have to go to the cleaners to make sure all the slivers of glass were removed.

  Hot tears trickled down her cheeks. Why would someone do something like this to her?

  “Ma’am, if you’re ready I’ll walk you out.” A young, female officer waited for her by the door.

  Jane wiped her eyes with her hands and took a quick, shaky breath to get herself back under control. “Thanks.”

  The officer walked her to the door. Jane waved her off and headed to her car. As she drove out of the parking lot she began to make a list. Tomorrow she’d have to go shopping and replace some of the basic necessities like underwear and—

  A hand clamped over her mouth.

  “Don’t say a word. Just drive.”

  ***

  Luther “Lex” D’Angelo watched in the review mirror as his neighbor’s eyes widened. There was a fifty-fifty chance that she’d panic and drive them straight into a tree, but he had to take the risk. If someone had found where he lived, they’d recognize his car too and follow him.

  He didn’t know what the hell was going on, but he understood when someone was after him. What they’d want with his uptight neighbor, he had no idea.

  The emergency recall came to him twenty-four hours ago and he’d come out of deep cover immediately. Changing four planes and two time zones without any sleep or information left him tired, grubby and more than a bit pissed off. He needed a shower, sleep and answers. Not necessarily in that order.

  “I’m going to take my hand away, don’t scream or you could get us both killed.”

  The whites of her eyes showed as she widened them even more. Christ, if she got any more panicked she’d freaking hyperventilate. He dropped his hand, but didn’t sit back in the seat. No, he wanted to be nice and close in case she decided to turn around and report him to the cops.

  “Who are you? What do you want?” she asked, her voice tight.

  “What? You don’t recognize your own neighbor? I’m crushed.” He made eye contact with her in the rearview mirror.

  She slammed on the brakes and he almost flew over the seat.

  “Jesus, lady! Be careful, you almost killed us both!”

  Her hand left the steering wheel and fluttered around her face. “What are you doing in my car, scaring me like that? I almost had a heart attack when you wrapped your hand over my mouth.” She turned to look at him. “Do you know your place was broken into? We should go back and talk to the police—”

  “No! No police.” He loomed over her, trying to intimidate her. “Get moving. Now.”

  Her hands flitted like startled butterflies.

  For a brief second he felt bad about freaking her out, but got over it. They needed to get the hell out of here and if it took him scaring the bejeezus out of her, then so be it.

  “Where do you want me to go?”

  “Just drive, I’ll let you know when to turn.”

  When they merged into traffic, Lex hauled his exhausted body into the passenger seat and pushed the bags occupying it on the floor. He made sure his gun was still in place under his jacket before leaning back against the seat. It wasn’t his usual weapon, but he hadn’t had time to get his SIG through customs so he’d had to abandon it.

  “
Where were you headed?” he asked.

  “I was going to find a hotel for the night.”

  Her eyes kept darting towards him as if waiting for him to attack her. Every time he moved she jumped. Good. If she stayed scared she wouldn’t argue as much. Maybe.

  Lex didn’t know how much longer her fear would keep the broomstick out of her ass, but he’d enjoy it while it lasted. It wouldn’t be long before she returned to looking down her snooty nose at him again. Abject terror could only do so much.

  “That works for me. I could use some sleep. Make sure you get a room with a big bed. I like to spread out.” He pretended to close his eyes and ignored her as she sputtered. His head ached with fatigue and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could stay awake.

  The car slowed as she drove into a Holiday Inn. He grabbed the bags he’d dumped and got out of the car. She flinched when he wrapped his arm around her shoulders but he ignored it.

  “Don’t get chatty with the guy at the desk. Do nothing to stand out in his mind, just get a room.”

  “I don’t understand why you’re doing this. I’m sure the police want to talk to you about the break-in at your place.”

  “They probably do, but I don’t have time for that now. Just get the damn room and remember what I told you.” He took her hand and wrapped it around his back so she could feel the gun under his shirt.

  Her face went white and her strangely colored hazel eyes practically bugged out. Little Miss Debutant wasn’t expecting that now was she?

  Lex chuckled under his breath and nuzzled her ear. When the desk clerk glanced up from his book, he’d see just another couple ready to bed down for the night. Nothing out of the ordinary. That is if he could get Janey here to relax a bit. “Try not to make a scene.” He ran his hand down her arm and felt her shiver.

  He silently deliberated the intelligence of using her credit card to get a room but decided it was a manageable risk. As far as he knew, Jane was a fine, upstanding citizen who got caught in the cross-fire of his job. No one should be tracking her. Until he got more information from his boss, he had to go on the assumption that whoever trashed their condos was after him and he couldn’t use his ID.

  God, he hated making assumptions. They always came back to bite him on the ass.

  Lex stroked her arm again and tried to act like a guy about to get lucky. Jane stiffened up even more. Instead of looking like a woman about to settle in with her lover, it seemed like she was on her way to her execution.

  No wonder she never had any guys at her place. She was probably frigid. Figures. Of all the women in the world he had to get stuck with her. This day couldn’t get much worse.

  ***

  Jane’s knees shook when gave the desk clerk her credit card. Fear made her palms sweat and she dropped the pen twice before she signed her receipt. She could feel Mr. D’Angelo’s hot breath on her neck as he scrutinized every move she made.

  She had a sudden urge to ask the clerk for help but then she remembered the gun hiding in the back of Mr. D’Angelo’s pants. This made no sense. Why was he hiding from the police? And why did he have a gun? She thought he was some sort of photojournalist. Why would a photographer need to carry a gun?

  And would he really use that gun on her?

  Yes. There was no doubt in her mind he was a dangerous man. Maybe even a dangerous criminal. He’d already kidnapped her. What would stop him from shooting her in cold blood?

  Okay, so he hadn’t really kidnapped her. He’d scared her half to death but he didn’t make her go anywhere she hadn’t wanted to. And he hadn’t really hurt her, yet. Sure, he’d wrapped his hand over her mouth, but it wasn’t like he’d tried to strangle her or anything.

  She dared a quick glance at him over her shoulder as she clutched the room key in her damp hands. He seemed perfectly normal, holding her tote bag while he waited for her to finish her transaction. When she stepped away from the desk, he wrapped his arm around her again and her heart leaped into her throat.

  “I wish you would stop doing that. I’m not going to run away,” she whispered.

  “I’m not taking any chances.”

  And then the beast held her even closer. When they stepped into the plush elevator he pressed her against the back and nuzzled her neck.

  “What are you doing?” She tried to push him away but he held her hands easily in one of his.

  “There’re surveillance cameras in the elevators. I’m trying to keep them from getting a good look at my face,” he murmured against her throat.

  A bolt of something hot and tingly shot straight through her from the point where his lips touched her bare skin right down to her toes.

  Fear. It had to be terror making her blood pound.

  “Stop it! You’re squishing me.”

  When the ding of the elevator signaled a stop, she bolted through the doors and headed for her room. Maybe now he’d quit touching her.

  No such luck. He snatched the room key from her hand and pressed her against the door while he lightly kissed her lips.

  He smelled of musk and lemony cologne and Jane felt herself go lightheaded.

  “Jeez, are you uptight or what?” he whispered against her stiff lips. “Play along, would you? There’re cameras in the halls too.”

  Jane didn’t know how to play along with a maniac. First, he accosted her in the car. Then, he practically groped her in the elevator. Now, he was telling her to let him kiss her. She clenched her teeth in frustration.

  “Forget it. Let’s just get inside.” He pushed her behind him before he shoved the keycard into the lock and opened the door.

  His eyes scanned the room for a moment before he walked in with his hand on his back—on his gun. A shiver ran down her spine. She knew he was dangerous the first time she laid eyes on him.

  “What now?” God, she hated the quiver in her voice.

  She sat on the edge of one of the beds. The rust-colored spread matched the heavy curtains over the windows. An uninspired painting of a farm scene hung over the table between the two beds. A small armoire and desk made up the rest of the room.

  “Now, we wait.” He flopped back onto the other bed and winced before rolling to the side and removing the gun.

  Jane averted her gaze as he put the weapon on the table. She didn’t like guns or violence. As a psychologist, she believed in talking out problems not shooting at them.

  “Mr. D’Angelo—”

  “Call me Lex. I think since we’re going to be sleeping together you can call me by my first name.”

  Jane ignored his juvenile comment and the flurry of butterflies in her stomach.

  “I don’t understand what’s going on. Why were you hiding in my car instead of talking to the police about the break-in?” Her brain couldn’t assimilate all the disasters that had happened in such a short period of time. Had it only been this afternoon that she’d been fired and felt like it was the end of the world? How much misery could get packed into a few hours?

  Thinking about how lousy her day had been reminded her of the package she’d signed for that morning. She picked up her tote and held out the tiny box.

  “With everything that’s happened, I completely forgot. This was delivered to my place by mistake. I put a note under your door to tell you I had it but I imagine it got lost when the thieves broke in.”

  Seeing his large body sprawled out on the mattress made her feel very nervous. He seemed to suck up all the oxygen in the room.

  “What’s this?” He turned the package in his hands and squinted at the address.

  “I don’t know. It had my address on the box, but your name. I didn’t realize it wasn’t for me until after I signed for it, and by that time the UPS man had already left.” She tried not to look at him lying on the bed like some giant jungle cat. He was all caged energy and coiled muscles.

  It made her more anxious than when he’d clapped his hand over her mouth in the car.

  “This could explain a few things.” He set it down unopene
d on the table by the gun.

  “Don’t you want to see what it is or who it’s from?”

  “Not particularly. I recognize the handwriting and nothing good can come from it.” A frown crossed his face and his dark eyes hardened.

  Jane was glad she wasn’t the person who’d made him mad. Then she remembered that he might not be thrilled with her for accepting the package. She rubbed her arms as a chill snaked down her back.

  Lex swung his legs off the bed and sat up facing her. “Look, I have to make a few phone calls and scrounge up some clothes. I’ll be back in an hour. Lock the door behind me and don’t let anyone—and I mean anyone—in.”

  “You’re leaving?” He wasn’t going to stay with her?

  “Just for a little bit. When I find out more about what’s going on I’ll be back. I’m hoping that if we lie low for a few days I can get things cleared up and you can return to your normal life.”

  “Really?”

  “Probably not,” he said, crushing her hopes. “But I’m an optimist. Lock the door behind me.”

  He stood and tucked the gun into the waistband of his jeans. The package went in the front pocket of his jacket. Jane tried not to stare at his backside as he bent over to tighten his bootlaces, but couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away.

  Gerard, her ex-husband, never looked like that in a pair of jeans.

  Jane averted her eyes when he turned towards her, but his smug little grin told her he’d caught her ogling his rear end. A blush stole into her cheeks.

  “Sorry for scaring you earlier. I don’t know what’s going on yet, but I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t get hurt.” His face held none of its usual mockery or sexual innuendo. He was deadly serious and that bothered her more than she could say.

  “Thank you.”

  He stood so close to her she could feel the heat coming off his body. Jane sucked in a shaky breath and caught the lemony smell of him again. His scent did strange things to her insides, so she moved away from his disturbing presence.