“I get what you mean. Look, if it’ll help, I can pretend we’re a couple.” Joe chuckled. “Or maybe not, since I’ve only been here for less than a day. That would be pretty unrealistic. Still, it might be worth a try, if you want.”
She looked up at him, her expression thoughtful. Finally she nodded. “If it gets him off my back, it would be worth it.”
Joe laughed. “That sounds like, how does Mom put it, damning me with faint praise?”
“I didn’t mean it that way. Honest.”
“I know. Tell you what. On the off chance he’s hanging around when we leave, did you drive here?”
“Yes, why? Oh…”
“Yeah. If it looks like you’re driving me home, that could make him think twice.”
“Let’s do it,” she replied.
Chapter 11
“Was that Paige Horne?” Derek asked Joe when he came into the house. He’d seen the car drive up, watched Joe get out, and felt a twinge of jealousy. He knew it was stupid, but it was there nonetheless.
“Yep. Step one in our plan to get Leon to back off. He was there when we left the theater. I got a couple of shots of him, as well as some this afternoon when she and I and another girl ate lunch together.”
“You might want to rephrase that,” Derek said dryly. When Joe looked puzzled, Derek pointed out that what he’d said made it sound as if he was a girl, too.
“Now you’re an English teacher?” Joe groused, shaking his head. “You knew what I meant. Anyway, both times when Paige and I were together on the street, he was watching her. It was sort of scary, actually. I didn’t realize from the photos you showed me how big he is.”
“It’s all in the perspective,” Derek replied.
“I guess.” Joe took off his coat, going into the back hallway to hang it up. Sherwat came bounding down the stairs to greet him, following when he went into his bedroom to change into sweats and a T-shirt.
“I take it you and Paige hit it off,” Derek said when Joe came out again.
“I already told you we did. I played the ‘I’m new around here’ card to get her to take me to the place she usually eats lunch on Fridays. Angie was there, we ate, and went back to the theater.” He paused, and then added, “Leon was watching so I put my arm around Paige’s shoulders when I asked if he was bothering her. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch his reaction.” He chuckled. “I could hardly whip out my phone to take his picture. I managed it when we left the sandwich shop by saying I was talking to my mother.”
“Clever. And this evening?”
“Paige was getting into the car, so she didn’t notice.”
“Now we have to hope he’s around again on Monday so you can play up to her again.”
“Nope, tomorrow. We’re going to the mall. Her idea because she really wants him to stop dogging her and I told her I’m willing to help out by pretending we were a couple.”
“How nice of you,” Derek said dryly as he went into the kitchen to start supper.
Okay, what’s going on with me? There’s no way Joe’s doing more than what we planned, which is pushing Leon’s buttons so he either moves on, or tries something more which would give us ammunition to take to the police.
He knew what was happening. Even though he and Joe had danced around their feelings for each other, that was all it had been—dancing. Testing the waters, he supposed. Personally, he wanted to take it beyond that. But I can’t. Not until I know that he understands I’m not just looking for someone to warm my bed.
“Are you going to do something with the hamburger other than stare at it?” Joe asked from beside him.
“Yeah. I was thinking about stroganoff.”
Joe took the package from Derek, putting it on the counter. “No, you were thinking about something else, and it bothered you.”
“You’re wrong,” Derek protested.
“I don’t think so. You’ve been stand-offish since I got home.” Joe looked at him, one eyebrow raised. Then he smiled. “You’re jealous.”
“Like hell,” Derek protested. “For starters, women aren’t your thing.”
“I know that. Right now, you’re not sure.” He put his hands on Derek’s waist. “If Paige was a guy, then maybe, maybe, you’d have a reason to be worried. Even then you shouldn’t be. I’m not interested in anyone…” He took a deep breath. “In anyone except you. There, I said it. You can take it for what you think it’s worth.”
“A lot,” Derek replied softly. He wanted to kiss Joe, to show him exactly how important what he’d said was to him. Not yet. Don’t push it.
Apparently Joe thought otherwise. Standing on tiptoe, he put his arms around Derek’s neck, gazed into his eyes for a long moment, and then brushed a light kiss over his lips. He stepped back seconds later, saying, “Now will you stop with the jealousy thing?”
Derek’s reply was to cup the back of Joe’s head and give him a soft, lingering kiss. “Did that answer your question?” he asked when it ended.
“Uh-huh, it…uh…yes,” Joe stuttered, swallowing hard.
Derek was wise enough to know he’d pushed Joe’s limits for the moment. “Good. Now, about supper. Do you like stroganoff?”
“I’m not sure.” When Derek cocked his head in question, Joe said, “I don’t know what it is.”
He found out, and told Derek it was pretty good. “Sort of sour sloppy Joes without the bun.”
Derek laughed. “I suppose that’s one way to describe it.”
* * * *
When supper was over, they took Sherwat for his evening walk. It was snowing lightly which had Joe grumbling, “It better not turn into another damned blizzard.”
“I’m with you on that,” Derek agreed. “I’m about ready for spring to show up.”
Joe snorted. “I’ve been ready for the last month.”
By the time they got home the snow had stopped, leaving behind frigid cold that made the lawns and trees glitter like diamonds under the light of the raising moon. Joe took out his phone to take a couple of photos, which reminded him of the ones he’d shot of Leon.
Once he’d shed his outerwear, he went into Derek’s office to download them onto the computer. Derek joined him, saying after he’d looked at them, “If looks could kill.”
“Yeah. Like I said, scary.”
“I want you to do something tomorrow when you’re out with Paige.”
Joe looked up at him in question.
“Do you know how to use a knife?”
Joe was pretty certain he knew why Derek had asked and said, “Shit, are you serious?”
“Yes. Leon is not a happy man. He might not try anything, but I want you to be prepared just in case.”
“I used to carry one, for the first year or so after I hit the streets. A guy I met showed me what to do if I was attacked. Never used it but I was ready.” Joe smiled sourly. “I was better at running and hiding if I thought someone was after me.”
“Smart man.”
“Why a knife and not a gun?”
“First off, you’re not licensed to carry. Secondly, have you ever shot one?”
“Well…no.”
“That’s what I figured.” Derek left the office, returning a few moments later with a short-bladed knife in a sheath, which he handed to Joe. “The blade is legal length, so you can carry it on your waistband and not worry if a cop stops you.”
“They better not,” Joe muttered as he unsnapped the safety band on the sheath to take out the knife. Carefully, he drew his thumb along the edge of the blade to check the sharpness. “This should do the job, but damn I hope I don’t have to find out.”
“I hope so, too, but it’s better to be prepared.”
Re-sheathing the knife, Joe set it on the desk. “How the hell did you talk me into doing this?”
Derek shrugged. “It wasn’t that hard. You have a protective streak and I played into it.”
“Yeah, I guess I do.” Shutting off the computer, he stood. Looking at Derek, he smiled slowly. �
�What are you going to do while I’m on my date with Paige?”
“Not be jealous, if that’s what you’re implying. I’m past that now.”
“You’d better be.” Joe put one hand on the nape of Derek’s neck and kissed him. “Don’t take this wrong…” He hesitated.
“The kiss?”
“No. I like kissing you. The thing is…” Joe blew out a breath. “I’m not sure I’m ready to do more than that.”
“I know,” Derek replied. Easing him into a one-armed embrace, he ran his knuckles over Joe’s jaw. “Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.”
Joe chuckled. “Hard to do since this is your house.” Then he sobered. “I’m not, either, as long as you want me here.”
“I think that’s a given at this point.” Derek kissed him again and Joe returned it.
He means what he said. I know he does. All I have to do is let go of my fear. Damn them all to Hell for what they did to me! He shivered.
“It’s going to be all right, Joe. I’m here,” Derek said softly.
“Thank God for that,” Joe replied, resting his head on Derek’s shoulder for a moment. “No, thank you. Without you…” He eased out of Derek’s embrace. “I’d never have tasted stroganoff.”
Derek laughed. “There you go again. Deflecting your emotions with a joke.”
“Bad habit, but it’s me,” Joe said.
“And I wouldn’t change you for the world.”
* * * *
“Your ride is here,” Derek called out Saturday afternoon.
“Any sign of Leon?” Joe asked as he double-checked to make certain he had everything. He felt a bit uncomfortable about the knife and sheath, clipped to the inside of the waistband of his jeans, with his shirt hiding it. He knew it was only a precaution. One he hoped he wouldn’t need.
“Doesn’t look like he’s around. Hers is the only car on the street that wasn’t there fifteen minutes ago.”
Joe got his jacket from the back hallway, putting it on, and then made it a point to give Derek a kiss, quipping, “So you won’t be jealous,” before he headed outside to Paige’s car.
“You ready for our big adventure?” Joe asked after putting on his seatbelt.
Paige laughed. “I’m not sure how much of an adventure it’ll be, but, yeah. I like your house. It’s cute.”
Joe almost said it was his boyfriend’s until he remembered he supposedly was living with his parents. “Thanks. We, well the folks, got lucky finding it. Mom’s looking forward to putting in flowers and a garden if we ever get spring.”
“We’d better. I’m so over snow.”
They continued talking about the weather, especially the huge storm a month and a half ago. The one that resulted in Joe and Derek’s meeting—although he didn’t tell her that. While they drove, they both kept an eye out for any sign they were being followed.
“He’s not back there, darn it,” Paige said at one point. “At least not that I can tell.”
“I should have asked. What does he drive?”
“Sometimes, a black car with red flames on the side, when he wants to show off. The rest of the time an old, blue beater that he said he was going to fix up.”
“For sure the flamed car hasn’t been anywhere around. The other one?” He shrugged. “Could have been but I didn’t see it.’
“Me, neither.”
A few minutes later they were searching for a parking spot at the mall, eventually finding one not too far from one of the entrances. After that, it was a case of wandering from store to store, all the while hoping that Leon was there and watching.
“Well, sort of hoping,” Paige said at one point. “What I really wish is that he’s given up after seeing us together yesterday.”
Joe had the feeling that wasn’t going to happen, given Leon’s obsession with her, but he didn’t say so out loud. No sense upsetting her more than she is, because I think she’s beginning to realize there might be more to his hanging around than his wanting to win her back. The cards and flowers, yeah. The rest. Nope, not even. Not in a healthy way.
They decided to stop at the food court to get something to eat and then call it a day. After a brief debate, they opted for slices of pizza, which Joe insisted on paying for since he had money. They found a table by one of the large planters and dug in.
“Oh, no,” Paige whispered.
Joe immediately knew why and asked, “Where?”
“Behind you, by the entrance. Don’t turn around,” she said when he began to. “Maybe he won’t see us.”
Shifting sideways, Joe took out his phone, using the camera to locate Leon without being too obvious. When he did, he took a couple of pictures. In one of them Leon was staring directly at Paige and he did not look pleased.
“Do you think he’s been here all along?” Paige asked.
After a moment’s consideration, Joe shook his head. “Yes and no. If yesterday’s any indication, he wants you to know he’s around. He’s probably been in the building, but it took him a while to find us because of the crowds. Let’s finish eating, get out of here, and see if he follows when we leave the mall.”
Paige took another bite of her pizza before saying, “I didn’t want to believe it, but I think my folks are right. He’s stalking me.”
Joe nodded. “He is. It might be a good idea to talk with the police.”
“Maybe,” she replied hesitantly. “I’ll think about it.” She pushed her plate away. “Right now, let’s just go.”
Joe agreed. As he stood and picked up his jacket, he glanced at Leon who was still hovering by the entrance. From the expression on the guy’s face, Joe would have been dead meat if they ran into each other with no one else around. Instinctively he touched the knife at his back, doing his best to relax.
Looking defiantly at Leon, now, Paige linked her arm with Joe’s as they walked out of the food court. He could feel her trembling, so he wasn’t too surprised when she said she had to use the restroom. When they found one, she handed him her coat to hold before going in, while Joe leaned against the wall outside to wait. He stiffened when he saw Leon coming toward him but stood his ground. After all, he can’t do anything in public.
Leon made an attempt at acting casual as he rested his hand on the wall beside Joe’s head, looking down at him, scowling. “You keep away from her,” he said, his words low and harsh.
“I don’t think so,” Joe replied. “You’re history, Leon. You know it, I know it. Most of all, she knows it and it’s what she wants.”
Leon grabbed his arm hard enough Joe wondered if he’d have a bruise, pushing his face within inches of Joe’s. “You’ll regret it if I see you with her again. I mean it, punk. She’s mine so keep your hands off or else!”
“Someone needs a good mouthwash,” Joe retorted, willing himself not to show any fear.
Out of nowhere, or so it seemed to Joe, two men appeared beside them. One was a police officer. The other one, unbelievably, was Derek.
“I think we heard enough,” Derek said.
“We have, thanks to you,” the officer replied before telling Leon to put his hands behind his head.
“Fuck, you,” Leon growled, starting to back away.
“Now is that any way to talk to the nice officer?” Derek asked.
Apparently the officer didn’t think so. He gripped one of Leon’s wrists, snapping on a handcuff. Before Leon could react, the officer pulled his hands behind his back and cuffed the other wrist while telling him he was under arrest for stalking and intimidation.
Paige came out of the restroom seconds later, took one look at the scene, and hurried to Joe’s side. “He did something, didn’t he? Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, thanks to the cop and my partner,” Joe replied.
Joe wondered if he should have said that when she replied in obvious disbelief, “Your what?” She frowned at him and then Derek.
Derek smiled, introducing himself. “I’m a private detective. Joe works for me
. Your father hired me to stop Leon before he did more than he has already.”
“He did what?” Paige shook her head. “Wait until I see him. I’m going to—”
“Thank him for caring about you,” Joe said quietly.
“Yeah, well…” She sighed. “You’re right, but still…”
Joe gave her a hug. “You know he did the right thing.”
“He did.” Her gaze followed Leon as the officer walked him away. “Can I be pissed at you for not telling me what was going on?”
“About as pissed as I’m going to be with Derek for not telling me he had something planned.”
“Sorry,” Derek said. “If you knew, you might not have acted naturally.”
Joe grinned at Paige. “This he says to an actor.”
“Are you really?” she asked as they put on their coats and started walking toward the mall entrance.
“Yep. It’s been a long time since I have acted, until yesterday, but I am, or was.”
She studied him. “How old are you, really?”
“Nineteen and counting.”
“Okay, I can deal with that.”
Joe heard Derek snicker. Which is better than him being jealous again, I guess. Trying to take control of the situation, he replied, “If you mean what I think you do, Paige, it can’t happen.”
“Should have figured.” She sighed. “All the good men are either—”
“Married or gay,” the three of them said as one.
“Sorry, but I am,” Joe told her. “Not married, but gay.”
Paige looked at Derek. “When you said he was your partner you meant more than in your business.”
“We’re working on it,” Derek replied.
“Oh, well. I have to concentrate on my career, anyway. I don’t have time for men.”
Joe gave her a hug. “It’ll happen. You’re good people. Some guy’s going to meet you and realize you are.”
She smiled, kissing his cheek. “At least you saved me from the ass named Leon. I owe you for that.”
“Not even, so get that out of your head right now. Go home. Thank your folks for caring, and then become a famous actress so I can say ‘I knew her when’.”
The Detective’s Apprentice Page 12