Culture Shock (20 page)

Alex sat cross-legged on the floor and endured having Cynthia drill him for answers. If they went through the basics of her life one more time, he considered diving out the window headfirst.

"Where was I born?"

"
Ord, Nebraska."

"What's my mother's name?"

"Phyllis."

"What's my father's name?"

"M... M...Daddy! Hell, I don't know." Alex threw his head back in frustration.

"You're doing fine. Don't give up," she encouraged. "Daddy's name is Mitchell."

"Mitchell...I'm tired, Cyn!" he moaned.

"How long were they married?" She ignored him and continued.

"Twenty-five years." He threw out an obvious guess.

"God, Alex, I'm older than that. Think about it. In their generation people got married before they had children."

"Okay, thirty-five." He covered his face with both hands.

"Right."

"I've had it, Cynthia. No more," he said uncovering his face. "You've been after me for hours. I think I know everything I need to know, and if he asks me something I don't, I'll hit myself with a hammer and fake amnesia." His frustrated tone signaled the end of his rope.

"Oka
y...no more about me. How about you? I don't know anything other than you've been on the force for ten years and that you have no family. Other than that, you're pretty secretive. Would it be rude to ask how your parents died?"

Alex stiffened. "I guess since I know your life story, you may as well know mine." He pulled a pillow from the couch and with bent knees, lay on his back looking up at the ceiling. "My mother was murdered for the little bit of money she had in her purse. Whoever killed her must have followed her home, beaten and robbed her. And, my father...my father gave up on life when he lost her. The police never caught the felon, and I watched my dad go from a virile man to an empty shell in a matter of months. They say you can't die from a broken heart, but that's not true. He did."

Guilt niggled her for having dredged up his pain. "I'm so sorry, Alex. I didn't know...."

"It's okay. Don't worry about it. They died a long time ago, and I'm used to being the only Carlyle left. I lived with my grandparents until they died, and then I was really on my own, but I haven't done so badly. For every scum bag I lock up, I'm making amends to my mother for never catching the bastard who killed her."

Cynthia touched his arm. "I wish I could say something to make things better, but just remember, even in this twilight zone we're in, you're not alone...I'm here."

***

Saturday morning, Cynthia nervously dressed to accompany Alex to pick up her brother. She had spent the past four days cramming every bit of information she could think of into Alex's brain. Now, not only was he familiar with her body, he knew everything there was to know about her. The fact that he was sick to death of her made no difference.

The picture of Kevin on the bureau in her apartment provided the image that Alex would look for when people de-planed. If they managed to pull this charade off, they could hopefully find a way to get back into their own bodies.

As she ran a comb through Alex's thick, dark hair, she practiced what she would say if they didn't. "Well, you see Kevin. It's like this...I'm not really who you think I am." A giant exhalation passed her lips. "How in the world did this happen to me?" She looked at the ceiling. "You hate me, don't you, God? What did I ever do to deserve this?"

Finished dressing, she locked the door behind her and made her way down the hall. She'd never get used to knocking on her own apartment door. When Alex answered, she looked at him and gasped. "You're not wearing that!"

He had on her tackiest pair of jeans and an old, faded t-shirt. His eyes widened at her disapproval. "Why? What's wrong with it?"

"That's what I wear when I clean. But, of course, you wouldn't know anything about that.…"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You forget, I'm living in your squalor…I mean apartment."

"Okay, okay! So, I'm not as clean as you are. But I still don't see why what I have on isn't okay."

Cynthia's shoulders sagged and she sighed. "I guess I can't expect a man to understand."

"Understand what? Explain it to me." He lowered his gaze and exhaled. "I can't believe I asked you to do that," he mumbled.

"I heard that, but I'm going to tell you anyway. When I go out into public, I like to put my best foot forward."

"Yeah, and I'll bet it has on an uncomfortable shoe."

She crossed her arms. "Do you want to joke around or be serious?"

"Serious!"

"Okay, then I'd appreciate if you would change into something I consider appropriate."

"And what would that be, pray tell?" His head lolled to the side.

"For heaven’s sake, Alex! I have a closet full of nice slacks, better jeans or even a dress. Anything besides what you're wearing."

Alex crossed his eyes and made a face.

"And stop doing that with my eyes. I don't want them to stay like that."

"That's an old wife's tale."

"Well stop it anyhow...and go change," she barked, pointing toward the bedroom.

He raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay you win. I'll be right back."

Cynthia's temples throbbed. If something didn't change soon, she believed a nervous breakdown loomed in her immediate future.

Chapter
Sixteen

Nerves churned Cynthia's stomach as she and Alex stood at the bottom of the airport escalator and waited for Kevin. Because of increased security, people were no longer allowed to wait at the actual gate. Cynthia scanned the sea of descending faces. Her emotions soared with excitement and dipped with fear.

She turned to Alex. "By the way, you look very nice. Those slacks have always been favorites of mine."

"Mine, too," he said without conviction.

Compared to how her insides felt, he acted far too relaxed. "Aren't you the least bit apprehensive about this? I feel like chewing on a fingernail, but yours are already gnawed down to the cuticle."

"Of course I'm nervous, but I'm not going to make myself sick over it." He stuck one of her long fingernails in her face. "Here! Chew on this if it will make you feel better."

His puns grew tiresome. "Honestly.…" She caught sight of her brother and elbowed Alex in the side. "Oh, there he is. There he is!"

Alex craned his neck. "Where?"

"Brown shirt...just getting on the escalator." Her heart warmed at the sight of her brother. She reminded herself not to leap out and hug him even though that's what she wanted to do.

When Kevin got to the bottom level, Cynthia gave Alex a gentle shove. "Say something," she whispered.

He cast an annoyed glance in her direction, stepped forward and waved. "Kevin, here I am."

Kevin crossed the distance between them in two strides and swept Alex up into his arms. "Cyn! You look great!"

The look on Alex's...uh
, her face, was priceless. Cynthia held back a giggle as he dangled helplessly in the air subjected to, and suffering from, Kevin's bear hug. She hoped Alex would remember to introduce her.

Kevin finally let go.

Alex stepped back and straightened his clothing. "I'm glad you're here. How was your trip?"

His words sounded forced and unnatural. Maybe Kevin wouldn't notice.

"The flight was fine. Not too many bumps in the road. You really do look great, Sis. It's been too long."

"Sure has." Alex took a step backward, beyond Kevin's reach. "Time flies when you're having fun." He glanced at his watch. "We should probably head for the luggage carousel."

Cynthia discreetly elbowed him.

"Oh! I guess you just spun my manners right out of me. I forgot. This is my friend Alex, the one I told you about."

Kevin pumped Cynthia's hand vigorously. "Nice to meet you. Any friend of Cyn's is a friend of mine."

Cynthia wanted to be the one to jump into his arms and welcome him, instead she nodded. "Nice to meet you, too, Kevin. Your sister has told me a lot about you."

She geared herself for a snide remark from Alex...something like "more than I ever wanted to know," but breathed a sigh when for once, he held his tongue.

Too much time had passed since she'd seen her brother. He looked wonderful, and happy as he focused on Alex. She couldn't help a brief flare of jealousy. For now she'd have to be content in her brother's presence.

Kevin took Alex's hand and smiled at Cynthia as they walked toward the luggage pickup area. "Well, I can just imagine the stories you've heard. My sister is quite the talker."

Cynthia hoped her brother didn't sense Alex's discomfort at holding hands with another man
…the way he'd stiffened then wriggled his hand free and faked fluffing his hair. If she hadn't been so worried, perhaps she wouldn't have detected anything amiss.

"So, Kevin ... how's the weather...in... at home." Alex clasped his own hands together as they stood before the circling luggage.

She lowered her head to hide her grin. This was one grain of salt that evidently was harder to swallow than the rest.

***

In front of Cynthia's apartment, Alex fumbled with the keys. Kevin's shocked reaction when the taxi stopped in front of The Cairns would have been apparent to a blind man. How did one explain the exterior deterioration and neglect?

He cleared his throat. "Please excuse the appearance of the building. It's very old, and I believe soon to become a historical landmark." A little lie wouldn't hurt. "I'm only here because rent elsewhere is so very expensive."

"It's not bad once you get used to the smells," Cynthia added, recalling her first visit.

Kevin took a deep breath. "Then it's not just me?"

"No, it's the building. Musty and old," Alex assured.

"Whew, I planned on heading for the shower right away," Kevin quipped.

Alex opened the door and motioned for Kevin to enter. "It smells a little better in here. You remember what a neat nick I am?" He flashed an impish smile at Cynthia.

Kevin chuckled. "That's why I was so surprised when we pulled up out front. The
Cyn I know wouldn't consider a place like this...no offense."

"None taken," Alex assured. Under the circumstances, he felt certain Cynthia wished she hadn't even considered moving here.

***

He inched the curtain from the corner of his apartment window as the blonde and two men climbed out of the cab. He'd been peering through the spotted glass for hours, waiting for her and her boyfriend, or whatever he was, to return. Now the whore had lured another man into her trap. Anger fired his blood. Wasn't one man enough? Perhaps she enjoyed a threesome now and then. Some sluts did, why not her? Despite his hatred for womankind, his groin reacted to the sensual idea.

If everything went according to plan, he'd stop her from toying with the hearts of men and show her who really had control. Maybe, just maybe, before he rid the world of her, he'd claim a little enjoyment for himself. He licked his lips in anticipation of her tightness and his struggle to claim her. Yep, he'd show her who was boss before he disposed of her.

***

The three sat having coffee. Alex had remembered to steer Kevin from the man-eating cushion, and now the two of them sat side-by-side on the sofa. Alex had tried to take a seat in the chair, but Cynthia scooted in beneath him, saying, "You should sit next to your brother."

Killing her for taking pleasure in his discomfort had crossed his mind, but he sat on the divan.

He grimaced when Kevin touched his knee. "So, Cyn, tell me about your new job."

Alex took a deep breath. "Ah ... it's a job all right. Not much to tell. Just numbers, numbers, numbers all day long. Alex is the one with the exciting job. Tell him about it, Alex."

Cynthia smiled. Alex had managed a nice pass off. "Well, it's pretty tense right now. We're working on a serial murder/kidnap case."

Kevin leaned forward. "Really? I'll bet it's the one I saw on the tube."

"Most likely. Too bad we can't seem to get any leads on the pup."

"You mean
perp, don't you?" Alex piped up then turned to Kevin. "He's been teaching me how to speak police talk and he can't even remember."

"Did I say pup?" Cynthia chuckled. "Just a slip of the tongue. Anyhow, the perpetrator hasn't left any helpful clues and we're stumped. So far, we've got three dead and one still missing. But thankfully, there haven't been any further reports of missing women in the past day or so."

Kevin put his cup on the coffee table. "Wow, sounds like a TV police show. I wish I did something interesting for a living besides working for the Ord Utility District."