Guarding Light (14 page)

   "What are you doing here Sanchez?" Jack asked.

   "No, that is my question to the both of you. Catlyn was due at the job over five minutes ago. And seeing as it's only a two minute ride and she is anal about punctuality, you can see why it is I grew anxious and then worried when my partner, who looks very much like our killer's victims, didn't show for work."

   "Sorry Sanchez. We're coming." Catlyn apologized for them both.

   In a voice only she could hear, Jack said in an aside. "You're the only one who was coming in this house. I still need to." On pure reflex she kicked him in the shin.

   "Ouch!" Jack hopped on one leg as he held the other. But he still wore a self-satisfied smile.

Chapter 7

   Catlyn didn't understand Jack's swift change in demeanor. One second they had been arguing, the next he went comatose and now he was playful? What gives?

   The trio walked out together. The two men waited until Catlyn had locked her door. Jack led her to a dark Ford sedan. "What happened to the U-Haul?"

   As he held the door open for her he answered, "I had detective Anderson return it, bring this car. I arranged with Tasha to have me billed for the usage of the truck and the repair of the windshield."

   Jack followed Jose to the waterfront but they parted ways in the parking lot. Jack parked as far away from BJ's Barbecue as he could get.

   "Why so far away?"

   He turned to her in his seat. "So, I can walk my 'new love interest' along the pier hand in hand for all to see."

   "Smart." Catlyn complimented.

   "I aim to please." Jack got out and opened the door for Catlyn.

   They walked leisurely along the waterfront, taking in the sights and sounds. She was late for her cover job but her real job was to be seen on the waterfront with a white man. Catlyn was looking at all the people trying to memorize every detail. She knew Jack was doing the same. She felt a slight tug on the hand he was holding. Jack pulled her off the sidewalk towards a small group of people.

   They were vendors of sort. Some had flowers for sale, some balloons, bottles of water, snacks and sodas. Jack looked over each vendor's wares before going to a black man in army fatigues. He had a makeshift cart made from an actual shopping cart. He had a plank of wood over the cart acting as a table. Laid out on the table were hand-made American flags, crafted from popsicle sticks and ribbon material. There was a yellow ribbon tied directly beneath the flag with Baby's Breath inserted in between the ribbon's knot. On a cardboard sign reading: 'Iraqi Freedom Vet' was a picture of the vendor standing next to a military helicopter. Underneath was written: 'Will work for food'.

   "How much?" Jack asked the vendor.

   The man smiled big, showing enormous teeth. "A dollar, sir."

   Jack took out his wallet, handed the vendor a five. "Keep the change." He said as he picked out a flag. The vendor profusely thanked Jack.

   Catlyn smiled at the vendor. He nodded back and gave her a salute. Jack took her hand and went to the next vendor, purchased a rose. He pulled her further away from the sidewalk and vendors to a little grassy area under a tree. Leaning against the tree he handed her the rose, "A beautiful flower for an even more beautiful woman."

   Catlyn looked into his eyes. They were a bright green, catching the sun. His smile was filled with admiration. Accepting the rose, her heart beat faster, his eyes darkened. He look like he did when he was about to kiss her. Very slowly he lowered his mouth to hers. A centimeter away he paused, waiting.

   She raised her mouth to meet his kiss, closing her eyes so that she could experience his special kind of heaven to the fullest. When he stopped, she opened her eyes confused. Deep brown clashed with bright green. He held his mouth directly over hers without touching. "What is it?" She whispered as she tried to close the gap between their lips. Jack pulled back but kept their mouths close.

   Catlyn pulled back all the way. Jack placed his hands on her hips to keep her from moving back. "What is it, Jack?"

   He pulled her against his chest, aligning their bodies from chest to knee. She felt his semi-arousal against her stomach. "I need your words." He whispered as he nuzzled her neck.

   Catlyn went hot all over and the soft touch of his lips on her neck caused shivers to run up and down her spine. She then knew Jack would not ever take without permission. Gripping the rose, wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned up to meet his mouth, giving him what he needed to proceed. "Yes, Jack. Please, yes."

   He moaned, pulling her tightly against him, lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her breathless. After a moment of a very heated exchanged, Jack slowly released her mouth. He looked deeply into her eyes and said, "Sweetheart, I need you to think about a couple of things for me."

   Catlyn took in his serious glittering eyes. "What?"

   "Catlyn, my body responds to you not only because you're a beautiful sexy woman." Catlyn tried to pull out of his arms. "No, honey, don't. I need you to really hear me and think about the things I am going to tell you."

   Catlyn relaxed back against him, responding to the tone of his voice. "Ok, Jack."

"Catlyn, do you trust your instincts?"

   "Well, yes, I do. They have gotten me out of some pretty close calls. Why?" She was curious now where he was going with all this.

   "Well, instincts are an integral part of your natural defenses."

   Still not sure what he was trying to say, Catlyn conceded his point. "Ok, I will give you that. I agree."

   "Instinctively your body responds to me and no one else's. Those are your words." He raised an eyebrow in question. When she gave a confirming nod he continued. "Well that is because your body knows there is no threat from me. Your body knows because deep down
you
know I could never be a threat to you. I could never ever do anything to hurt you. We respond to each other not just because we like the way the other is put together, although I must say you are put together rather nicely, but because we know and care for one another."

   He finished by kissing her tenderly, whispering against her lips, "Baby, I really need you to think about this and then know it, know it beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would never hurt you." He licked at her lips before blazing a trail of wet kisses to her ear then licking her lobe before whispering hotly in her ear. "Please, Kitten, I need that so much." He then took her mouth, thrusting his tongue deep, twirling his around hers.

   Breathless and seeking air they drew apart. Catlyn couldn't catch her breath as she stared into the heated green of his eyes. "O-okay, Jack. I will think about it."

   He smiled, and taking her hand again as he led them back to the sidewalk. A pleasant silence was with them as they walked hand in hand to the front steps of BJ's Barbecue.

   "Well, here you are." Jack looked at his watch. "And, only twenty minutes late."

   Catlyn laughed. "Yeah I am sure my boss will take that view." She gave him a peck on the cheek and started up the steps. Remembering, Catlyn turned on the steps to find Jack still watching her.

   "Jack, you said there were a couple of things you wanted me to think about. What was the other thing?"

   He gave her a hard stare, impressive chest stuck out, his 6-3 muscular frame pulsing with, what could only be called, his military mode. Catlyn was looking at the soldier and cop all rolled into one. "Also think about the fact, that no one else walking this earth has ever, nearly broken my nose, bust me in the balls, called me a liar, questioned my honor and has gotten away with it all."

   Jack watched the surprise go through Catlyn's body. Good. She needed to know he was serious. She titled her head, studying him for a few seconds before nodding, turned, went up the steps and disappeared through the door.

   Jack took out his cell phone and dialed 9 on the keypad. It rang once and was answered with a terse, 'yes'. As he walked back to the car Jack spoke. "It's me. I am calling in a favor. I need anything and everything you have on a J.T. Dark. That's Jon Taylor Dark; D-O-B is 5-29-70, lived in Newburgh, NY most of his life, spent summers in London, England. I want it all. I want it A.S.A.P."

****

After smoothing things over with her new 'boss' regarding her lateness by telling him her car had broken down and she had to call a friend to bring her to work, Catlyn's shift was relatively uneventful. She met 3 other waitresses. Gina was a typical Italian princess that was slumming in working class circles because her dad said she had to. Marg was a college student in the pre-med program at the Mount as Mount Saint Mary's College was referred. Marg studied her text books between orders. And Isabella was a Latina, single mom trying to raise her son in the busted economy. All were locals and genuinely friendly.

   About mid-shift, Catlyn waited on Agents Sharonda and Jabaria and then later detective Tyron Anderson and who she assumed was his partner, a light skinned black man who was a little older than Anderson. Anderson smiled and winked at her. She flirted and smiled with all the customers trying to be as visible and memorable as possible. It certainly helped with the tips, which was the up side. The down side was all the pats to her ass and caresses to her arm. With one of the more lecherous older men she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from breaking his hand.

   Other than the occasional groping the atmosphere was very nice. Good noise level meant people were having a good time. On her break Catlyn sampled the food and it was mouthwatering good. She knew why people came back to BJ's. Its food was amazing and magazine worthy.

   Near the end of her shift and closing Sanchez came in with Tasha of all people. Catlyn served them with grinding teeth. Tasha took her little digs by sending her back repeatedly for little things. It was 'Oh, miss can I have a glass of water with no ice' and 'Excuse me miss but I asked for this to be well done' and 'Miss can I have some extra napkins?' and Catlyn's favorite 'Miss can I please have some hot sauce?'

   Catlyn slammed down the bottle of hot sauce and said with a forced smile. "Will there be anything else this evening?"

   "Uh, yes-"Tasha started only to be overridden by Sanchez, "Just the check please."

Catlyn threw him a grateful glance. "Right away, sir."

   Over all it was a good evening. She made good tips, made herself very visible and mentioned more than once her new boyfriend was white, she lived alone and locally. She did everything but put a sign on her chest that read: come get me next Mr. Killer.

   Most of the staff had left. Only the night manager and two kitchen aids remained. Because she had been late Catlyn offered to close the two main dining areas. She wiped down all the tables and chair, swept and mopped both floors. She was just turning out the lights when the night manager, Steve Odly came over to her. Catlyn couldn't say what it was about him that pushed all her alert buttons but the manager made her antsy.

   He had bright blue eyes and stringy bright red hair and his voice was low, very low. One had to really listen close to understand him. She tensed as he touched her hand, supposedly to get her attention. "Cat, you did real well tonight, even though you were late." He gave her a stern look.

   "Thanks Steve. I am heading out now. Was there something else I can do before I go?"

   He took a glance around the darkened dining room. "No, you did good in here. I just- just w-wanted to t-t-tell y-yyou…"

   Catlyn realized why the skinny red-headed manager barely spoke and spoke low when he did. He was a stutterer. Catlyn gave him a gentle smile, waiting patiently for him to finish his sentence.

   "…t-t-that I s-s-saw y-y-you w-w-with th-tha-that g-guy."

   "Guy? What guy?"

   "Y-y-y ou we-re holding h-his hand, k-k-kis-kissing him on th-the s-steps."

"Oh, you mean my boyfriend, Jack."

"J-J-Ja-Jack?"

   "Yes, I told you my car broke down and I had to call him to give me a ride."

   "A r-rid-ride is ok. Bu- but no mak-making out on the s-steps."

   Catlyn took umbrage to the description of the peck on the cheek she gave Jack. "We were not making out! I gave Jack a good bye kiss on the cheek."

   "D-don't do it again. Here at Buh, buh B.J's we keep a p-positive image." He finished with a schoolmarm voice.

   Catlyn regarded him closely. After a few seconds, she deemed him a weird guy rather than a threat. "Ok, got it. No orgies on the front steps."

   His face turned as red as his hair. He started to say something but Catlyn decided she didn't have time to listen. "Goodnight." She went to the employees lounge to collect her jacket and purse. She took her cell phone out of her purse, seeing there were no missed calls or texts she clipped it to her waist. Waving bye to the kitchen help she pulled her jacket on and exited through the back door.

   Catlyn looked at the lights all along the waterfront, all different colors, sizes and shapes. It was stunning. The Hudson River spread out as far as the eye could see to the left and right but directly across the pier the city of Beacon's pier could just be made out in the darkness. Beacon's lights twinkled and glittered off the water in the distance. The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge was a huge looming specter, looking as though it rose from the aqua depths of the Hudson. It's unique construction giving the illusion of two bridges parallel to one another. Catlyn took in a deep breath, savoring the view and the cool air. The waterfront really was beautiful.

   She walked as far as she could on the waterside before switching to the sidewalk and street-side. It was dark and the waterfront was almost deserted with the exception of Gully's bar. Catlyn could hear the Jukebox playing and laughter as she neared the first parking lot. For the endeavor of making herself more of a target Catlyn decided to walk home at night. It increased her vulnerability. Besides, Jack knew she was walking and hadn't mentioned picking her up. It was a short walk, with ninety percent of it being up hill.