Secret Desires (15 page)

“Well I don’t like expensive gifts from strange men,” said Georgia. “It’s creepy. I can’t even send it back.”

“Don’t you dare throw something like that away,” Jack replied, turning a corner and running a stop sign.

“Jack!” Georgia scolded. “Watch where you’re going.”

“Sorry. But seriously. Don’t throw it.”

“Maybe I can give it to someone,” she said thoughtfully. “Whose birthday is coming up?”

Jack pulled a face. “You can’t give someone a diamond bracelet for their birthday. They’ll want to know where you go the money from.”

“Maybe I’ll get it valued first,” she said. “Then I’ll decide what to do. Perhaps I can donate the cash to someone who needs it.”

“How very noble of you,” teased Jack. “Always thinking of the less fortunate.”

~

The work day had been a hard one. Jack and Georgia received numerous called regarding suspicious house fires within the same area, no doubt started by the same person.

“The cause of the fires seems to be consistent,” said Jack, checking his notes in the drivers seat of Georgia’s beaten up Mercedes.

“The victims were all teachers from the same school,” said Georgia.

“Angry ex student?” asked Jack.

Georgia nodded. “Let’s go and talk to the high school to see if they might have any leads.”

“It’ll have to wait until tomorrow. It’s getting dark.”

“I’ll make an appointment with the principal tomorrow morning,” said Georgia. “In the meantime, I’m off to the jeweller to get this thing valued.”

Jack started the car, which took several attempts. “When are you getting a new car?” he asked. “This thing is a piece of shit.”

“Shut up,” said Georgia, smiling. “It has personality.”

Georgia loved it when Jack drove her car. It made her feel safe. Georgia had long given up on the prospect of his affections, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying his presence. He’d always made sure she was safe on the field.

~

An hour later and Georgia watched the elderly gentleman behind the counter analyse the diamond bracelet. He looked at it through a thick monocle, held it up to the light, and weighed it.

“Well?” asked Georgia after he had studied it for several minutes.

“It’s a lovely piece all right,” he said, examining it. “White gold and diamonds.”

“Okay … so what’s it worth?”

Pursing his lips the jeweller said. “Hm, retail price would be around eight.”

“Eight hundred?” said Georgia, amazed.

“No, eight thousand,” he said. “but less if you’re trying to pawn it.”

“Do you buy?” she asked.

“We do. But you must remember that I need to make a profit on this piece too. I’ll give you … hm … three thousand for it.”

“You’re joking, right? I want at least six.”

They bartered for twenty minutes before settling on a sale price of four-and-a-half thousand.

Georgia was in a state of shock. Her secret admirer had spent
eight thousand dollars
on a gift for her. Was he loaded? Or perhaps a thief?  Whatever the case, Georgia had a wad of cash in her pocket that she didn’t intend to keep. She didn’t want the filthy money that was used to buy her affections. She didn’t feel bad in the slightest for selling the jewellery. She’d donate the money to the children’s ward at the local hospital; that ought to make her feel better about the whole situation.

Lucky for her, Georgia had the next day off work, so she didn’t have to deal with unwanted gifts being left for her at the office. She planned on having a nice, quiet day at home. She’d grab a bottle of wine, and a good book to read in the bath. At least, that was the plan.

Upon grabbing her car keys and walking onto the front lawn, Georgia discovered something quite horrifying. Her car was gone.

Rushing back inside, Georgia grabbed her phone and dialled Jack’s home number

“Hello, Officer Jack Barnes.” he answered, sounding sleepy.

“Hey Jack. Are you still in bed?” Georgia asked incredulously.

“Officer Holmes. To what do I owe the pleasure of a call at this ungodly hour of the morning?”

“It’s mid day!” said Georgia.

“I had a late night,” replied Jack. “What do you want?”

“My car has been stolen,” said Georgia.

“Oh wow.” She could tell that Jack was smirking. “How on earth did they get it to start?”

“That’s beside the point,” she said, annoyed. “I need my car.”

“If you ask me, they did you a favour. At least now you don’t have to pay the towing company when it breaks down for good.”

“Jack.” Georgia took a deep breath. “How am I going to get around?”

“Maybe your secret admirer will buy you a new one,” he teased. “In the meantime, call the police? Call your insurance company?”

“We are
detectives
,” said Georgia. “I want to know who took my car right from under my nose, and I need your help.”

“It’s my day off,” Jack groaned. “Do I have to?”

“You’re not going to help me?”

Jack sighed dramatically. “Fine,” he drawled. “I’m up, I’m up.”

“Good, now get over here as quick as you can.”

“All right. Gosh. Someone is bossy this morning.”

“Shut it,” she ordered.

“Oh hey, by the way, what did you end up doing with that diamond bracelet?”

“I pawned it,” she said honestly.

“What?” Jack seemed shocked “
Why
? That sounds awfully selfish.”

“I donated the money to the children’s ward at the hospital,” said Georgia.

“Oh … well I guess that’s all right then,” Jack grumbled. Georgia could hear him rummaging about for clothes. She imagined him, his hair a mess, wearing nothing buy boxer shorts. She quivered with desire at the very thought, but snapped out of it quickly, because at that moment the doorbell rang.

“Someone’s at the door. I’ll see you soon, yeah?”

Hanging up, Georgia went to answer the door. On the threshold was an unshaven, beefy man wearing overalls.

“Yes?” said Georgia.

“Hello Miss Holmes, we’ve got your vehicle here. If you’ve just like to sign these papers, confirming that it has been delivered.”

“You found it?” she said, amazed.

The man looked confused. “Uh … no … we’re just delivering it from the dealership, ma’am.”

Confused, Georgia looked over his shoulder at the truck parked in her driveway. The vehicle being towed was a brand new Mercedes.

“Oh no, that’s not my car,” she said. “There’s been a mistake.”

“You’re Georgia Holmes, aren’t you?” the man asked.

“Yes, but my Mercedes was a 1980 model, and was stolen last night.”

“And you purchased a 2013 model from the dealership yesterday afternoon,” said the man, thrusting the paperwork into her hands.

“No, I did no such thing,” she said, trying to hand the paperwork back. “There’s been some kind of mistake.”

“Well someone paid,
in cash
, for this car, and registered it in
your name
. They asked that it be sent to this address.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“No joke ma’am. Now are you going to sign the paperwork or not?”

With a shaking hand, Georgia took the clipboard from the man’s hand and signed her name at the bottom. In return, he handed her the keys to the brand new car.

“These … these cars … how much do they cost?”

“Eh, one-fifty-ish,” he replied, tucking the signed document into his front pocket.

“One … one hundred and fifty thousand dollars?” Georgia repeated.

After that, everything went black.

Georgia woke to someone slapping her face. “Miss? Miss Holmes? Are you all right?” the large man was standing over her, slapping her face gently.

“What? What happened?” she asked.

“You fainted for a minute,” he said. “Do I need to call an ambulance?”

“No, no, I’m fine,” said Georgia, sitting up. “It was just a shock, that’s all.”

“Someone must really like you,” said the man, “to pay cash for a car and give it away like that. You didn’t enter any lotteries, did you?”

Georgia shook her head and tried to stand up, but couldn’t do so without the help of the gentleman.

“Can you tell me who bought the car?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No idea, sorry. Maybe you can call the dealership and find out.”

“Do you have their number?”

He handed Georgia a business car with the dealership’s logo on the front.

“Thank you,” she said, pocketing it.

~

Officer Jack Barnes visited Georgia at her home later that day, to admire her new car. He seemed jealous, though didn’t say anything.

“So are you going to keep this?” he asked, “Because if you don’t, I’ll never speak to you again.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” she scolded him. “We’re going to the dealership to find out who bought this. Surely they must have the purchaser on their records.”

“I can take care of that if you like,” said Jack. “I’m a little more intimidating than you.”

It was true. While Georgia was thin, and small, Jack was tall, and muscular.

“I’ll come with you,” she said.

“No need,” Jack insisted. “You take it for a spin around the block instead.”

Georgia did as she was told, but promised herself that she would not fall in love with this car. As it turned out, she broke that promise as soon as she sat in the drivers seat. The leather upholstery was soft, and luscious. It had that new car smell that Georgia had long forgotten. She moaned as she ran her hands over the steering wheel. But surely she couldn’t keep it. It was a preposterous gift.

~

An hour later Jack returned to Georgia’s home with bad news.

“Sorry, Holmes. The Dealership has no info on the guy who bought the car for you.”

“They didn’t even get a name? What kind of business is that?”

Jack shrugged. “Whoever this guy is, he’s stinking rich.”

“I don’t know any stinking rich men,” said Georgia. 

“The chief is pretty loaded,” said Jack, thoughtfully. “He does drive an Astin Martin.”

Georgia rolled her eyes. “Please. Frank? My secret admirer? He’s got a wife and kids. I think his wife would notice if he spent one-hundred-and-fifty grand.”

“What about Judge Turpine? He’s always nice to you.”

“No, I don’t think it’s him, either. Why can’t he just ask me on a date like a regular person?”

“Maybe he thinks you’ll turn him down?” said Jack, avoiding eye contact. “It’s not like you go on dates often.”

Georgia put her hands on her hips and stared at Jack, wondering if he could be her secret admirer. No, it was impossible. Officer Jack was just a detective – he couldn’t afford diamond bracelets and brand new Mercedes. 

“Unless,” Georgia said slowly, “It’s a criminal. Who else would have that much cash on hand?”

Jack pursed his lips. “Maybe a drug dealer.”

“I’m not sure criminals or drug dealers are likely to harbour secret affections for members of the law,” said Georgia.

Jack shrugged. “Look, I don’t know why you’re worrying about it so much. Just go with it. Obviously who ever it is, they mean you no harm. So why can’t you enjoy it while it lasts?”

“Because it’s
creepy
,” Georgia insisted. “I wish I could just talk to him.”

Jack approached Georgia and put a hand on her shoulder. She wasn’t sure why, but the gently pressure made her feel safe.

“I’m looking out for you,” he said. “Try not to worry so much.”

“At this rate he’ll be buying me a house next. I wish we could just go back to the roses.”

~

Georgia returned to work the next day, and somehow the news of her loaded secret admirer had got out. Men and women clamoured around her new car, oohing and ahhing.

“Hey Holmes, we’ve got a lead on the fire-starter,” said Jack, slipping on his sunglasses. “Let’s go.”

Disgruntled, their co-workers allowed Georgia and Jack to drive away with the beautiful car.

Jack had insisted on being the one to drive it.

“It’s really nice,” he was saying. “Who ever your friend is, he’s got good taste.”

“He’s not my friend,” said Georgia. “And I’m only driving this car until I find my old one.”

“
Why
?” said Jack. “Must you be so stubborn all the time?”

“You know me,” said Georgia with a smile.