Loverboy (16 page)

“It’s not that simple, Andrews,” Andrews says, “You know we’re doing everything we can, around the clock.”

“I don’t know how much more of this she can take,” I admit, crossing my arms in front of my body. “She was just starting to feel like life was normal, and then this happens.”

“Look, I can tell you’ve gotten attached to this case,” he says. “But, we are doing our jobs. Just as well as you’re doing yours.”

“Then find something; anything,” I yell. “You find one; you’ll find both of them!”

“Andrews, I’m sorry we didn’t catch these guys on the first night. I know things aren’t going how you want them, but, you have got to control your attitude.”

I look up and nod. “I just think we’re running ourselves in circles, and that’s what these guys want. Didn’t you ever think that they could be putting themselves out there like this just so they can tease us?” I ask.

Wilson only nods. “Of course we thought of that.”

“These guys are obviously smart,” I say. “But, we can’t keep letting them run the streets.”

“What else can we do, Andrews?” he asks. “What exactly do you propose we do?”

“Find them! Why is it so hard?” I yell.

“Look, I know you have a lot of time invested in this, and you’re doing a remarkable job, but leave the hard work to us,” he says, heading for the door as he motions for Biltmore to follow. “When we have the phone records, we’ll let you know.”

I fight the urge to punch something as I lock the door behind them. I take a minute to rub the sides of my head in hopes of preventing the headache that I can feel coming on. I make my way into Charlie’s room, and find her laying on the bed with her back to me.

“You didn’t have to get yourself in trouble on account of me,” she says softly.

I shake my head. “I didn’t get in trouble.”

“So, yelling back and forth isn’t getting you in trouble?” She asks. “Or how about being asked to control your attitude?”

I laugh it off. “Do you know how many times a day I’m asked to control my attitude?”

“No.” I can tell in her voice that she’s ready to cry
again.

I sit slowly on her bed and drop my hand on her shoulder. “If I had a nickel for every time I heard that I’d be a billionaire.”

She slowly rolls over, her tear stained eyes meeting mine. “How is it possible that these guys are so good at hiding their tracks?” She asks.

“Baby, I wish I knew,” I tell her. “Some people just know technology. And, we have to figure out what they know before we do anything.”

She sniffles. “I can’t stay in this apartment, scared to death.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want you to.”

“I can’t just stop going to college, seeing friends, or work,” she tells me. “You know, I actually thought I was going to go to my friend Maggie’s party this weekend. How stupid was I?”

“Why can’t you?” I ask.

“Nick, what if one of them is there?” She asks.

“I’ll come with you,” I say. “As a date.”

She shakes her head. “I can’t.”

“You can,” I tell her. “I don’t even want to hear you say something like that again.”

“How can I set foot out that door again, knowing that two men in this city want to kill me?”

“Easy,” I tell her. “Because I’m with you.”

“Nick.”

I stop her. “You said yourself that things were just beginning to feel normal again,” I say. “I’m not about to let these bastards take that back from you. If you want to go to the party, we’ll go. If you want to go to work, we’ll go. I won’t let either of them take that back from you.”

She sat up slowly as she pulls me into a hug. “I just wish I knew why it had to happen to me,” she says into my ear.

I feel a surge of pain in my heart. Of all the things I have been asking myself, one thing was “why Charlie?” After growing so close, I find myself asking myself the
same thing over and over with no real answer. I let out a breath and give her a little squeeze. “I wish I knew, too.”

“I will think about the party,” she says. “Maybe later I’ll feel differently about going.”

I run my hand up and down her back. “Just don’t let these guys take back what you worked so hard for.”

She gives me a nod. “It doesn’t make it hurt or suck any less.”

“I know, but, who knows, maybe we’ll catch that break in the case that we need.”

She nods, giving her hair a push from her eyes. “You don’t think these guys could really be cops, do you?”

I shake my head. “I doubt it. Cops are the good guys, remember?” I smile. I can only hope I’m correct in my theory.

* * * * * *

After some hard convincing over the course of 48 hours, I had somehow managed to convince Charlie to go to her friend’s party. After whining, begging, and pleading with her, she finally caved and has agreed to go. It’s easy to tell that part of her is excited about it and the other part completely dreads it. She’s been scampering around the apartment, moving from one room to the next to make an attempt to get ready. Her nerves seem to be doing a number on her as she fights what I can imagine is a slight panic attack.

“Nick, I don’t think I want to do this,” I hear her grumble from inside the bathroom.

“Charlie, it’ll be fine,” I call to her from the living room, where I make an attempt to dig through my things. “Don’t worry; if it’s not what either of us expect, we’ll leave, get some take out, and come back here. Simple as that, and you’ll see your friends.” I take a moment to shift through the various shirts I have on hand; I was trying to not look like a cop. That part is easy. Trying to look like a guy in college? Not so easy.

I hear her bare feet step back into the bedroom. “I don’t think I’ve showed this much skin in months,” I hear
her mumble. “This is ridiculous. I can’t wear this.”

“Isn’t it the top that you purposely bought for this party?” I ask.

“Well, yeah,” she says. “But, that was then. This is now,” she tells me. “Things are just different now.”

I yank a simple white polo shirt from its resting spot at the bottom of my bag. I find Charlie in her bedroom, standing in front of her dresser mirror, examining herself closely. Her jeans were well worn and faded, but paired with a green, fitted strapless top. She crosses her arms, giving the sides a tug up.

She turns to stare at me. “How do I...”

I don’t let her finish. “You look beautiful; it’s okay to show a little skin,” I tell her. “Don’t let what happened effect who you are, how you act, or dress.” I step closer. “What you’re wearing is perfect, and you
do
look stunning.”

Her cheeks flush as she slowly lets down her arms. “I just feel like sometimes I should just wear sweats all the time.”

I shake my head. “Don’t ever think that. Wear what you used to wear; don’t change your life for anything or anyone.”

She glances down at her arms and chest as she runs her finger over one of the red marks on her arm. “You can see my marks.”

“Remember, they only show just how incredibly strong you are.”

She finally smiles. “I did pay an unholy amount for this top; might as well wear it.”

“And, you really do look,” I pause, looking her up and down. “I mean, wow, I don’t think I’ve seen you in anything like this before.” I take a breath. “You look beautiful.”

She laughs softly, lifting my head up. I didn’t realize I was looking down in the first place. “Nick, are you blushing?”

I simply nod.

She lets out a soft laugh. “Why? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you blush. Well, any guy for that matter.”

“I know I see you every day, I’m fully aware that you’re,” I pause. “Well, I mean you’re certainly not lacking in any department.” I can feel my cheeks heat up even more than they were before.

“Oh please,” she says. “I’m short and stout.”

“Five-foot-seven is a very respectable height,” I tell her. “And, please don’t tell me for one second that you think you’re fat.”

She shakes her head.
,
“No, but I am short.”

“More like,” I pause. “Fun sized.”

She laughs. “You don’t do well with the compliments, huh?”

“You are very beautiful,” I say, looking at her. “And I admit, sometimes I don’t know how to say something, since I’ve never been able to give someone compliments like you.”

Her cheeks flush as she moves in to stand on her toes to press her lips to mine.
,
“Thank you.”

I smile, wrapping my arms around her waist.

“You should finish getting ready.” She smiles. “If we’re really going to this party.”

I smile and nod. “We’re really going, even though I wouldn’t oppose keeping you here to myself.”

She blushes for a moment, pushing herself away. She reaches for a few pieces of jewelry and a pair of brown heels. “Will I be okay doing this?” She asks. “I mean,
can
I do this?”

“You know you can do anything,” I tell you. “You’ll be okay, don’t worry.”
             

“I’m just scared,” she admits, slipping the first shoe onto her foot.

“I know,” I say, “and it’s normal to be.”

“Is it normal to feel like I’m going to have a panic attack?” She asks, sliding into the other shoe.

“It’s even normal if you
do
have a panic attack.”

She takes a deep breath and swallows. “Well, we better go before I change my mind and hide in my closet.”

I smile and take her hand as she reaches for a white jacket. If anything, having her arms a little covered will ease her mind a little more. She relaxes in the seat after clicking on her seat belt and hands me the piece of paper with the address. It’s a ways upstate, but the drive with Charlie should be nice. She lets out a long breath and pushes a few tufts of hair from her face. Since I ask her more often than not, I fight the urge to question if she’s alright, and, instead, grab for her hand. She happily squeezes mine, and I feel her begin to relax. Maybe being close to me really is her best comfort right now.

* * * * * *

I was told that the party was being held in a little house. But, when we finally pull up in front of the “little” house, I’m surprised to see that
massive house
is a much better description. I’m not surprised, however, to see cars parked everywhere. Some new, some old, some parked perfect, and others parked lop-sided. I find a spot off to the side to pull in my truck, and Charlie takes one last glance at me. “Do I really want to do this?”

“You did before anything bad happened,” I tell her. “You even bought that top for the occasion.”

She lets out a comforting breath. “You’re right. I can’t stop living my life. Can I?”

I shake my head.

“Well, then,” she says. “Let’s do this.”

I smile and climb from my seat and meet her just as she opens her door. I take her hand, helping her down, and lock both doors behind us.

“So, what can I expect at a party like this?” I ask.

“Anything wild usually goes,” she admits. “I only go for Maggie; she was my first real friend when I moved here. She would do anything for me, and I would do anything for her.”

We’re not even ten feet from the front door, and I can already hear a loud crowd and the blaring music. Charlie takes a breath as we head up the cobblestone steps to the large red, front door. She glances over at me, and I give her a little nudge as she rings the doorbell.

Within a few seconds, a guy about Charlie’s age was at the door. “Charlie!” He yells, the beer smell obviously making Charlie feel a little ill.

“Hi, Derek,” she says. “Maggie here?”

He nods, taking a gulp from the red plastic cup in his hand. “She’s in the back, been asking about you,” he tells her. “You know she’s been worried.”

“Thanks,” Charlie says, giving his shoulder a pat as she begins pushing past him, still holding onto my hand as she leads the way through the noisy, college student filled house.

It’s packed from shoulder-to-shoulder as we both wiggle and dodge our way through, but when a crowd of people realize that Charlie is there, it becomes more overwhelming than she can take. They all quickly embrace her without stopping to think that she may need distance. They begin asking question after question in such a way that Charlie doesn’t know how to cope. She looks flustered and panicked by the time I push my way to her.

I hold up my hands. “Look, she’s been through a lot, best to give her some space,” I holler above the music as Charlie lets out a sigh of relief. They apologize and she accepts as I reach for her hand. She gives it another tight squeeze in appreciation as she and I begin heading for the back portion of the house. Her cheeks are a tad pink now, and for some reason I do get the feeling that she is dazed with the party. There seems to be a lot more people here than either of us really bargained for. When we both hear a sudden screaming sound, we turn, and I see a blonde girl much shorter than Charlie run up to embrace her I am sure we’ve found Maggie.