Tansy Taylor (20 page)

“Hi Buster,” I said, glancing around to make sure I was still off the grid. No one was looking my direction, so it appeared to be safe to talk. “You okay?” I flipped open my phone and pretended to be on a call, just in case.

“Oh, I suppose I’m fine, for a ghost; just tired of this place. I don’t suppose that you have any good news for me?” I decided to keep the news about Callie to myself. It wouldn’t do me any good to have a mad ghost on my hands; a depressed one was bad enough.

“Well, we’ve got a little bit of a lead on the Russians that may be involved. I’m here to meet Sam so we can come up with a plan.”

“Gotcha. Callie’s not with you? Must be getting on with things I suppose.” It broke my heart not being able to tell him what was really going on. I glanced up and saw Sam cleaning up outside the garage.

“Say, Buster, I know you said you can’t remember much about the night you were killed, or why, but I was wondering if you might know or have recently remembered something about some files? Apparently you stole them from these Russian dudes. Does that sound familiar at all?” Buster looked like he was trying hard to remember, then he dropped his head.

“Sorry Tansy. I don’t remember anything about any files. I don’t know why I would have stolen any. I don’t even work with much paperwork-you know, only invoices and stuff like that.” He shrugged.

I sighed. “Well, I don’t know what invoices for oil changes would do to help us. Thanks for trying.” I started to turn to leave.

“You know, I have been thinking a lot lately about something weird though. I can’t imagine what it means, but you know those hide-a-key things? I keep having some sort of vision of one. It’s like watching a movie or something, but it’s only like ten seconds long. I’m bending down by my truck and putting the hide-a-key under the wheel well and then I hear a noise and turn. That’s it. I have no idea what it means, you know?” He put his hands into his pockets and shook his head. “It doesn’t make any sense, especially since I have never had one of those things.”

“So it’s definitely your truck in the vision?” Could it be that he was thinking about the files without even knowing it? “Do you know what is in the hide-a-key?”

Buster looked at me funny. “You know, I figured it’s a key, but that doesn’t feel right.”

“Buster, I think you might be remembering hiding the files! Those Russian guys think that you put them on a flash drive! It would totally fit into a hide-a-key container!”

This was great! I just had to figure out how to get to Buster’s truck. It was in the police impound lot, locked up for evidence. I glanced up and saw Sam look my way.

“Well, I guess I better head over there before Sam head’s our direction.” I leaned in close to Buster. “Keep your chin up. I have a feeling we’re getting really close to cracking this whole thing wide open. And, don’t worry about Callie; I’m sure that she is thinking about you. This has just been a lot to deal with.” I really wished I could give him a hug. I would hate not being able to touch anything without going right through it.

Buster nodded and then melted back into the wall of the building.

I gave a sigh, flipped my phone closed, straightened my jacket and hat and headed over to Sam.

He looked up and smiled, a smudge of grease on his left cheek. My knees went weak. He was such a hottie, the grease just added to the adorable package.

I reached out and took the rag he was using to dry off his hands. “Here, let me get this for you.” I rubbed at the grease and gently took it off. Sam gave me a sheepish smile. “There, all clean.” I smiled and handed the rag back to him.

“Thanks.” He blushed, driving me even crazier. He took the rag and tossed it basketball style into the laundry bucket. “So, you ready to go get something to eat?”

My stomach growled. “You know, I’m starved!” I put my hand on my stomach to try and silence the noise.

Sam chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “Let me just get out of these coveralls and I’ll meet you over by the Jeep.”

I headed over to the Jeep. I really needed to get a handle on my hormones. They were wreaking havoc on my psychic skills. I noticed the minute I got around Sam I went all mushy and my energy was totally directed to responding to the physical and emotional connection I felt with him. I really needed to focus on figuring out how to get to Buster’s truck and save Callie, but I couldn’t seem to stay away from Sam. I decided I’d go to dinner with Sam and then make some excuse to go home so I could head down to the impound lot. I stuck Zippy’s key in my pocket and picked up the helmet.

“Why don’t you just stick that in the back seat?” I jumped at his voice. Sam had come up behind me and was motioning at the helmet. “Sorry-didn’t mean to startle you.” He leaned in and wrapped one arm around me and kissed the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

“Focus,” I told myself out loud.

“What?” Sam murmured into my neck, starting the chills all over again.

I pulled away and turned to face him. “Focus,” I repeated. “Focus is what I need to have in order to figure this all out and find Callie.” I leaned in and gave him a quick but firm kiss. Just enough to let him know I really didn’t want to stop, but that we had to in order to get some work done.

“Okay, I get it.” Sam dropped his hands, reaching out and wrapping his fingers through mine. “You have to promise me we can play just a bit-after we get some work done, of course.”

Now it was my turn to blush. “I think that can be arranged.”

I tossed Jeni’s helmet into the backseat and climbed in. Sam started up the engine and it caught on the first try, not what I was expecting from an early model Jeep Wrangler.

“So, I thought we could go grab some sushi, what do you think?”

I tried not to shudder. “Um, could we just get a burger maybe? Or a sandwich or salad?”

“Not a sushi fan, huh?” I watched him crack a smile. At least he wasn’t upset at my suggested change of venue.

“Nope. I love seafood, just not raw seafood.”

“Well, then, what should we do?” Sam glanced sideways at me and winked.

The park across the street looked exceptionally inviting. “Why don’t we grab some sandwiches and picnic type fare and head over to the park? The sun is out and I see you have a great picnic blanket back here.” I snagged the blanket and started to pull it from the backseat.

“Ow! Hey!” Sam slapped my hand and shoved the blanket back down behind his seat I pulled my hand back protectively.

Sam’s face had gone from sexy and fun to tumultuous and dark. His flashy blue eyes had turned to ice. A chill rushed over me and I noticed that Sam’s aura had turned black; he was covered in shadow. I drew in a breath, trying to decide what to do.

Before I could, he shook his head and most of the darkness dissipated. His face morphed back to a somewhat neutral expression.

“Sorry about that. It’s just that the blanket is actually covered in oil and dirt. Some idiot used it to clean up a mess. I didn’t want to get your outfit all dirty.” He smiled, but it was false and plastic.

I brushed my hands on my pants in an effort to brush away the lingering chill. I decided that if he could blow it off that easily, whatever it was, then I could too. I’d just have to figure out what the dark and creepy meant later.

“No problem. I see picnic tables over there too.” I smiled back at him, hoping mine was more convincing that his had been.

Twenty minutes later we were enjoying some tasty turkey and havarti sandwiches, my favorite Tim’s Cascade potato chips, and a couple of orange cream sodas. We had found a nice secluded patch of sunny grass and decided that no blanket or table was needed. I told him about the possible missing files. I was careful not to say too much. He really wasn’t law enforcement, but I figured I shouldn’t take too many chances. On the other hand, I needed him to help me come up with a way to get them.

“So, you think these files are in Buster’s truck?” Sam asked.

I finished the bite of sandwich in my mouth and took a sip of soda and contemplated before answering. “Well, I figure they must be somewhere the police didn’t find them, and that the bad guys can’t get to, you know? Buster must have put them somewhere he knew it would be safe if something were to happen to him. I’m guessing these bad guys have checked his apartment. If Big is in on all of this, I’m guessing the files aren’t at the dealership, or they wouldn’t have taken Callie. I’m also thinking Callie didn’t have it, or they wouldn’t have called me to find them. That only leaves one place that would make sense, the truck.” I took another big bite of sandwich and let the silence hang in the air.

“That makes sense; it’s the one place these guys can’t get to. The police probably don’t even know they have it, so it must be hidden somewhere.” He took another big bite of his sandwich and appeared to be thinking about where it could be.

I decided I wouldn’t share the information about the hide-a-key just yet. I had a nagging feeling about Sam’s earlier behavior. Whatever had caused him to lose his cool over the blanket had passed, and he seemed to be back to his same easy going self. It had been odd, an over reaction for sure in regard to the blanket. I was grateful he didn’t want me to get dirty, but I got the feeling that it was more about me seeing something on or in the blanket. For whatever reason, I didn’t believe that it was oil.

“You’re awfully quiet.” Sam said, giving my shoulder a shove.

“What is that supposed to mean? I’m usually loud?” I smiled and shoved him back.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me on top of him as he rolled back. I found myself lying across his broad chest, my face inches from his. He reached up and ran his finger over my lower lip.

“Oh!” I sucked in my breath. The next thing I knew Sam had rolled me onto my back and I was pinned under him. The heat of his body made it hard to determine where my body ended and his began. I watched his eyes come closer, hypnotized by the flecks of gold meshed with vibrant blue. His lips landed on mine and my senses exploded. I’d never felt such an electrical connection with anyone before. I knew he felt it too. He gasped and our kiss deepened. I felt like I was underwater caught in an undertow. I couldn’t catch my breath.

I lost track of time and would’ve been happy to continue kissing Sam forever, had something dark not appeared above us blocking out the sun. I groaned, pushed Sam off of my swollen lips and squinted up at the imposing shadowy figure.

“Oh, crap.”

“What?” He turned and squinted up at the dark figure, shading his eyes so he could see clearly.

“Why, if it isn’t the good detective.” Sarcasm dripped from his words. Sam stood up and wiped his lips with the back of his hand, making a point. Apparently he has some male need to let Smith know he’d interrupted us and that Sam was none too happy about it.

“Tansy, good to see you,” Smith said, ignoring Sam and his peacocking. I was still sitting on the ground and his friendly greeting made me blush as I thought of what we must have looked like. I glanced up and met his gentle brown eyes.

“Good to see you too Detective,” I smiled, trying not to cringe with embarrassment. Sam and I were no better than two hormone crazed teenagers. I really didn’t know what had gotten into me. I never behaved like this. I was guessing Sam wouldn’t normally rollick around the grass in a park with a grown woman in broad daylight either. I had heard of powerful attraction, but I’d never expected to experience anything this strong.

“Sorry to interrupt. You do know what you two were doing could be considered lewd behavior and could get you a ticket?” He smirked a bit and slid his gaze over to Sam. Sam just smiled like the cat that ate the canary.

“Oh-“my blush deepened.

“Whatever Smith; you wouldn’t have the balls to do it.” Sam challenged.

I glanced from Sam to Smith; they both seemed to be a little hot under the collar. Why do men feel the need to be competitive about everything? I cleared my throat.

“Can I get a little help up?” I was answered by two hands-one from each of them. I did what any girl would do, I grabbed on to both. Why should I have to choose?

“Thanks guys.” I brushed grass off my pants and my shirt. I looked down at the grass and saw that our sodas had been knocked over and Sam had orange cream soda stains on his jeans. He had grass all over his back and I reached out to brush him off.

“So Smith, is that all? Or, have you and your team of wonder detectives found anything else out about Buster or Callie’s disappearance?” He sneered as he brushed the grass from his front.

“No, nothing yet, unfortunately. We do think we might have a lead on the stiff from the dealership the other day though.” He reached up and pulled a piece of grass from my bangs. “You know, you have an awful lot of grass in your hair.”

“Oh, um, yes, it does tend to get stuck in the curls. It always caused me trouble as a kid, my mom, you know, she always got on me about my messy hair.” I bumbled my way through the awkward situation. For once, I didn’t have much to say. Not that I had to worry, since the two of them seemed to be in their own battle of who was the coolest.

“So, what about you, Mr. Private Investigator? Anything you want to share with me?” Smith smirked. “Don’t look so surprised, I know all about you Mr. Adams.” Smith picked up one of the apples that we had brought along for dessert, brushed it off, and took a big crunchy bite. “Yum, juicy.”