Salvage

  ****

  Denise wasn’t stalling. It just so happened she had tons of paperwork to finish, which was true. But she always had paperwork to complete. The life of a government agent wasn’t always glamorous like the movies portrayed it to be. Those action packed moments were minimal. Most of the time, she was either interviewing someone, testifying in court or sitting in her cubicle completing form after form as she was now.

  Denise added the last sentence to the Frankenson file. Charles Frankenson had taken it upon himself to set fire to five catholic churches throughout the Boston and New York areas, injuring and killing dozens of people before he was stopped. His reasoning? He disliked Catholicism. The guy was a complete nut job. Denise took great pride in arresting him.

  She logged off her computer and debated asking Director Gray for another case. That really would be stalling. It was beyond time to get off work, but somehow her butt remained planted in the seat.

  Three days had gone by since Denise saw R.J. In that time, she couldn’t figure out that growing feeling in the pit of her stomach whenever she thought him. He was an attractive man. Those eyes. That smile.

  But they weren’t Markus’s bright hazel eyes or his lazy smile. R.J wasn’t as tall or as muscular as Markus. His hair was too long and wild, nothing like Markus’s buzz cut.

  Yet, a part of Denise appreciated those differences and yearned to see R.J. again for some inexplicable reason. It was the money, she decided. She swore to herself that she’d pay him back after destroying his groceries. With a reason as to why she felt the way she did, Denise grabbed her bag and left the office.

  In no time, she was parked in front of the building he indicated was his. Pure will and determination made her buzz his apartment. Then fear made her back away.

  It was late. R.J. was probably at work. She didn’t know the hours bartenders worked, but it was past a normal person’s dinnertime. Not hers, of course since she pulled a long day at the I.R.A. office.

  She should have thought this over more before she jumped in her car and drove over on a whim. If he wasn’t working, R.J. was probably busy or had company. He seemed like a social fellow. Denise clinched her fists at her sides. This was a bad idea. She was going to leave.

  “Yes?” came a deep voice through the intercom.

  She froze. Denise’s heart pounded in her chest. Did she tell R.J. she wanted to give him money? Did she just say her name? Or should she leave like she was planning to do?

  “Hello. Anyone there?”

  She stepped forward and spoke up. “Hi. This is Denise. We met at Bolt.”

  A beat passed before he said, “Denise?”

  “Yes. I ran into you the other day.”

  “Uh, yeah. I know who you are. Come on up. Just give me a second before you come into my apartment.”

  The door buzzed to indicate she had access to enter. Denise walked through the small foyer and mailbox area then up the stairs. The door to R.J.’s apartment was cracked open.

  He told her to give him a minute, so she waited in the hallway with its dingy maroon carpet and cracked walls. Not the best apartment building but definitely not the worst. Denise had seen bad. Her job allowed her to see it all.

  After a few minutes, R.J. opened the door. He was dressed in a pair of gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt but somehow looked more dazzling than most men did in tailored suits. He smiled, one corner of his mouth hitching higher than the other and shooting a small flutter to the pit of her stomach.

  “Hi.”

  Denise swallowed. “Hi.”

  “Sorry to keep you waiting in the hall. I wasn’t expecting company, so the place is not really the neatest.”

  “It’s my fault really. I shouldn’t have barged over here without warning.” She should not have come at all. What had gotten into her? It took years to work up the nerve to tell Markus how she felt and after only a few days she was coming to R.J.’s place unannounced.

  “It’s a wonderful surprise. Come in, please. Ignore the clutter.” He opened the door wider so that she could enter.

  R.J.’s apartment wasn’t cluttered. It was just sort of thrown together and mismatched. A blue couch, black leather recliner, plasma television on the wall. A bedroom was over to the left and to the right was a small kitchen.

  As Denise took in the apartment, a black and white dog lopped over at full speed, nearly knocking her down. Denise stumbled back to catch her balance.

  “Barkley, bad boy,” R.J. reprimanded. He offered her a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry. He usually barks at guests, not tackles them.”

  Denise laughed as Barkley licked her hand. “He’s a sweetie pie.”

  Barkley jumped down and ran to get a red ball. He dropped it at her feet. His little panting face practically begged her to play with him.

  R.J. swiped the ball before she could. “She doesn’t want to play fetch with you, Barkley.” He tossed it into his bedroom. Barkley chased after the ball and R.J. shut the bedroom door.

  “I didn’t mind playing with him.” Barkley was awfully cute.

  “This is so unlike him. He’s a friendly dog but not that friendly.”

  Denise shrugged. “Maybe he just likes me.”

  Those clear blue eyes roved from the top of her head down to her black ballet flats. Denise didn’t know what test she was going through but hoped she passed. Finally, he said, “I guess so.”

  Neither of them said anything for a moment. For the millionth time Denise wished she’d ran off when she still had the chance.

  R.J. dragged a hand through his thick, dark hair. “Do you want to sit or something?”

  “Um, no. I’m fine. I came to drop off this.” She dug into her purse and pulled out a white envelope.

  He eyed the envelope as if it contained a bomb. “What’s that?”

  “Money for grocery.”

  “Oh, no.” Like a child, he placed his hands behind his back. “I told you I didn’t want your money.”

  “Please take it.”

  He shook his head. “If that’s the only reason you showed up here then I suppose this visit is going to be short.”

  His choice of words confused her. “Is there another reason I should be here?”

  A shadow crossed his eyes. “I suppose not. Look, thanks but no thanks. It’s getting dark. You better be going.”

  For some strange reason she had the feeling she’d disappointed R.J. Was there something she was missing? And why did she not want to leave? His small, disorderly apartment wasn’t comforting in the least.

  Denise already made one hit or miss decision tonight. What was one more? “Well, I haven’t eaten. I don’t know if you have. Not saying we have to eat together or anything. That’s not what I’m saying at all. But if you want to use the money for dinner or something that would be cool with me.” Denise ran both hands down her face. Could she ramble or sound anymore like an idiot?

  When she looked at R.J., she was shocked to see him smiling. He was making fun of her. “Go ahead and tell me how much of a loser I am.” She could take it. It wasn’t anything she didn’t already know.

  He frowned, a line forming between his unruly brows. “I don’t think you’re a loser. And I am hungry. Dinner would be nice.” He smirked. “Especially since you are paying. How does Chinese food sound? Barkley loves egg rolls.”

  Denise didn’t trust herself to speak, so she simply nodded. Her chest felt tight and her stomach quivered every time R.J. smiled. Oh, Lord. What was happening to her?