"So 'fess up," Stephanie playfully ordered as she nodded to the phone. "Who was calling?"
"Some, well, old acquaintances of mine from the city," he explained. He fidgeted in his seat as he tried to find the most flattering words to use regarding this former relationship. "I was pretty wild there in my youth-"
"You're not that old," his partner cheerfully interrupted.
"Well, when I was younger and stupider, I moved in a very wild circle," he corrected himself. "Some of those people weren't very nice, either, and they felt more than a little insulted when I left the group to start myself on a better path. I got some schooling at night and got a job during the day, and pretty much clawed my way out of that hole."
"What made you decide to leave?" Stephanie asked. "I mean, that's a pretty big leap going from bad boy to good boy."
"Things...things started getting a little too heavy for me," Chuck hesitated to admit. He turned his face away from the shame. "People started to get hurt. Good people. Nobody cared about them, though. They were just casualties in this stupid little war we were fighting with the world."
"But you cared," she softly pointed out. "And that made you want to leave."
"Pretty much," he answered. He sighed and shook his head. "Those were some pretty dark days. I left behind everyone I thought were my friends. The minute I decided to leave, though, they dropped me like a bag of potatoes."
"So why are they calling you up now?" Stephanie asked. She tapped on the phone on his desk. "And at your work place?"
"Well, that shows they don't have my cell phone number yet," he replied. He looked pretty grim about the whole communication thing, though.
"Yet?" she repeated. That didn't sound promising.
"Yeah, it's unlisted but it's probably only a matter of time before they start bothering me on that, too," he sighed. He apparently expected a call any day.
"Why are they calling you up now?" she wondered aloud. She frowned as she tried to think of a few reasons, but failed. "I mean, it's been this many years and they ring you up to have what? A friendly chat?"
"They were wanting me to do them a favor, but I passed," Chuck replied. As much as she was dying to know, it looked like he really didn't want to talk about it. She would have been worried about them coming around, but if Chuck wasn't worried, she wouldn't be.
"Well, so that's the big mystery behind your past, you wild city boy?" she asked as she slid off the desk.
"Pretty much," he agreed with a shrug. "I was a street thug who got out of it and managed to come out here."
"I didn't realize I'd taken in that bad a stray," she playfully teased. He smiled.
"It's a good thing you did," Chuck replied as he stood to his feet. "I was just about out of money from trying to get a bus ride out here. This was pretty much as far as I could get from that city without starving."
"Then it's a good thing you saw my ad for a junior partner, or I wouldn't have gotten this far on my own," Stephanie informed him as she glanced about the room. The place wasn't shiny and new, but it was theirs. "I'd probably still be stuck in a small office somewhere just off main street trying to scrape away for customers who I hated to deal with."
"Glad to be of service," he answered as he stood and playfully bowed. Then he looked over to the clock. "Looks like it's just about time for you to leave, though." He was right, the time was almost five already.
"And you don't stay here too late," she scolded in her turn.
Stephanie grabbed her purse and coat off her own desk, and gave him a wave farewell as she walked out of the office. Another day and a lot of work done, and a little more known about her partner. She could call that a success.
EVOLUTION (IN THE LOUP: BOOK #6)
Stephanie felt so much better than in the morning that she didn't even remember being sick. She arrived home with the setting sun at her back to find her husband in his usual seat on the couch watching tv. There was a simple meal on table and a chilled bottle of wine in a bowl of ice. She was sure that was his way of adding a touch of elegance to an otherwise bland meal, and she appreciated even that small effort. Stephanie was also glad that she didn't smell that strange scent of flowers coming from him. For some reason that had been grating on her.
Stephanie tossed aside her coat and purse, and forsook the dinner to go over to the back of the couch. She was feeling so good she felt frisky, and she leaned over to snake her arms around his neck.
"Hi, honey," she softly cooed into his ear.
"Hey, you're strangling me here," he gruffly complained. He shrugged off her arms and returned to watching the weather channel. A storm front was coming up that would last for at least a week and leave the nights wet and cloudy.
Stephanie was disappointed with his brushoff but not deterred. Instead she walked to the front of couch and plopped herself right beside him. One of her hands rubbed over his leg, and when that didn't seem to get his attention she wrapped one of her legs over both of his. Now she was starting to get his notice as he glanced down at her limb as she pressed her breasts against his side. Her lips nuzzled into his neck.
"Come on, honey, let's have some fun," she encouraged. She was already hot with need, all she needed was a little encouragement.
Unfortunately she wasn't going to find it here.
"I'm watching something here," he complained. He shifted to the last cushion on the couch and continued to look at the tv. "Besides, shouldn't you be resting or something after that attack?"
Stephanie's playful smile slid off her face and anger replaced it. She swiftly stood to her feet and moved to block his view of the tv. Her hands were balled into fists and her body shook with fury.
"What's your problem?" he angrily asked. He leaned forward to push her out of the way, but she slapped his hand away. "What the hell?" he asked as he held the injured hand. "What's wrong with you?"
"Is this the thanks I get for giving you all the money you could want while I slave all day?" she accused. He looked at her sullenly for a moment before an apologetic smile spread across his face. She was starting to believe he took a Jekyll formula to switch between these personalities.
"I'm sorry, honey," he apologized. He stood up and wrapped her in a warm hug. She didn't return the embrace, but he didn't seem too bothered with that. Then he held her back at arms length and looked into her face. "I've just been so worried about you lately. You're not yourself." He glanced into her eyes and shook his head. "You just don't look well."
"I feel fine," she lightly argued back. It was true, she felt a lot better than that morning. "I just...I just don't know what's wrong with me. I think I'll go to bed early."
"That might be best," he agreed. He checked his watch and sighed. "And it looks like I've got to go. I've got a card game with the guys tonight, and they'll give me hell if they have to wait for the big bank."
"A card game at a time like this?" she asked. She couldn't believe he was ditching her for his friends. Maybe she was surprised he even had enough friends to make a card game.
"A guy's gotta have his distractions," he replied. He leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead. "You get some food in you and get some sleep, okay?"
"Yeah, I will," Stephanie agreed, but she didn't put much emotion into her response. Followed him to the door and outside, and waved goodbye as he left in the car.
Stephanie felt so alone as she stood out there in the cool night air. She hugged herself as a breeze whipped by, and she was a little jealous of the wind. It could go anywhere it wanted, and most especially it could get away from here. Then she glanced up at moon in the clear sky. She couldn't deny it was another beautiful night.
Maybe she'd go for a walk.
A few minutes later found Stephanie a block down and increasing the distance from her house. The waning moon above was bright enough she could see into the corners of alleys and dark places around the houses and businesses she passed. It was a nice, refreshing bit of exercise, especially after being cooped up all day in the ba
ckroom. A few stray cats trotted along her path as she passed beneath the cool trees which lined the streets. Here and there a car passed and another pedestrian walked their animals, but otherwise she was left alone.
The quiet around her gave Stephanie a chance to think over the day's work and all the excitement she'd experienced since that fateful night a few days back. It all seemed like a dream, or a nightmare, when she'd walked her way into that alley and gotten herself in way over her head with that trouble. She just wished she could explain it, because even now the young woman found the images were confusing and the echoes of the emotions were terrifying.
Remembering all that fear in that dark alley ruined her walk, as did a chance stroll passed an different alley near the business district. It was a normal enough side street, with the required number of trash cans, litter and alley cats, but there was something about it that really caught her off guard. She actually stopped walking and peered into the shadowed depths. She thought she saw something flash across her side vision. Her body quaked and her muscles tensed. She felt herself reliving that horrible experience. Her instincts told her to flee just as her sensibilities told her to keep calm.
Much as she strained her ears, though, she didn't hear anything. Maybe it was all just her imagination, but she finally heeded the tiny voice in her head that told her to obey her instincts. She quickly stepped away from the alley and turned to take the most direct route back home. She couldn't enjoy the return trip. Every few steps she'd look over her shoulder. She had the feeling over being watched and even though she didn't see anything else, she quickened her strides.
That meant she made it back home in record time, and just in time to find the neighbor's dog on her lawn. The mutt was assuming the position to once again ruin the green grass.
"Shoo! Shoo!" she tried to wave him off as she moved toward him.
The dog turned around and stared at her and Stephanie tried to make herself look as big and menacing as possible. He wasn't at all impressed with her waving arms, though, and in a few short second she was left with another gift to have Bob clean up. The dog scampered off with a stupid grin on his face, and, horribly defeated, she shuffled to the front door. It was a depressing realization that she couldn't even keep a dumb dog from crapping in the yard.
"I guess I'm just a pushover," she sighed as she glanced over to the table. The meal was still there and the ice had melted in the bucket. It no longer held the same romantic atmosphere as when she'd gotten home from work, tired and just glad to have some waiting for her. She gave a short, bitter laugh. "Even my husband tries to bribe me off his back."
Stephanie was so worked up by the dog, the alley and all those memories that she jumped when she heard a loud, firm knock on the door. She turned and inched her way over to the entrance. She wasn't expecting anyone, and Bob would just let himself in. The young woman also just remembered that she hadn't locked the door behind herself. That meant that whoever was there could let themselves in.
Working through all the horrible things an intruder could do to her, Stephanie was absolutely relieved to look through the peephole and see Chuck standing there. Good, nonthreatening, though-acting-weird-lately Chuck. She still had a look of relief on her face when she opened the door. He noticed.
"You all right?" he asked in concern.
"I'm fine, I just thought you were a burglar or something," she laughed at herself.
"Do burglars knock now?" Chuck teased, and she shrugged.
"I wouldn't know, and I also don't know why you happen to be standing on my doorstep right now," Stephanie replied as she tilted her head questioningly to one side. "Something wrong at the office?" Then she recalled the trouble he'd had earlier with his former associates. "It isn't about your old friends, is it?"
"No no, everything's fine with the office, and I don't think my friends are going to be bothering me again for a while," he explained away her concerns. "I just wanted to make sure you were still feeling all right," he sheepishly admitted. She smiled.
"You're a good friend, Chuck," she complimented.
"Thanks, Boss," he returned with his own grin. He was glad to see her smile so easily. The man was starting to fear she'd forgotten how. "You're not so bad yourself, especially if you'd answer my question."
"I'm feeling just fine," she replied with a roll of her eyes. "Now are you done mothering me or are you going to keep doing this until I'm as fit as a horse."
"You'd probably make a pretty good horse, like an Arabian," he guessed as he scrutinized her form. She blushed as his eyes wandered over her chest, but at least he didn't stop until he face to her face. "Yep, definitely as sleek as one of those beauties."
"If you're done scrutinizing me, are you going to come in or stand out there all night?" she asked.
"I don't know," he hesitated as he glanced inside. His eyes searched the area, and she understood what, or more precisely who, he was trying to find.
"He's not here," Stephanie told him. There was evident, if subdued, disgust in her voice. "He went out to play cards with some of his buddies. Even if he was here, though, I'd still want you to come in," she added, and he was confused enough that she laughed. "I still haven't treated you like you did for me a few nights back. Remember the Chinese?"
"Well, if you put it that way," he pointed out. She was surprised by how eager he stepped into the house. He almost knocked into her. "How about we make ourselves a deal? How about I cook something you got in here, and that'll make us even for the Chinese?"
"That's not exactly what I had in mind," she argued, but he was already in the kitchen.
He started opening cupboards and scrounging through the fridge in search of materials to use in his creation. He happened to glance over to the table and noticed the food still sitting there.
"This what Bob cooked you for dinner?" he asked, and she regretfully nodded her head. She supposed it was the thought that count, but the meal was definitely inedible now. "Well, I suppose it's good enough for the trash." Without any hesitation he tossed it in the trash and hid the evidence beneath other pieces of garbage. Then he clapped his hands together and stuck his head back in the fridge. "Now what do you feel up for?"
"I don't really know," she admitted with a shrug. She also didn't have much faith that he could manage to scrounge up enough food to make even cereal. "Maybe some meat or something?"
"Meat?" he asked as he pulled his head out of the fridge. "Rare or well-done?"
"I was kinda wanting something that mooed," she replied with a wide, toothy grin.
"Well, I guess I'll see what I can do, provided its kosher," he teased her.
"Oh, but of course," she answered as she covered her smile.
Stephanie seated herself at the dining table, which offered a full view of his efforts. Through the miracles of his deft imagination and touch, though, she watched in amazement as a delicious meal built up. Her mouth watered, and after that walk her stomach grumbled as the sumptuous smells drifted over to her. After an impatient and long half hour, they sat down to eat an she devoured her portion. The chef for his part was glad at her appetite. He glanced over to the counter and noted the bottle of pills behind the flour container. During the cooking he'd deftly shoved it behind there without her noticing. He hoped she'd keep forgetting about taking her medication. It would help both of them if she did.
Finally after a full fifteen minutes of eating and talking between bites, Stephanie leaned back and patted her stomach.
"Every time you treat me to food, it just keeps getting better and better," she complimented. She couldn't stop a burp which loudly escaped her lips. A sheepish grin spread across her lips. "Um, sorry about that. Guess I got carried away."
"I'll say," he agreed as he looked over the empty plates. They had given their best efforts against her onslaught, but none had survived. He picked up some of the dishes and walked them over to the sink. "You act like you haven't eaten anything decent since I fed you."
"Well, you know how Bob's c
ooking is," she replied with a heavy sigh. "Sometimes he's got a tv dinner ready and sometimes it's a bowl of cereal."
"Sounds, um, tasty," Chuck replied as he playfully gagged. Stephanie laughed.
"Well, I'm not a picky an eater as I used to be," she pointed out. She smiled when he took her plate and silverware, and set them by the sink. "You really don't have to clean that stuff up. I can do it later since I usually clean the dishes before I take my bath." That probably had something to do with the fact that they didn't have a dishwasher to make the chore easier.
"Shouldn't that be one of Bob's chores?" her partner asked as he half turned to her. The smile slipped off her face and she looked away from his judging glance.
"He just gets distracted by the tv a lot when I'm around," she shrugged off. She knew she was acting the part of a battered housewife by making excuses for him.
"So how have you and Bob been getting along?" Chuck wondered while he began cleaning the sink and the dishes. "He been helping out a lot more?"
"To be honest, it hasn't been very good lately," Stephanie answered. She fidgeted in her seat. Even though Chuck knew how lazy Bob was, it was still a little embarrassing telling Chuck about their relationship. "He's just, I don't know, just-"
"Selfish?" he interrupted as he paused in his cleaning. He leaned over the sink and cast a side glance at her. "You really need to stop trying to make him look like a saint. He's not good enough for you." Chuck paled at those last words he'd spoken, but Stephanie looked inquisitively at him. She was even a little teasing.
"So you think he's not good enough for me?" she asked, but he returned to the dishes without replying. She noticed he was scrubbing those plates pretty raw. The young woman leaned back in her chair and smirked. "So who do you think's good enough for me?"
"I didn't mean it that way," he quickly excused himself. Stephanie wasn't taking that as an answer, however, and she stood up from her seat.
"Then how did you mean it?" she questioned as she moved over to stand beside him. He focused on the sink water, so she leaned over the counter to catch his eye. "Come on, 'fess up," she spoke with that impish smile on her face. She was really liking this flattering game. "Who's good enough for me?"