Part 3 (1/2)
The sun was setting when they got back to the Cairns. Alex held the door open. ”Here we are, back to reality.”
Cynthia stepped inside, but paused at the bottom of the stairwell. ”Does reality have to smell so musty? I'd prefer something more pleasant.”
He smiled. ”I agree, but the reality I referred to is we both have to work tomorrow, and that sucks. I wish I'd been born rich instead of handsome.” He flashed a wink.
Did he know how attractive he was? His good looks had drawn the admiring stares of so many women during their outing...and they all envied her, little ol' Cynthia Freitas.
He followed as she climbed the stairs. She paused at the first landing and faced him. ”Too bad we can't have everything we want, but I'd say today was a great ending to the weekend.” She smiled. ”Seriously, this was a great afternoon. I really enjoy looking in all the stores, although I can't believe I didn't find anything I wanted to buy. Maybe I should see a therapist.”
He shook his head and grinned. ”Maybe, but push on, my dear. We have another flight to climb, and dogs are barking.”
At her apartment, Alex took her key and unlocked the door. ”I had a great time too. If it wasn't Sunday evening we could have made our time together last a little longer. Maybe we can do this again another time?”
Her excitement bubbled to the surface. ”That would be wonderful. Hey, as a matter of fact, my brother Kevin and his girlfriend, Sara, are coming to visit in a few weeks. They want me, of all people, to show them around the city. Would you be interested in joining us?”
She held her breath hoping he wouldn't decline. She'd like to show Kevin she did have some confidence in herself.
”I'd like that very much.” He leaned down and brush his lips against hers.
Her heart skipped a beat then resumed its normal pace. She took a quick breath. ”That was nice.”
”Good. I was hoping I wouldn't offend you.”
”No offense taken.” And no defense either. Her knees turned to jelly. She opened her door, but paused, hoping for maybe yet another, and longer, kiss.
Instead, he took her hand and held her knuckles to his lips. ”Goodnight,” he whispered, warming her hand with his breath. He smiled and walked toward his apartment.
Cynthia went inside her place, closed the door and rested against it. She pondered the emotions Alex stirred within her. She feared falling for him, too afraid of what might happen if he didn't reciprocate the feelings. Could she handle rejection? She had no idea.
After making sure the door was locked, she went straight to the bedroom. Alex's reminder about the deadbolt flashed through her mind. She'd buy one tomorrow and ask him to install it. His offer of help provided more opportunity to be with him, and she'd take him over the super any day.
Lying in bed with hands folded behind his head, Alex stared into the darkness. Funny, he hadn't noticed how many blonde women lived in San Francisco. He'd seen a s.h.i.+tload of them during the day with Cynthia. Sweet Cynthia. She was an unexpected find. And how sick was he? Even after the great time they had, he couldn't stop thinking about the d.a.m.ned case and the victims. What complicated things: Cynthia way too closely resembled the missing women.
Just thinking about her caused a stirring in his groin. Instead of giving her just a quick goodnight peck, he wished he had taken her into his arms and thoroughly savored her mouth. Tomorrow was Monday, and he wondered how he would manage to see her during the week, how he could steal another kiss. They obviously didn't leave for work or arrive home at the same time, so how could he casually run into her?
He planned to take things slow...not scare her away, but kissing her hand? How lame was that? Still, she acted as though she felt an attraction to him, but as proven by his last romantic liaison, he wasn't the best judge of women's feelings. Grumbling, he turned over and pulled the blanket up to cover his bare chest. ”Go to sleep, Alex. You can worry about Cynthia tomorrow.”
Alex stood in front of his locker and changed into his uniform, then checked his gear. He loaded ammunition into his nine millimeter, and fastened the gun in his holster. His thoughts constantly strayed to Cynthia. He couldn't get her off his mind.
”Hey, Alex!” His patrol partner, Mike, interrupted some pleasant thoughts. ”I can't help but notice a smile on your face this morning. Usually, you're grumpy as h.e.l.l on Monday.” He dropped his jeans and changed into his own uniform.
Alex finished adjusting his tie and turned. ”So, grumpy am I? How come you never mentioned it before?”
”I just figured it was your normal Monday routine, but you shot that theory all to h.e.l.l. So, tell me...what's changed?”
Alex closed his locker and started toward the exit. ”None of your d.a.m.n business!”
”Aha! A woman. I knew it!”
”You think you're so smart. What makes you think it's a chick?”
”What else could it be? You got laid didn't you?” He tagged after Alex through the rows of metal cabinets, yapping at his heels like an annoying dog.
Alex snorted. ”I wish. It's been so long, I'm not sure I'd remember what to do.”
Mike caught up with him at the door and grasped his shoulder. ”That's something you never forget, partner. It's like a bicycle...you just get on and pedal as fast as you can.”
The s.e.x talk made Alex uncomfortable only because it brought visions of Cynthia lying beneath him. He shook off the image. ”It's no big deal. Besides, I think your time and attention would be better spent focusing on our a.s.signment. We've got to uncover something to lead us to the killer. C'mon, it's time to hit the road and catch the bad guys.” He pushed through the door.
After roll call, Alex handed over a sheet of paper to Mike which had addresses they were supposed to check out. He hoped to avoid any further discussion of his personal life and concentrate on their job. His hope was short-lived, when Mike grabbed his arm just outside the meeting room.
”Wait a minute. You aren't going to get out of this so easy. What's her name and where did you meet her?”
Alex shrugged off his grasp, and continued outside to their patrol car. ”What does it matter? You don*t know her.”
”Come on, Alex. Spill.” Mike followed on his heels, still yapping. ”You've been celibate for almost two years ... or is it longer? I'm your partner. I need to know these things.” He laughed.
Alex stopped with his hand on the door handle. ”Okay, okay. She lives in my apartment building and her name isn't important. Are you satisfied?”
”You lied didn't you? You did it. Was she good?”
Alex opened the car door, but before he got in, he peered over the roof at Mike. ”You're a pig. It's not like that. We've only seen each other a couple of times and she's a real lady. Just get in the car.”
As the pa.s.senger, Mike pulled his seat belt forward and inserted the buckle into the latch. ”Well, if you didn't get laid, and you're this happy, I don't know if I'll be able to stand you when you do.”
Alex fought a smile and, leaving the Bayview Police headquarters, drove across Oakdale, in the direction where the latest victim had been found so he and Mike could go over the crime scene one more time in hopes of finding overlooked clues. The Crime Scene Investigation team made a thorough sweep of the area already, but the Chief wanted to make sure they missed nothing. The pressure from the public over this case weighed on everyone's shoulders. Alex wasn't one to leave things to chance so he was fine with a follow-up despite his partner's complaining.
Alex made a quick right turn into a narrow alleyway and stopped the cruiser directly in front of the yellow police tape that still marked the spot. They'd have to walk to where the victim's body had been discovered.
A sick feeling crept into the pit of Alex's stomach when he stood over the spot where the young woman's lifeless body had been dumped. The chalk outline on the asphalt served as a grim reminder that someone had lost a loved one. He knew what that felt like. His jaw tightened with the growing need to catch the son-of-a-b.i.t.c.h who obviously enjoyed torturing people.
He turned to his partner. ”Let's canva.s.s the area one last time. You start at that end of the alley and I'll start at this end.”
Mike sighed. ”Alex, you know the area has already been gone over with a fine-toothed comb. What do you expect to find?”
”Look for anything that might have a bearing on the case. The perp's eventually going to screw up and leave something to lead us to him.”
Mike stomped to the alley's opposite end. Head down, he took measured steps, but his low grumblings echoed off the brick walls.
”Any luck?” Alex called from halfway.
”No.” Mike held up his hands. ”But I don't know what in the h.e.l.l I'm supposed to find.”
”I*m not finding anything either. I guess you're right. We may as well give it up, at least for now. We have the addresses of other nearby alleys. The perp seems to like them.”