Fleeting Glimpse Page 10

  “I’m not a little old lady.”

  “I’m a gentleman, none the less.”

  She quickly glances at her phone to double check that she set the alarm. Sticking it in her back pocket before Julian gets into the car.

  At the gate he rolls down his window. “Hey, George.”

  “Lieutenant Drake.” He leans around Julian. “Hi, Ms. Willis. Did you get your security system installed?”

  “Yes, I did, George. Do I need to give you any information?”

  “I’ll get the particulars later. There is no hurry,” George says.

  “We shouldn’t be gone too long.” She smiles and waves as they pull out of the gate. Frowning at Julian, she crosses her arms. “Why didn’t you tell me you work out here?”

  “I didn’t think it was important.” He drives out onto the main thoroughfare. “What are you hungry for?”

  “Not Chinese. Something simple, easy and quick.”

  “Then I have the perfect place.” As Julian drives, he gives his passenger a sideways glance. The soft curvature of her face has him unable to keep his full attention on the road.

  “Where?”

  “You don’t need to know. You have to trust me.” He flashes her a big grin.

  “Just because you’re a detective doesn’t mean you gain my trust right out. You still have to work for it.”

  He chuckles. “And what do I need to do to gain your trust?”

  “Start by telling me why you didn’t mention you’re in my area regularly.”

  He laughs, driving onto the frontage road. “I really didn’t think about it. It’s not something I readily share. I cover most of the city. This area is part of what my unit is in charge of. It’s just my job.”

  Her eyes narrow as she wags her finger. “I think you're hiding something.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  “What am I hiding?” he asks without looking at her. He turns onto a dark neighborhood road.

  “I’m not sure. Something.” Chandra scans the area outside her window. “Where are we going? This doesn’t look like a place where a restaurant would be.”

  “Again, you’re making a judgment off what you see. With no other consideration.”

  “You really like this, don’t you?”

  He barks out a laugh. “Like what?”

  She waves her hand between them. “This... this aloofness. You think you're pretty special, don’t you?”

  “Uh, you really need to get a grip, you know that?” Julian feigns pain when she smacks his arm. She’s about to say something when he watches her eyes light up.

  “Wow. I’ve never seen this place. How could I not know it exists?”

  “The owner is a friend of mine. He doesn’t advertise, it’s all word of mouth. And trust me, he has more business than he knows what to do with.” Julian parks in front of a giant Weeping Willow tree. A house that looks like it should be on a plantation in Tennessee looms in front of them.

  The building is set back behind the tree. Hanging glass jars with soft glowing bulbs light the porch. Rockers line the covered area. The crisp white of the house and the bright yellow wooden shutters seem oddly in place in the heart of Maine.

  Chandra’s jaw hangs open. “That’s a Weeping Willow. I didn’t think they were native to Maine. And why is there a big farm house in the middle of my town?”

  “The top of the tree spans thirty feet easy. It’s over twenty-five feet tall.” Julian gazes at the tree. “This is a different kind of tree. Look closely at the hanging branches.”

  Chandra stares out the front window of the car. “What am I—no way?” She gets out of the vehicle and stands under the tree, looking up. A dazzling display of thousands of tiny lights, as small as lightening bugs, line each of the hanging branches. Her mouth opens then forms a giant smile. “These aren’t branches at all. They’re tiny strands of lights.”

  “They are. Just wait.” Julian leans against the front of his vehicle. “Wait for it.”

  Chandra looks up at the tree, then back at Julian.

  He points. “Look.”

  She glances up again. This time the lights are growing brighter, turning from a soft yellow to a vibrant orange, then a blood red before going dark again. She gasps at the array of colors. “This is beautiful.” She spins under the lights as they begin to increase in color again, this time moving through various shades of yellow. “Amazing.”

  “Did I mention my friend used to do special effects for movies?”

  She tilts her head. “No. Is that why this place is here?” She points to the plantation like structure behind her. “It seems very out of place.” She giggles. “And yet it seems perfect.”

  He gestures towards the porch. “His wife grew up here. He promised her they would move back when he retired from the movie business. He built this place a few years ago. Every season he changes the interior. Sometimes he recreates a movie set, a season, a place. Just about anything he can think of.”

  She follows him up the grand staircase to the front entrance. “Are you sure we can get seated? The parking lot looks full.”

  “He always has a table for me.” As he pulls open the door, a warm flash of air flows over them.

  Chandra gasps as she enters what looks like a fairy tale forest. Pathways of a dirt like substance weave in between mushroom top tables. Unseen wires carry fluttering butterflies and other winged forest creatures as they move throughout the space.

  “This looks and feels incredibly real. It’s like I’ve stepped into another world.” Chandra can’t keep from smiling.

  A big man walks out from behind a wall, taking Julian in a bear hug. “Julian. So good to see you.” He shifts his stance, facing Chandra. “And who is this lovely creature you brought with you?” He takes her hand in his, kissing the back of it.

  “This is Chandra, a new friend of mine. Chandra meet Big Al,” Julian says.

  “Nice to meet you.” She spins around, looking at the restaurant. “This is an amazing place.”

  “I’m thrilled you like it. When my wife wanted to move back here, I brought all my special effects with me. I had to get the stuff out of the barn. My wife made that clear on several occasions. Building this place seemed the perfect use.”

  “Well, I love it. I want one of those trees from outside,” Chandra says.

  “Give me fifty thousand and I’ll build it for you.” He grabs two menus. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  Julian nods. “I am. I think Chandra needs to taste your honey muffin rolls.”

  “I’ve been eating left over Chinese for several days. Honey muffin rolls sound fantastic.”

  “Follow me.” Al leads the way towards the back of the restaurant.

  Chandra follows with Julian behind her. A waterfall comes into view. Stopping to watch at the edge of the manmade pond, she gasps at the small creatures scurrying around the scene. “That’s fantastic.”

  Al stops and steps back with her. Several tables surround the pond and waterfall, leaving enough space for kids and adults to get up close to the structure. “I wanted to make sure my patrons would feel immersed in whatever surroundings I built.”

  Chandra places her hand on her heart. “You have placed me in the thick of a fairy tale forest. I’m in awe.” She points to the squirrels sitting on the edge of the bank, before he ducks into the shadows. “I don’t know how you did all this. It’s amazing.”

  Al laughs. “Lots of robotics.” He nods to a table closest to the waterfall. “I keep this open most nights for special guests. I hope you enjoy the food.” He pulls out Chandra’s chair before handing her a menu. As he hands Julian his, he rests his hand on the Lieutenant’s shoulder. “Sometime this week, I need to speak with you.”

  Julian nods. “Anytime, I can make myself available.”

  “Great. I’ll stop by before the evening is over. Bon appetite.”

  “Merci beaucoup,” Chandra responds.

  “La
dame parle français,” Al says as a big smile fills his face.

  She pinches her thumb and forefinger together. “Assez pur me render dagereux.”

  Laughing, Al throws his head back. “I don’t need to speak in French to make myself dangerous. My English gets me into enough trouble.” He pats Julian on the back. “Enjoy your meal.”

  Julian frowns. “I wasn’t aware you spoke French.”

  A devilish smile creeps across her face. “Hmm, kind of like I wasn’t aware you worked in my neighborhood.” Chandra takes a sip of her water, winking at the handsome lieutenant. She sits up straight as she watches Julian’s face harden.

  “I don’t like people keeping secrets from me,” he says as he leans across the table reaching for her hand. He takes it in his, squeezing. “You aren’t keeping any other secrets from me, are you?”

  Chandra glances around the restaurant. Her body stiffens. “I…I was kidding, Julian.” As fast as his expression had hardened, she watches it soften. The muscles in his neck cease to bulge, and his grip on her hand loosens. Winking and smiling at her, Chandra can feel her forehead wrinkle.

  Julian breaks out in laughter. “Gotcha.” He continues to laugh as she throws one of the extra napkins at him.

  “I hate you right now.” She shakes her head. “I thought you were serious and a little psycho.”

  “I use that same face on criminals when I’m trying to get them uneasy in order to get a confession from them.”

  “I can see how it works.” She fiddles with her menu. Searching for the perfect meal, her phone vibrates in her pocket.

  Over the top of his menu, Julian watches as she checks her messages. Her eyebrows draw together as she bites her bottom lip. “Who is it?”

  She glances up, shaking her head. “Nobody.”

  “Don’t lie to me. I can see you’re worried.”

  She leans into the table. “I’ve been getting more texts from an unknown number. I’m sure it’s Thomas. Well, I was sure.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Today, George, the guard, he told me people are always trying to get into the neighborhood to see me. He also said everyone in the community knows who I am. Now I have to wonder if it isn’t just Thomas. Plus, someone got in and left the gift in my mailbox.”

  “What do the texts say?”

  She opens the messages on her phone. “Here,” she says, handing it to him. “I deleted some of them. Basically, things like I’m going to get you. You can’t get away with it.”

  Julian skims through a few texts. “I have put one of my detectives on Thomas. Asked him to pull everything he could find on him.”

  Chandra sits up straighter. “You don’t think he will know you’re doing this?”

  “No. We aren’t going to question him in person. Simply checking his background.”

  “Have you found anything yet?” She smiles at the waitress as she sets a basket of honey muffin rolls on the table, along with two glasses of water.

  Once the waitress leaves Julian answers her. “It looks like he may have had a few complaints from other women. Doesn’t look like it amounted to much. Once they reported it, he seemed to stop.”

  “This could be a good thing. It could mean this will blow over. Right? After the case with the publishers goes away.” She reaches for a muffin. As she takes a bite, she melts into her seat. “This is delicious. I want to take some home with me. Do you think they sell these to go?”

  Julian laughs at her reaction. “Yes, they do, and we will get you some for the road.”

  “I don’t think I have ever tasted something this fantastic.” She moans. “I can’t get enough.”

  The waitress returns with two glasses of wine and their salads, then disappears again.

  She stares at the waterfall. Mesmerized by the animatronics, her mouth drops open when a hawk like creature swoops down and lands on a nearby tree branch. “Is that a real bird?” she asks pointing to the creature.

  Julian shakes his head without looking around. “Nope.”

  “You don’t even know what I’m pointing at.”

  “Don’t need to. Everything in here is a prop.” He sets his salad plate off to the side. Staring at her, he’s enamored by her response as she takes in her surroundings. The expression of joy on her face makes him glad he brought her here. She needed the distraction.

  Chandra catches him watching her. “What?”

  “What…what?”

  “Why are you staring at me?”

  “You look happy.”

  Taking a sip of her wine, she relaxes into her chair, sighing. “I am. I think this is the first time in a long while I haven’t been afraid or anxious.” She breaks eye contact. “I must sound like a fool.”

  “Not at all. I’m glad I’m the one who could help you relax.”

  She squints at him, about to say something, when their food arrives. Her eyes bulge at the massive amount of pasta. “I can make three meals out of this.”

  “Seeing as how you suck at grocery shopping, that’s a good thing.”

  She frowns. “Ha ha. I don’t suck at it; I hate doing it. Big difference.”

  They eat in silence for a few moments.

  Able to enjoy her meal without the added pressure of conversation, is even more blissful. Chandra watches Julian as he eats. His square, rugged jaw line adds to his appealing looks. His dark hair is striking against his emerald green eyes.

  “Now I’m the one being watched,” he says without looking at her.

  “How do you know I’m watching you?”

  “I can feel it.” He winks at her.

  “How long have you been a detective?”

  Taking a sip of his wine, he places his fork on his plate. “Three years as a lieutenant. Fifteen years total on the force.”

  “Why didn’t you go into the FBI? You’ve worked with them, right?”

  “Yes. I’ve worked with them. They wanted me to apply several times. It’s not for me.”

  “Would you like some more wine?” The waitress asks, lifting the bottle in her hand.

  “Yes, please,” Chandra says as she lifts her glass.

  “And you?” the waitress asks Julian.

  He shakes his head. “No, thank you.”

  Before she leaves, Chandra asks for a to-go box, and some muffins, as well.

  “I’ll take one too, please,” Julian says.

  “Thank you very much for this.” She stares at the waterfall. “What a great distraction. I needed this.”

  “I’m glad I could help.” Taking the boxes and the check from the waitress, he hands one box to Chandra. “Where do you like to shop for groceries?”

  “Hannaford. There is one practically right next door to my neighborhood. You don’t have to go with me. I can go out tomorrow.”

  “Like I said earlier, I need a few things. Might as well get it done together. Keep each other company.”

  Chandra laughs. “Okay.” She finishes off her last sip of wine. “I’m ready.”

  Filling out the credit card receipt, Julian picks up his to go box. “Let’s go shopping.”

  As they leave, Julian stops to whisper something to Al. He nods in response to something Al says.

  Chandra watches the exchange. They seem like they’re more than acquaintances. As if there is a deeper bond between them. Leading Julian out the door, she glances over her shoulder. “You two seem like you’re close.”

  “We are,” he says, opening the passenger door for her. “I kind of look at him as an uncle.”

  A wisp of sadness creeps over her. “That’s nice.”

  Getting into the driver’s seat, Julian cocks his head to the side. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No, not at all.”

  Julian starts the car, before he backs out, he looks over at her. “I’m always here for you, Chandra. I hope you realize that.”

  “I do. Still nice to hear, though.” She turn
s towards the window, shielding her face.

  Giving her a few moments, he pulls out of the parking lot, heading towards the store in silence. “Do you have a list?”

  She looks at him, her brow wrinkles. “A list for what?”

  “The grocery store.”

  “Yes. I mean, no. I made one earlier. I left it at home. Something I do regularly. I usually just wing it.”

  “You’re the dream shopper for the stores.”

  “Are you insulting me? Cause it sounds like an insult.”

  Julian drives into the lot, parking close to the front of the store. “If you don’t use a list, you tend to buy on impulse. Buying more than you need, and things you may not have otherwise purchased.”

  Chandra laughs, covering her hand with her mouth.

  “What is so funny?” he asks exiting the vehicle.

  Walking towards him, she falls in with his step. “You sounded like a dad or something. It struck me as funny. I’m a pretty boring shopper. I tend to get the same things all the time.”

  A young man walking by turns and looks at Chandra.

  She ignores his stare.

  Julian grabs a cart. “Can we share one, or do I need my own?”

  “One is fine.”

  She glances around the store. But not really looking at anyone. She hopes no one recognizes her. Not tonight.

  “Just because I’m pragmatic, doesn’t mean I’m an old fuddy dud.”

  “You’re just a wise old owl.”

  Julian is about to respond when he sees a young man peeking at them from the edge of an aisle. “I think someone is looking at you,” he says leaning down, placing his mouth near her ear.

  Chandra nods. “I saw him when we walked in. I was hoping he wouldn’t know who I was.”

  Julian is about to say something when a girl comes up to Chandra.

  “You’re Chandra Willis, the writer?”

  Chandra nods. “I am.”

  “Can I take a picture with you?” She doesn’t wait for a response, before she places her arm around Chandra’s shoulders and snaps a photo.

  “Um. Okay,” Chandra says.

  “Thank you.” The girl gushes as she runs out of the store.

  Within a few moments the young man approaches them.