Chapter 3
ALICIA
After spending almost twenty-four hours on the job, the chief forced me to go home. I wasn’t doing any good by stressing over the H.P. Emulsion case. Once again, he was three steps ahead of me and it seemed like no matter what I did, there was no way of catching up.
I sighed, pulling into the public library. Thirty more minutes until they opened. Thinking maybe I could catch a quick nap, I leaned my seat back as far as it would go. With my hands folded over my chest, I closed my eyes.
It didn’t take long for me to fall into a deep, much-needed slumber.
***
Everything was dark. Shadows played along the walls of a long, seemingly never-ending hallway. I reached out my arms, my fingertips brushing against the walls.
Suddenly, they started to close in on me. My claustrophobia set in and it became harder and harder for me to breathe.
A bright light shone at the end of the hall. An exit.
I ran toward it as fast as I could, but it only seemed to get further and further away.
The hallway was getting narrower and narrower.
Behind me, I heard the click of a camera shutter. It sounded again and again.
I looked back, over my shoulder, but I was blinded by a flash of light. Shielding my eyes, it was impossible for me to see where I was going. Suddenly, the ground disappeared from under my feet and I tumbled forward, falling deep into a dark abyss.
My scream refused to escape my throat. I grappled for something to hold on to, but it was hopeless.
I kept falling deeper and deeper.
Until suddenly, I stopped in midair almost as if some giant entity had snatched me by the shirt. I hung there for a moment before I was slowly lowered onto a checkered floor. Up ahead was a white pedestal. There was something sitting on top of it, covered with a piece of fabric.
I walked up to it ever so slowly. My every footstep exploded with sound, reverberating through the cavernous room.
Once I was close enough to touch the fabric, I yanked it off the pedestal, revealing an old Polaroid camera. It went off, snapping a picture and blinding me once more.
Before I could properly see again, a photograph fell to the ground. I picked it up, watching it develop.
It was me.
My skin was pale. My arms were crossed over my chest. My eyes were closed.
And I was dead.
A laugh echoed through the room and I whipped toward the sound, trying to pinpoint its origin.
“Don’t you get it, Detective Fox? You’re wasting your time. You’ll never find me. I’m always three steps ahead of you, watching you fail.” His laugh echoed in my mind, mocking me to the point of pure hatred.
I had to find this man, even if it was the last thing I did…
Bang!
***
I woke up with a start as the gunshot ripped through my dream. Accidently, I bumped into my car horn.
Honk!
I jumped out of my skin, my heart beating wildly. Naturally, I reached for the gun on my hip, thinking I was in legitimate danger.
When I finally regained my composure, I sighed in relief.
I was still in the library parking lot. It was only a dream.
Tap, tap.
Still jumpy, I nearly screamed when someone tapped on my window. I looked up to find a handsome individual standing there, a concerned expression on his face. It took me a while to realize that he was saying something. It was hard to concentrate whilst looking at those gorgeous blue eyes of his, or his dark, slicked-back hair.
This guy was hot. Rugged. Manly.
Or maybe it was just the leather jacket he wore, or his tan, olive-colored skin.
Whatever it was, I hadn’t seen someone this attractive in a long, long time…
Then again, I hadn’t been out much. Hell, I haven’t really interacted with guys for a while. Work and the H.P. Emulsion case had pretty much controlled my life for the last few months.
Tap, tap.
He scrunched his eyebrows together, saying something else.
This time, I rolled down the window. “Sorry.” I felt like an idiot for gawking at him for so long. It wasn’t like me to drool over someone like that. “I was just a little out of it.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He flashed me a pearly white smile. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I heard you scream.”
“Oh, did you?” My cheeks colored at his comment. Now I felt like an even bigger idiot.
“Yeah. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah. I just dozed off.”
“Nightmare?” he asked, tilting his head. “My little sister gets them all the time. It usually means there’s something on your mind that you aren’t sharing with others.”
I bit my tongue. Maybe he had a point. I had been taking the full burden of the Emulsion case all on my own. But I obviously couldn’t reveal classified information to a civilian.
“Thanks for checking up on me. I think I should be okay now.”
He nodded. “Were you going to the library?” He pointed his thumb at the books on my passenger seat. “I’m going in as well, maybe we can walk inside together. If you’re really scared, I wouldn’t mind holding your hand,” he winked.
“I think I can handle myself,” I said. “I’m not some little girl you have to protect.”
“No, I didn’t think you were,” he replied, leaning against the side of my car with a nonchalant air about him.
I grabbed my books from the passenger seat and got out of the car. “Good, because if you keep bothering me, I might have to arrest you for harassment.”
He raised an eyebrow, the corner of his lips twitching with amusement. “Arrest me, huh? You’re a police officer then?”
“You better believe it.” I flashed him my badge, wondering how he would react. He was attractive, but I didn’t want some creep trying to get my number. I got enough of that when I used to patrol the streets as a traffic cop.
“That’s pretty impressive. A private detective too.” He leaned in a little closer. “Tell me, have you come across any interesting cases lately? I like to dabble around with writing crime novels…”
“Nice try, but you aren’t a writer.”
“Oh? How can you be so sure?”
“You said it yourself, I’m a detective. It’s my job to notice the smallest details about a person. By the way you’re dressed, I’d say you work a professional job, but you still want to express your wilder side.” I inspected his attire a bit more closely. He was wearing dress pants, a dark blue button-up shirt, and a worn-out leather jacket. “There are some stains on your shirt, so if I had to guess, you work with liquids of some sort, but they aren’t dark in color. Maybe even transparent. Your hands aren’t rough so you either wear gloves or handle your work with special tools.” I stepped a little closer, studying his face.
It had an oval shape to it. His features were sharp and well defined. “Your face is almost symmetrical, but the slight crow’s feet around your eyes are more pronounced on your left side –”
He cut me off before I could continue. “I do not have crow’s feet.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his lips pressing together into a hard line. “I’m offended. Now you definitely owe me at least a friendly escort.”
I shook my head at his advances before pushing past him and heading toward the library.
He didn’t miss a beat, chasing after me. “Where do you think you’re going? You haven’t even told me what my occupation is yet.”
“Maybe you’d like me to draw a picture for you.” I turned around to face him. “Or rather… photograph it.”
His eyes widened ever so slightly before he grinned wildly. “You’re good. All that from a few wrinkles on my face? I’ll have to buy some of that anti-aging cream they advertise on TV well after midnight.”
“Don’t bother. That stuff never works.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve tried.”
I blushed ever so slightly but didn’t bother to answer him. “I don’t have time for this. I have to return my books.”
He nodded and stepped forward, opening the door for me, “After you, my lady.” He bowed graciously like I was a member of royalty and he was a lowly squire.
“You know, you’re wasting your time trying to hit on me.”
“Come on now, I doubt that’s true. I’d be a very lucky man if I only got your number.”
“Keep dreaming.” I waved my hand in his direction.
“Oh, come on. What’s your excuse? That you work too hard and don’t have time for a relationship?”
“As a matter of fact, I don’t have time for a relationship.”
“Right, but you have enough time to read five books in the span of two weeks,” he said, pointing to the bundle I was holding against my chest. “You aren’t the only one who can pick out small details. As you pointed out yourself, I’m a photographer and everyone knows photographers are great at noticing the little things. Like the fact that you’re blushing right now. If only I had my camera, you’d make a fine piece of artwork.”
“Keep pushing your luck and I’ll have you behind bars,” I growled, but a part of me liked this man’s confidence. Usually, when people found out I was a detective, they started acting more cautiously around me, but this man was fearless. He treated me like I was just another human being.
“Again, you hit the nail on the head with your little observations.” He paused to fix his jacket. “I may be a professional, but I do have a bit of a wild side… and that won’t stop me from living on the edge… even if it means tempting a hot police officer,” he smirked.
I ignored him for the moment as I placed my returns on the counter. The librarian smiled at me. “Good morning, Detective Fox,” she greeted, running the books through the system. “How have you been?”
“Good. Good. And yourself?” I answered automatically, handing her my library card.
“Can’t complain.” She scanned my card. “You’re all set. If you’re interested in some of our newest books, I haven’t shelved them yet, but feel free to look through them.” She pointed toward a little pushcart. “Mostly just young adult novels, but I think there’s some historical fiction you might be interested in.”
“Thanks, Mindy. I’ll take a look.” I rounded the counter, browsing the selection. As I did, I glanced up, watching the man as he returned a children’s picture book.
An Elephant’s Escape.
How strange. So, he actually had a legitimate reason for being at the library other than picking up women.
I waited for him to walk away before I followed him.
“Did I finally pique your interest?” he asked, pausing halfway down the stairs. “You know, for a private eye, you aren’t very subtle.”
“Maybe I wasn’t trying to be.”
“Oh? So you wanted me to notice you? How exciting,” he grinned. “And just when I thought you’d be the one girl who didn’t fall head over heels in love with me.”
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
He chuckled. “So, what are you doing following me?” he asked, leaning against the railing, his legs crossed like a cool-looking Greaser from the sixties.
“The picture book. It doesn’t make sense. You seem like the kind of guy who lives on his own. Single. Unmarried.”
“You’re right about that.”
“And, I can’t really see you working for some kind of charity that has something to do with kids.”
“Right again.”
“So… why the book?” I asked, narrowing my eyes in his direction.
“I have a sister. Elephants are her third favorite animal,” he said. “Just because you’re an officer, doesn’t mean you have to interrogate me the entire time. We can just have a normal conversation, you know?”
“Sorry…” my voice fell slightly when I realized how rude I must have been. “I just spent twenty-four hours on the job… you could say I’m a little tired.”
“How are you even still alive?” he chuckled. “No wonder you passed out in your car.”
“Right…”
“So, why are you so interested in my choice of literature? Hoping I have similar tastes so we could go on a date to the bookstore?” he teased.
“No…”
“You’re cute when you blush, you know that?” Before I could say anything, he grabbed my hand, guiding me down the steps.
“Where are we going?”
“Well, since you seem so interested, you might as well help me pick out the next batch of books I can bring…” the man hesitated, “…home to my sister.”
“What’s her name?”
“Caroline.”
“How old is she?”
“She just turned seven.”
“Oh wow, so there’s quite an age difference between you two.”
The man nodded, “Twenty years. We’re only half-siblings. Same father. Different mothers.”
“I see.”
“What about you? Any siblings?”
“No. I’m an only child. My dad moved to Florida the moment he retired.”
“So, you live all on your own then?” he asked, raising an eyebrow with intrigue. “How interesting.”
“Don’t be getting any ideas.” I hit his arm softly.
“Oh, come on, that was pathetic. You’re a cop, tell me you can hit better than that.”
“Don’t tempt me,” I warned.
We entered the children’s section. Little kids were scattered around the room, reading colorful picture books. In the back corner, a librarian was reading aloud to a small audience.
“How come you didn’t bring your sister here? It seems like the kids are having a lot of fun.”
The man frowned ever so slightly before he painted a smile on his face, running his fingers through his thick hair. “She’s shy. Rather read at home.”
“I see…” I said, not entirely convinced by his story. If I wanted, I could probably probe him for answers, but his sister seemed like a touchy topic and I didn’t want to offend him. “So, what does she like to read?”
“Anything about animals. She loves them. Been asking me to take her to the zoo for a while now.”
“Why haven’t you?” I asked, looking through the various books, trying to find something his sister might like.
“Just haven’t found the time. Besides, zoos aren’t very affordable anymore.”
I could tell he was lying.
“You know, officers get a discount. If you want, I could get you a voucher.”
“Maybe. Maybe. But only if you’re willing to come with us. I’m deathly afraid of pandas. I might need someone to protect me.” He winked.
I glared at him, my hand on my hip.
He burst out laughing.
“Can’t blame a man for trying.”
I shook my head. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”
“By the way, I don’t think I ever properly introduced myself. Name’s Hector.” He held out his hand.
I took it, squeezing it firmly. “Alicia.”
Suddenly, he pulled me into a hug, wrapping his arms around me, trapping me in his embrace. For a second, I didn’t quite know how to react. The scent of his cologne was intoxicating, putting my mind in a haze. The feel of his muscular body against my own was exciting.
Before long, however, I pushed him away. The second I was out of his grasp, I punched his arm as hard as I could.
“Ow!” he yelped, jumping back, holding his injured arm. “What the hell did you do that for?”
“Shh!” a librarian glared at us, giving us the death stare over her reading glasses.
“Sorry…” I mumbled, feeling like a little kid who had just been chastised and put in a time out.
“See what you did? You’re going to get us in trouble,” Hector whispered frantically.
“It was your fault for hugging me!” I whispered back.
“It was just a hug… it wasn’t like I was trying to grab your butt or anything… although that would’ve probably been my next move.”
I hit him again.
“Ow! Will you stop that already?”
The librarian cleared her throat, warning us once more.
“Here.” I shoved a picture book into his chest. “I read this when I was a kid. It was one of my favorites.”
“Geez. Do you have to be so violent?” He shook his head, looking down at the book. “Animal Crossing, huh?” He flipped through the pages. “Looks good. Thanks.”
I could sense that things had gotten awkward between us.
Hector walked up to the checkout desk, sliding the book toward the librarian who still had a sour expression on her face. “Hector,” she finally said, holding out her hand, waiting for his library card.
“Oh, right, right. Sorry, Maggie.”
The older woman snatched the card from his hand. “Next time, don’t bring your girlfriend in here if you two are going to act like a couple of spoiled children.” With this remark, she handed him back the book. “It’s due back in two weeks. You know the drill.”
Hector nodded before he stepped out of the reading room, dragging me along with him. “Did you hear that? Maggie thinks you’re my girlfriend,” he smirked wildly. “I think that means I should get your number so we can make it official.”
“In your dreams,” I laughed. “I’m not that easy to swoon.”
He frowned, giving me a puppy dog face.
“That’s not going to work on me.”
“Wow. I knew officers were tough, but I didn’t think they had hearts made of stone.”
“When you’ve met every creep on the planet, you learn not to fall for their tricks.”
“Are you calling me a creep?” he asked, feigning offense.
“Maybe, maybe not.” With that, I turned on my heels and headed up the stairs. To my surprise, Hector didn’t follow me. I was actually a little disappointed.
I guess he finally got the message that I wasn’t interested.
Good. It was better that way. One less relationship for me to screw up.