Chapter Two
“Wilson,
why didn’t you tell me how beautiful your sister was, or that she owned a restaurant,
for Pete’s sakes?” Jedidiah held the phone up to his ear with one hand while he
poured juice into a tall glass with the other, returned it to the fridge and
nudged the door shut with a leg before walking out to the patio where he had a
steak on the grill that sizzled and smoked, causing his mouth to water. He
plopped into one of the cushioned chairs and grinned in laziness.
“I
didn’t think it mattered what she did for a living, or what she looked like for
that matter. She’s a job, Jedidiah, and that’s it.” There was a barely
concealed warning in his words.
“That’s
why I’m asking you why you didn’t tell me. You know I can’t resist a beautiful
woman, especially one who has her head on straight.”
“She’s
been hurt, and I don’t want it to happen again. Please don’t make me regret my
choice in you.” Wilson’s tone had turned frigid much like his sister’s had at
the mention of her beauty earlier that morning.
Jedidiah
couldn’t help wondering what had happened, and who had been dumb enough to hurt
her. “I will protect her, Wilson. You know I’m good at my job. Are you going to
tell me why she needs protection?”
“Five
years ago she was living in the city. One of the guys in her apartment building
walked out on the roof one night and saw her, and heard her singing. He told police
he thought she was an angel and couldn’t help getting a closer look. He was
hyped up on drugs, and he attacked her, Jedidiah.”
“What
did he do?”
“Man,
don’t ask that question.”
“I’m
sorry.” He rubbed a hand across his bristly face. “Okay, not trying to be rude
or callous, but why does she need a bodyguard? You said it was imperative I get
here before tomorrow.”
“His
lawyer appealed the case and they’re letting him out because of some technicality,
some mistake they made during prosecution. His release date is set for tomorrow
and he said during sentencing if he got out he was coming back for round two.”
“Why
would they let him out then?” Anger sprung up from Jedidiah’s gut at the
injustice of the world.
Wilson’s
voice turned husky. “I don’t know, and she doesn’t know about it yet.”
“What?
You have to tell her.”
“I
tried, but couldn’t. It’s bad enough I was deployed, I couldn’t dump that on
her too.”
“I
see why you needed me then.” He rubbed a hand across his evening stubble again
ad sighed.
“I
would’ve needed you whether she knew, or not. As I said, he said he would come
back for round two if he got out.”
“Do
you think he will?”
“I
don’t know, but I don’t want to take any chances, and that’s why I called you.”
“Why
did you choose me?”
“I
trust you man. You stood beside me in ’08 when everybody else high-tailed it
out of there.”
“I
was doing my job, Wilson. I didn’t even know you.”
“That’s
the point.”
“I
won’t take your money, man. You have enough on your plate.”
“Yes
you will. You have to get paid to do your job.”
Jedidiah
didn’t bother telling him he didn’t need the money. He would just send the
checks back. “She was scared to death of Hairy.” He laughed at the remembrance
of her cowering against the glass door of the restaurant, until he remembered
what Wilson had told him. No wonder she was freaked out. Resolve washed through
him. “I will protect her with my life, and if that scumbag comes near her he’ll
go right back to prison. Send me his info and some photos so I can prepare.”
“Go
to my apartment and get in the second drawer in the kitchen. Everything you
need to know is in the yellow envelope. I left a key for you under the wheel
well of my car. It’s the black one right in front of the door.”
“I’ll
go over as soon as Hairy and I devour the steak cooking on my grill.” He looked
over at the beast in question, who had drool dripping from his powerful jaws.
“Okay,
I have to go. I’ll check in tomorrow.”
“Okay,
talk to you then.” Jedidiah sat the phone down on the table beside him and got
up to take his steak from the grill, Hairy hot on his heels.
“You
can wait your turn, Hairy. After me you come first.”
Hairy
whined, seeming to know what his master was saying.
“That’s
right.” Jedidiah cut the thick, juicy steak with a knife and threw a piece down
to his faithful partner. Yep, he would guard the beautiful woman with his life,
and Hairy would help him.
“Hairy,
I don’t know how we’re going to guard her without her finding out, unless I
pretend personal interest in her.” He looked down at the dog, and he turned his
head as if waiting for him to go on. “Who am I kidding? I wouldn’t be
pretending. She’s beautiful, sassy, and obviously strong. What more could a guy
want in a woman?”
The
dog whined and blinked his eyes.
“Yeah,
that was my thought too.” He threw the dog another piece of meat, finished the
last bite and took his plate into the kitchen. He needed to get to Wilson’s
apartment before it got too late.
Jedidiah
used the key Wilson left him and walked down the small hallway, and stopped to survey
the first room. It was just like Wilson; clean, compact, and practical. There
weren’t any geegaw type things; just a table, four chairs and a china cabinet that
contained an inexpensive set of dishes. The living room boasted a cheap dark
brown couch, love seat, and chair with equally cheap tables and lamps. He
grinned. Wilson was a man after his own heart; no frills, no mess, just
essentials.
He
walked into the kitchen. The counters were bare. He opened the refrigerator and
grinned again. Empty, too. He’d been smart enough not to leave anything to
spoil.
“Okay,
Jedidiah, get on with it.” He opened the second drawer and pulled out the
envelope, opened it, and the first thing to fall out was a picture of the attacker.
He shook his head. “He looks like a normal guy.” His hair was cut and styled
and he smiled at whoever held the camera. He shoved it back in and pulled out
some more papers that looked like trial transcripts. He slid them back in and
pushed the silver wings of the clasp back out, slipped the envelope under his
arm and left the apartment. I’ll look at
them at home and let Hairy get a good look, too.
I like it :)
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