“Do you happen to run into my daughter now that you’re back?” As she questions me, she looks away to study a display of coffee mugs.
“Every now and then.” Something in the way she won’t meet my eyes when she asks about her own daughter bothers me. I feel the need to protect Kate and her whereabouts.
“Yes, well, I’m sure you do with you and Evie in business together. Growing up, Kate always had such a crush on you, but that was before. I always thought you were such a nice young man. Always thought you’d end up with Evie. Would have loved it to be my daughter, but even then I’m sure you realized you were too good for her. She’ll never catch a nice man, not with the way she is. Well, I’m sure you know.”
She’s rambling, I can tell, but dear God, what kind of a mother talks about their own child this way? Even my parents aren’t this bad. The only hate they spew is toward each other.
“My son, now he’s a good kid. One more year of college left. I’m not sure if you heard, but he is at USD on a full ride. Very proud of him. And he calls me every week. Nothing like his sister. She won’t even return my calls—” Now, this is just plain uncomfortable.
“That’s great to hear.” I cut her off before she can continue. “I have another meeting so I need to be going. I’ll be in touch.”
I turn and with quick strides I’m back inside my truck in less than two minutes. I’m sure there is more to it, but I can see why Kate no longer has a relationship with her parents. Starting the truck, I head to my next destination. A boring surveillance gig for Scottsdale PD, but it pays the bills and I’ll be home by midnight.
Just after twelve I walk up the short pathway that leads to our apartment door. I hear the screams before my key is in the lock. The sound spurs me to throw the door open and barge inside, ready and alert.
Two faces, both upside down, greet me with wide smiles.
“Jon! You’re back!” Kate screams and gracefully dismounts from her headstand. Alex is still upside down against the wall. She giggles and I look around as if I’ve entered some sort of alternate universe. I’ve never heard the woman giggle. Laugh, sure, but Alex was downright giddy.
“Uh, Kate. I think I need your help. I’m stuck.” Kate laughs and gets tangled up with Alex helping her down. It’s then I notice she’s not wearing her prosthetic. She rarely takes it off and it’s surprising she’s comfortable enough around Kate to do so. Their continued giggling has me guessing alcohol consumption plays a big contributor in her comfort level. I shut the door and lock it. I hope they haven’t been playing yoga gymnastics all night. The entire complex can probably hear these two. Just what I need, angry neighbors.
“You two have fun tonight?” Alex giggles again and Kate snorts.
“A blast. You should’ve been there. Alex kissed me.” My brows shoot up and I glance between the two, landing on Alex’s playful grin.
“You little firecracker. I should’ve known you’d try something with Kate.” Alex hops to the couch and sits. Kate plops down beside her and I drag over a dining chair, flipping it backward to sit on.
“Yeah, well, hello. Have you looked at her?” We both stare and a blush further stains Kate’s already flushed face. She’s gorgeous.
“You don’t seem surprised Alex kissed me,” Kate muses.
“Yeah, I’m not. And I’m not surprised you kissed her.”
“Jon and I used to hook up. He’s seen me kiss lots of women.” Glaring at Alex, it was my turn to flush with embarrassment. Kate’s eyes are wide as saucers and she alternates looking between me and Alex.
“You two hooked up?”
“All the time. For like three months. It was three months, right, Jon?” I nod, my gaze glued to Kate’s face as Alex continues. “Technically, we had a couple of threesomes too. Oh, this man is extremely gifted, if you know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean,” Kate mutters before she meets my stare. “Threesomes, huh? I wouldn’t have pegged you for the type. You’re kind of a tightass.”
“Yeah, I guess I’m full of surprises. And like Alex said, it was only a threesome on a technicality. I did a lot of watching.” Alex bursts into laughter.
“Those were some fun times. Kate, have you ever had a threesome?” Kate looks shocked. It’s weird because this kind of talk is usually right up her alley.
“No. Can’t say I’ve done that before. I have kissed girls before… sorry Alex you weren’t my first.” She flashes Alex an apologetic smile and they both laugh. “So, did you two date? Sorry, I’m just stunned. You guys seem like great friends.”
“No, we didn’t date. We were fuck buddies.” Alex answers matter of factly.
“I hate that term.” I groan. “I prefer friends with benefits.”
“Well, that’s what it means.” She turns to Kate, “It happens more than you’d think. Especially when we’re overseas on assignment. Can be pretty miserable without a regular hookup.”
“I can imagine. Jon, I’m sorry, but I still can’t get over that you’ve had a threesome and I haven’t.”
“We could make it happen.” Alex teases but the conversation sours.
“No!” I add with a little too much force.
“What? I’m not good enough to be included in your little sex parties?” Kate actually appears hurt and this entire conversation is giving me a headache. I rub my temples.
“No. I don’t like to share.” The room gets quiet for a moment.
“You had no problem when it was Sarah and me…” Alex raises her brows. Kate studies my face. I let out a frustrated breath.
“That’s because we were just fucking around. I never wanted anything other than that with you.”
Alex grins from ear to ear at my confession and Kate’s quiet, thinking way too much for one in the morning. I stand and return my chair to the small dining table.
“Okay, enough true confessions with Kate and Alex time. I’m out.”
I stride down the hall to my room, purposely not lingering. I don’t want to hear any more insight from those two tonight. If these are the kinds of conversations we’re going to have, this is going to be a hell of a long week.
Like some perv, I sit in the back lot of a strip club with my binoculars and telephoto lens camera. Just another day in the life of Jonathan Beltran. Hell, I’ve done worse so I shouldn’t complain.
Eddy’s is probably the most depressing strip club I’ve ever come upon. And that’s really saying something, because I went to a more than few gentlemen’s clubs in my Army days. It’s located in the middle of an East Valley suburb surrounded by single family homes, sitting kitty corner from an IHOP. The building is an older one story and there is one lighted sign that reads “Eddy’s” in retro 1980s lettering. There are maybe five cars in the front lot and six in the back.
I followed Kate’s father here a little over an hour ago. Just as Mrs. Bryant forecasted, Paul left their home a little after six o’clock on this Wednesday evening, made one stop to pick up a buddy who seemed to be in his early sixties as well, and then drove directly to Eddy’s.
Tonight I’ll wait in the dirt parking lot, but if he comes here regularly I’ll need to follow him inside. I worry he’ll recognize me, and I don’t want to tip him off too early in my investigation. Although we didn’t spend much time at the Bryant house in high school I know the man saw me on several occasions and would recognize my face. For now it’s best I lurk in the shadows.
Besides, I’m on call today for contract work with Scottsdale PD so I need to be ready at a moment’s notice. They’ve got me running surveillance for a suspected drug ring. It’s real hush hush and I signed an NDA just to work surveillance, which is different from my other freelance jobs. Usually the cases I’m assigned don’t require those measures. I’m not even allowed to discuss this one with Evie because they’ve hired me as an individual, not our PI firm. Apparently, they’re worried about details of the case being leaked.