I hadn’t realized two hours had passed until Lynn excused herself to the ladies’ room and I checked the time. It was after nine thirty. Our conversation had flowed effortlessly, and the steaks were delicious. All in all, it was a successful date, much better than the night before, but was I ready to end the evening or continue it elsewhere? I had to decide what to do with the next few hours. Frank’s description of me came to mind—prude. I chuckled to myself. Lynn was fun and very sexy, and the thought of spending another hour together in a private setting like her home sounded appealing. I would follow her lead and see where it went.
“Care for dessert and coffee?” I asked as she returned to the table and the waiter took our plates.
“I’d rather have it at my place if you’d like to join me.” A blush covered her face. “I don’t want to sound presumptuous, and I realize I was much too forward last night, but I bought a chocolate cake and ice cream just in case you wanted to stop over. I have wine, beer, and cocktails too.”
I smiled at her attempt at being demure, but I saw her point. There was no harm in continuing our date at her place for another hour or so. Bandit was in good hands, the night had been going well, and I wouldn’t see her again for a few weeks.
“That sounds like a great idea.” I pulled my credit card from my wallet and caught the waiter’s attention. “We’re ready for the check.”
“How about I drive us to my place and then I’ll bring you back here before eleven when the restaurant closes?”
“That’s way too much bother. I can follow you.”
“You aren’t going to find a parking spot close to my apartment. The parking is terrible in my neighborhood, but thankfully, each tenant in my building has a designated space.”
I signed the dinner receipt and handed it to the waiter. “Okay, if you really don’t mind.”
“I don’t, and it isn’t far.”
We exited the restaurant and crossed the parking lot, where she clicked the fob for the van I’d thought was hers when I had parked earlier.
I chuckled. “Why does a beautiful young woman like you have a van? I’d picture you driving a bright-red sports car.”
“It’s what works best for my job. During the week, the back end is full of boxes loaded with medical supplies.”
“Makes sense.” I watched out the window as she drove. “How far is your apartment?”
“An easy ten minutes north. No big deal.”
Before long, Gail clicked the blinker and pulled into a driveway that circled around to the back of an apartment building. She parked in the first spot.
I thought about the apartment complex name after we passed the sign. “Parkview Arms?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I wonder why that sounds familiar.” I shrugged it off, knowing I had never been there before.
She parked and killed the ignition. “This is it, my humble abode.” She climbed out and waited for me to exit the van and join her. “It’s the first door, right there on the side of the building.”
“That’s pretty convenient. A first-floor unit and the closest apartment to the parking lot.”
She nodded. “I got lucky. Come on in.”
We entered her modest apartment, which threw me off for a minute. She clearly made a good living, yet the apartment was sparsely furnished, and I didn’t see anything that looked personal. It felt like I’d just walked into a staged unit.
“So make yourself comfortable. Would you like cake and ice cream?”
“How about a glass of wine first? I’ll admit, I’m still stuffed.”
“Sure. Malbec again or white?”
“Why switch? Malbec is fine.”
“Coming right up. Would you like to listen to music?”
“That’d be great.” I looked around for a radio or a record player. It seemed that vinyl was back in vogue. I heard glasses being pulled from the cabinet and the wine being corked. “Need any help?”
“Nope, I’m almost finished. What kind of music do you like, Jesse?”
“Classic rock, blues, and some country. How about you?”
She appeared from the kitchen, carrying two wineglasses. “Pretty much the same. We have more in common than I originally thought. How about some blues?”
“Sure.” I looked around the tiny living room. “From where?”
“My phone’s playlist.” She picked up her phone and chose a sultry blues song. “How’s this?”
“I like it, and the company is good too.”
She smiled and took a sip of wine. I did the same.
“So where are you traveling to on Sunday?”
“Albany, with several stops along the way. I have the Northeast and the Midwest states.”
The conversation and wine continued with a few light kisses in between. Within a matter of minutes, I was starting to feel groggy. I chalked it up to too much wine—I was more of a beer guy. Although tomorrow was Saturday and I normally wouldn’t be working, we had hoped to pay Gail Fremont a visit. I put my hand to my mouth and yawned.
“Sorry, it must be my long work hours mixing with the wine. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“You can spend the night.”
I laughed. “That’s really sweet, but I think I ought to go home. My neighbor is watching my dog for me, and I said I’d come and get him tonight.”
Lynn leaned in and gave me a passionate kiss. “A few minutes more won’t hurt. One more glass of wine and I’ll take you back to your car.”
I gave in and agreed, but as usual, my job was always on my mind. Even now, when my thoughts weren’t very clear, I knew I should leave and try to get home without falling asleep behind the wheel. I tried to focus as I watched her walk away with our glasses. Her body was nothing but a cloudy silhouette, and I couldn’t clear my vision. Rubbing my eyes, I looked again, but she had already disappeared into the kitchen.
Can I really be that tired? I may need to call Frank and have him take me home from Harry’s.
Squinting, I saw Lynn heading my way—or was it Lynn? The person coming toward me wasn’t wearing a dress. Did Lynn change clothes?
What the hell is going on, and why is that person raising something over their head?
I tried to stand up, but a sharp crack above my ear stopped me in my tracks, and I felt myself fall. Then everything went black.