16

 

Freddie stood in front of the mirror towel-drying her hair. She didn’t want to go downstairs and eat. Shock and dismay upset her stomach. Tell Jason how much she really knew? But could she trust him?

Wish I had Jason’s faith. He just prays and feels better instantly. God, it’s not that I can’t trust You, I’m just, maybe I’m still mad or not ready, I don’t know. But one thing I do know, it’s not fair to recommit to You if I can’t put everything into it.

She tossed the towel to the floor and glanced at her watch. I’ll go and hurry him up. Last thing I want is to be late for the meal. Even if I do sit and watch him eat.

She grabbed her bag, making sure her inhaler was inside. She crossed the hallway to Jason’s room and knocked on the door. No answer.

“Jason?”

There was movement inside. She knocked again, the door giving under her hand. She pushed the door wide.

Jason stood by the window, razor in his hand, shirt on the bed.

Freddie admired the taut, lean figure, then moved over to him, and dropped a hand onto his shoulder. “Jason?”

Jason jumped.

“Did I scare you?” Freddie laughed.

“You know darn well you did. I was deep in thought.” Jason moved to shut the door.

“Were you expecting someone else?”

“No I wasn’t. I didn’t hear you.” He pointed at her. “You are in trouble, now.”

“So what’s my punishment going to be?” She laughed again.

“You get cheese salad for dinner.” Jason rubbed his chin. He gazed at his fingers as they came away bloodied. “Great.”

“Sorry.” Freddie pulled a pack of tissues from her bag and handed him one.

“Please, don’t sneak up on me again. And yes, you are still having the salad, without the salad dressing.”

“No, not that... Please I’ll do anything.”

“Yes—the infamous no salad dressing torture.” His eyes glinted with hidden laughter as he opened aftershave, wincing as he splashed it on his face.

“I’m really sorry. I knocked and called, but you didn’t answer, and I could hear someone in here and I thought...”

“I was miles away, thinking about things. I’m sorry.” He buttoned his shirt and tucked it into his trousers. Then he hugged her. “You’re forgiven. But you still get the salad.”

She hugged him back. He smelt so good, fresh and clean. “Love that cologne.”

“Thanks.”

“You used to wear a different one, it had a heavier scent.”

Jason quickly combed his hair. “Maybe once upon a time. Guess I mellowed in my old age.”

“I swear you take longer than me to get changed. We’ll be late and get clapped again at this rate.”

“You’re that desperate for salad without the dressing, huh? Sure we can go now.” He laughed, grabbed his wallet and clipped the phone to his belt.

“Is the phone necessary?”

“I’m waiting on a call. ‘Sides, if we broke down in the middle of nowhere, we’d need the phone.”

“Hmmm, I wouldn’t call the dining room the middle of nowhere, but if you insist.”

Jason locked the door and they walked side by side to the dining room. As they entered the room, everyone stopped eating and started applauding.

“This is becoming a habit.”

Jason pulled the chair out for her. “Take a seat and don’t forget—it’s salad, no dressing.”

She poked her tongue out at him as she sat down. “Thanks for reminding me. You should get the same for making us late.”

“I don’t think so.” He looked up at Mrs. Bowman. “Good evening. How are you?”

“I’m good. Are you better, Miss Price?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Good. What can I get you tonight? We have shepherd’s pie or salad.”

“One salad, with no dressing of any kind, please.” He grinned at Freddie. “What would you like?”

Freddie had forgotten what a joker he could be at times. “I’ll have the shepherd’s pie please.” As Mrs. Bowman left she looked at him curiously. “I thought you liked salad dressing.”

“Salad is best on its own. What Mum would call plain and unadulterated.”

Freddie ran her fingers around the top of her glass. Why did things have to get so complicated again? Did he remember the like you, love you, hate you game they used to play when things were simpler? When all that mattered was the two of them and nothing else.

“You honestly thought I’d order you the salad?”

“No, but I had forgotten what a tease you are.” She glanced away for a moment and then looked at him straight faced. “You could do with the salad, anyway, as you get so out of breath when you carry the bags up the stairs. It’s good for the figure and would shave inches off your waistline.”

“There’s nothing wrong with your figure, but I didn’t think middle aged spread had done that much damage to mine. Guess I have to hit the gym a bit more often.”

“I’m teasing. But what’s Jim done to you to deserve you hitting him?” She purposely misunderstood his reference.

“I didn’t like the way he looked at me. You’re lucky I like you.” Jason laughed as he held up his thumb and forefinger with a tiny space no more than half a centimeter between them. “Today I like you this much.”

Oh, he does remember.

Freddie put the glass down and immediately made a bigger gap between hers. “Like you more.” Warmth spread through her as he grabbed her other hand and rubbed her fingers.

“Only that much? Maybe if I work on it today it’ll be this much tomorrow.” He made a huge gap.

“Don’t push your luck.” Freddie tried not to laugh.

The food arrived and she inhaled deeply. The smell of shepherd’s pie took her right back to her childhood. She glanced up at Jason. He had his eyes closed, and she knew he was saying grace, the same way he did before every meal. “Say grace for both of us?”

The smile on his face as he thanked God for the food made her heart sing. She picked up the fork, pushing it into the potato. What do I do? Even complicated cases, I find easy. But this one isn’t just complicated. I’m walking in the fog, blindfolded with my hands tied behind my back.

Jason started to eat. He took several bites and looked up. “You haven’t touched yours, except to play with it. You need to eat.”

“I’m fine.”

“You won’t be if you don’t eat. You’ll end up back in hospital on an IV.” He winked at her. “I could always play trains with it to get you to eat like Mike does with Davy.”

“No, it’s fine. Thanks for the offer, though.” She half smiled as she stabbed the potato, sending three peas sliding onto the table. She put them in her mouth. “How can you just sit there and eat like nothing happened?”

“I feel like I’ve had the entire carpet pulled out from under me. But we have to deal and keep going. And that means eating and solving this case. Until we know for sure those files are right, I don’t intend to give up.”

“All right, that’s fine. And don’t eat with your mouth full.”

“I always eat with my mouth full.”

“I mean talk...oh, you know what I mean.”

“And this from someone who spoke with a mouthful of peas a minute ago.”

“Do what I say, not do what I do.”

“You know, Debs gave me the same lecture yesterday.”

“On the evils of talking with your mouth full—or practicing what you preach?”

“Neither of those, just on eating properly in general. You have to keep your strength up. We both do.” His eyes twinkled. He reached across the table, putting his hand over hers. “Eat your dinner, and I’ll take you out. We still have three hours of daylight left. I want to think about something else for a bit.”

“That would be nice.” It also put off a certain conversation they needed to have, which was a good thing.

“We’ll go to the beach and watch the sun set.” He squeezed her hand before going back to his own dinner.

Freddie tipped ketchup on her dinner and started eating. She was halfway done before she realized. “He’s watching me.”

“Who is?”

“Our mutual friend.” She paused, the sound of clinking cutlery and plates filling the air. “He’s probably wondering why we’re still here. After all, we did say we were going on Monday, and it’s now Wednesday.”

“Yeah, well, we didn’t say which Monday.” He nodded and smiled at the Steeles, waving his fingers over his fork.

“You’re incorrigible, Jason.”

“That’s me. I’ll give him another five minutes before he says something.”

“You’re on.” Freddie sipped her drink and looked at her watch. “Less than five minutes and we stay on the beach until the moon rises.”

“Deal.” He smiled. “I see you found your appetite.”

“Yeah, it was actually under those peas I spilled on the tablecloth.” She turned back to her meal, glancing periodically at her watch. Four minutes and fifteen seconds later she won the bet.

“We wondered if you’d gone home.” Nick Steele’s lilting voice broke into her thoughts.

“No. I haven’t been well. I was in hospital for a couple of days.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” His gaze held hers, his posture stiff. “I hope you’re feeling better now.”

No, you’re not sorry at all. Your eyes and body language say differently. “I’m fine. The doctor wants me to take things easy for a few days.”

“I see. Well, I’m glad you’re better.”

“Jason’s going to take me out for a short walk in a bit. He thinks the fresh air will help.” Freddie tried not to yelp as Jason kicked her hard under the table. She slid her foot out of her shoe and rubbed it against her shin.

“Perhaps it will.” Nick straightened. “Well if you’ll excuse us, we have tickets to the show on the pier tonight.”

“Have fun.” Jason watched them leave then turned his steel gaze on Freddie, his voice low and harsh. “Why tell him we’re going out?”

“Why’d you think? Same reason he made a point of telling us where he was going to be all evening, perhaps? Just do me a favor and put the holdall and laptop in the boot of your car before we leave.”

 

****

 

Twenty minutes later, Freddie stood, feet sinking into the still warm sand. Jason was pulling off his shoes and socks and rolling his trousers up. He’d managed to find a parking space right next to the beach. She handed her flip flops to him to put in the car.

Would Nick Steele take the bait? Or am I wrong about him like I was about...

“So, are you going in the water since you’re wearing shorts?” Jason’s voice cut into her thoughts.

“I might go paddling, it depends.” She moved down the beach to the water’s edge, putting one foot in. She rubbed her arms and went back to him. “No. It’s too cold to go in.”

“Wanna bet?”

“You shouldn’t bet if you’re a Christian. Isn’t it a commandment or something? ‘Sides you’re an old and unfit man. You’d never catch me.”

“Right, you asked for it.” He got to his feet.

“No way, José.” She started to run, not sure what he had in mind, but determined not to cooperate.

“So who’s José, then?” Jason gave chase, reaching out and brushing against her arm.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” Freddie dodged, laughing.

Jason launched with a flying leap, bringing her down to the sand. He rolled her onto her back and grinned. “Got you.”

“No you haven’t.” She reached up and tickled him. He let go, laughing. Freddie pushed him off and rolled over, scrambling away, but was tackled to the sand again before she had gone two paces. She squealed as he started tickling her. “I won’t tell you anything.”

“Really?” His eyes twinkled. “We’ll see about that. We PI types have a way of making you talk.”

“Uh huh. That I’d like to see. Jason, the PI, working for once.”

“All right, you asked for it.” Jason pulled her to her feet and led her to the water’s edge. “Stay there.”

“What are you doing?”

“This.” He backed into the water and bent down, then straightened and tossed a handful of water at her.

Freddie squealed. “Jason, that’s cold!”

“Baby.” He kept scooping water.

She moved to the ocean’s edge and splashed, laughing as she got him in the face. He spluttered and gasped and not missing a beat, splashed her right back. Freddie took a deep breath and coughed, bending over.

“Freddie? Are you all right?”

She coughed again, one hand on her chest, the other by her knees.

“Freddie?” He dropped a hand on her shoulder, concern filling his voice. “Are you all right?”

Freddie launched a handful of water straight at him. “I’m fine.”

“That’s not playing fair.” Jason turned, trying to escape.

“Who said anything about playing fair? You started this game. But if you think I’ll tell you anything because you got me a little wet, then you have another think coming.”

“So I did. Well in that case…” He leaned down and scooped his cupped hands through the water, throwing it up into an arc over her.

Freddie screamed and then laughed. “All right, mister. You asked for it.” She retaliated, turning the game into a full blown water fight, splashing and laughing until they were both soaked and out of breath.

“Well?” Jason wrapped his arms around her.

“Not telling you anything.”

“Hmmm, have to try another tactic then.” He pulled up a handful of water and tipped it down the back of her neck.

“I don’t like you at all now,” she teased.

Jason picked her up, cradling her in his arms. “Like you less.”

“Do you carry everyone you don’t like?” she asked.

“Only you.”

Jason carried her back up the beach, then set her down on the towel. He pulled the other one from the bag and wrapped it around her shoulders. His arm snaked around, and she leaned against his strong chest, listening to his heart beating. She shivered and pulled the towel closer, her breathing gradually returning to normal. His fingers moved slowly though her hair as the sun began to set.

“Well, you did want to go in the water, Freddie.”

“Yeah, but I was only going in up to my knees.” She leaned against him contently, letting his familiar scent wash over her.

“Can I ask you something? You can tell me to shut up if you don’t want to answer.”

“Sure.”

“I know you never married, but did you ever date anyone after I left?”

“Once—his name was Simon. It was a disaster. We got a flat tire, which he had no idea how to change. We missed the film, so he took me for a burger instead. That was cold, the chips were soggy, don’t even get me started on the coffee, and I ended up with food poisoning. Needless to say, I didn’t go out for a second date. Or at all, after that.”

“Well, I promise next time I take you out to lunch or dinner there’ll be no cold chips or dodgy burgers.”

“Good…I’m sorry we lost three days because I got sick.”

“It’s not your fault. Your health is far more important than work. And we have tomorrow.”

“I guess.”

“Freddie?” Jason tilted her face towards his. Concern filled his voice.

“Jason, what are we going do? Who can we tell? There isn’t anyone, is there?”

“I don’t know. I want to verify the information first, triple check it to make sure of the facts and then I guess we have to involve the police.”

“Do you think there’s a chance it’s wrong? That someone planted the information as revenge for getting fired?”

“Anything’s possible. Although I do the firing, so if anyone gets framed, it should be me.”

Freddie looked out over the water, the sun casting an orange glow over it. “Nothing will be the same though, will it?”

“No.”