A Demon in Stilettos (4 page)

Watching Hector patting his pockets, Coy stood silently, then shook her head.

With mouth agape, Hector seemed horrified. He dug his hands into his pocket and pulled out some coins. “What da hell is going on?” Pointing to Coy, he asked, “How much is her ticket, man?”

Coy left Hector counting his coins, and scouted for a table. For some reason, she was drawn to a vacant area near the window. “That looks like a nice spot.” Hearing Erin calling to her, she turned.

“We’re sitting near the door.”

“Cool. See you later.” She found an empty table and lowered her tray. “Perfect. Gorgeous view.”

While Coy made herself comfortable, unexpectedly Lincoln Johns stood above her. “Eating alone today, are we?”

Coy swept her tresses behind her ear. “No.” She raised a brow. “I’m waiting for you.”

Johns widened his dark brown eyes. “Really.” A smile swept across his succulent lips. “Well, give me a moment. I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time, stud.” Coy narrowed her eyes, watching Johns as he walked away.

Immediately, Erin walked up beside her. “What are you doing? Only doctors sit here.”

“Oh,” Coy cocked her head to one side. “I’m sorry. Didn’t know we could buy stock in the cafeteria.”

“That’s it! You’ve completely lost your mind.” She rested her tray on the edge of the table. “I’m not sitting at this table.”

“And I should care, why?” Coy squeezed dressing on her salad from a plastic pouch. “It’s your choice, Duchess.”

“What’s with this rudeness? You’ve never been rude before.”

Coy opened the plastic covering her fork. “Considering your appearance, you should be honored.”

“Damn you, Coy.” Erin tossed her hands into the air. “I’m calling your brother. You must have that flesh-eating bacteria feeding on your brain.”

“Call whomever you like.” Coy made herself comfortable. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m waiting for Dr. Lincoln Johns.”

Hearing her words, Erin scowled. “You’re doing what!”

Coy drew back. “Don’t act so surprised.” She tousled her crisp salad. “You heard me.”

“The, Dr. Lincoln Johns I know, would never sit with you,” she scolded.

Coy groaned. “If you want to hang with me, sit down and shut up. He’s on his way.”

True enough, Johns was returning with tray in hand. “The Salisbury steak looked really good today.”

“Sweetie,” Coy winked her eye, “the only beef, I want, is about to be seated before me.”

“Coy.” Johns cocked his head curiously to one side, then placed his tray on the table. “You flatter me.”

Coy pointed to Erin, who was now seated at the next table adjacent her. “You know my colleague, Erin Parks.”

Johns smiled and nodded. “Yes, we’ve met. How are you, Erin?”

Erin cowered, shyly covered her eyes, then sputtered, “I’m good, Doctor. How are you today?”

“I can’t complain.” He sighed and folded his arms. “I’m about to have lunch with this ravishing creature.”

Coy grew quiet, then raised a brow. “Doctor, you’re such a busy man. Why don’t I pencil you in for Friday night?”

Johns appeared stunned, while Erin turned her face shamefully. He stroked his chin. “Eh, this Friday? Well, as a matter of fact, I am free.”

“Excellent.” Coy grinned, then reached out and grasped his arm. “In three weeks, we’ll catch that play at the Amphitheatre. I heard it was wild.”

Shrugging, Johns admitted, “Three weeks, huh? Sounds good to me.”

Coy leaned forward. “The tickets are on sale now. Be sure to get good seats, okay?”

“Sure. I heard they were probably going to sell out.” Johns sliced his meat while Erin nervously stuffed her face with spaghetti.

After picking up her fork, Coy asked, “Tell me Doctor, what took you so long to say hello?”

Johns elevated his brows. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Seeing

Doctor Padgett approaching with his tray, he grinned. “Padgett, great to see you. Have a seat, why don’t you.”

Dr. Padgett looked at Coy. His aging blue eyes tapered into a smile. “Are you sure about that, Johns?” He placed his tray on the table. “I wouldn’t want to bore your ravishing guest.”

Coy smiled. “Two is better than one. Please sit down, Doctor.”

“Whoa!” Padgett adjusted the collar of his lab coat, and straightened his tie. “This is the perfect table, man.”

Lincoln pulled out a chair. “Do join us.”

After tugging the fabric of his dark trousers, Padgett prepared to sit down. “I’ve never seen you before. You’re that new chemist I’ve heard so much about. Somehow, I pictured you to be a little older.”

Coy made a steeple with her fingertips, her expression became cold. “No. I’m not the new chemist. I work in the lab.” She reached for her drink. “Eight years.”

Hearing her answer, Padgett turned to face her. “Eight years? You’ve got to be kidding me. How could I have missed you? Let me re-introduce myself. I’m Dr. Harry Padgett.” With eyes fixed on Coy, he extended his pale hand.

She placed her hand in his. “Coy VanAlstine. Seventh floor Lab.”

Padgett snapped his fingers and pointed at Coy. “You do look kinda familiar. Kinda like—what’s her name, Johns?”

Johns shrugged and shook his head. “I have no idea, Doctor.”

“Damn it, Johns. You know who I’m talking about. The frumpy girl with the glasses—the one who works in one of the labs.”

With eyes locked on Coy, Johns took a stab at Padgett’s question. “Oh yeah, what’s her name? They do favor a wee bit.”

Coy smirked, “They say everyone has a twin. I hope she’s smoking hot.”

Padgett shook his head in amazement. “You’re almost a dead ringer. I’ve been here twenty years, and in twenty years, I’ve never seen anyone so striking—so interesting.”

“I concur, Doctor.” Johns folded his arms and cocked his head to one side.“It’s like she simply dropped from the sky.”

“Yeah,” Padgett remarked, pointing at Coy’s face. “She’s got magnificent bone structure.”

Eating up the compliments, Coy cast a sensual gaze across the table. “On my father’s side—it’s a strong genetic trait.” She leaned back in her seat. “Enough about me. Tell me all about your wonderful self, Dr. Padgett.”

Padgett flushed. He waved his wrinkled hands shyly. “Nah—nah, you don’t wanna hear about my boring life. Please, go ahead and talk amongst yourselves. I’ll just inhale my lunch and disappear.”

Coy grasped his hand and looked into his sallow, dim, blue eyes. “Please stay, Doctor. I insist. We were just getting to know each other.”

Lincoln noticed Coy’s hand, then he narrowed his eyes. “Yes, Doctor. Please stay.”

Coy patted Padgett’s hand. “I love company. Especially well-seasoned men with clout.”

Padgett burst into laughter. “Johns, you scoundrel.This is one special lady. I love her sense of humor. I’ll bet she’s a riot on a date.”

Lincoln stroked his chin. “I think I’m about to find out.”

Chapter Four

When Coy returned to the lab, Erin was furious. “What the hell do you mean—embarrassing yourself like that?”

Coy took in Erin’s irate behavior. She paused. “Why are you talking to me?”

“See, that’s what I’m talking about. All of a sudden, you’re Miss Universe. What gave you the right to ask Johns out on a date? I heard the entire conversation. You actually asked
him
out!”

Turning abruptly, Coy asked, “And—is there a problem?”

“Yes!” Erin nodded violently. “There is a problem. Johns doesn’t want you. He’s only being polite.”

Coy placed her finger on her cheek. “Let’s see. We’re going to see The Wind and the Willow in three weeks, and we have a date for Friday night. If Johns didn’t want to go, I believe he’s man enough to decline.”

“Decline! You didn’t give the man a choice!”

Ignoring Erin’s tirade, Coy checked her incubating Petri dish. “He could have said no.” She rotated the dish in her hand. “This culture really stinks.” She fanned her nose.

Erin removed the dish from her fingers. “Put it back, it isn’t ready.” She turned toward Coy. “Are you even listening to me? I said you didn’t give him an option.”

“I’m pleased with him.” She folded her arms. “Why is that a problem for you?”

Erin paced the lab. “Pleased with him? Did you say you’re pleased with him? But is he pleased with you? Look. I don’t know what’s happened to you, but you’ve got some serious shit going on. Where did you suddenly get all this fake confidence? You look different, taller, shapelier, prettier—your hair is even longer and thicker. Do I even know you?”

Coy turned to walk away, the stilettos gleaming on her feet. “I’ve got work to do.”

“That’s not the answer I want to hear! Don’t walk away while I’m talking to you!”

Staring at Erin, Coy paused and lifted her mask. “Really. You know, since we became friends, you’ve kept your thumb on my neck. Now that I’m crawling from under
your
rock—you’re angry? I don’t need friends like you. Find someone else to squelch, or get a life.”

“Why you street bitch!” Erin folded her arms and tapped her feet against the floor. “How dare you talk to me like that! You’ll need me before I need you.”

Infuriated, Coy marched directly up to Erin. “Look, you.” She poked her in Erin’s chest. “Get back in your cage and lock the door. If I need your help, I’ll yank your chain, until then, get the hell outta my face.”

* * * *

Erin seemed aggravated with the new and improved Coy. Each time Coy lifted her eyes, Erin cowered, pretending not to see her.

Periodically, Coy lifted her head from her microscope. Perhaps it was that time of the month for Erin. Her actions appeared strange and even foreign to Coy.
Why on earth would she call me a street bitch, when it’s obvious who the bitch really is?

After clocking out for the day, Coy walked toward her economy car. Suddenly, she stopped, and ran her gaze over the compact ride.
Surely, I can do better than this, thing.
She noticed the rusted dents and obvious pings
. I’ve got money saved up. I feel more like a Cadillac, today.
Coy opened the car’s door and tossed her purse inside. Within minutes, she was sitting in a Cadillac dealership. Before she could park, a handsome young man rushed up to her car.

After clapping his hands together, he rubbed them briskly and grinned. “You’ve come to the right place. What can I do for you, lovely lady?”

Peering out her window, Coy stated her demands. “I want a new car, and cut the bull. I want you to forfeit your commission and give me a great deal.”

The man stood blinking. “O-kay.” He extended his hand. “My name is Ted.”

Coy ignored his hand and got out of her car. “Ted. I want something red, and classy. Don’t try to shit me. I know my stuff.”

Lowering his shoulders, Ted looked toward the office then drew in a breath. “Well. I think I’ve got just the car for a classy lady such as yourself. Pull your car over here. Let’s see what we can get on a trade in.”

Unaffected by his jubilant nature, Coy stood steadfast. “Did I say I wanted to trade my car?”

Ted raised a finger and grinned. “But I assumed…”

“Don’t assume.” Coy shook her head. “My car is worth more than anything you plan to offer. Don’t shit me, Ted.” She shook her finger. “I’m not the one.”

Ted scratched his head anxiously. “Beauty and brains, huh? Let me get some keys, I have just the car for you. On sale right now. Good Buy.”

When Ted returned, he was shaking some keys and grinning from ear to ear. “Let’s walk back here. By the way, love those shoes.” He glimpsed her name tag. “So.Coy VanAlstine. You work at the research center.”

Coy stopped walking. “Put on the brakes, Ted. Don’t assume that just because I work at the research center, I have enough money for you to wipe your ass, okay.”

Ted’s face took on a whipped dog expression. “Eh, got it!” He stepped to the side. “The cars are over here.” They walked toward a row of shiny used cars. “Here we are. Beauty as far as the eye can see.” He placed his hand on the hood of a silver Cadillac. “This car is just perfect for you.” He eased inside and cranked the motor. “Purrs like a kitten.”

Coy looked inside, then extended her finger to beckon Ted out of the car. “Ted. I thought we were going to be friends. Apparently not.” She shook her head. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but does this car look red to you?”

“W—well,” he stammered, then looked at his feet.

She put out her hand, palms upward. “Let me stop you right now. Number one, this car is
not
red, it’s old and overpriced. The motor sounds like crap. It’s leaking transmission fluid, and your boys did a piss-poor job of hiding the dent in the door. Plus, it has far too many freaking miles for the price.” Coy shuddered. “Really Ted. Really. It’s my money. Don’t play me for a fool. It’s not becoming.”

Ted lowered his eyes. “I’m sorry. I was trying to put you in a more affordable car.”