Approaching Menace (5 page)

But Colin was here and in need.

He made good grades and sometimes got on the computer Josie bought him. He wanted other games, and she purchased a few, but wished they weren’t so expensive. At least with his computer or video games, he didn’t need to exert himself physically.

But Josie needed to convince their mother that more of their earnings had to remain in the bank.

“Okay, I’m going,” Cora said minutes before closing time.

“Be careful. The roads must be slick.” Josie didn’t mention her thoughts about Mr. Ripley’s absence. He had probably come near, seen Cora’s Jeep outside, and decided to avoid an encounter with his ex.

At eight minutes after five, Josie shut off the lights. She locked the front door and tested it to make sure it felt snug.

She didn’t use her umbrella to walk through the light drizzle creeping through the late afternoon’s gray haze. Her car was easy to locate among the few left in the parking lot. A wind gust swept up her skirt and surprised her. She pressed it down, inserted her key in the lock, and turned, but didn’t feel it catching. Then she remembered. The lock didn’t work when she’d parked this morning.

A Suburban turned from the street into the parking lot. A car backed from a space close to Josie and moved behind her, its male driver watching her.

She slid inside the car and rolled down her window to let fresh air blow in. Recalling how she’d flooded the motor this morning, she took her time starting. She stretched her leg, shoved her toes to the clutch, pushed in the accelerator and turned the key in the switch.

Grinding sounded. Josie muttered. She tried again, this time pumping the gas pedal.

Gas fumes blew through the window.

Shifting into neutral so she wouldn’t need the clutch, she tried to start the car once again. More grinding.

“I did it this time,” she muttered. She climbed out of the car, slammed the door that wouldn’t lock, and returned to the store.

Easily making her way through without turning on the lights, she flicked on a small Tiffany lamp near the phone. “Help,” she said when Andrew answered.

“Ah, she needs me.”

“Absolutely. My car doesn’t start and I’m trying to leave work. There’s hardly anyone else left around here.”

Through the glass on the door, Josie spied a car slowing again. Apprehension made gooseflesh creep like a giant spider over her skin. The car seemed like the same one that passed near earlier.

“Never fear,” Andrew said. “Your savior will roar right over. Since I just got home from work, I’ll be the handsome guy still in the suit that my lady hemmed perfectly.”

Josie grinned. “You’re a champ. I’ll be listening and watching.”

She hung up, satisfied that whatever was ailing her car, Andrew would locate and fix. He worked at the bank but relished tinkering with motors and helping people with theirs. Josie was grateful that he kept her car going since she was not in a position to purchase a new one. But she was most grateful that he loved her.

Before turning off the lamp, she glanced around the store to make certain everything looked right. She walked through, with the only other glow coming from the door window, giving the dresses interesting shadows. The shop’s few lacy dresses now appeared to have proud women’s shoulders inside them. Slim scarves and knitted shawls with long fringes created a ghostly illusion. The beaded hats atop a counter in the store’s center seemed like many heads without bodies perched at attention.

Lights from a vehicle moving in front of the store reached some of the beads and made them glitter.

Josie enjoyed this new look at her surroundings. While waiting for Andrew to arrive, she would study the merchandise’s shadows from the rear of the store with only the lamp’s glow.

The dark car slowing nearly to a stop outside the door made her arms tense again.

* * *

“Yes,” whispered the man moving past. He watched the storefront with urgency coursing in his veins, pumping to his scalp. He’d been waiting.

Josie came out of the store. Then returned inside.

What great fun. She surely meant to play, teasing him with a game.

She was in there right now. And finally alone.

Chapter 4

The man watching from his parked car saw that she hadn’t turned on any lights.

Soon the few people nearby would leave.

Josie looked lovely in that blue dress skimming her trim curves minutes ago when she’d come outside. Her curls had been tamed against her shoulders, but the wind whipped her skirt around and whipped her curls into brown tendrils.

Shutting his eyes, the driver imagined his hands closing against her scalp. Those curls would wrap around his fingers.

No! He had to let the image go. His hand was tightening itself around the door handle, gripping to pull it open.

Calm yourself. The others will be leaving.

She didn’t look frightened when she came out. But she would.

The tingly sensation spread through him while he pictured her fear. She could look so panic-stricken. That problem with her brother kept a constant look of concern in her yellow-brown eyes. Even when she smiled, she seemed worried. Especially when thunder crashed near that store and she scattered the apples.

Shuddering, the man clamped his arms over his chest and clasped his shoulders. He’d seen Josie’s face etched with fright before and would soon view her more intensely than ever.

When he held her. When those curls wrapped on each of his fingers and clung. Right after he wrapped the cord around her neck.

Not yet. Think
.

He forced himself to shut the car door he’d begun to open.

In a few minutes the final store would be locked. The last car would go. Few vehicles passed along this street after these shops closed and they all locked their doors around five o’clock.

After that he would go in and find her. Josie wouldn’t be lying on a beach like the last ones, but she would be waiting. In the dark she was tarrying, wanting him to join her.

New anticipation made his leg muscles tighten. She might be gazing out that window right now, hoping to see him. He strained his neck, attempting to see her.

“Be patient, Josie,” he whispered. “Only a few minutes longer.”

His cheek twitched. His pulse quickened. Something annoying had been added to his picture, pushing off the pleasure he experienced.

The magazine shop’s owner was putting out a closed sign. A teen boy strolled from there, not looking up, only skimming through what he’d purchased. The boy reached a ratty truck, climbed in, and drove off. Next would be the proprietor.

Peering through his side window, the man realized what bothered him.

The noise. He had hardly been aware of the sound but it filtered into his consciousness.

A motorcycle’s sputter.

Craning his neck back, he saw the bike. There at the corner of West Third and Goodrow, its rider waited for the traffic signal to change. The suit of the man driving assured him of who it was. Her boyfriend.

The man turned the key in his ignition.

He drove in the opposite direction, cursing the young man in the shiny helmet at the corner.

* * *

As the roar Andrew had promised sounded, Josie dug out her key once again. Inside his headgear, pop rock would play and he would tap out lyrics with his fingers. Josie smiled. He was unique, so much fun to be with. And a wonderful lover.

Resonance from the Honda stopped, and before she could lock up, he was inside. Andrew had pulled up right in front of the store and left his headlight on, casting a spotlight through the door’s windowpane.

“At your service, ma’am.” He looked even handsomer than usual in the navy suit. The glow from his headlight made his blue eyes look darker and his hair jet black. His skin seemed even tanner, and his teeth shone when he smiled. His shirt collar was open and a red tie hung from his jacket pocket. Josie curtsied, and Andrew tilted his head in a nod.

“I think we’d better shoot my car,” she said with a grin.

“Ah, yes. Then you could go back to riding with me again.” His smile widened. “Your thighs will press against me and you’ll lean ahead, squeezing. Your shirt will billow and your breasts will sink into my back.”

She playfully swatted him. “Don’t drool.” She kissed his cheek.

He stepped nearer and kissed her lips. “It’s so dark in here,” he said once she moved back. Andrew scanned the store and its mannequins. “There’s only us and those ladies watching.”

Again he tried to draw her close but she placed a hand on his chest. “Sorry, I need to get home. Colin.”

“You can’t blame a guy for trying.” A violet tinge lit his eyes and his lips twisted with a mischievous grin.

“No, don’t ever stop trying.”

He spied something at the door and went after it. Josie heard the sound right before his outstretched hand squashed what must have followed him inside. A large fly buzzed and bumped against the glass pane.

“Let’s not,” she said, opening the door. The insect flew in small circles and then escaped to safety.

Andrew strode to the back of the store and turned the lamp off. They walked out together, and Josie peered into the shop through the door’s window. He turned off his bike’s headlight. She could see only shadows of ladies and draped garments. And then a light glittered against the glass. One car had obviously turned into the parking lot, moving slowly.

Andrew was in the driver’s seat of her car when Josie reached him. Giving her a wink, he turned the key. As though it knew his touch, the motor hummed.

“I can’t believe this.” Exasperation rose in Josie’s voice. “I did exactly what you told me the last time.”

“No problem. I’m always here for you.”

“That’s one thing I can count on.”

He turned the key and the motor stopped. “Now you do it.”

“No, don’t turn it off.”

“Josie, you have to be able to start this car. It’s been for you, and it doesn’t have any major problem.” He got out and guided her inside with his outstretched hand. “Remember, just a light touch.”

She sat and gripped the steering wheel.

He pointed to her feet. “Make sure to push the pedals all the way to the floor.”

She voiced a concern she’d had lately. “It’s been giving me these problems. Do you think I’ll need another car soon?”

“Absolutely not. This one will work for a long time.”

“Of course you’d say that. You chose it and sold it to me.”

“A wise selection. Especially when, inside that parking lot, you also found me.” He indicated the floor shift. “Take it out of neutral and try with the clutch.”

She slid her hips to the edge of her seat to stretch her legs until her left foot felt the clutch engaging against the floorboard. She laid her right foot flat against the accelerator. Sucking in a breath, she turned the key.

From behind, the motor started.

“Great.” Andrew leaned in, his eyes shining. “I want to be sure you won’t get stranded by flooding out this delicate machine again.” Mirth left his voice. “Especially with the guy that’s out there.”

“I tried not to flood it this morning. Or this evening. But you know how it’s been lately.”

“Yes, so I want you to try it again. Come out and let it cool off. This won’t take long.” The determined set of his jaw made her turn off the engine. Josie checked her watch. She slid out and stood beside him.

He took her hand. “I know you’re in a hurry, but you need to be careful. Did you know that guy killed another woman?”

“Andrew, I saw her.” She recalled the circumstances. The wide gray eyes and the apples. “We almost met. She was related to one of my customers.” Josie empathized with Mrs. Antonelli and her sadness. She remembered Cora in her office, rolling her eyes.

Recalling something else, Josie grabbed her purse from the car seat. She took out a check. “Cora Ripley paid me. Would you deposit this tomorrow?”

“Oh, your only interest in me. Everyone goes after bank tellers.” He feigned injured pride and took her endorsed check. “At least you can trust me to do this now. And I’m grateful.”

“I talked with Sylvie this afternoon,” Josie said, ignoring the comments, “and do you know what she did today?”

“No telling.”

“She went shopping for groceries.”

“Your mother? Shopped for food?”

“Sometimes she can be almost motherly and practical.” Josie furrowed her brow. “We were out of everything. But guess what she bought?” She didn’t wait for his guess. “Croissants. And a new shade of violet eye shadow.”

He laughed. “I could have guessed that.”

“No bread, no milk. Not even toilet paper.”

“No wonder you’re so upset.” He pulled Josie against him.

The man driving the dark blue sedan that circled the block slowed to watch them. Her boyfriend held her near his body. The man clenched his teeth.

That should be him—not her boyfriend.

He saw himself in the young man’s place, tugging Josie to him, harder yet even harder. And she would be.

Yes, worried, like right now. Even with her male friend around, she could be counted on to look concerned about something. She tried to be brave but was the absolute best at fearing. Her little brother’s sickness kept that look of apprehension about her eyes. And their Florida coastline would bring in more rain and thunderstorms and worse. Then Josie’s eyes would spread wide. Her body would grow rigid. From her mouth would erupt that most perfect scream.

When she revealed all her fears to him, that’s when he would take her. He was the supreme cause and reliever of women’s most intense moments.

And she displayed the ultimate reactions.

Imagining himself with her like the man out there now, the driver felt his arms quiver. His palms burned against the steering wheel. Muscles in his thighs tightened with such force that he needed to shove away his image of Josie cornered.

If not, he might forget about anyone else around and go after her now.

Andrew rubbed his palms over Josie’s hips. She heard the cough before glancing over her shoulder.

An elderly woman walking with a gangly man to one of the few cars still in the parking lot had purposely made the noise to get their attention. The man shook his head as though disapproving, but the lady smiled and nodded.