Private Deceptions (14 page)

"You never did answer my question."

"Which one? I haven’t answered several of your questions."

"I noticed. How is school going?

"It was goin’ fine until all this came down."

"What were you taking?"

"Law school. I’ve been meaning to do it for years, but I got caught up in the job. Out there in the streets doin’ the job."

"Do you miss it?"

"Not as much as I used to. I missed the feeling you get when you knock on a door or walk up on a car."

"What’s gonna happen next. I know what you mean. You’re excited and apprehensive all at the same time."

"That’s right, you’re ex-army. What did you do?"

"Special operations unit."

"Trained killer. Should I be scared?"

"No, you have the guns, remember." Felicia laughed. "What turned you? What made you decide to go back to school?"

"One day I had finally seen enough. Did enough. Too much."

"Sounds like you got a story."

"You don’t want to hear about that."

"Yes I do, Felicia. I love a good story."

"Well, I’m not sure I want to tell you."

"What? You think it will scare me. I don’t scare easy."

"No kiddin’." Felicia took a playful swing at me. "You could probably tell me stories that make mine sound like a church social."

"Maybe."

"I’ll try and stick to the highlights, so stop me if I bore you."

"I’m sure I won’t need to."

"Alrighty then. I’ve told this story so many times, one more time ain’t goin’ hurt. Officer Morgan and I, Morgan, that was my partner, we responded to a domestic disturbance call. When we got there, Officer Morgan knocked on the door and identified himself. They opened up on us right then." She giggled. "I mean, the suspects began firing at us through the door."

"All right now." I kept thinking Felicia was much too pretty to be a cop. "Try to keep it real for me."

"Anyway." Felicia cut her eyes at me.

"Why’d they just start blastin’ like that?"

"Drug deal, in progress." She had pretty eyes, very expressive eyes. "I was goin’ to call for back up, but Morgan kicked in the door and went in. By the time I got in there, one of them was tryin’ to gather up the drugs from the table. He fired at me. I returned fire and hit him with two shots in his chest. I looked for Morgan; he was runnin’ up the stairs. He yelled, ‘They’re goin’ out the back!’ I ran down the hallway. I could see the back door was open. Then I saw someone run out, but they were gone by the time I got there. I started back up the hall, when one of them came runnin’ out. I shot him, kicked his gun away, and kept moving up the hallway. I yelled for Morgan, but he didn’t answer. Shots were still bein’ fired. I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. When I cleared the hallway, I saw one on the steps. He shot at me, and I ducked back in the hallway. I shot back blindly. I hit him in the back before he got out the door. There was still shooting upstairs. I moved toward the stairs. I looked up and saw Morgan chasing one down the stairs. I fired at him, he went down, and I took cover to reload.

"After awhile, Morgan came and sat next to me. It was over. I killed four people that day, Nick. Morgan killed three more. We just sat there looking at each other. Both of us knew we’d had enough. There was an investigation and it was ruled a clean shoot. But it was ugly. Very ugly, what I had to go through before they cleared me. Two days later I quit. Morgan quit about a month after that."

The waitress returned with our meals. We ate, talked, and laughed at this and that. I liked her laugh. I was starting to like her. Picture that, me liking somebody who wasn’t married.

"You know what, Nick? You don’t look like the type that used to run with Vicious Black."

"I don’t?"

"No, you don’t.’ Felicia smiled at me.

"Just what does that type look like?"

"I don’t know, I just know you don’t look like it."

"I guess that makes us even. I think your way to pretty to be a cop."

Felicia smiled, but looked away this time. "I actually met him once a couple of years ago."

"Who; Black?"

Felicia simply nodded her head.

"Really, where was that?"

"At the police station; where else? When I was a rookie. I had just gotten off my shift and was on my way out of the building. There was this man walking in front of me. There was something about the way he walked. So confident, so regal, it was almost like he was saying, I command all I survey."

"That’s Black."

"I remember thinking that it struck me as being odd because most times when people leave the precinct, they walk out like they’re beaten, defeated and glad to be out of there. But not him, he walked with his head held high and his shoulders back. And his stride commanded your attention and respect. Then he stopped and turned around and said ‘That fragrance you’re wearing, is it bora, bora?’ I told him that it was and he told me that it smelled beautiful on me. He introduced himself and asked me if I worked there? I said Yes, I’m a cop. He said that’s a shame. So I asked him, ‘Why? Don’t you like cops?’ he said as a rule, no I don’t. And I can’t make an exception, even for very pretty cops like you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms Hardy. And then he walked away."

"That’s Black," I said and smiled.

"The next day I asked my training officer, Dan Cavanaugh, now that was a piece of work." Felicia dropped, and then shook her head. Having the pleasure of meeting Cavanaugh I knew what she meant. "Anyway, I asked Cavanaugh about Black and he told me this story about how he was called to a domestic disturbance at Black’s apartment. One of his neighbors called the police, ’cause some woman was out in the hall beating on his door and yelling and screaming. But by the time Cavanaugh and his partner arrive on the scene, the woman is gone and Black is there in the hall with some guy. So Black tells him that he talked to the woman and he was able to convince he to go home quietly. But Cavanaugh says he didn’t like Black’s attitude, so he tells he partner to go on back to the car. Well when he turns around, Cavanaugh gives Black and the other guy one in the gut. He said they took it, not because they were afraid of him or anything, but Black was just showing respect for his authority," Felicia gave me her version of a girlish giggle. "Well that’s my Vicious Black story. I don’t know how true it is, but that’s my story."

"Well, Felicia, that’s not exactly true."

Felicia sat up straight, "Its not?"

"No, its not."

"How do you know?"

"I was the other guy in the hall."

"Really."

"Really. That night Black called me and told me about the woman. Black told he that he came out and tried to talk to her, but it only made it worst. He told me he had something goin’ on and didn’t have time to deal with her. So he told me and Freeze to come get her before somebody called the cops."

"What was wrong? Did he have another woman in there?"

"No. He had something goin’ on in there, but there was no woman involved. Anyway, when we got there she’s still in the hall, raisin’ hell. Freeze walks up on her, puts his hand over her mouth, and carries her outside. I knocked on the door and let Black know that it was taken care of. I went inside and talked to him and Bobby for a minute, then I walked out with Black. That’s when your boy Cavanaugh gets there. Black did explain things just like you said. And Cavanaugh did say, I don’t like your attitude and sent his partner back to the car to wait, just like you said."

"At least that part is true."

"Yeah, but that’s where the story changes. After his partner leaves, Black went in the apartment and came back with an envelope and gave it to Cavanaugh."

"Cavanaugh?"

"Cavanaugh."

"Cavanaugh, huh? I guess you just never know."

As much as I was enjoying the conversation I worked it back to the business at hand. "How long did you know Pamela?"

"We were play pen buddies."

"Really?"

"We go back a long way. I grew up in that house and Pamela lived three doors down."

"What was her involvement with Jake?"

"As far as I know, they were just friends. She met him at one of Gee’s parties. There wasn’t anything physical, if that’s what you’re asking."

"What about LaShawn? Were her and Pamela close?"

"Yes, unfortunately. She met her at one of those parties and they became instant friends. LaShawn was nothing but poison. But Pamela seemed fascinated by that whole lifestyle. Not that she was a part of it or wanted to be. But she just liked being around them. She had never been around people like that and she just got caught up."

"Hmm. Growing up in LA, I would think she met plenty of people in the game."

"Pam’s mom didn’t play that. She kept a pretty tight reign on her kids. They weren’t on lock down or nothing, they did stuff, but they did it as a family and her moms was always around."

"What about Mrs. Childers?"

"Her and Gee were close. Pamela looked out for Gee when they worked at the bank in Kansas City together. She said Gee was pretty helpless when she first got there. She’d never had a job before and she was a nervous wreck."

"By the way, you said those pictures were taken the same day."

"And?" Felicia leaned forward and smiled.

"Who took the pictures?"

"I was wondering if you had picked up on that. I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t."

"Well?"

"Pamela did. Taking pictures was sort of her hobby."

"You think she took those pictures of Jake and LaShawn?"

"Maybe."

"You wanna tell me now?"

"Tell you what?"

"Why you left?"

"How long are you goin’ to be here?"

"I’d like to say until you tell me why you left. But it’ll probably be more like a couple of days."

"I don’t know if I can trust you."

"Well, Felicia, you can tell me about it and I can go back to New York and do something about it. Or you can stay on the run until whoever it is you’re running from, catches up with you."

"There in lies my problem, Nick. Even if I tell you, they still may come. I ain’t trying to testify against nobody and live my life in witness protection. No, no, not a life for me."

I looked at my watch.

"What are you gonna do now?"

"That depends on you, Ms Hardy. What are you doin’ the rest of the day?"

"Since you’re out here, and it’s your first time and all, I was gonna show you around. Maybe you’ll like it enough to come back. Look in on me every now and then. Make sure I’m still alive."

"I’d like that."

She caught me a little off guard with that one.

Maybe we did have a moment.

We talked about a little bit of everything while Felicia drove me around to all the tourist spots in LA. I felt comfortable talking to her. So for once, I let my guard down and opened up to her. "Listen, I know a quiet little spot on the beach."

"I’m not dressed for the beach."

"That’s why they made malls."

Felicia and I spent the rest of the afternoon and the early evening at the beach. Laughing and talking like neither of us had a care in the world. She sat with her head on my shoulder and watched the sun set. We drove to a Chinese restaurant in Torrance called
Szechwan
. I had Kung Pao. She ordered the Sweet and Spicy Shrimp. The food was excellent. After dinner, Felicia drove quietly back to her house. "I had a nice day, Nick," she said and got out of the car.

"I did too," I said as I walked her to her door. "But it’s early, I was hoping you’d show me some of that famous LA night life."

"Not tonight, Nick. I’m tired. I got a lot on my mind and I wouldn’t be good company. Will you come see me tomorrow?" she asked, as she got to the door and unlocked it.

"Sure." I was disappointed for more than the obvious reason.

"Then I’ll see you in the morning." Felicia kissed me on the cheek and went inside. I had just turned to walk away when I heard the door opened.

"Nick."

"Yes, Felicia," I said excitedly.

"Here are your guns." She handed them to me, one at a time. "Good night, Nick." And once again the door closed. I walked away thinking of my bad luck. I had just spent the day, a great day, with a woman I was really interested in, who seemed to be interested in me. The problem is she may be involved in a murder, not to mention that I lived six thousand miles away.

The following morning I picked up Felicia around eleven. A bright red sundress and pumps was her attire for the day. "Not that I’m complaining or anything, but its kind of hard to hide your gun isn’t it?" Felicia rolled her eyes at me, and without hesitation, pulled up her dress. Just enough to show me that she had a .25 strapped to each thigh.

"So, Ms Hardy, tell me what’s going on."

"Well, since you’re leaving in the morning, I was hoping we could spend the rest of the day together."

"That wasn’t what I was asking and you know this."

"I know that, Nick. But trust me."

"Okay."

I didn’t really want to leave her and I didn’t want to leave without hearing her story. What else could I do? I put on my seatbelt and relaxed. We did a long lunch at a place called
Killer Shrimp,
on Colfax Ave and Ventura Boulevard. After lunch, Felicia drove around for a while before driving out of LA on the 101 for a little over an hour until we got to the Town Center Drive exit. "Where are we going?"

"Back to LA," she said, and got on California State Route 1. "I wanted to share one of my favorite places with you."

"Where is that?"

"Shhh. You just trust me. I trusted you. You’re not afraid, are you?"

"No," I said louder than I needed to. "I just like to know where I’m goin’ that’s all." My sixth sense was kicking in. For all I knew, she could be taking me some place secluded so she could kill me. Wasn’t like she couldn’t do it. After all, she was an ex-cop on the run. But on the run from what?

"I’ve never taken anybody here before." She smiled a very soft and satisfied smile. It caused my apprehension to subside, but just a little. Apprehension. The rush. Something else we shared.

We had driven a short while when Felicia said, "This is part of what I wanted to show you."

I looked and saw what was probably one of the most beautiful sights I’d ever seen. The Pacific Ocean on one side of the highway, and the mountains on the other. Felicia tapped me on my thigh. "How do you like it?" she asked me, as she drove down the curvy stretch of highway.

"It’s breathtaking." I replied, thinking that she either needed to slow down or drive with two hands.

"No, breathtaking comes a little later."

"Well are we in a hurry to get there?"

"Kinda, well yeah, we are in a hurry. Why, you a nervous passenger? I mean you’re not scared or anything?"

"No. I just want to enjoy the view. You did want me to see this, didn’t you?"

"Yes. But there’s more. You just gotta trust me."

"That’s funny coming from the woman who had me in handcuffs first thing yesterday morning."

"Stop being such a punk. I gave you back your guns. You’ll be all right."

Felicia slowed down, but only a little. We drove for awhile longer until she got into Malibu. She made a left off the highway and started to drive up into the hills.

"Excuse me, that sign says private property."

"And?"

"Where you takin’ me?"

"Trust me, Nick. If it makes you more comfortable —" Felicia let go of the wheel, reached between her legs and handed me her guns. "There, that should help."

It did.

"Thank you. But I still want to know where we’re goin’?"

"Some place breathtaking."

I decided to relax and roll with it. If I couldn’t take her, and whatever she had waiting, I deserved whatever I got. Before too much longer we passed a sign that read,
SERRA; A Franciscan Retreat
.

I was more curious now. She parked the car and led me by the hand toward the building. As we walked past the building, I followed her up a small hill, Felicia said, "Now this is breathtaking."

And she was breathtaking.

She walked ahead of me and sat down on a bench at the edge of the mountain. "I used to come here all the time. Get away from it all. Gives me a chance to think."

From where we were, high in the mountains, the view was spectacular. Surrounded on three sides by mountains and the ocean was dead ahead. It was breathtaking. The only sound was the sound of her voice. And to top it off, the sun was just starting to set. "I’ve been out here every night since I’ve been back."

"Guess you got a lot to think about?"

Felicia smiled that smile I was getting fond of seeing.

I lost track of time as we sat there in silence until the summer sun dropped out of sight. I don’t know what she was thinking about, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what she knew. I played out several scenarios while I took turns admiring Felicia’s profile, painted with a backdrop of sunset. Then she got up abruptly. "You ready to go, Nick?"

"No." I stood up and faced her. "I could stay out here and look at you all night."

She turned and walked away, and I followed her back to the car. Once we were back on the highway I thanked her for bringing me. She didn’t answer. She turned onto Sunset Blvd. and took the scenic route back to her house. She invited me in this time and offered me a drink. "Johnnie Black, if you got it."

"A glass of white wine will have to hold you."

Felicia returned with two glasses. She handed me one and took a sip of hers. "When are you going to tell me what you know?"

Felicia put her drink down and then she put her arms around my neck and kissed me. There was real passion in her kiss. More passion than I’d felt coming from any woman I’d kissed in a long time.

"I will tell you everything you want to know," Felicia said then kissed me again. "In the morning."

She kissed my lips and then down to my neck. I unzipped her dress and allowed it to fall to the floor. I paused to admire her body. Felicia was beautiful. I ran my tongue along the edge of her bra, while reaching behind her back and unhooking her bra at the same time. Her breasts were firm and her nipples grew harder when I ran my tongue across them. Felicia moaned quietly, wiggling her way out of her panties.

We kissed our way into the bedroom and we fell on the bed. I kissed her calves. The closer I got, the more Felicia squirmed. I started working my way up to her thighs. I slid my tongue around the edges of her pubic hair, then spread her lips. Her back arched as I stuck my tongue inside of her. Her stomach muscles tightened, her thighs pressed together as her back arched, and she screamed in ecstasy.

I stood up took off my pants, and laid down next to her bed. I rolled on top of her, and put the weight of my body on my arms. I entered her slowly. She arched her back slightly and began to rotate her hips. We began to move slowly, then faster and then slow again. Her body began to quiver again. I placed my hands gently on her face and kissed her. We continued to make love until we both passed out.