Soul Mate (The Mating Series) (30 page)

“Shit!” Cho
barked. “Don’t stop. Keep driving and don’t hang up.” I heard Jimmy in the background insisting on talking to me. “She’s got a tail and she’s lost,” Cho said to Jimmy. “Cassie, I’m going to put Jimmy on. He knows the city better.” I heard the worry in Cho’s voice, but he kept an even tone. It was an attempt to keep Jimmy calm, not me.

“Okay
,” I said, shakily. I heard the rustle of the phone change hands.

“Babe, it’s me
,” Jimmy said. “What street are you on?”

I looked and found a street sign as I passed it. “Talbot Street
.”

“Shit
,” Jimmy said.

“What?”

“That’s not a good neighborhood. Are you coming up to a light?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s red, make sure there’s no oncoming traffic, and run it”

“It’s not.
It’s green.” I hit the accelerator.

“Make a right. That’s
Morris Street.”

I blew through the intersection. I squealed tires turning.
“Okay, I did.”

“I’
m with you. Don’t freak out,” Jimmy said. “There’s another light coming up. Same thing, run it if you have too. Turn left that should be Madison Avenue again.” The green arrow appeared. I sped through it. “Is the guy still behind you?”

I looked in the rearview mirror. “Yes.”

“Right behind you?”

“No
, he’s a couple cars back.”

“Good. Try to get some distance as you go through town
,” Jimmy said. “Do you know where you’re at?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, do you know how to get back to the condo?”

“Yes,
” I said, “but don’t hang up.”

“
I’m not going to hang up until you’re safe in my arms,” Jimmy said. I drove for a long time without saying anything. “Are you still there?” Jimmy asked.

“Yes
,” I said. “I’m almost to St. Claire Street.”

“Good. Is he still behind you?”

“Yes,” I said. “He’s right behind me now.”

“Damn it!”

“I’m almost there,” I said, clutching the steering wheel.

“Cho’s waiting for you in the garage
,” Jimmy said. “Do you have the entrance card in your hand?”

“No, I forgot about it!” Jimmy’s garage only allowed entrance with a card. I
forgot to ask where he kept it when I left.

“It’s okay. It’s in the visor.” Jimmy said
, slowly. “Get it out and have it in your hand.” I flipped the visor and found the key card stuck in the mirror.

I maneuvered the BMW to the garage entrance. “I’
m here.”

“Slow do
wn, but don’t stop,” Jimmy said. “Don’t give him a chance to hurt you.”

I swiped the card and
moved through the stop arm as it rose. The arm barely passed above the roof as I drove under it. “I’m in.” I looked in the mirror. The SUV followed right on my tail, and went through the bar with me.

“Oh God!” I screamed.

“What, Cassie? What is going on?”

“He came through with me!” I
cried. “I went through so fast; it gave him time to squeeze in before the arm went down.”

“Cho’s in
the garage waiting,” Jimmy said. “He’s got a gun. Pull in and run to him.”

The SUV
slowed its pace. It gave me a second to pull in, park, and cut the engine. I jumped out. Cho rushed to me. The elevator was less than ten feet away. Cho grabbed me, and pulled towards the elevator. The SUV idled about twenty feet away from us. Cho forced me behind him and walked backwards, gun drawn, watching the SUV.

I stopped. I had to get the file.
I couldn’t leave it behind for my stalker to break in the BMW and steal it. I stopped. “Wait. I have to get something.”

“Get to the elevator.” Cho
pushed at my midsection.

“No, I can’t leave this
,” I said. “It’s what he wants.”

“You go and I’ll get it.”

“It’s a file under my Jackets in the trunk.”

“I’ll get it.” I gave Cho the keys.

The SUV hit the gas and flew straight at us. Cho shoved me between two cars. I smacked the ground. I heard gun fire “Cho!” I screamed. I stood up, and saw him firing at the back of the SUV as it rounded the corner.

“
You okay Kid?” Cho asked.

“Yes, how about you?”

“I’m fine.”

“Did you hit him?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “It didn’t stop him. Stay there while I get the file.”

I held my breath as Cho
hustled to the car. I heard the SUV squealing tires through the garage. I thought it was going down, but wasn’t sure. I waited for it to come back.

“Got it
,” Cho said. “Come on, hurry.”

We ran to the elevator. Cho wrapped a big arm around my waist and pulled me close
, comforting me. The elevator crept up at snails pace. I trembled all over. Cho held me tighter. “We’re okay,” he said.

 
Jimmy stood in the hall when the elevator door opened. I ran to his arms. Jimmy whispered. “I’ve got you.” He looked at Cho. “I heard gun fire.”

“The son of a bitch tried to run us over
,” Cho said. He pointed to my legs. “Cassie’s bleeding.” I looked down. Blood streaked both legs. I skinned my knees.

I held fast to Jimmy as he walked me to the condo. “I was so scared
,” I cried.

“It’s alright
,” Jimmy cooed. “You’re safe now.”

Jimmy led me to the bathroom, while Cho locked the doors and set the security alarm. “It’s just skinned
,” I said. Jimmy examined my knees.

“Sh!” He gently wiped at my legs with a damp cloth. His hands shook as he administered first-aid.

“See,” I said, “it’s not that bad.” It wasn’t bad once the dirt and blood washed off.

“This is going to sting
,” Jimmy said. He poured alcohol on the wounds. I let out a yelp. “Sorry.” Jimmy bandaged both knees. “That should do,” he said.

I looked down.
My knees were twice their size wrapped in gauze and tape. “I don’t think I need that much wrapping.”

“I’ve never had to do this before
,” Jimmy said.

“I can tell.” I
pulled him to me and kissed him. He held me close for a very long time.

“You scar
ed the hell out of me,” he said. “Don’t do that.”

“He knows where I’
m at now.”

“He’s not going to get you.” He kissed me again. “I won’t let him.”

I laughed. “I hope you’re not counting on Cho to shoot him.”

“Did I hear my name?” Cho
gave me a worried expression. “You okay, Kiddo?”

“All better now
,” I said. I kicked my legs up to show Jimmy’s doctor skills.

Cho laughed.
“You look like a mummy.”

“I did the best I could,” Jimmy said.

“That’s going to cut off her circulation,” Cho said.

“Cassie said not to count on your shooting.”

“Hey I’m an attorney, not a cop. I’ve never fired that gun before.”

Jimmy pulled me up.
“Why do you have it?”

“Just in case.” Cho shrugged.

Jimmy helped me to the bedroom to change. He acted unusually quiet as he lifted my dress over my head and handed me a pair of sweats and a hoodie.

“Jimmy
,” I said.

“
Hmm?”

“What’s on your mind?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

“Communication remember?”

“Yeah… right,” he said.

“Talk to me.”

“I don’t want you to think I’m intruding,” Jimmy said. “You know I’m connected to you now right?”

“Yes, I know.”

“What were you doing with that cop when I called?” Jimmy asked.

“He asked to talk to me privately. I learned a lot today. I can’t wait to tell you and Cho. Is that’s what’s bothering you?” I asked.

“Yes, I hate being in your head like this,” Jimmy said. “I feel like I’m invading your privacy, and it bothers me.”

“Jimmy, I have nothing to hide from you
,” I said. “I would have told you about meeting up with him. I can handle you knowing what I’m doing all of the time,” I pulled the sweats over my hips. “I guess birthday surprises are out aren’t they.”

“Ch
ristmas presents too.” He winked at me.

“If you have a question about something just ask
,” I said. “I won’t get mad; this is what I mean about us communicating. You don’t have to be afraid. I’m here with you no matter what.”

“I can read things from
you that you don’t know about, you understand that right?” Jimmy asked.

“Yes,
but I don’t care.”

“Would you want to know, if I knew who your soul mate was?”
Did he? Was it Ben?
Ben was the only person I knew that could possibly be my soul mate. I’d have to be interested in someone for them to be my soul mate…
wouldn’t I?

“No. When you find him, keep it to yourself
,” I said. “As a matter of fact, your brother gave me some good advice the other day.”

Jimmy tilted his head.
“What is Cho’s wisdom?” he asked.

“
He advised, as my attorney,” I gave a surly Cho face. “not to put too much stock in psychics. He says I should live my life and not listen to
you
.”

“That is good advice
,” Jimmy said.

Jimmy picked me up and carried me to the couch. He propped my legs on a pillow
, and then brought me a cup of tea. Jimmy made me feel comfortable. He still seemed like something bothered him. I didn’t pry.

“We need to talk about what in the hell just happened.” Cho said
, pulling up a chair.

“Later
,” Jimmy said. “Cassie needs to rest. She looks worn out.”

“At least tell me what’
s so important about this?” Cho asked, holding up the folder.

“I don’t know
,” I said.

“It c
an wait.” Jimmy insisted. “Let’s calm down.”

Jimmy lifted my head and slipped under me. He began stroking my hair. I relaxed with the feeling and befo
re I knew it, I was sound asleep.

CHAPTER 13

“What do you think?” I asked.

“You did good Kiddo.” Cho answered. “This information blows the prosecution’s case wide open.”

Jimmy sat stroking my hair while we spoke. He hadn’t added anything since I began listing all of the information
that I acquired during the day. He sat lost in thought. “It doesn’t make sense. Why are we involved in this?” Jimmy asked. “It feels more personal. It doesn’t feel like chance.”

“Some of the worse things that happen in people’s lives are brought on by being in the wrong place at the wrong ti
me,” Cho said. “I see it all the time.”

“
I’m getting a vibe that it’s more personal,” Jimmy said. “There’s more.”

“Maybe that file will tell us more
,” I said. We hadn’t gone through the file yet. I felt it necessary to recap the day before we began looking through the file. I felt confident the SUV was after the file.

“I thumbed through it while you guys were
napping,” Cho said. “It’s full of information in no apparent order. I’m sure Mary planned to lay it out for you, but she’s not here to explain.” Cho opened his brief case. He handed us each a legal pad. “Start taking notes.” Cho instructed us. “First, the church.”  Cho held up a finger. “This is a radical church.” He held up another finger. “The message Cassie received was written on one of their flyers and in Mary’s blood.” He held three fingers as we scribbled. “There were several members at Mary’s funeral, and at least one member on the board.”

“And Skinner, the one cop is a member
,” I said.