Without Any Warning (A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 2) (10 page)

Chapter 29

Listing Liabilities

Since the moment I woke up that particular workday, I languished in bed, reflecting, and feeling lazy as a cat, giving in to the luxury of lounging in a tub of luscious bubbles and sipping my coffee. Around mid morning, I finally got around to fine-tuning some observations and slipping in additional thoughts as I typed, listing one after the other.

I thought about asking Mona for answers to her face, but I had a strong feeling she wouldn’t tell me or she’d make up a lie, and then she’d be much cagier about her actions, which would make it harder for me to follow her and find out what was really going on. But after a week of fruitless surveillance, I finally decided to ask her to lunch and take the lead on this thing.

I considered what else was still bothering me. Why was Mona traveling a few random times a week to a questionable motel room, listed under an alias and meeting two men? For what purpose? Exactly, who were they? As usual, more questions followed. Who was Paula Foster? Why did Pat refer to Mona as Tina? Who was Tina Davis? Was California one of the places Mona resided in?

Most likely.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t mentioned much more since early on. Apparently, I was the one always doing all the talking. Somehow, she persistently managed to get me going from one story to the next, which by the way was how my life was going, from one story to the next. This one was obviously following the same complicated path.

You know, I’m firmly convinced I wrote for a living to actually keep my sanity intact. My life hadn’t seemed so remarkable until I put it all down on my laptop.

Then it read just like fiction.

I thought I would snag Mona for an hour to question her casually to try and loosen her wall of secrecy. I’d been watching for some time, while she constantly looked over her shoulder and cautiously edited what she said.

I also didn’t want things to get out of hand with someone getting emotionally or physically hurt. Maybe, I could list some positives for a change. Maybe, I could take charge and prevent something disastrous from happening.

Maybe.

Chapter 30

Digesting Excuses & Life Lessons

Even though it was cool, the sun was shining, so I felt optimistic about how my friendly interrogation might proceed. When I last spoke to Mona earlier in the morning, before she left, she seemed in an upbeat mood. Two good omens? Maybe. Still, the lesson I’ve learned so far was that my life and Mona’s were completely unpredictable. I looked up, spotting her rushing over to our table at Luigi’s.

“Hi,” she greeted. “Sorry I’m late. I had an interview.”

Ha.
I sat back, digesting that excuse. “I already ordered two meatball subs for us, figuring it would save some time.”

“Great! So, how did your morning go?” she asked, still breathless from rushing. “How is the book coming along?”

I had ordered sodas and Mona started sipping hers.

“Well,” I said, “after wasting half the morning in a battle of lethargic overload, I finally managed to knock out several pages. I know I’ll have to heavily edit them tomorrow, but it made me feel good to accomplish at least that much.” Determined to turn this conversation in a specific direction, I asked, “That look you’re giving me is saying, no offers?”

“Same old, same old. Nobody seems to be hiring. I was thinking maybe I might go and try one of those casinos in Atlantic City. Maybe, I could get a job in accounting. I heard they always had openings in that department, and I’m desperate at this point for anything, even doing payroll. You know me, I’ve always liked working the numbers.”

I almost choked, as my soda backed up into my nose when I heard the words,
Atlantic City
. All I saw in front of me was Mona wearing that long black wig. To tell you the truth, in my mind, it sort of looked good on her. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I had to try and stay focused and on message this time. I needed information.

“Are you okay?” Mona asked, looking concerned, as she reached her hand across the table and patted my shoulder.

I nodded, coughed once more and then asked, “What casino in Atlantic City?”

I guess, I already knew. I just wanted it confirmed.

“…I thought I’d try the Borgata. What do you think?”

A clever excuse in case she was ever spotted.

I was starting to enjoy this wordplay for appearances sake. What more could she possibly divulge that would surprise me? Well, maybe I really shouldn’t engage in that game. I’d taken that attitude in the past and paid dearly for my naiveté. I’ve since learned to allow myself some verbal maneuverability. All clichés considered, I had to cut to the chase or this would be a wasted lunch, info wise that is. I aimed at the heart of it.

Plus, I was tired of playing her game. “Tell me Mona, exactly what were you expecting when you arrived at my doorstep? A secret place to hide? Why me?” Although my unexpected candor scored, she handled it with style.

“You know me too well, don’t you, Sam?” She smiled, already knowing what I was thinking. “Apparently, you learned a lot in my absence. Tell me, was it that bad when Stephen died?”

“Yes, it was. I learned a few life lessons last year, and fending for myself was one of them. I found men didn’t understand what a woman was willing to go through to justify her existence, and of course, what she was not willing to go through when the truth was finally exposed.”

“I guess I’m not the only one to have underestimated the new you. You are the same, Sam, in many ways, but then again, you are totally different.”

I smiled momentarily, but then sobered, saying, “Okay, let’s cut the mindless meandering and get straight to the point. What have you gotten involved in this time, Mona?”

“What do you mean this time?” she countered.

“What are you running from and why?”

Mona sighed heavily. “I used to think I was running from myself in one way or another, but this time it’s different. I’ve somehow gotten involved way over my head, and it appears to be something that doesn’t include a happy ending like in the movies. This is real and toxic. But I still feel I can handle it alone. All I’m asking is for you to please let me stay so I can straighten it all out.”

I sat there staring. “That goes without saying, Mona. Of course, you can stay. How could you ask such a ridiculous question? I’m disturbed in not knowing what to do. Obviously, you are in trouble, but unless you confide in me, I can’t help. Don’t you get it? Try to understand my frustration at seeing a friend disappear, then reappear, and then I’m forced to watch from the sidelines all the mental stress she’s under? Let me help. You can trust me.”

“I know that, Sam. It’s a matter of safety. That’s all.”

“Whose safety?” I asked, not connecting the dots.

“…Yours! I don’t want you involved in something this complicated and potentially dangerous.”

Mona,” I shot back. “I’m already involved.”

“How so?” she asked. She obviously didn’t get it either.

“Think back,” I replied. “I’ve been here for weeks all by myself, and not one single incident occurred. Ever since you’ve arrived, we’ve experienced an attempted mugging on the beach, and an intruder sneaking around in my house in the dark. And I’m not even addressing that strange phone call. Now, please tell me. Why is that, Mona?”

Her eyes nervously darted in my direction from her sandwich. “Coincidence?” she asked, half smiling.

“Yeah, right. Don’t make me laugh.” I crossed my arms and sat back, waiting for some kind of explanation.

Mona shifted uncomfortably. “All I’m asking is, for now; let me figure this out for myself. What you don’t know can’t harm you. I can’t say anything more than that. I recognize that sounds ridiculous, but I need more time to straighten it all out on my own. I appreciate your concern, but I’m sure, that if I can just explain my actions to certain people, they will understand why I did what I did.”

I hated to admit it, but in some bizarre way, it made sense, plus, I felt she was telling the truth when she said she was trying to protect me. But at some point, she might have bitten off more than she could chew, a lesson and a warning we all needed to digest at one time or another in our life.

Myself? I was still chewing on mine.

Chapter 31

RSVP ASAP

How this got arranged, I’m not quite sure. One moment, I’m talking to Martha, who mentioned she was talking to Mona, who mentioned she met Crystal on Tuesday, and the next thing I knew, I was off the island, and it was girl’s night out with second drinks in Atlantic City for all of us. This was trouble waiting to happen, as far as I was concerned, but I went anyway. Why? That’s not quite so easy to explain, but let me try.

Now, I have to stipulate that women are an intriguing breed. They tread where they shouldn’t, are intrigued by situations and any after-effects that might spontaneously happen. Some like to plow through layers of emotional debris, overlooking other’s former transgressions, the unknown, and any potential possibilities that might follow.

Okay, so I am getting a little wordy here, but you get my drift. Some women like to flirt with disaster, knowing there is always an easier way out, but still choose to take the riskier choice. Why? Because they can, and because they enjoy the invitation to challenge their former weaknesses.

I was sitting on high alert in the bar of one of the casinos with Mona, Martha and Crystal. I was also a nervous wreck and working on my second glass. I wasn’t peeling back anything; I was knocking back wine instead, hoping I could make it through the evening without a major incident. Something told me that wasn’t on the agenda. This combination of a friend missing in action for several years, a candidate for the geriatric ward, and a tattooed Harley girl was lethal, and I wasn’t sure where I fit into that crazy mix.

But I had to admit all was going fairly smoothly until
‘he’
walked into the bar. I swear, I think it was something in the air. We all turned simultaneously, as though a magnet was pulling us all in the same direction without any of us knowing why. Who? Why, tall, dark and handsome David. That’s who.

“Whoa!” said Mona, leaning forward.

“Well, hello there good looking,” commented Crystal.

“I gotta put on my glasses for this,” said Martha. “Well, look at what we got here!” she said, perking up.

My mouth popped open to speak, but nothing came out.
Now, what was he doing here?
The three of them all turned to me at once, waiting. Obviously, I was the only one who hadn’t made a comment.

Mona nudged me with her elbow. “Have you suddenly gone blind? Or are your hormones on vacation?”

Martha had turned back in his direction. “Holy mackerel!” she suddenly whispered. “Who is that redheaded bombshell with him?”

Again, we all turned simultaneously in his direction, as he turned to his obvious date, who apparently had just rejoined him. With upswept auburn hair, flawless make-up and a very low-cut, sexy cocktail dress on, she was an absolute knockout.

Pat, the realtor.

All that came out of my mouth was, “Uh oh.” But my mind was saying, ‘
Trouble with a capital T, again
.
’

Pat intertwined her arm with David’s and smiled up at him, while batting her eyelashes flirtatiously.

I turned to Mona for her reaction. “Mona…?”

There was just one little problem. Mona wasn’t there!

“What the hell?” laughed Crystal, looking all around. “Where’d she go?”

Martha grabbed the tablecloth, lifting it up in the air and bent downward to have a look. “Mona! What in the heck are you doing under the table? Are you drunk? Somebody quick, grab her.”

“No! Don’t touch me!” hissed Mona from under the table. “Quick, will the three of you just sit up like I am not here, for God’s sake? Please! … Do … it … now!”

We all jerked upright, smoothing down the tablecloth, just as David and Pat approached our table.

“Well isn’t this a pleasant surprise!” greeted David, smiling at us.

Pat aimed her pearly whites in my direction. “We thought we’d stop by for a quick drink at the bar before the show started. How nice to see you again, Samantha!” She already knew Crystal because of all the rentals and their requests for cleaning services on a weekly basis.

After faltering slightly, I made the necessary introduction to Martha, still mindful of Mona somewhere under our table. It was hard to ignore her because she kept banging down on my foot with her fist. Obviously, claustrophobia was in play. Or maybe she’d found a spider or two.

I decided to savor her discomfort for putting all of us on the spot. I smiled at David and Pat, as I gently nudged Mona’s hand away with my other foot. “They decided on a girl’s night out,” I happily explained, “and I tagged along.”

Crystal, somewhat confused by what was going on, played right along, trying not to reveal what we were concealing at our feet. “So far, I have to admit that it’s been interesting,” she ventured, smiling at David.

Martha darted her eyes downward, nervously tapped her fingers on the table, and then looked back up to David. “So, you’re the new renter next door to us. Now, I just don’t know why Sam didn’t mention what a looker you were!” She glanced my way, suspiciously. Then she turned back to David. “There’s something sort of familiar about you. I just can’t place it though. Have we met before?”

David nodded in affirmation. “Remember me? The casino? I certainly remember you. You were the lady in all that red.”

“Yes! By golly, you’re absolutely right! I completely forgot! Heck, if I was Samantha, and I had you next door to me, I wouldn’t tell anybody either!”

Pat laughed briefly. “Sam, I can see why you invited her to stay awhile. She’s hilarious!”

Martha stared Pat up and down. “You know, I’m like family. I don’t need an invitation. I just show up like you two did tonight. It makes things much more interesting that way!”