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CHAPTER 13
JAY
“Did you hear that siren last night?” I ask Violet and Fiona, one of the other cocktail waitresses, as I mix a drink.
They both stare at me openly. “What’s happened?” Violet asks. Her green eyes study me carefully, as do Fiona’s.
“I saw something on my phone about a string of robberies.”
“In Maplewood?” Fiona asks.
Violet frowns. “What kind of robberies? Like breaking into an empty store or sticking a gun in someone’s back and demanding all their money?” She places a hand on her hip and tosses her bright red hair over her shoulder. Despite her casual pose, I can tell that she is concerned.
“I don’t know if there’s a gun involved, but several women have been attacked. The person isn’t going after stores, but people.”
Fiona gasps while Violet just bites her bottom lip.
I continue, “I just want you both, everyone really, to be careful. You leave here late, and I don’t want you to become targets.”
“We know the rules,” Violet responds. “Women aren’t allowed to use cell phones while walking alone. They always have to be aware of any sounds around them. Carrying mace or some other weapon is preferable. In fact, leaving places at the same time every day and walking the same route isn’t even recommended because you can become a target.”
Fiona reaches for her hair. “Ponytails are easier for an attacker to pull. You’re supposed to wear your hair down.” She frees her hair, and I watch in awe as these two women recite from some rule book I’ve never heard of. I hand Fiona her tray of drinks, and she takes it readily.
Before I hand Violet her order, I reach across the counter and place my hand on hers. “I want to walk you to your car tonight… just to make sure.”
Violet opens her mouth, and I’m sure she’s going to protest. “Jay, I’ve taken care of myself for years. I know how to keep myself safe.”
“I would just feel better if I knew that you got to your car safely. Do it for me if you won’t do it for yourself.”
“Or you just want a chance to feel me up in the dark,” Violet responds.
I glance around, but no one is within hearing distance. Some of our customers have already settled their tabs and drifted out the door. There are only a few left.
I lean forward, “Maybe some of that too.” I shake my head, getting the image out of my head. “No, I wouldn’t do that. I honestly just care about your safety. It shouldn’t be an issue in Maplewood, but until the police figure out who’s doing this, I just want to make sure you get home safely.”
Violet smiles and takes her tray of drinks. As she heads across the bar, her hips sway in an almost hypnotic rhythm. The way she asked me if I wanted to feel her up… I feel like I can’t get my heart rate under control. That genuinely wasn’t my reason, but now, I can’t stop thinking about running my hands over her body.
Was that an invitation or was she just teasing me?
An hour later, I’m encouraging our last customers to go on home. I’ve already sent Fiona and the other waitresses out. It’s just Violet and me. When I’m done wiping down the counter, I lay the cloth out to dry on the sink, then look around for Violet.
She’s got a puffy coat on, one that falls almost to her knees. She pulls the hood up, framing her beautiful face and leaving a shock of red hair on either side of her face.
“Ready?” I ask.
Violet reaches into her pockets, then nods. “Yes, I’ve got everything.”
As we step out into the cold autumn air, I glance up and down the street. Maplewood is pretty dead at this time of night. My business is the only one open this late. Everyone else is home and in bed long before me.
“I’m parked that way,” Violet says, pointing to the left.
We stroll past a couple of dark shops, and I find myself checking the shadows of each doorway. It would be pretty hard for someone to hide there, but I can’t help being a little paranoid.
“There,” Violet says, pointing to a nondescript gray car.
I don’t want to leave her just yet. The walk was too short, so I lean against the car, my elbow on top of it.
Last time we talked, we were starting over. But it’s hard to know exactly what that means. Violet stands in front of me, her breath visible in the cold night air. She looks up at me, and for a moment, neither of us says anything.
