Simply To Die For

Chapter 7

J immy glanced down at the small hand his fingers wrapped around. An hour ago, he wouldn’t have given his chances of having Clar next to him a snowball’s chance in hell. Now she walked alongside him as the sun set over the California beach. It wasn’t much to the average Joe, but to Jimmy these past few moments with Clar made him feel like he’d just won the lottery. He wouldn’t let some evil thug steal them from him, from them.

The lights from his beach house illuminated the sandy path to the porch, as well as his house guests. “Look, Clar,” he chuckled, pointing at the two with their heads together. “It seems Jacki and Clint have become friends.”

“A former Ranger and a PI instructor turned horse rancher, I’m sure they are plotting their way right into solving...” Clar stopped short, and looked up, letting out a little gasp. “I guess I’m not the only one ignoring their duty. At least someone’s keeping their priorities straight.”

She slipped her hand from his. “For a moment...”

“It felt like everything was normal.” Jimmy finished for her. The knowledge of danger had been pushed to the back of his mind but not forgotten. “That we were just two lovers strolling on the beach.” His heart broke for both of them. The danger now glowed like a beacon in the night, signaling what lay waiting ahead.

Jimmy took her in his arms, holding her close. “Friends, Clar. You’re with friends who love and care for you, and Levi.” Her body trembled with sobbing against his chest and he held her until she calmed. “Come, it’s getting a bit chilly. We should see just what Jacki and Clint have cooked up for us.”

Jimmy peered toward a shadowy figure lurking around the house window. “Stay here,” he whispered, then took off at a jog through the sand. “Hey!” he hollered, slipping, and sliding, as he worked his way through the depth of the grains.

“Jimmy!”

Clar’s voice reached him as he dove onto the porch. His outstretched hand barely missed the ankle slipping back into the shadows. “Damn it!” Gasping for air, Jimmy rolled onto his back. A large, black shadow blanketed him. Jimmy sprung to his feet, and raised his fists in defense.

“Damn, O’Brien, you need to put numbers on this damn place of yours. I’ve combed the entire shore looking for you.” Cameron stepped from the shadows, hands raised, palms open. “Hold on there, cowboy, I come in peace.”

Jimmy released his clamped fingers, slowly and one at a time, senses on high alert. The devil stood on his deck proclaiming to come in peace. Jimmy knew of some prime swampland for sale if anyone believed Cameron.

“What the hell are you doing lurking around in the dark? You’ve got no business spying on me or my guests. There’s this new way of communicating, it’s called the cell phone with the capability of either actually calling a person or texting, you know, typing a message. Use it next time you decide to become a Peeping Tom!” Jimmy bopped down the steps, eager to reach Clar. He needed her level head to keep him from busting Cameron in the mouth.

***

C LAR REACHED OUT FOR Jimmy’s arm, halting him from stomping out to shore. “What does Cameron want?” Clar whispered, sucking in a nervous breath. The menacing figure stood on the porch as if waiting to snatch its prey at any moment.

This couldn’t be good. A detective on the front porch. At night. Unannounced. Had Levi taken a turn for the worst? Clar wasn’t ready to go down that road. Not yet. Not before she got to talk with him one last time. Not before she found out who put him in the hospital after leaving him for dead.

“I don’t know, nor do I care. The man’s a snake that crawls out when you least expect it.” Jimmy hissed, glancing over her shoulder. “I’ve felt that bite once, I don’t plan on doing so again.”

“Then don’t give him a reason, Jimmy.” Clar leaned in closer, kissing him. “Please. We may need his help.” She gazed into his eyes, relieved to see some of the darkness of tension subside. But suspicion remained locked into his defenses. “Besides, he may have some information we could use. Can you put your differences aside, for Levi?”

“Do you know how you subdue a snake? By the back of his head, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing.” Jimmy looked past her shoulder. There was a deep hatred lingering there, one that could ruin everything if he didn’t rein it in.

Taking his hand, they turned toward the beach house. Cameron stood at the top of the steps like a soldier waiting to make his next move.

“It’s a bit late for a call, isn’t it, Detective?” Clar called out as she made her way through the sandy beach. “I’m sure it’s not for social reasons, or am I mistaken?”

“Actually, it’s you I’ve come to talk with. After all, we never did get a chance at the precinct the other day before you stormed out. You’re damn lucky I didn’t have you arrested.” Cameron glared down at her, his dark, beady eyes menacing. Lurking behind the threatening veil lay a sense of grief Clar was sure he thought hidden away. A surprise discovery she’d let the others in on later. “But that’s not why I’m here.”

“Well, then I think we should go inside before you come up with some trumped up charge. I’d forgotten how chilly it gets out on the beach once the sun sets. Shall we go in, Jimmy?” With her hand still clasped firmly with Jimmy’s, Clar walked into the beach house praying the presence of Jacki and Clint would be enough to keep the two enemies at bay.

“Jacki. Clint. I’m sure you remember Detective Reed Cameron. He’s here to talk to me about Levi and what happened at the studio.” Clar let Jimmy’s hand slip from hers. She hadn’t realized she’d been shaking until the security of him was gone. “Detective, would you like something to drink?” she asked, crossing her arms across her chest as the shaking subsided. “I’m sure Jimmy has some water, or iced tea, or even milk if you’d prefer?”

Cameron flipped open his notebook, looking pointedly at Clar. “Um, no thank you. What I do need to know is what your relationship with Levi Andres is. How long have you known him, Ms. Turner?”

I barely got away that time! Stupid, stupid, stupid. If the detective hadn’t shown up when he did...well let’s just say they’d be rethinking their next move. Ha, they think they are being so clever. Making plans. Who do they think they are? Starsky and Hutch? More like Abbott and Costello. This ain’t no Hollywood movie and I ain’t no Hollywood movie villain. She’ll find out just how real soon enough. I just need to stay on top of their plans. Stay one step ahead of them.