The Prediction, page 13
“I like to cook,” Monroe said.
“You should talk with my mom. She’s picked up the urge to become a chef. They remodeled their kitchen in the past few months, though I haven’t seen it yet.”
“I plan to talk to your mom and find out all about her daughter.” He stirred the meatballs.
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” She set her plate on the counter and went back to the couch. “I’m going to relax while you finish in there.”
“Okay.”
He was glad for the open floor plan as he watched her sitting on the couch, staring into space. He was starting to like her too much for his peace of mind, he thought, as he went back to stir the sauce for the meatballs to keep them from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
He turned off the burner and joined her by the couch.
“Is dinner ready yet? I’m getting hungry, and whatever you’re cooking smells good. Your meal might actually live up to the hype,” Thea joked.
“It’s almost ready. I’m hungry too.”
“I don’t think I’ve sat down to a decent meal for days.”
“Probably not, if you cooked the food.” He tried to lighten the mood as they ate meatballs over Alfredo noodles, drank water, and ate salad, but Thea remained tense and distracted. Finally, he gave up and put down his fork. “Out with whatever’s bugging you. Say it, and you’ll feel better.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
“What if he dies?”
He thought she would say she couldn’t handle thinking about the whole mess of what was going on. He hadn’t given her enough credit. “That’s what’s worrying you? Thea, no one but God can know what’s going to happen. We may be able to make predictions, but only God has the power to influence what actually occurs.”
“You’re saying we can’t save my father, no matter what?”
“No. I’m saying you’re not God. We do the best we can, but if your father dies, you aren’t responsible.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to accept that.”
“It won’t be your fault if something happens. You’re doing what you can.”
“Am I? Am I doing everything I can?”
“I guess only you can answer that question.” What was he supposed to say to her? He didn’t know what the right thing to say was, except he knew she was stronger than she thought.
“Have you ever been able to prevent one of your predictions?” Thea asked.
“A few,” he said.
“I haven’t. But then, I haven’t tried. You’re right, but don’t get used to me telling you that. I’m not going to feed your immense ego on a regular basis.” She smiled though, so he thought she was probably joking.
“What am I right about?” he asked.
“I’m not doing everything I can. With your help, we’re going to stop this. I’ve never had someone to talk to about this.”
“It helps.” He didn’t count his sessions with her father, but as soon as he told his family about his visions, they were supportive. “Okay. Together we’ll save him. I feel like Superman.”
“We haven’t done anything yet.” She giggled.
“Talked.”
“We’re all talk.” She giggled again, and he realized nerves made her laugh.
“Time for some relaxation.” Monroe said. “I’ll take care of the dishes. You sit on the couch and zone out.”
“Are you sure?” Thea asked.
“Yes.” He got up from the table and started clearing the table. “Go.” He pointed to the living room. “Get comfortable.”
She absentmindedly picked up the same throw she’d snuggled against earlier. He couldn’t tell anything from her expression when he joined her after the dishes were in the sink. “Sit beside me.” She patted the sofa cushion.
He didn’t want to be that close to her. Not now.
“I don’t bite,” she said.
He left plenty of space between them, fighting his attraction to her. Now wasn’t the time. “Try to focus on your father’s vision. Is anything coming to you?”
“No.” She blew out a frustrated breath.
“You need to relax.”
“I am.”
He put his hands on her shoulders, and she flinched. He kept them there anyway. “I don’t think you are. Your shoulders are so tight.” He gently massaged them with his fingers. “Relax. Drop those shoulders. That’s right.”
He continued the gentle pressure until he felt her shoulders loosen. “That’s much better. Now close your eyes.”
“Are you a hypnotist?” She turned to look at him, and he could feel her breath.
He dropped his hands and moved away to sit in the chair. “No, I’m not.”
“You’re very good with your hands.”
He thought there was a special gleam in her midnight eyes, but it could have been wishful thinking. “Thanks. Comes from the healing part of being a doctor. Now close your eyes.” And quit looking at me before I give in and kiss you, he thought.
She closed them.
“Lean back and get comfortable. Trust me.”
“I think you are a hypnotist.” But she kept her eyes closed and did what he said.
“Are you relaxed?”
“Almost asleep.”
“Good.”
“I thought you weren’t a hypnotist.”
“Shh.” He let her rest some more before starting.
“Relax and keep your eyes closed and think. Say whatever comes to your mind.”
“Nothing.”
He laughed. He couldn’t help it.
She kept her eyes closed, but her lips turned up at the corners. “Shh.”
They stayed that way for a while. He tried not to watch her, but the rare opportunity to study her without her knowing beckoned. Who was he kidding? Of course, she knew. If she couldn’t feel his burning gaze, she was a lot less gifted than he knew her to be. He was suddenly as tense as her. What option did they have if she couldn’t pick up on anything? His mind came up blank.
He waited, hoping she’d come up with something. He leaned closer. Her breathing was even. She’d fallen asleep. The last week had exhausted her, and he bet she wasn’t sleeping well at night.
CHAPTER 24
Monroe woke groggily and hit at his alarm, but the noise continued. The pounding wasn’t the alarm but someone knocking on his front door. He rolled over and fell out of bed, landing on the floor with a thud. What time was it? His clock said seven. Who would stop by so early? He grabbed his shirt and pants from the day before and put them on.
When he opened the door, Thea stood there with a Starbucks coffee and a white bag. He could smell the fried grease.
“Donuts? I’m not supposed to eat that stuff,” he said, opening the door for her to enter. “What are you doing here so early?”
She handed him the coffee and the white bag of donuts. “I wanted to talk to you before you left for work.”
He headed toward the kitchen for a plate. “Must be something important.”
When he got to the kitchen, he poured himself some orange juice and offered her some, which she took. They were quiet as he tried to wake up. “Make yourself at home.”
He tried to put two solid thoughts together. She looked good in her jean jacket, and that distracted him.
She stared at him. “Are you awake yet?”
“Dreaming anyway. Why’d you wake me?” He took a donut out of the bag, a gooey cinnamon apple one, and put it on a plate, then took a long drink of coffee.
“Don’t you have to work today?”
“At nine. I have the afternoon off every Thursday, so your dad’s case is top priority this afternoon.”
She took a sip of her juice. “I have an idea.” She bit her lip. “I’m not sure, but...”
His brain kicked into gear. “About your dad?”
“It’s stupid and doesn’t make any sense.”
He gave her time and ate the donut. Bad for him, but once in a while wouldn’t hurt. She’d meant well bringing it to him. When she didn’t say anything right away, he said, “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”
He went to his bedroom and found a clean, white T-shirt that he pulled over his head. Then he ran a comb through his hair and brushed his teeth. The taste of orange juice and toothpaste nearly gagged him, but he finished and went back to the kitchen.
“Okay. I’m all ears.”
Thea looked him up and down and stared at his bare feet. “You clean up good.”
He wiggled his toes. “Is that why you woke me?”
She lifted her eyes to his face and flushed but held his gaze.
He dropped his. “Thea, quit looking at me that way, or I will not be held responsible for my actions.”
“I don’t care,” she muttered.
Gratefully, he heard the fridge door open and the clink of glass as she put the juice away. The fridge door closed, and he chanced a glance at her. And wished he hadn’t. Her innocent gaze sparked his desire. He shook his head. “I want to, but we’re not.”
He wished his voice sounded firmer. “We’re not,” he repeated.
“Not what?” Thea asked.
“Don’t play with me, Thea. Your mom is sick, your dad’s in trouble, and Luke’s in the hospital.” He felt like a brute at the hurt expression on her face.
She turned away. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Thea...” he pleaded gently.
She shrugged. “I know. Different place, different time, different woman.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders. “Never a different woman. But a different time—definitely. That’s a promise.” She looked at him uncertainly, and he let her go before his self control completely deserted him. “Back to business.”
“I don’t know now. It doesn’t seem like a good idea anymore.”
“You were so excited earlier. It’s got to mean something. What?”
“I keep thinking that Dale Hildebrand’s name pops up a lot in all of our conversations. Not that I think he would kill my dad, because they’re friends. But they have a strange friendship. They rarely see each other. When I was growing up, I think he and his wife came to the house on only a few occasions except during election time. Dad put forth a lot of effort getting him voted in as mayor. I don’t know if Mom and Dad went to his house, except during that first election.”
“Did you ever meet Chance?”
“No. It was grown-ups only at those parties, so I never went with them.”
“They weren’t wild parties, were they?”
She laughed. “My dad at a wild party? Hardly.”
“You never know.”
Thea stopped laughing and thought about it. “No. I’m sure nothing went on except fundraising and campaign promises. At least for my father. He loves my mother too much to be corrupted by politics.”
“I’ll trust you on that. The person who knows for sure is your father. I think we need to pay him a visit today.”
“He’s being discharged today, so we’ll have to see him at home.”
“Does the idea bother you?”
“A little because of the vision, but I’m curious to see the kitchen Mom keeps bragging about.” She walked into the living room and toward the front door. “I can’t believe I fell asleep here last night. Thanks for sending me home instead of talking more after I woke up.”
“You were tired.”
“What time do you want to visit my father?”
“How about around four? Let him get settled. And I can check in with my buddies who have been taking turns watching the house.”
Thea turned with her hand on the knob of the open door. “That reminds me. They can’t be doing this without getting paid. Let me know how much we owe you.”
“Sounds good. Thanks for the donuts and coffee.”
“Sure.”
He watched her walk out to her car and drive down the street, wishing they could be doing something else today besides tracking a murderer.
CHAPTER 25
Luke watched Monroe pace back and forth across the hospital room. It didn’t take long. Four steps each way. Monroe had been in the room five minutes, and aside from the first hello, Monroe hadn’t said a thing. “What’s up?”
“I’m going to marry her,” Monroe said.
Luke didn’t need to ask who he meant. “I see. Take your best shot.”
“What does that mean?”
Luke grinned at the defensive way Monroe asked the question. “Just checking.”
“Checking what?”
“You are in love with her.” Luke never thought he’d see the day. Monroe in love. If he didn’t feel so awful, he’d get up and punch him.
“I’m sorry. I never meant for it to happen.”
Luke thought about letting him stew in his guilt, but one of them in pain was enough. “Don’t worry. She’s yours.”
“But on New Year’s Eve, we all saw you were interested in her.”
“My humiliation of being beaten by you will apparently be public.” Luke couldn’t resist the dig.
“I’m not going to quit seeing her,” Monroe said.
“You love her. I don’t. We almost shared a kiss under the mistletoe. It happens.”
“But you like her,” Monroe said.
“I do like her. But you love her. Besides, she’s needy and I’m needy. You need someone who’s needy. I don’t. Why am I arguing with you to pursue her?” Luke asked.
“Beats me. I should be mad at you for that needy crack, but I’m relieved you aren’t angry at me.”
“Well, don’t hug me,” Luke said sarcastically. “I’m angry, but I’ll get over it. What I want to know is what’s going on with you and Thea and these predictions? Thea told me about her dad. What’s that all about?”
Monroe finally quit pacing and settled in the chair. “She saw a vision of his murder.”
“Did you get the same vision?” He had a hard time believing Monroe could see the future, and that he hadn’t told Luke since they were boys. The detective agency that Monroe had owned made a lot of sense now.
“No. But I believe her,” Monroe said.
“Do you know the murderer’s identity?”
“No, but as long I’m here, maybe you can help me. What do you know about Dale Hildebrand? The paper says he plans to sweep the town clean of drugs,” Monroe said.
“Dale? He’s Chance’s father. He’s the mayor, and like you say, he’s looking to clean up drugs in the town. You do know that Chance uses drugs?” Luke asked.
“Yes. He sells them too.”
“That’s probably why he and I met so dramatically the other night. Do you think they’ll charge him with anything?”
“I think so. They might charge you too.”
“Maybe. But I was on the right side of the road.”
“Going too fast.”
“Agreed.” Luke felt like he’d matured overnight. Pain taught a quick lesson. “Why did you ask about Dale? Does he have something to do with the vision?”
“I don’t know, but his name keeps coming up. I’d bet something happened between him and Ted Whitaker in the past.”
“Like what?” Luke wondered what Thea’s father could have hidden in his past.
“Something to do with Dale’s election to mayor. Dale and Ted got together only during election time. They’re on friendly terms otherwise, but they don’t spend any time together.”
“Well, look at us. Do we spend time together?”
“Racquetball, basketball, jogging...”
“Okay, but they don’t play sports.” Luke tried to think of what guys would do together if they didn’t watch or participate in sports.
“They could get together and talk about books and psychiatry,” Monroe said.
“I suppose.” To Luke, it sounded boring.
“I’ve got someone at night and someone in the daytime watching Dr. Whitaker’s house and reporting back to me.” Monroe lifted his jacket and showed Luke his cell. “They’ll call me about suspicious or strange happenings.”
“Can I help with a stakeout too?”
“Sure. As soon as you get out of here, you’re on duty. Have you ever done one before?”
“No.”
“They’re boring, so be prepared. Speaking of which, I have a lot to do today.” Monroe got up from the bed. “Do you want something to do?”
“Give me a reason for living.” He didn’t bother to hide his eagerness.
“Try to remember everything you can about Chance and Dale. Think hard.”
Luke groaned. “I hoped you were going to give me something exciting and fun to do. All I get to do is think. And about Chance of all people.”
“Your thoughts might be worth a buck or two.”
“Ouch.” He stabbed his hand over his heart. “They’re letting me out in two days. Will you drive me home?”
“Sure.”
CHAPTER 26
Ted wandered around the house. Anna could hear his slippers slide across the hall as he made his way to the kitchen. He stood and watched her wipe down the table before he settled on the window seat.
“I can’t believe how dusty it is in here. It’s good to be home.” He stared outside at the dead yard, spots of dirty snow piled here and there.
“You’re certainly restless.” She rinsed the dishcloth under the faucet and squeezed out the excess water. “Except for the pacing, you’re very quiet. What’s bothering you?”
“I talked enough in the hospital. Besides eating and watching television, that’s all I did for a week,” Ted said.
“Your doctor ordered you to take it slow.”
“I’m not doing anything strenuous.” He sounded irritable.
She sat down across from him. “What’s upsetting you?”
“You mean besides a heart attack and hearing a prediction someone’s trying to kill me?”
She noticed he didn’t add, And your cancer. “We have Thea and Monroe helping us. Together they’ll stop anything from happening.”
“You sound so sure.”
“I am sure. If anyone can help us, they can,” Anna said.
“What about me?” Ted sounded hurt.
“Have you ever predicted anything about yourself?”
