Quandary: A Detective Series, page 2
“Sorry, you lost. This one is on the house. I’ll call your son when you are ready to go home, okay?”
After nodding, he turned to face Cynthia’s spirit next to him. “Honey, we had a great ride, didn’t we?” Dead silence smacked him in the face. “You want a fresh glass of Chardonnay to celebrate my defeat?” The eeriness tugged on his heartstrings like never before. “That’s what I thought.”
While silence and heartbreak exploded in his soul, he pointed at the glass of Chardonnay. Sam knew what that meant. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him like this. Within a minute, she placed another glass of Chardonnay on the bar. Sam smiled and squeezed his cold and clammy hand, comforting him as best she could.
While acknowledging her, he returned his gaze to Cynthia’s invisible spirit. After reaching for her hand on the bar, cold emptiness and loneliness grabbed his soul once more. Taking his drink in his hand, he savored all of Blanton’s subtle nuances. Gently clinking the glass of Chardonnay with his drink, he murmured, “cheers.” As the final election results flashed on the screen, he realized he was the only incumbent city commissioner not re-elected.
After hanging his head low, he placed the palm of his hand on his forehead and closed his eyes, hoping to end his sadness and sorrow of losing the election. While silent sulking had run its course in his soul, the lights flickered several times. Muted shadows boomeranged throughout the pub. A swooshing sound emanating from the front entrance seized his attention. After turning toward the front door, awe-and-shock grabbed his flushed face while Sam’s rosy cheeks turned ghostly pale. As a beautiful lady entered, time stood still. Suddenly, an empty beer glass shattered on the floor. While catching Sam’s bug-eyed expression, he mouthed, “no way.”
As the color drained from his face, Blanton’s burned as it went down, leaving him breathless. Coughing, he held up his glass toward Sam once more. After this unexpected entrance, he hoped another bourbon would clear his mind and return him to reality. Turning toward the mysterious, haunting lady, she sat at the far end of the bar. Her stare was hypnotizing.
While stunned beyond belief, Blanton’s calming power did little to ease his anxiety. This beautiful lady, the spitting image of Cynthia, sent his pulse racing. As he rubbed his eyes continuously, her haunting beauty pounded his soul with uncertainty and fear. He wondered whether his wife had a twin sister she never knew existed. As the lady’s devouring eyes met his, her seductive expression held his intense gaze. At that moment, he knew this beautiful lady was real and not an aberration of too much of one of Kentucky’s finest bourbons.
Sam delivered him his fourth drink of the evening. With his drink in hand, he walked gingerly toward the lady, hoping not to stumble and embarrass himself. As he sat on the stool beside her, her sultry silence captivated him. Nodding at Sam, he motioned her to bring the glass of Chardonnay to him. Sam placed it on the bar in front of the stool to his right, where Cynthia always sat. Picking it up, Bryan offered it to the mysterious lady. She gently took it in her right hand, and her sensual lips met the rim of the glass. As she savored Cynthia’s favorite Chardonnay, Bryan held up his glass toward her, and she gently tapped it.
As she whispered “cheers” in his ear, her warm breath aroused his senses. Her sultry voice played games with his psyche. Her warm whisper ignited his subconscious being, and his mind began to wonder what was happening. Somewhere in his past, he had heard that voice before. With the silence and tension fading away, he stared deep into her soul, waiting for his subconscious voice to answer him.
“I haven’t seen you in here before. I’m Bryan Walters.”
As her stare bored deep into his glassy eyes, her sexy and irresistible voice replied, “Nice to meet you, Bryan. I’m Angela, Angela Clark. I went by the name Angie when we were growing up, but I prefer Angela now, okay?”
After a puzzled nod, Bryan took another sip of Blanton’s. It controlled his raw emotions. While admiring her flawless face, her hair rested squarely on her shoulders. Her scent mesmerized him, a smell he knew all too well. Umari Seduction by Shadé was Cynthia’s perfume. A deep breath of its alluring seductiveness ramped up his anxiety to a new level. He couldn’t believe his eyes; he thought for a moment that he might be hallucinating, or Blanton’s addictive power finally took over his soul. However, when Sam introduced herself to Angela, the angelic and sexy voice was real and alluring to anyone. She was real, maybe too real, they both realized.
CHAPTER 4
The lights flickered once more, casting shadows across Angela’s mysterious face. As her haunting brown eyes captivated him, a weird connection to her jolted his soul. In his mind, a vision flashed from his youth. Furiously shaking his head, Blanton’s met his lips once more. After swallowing the eight-year-old bourbon, he sighed heavily. Somehow, somewhere, he knew that voice from his past, but where, he couldn’t recall.
“Angela, have we met before, or do we know each other somehow?”
“Hmm, you don’t remember me, do…you…Bryan?” As his face grew warm, his eyes searched his subconscious world. “I believe they used to call you Bailey. As I remember, you always bailed out on every curveball bearing down on you, right, Bryan?”
More confused than ever, his forehead glistened under the fluorescent lights. After another sip of Blanton’s, he wiped his brow, taking a deep breath of her sensual aura. As he strained to remember all of the Angies in his past, one finally jolted his soul.
“Seriously, Angie Clark, am I right?” Her alluring nod grabbed his soul. “No way. You don’t look anything like you did back then. What’s it been, thirty-five years?”
“Umm, something like that.”
“You moved right after your senior year, right?”
“Uh-huh, that’s right. We ended up in California. Do you remember my mom?”
“Umm, yeah. Barclay, right?” She nodded. “A beautiful woman, as I recall.”
“Yeah, she was. Remember, she worked for your dad, Alex, during his campaign for the state senate. Umm, that’s until she got pregnant with Lenny, which she always told me was an unfortunate mistake because the timing wasn’t right.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ask your dad?”
“My dad, he’s dead. What does that have to do with Lenny?”
“You know, never mind, you wouldn’t understand. You were young and naïve, just like me.”
“Umm, okay. What happened to Lenny? He was what, six years younger than us?”
“Yeah, something like that. Anyway, when he finally came out of the closet after graduating from high school, my parents disowned him. He couldn’t take the hurt. He was rebellious and got in some minor trouble. Eventually, he moved where he would fit in better. I haven’t heard from him since that day. Both my parents are dead now.”
“I didn’t know. I’m sorry to hear that.” Nodding, Angela tasted the developing nuances of the Chardonnay. “Are you okay?” Nodding again, she smiled. “You must know, I did like Lenny, hmm, you know?”
“Yeah, all you guys did, the infamous Oakmont Diamond Brotherhood, as I recall, right?” He nodded and enjoyed Blanton’s spicy character. “You guys always made fun of him, even called him queer bait a lot. He didn’t seem to mind because he thought you guys were his friends. I knew differently, and that bothered me. It still does today.”
“Angela, we were just young jocks joking around. We meant no harm.” She offered no response and took a big sip of the wine. “Tell me more about your life.”
“Umm, of course. After graduating from high school, I joined ROTC at the local university where we lived. I did my time, and it changed me mentally and physically. I became a strong woman, a black belt in karate. I can take care of myself. I even took some acting classes, was in a few plays, and for a while, I even thought I wanted to be an actress. But that didn’t pan out. I discovered I loved delving into people’s minds much more. You know, finding out what makes them tick.”
After nodding, Bryan’s intense stare admired her haunting eyes and lustful smile as she continued opening up to him. “Eventually, I got married, had a son, don’t know where he is now either. I’m divorced now. I have a great career as a behavioral psychologist. Even authored a book, you should read it sometime. I think you would find it very interesting. Anyway, two years ago, I moved back here. Not sure why, but something strange brought me back home, even brought me here tonight. Anyway, umm, you remember me now, right?”
“Yeah, I do. Uh, we had some classes together our sophomore year, maybe our junior year as well. Hard to remember everything that happened back then.”
“Uh-huh. I wasn’t pretty or sexy back then. Had braces, and wore black-rimmed glasses, remember?” Remaining silent, another sip of Blanton’s warmed his face once more. “You know, I never told this to anyone before. Umm, I don’t even know why I’m telling it to you now. Anyway, I had a mad crush on you back then.” Awkward silence grabbed him as another sip of bourbon burned as it went down. “Well, I did. I can’t believe you took advantage of my gullibility and naiveness back then. Anyway, that’s water under the bridge now.”
While his mind drew a blank about what she was referring to, the burn of Blanton’s left him gasping as his pulse exploded in his soul. Silently, he stared at the television, hoping things would change in his favor. After reviewing the results scrolling on the bottom of the screen, he wanted to forget what happened thirty-five years ago. Deflecting her mysterious, probing eyes, he moved the conversation in a different direction.
“Umm, what about your cousin, Bambi? I remember you two were very close.”
“Yeah, we were like sisters. Why do you bring her up?”
“Umm, no reason, she just popped up in my mind. She was something else as I remember.”
“Yeah, she was. All the boys liked her, even you. Uh, enough about her, tell me all about your life? What makes you tick, Bryan?”
“Umm, been in Oakmont all my life, went to college here, majored in banking and finance, worked my way up to CEO, was in city government until tonight. I lost my wife, Cynthia, to breast cancer about two years ago. In many ways, you remind me of her.”
“How so?”
“Umm, hard to explain.”
“Well, I’m sorry for your loss. Did she go to school with us?
“Nah, I met her in college. She’s from Cincinnati, Ohio.”
While Angela finished her last sip of wine, Bryan sniffed his glass; Blanton’s aroma was all that remained. Signaling Sam for two more drinks, she approached him, shaking her head.
“Sorry, Bryan, got to cut you off. Let me call your son.”
“Nah, I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not. I’m calling your son.” After pulling out her iPhone from her back pocket, she found his number from her recent calls.
“Sam, hold on for a moment.” She nodded as Angela’s haunting eyes zeroed in on Bryan’s glistening forehead. “Bryan, I’ll take you home. We’re old friends, right?”
Angela’s mesmerizing voice captivated him. As he listened to her, his eyes gravitated to her delectable and perfect curves. Everything about her reminded him of Cynthia’s sensual body. As his lustful mind and hormones began awakening, he wondered where this evening might go.
“Okay, yeah, yeah, sounds good, Angela. Sam, she can take me home. I’ll be fine. We’re old friends.”
Satisfied that Bryan would not be driving home, Sam put her phone away. While moving their glasses and wiping off the bar, she watched Bryan’s charming drunkenness in action.
“Hmm, Angela, maybe, umm, when we get to my home, umm, maybe we can have a nightcap, umm and…er, we can, you know what I’m talking about, right?”
Angela rolled her eyes and sent a flirtatious smile at his lustful eyes. As she bit her lower lip, a tantalizing, sultry wink along with her irresistible scent ignited his lust for her all the more. Smiling back at her, he placed a Ben Franklin on the bar. He told Sam to keep the change; she’d earned it. Angela grabbed his arm as he slid off the stool. With him close to her aroused curves, an eerie feeling bolted throughout his body, sending his pulse racing.
As they left, Sam felt sorry for Bryan. She knew he was a lonely man, and Blanton’s was his only friend these days. Although Angela’s motives were questionable, maybe a one-night stand with her would help move his life in a different direction. Bryan was on a self-destructed path fueled by too much alcohol and loneliness. He needed something to change his life before it was too late. Maybe Angela had the right prescription to save him.
CHAPTER 5
With Angela’s BMW X3 parked a block away, they would walk past Wilson Bortel’s bank, where his victory celebration was still in full swing. While walking toward her car, Bryan’s alcohol-induced lustful mind craved Angela’s curves in motion. Oblivious to his surroundings, he paid no attention to anything or anyone else. On the other hand, Angela was in complete control of her emotions and hormones. She was always aware of her surroundings; she’d learned that the hard way.
Across the street, a pearl white Porsche 911 glistened in the yellowish glow of the old-world streetlights that gave downtown Oakmont its old-world charm. A car of that significance was uncommon in the city. Its unique dark tinted windows created an invisible shield for anyone inside or its contents. Glancing at the Porsche several times, she wondered why such a car of power graced the streets of Oakmont.
Continuing toward her car, she held his hand firmly, squeezing it ever so often. Her touch continued to ignite his dormant hormones as he fantasized about a night of steamy passion with her. After sneaking another glance at her perfect curves in motion, the heat was building in his groin. While imagining her next to him in his bed, his heart raced faster and faster.
Because his mind was on her tantalizing body, he hadn’t realized the noise coming from Bortel’s bank. He abruptly stopped, glaring at the celebration taking place in the lobby. The disappointment of losing the election to such a smug-ass jerk smashed the lustful fantasy playing out in his mind. As he murmured four-letter vulgarities under his breath, Angela watched anger devour his flushed face, his thumping heart. Tugging on his arm, he forcefully shook off her grasp.
Across the street, Preston Geronimo sat in his pearl-colored power machine, watching Bryan’s rage erupt as he stood glaring at the victorious celebration going on inside the bank. The door on the Porsche opened slightly, letting the coolness of the evening enter. With one foot out, he watched Bryan’s rage escalate. Abruptly, something told him to let it play out. Moving his leg back inside, he closed the door. Within seconds, an open window allowed him to experience the ensuing fireworks.
“Bryan, let’s go so I can get you home, where you can sleep it off.”
“Look at that asshole, Angela. He thinks he is a real hotshot now. I’m going inside to show him a few things.”
“That’s not a good idea, especially the shape you are in.”
“I’m fine, Angela.”
“No, you’re not. Let’s go, Bryan.”
He shook her grasp from his arm, walked to the door of the bank, and glared inside. Angela wondered where Bryan’s anger might take him next. She grabbed his arm once more, but he shook it off. Quickly jerking the door open, he entered, motioning her to follow him. Once inside the lobby, Bortel’s supporters were oblivious to them standing there. However, it didn’t take long for Bortel to spot Bryan’s anger across his face. Approaching his with arrogant cockiness, Bortel pushed his drunken outrage.
“Well, well, Mr. Walters. Have you come to concede? I’ve been waiting for your call. All the votes are in, and I won. I’m sure you will ask for a recount, but it won’t make any difference. Just man-up and concede.”
“Screw you. We’ll see about that, you asshole. I heard rumors that you bought votes, and that’s how you won. You’re a cheater, plain and simple.”
“That’s crazy. You’re drunk, but most of all, you’re a sore loser.” Angela’s sexiness caught Bortel’s wandering eyes. He smiled, moistening his lips. “Miss, you might want to get him out of here before something ugly happens.”
“Listen, you asshole. Leave Angela out it, or I’ll…”
“Or what?”
Wilson’s campaign manager, Grant Persinger, watched this verbal altercation escalate, as did Preston Geronimo from across the street. Seeing the glare and glassiness in Walter’s eyes, Grant quickly approached them as Walters drew back his fist, ready to strike. As he launched his knockout punch, a firm grip immediately prevented Bortel’s jaw from shattering. Bryan turned, scowling at Angela, who held a firm grip on his wrist.
“What the hell did you do that for?”
“You’re wasted. I didn’t want you to get hurt, but more importantly, make a fool out of yourself, which you may have already done.”
“I can handle myself. You’re the one who made me look like a fool.”
Bortel backed away from Walters, laughing and taunting him. “I can’t believe you let your bimbo stand up for you. What a coward you are.” Continuing laughing and ridiculing him, Angela quickly met Bortel face to face. While her haunting eyes grabbed his soul, her inviting cleavage captured his lustful eyes. After noticing them, her powerful knee sent him grabbing his crotch and gasping for air. Anguishing in pain, he glanced up at her. Flaunting her cleavage in his face, she smiled, taunting him all the more. Visibly anguishing in pain, he watched Angela and Bryan leave the bank. Glancing back at Bortel, who was still gasping for air, Bryan flipped him an emphatic up-your-ass-bird.
