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“Sure.”
“Pinot noir okay?”
Dani nodded and took a seat on the couch while Professor Littleton poured her a glass.
“I think this is a good one. I usually drink zinfandel, old vine in particular. Do you know much about wine?”
Dani took the glass from her. “No.”
Littleton sat in the chair at the end of the coffee table and crossed her long legs. Dani tasted the wine.
“I like it,” she said.
The professor smiled with satisfaction. She didn’t seem inclined to talk business, but Dani was impatient to hear the story.
“Tell me what happened? You said Darius came to see you.”
“I’m not sure it was him.” She put her glass on the table and pushed a coaster toward Dani. “After my last class, I went back to my office. He must have been waiting nearby because he showed up seconds after I arrived.”
“What did he look like?”
“Medium height, slim, brown hair, mustache, unshaven. In his forties. At first I thought he was another teacher. I mean, he wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Geology Department, for instance. Scruffy, ill-fitting clothes. You know how they are.
Dani did not, but she did know that the description fit Darius perfectly. “Professor Littleton, what did he say?”
“Please call me Gail.” She smiled in a girlish way. “And what do you go by?”
“Dani.”
“Dani,” Gail repeated. “I like that.”
“What did he say?” Dani urged gently.
Seeing that Dani was not in a flirty mood, Gail became more serious. “He wanted the seeds. He said Dr. Ruben had sent him to bring them back to the lab.”
“Did he identify himself in any way?”
“He said he was Dr. Dressell, a colleague of Dr. Ruben, and they wanted the seeds back. I told him I didn’t have them anymore, that I’d given them to you to return as we had all agreed. If he wanted to get them right away, I told him, he could call you.”
“And you didn’t suspect he might be Darius?”
“Well, no. You told me Darius had no idea there were any more black beetle beans. He didn’t know anything about my beans. Maybe I should have questioned it, but…”
“No, you’re right. Darius had no way to know about that. Maybe this visitor of yours really was a courier for Dr. Ruben.”
Gail shook her head. “He wasn’t. On the way home, I started feeling that there was something not right about this guy. I called Dr. Ruben when I got home and he said he hadn’t sent anybody and he’d never heard of a Dr. Dressell. He was expecting to get the seeds back from you, but you hadn’t had a chance to connect yet. That’s when I knew I’d been played the fool. That burns me, let me tell you.” She took a healthy gulp of wine.
“So it was Darius. What was his demeanor?”
“He was soft-spoken and cordial. Nothing threatening about him at all. But I think he was ill.”
“Ill? How?”
“Dark circles under his eyes and the way he moved, tentatively.”
“You told him you gave the beans to me. Did he recognize my name?”
“I don’t think so. He didn’t react to it.”
No, he wouldn’t, Dani thought. He’d have no reason to connect her name with the cop who had chased and shot at him. “Then he just went away?”
“Yes. He was disappointed that I didn’t have the seeds, but he didn’t seem angry. Actually, he didn’t seem threatening in any way. Maybe that’s why I didn’t catch on at the time.” She shook her head, then met Dani’s gaze. “But if this man really was Darius, I’m afraid I’ve put you in danger.”
“Don’t worry. It’s better that he’s after me now.” Much better, Dani thought. He’ll think I’m just another city cop. He won’t know I’m here to take him out.
“He won’t know how to find me, so that gives me the advantage.” Dani smiled to herself. “The police won’t even be able to put him in contact with me, if he has the nerve to go that route.”
“Why not?”
Dani looked up to meet her eyes. It’s so hard to remember. “Oh, I just mean they wouldn’t give him my address or anything. They don’t give out that kind of information.”
Gail looked contrite. “I gave him your phone number.”
“Good. I hope he calls. Don’t worry, Gail. Earlier today, I had no idea how to find this guy. Now he’s going to come to me. Perfect.” Dani lifted her glass in salute and took a drink. “This really is good wine. What did you say it was?”
“Pinot noir. It’s from the Santa Barbara area.” Gail relaxed into her chair, smiling with her eyes. “You know, you really are a fine-looking woman. I’ve thought so since we met, but I think I like you even better in civilian clothes.” Her lips twitched in a playful way.
Dani held up a cautionary finger. “We’re not going there, Gail. I told you, I’m taken.”
“Yes, all right. Sorry.” She dropped the come-on look. “Gotta respect that. But you are good looking.”
“Thanks.”
“Another glass of wine?”
“No, thanks. I’ve got to drive back.” She took her phone out of her bag. “I’d better check to see if Darius called, right?” There were no messages…not from Darius and not from Gemma.
“Maybe he called the other number,” Gail suggested.
“Other number?”
“Yes, the other number you gave me when your cell didn’t work, your girlfriend’s number.”
“What?” Dani bolted to attention. “You gave Gemma’s number to Darius?”
“Yes. I gave him both numbers. I didn’t know he was Darius at the time.” Gail stood, looking worried. “He’ll be able to do one of those reverse phone number lookups, won’t he? To find the address. How hard is that?”
“All you need is a computer. Or a smart phone.” Suddenly Dani was alarmed.
“I’m sorry.” Gail looked at Dani for reassurance, but she had none to give.
By now, Darius could be at the apartment! While I’ve been sitting here chatting, Dani realized, Darius was planning, perhaps executing his next move. She glanced at the time on her phone. It was ten after five. Gemma normally got off work at five. In less than half an hour, she would arrive home, and there was no way Dani could beat her there. All she could hope now was that Gemma was running after-work errands.
Gail put her hand gently on Dani’s arm, drawing her attention back. “Do you think she’s in danger?”
“I don’t know. But I’ve got to get back. I’ve got to get there before he does.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Come on, baby,” Dani pleaded, listening to the ringing of Gemma’s phone. “Answer!”
She wove through lanes of traffic on the Bay Bridge, hightailing it back to the City and risking a speeding ticket, not to mention breaking the cell phone law. If she got pulled over, she thought, how the hell could she explain herself when they ran her ID? She’d be taken in for sure.
For the third time, Gemma did not answer. “Stubborn…” She clenched her teeth on the curse and swallowed it. “Gemma,” she said after the beep, “please listen carefully. This is Dani. Do not go to your apartment. There’s a dangerous criminal on the loose and he may be on his way there. I’m on my way too, but you have to stay away from the apartment. Stay away from home. Call me as soon as you get this message. Please do as I say. This is very serious.”
She put the phone on the seat beside her and focused on her driving, keeping an eye out for black-and-whites and thinking about how much she could use the boys in blue right now. The headache that had come on yesterday was worse, pounding in her forehead and making her wince.
She glanced again at the phone, willing it to ring. She hit the steering wheel in frustration. She knew Gemma. She was angry and hurt. She wouldn’t answer and she wouldn’t listen to Dani’s message, at least not for a while. She’d assume it was another plea to see her, a lame apology. Gemma wasn’t quick to forgive. She’d make Dani wait. Maybe she’d listen to her messages tomorrow. But that wouldn’t do any good today.
As her wheels bounced over the last span of the bridge and hit San Francisco pavement, she realized she did have the means to enlist the force. She grabbed her phone and dialed 911 and listened to the smooth, modulated voice of the dispatcher. “Nine-one-one, what is your emergency?”
“This is Gemma Mettler,” she said, trying to sound frightened. “There’s a strange man outside my apartment trying to break in!” The operator began her program of questions. Dani ignored them and continued, giving the address, then a brief description of Darius. “He’s trying all the windows,” she went on, talking over the patient “ma’ams” of the dispatcher. “Maybe he thinks nobody’s home. Please hurry. Oh, God, I hear glass breaking! Please send somebody! I’ve got to go. I’ve got to get out of here.”
She ended the call, reassured that the police would arrive at the apartment within minutes, hopefully before Gemma did. Driving through San Francisco was never easy, but some streets were better than others, and Dani took a roundabout route to avoid going through the tourist areas of Pier 39 and the Wharf. Once she got on Columbus, she knew she was home free. When she arrived on her block, she found a parking space a few houses down. She jumped out of the car and sprinted to the apartment where two patrol cars were parked with their lights on, one of them blocking the empty driveway. Maybe Gemma wasn’t home after all. One officer stood at the curb. Another emerged from the far side of the building as she reached the front of the house. Before approaching them, she buttoned her jacket to make sure her weapon was well concealed. She recognized the cop on the sidewalk as Gray Palmer. She took a deep breath to calm herself and stepped up to him. “What’s going on, Officer?”
He looked her over coolly, then asked, “You live around here?”
“Yes, a couple houses down. I’m Gemma’s neighbor.”
“Woman called about an intruder at this address. No sign of forced entry. No broken windows and the doors are all locked. Do you know where she is?”
“No, I’m sorry, I haven’t seen her.” Out of the corner of her eye, Dani saw Gemma’s car round the corner. “There she is!”
Relieved, Dani rushed toward Gemma’s car as it slowed to a stop in the street. She then pulled over and parked in front of the neighbor’s driveway. Dani ran over to the driver’s side window.
“Gem,” she called, noting the puzzled look on Gemma’s face.
“What’s happened?” Gemma pushed open the door and got out. “What are the police doing here?”
“There’s a dangerous man on the loose. He’s on his way here, to our apartment. I’m so relieved you’re okay.”
“Our apartment?” Gemma narrowed her eyes.
“Uh, your apartment. Sorry.”
Dani walked with her to the sidewalk in front of the house as another officer appeared. It was Tony Sanchez. He joined them in the driveway.
“This is Gemma Mettler,” Dani offered. “This is her house.”
“We were unable to locate the intruder,” said Palmer. “If you can give us your key, we’ll check out the inside and make sure it’s safe.”
Gemma looked from Palmer to Dani, confused and clearly suspicious. “Intruder?”
“None of the windows have been tampered with. This man you saw…”
“Man I saw?” She turned to Dani. “I don’t understand.”
“Probably just a vagrant looking for a handout,” Dani offered. “I’m sure he’s long gone by now.” She looked into Gemma’s eyes, using her best pleading look.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” Palmer said. “You were right to call us, ma’am. We’ll just check inside before you go in, just to be sure.”
Gemma’s eyes pierced through Dani angrily, but she did not speak. She handed Palmer her keys. “The lock’s a little bit tricky.”
After the two officers had gone to the front door, Dani whispered, “Thank you!”
“I did not call the police,” Gemma said through clenched teeth.
“I know. I called them.”
“You!”
“I can explain everything. After I tell you who I am…”
“I don’t need an explanation. I know exactly who you are.”
Dani’s heart skipped a beat. Did Gemma somehow recognize her at last? “You do?”
Gemma nodded. “You’re a delusional psychotic who poses as a police officer. You go around creating disturbances and phony crimes so you can show up and pretend to be a big shot. I really should be in the Guinness Book of World Records for having slept with the most lunatics.”
Really? Dani thought, momentarily distracted by the thought of Gemma bed-hopping from one lunatic to the next. She recovered her focus and said, “Gemma, I’m not a lunatic. The danger here is real. There’s a man named Leo Darius. Now, he’s a lunatic. He’s going to kill millions of people unless I can stop him.”
Gemma looked at Dani with confusion and pity. “You really need help.”
“I’m telling you the truth.”
“Then why doesn’t the police department know who you are?”
“It’s simple. My data has been erased from their computers. Whoever you called, they just looked in the computer database and I wasn’t there. It doesn’t mean I lied.”
Sanchez and Palmer emerged from the apartment, Sanchez slapping Palmer’s shoulder playfully. Clearly they had found nothing amiss.
“What about these two?” Gemma asked. “Are they your buddies? Can they vouch for you?”
Dani reluctantly shook her head.
“Is there any reason I shouldn’t report you to them right now?”
“I deserve a chance to explain,” Dani said. “Please, Gem, I can explain. I’ll tell you everything. I’ll tell you the truth.”
Gemma glowered at her as the cops approached.
Palmer handed over her keys. “You can go in now, ma’am. No sign of any trouble. Like your neighbor said, it was probably just a vagrant. Long gone by now.”
Dani glanced up and down the street, planning her escape should Gemma rat her out.
“Thank you, Officer,” Gemma said with a grateful smile. “I feel a lot better now.”
Dani heaved a sigh of relief.
When the cops had returned to their cars, she said, “Thanks, Gem. I really appreciate that. Can we go inside and talk? I know I owe you an explanation.”
* * *
A few moments later they walked through the front door and Gemma threw her keys in the ceramic dish on the hallway table. Both of the patrol cars had left, which meant that Gemma was alone inside her house with Dani. Why did I put myself in this situation? she wondered. But she’d only agreed to listen. She wouldn’t let her emotions be manipulated. Dani had seemed so sincere a few moments ago outside. It did seem only fair to give her a chance to explain her deceptions. After all, maybe she had a good reason. Maybe she was on an undercover mission, something to do with this Darius guy she mentioned. Maybe her data had been purposely removed from the police database. But if she were undercover, why had she been wearing a uniform? Gemma would listen, but she was determined not to be deceived again.
“Can we sit down somewhere?” Dani asked, placing her hand on Gemma’s elbow.
“Please don’t touch me,” Gemma said, moving away. She hadn’t meant to sound harsh, but she saw the sadness her comment brought to Dani’s eyes. She didn’t want Dani to touch her because she was afraid she wasn’t strong enough to resist the physical attraction between them. The truth was that Dani looked gorgeous tonight in tight black jeans and a blazer type jacket, and it would be far too easy to forget her lies and fall into her arms.
They sat across from one another at the kitchen table.
“Go ahead,” Gemma said, then glanced at the kitchen clock, seeing that it was mere minutes before six o’clock. “I’ve got a TV show at six and I want you out of here before then.”
“You Are What You Eat, that’s your show, right?”
Gemma flinched, hoping Dani hadn’t noticed. How did she know that? “Tell your story.”
“This is going to sound crazy.”
“Not a good start,” she said flatly.
Dani chuckled uncomfortably and swept her bangs back from her forehead. “No, I guess not.” She seemed reluctant to begin, but after a couple of unconvincing smiles and embarrassed grimaces, she finally spoke. “Two years ago you and Miko found a stray dog, a Boston terrier mix, hiding under the stairs of this apartment. He was wet and shivering. You took him to a vet but he had no chip and there were no lost and found notices about him, so you talked about one of you adopting him. Miko ended up taking him.”
She shrugged. “Did she tell you that story?”
Dani shook her head. “I haven’t seen Miko since Monday night at Stormy’s. Actually, I was there when you found the dog. But I remember the story differently. You don’t have any memory of me being there, but bear with me.”
Gemma felt bewildered. She really did want to believe Dani, but so far her explanation was a disaster.
“After the two of you found the dog, I begged you to let me keep him. Miko wanted him too. You weren’t so sure. You didn’t do dogs, you said. Sort of like you don’t do cops, now that I think about it.” Dani smiled, but Gemma set her teeth firmly, determined not to fall victim to Dani’s charm. “Because I fell in love with the little guy immediately, you said okay to make me happy. We named him Tucker and he lived here in this apartment with us. Our apartment.”
Gemma shook her head in a helpless, disparaging way, wondering what kind of trick Dani was trying to pull.
“The way I remember it,” Dani went on, “you and I are married. We live here with Tucker and we’re very happy. We’ve been together four years and everything was terrific until four days ago.”
Gemma rolled her eyes. “So you’re trying to tell me I’ve got amnesia, is that it?”
“No, no, that’s not it. Just hear me out…please.”
Gemma glanced at the wall clock, then back at Dani, who seemed to understand that her time was short.
She then told a story about a man named Frank Bryan posing as an FBI agent, about how they’d been pursuing Leo Darius, the man who’d planted the bomb at Genepac Industries, on Monday afternoon and how Darius had killed Bryan. She said Bryan had come from the future. Dani had picked up his homing beacon and was accidentally transported to the twenty-third century where she learned that Bryan had been sent into our time to stop Darius before he committed genocide. Because Bryan had failed, Dani had been sent back for the same purpose. Gemma listened wordlessly, trying to decide if Dani was trying to scam her or if she really was crazy.
“Pinot noir okay?”
Dani nodded and took a seat on the couch while Professor Littleton poured her a glass.
“I think this is a good one. I usually drink zinfandel, old vine in particular. Do you know much about wine?”
Dani took the glass from her. “No.”
Littleton sat in the chair at the end of the coffee table and crossed her long legs. Dani tasted the wine.
“I like it,” she said.
The professor smiled with satisfaction. She didn’t seem inclined to talk business, but Dani was impatient to hear the story.
“Tell me what happened? You said Darius came to see you.”
“I’m not sure it was him.” She put her glass on the table and pushed a coaster toward Dani. “After my last class, I went back to my office. He must have been waiting nearby because he showed up seconds after I arrived.”
“What did he look like?”
“Medium height, slim, brown hair, mustache, unshaven. In his forties. At first I thought he was another teacher. I mean, he wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Geology Department, for instance. Scruffy, ill-fitting clothes. You know how they are.
Dani did not, but she did know that the description fit Darius perfectly. “Professor Littleton, what did he say?”
“Please call me Gail.” She smiled in a girlish way. “And what do you go by?”
“Dani.”
“Dani,” Gail repeated. “I like that.”
“What did he say?” Dani urged gently.
Seeing that Dani was not in a flirty mood, Gail became more serious. “He wanted the seeds. He said Dr. Ruben had sent him to bring them back to the lab.”
“Did he identify himself in any way?”
“He said he was Dr. Dressell, a colleague of Dr. Ruben, and they wanted the seeds back. I told him I didn’t have them anymore, that I’d given them to you to return as we had all agreed. If he wanted to get them right away, I told him, he could call you.”
“And you didn’t suspect he might be Darius?”
“Well, no. You told me Darius had no idea there were any more black beetle beans. He didn’t know anything about my beans. Maybe I should have questioned it, but…”
“No, you’re right. Darius had no way to know about that. Maybe this visitor of yours really was a courier for Dr. Ruben.”
Gail shook her head. “He wasn’t. On the way home, I started feeling that there was something not right about this guy. I called Dr. Ruben when I got home and he said he hadn’t sent anybody and he’d never heard of a Dr. Dressell. He was expecting to get the seeds back from you, but you hadn’t had a chance to connect yet. That’s when I knew I’d been played the fool. That burns me, let me tell you.” She took a healthy gulp of wine.
“So it was Darius. What was his demeanor?”
“He was soft-spoken and cordial. Nothing threatening about him at all. But I think he was ill.”
“Ill? How?”
“Dark circles under his eyes and the way he moved, tentatively.”
“You told him you gave the beans to me. Did he recognize my name?”
“I don’t think so. He didn’t react to it.”
No, he wouldn’t, Dani thought. He’d have no reason to connect her name with the cop who had chased and shot at him. “Then he just went away?”
“Yes. He was disappointed that I didn’t have the seeds, but he didn’t seem angry. Actually, he didn’t seem threatening in any way. Maybe that’s why I didn’t catch on at the time.” She shook her head, then met Dani’s gaze. “But if this man really was Darius, I’m afraid I’ve put you in danger.”
“Don’t worry. It’s better that he’s after me now.” Much better, Dani thought. He’ll think I’m just another city cop. He won’t know I’m here to take him out.
“He won’t know how to find me, so that gives me the advantage.” Dani smiled to herself. “The police won’t even be able to put him in contact with me, if he has the nerve to go that route.”
“Why not?”
Dani looked up to meet her eyes. It’s so hard to remember. “Oh, I just mean they wouldn’t give him my address or anything. They don’t give out that kind of information.”
Gail looked contrite. “I gave him your phone number.”
“Good. I hope he calls. Don’t worry, Gail. Earlier today, I had no idea how to find this guy. Now he’s going to come to me. Perfect.” Dani lifted her glass in salute and took a drink. “This really is good wine. What did you say it was?”
“Pinot noir. It’s from the Santa Barbara area.” Gail relaxed into her chair, smiling with her eyes. “You know, you really are a fine-looking woman. I’ve thought so since we met, but I think I like you even better in civilian clothes.” Her lips twitched in a playful way.
Dani held up a cautionary finger. “We’re not going there, Gail. I told you, I’m taken.”
“Yes, all right. Sorry.” She dropped the come-on look. “Gotta respect that. But you are good looking.”
“Thanks.”
“Another glass of wine?”
“No, thanks. I’ve got to drive back.” She took her phone out of her bag. “I’d better check to see if Darius called, right?” There were no messages…not from Darius and not from Gemma.
“Maybe he called the other number,” Gail suggested.
“Other number?”
“Yes, the other number you gave me when your cell didn’t work, your girlfriend’s number.”
“What?” Dani bolted to attention. “You gave Gemma’s number to Darius?”
“Yes. I gave him both numbers. I didn’t know he was Darius at the time.” Gail stood, looking worried. “He’ll be able to do one of those reverse phone number lookups, won’t he? To find the address. How hard is that?”
“All you need is a computer. Or a smart phone.” Suddenly Dani was alarmed.
“I’m sorry.” Gail looked at Dani for reassurance, but she had none to give.
By now, Darius could be at the apartment! While I’ve been sitting here chatting, Dani realized, Darius was planning, perhaps executing his next move. She glanced at the time on her phone. It was ten after five. Gemma normally got off work at five. In less than half an hour, she would arrive home, and there was no way Dani could beat her there. All she could hope now was that Gemma was running after-work errands.
Gail put her hand gently on Dani’s arm, drawing her attention back. “Do you think she’s in danger?”
“I don’t know. But I’ve got to get back. I’ve got to get there before he does.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Come on, baby,” Dani pleaded, listening to the ringing of Gemma’s phone. “Answer!”
She wove through lanes of traffic on the Bay Bridge, hightailing it back to the City and risking a speeding ticket, not to mention breaking the cell phone law. If she got pulled over, she thought, how the hell could she explain herself when they ran her ID? She’d be taken in for sure.
For the third time, Gemma did not answer. “Stubborn…” She clenched her teeth on the curse and swallowed it. “Gemma,” she said after the beep, “please listen carefully. This is Dani. Do not go to your apartment. There’s a dangerous criminal on the loose and he may be on his way there. I’m on my way too, but you have to stay away from the apartment. Stay away from home. Call me as soon as you get this message. Please do as I say. This is very serious.”
She put the phone on the seat beside her and focused on her driving, keeping an eye out for black-and-whites and thinking about how much she could use the boys in blue right now. The headache that had come on yesterday was worse, pounding in her forehead and making her wince.
She glanced again at the phone, willing it to ring. She hit the steering wheel in frustration. She knew Gemma. She was angry and hurt. She wouldn’t answer and she wouldn’t listen to Dani’s message, at least not for a while. She’d assume it was another plea to see her, a lame apology. Gemma wasn’t quick to forgive. She’d make Dani wait. Maybe she’d listen to her messages tomorrow. But that wouldn’t do any good today.
As her wheels bounced over the last span of the bridge and hit San Francisco pavement, she realized she did have the means to enlist the force. She grabbed her phone and dialed 911 and listened to the smooth, modulated voice of the dispatcher. “Nine-one-one, what is your emergency?”
“This is Gemma Mettler,” she said, trying to sound frightened. “There’s a strange man outside my apartment trying to break in!” The operator began her program of questions. Dani ignored them and continued, giving the address, then a brief description of Darius. “He’s trying all the windows,” she went on, talking over the patient “ma’ams” of the dispatcher. “Maybe he thinks nobody’s home. Please hurry. Oh, God, I hear glass breaking! Please send somebody! I’ve got to go. I’ve got to get out of here.”
She ended the call, reassured that the police would arrive at the apartment within minutes, hopefully before Gemma did. Driving through San Francisco was never easy, but some streets were better than others, and Dani took a roundabout route to avoid going through the tourist areas of Pier 39 and the Wharf. Once she got on Columbus, she knew she was home free. When she arrived on her block, she found a parking space a few houses down. She jumped out of the car and sprinted to the apartment where two patrol cars were parked with their lights on, one of them blocking the empty driveway. Maybe Gemma wasn’t home after all. One officer stood at the curb. Another emerged from the far side of the building as she reached the front of the house. Before approaching them, she buttoned her jacket to make sure her weapon was well concealed. She recognized the cop on the sidewalk as Gray Palmer. She took a deep breath to calm herself and stepped up to him. “What’s going on, Officer?”
He looked her over coolly, then asked, “You live around here?”
“Yes, a couple houses down. I’m Gemma’s neighbor.”
“Woman called about an intruder at this address. No sign of forced entry. No broken windows and the doors are all locked. Do you know where she is?”
“No, I’m sorry, I haven’t seen her.” Out of the corner of her eye, Dani saw Gemma’s car round the corner. “There she is!”
Relieved, Dani rushed toward Gemma’s car as it slowed to a stop in the street. She then pulled over and parked in front of the neighbor’s driveway. Dani ran over to the driver’s side window.
“Gem,” she called, noting the puzzled look on Gemma’s face.
“What’s happened?” Gemma pushed open the door and got out. “What are the police doing here?”
“There’s a dangerous man on the loose. He’s on his way here, to our apartment. I’m so relieved you’re okay.”
“Our apartment?” Gemma narrowed her eyes.
“Uh, your apartment. Sorry.”
Dani walked with her to the sidewalk in front of the house as another officer appeared. It was Tony Sanchez. He joined them in the driveway.
“This is Gemma Mettler,” Dani offered. “This is her house.”
“We were unable to locate the intruder,” said Palmer. “If you can give us your key, we’ll check out the inside and make sure it’s safe.”
Gemma looked from Palmer to Dani, confused and clearly suspicious. “Intruder?”
“None of the windows have been tampered with. This man you saw…”
“Man I saw?” She turned to Dani. “I don’t understand.”
“Probably just a vagrant looking for a handout,” Dani offered. “I’m sure he’s long gone by now.” She looked into Gemma’s eyes, using her best pleading look.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” Palmer said. “You were right to call us, ma’am. We’ll just check inside before you go in, just to be sure.”
Gemma’s eyes pierced through Dani angrily, but she did not speak. She handed Palmer her keys. “The lock’s a little bit tricky.”
After the two officers had gone to the front door, Dani whispered, “Thank you!”
“I did not call the police,” Gemma said through clenched teeth.
“I know. I called them.”
“You!”
“I can explain everything. After I tell you who I am…”
“I don’t need an explanation. I know exactly who you are.”
Dani’s heart skipped a beat. Did Gemma somehow recognize her at last? “You do?”
Gemma nodded. “You’re a delusional psychotic who poses as a police officer. You go around creating disturbances and phony crimes so you can show up and pretend to be a big shot. I really should be in the Guinness Book of World Records for having slept with the most lunatics.”
Really? Dani thought, momentarily distracted by the thought of Gemma bed-hopping from one lunatic to the next. She recovered her focus and said, “Gemma, I’m not a lunatic. The danger here is real. There’s a man named Leo Darius. Now, he’s a lunatic. He’s going to kill millions of people unless I can stop him.”
Gemma looked at Dani with confusion and pity. “You really need help.”
“I’m telling you the truth.”
“Then why doesn’t the police department know who you are?”
“It’s simple. My data has been erased from their computers. Whoever you called, they just looked in the computer database and I wasn’t there. It doesn’t mean I lied.”
Sanchez and Palmer emerged from the apartment, Sanchez slapping Palmer’s shoulder playfully. Clearly they had found nothing amiss.
“What about these two?” Gemma asked. “Are they your buddies? Can they vouch for you?”
Dani reluctantly shook her head.
“Is there any reason I shouldn’t report you to them right now?”
“I deserve a chance to explain,” Dani said. “Please, Gem, I can explain. I’ll tell you everything. I’ll tell you the truth.”
Gemma glowered at her as the cops approached.
Palmer handed over her keys. “You can go in now, ma’am. No sign of any trouble. Like your neighbor said, it was probably just a vagrant. Long gone by now.”
Dani glanced up and down the street, planning her escape should Gemma rat her out.
“Thank you, Officer,” Gemma said with a grateful smile. “I feel a lot better now.”
Dani heaved a sigh of relief.
When the cops had returned to their cars, she said, “Thanks, Gem. I really appreciate that. Can we go inside and talk? I know I owe you an explanation.”
* * *
A few moments later they walked through the front door and Gemma threw her keys in the ceramic dish on the hallway table. Both of the patrol cars had left, which meant that Gemma was alone inside her house with Dani. Why did I put myself in this situation? she wondered. But she’d only agreed to listen. She wouldn’t let her emotions be manipulated. Dani had seemed so sincere a few moments ago outside. It did seem only fair to give her a chance to explain her deceptions. After all, maybe she had a good reason. Maybe she was on an undercover mission, something to do with this Darius guy she mentioned. Maybe her data had been purposely removed from the police database. But if she were undercover, why had she been wearing a uniform? Gemma would listen, but she was determined not to be deceived again.
“Can we sit down somewhere?” Dani asked, placing her hand on Gemma’s elbow.
“Please don’t touch me,” Gemma said, moving away. She hadn’t meant to sound harsh, but she saw the sadness her comment brought to Dani’s eyes. She didn’t want Dani to touch her because she was afraid she wasn’t strong enough to resist the physical attraction between them. The truth was that Dani looked gorgeous tonight in tight black jeans and a blazer type jacket, and it would be far too easy to forget her lies and fall into her arms.
They sat across from one another at the kitchen table.
“Go ahead,” Gemma said, then glanced at the kitchen clock, seeing that it was mere minutes before six o’clock. “I’ve got a TV show at six and I want you out of here before then.”
“You Are What You Eat, that’s your show, right?”
Gemma flinched, hoping Dani hadn’t noticed. How did she know that? “Tell your story.”
“This is going to sound crazy.”
“Not a good start,” she said flatly.
Dani chuckled uncomfortably and swept her bangs back from her forehead. “No, I guess not.” She seemed reluctant to begin, but after a couple of unconvincing smiles and embarrassed grimaces, she finally spoke. “Two years ago you and Miko found a stray dog, a Boston terrier mix, hiding under the stairs of this apartment. He was wet and shivering. You took him to a vet but he had no chip and there were no lost and found notices about him, so you talked about one of you adopting him. Miko ended up taking him.”
She shrugged. “Did she tell you that story?”
Dani shook her head. “I haven’t seen Miko since Monday night at Stormy’s. Actually, I was there when you found the dog. But I remember the story differently. You don’t have any memory of me being there, but bear with me.”
Gemma felt bewildered. She really did want to believe Dani, but so far her explanation was a disaster.
“After the two of you found the dog, I begged you to let me keep him. Miko wanted him too. You weren’t so sure. You didn’t do dogs, you said. Sort of like you don’t do cops, now that I think about it.” Dani smiled, but Gemma set her teeth firmly, determined not to fall victim to Dani’s charm. “Because I fell in love with the little guy immediately, you said okay to make me happy. We named him Tucker and he lived here in this apartment with us. Our apartment.”
Gemma shook her head in a helpless, disparaging way, wondering what kind of trick Dani was trying to pull.
“The way I remember it,” Dani went on, “you and I are married. We live here with Tucker and we’re very happy. We’ve been together four years and everything was terrific until four days ago.”
Gemma rolled her eyes. “So you’re trying to tell me I’ve got amnesia, is that it?”
“No, no, that’s not it. Just hear me out…please.”
Gemma glanced at the wall clock, then back at Dani, who seemed to understand that her time was short.
She then told a story about a man named Frank Bryan posing as an FBI agent, about how they’d been pursuing Leo Darius, the man who’d planted the bomb at Genepac Industries, on Monday afternoon and how Darius had killed Bryan. She said Bryan had come from the future. Dani had picked up his homing beacon and was accidentally transported to the twenty-third century where she learned that Bryan had been sent into our time to stop Darius before he committed genocide. Because Bryan had failed, Dani had been sent back for the same purpose. Gemma listened wordlessly, trying to decide if Dani was trying to scam her or if she really was crazy.
