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| VOYEURS BY BEESA |
CHAPTER 16 |
The next morning
"Okay, change of plans," declares Del, as he pushes his bagel aside. "Since last night’s stakeout was so uneventful..."
Todd and Téa glance at each other.
"...we’re going to abandon that strategy, too. No more hooker duty, no more stakeouts of Mrs. Barker’s house. We’re batting zero here, so we’re trying something new. While you two were out at the Barker house, I did some checking on Mr. Vickers. I called a buddy from the Bureau and had him do some research on Vickers’ credit card numbers. Seems he doesn’t pay his own way very often, but he does every once in a while, and one place he likes to spend some of that hard earned money of his is a nightclub not far from here. His credit cards indicate a pattern of frequent visits fairly early in the evening, which he probably does because it leaves him free to spend his nights with Mrs. Barker. So, we’re going to pay him a visit at this nightclub."
"We are?," asks Todd. "But, he’ll recognize me."
"I know that. No, not us...Téa."
"No way!," yells Todd.
"Manning, would you chill?"
"No, Del, she’s not going anywhere near that scum. No way!"
"What do you want me to do, Del?," asks Téa.
Todd wants to protest further, but the look Téa gives him lets him know it will do no good. He takes a deep breath and tries to calm himself, but the thought of Téa putting herself in possible danger is too much for him. "If she does this, she’s gonna be wired!"
"Of course, she will be wired. We’ll be nearby, so we’ll see and hear everything. Manning, you’ll be in the van recording the conversation, and I’ll be sitting near Téa, never more than a few feet away. This guy’s M.O. doesn’t indicate that he’s dangerous, but I don’t want to take any chances."
"He’s not dangerous, he’s just a scum sucking leech. Why don’t we hire some other chick to do the dirty work, huh?," asks Todd.
"I can handle scum sucking leeches, Todd. I’m a big girl, I’ll be fine," declares Téa.
"I wanna go on record as being opposed to this whole idea," says Todd.
"Why are you getting so bent out of shape over this, huh? This kind of thing goes with the territory. It’s part of the job," says Del.
"Yeah? Well, that doesn’t mean I have to like it," states Todd.
Téa sighs. "What time does he normally show up at this nightclub?"
"Around eight o’clock," informs Del.
"Eight o’clock? That’s a little early to be on the prowl, don’t you think?," asks Téa. "And, why would he go to a club and then go to Sheila Barker’s house afterward? Why not just pick up somebody there?"
"Well, maybe Vickers goes to this nightclub early to get himself all worked up so he can do Sheila? I’m not trying to be mean here, but mija, come on, she’s not exactly the most attractive female on the planet, and maybe this is the only way he can make himself perform? Who knows? The point is, he goes there early and leaves early...and ends up at Sheila’s place."
"You think he’s scamming her, don’t you, Del? Just because she’s not terribly pretty, you don’t think he could be attracted to her mind?"
"Whoa, down girl. I’m not getting into that shit with you, okay? All I’m saying is that I don’t think Vickers is with Mrs. Barker for her mind or her beautiful spirit, okay? You’ve met her, mija, and she’s a bitch. If Vickers is attracted to anything about her, it’s her bank account. God knows he has made enough deposits of his own, if you know what I’m saying, so he has got to be counting on making a major withdrawal soon...so to speak."
Téa rolls her eyes. "Fine. Whatever. I’m through discussing this. I’ve got to figure out what to wear tonight."
"You do what you gotta do. I gotta use the can. Excuse me." Del gets up and leaves the room.
"Planning your wardrobe for the scum sucking leech already, Delgado?," asks Todd, clearly annoyed and jealous. "You seem like you’re looking forward to this little adventure."
Téa gives him a look. "No, Todd, I’m not looking forward to it, but I do have to find something to wear that will conceal a wire while still allowing me to flaunt enough of my stuff to get David Vickers’ attention, okay?"
"Oh, please, Delgado. All you gotta do is show up and he’ll be on you in a flash."
"Really? So, you think I’m his type?"
"Hell yeah, you’re his type. You’re every guy’s type. Duh?"
Téa looks at him, but he can’t read her expression. "Look, Téa, I don’t want you flaunting your stuff, or however you put it, for anyone but me, okay?," he says, softly. Now, he can read her expression. "Hey, don’t be mad at me. I just don’t want you doing stuff with other guys, okay? Not even if it’s fake and for the job."
"Todd, we aren’t together, so you have no right to make demands on me like that."
"We’re not together?"
"That’s right."
"Uh huh. And, what do you call what we did last night in the van? Huh? Or the night before that, in your bed? Huh? Correct me if I’m wrong, and I know you will, but it sure as hell felt like we were together then."
Téa stares at him, not knowing what to say. They stare at each other for a long time, until Del returns. Under her breath, she mutters so only Todd can hear her. "We had sex, that’s all. It doesn’t mean we’re together. It doesn’t mean anything."
"Okay, you two. Let’s get moving. We’ve got things to do, places to go and people to see. Téa, you go figure out what you’re going to wear and Manning, you come with me. We’re going down to that club to see what we can see."
~~~
That evening
Todd sits seething in the van, glaring at the monitor, as he watches Téa enter the nightclub. Del is already inside, seated at the bar. Téa quickly makes her way to the bar and sits a couple seats down from her brother. She is wearing a skin-tight, very short, scoop-neck red dress, with red stilettos. Her hair is up, and her thin, oversized gold hoop earrings catch the light from the dance floor. She grins for a moment, as she recalls how Todd seemed to stop breathing when he saw her earlier. It was obvious that he was quite moved by the sight of her, especially since he grabbed a pillow off the couch and held it in front of himself.
Téa glances at Del and grins. He nods at her. The bartender approaches her to take her drink order, but she doesn’t get a chance to place her order, since a man suddenly appears at her side. "Buy you a drink?," he asks.
Téa turns toward him, startled by his quick and unexpected presence. "Sorry, but I never accept drinks from strangers."
"Well, then, we’ll just have to fix that, won’t we? The name’s Vickers. David Vickers. Nice to meet you...," he states, as he holds out his hand, waiting for her to shake it and introduce herself.
"Uh...Marisa. Marisa...Carpenter."
Todd chokes on his Coke, when he hears the name she chose on the spur of the moment. "Carpenter?! Carpenter?!"
"Beautiful name for a beautiful lady," says David, as he lifts her hand to his lips and kisses it.
Téa just raises an eyebrow and smiles.
"So, uh, I’ve never seen you in here before."
"No, it’s my first time. I’m not much for this kind of scene, you know?"
"Really? That’s too bad. I was just about to ask you to dance with me."
"You were, huh?"
"Yes, I was." He smiles at her and offers her his hand.
"Well, then, I guess I was about to accept your offer," she replies, looking up through her eyelashes. She takes his hand, and he leads her out onto the dance floor.
The movement on the dance floor renders the audio wire useless, but Del has a clear view of the couple, so Todd does, too. Del makes sure to maintain whatever angle is necessary for the camera in his hat to pick up the video of Téa and David.
When Todd sees David put his hand on Téa’s behind, he turns on his mic. "Goddammit, Del! He’s got his paws all over her. That’s disgusting! Why is she letting him do that?"
Del turns on his mic. "Because, she’s trying to get information out of him."
"Oh, I think she’s trying to get a date out of him!"
"What are you talking about, huh?"
"Look at them! Téa can interrogate a guy without letting him put his hands on her. She seems to be enjoying it as much as pigboy is!"
"Relax, Todd, this guy means nothing to her, okay? Nothing."
"Yeah, right, it’s just a job."
"That’s right."
"Uh huh...and how would you feel if that was Kate out there, hmm?"
Del turns off his mic. He has to agree with Todd. Téa does look like she’s enjoying the dance.
~~~
Two hours later
Téa finally tells David she needs to sit out the next few dances. "That’s okay, Marisa. Actually, I need to get going anyway."
"Yes, that’s right. Your shift in the ER is about to begin, huh?"
"Yeah, so, can I give you a call sometime?"
"How about we just meet here by chance, again, just like tonight?"
"Okay," he says, as he smiles and kisses her on the cheek. "Until then."
"Until then," she agrees, as she watches him leave the nightclub.
Del moves over to sit next to Téa. "So, what did the dancing queen learn about the con man?"
"Not much. He told me he’s a doctor. Trauma surgeon or something like that. He said he likes to come here to relax before beginning his nightly shift in the emergency room at a local hospital."
"What else?"
"Nothing really. He didn’t say a lot, just some stuff about how he likes to read and draw...you know, hobbies and that kind of thing. And, he likes to dance. He never mentioned anything about Sheila or Michael."
"Did you ask any useful questions?"
"Del, what was I supposed to say? This was our first meeting, so I had to be careful."
"God, this is taking far too long to get anywhere."
"I’m sorry I’m such a failure."
"Mija, you’re not a failure. I’m just getting impatient."
"Yeah, and so am I! Let’s get the hell out of here!," yells Todd.
"Hold your horses, Manning."
"What did Todd say?"
"He wants to get out of here."
"So do I. Let’s go."
As Téa and Del get into the van, Todd glares at Téa. He puts the van in gear and abruptly pulls onto the street. Not another word is spoken for the duration of the drive home.
~~~
The hallway
Rather than walk next to Téa like he usually does, Todd walks several paces ahead of her. He quickly unlocks his door and goes inside, making sure to slam the door hard. Téa sighs, as she unlocks her door and goes inside her apartment.
Since it’s still relatively early, Téa decides to make a trip up to the roof to her hot tub. She takes a quick shower to wash away the sweat that covered her while she and David Vickers danced. She puts on her robe, grabs her apartment keys and the keys to the roof and heads down the hallway. She unlocks the door to the roof, but she stops before walking up the stairs. She grins and looks at the roof key in her hand. She glances back at Todd’s door and walks over to it. She leans down and places the roof key on the floor, under his door. She gives it a quick push, and the key moves into Todd’s apartment. She considers knocking, but she figures if he isn’t staring out the peek hole watching her already, he’ll notice the key on the floor of his bare apartment soon enough. She turns and goes through the roof door, locking it behind her.
Todd hears an odd sound, as he stares out his window. He turns and sees the key on his floor. He walks over to it and picks it up, having no idea what it unlocks. He wonders if Del found a key to some part of the building that new tenants should have, but slipping it under his door wouldn’t be Del’s style. He opens his door and looks out into the hallway. Seeing no one, he goes to Téa’s door and knocks, wondering if she got one, too. He waits for her to answer her door, but she never opens it. Frustrated, he looks down the hallway again, and then down the other side, when his eyes fall upon the door to the roof. He raises his eyebrows and figures he’ll give it a try. He grins, as the lock gives easily, and he enters the stairwell, locking the door behind him.
At the top of the stairs is another door, and the same key opens that door, too. He walks onto the roof and is stunned by what he sees. The roof has been transformed into a garden, full of small trees and bushes, all beginning to bud, since it’s springtime. There are many clay pots, but nothing is growing in them yet, except for some tulips. However, none of this matters, once Todd sees what is on the other side of a raised skylight. It’s a hot tub, and inside the hot tub, he sees Téa. His eyes scan her face, as he notes she has washed off her makeup and her wet hair is piled on top of her head. He sees her robe lying on a lawn chair.
"You figured it out. You always were so smart," says Téa. She smiles at him, and Todd can feel his anger melting away. "Care to join me?"
"I don’t have a swimsuit."
"Neither do I," she says, as she tilts her head to the side and reaches her hand out to him.
He stares at her for several moments. Téa puts her hand back in the water. "You shouldn’t be jealous, Todd. I was just doing my job."
"Like hell you were. You enjoyed every second with that scum sucking leech pigboy from hell."
"Ah, I see you’ve expanded upon his name throughout the course of the evening."
"Whatever. If the slur fits."
"Okay, I did enjoy dancing with David."
"So, you admit it?"
"Todd, I love to dance. You know that. And, David Vickers is a wonderful dancer. Yeah, I had a good time. Would you have preferred I had a miserable time?"
"Yes!"
"Why?"
"Because, I had a miserable time!"
Téa looks at the swirling water and sighs. She looks back up at him. "Well, I’m sorry you had a miserable time. How about I make it up to you?"
"How are you gonna do that?"
"Come here."
"No. I don’t do hot tubs."
"How about women in hot tubs?"
Todd stares at her for several moments. "You don’t think I’d dare, do you?," he asks.
Téa shrugs. "I don’t know. It would mean removing your clothing out here, under the stars. Think you’ve got it in you, Manning?"
Todd stares at her for several more moments. As much as he fears exposing himself like this, he can’t stop thinking about what is under the surface of that water, under those swirling, hot bubbles. Before he can talk himself out of it, he quickly strips and climbs into the hot tub.
Téa stares at him, wide-eyed. "I can’t believe you just did that!," she exclaims.
"Yeah? You ain’t seen nothing yet." He moves over to her and pulls her up onto his lap, so she is straddling him, with her knees against the side of the hot tub. She wraps her arms around his neck to steady herself, as he pulls her into a kiss. A few minutes later, he is inside her, oblivious to the outside world.
Afterward, Todd expects Téa to pull away, just like she has the other times they’ve been together, but she doesn’t. She doesn’t move a muscle, making no attempt to separate their bodies. She puts her head on his shoulder and nuzzles his neck. Todd continuously caresses her bare back, making sure she doesn’t get cold.
Téa feels a tightness in her chest. She knows she should pull away and retreat to the safety of her bedroom downstairs, but she can’t make herself let go of Todd. This wasn’t supposed to happen. These feelings were supposed to be dead and buried. She pulls back and looks into his eyes. He is looking at her with such love, it makes her chest tighten even more. She runs her wet fingers through his sweaty hair, then she trails her fingers down his cheeks. She leans forward and gently kisses his lips. They kiss softly for a long time, until the kisses turn more passionate, and they end up making love very slowly and sensuously.
Completely satisfied, Téa gets out of the hot tub and puts on her robe. She smiles at Todd. "Want me to go get you a towel?"
"Nah, I’ll just put on my pants."
Téa hands him his pants, and he gets out, putting them on with considerable effort, since his skin is wet. Téa even helps him, and they both start laughing about it, but neither says anything. They both know something happened here tonight, on this roof, but neither is willing to risk ruining whatever it is. Todd takes her hand in his and leads her to her apartment.
Once inside, Téa goes into her bedroom and Todd stays in the livingroom. He changes into dry clothes and leans back onto the couch, unable to stop smiling. In her bedroom, Téa puts on her pajamas and crawls into bed, wrapping her arms around a pillow, wondering how on earth Todd got to her so quickly.
to be continued...
