CHAPTER 39

   Carly walked hurriedly  towards the food truck but she would have to wait for several other people who were already waiting to be served. There was a high likelihood of missing what she had in mind would be suitable for her son judging by the time. Or even the probability they didn't serve what she wanted. She thought of just going forward past the line to inquire about the same but restrained herself. This was no longer the place she could go past everyone and probably even be served depending on who was in charge. She decided to wait patiently until it was her turn.

                "Could I have mashed potatoes and lean fish, specifically cod if it's available and another separate pack with baked potatoes and chicken breast,all to go please?" she requested.

                   "Sorry, the fish is all sold. Would you like chicken breast on both?"

                  "Yeah, that's okay too," she replied even though Teddy wasn't a fan of chicken. However,that beat the food at the hospital. By luck, maybe it would be even better than what she had always prepared.

                "Okay, you can have a seat and have a glass of water as you wait for your order."

                "Thanks,"she smiled then moved aside to give way for the next customer. She remembered that the place had just began with a coffee and bagels stand but now it had grown into this, with various types of food as she read from a menu. They had also built hut like structures where people could eat their lunch peacefully. Maybe it was the location and constant flow of people that had led to it's growth but the place was doing really well. She was sure in another few years, they could open a bigger restaurant with all services.

She looked further ahead. In the distance but not too far away was the ocean. The area stood on a raised ground so it was a bit easy to survey what stood in the distance a few miles away. At least up to where the strength of the eyes could reach. She looked upwards in the sky. She could see the gulls even though they were just little dots flying over the ocean. She longed to go there. It was probably the place she had missed most while she was away. The ocean back in Australia had been far away from where they lived and they didn't get to go there. Maybe she would accompany Teddy and her father on their next visit.

     She was startled from her thoughts by the sudden interruption at the table she was sitting at. A woman who seemed a little older than her but quite attractive joined her. She had stylishly short dirty blonde hair and holy Christ on a bicycle, striking blue eyes. There was no need to mention that blue eyes especially,were her weakness and she found herself staring into them without shame. She wore a nicely pressed business suit, one would say that she had come straight out from an office and as much as Carly liked casual, the look made the woman look even hotter in a weird way. She blinked severally. ‘Hotter, seriously? Did I just think that?’ She quickly shifted her gaze and tried to act like nothing had happened.

                    "There's a restaurant a few metres from here which never lacks  seafood," she looked up abruptly wondering why the woman had decided to tell her that.

                  "I'm sorry, what?"

                     "I heard you order earlier but they were out. Just thought I could help out."

                    "Thanks, but I have already ordered something else."

                      "Are you new? I have never seen you around."

 Over the last several months, Carly hadn't wanted to entertain anyone in a conversation. A few words to a stranger and that would be the end of it. She would dismiss them. She however wasn't surprised that she wanted to answer this insanely attractive and obviously gay woman. Damn her obsession with blonde hair and blue eyes.

                "I just moved back in the country after being away for seven years,"she replied. "Also I'm not from around here, that's probably why you haven't seen me before. I'm just here for my son who has been admitted at the hospital, that's why I needed the fish. He prefers that to the chicken and they are the only two non fatty meat I could think of."

                    "The chicken is not bad either. I leave the restaurant next to where I work and come here just so I can have their chicken. They are the best," the woman replied. "What's wrong with your son?"

Her face became clouded for a minute. She took a gulp of her water and looked down. The doctor's statement about her son's illness had still not registered to her properly and she didn't want to overthink it.

                    "He is asthmatic and his heart..." her voice trailed and she felt tears sting her eyes. She pushed them back into her head. Crying in front of a stranger would only make her look pathetic. "He needs surgery," she settled for a simple and direct answer. She felt a surprisingly soft hand land over hers on the table. She looked up and met the woman's eyes. She didn't pull away but she was sure her face registered surprise.

                    "Sorry,that was random,"the woman apologized and pulled her hand away. Carly found herself wishing she hadn't. "I get all touchy where emotions are involved and when it involves something I have experienced. I was there once,my little sister but she recovered so, you shouldn't worry too much."

       Even though she didn't know how not to worry, she nodded.

                 "Thanks, I'm Carly by the way. It's funny how we have talked that much without even introducing ourselves,"she laughed.

The woman chuckled,"Yeah, I'm Smith." Carly looked at her questioning the title. "Sorry, I'm used to people calling me that,it got stuck in my head too. My given name is Kelley."

   She smiled,"It was nice talking to you Kelley." Just then,her order arrived in a bag. She paid the amount indicated on a cheque then stood up to leave. "I should go now, take the food before it goes past lunch time."

                   "Okay, I hope he gets well real soon."

                    "Thank you,"she replied. Just as she was about to leave, Kelley stopped her. She turned to her.

                   "Hey," there was only the slightest hint of nervousness. "Would you like to grab a coffee together sometime?"

                     "I'm not sure. I live a little further away and my son is being discharged at least until the surgery which hasn't been scheduled yet."

                    "Oh,I don't mind waiting,"She replied. "Or I could meet you at your most convenient place. You can take my cell number and give me a call when you are free."

Carly sighed. Going out with anyone hadn't been on her to do list. Also, something didn't feel right about this. It was a tiny insignificant feeling. She decided that one coffee wouldn't hurt. It was just coffee, right? Maybe the feeling was just her fear working against her head because of her previous relationships. This wasn't a relationship though,it was just a coffee date. Maybe not even a date. ‘Don't forget that's how they all begin.’ she heard a voice inside her head warn her but she dismissed it. She trusted herself not to lose control this time for the sake of her son.

                    "I'd like that. I don't have my phone with me though or a place I could write your number down." She wanted to suggest to leave hers but Kelley took out a business card from her pocket. She smiled,"This works too, thanks."

                    "Give me a call, I'm always free from four in the evening and entirely free on weekends."

 She nodded,"Okay,bye."

Kelley touched her arm lightly but the contact on her exposed skin sent a slight shiver through her body. A shiver alright,not alarming but a bit odd. ‘Who was the woman and why did she have to be so darn attractive?’ Was all she could asked herself.

                               ★★★

    Teddy was still in the position she had left him in but his eyes were fixed on the phone focusing on the game he was playing. She would never have interrupted him but she knew that if she didn't, the one level would turn into another,then another and he would end up eating cold food. She walked up to him and took the phone away.

                   "Time to eat," she said handing him his own food. Mashed potatoes was his favorite.

He groaned,"I would have put the phone down after the level,you ruined it for me."

                      "Sure you would have," she replied. "As if I don't know you. Come on,eat up before it gets cold." He took the food but frowned at the sight of the chicken. "They were out of fish baby but the chicken is pretty good,try it."

                    "Dylan came by to see me but she didn't want to wait for you," he stated out of the blue. She swallowed hard the contents in her mouth and almost choked. Her stomach tightened for a bit then loosened but was filled with butterflies at the same time. Teddy took a bite of the chicken and nodded, "Hm, this is tastier than yours."

Instead of acknowledging his approval,she stared at him fixedly,his words registering slowly in her head.

                 "But..."she hesitated. "How do you know it was her?"

                   "She told me and she was wearing police uniform. It looked cool on her."

      She chuckled,"Since when do you know cool?"

                    "She was also surprised when I told her that my name is Teddy. Like really surprised, she was quiet for a long time," he then looked up at her. "Was she your best friend?"

  She exhaled and decided to tell him the truth even though she was not sure he would understand.

                     "Dylan was not just my best friend. She was my girlfriend when we were in highschool. We used to date."

                    "Like aunt Carol and Ella?"

    She smiled,pleased by his quick observation,"Yes, like them."

                      "But why did you break up? Was she like daddy?"

                    "Definitely not like your dad,"she looked away. "It is a long story. I will tell you sometime but not today. It was mostly my stupidity though and indecision."

  He took her hand,"You are not stupid mom."

                       "Thanks sweetie," she squeezed his hand. "But something good happened. The best thing in the world for me right now. You were born and I am really happy that I have you."

    She hugged him for a while. A stray tear escaped from her eyes and she rubbed it off quickly. How could she explain why she was crying? The fact that Dylan's selflessness was too overwhelming? Why was she still being nice to her? She closed her eyes and willed the tears to roll back behind their barricade. She made a decision right then and there. She would face her, she would talk to her once her son had been discharged. She made a promise silently that it was time to do something good for her despite the challenges she would probably face.

                             ★★★

     Dylan walked into the department store. She walked around and picked other items she needed then proceeded to the front to pay. After everything had been checked and counted, she paid then walked towards the opposite side where the electrical and surveillance equipments were sold. She approached one of the attendants.

                    "Hey, can I get surveillance cameras please?"

                     "Yeah, sure. Indoors or outdoors?"

                       "Two of both."

                      "Okay, what about the distance coverage?"

                     "Just a few feet around my apartment is enough."

                     "Do you need someone to install them for you. We do that for our customers at a discount."

                       "No thanks, I have someone to do that. I just need the necessary equipment."

                      "Okay," the attendant headed to the shelves to get her order.

                      "Could they be wireless too?"

                    "You got it."

She wasn't a wizard when it came to the cameras but she had dealt with them alot throughout her work as a police officer. She knew just enough to know how to use them. As for the installation, she needed someone she could trust. She wasn't about to let a stranger cruise around her apartment and she had no idea who had a direct link to her enemy or enemies. It was a good thing Carl had taken a short course on the same. They hadn't seen each other since earlier that morning. She was somehow avoiding him because she knew he would ask questions. She was fairly certain that he had noticed her staring at his sister and that had only confirmed what he had been accusing her of. That she was still holding on to Carly and that was inevitable. But did it necessarily have to be that?

                      "Officer Lewis?" 

She turned around sharply startled from her musings. It was Peterson. 

                       "What a coincidence! I was actually hoping I could run into you again. I wanted to know how my neighbor is doing. Have you got any news?"

                         "What are you doing here?" she asked instead.

                      "A friend of mine suggested that with what happened to my store and my neighbor,it might be wise to have the place under surveillance for security purposes."

                   "That is indeed very wise,"she stated simply. She took the box that was being handed to her over the counter, paid and turned to leave but he stopped her. She didn't want to discuss anything with him but he didn't seem like he would give up.

                      "Is Mr Powell going to be okay?" he asked but his voice was laced with nervousness. And why was he fidgeting?

                        "Yes,he suffered a major blow but he is going to pull through and make a full recovery soon." 

He sighed but it wasn't from relief. He looked as if he was hiding something.

                      "Good, because he needs to say if he saw the one who attacked him. We are not safe until he gets caught and punished for what he did. He is going to talk, right?"

She observed him and furrowed her eyebrows,"Are you okay, Peterson?"

   He nodded vigorously,"Yeah, yeah. I guess  I am just worried. I'm afraid of what is happening. What if he strikes again? What if I am his next victim? I mean,I have already been warned through the break in."

                 "I'm pretty sure it is a bit presumptuous to conclude that it is a 'he' we are dealing with. We don't know for sure."

                   "Right,it could be anyone."

He shifted on his legs.

                   "Just relax,there are people working on the case and we will soon catch the culprit,"she replied. "Go home and take care of yourself Peterson.Let us do our work."

                    "Okay."

  Dylan walked out of the store and walked towards the parking lot. She was going over the conversation with Peterson in her head and it disturbed her. She didn't know if it was her imagination or if he was trying to fish for information. His general appearance didn't please her. And what were the chances of running into each other at the store which wasn't the only one around town? She got into her car,took out her phone and dialed.

                  "Hey it's me. I think Peterson, our victim's neighbor should be monitored closely. I don't think he is as innocent as he wants us to think,"she said then waited for a reply before going on. "Yeah,that or he knows something he's not telling us."

                    "Are you saying that he should be watched or questioned?" her boss asked.

                   "Right now, watching him would be the wise thing to do since we don't know anything for sure. Twenty four hours if possible," she replied then offered. "I can take nights."

She already knew that her boss wouldn't agree to that even before she offered but she tried anyway. That would mean even lesser sleeping hours but she figured working would occupy her mind. She was also kind of dreading sleeping in her apartment after what had happened.

                  "No,you focus on our victim at the hospital. I will get someone else to do that. I'll send two officers down there,they can take turns."

                 "Alright," she agreed without arguing. She wouldn't have won anyway. She ended the call and drove away.