Chapter 89

At seven I was at the house. Outside. Sitting on the curb by my car. Across the street two unmarked police cars sat. Two officers in each car. One was Donovan. She had given me a bug to wear.

The cab pulled up and Crystal got out. She was dressed in heels, stockings and a silver dress that screamed fuck-me! It clung to every curve and made sure anyone who looked saw her hard nipples. I paid the cab driver and he left.

I took her in my arms and kissed her cheek.

"You look good enough..."

"For you to eat?"

"Is that all?"

"No. I want you to fuck me out on the deck. I want to suck you at dinner."

"Just another weekend at the beach?"

"I hate to ask, but you do have a check for me?"

"I have even more for you." I had positioned her so her back was to the approaching officers. Donovan said, "Crystal Wilson? You are under arrest for soliciting for prostitution, performing sexual acts in public, conspiracy to commit fraud, and a few other charges." She read from the Miranda decision card. Crystal looked at me and said, "You love me! How could you do this to me?"

"You were just as much at fault for the prom as Asshole Wilson. You willingly wanted to sell me this house, with your husband when you both knew it's full of termites! I did love you. Part of me will love you for even more years. But, I love me more."

When the officer got her to the back door of the car she lifted her dress and shouted, "You'll never have this ass again! You weak bastard!"

Donovan stood next to me and said, "She's going to prison and you're weak. I think I'd rather be weak." Then she looked at me and said, "By the way, I watched the DVD's and there is nothing weak in what I saw."

She touched my arm and went to the other police car. I got in my car and drove away.

I closed escrow on the new house thirty days later. Mr. Williams checked everything and approved. The day escrow closed and I got the keys I drove to the huge furniture store where Donna White worked. I wandered the store for half an hour until I saw her. She was standing in the living rooms. I walked over and said, "Excuse me, do you work here?"

She turned and said, "Yes, May I help you find something?"

"Yes, you may. I don't want to sound corney or crazy but once-upon-a-time I had an eye one a young woman and I lost her. I suddenly had to leave town and never got to do anything about how I felt about her. Maybe you can help me find her?"

"This is a furniture store."

"The girl I lost was named Donna White. She was so cute last time I saw her, and I loved her in her cheerleader costume."

"You know me?"

"Not as well as I'd like."

"How do you know me?"

"Last time I saw you was at a party at Beth's house. You were with Tony what's-his-name."

"I still don't know who you are."

"Take forty pounds off me, shave my lip and say, "Nick."

Her eyes flew wide open and she jumped in my arms. Without leaving my arms her words came out at a hundred miles an hour.

"Where did you go? How did you find me? How did you know I wanted you to find me? Where do you live? Tell me everything!"

I sat her on the nearest couch with me next to her.

"I'll answer your questions, all of your questions. But first I need to speak to your boss. Trust me, you will like what I have to say."

She walked away and looked back twice. A minute later she came back with a large man who said, "I understand there is a problem?"

I stood and shook his hand. "No, no problem. I just closed escrow this afternoon on a house that is, for the moment, totally empty. I need everything. I need help. I would like to rent a consultant to help me furnish my home. Is this lady available?"

"We don't send our sales associates out. You can look at everything here in the store."

"To quote my mother and my sister and one or two of my ex-girlfriends I have no taste. The person who helps me needs to see the house in order to pick out the stuff that will look right in the house. I would think that a sale of enough furniture for a three bedroom home would have you interested. If I was wrong, I'm sorry if I wasted your time." I stuck my hand back out, concluding the deal.

"If I may ask, where is this home?"

I handed him a card with my name and cell number on it. The address of the house was on the card. He read it more than once.

"If it is about money, I would be willing to pay her for her time instead of her being on your clock."

"No, that isn't necessary. Donna, would you be willing to assist Mr. Peterson in his project over the next two days?"

"Will I need to work other times to make up for not being here?"

"No. Your time with him will be your clock time here."

"Then, I'm willing."