CHAPTER SIX

 

Angel took off his jacket and rolled his shirtsleeves up as he hiked the half block to his car. His step felt lighter and he couldn’t stop grinning. He opened the car with the remote.

“I’ve got you, Teri,” he crooned under his breath “You can lie to a cop, but you can’t get away with it.”

He felt buoyant inside, the way he always did when he’d solved a case, but this case was far from over. This was different. He suspected that his euphoria had something to do with the fact that Teri was Teri and not Sister Bernie. All the hazy, unexpressed yearnings lurking in the shadows of his libido could at least be acknowledged. He was falling for a woman and not a nun.

Across the street a man in a gray sedan turned to stare at him. Angel stopped grinning.

This could be trouble.

He climbed into his vehicle and started it, cranking the air conditioner to high. He reached in his glove compartment and pulled out a map. Spreading it out, he pretended to consult it while scrutinizing the gray car.

The man in the sedan dismissed Angel, returning his gaze to the walkway leading to the nun’s apartment.

Angel wrote down the license number, started his car and pulled out slowly, checking the watcher as best he could. He turned onto a side street just past the apartment complex and parked. Entering the maze of apartments from the street to the rear, he wound back to the nun’s place and tucked himself out of sight under the stairs. An overgrown purple bougainvillea spilled onto the other side of the path, shielding him from view.

The man from the gray sedan appeared on the walkway and then ducked behind an oak tree. He adjusted the setting of the camera hanging around his neck and peered through the viewfinder. He scanned the windows of the nun’s apartment.

Angel knew the curtains were drawn against the heat. He hoped Teri would stay inside.

Circling under the stairs, he kept off the path, managing to stay out of sight until he stood directly behind the man. He noted a suspicious lump under his jacket, indicating a holster. Tapping him on the shoulder, Angel delivered a quick punch when the man spun around.

Angel caught the camera and jerked it free from the man’s neck before it hit the ground.

“What the hell?” the man grunted. “Who are you?” His lip was bleeding and his sunglasses and cell phone had fallen in the dirt.

“Better yet,” Angel said, “Who are you and why are you watching this apartment?” He pulled open the man’s jacket and found a camera case instead of a holster. “Come on and show me some identification?”

“Okay, okay.” The man’s eyes seemed to narrow when he glanced at the badge and weapon clipped to Angel’s belt. He fished out a card and handed it to Angel.

Scowling, Angel leaned back against the oak tree. The card matched the driver’s license and identified the man as a local Private Investigator named Marcel Farmer. “Who hired you?”

“You know I don’t have to reveal that.” The man sat on the ground and searched his pockets for a handkerchief.

“No, but you may want to tell me before this is over.” Angel leaned down and grabbed the man by the arm while deftly kicking the phone under a thick hedge of overgrown pink oleanders.

Marcel cringed, covering his head with both hands as Angel dragged him to his feet. “Don’t hurt me!”

“Stay away from the nuns,” Angel growled.

“I...I have an assignment.” Marcel tried to muster a little dignity as he straightened his jacket. A few long strands of hair from his comb-over hung limply, covering one ear like a ponytail gone awry.

“Your assignment better not have anything to do with these nuns.”

“I can’t say.” Marcel straightened the thin bolo tie he wore around his neck.

“Then get out of here and don’t come back!” Angel glowered at Marcel.

“My camera-—” Marcel reached for it but stopped, glancing up at Angel.

“Sure.” Angel popped out the memory card and handed him the camera.

“But—”

“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave now.” Angel pointed sternly toward Marcel’s car. He watched the man turn and amble away, his shoulders drooping. When he was out of sight, Angel retrieved the phone.

He turned and found Teri standing on the stairs, her arms folded across her chest. Her expression told him she had witnessed his recent actions.

He dropped the phone in his pocket and walked slowly to meet her.

She seated herself on the second step and he sat beside her. He detected a light floral fragrance from a soap or lotion.

Teri spoke first. “What was that about?”

He grinned. “That was me saving your bacon, Teri.”

“Please don’t call me that.”

“It’s your name.”

She sighed. “Yes, but you’re the only one who’s figured it out.”

“Maybe not. That man taking pictures was a Private Investigator. Who else would pay someone to find you except the killers?”

Teri emitted a strangled gasp. “I don’t know.”

“Whoever they work for is behind this and he or she is looking for you. Do you understand that you’re in real danger?”

“I know, but I felt safe here with the sisters.”

He emitted a scornful snort. “You’re extremely vulnerable. This apartment isn’t secure. Walking to the school is suicide. Someone could grab you in a heartbeat.”

Teri wiped a tear and didn’t move away when Angel put his arm around her. “I...I feel horrible about lying to Mother Immaculata and the others. They’ve been so kind to me. And the girls are wonderful.” She turned to him as another tear drooled down her cheek.

Angel wiped the tear with his thumb and wondered how such an otherwise smart and very beautiful woman could get herself into so much trouble.

She bit her trembling lower lip. “I was only thinking of myself when I came here. I was so scared. I didn’t consider how this ruse would affect anyone else.”

He stroked her hair. “Everything will work out okay.”

“I don’t think so,” she said. “My lies will hurt the real nuns, especially the ones I live with. And the students will be upset. They opened their hearts and accepted me at face value.”

“They’ll also be sad if you get killed.” He gazed into her eyes. “Let’s be real here. There are some extremely bad people after you. They may already know where you are. You have to come with me.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she leaned into his embrace.

He patted her shoulder until her sobs abated. “I don’t have a handkerchief,” he said. “But try this.” He pulled out his shirttail and used it to wipe her cheeks and nose.

She laughed. “Is that a really gross way to collect my DNA?”

He laughed with her. “You’ve been watching way too much television. Keeping your sense of humor in a crisis is a very good quality.”

She sniffled. “At least I have one good quality.”

He gazed into her eyes, realizing that he, too, was in danger. He started when he heard a sound behind them. He took his hand off his weapon when he saw three nuns standing at the top of the stairs watching them.

“Sorry, Bernie,” Clem said. “We were heading out and didn’t want to interrupt.”

“Is everything okay?” Miriam asked.

“Can we help you?” Connie asked.

“No, I—” Teri began.

“Nothing we can’t handle.” Angel stood and held out his hand to Teri, pulling her to her feet. “There’s been a development in the case and Bernie is returning to New York.”

The nuns rushed down the stairs and surrounded them. They hugged Teri and assured her they wanted to help and would pray for her safe return. They departed and Angel escorted Teri upstairs.

“Gather whatever you want. You won’t be coming back.” He watched Teri take a blue bag from under her bed and stuff underwear and a nightgown inside. She packed the prepaid cell phone, jeans and a knit shirt as well as a photo of a young blonde woman who must be the real Bernie. She tossed in a tube of lotion and shampoo.

“That’s it?” he asked. “What about your paintings?”

“I’m really not very good,” she said.

“You’re wrong about that.” He sorted through the stack of paintings leaning against the wall. “You could make a living selling your work.”

A flicker of a smile materialized and vanished. “I think you’re being very kind. I just started painting again. I hadn’t lifted a paintbrush since I was in college. Bernie has all the real talent in the family.”

“Not so. At least I’ll take your painting supplies. You might change your mind.” He collapsed her easel and looked around the apartment. “Is this all you’re taking with you?”

“It’s more than enough.” She picked up a blank canvas.

“Let’s go then.” He tucked the easel under his arm and took the blue bag from Teri. He picked up the metal tackle box that held her paints and brushes.

“Wait! I have to talk to Mother Immaculata.”

“We don’t have time. You can call her.”

She looked like she was going to cry again, but pressed her lips together hard. “I guess so.”

Angel led her from the apartment and around to the rental car he’d left on the side street.

When she was buckled in, he started the car and headed away from the convent and school. He checked his rear view mirror, alert for a possible tail, and made a wide arc that brought him back to the Alamo Motor Lodge. He invited her inside and noted the maid had made up the king-size bed.

“What are we doing here?” she asked.

He tossed the blue bag on the bed and switched on the television. “We’re chilling out. You can change to your jeans if you want to be more comfortable.” A plan was forming in his brain. The trace of a smile crossed his lips.

Teri took the jeans and knit shirt out of the bag and changed in the bathroom. When she emerged she found he’d brought her a cold drink from the soda machine. “Thanks, Angel.”

He always smiled when she said his name.

“Now what?”

He popped the top on her soda and handed it to her. “Sit down. I need some answers.” Angel watched a series of emotions play across her face. “Don’t be afraid of me, Teri. The whole reason I’m here is for you.”

She sat down on one of the chairs, averting her eyes. “Why do I feel so scared of you?”

“You’re the witness. I’m the cop. What we’re both feeling has nothing to do with those roles.”

She met his gaze briefly and then looked away. “Yeah, I think you’re right. Somehow, being alone with you in a motel room doesn’t make me feel any safer.”

“My job is to protect you. We’d be at the airport right now except, I think the men who killed your boyfriend are here in San Antonio looking for you.”

She looked up sharply. “Here?”

He nodded. “I don’t intend to endanger you, but I would like to hang around long enough to identify them.”

“And you can do it here in San Antonio?”

“This isn’t their home turf. It’s mine. They can’t hide here as easily as they can in New York, and we know where they’ll be looking for you.”

“The convent.” She looked hopeful for the first time.

He flashed a grin. “That’s where I found you. Tell me who I’m looking for. Give me descriptions and any details you can remember.”

He took notes while she described the two men and retold the story of her grisly discovery.

“Now what?” she asked.

“You’re going to relax and I’m going to see who else has the convent and the nun’s apartment under surveillance.”

“You’re leaving me by myself?”

“It would be more dangerous to have you with me.” He softened when he saw her expression. “Alright, you can come along but you have to do exactly what I say.”

Angel bought their lunch from a nearby taco stand, filling the vehicle with a tantalizing aroma. He parked under a spill of dense shade from old oak trees that folded the sidewalk into accordion pleats with their expanding roots.

They ate in the car, sharing packets of salsa and napkins.

Angel watched her lick the salsa off her fingers before wiping them on a napkin. He wondered how he could have thought her distant and untouchable. Touching her was what he wanted to do most of all.

Angel took a deep breath and returned his attention to the cars lining the street outside the church, school and convent. He had parked strategically where he could observe both sides of the street between the nun’s apartment and the church.

“What is it we’re looking for?” Teri asked.

“I’m trying to figure out how far they are behind us. First there was the private investigator and I don’t know who hired him. I’m hoping I scared him off and it may take a little while for his replacement to arrive. I don’t notice anything out of the ordinary. None of the vehicles are occupied and I don’t see anyone lurking in the shadows.”

“If so, they probably fainted in the heat,” she said. It’s almost a hundred degrees out there.”

“Thankfully, we have A/C.” He put away his binoculars and slipped the gear into reverse.

“We’re going?”

“I think you’re right. It’s too hot for anyone to be watching for you. We can check back later.”

“Where are we going now?”

“We’re going to stay cool.” He drove her downtown and parked in a multi-story parking garage. He took her to a movie matinee and they slouched down in their seats, sharing a bucket of popcorn.

She leaned close to him and whispered, “Is this what my tax dollars are paying for?”

Angel shot her a look and tried to brush off the tingling sensation instigated by her breath against his neck. The surge of desire he was experiencing had nothing to do with the case he was working. Nothing at all.

When they emerged it was still daylight and scorching hot. They cooled off the car and drove away from downtown.

Angel turned onto a narrow road running through an area darkened with the shade of old trees. The San Antonio River wound around and the road meandered over it in several places.

“What is this place?” she asked.

“It’s Brackenridge Park,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite places in the world.” He turned and gave her a grin. “I hung out here a lot as a kid. I played baseball and my family had picnics here. It was the place to celebrate birthdays. There’s a kiddie park with rides, a miniature train and the San Antonio Zoo is one of the finest.”

He turned off the road to park on a section of pea gravel under a spill of dense shade from oaks bordering the river. Cracking all the windows, he got out and opened the passenger door.

“Let’s sit on the bench and enjoy the afternoon. You can have this to remember San Antonio by when you’re rushing around New York City.” Angel held his hand out to her.

Teri took it and, when he led her to a wooden park bench, sat down looking around nervously.

“We weren’t followed,” he said. “I wouldn’t put you in danger.”

She nodded, relaxing her shoulders.

He wished he could relieve her burden but she was the witness. He was the cop. Why did he keep forgetting that?

The sun dappled through the trees as the silence grew. The muted traffic noise a few blocks away blended with the sounds of the river running over a fallen tree and the ducks swimming in a muddy little cove.

“They’re so industrious,” she said. “They’re like the nuns. They look a lot alike but they’re each individuals. Look at the one with the red on his bill.”

“He must have come from a different order.” Angel observed her as she slowly lowered her guard.

“My sister Bernie has always been my beacon. She sticks up for me and keeps me on the right track.”

“How did she let you get so far off track this time?”

She looked up at him, her face a picture of misery. “It wasn’t her fault. She wanted to keep me safe and the convent seemed like the safest place on earth. She was only thinking of me.”

“Helping you to masquerade as a nun? That only delayed the investigation.”

“Don’t talk about Bernie. My sister was trying to protect me.”

“I know. Sorry,” he said. I hope she doesn’t get in trouble.”

“She said she wasn’t likely to get fired over it.”

He cleared his throat. “I was thinking about the bad guys. I hope they don’t connect her with you and take any actions against her to try to locate you.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.” Teri stared off into the distance. “I don’t want Bernie to get hurt.”

Angel placed his hand on her shoulder. “Let’s not borrow trouble.”

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