Even in cold weather, the docks were busy with workers, sailors, cargo haulers and private citizens doing business with the stores and companies that lined the riverfront. The mix of people and businesses encouraged people to keep their business and whatever else they may witness to themselves. One never knew what could happen. The police department maintained a dedicated patrol just for the riverfront area including the docks.
Several police officers nodded at Anna as she took her early afternoon walk on the docks. A brimmed black hat, dark leather gloves and a thick gray coat shielded her from the stiff wind blowing in from the river. The press, while fewer than the day before, were still camped out at the detective agency. She had been forced to use her office window for a quick escape. She was midway to crossing an intersection when she spotted Robert lurking in the shadows of a small store. Anna glanced around quickly before ducking into the side street to join Robert.
"Anything interesting?" asked Anna.
"Possibly," said Robert. Unconsciously, he pulled Anna closer. Automatically, he turned his own body to shield her from one side. "I was taking a stroll earlier and saw Daniel Brewster step into the store across the way there."
The store in question was a tobacco shop. It seemed neither shabby or too prosperous. There were no flashy advertisements in its lone storefront window. There was no neon sign proclaiming to any who passed if the store was open or not.
"He may just like cigars," said Anna.
"He's never smoked," replied Robert.
"A gift?"
"Why would he hide his identity under a hat and workman coveralls?"
"Ah, yes, that would be suspicious," said Anna. Over his shoulder, she kept an eye on the store.
"Can you see anything in the upper floor?" asked Robert.
"Shades in the windows. Can't see a thing," said Anna. "One customer coming out. It's not Brewster. How long have been out here?"
"A half hour. Long enough for him to buy a gift I think," said Robert.
"Well, yes, if he shops like you."
"I see something I like. I buy it. Why do women make a fuss about shopping?"
Anna smiled. "It depends on our moods, Robert." She spotted Brewster coming out of the store. As he put his cap on, she got a good glimpse of his face. "He's out and heading this way."
With little thought to her actions, she grasped Robert's coat lapels, pulled him urgently towards her and lifted her face upwards. As if reading her mind, he bent down and touched her lips with his. Through lowered eyes, Anna kept Brewster in sight as he got closer and closer. Unable to do anything about his quarry, Robert did the only thing he could do - acting the part of a lover. He pressed Anna against the wall. A protective hand lowered on their own to her waist. He deepened the kiss.
If his response took Anna by surprise then her own reactions overwhelmed her reason. Her senses registered the feel of the brick wall at her back, the solidity of Robert's body at her front and the soft gliding warmth of his lips on her own. Her hand tightened on his lapel. Her eyelids felt suddenly heavy. Her lips parted under his in natural invitation.
Anna was barely aware of Brewster passing them by without a glance. He was a brown blur in her peripheral vision. The kiss lingered on for a few more seconds before a loud bang brought them both to the present.
Robert searched Anna's face as he stepped back from her. For her part, Anna turned her flushed face and bright eyes away from his gaze.
"Anna?" whispered Robert.
Looking far into the distance and trying to get her breathing under control, Anna said, "We sh-should follow him."
"Him?" asked Robert.
"Brewster," reminded Anna. "You … you were trailing him, remember?"
Robert cleared his throat and made to check his coat. "Right. I'll follow him. You can go to lunch or something. I can handle this one on my own." He began to walk away to pick up Brewster's trail.
Anna rushed after him. "You may need backup. Two's always better than one."
"I'm not going to say no," said Robert.
She glanced sharply at him. Her brain asked one question and her heart another. "No?"
The corner of Robert's mouth curled up. "How often do I say no to you?"
Anna grinned. "Rarely and only when I give you the chance to, Scorpio."
"One of these days, Devane, I'm going to put my foot down with you." His eyes stopped scanning the people in front of them. "I see him. Let's hop to it." His hand found hers and gripped it gently but firmly. She didn't pull her hand away. Instead, she matched him stride for stride as they followed Brewster down the riverfront.
As they got closer, their pace slowed. Brewster did not seem to be in a hurry. He walked at a normal pace. He did not stop to window shop. Anna and Robert followed him for three more blocks before he entered the Harbour View Hotel. As it became obvious that Brewster was heading for the elevator, his trailers split up. Robert took to the emergency stairs while Anna continued to follow at a distance.
She stood by a bank of phones while watching Brewster as he waited for an elevator. She dialed Robert's cell phone.
"Robert?"
Robert's voice came in a rush. "Got a floor?"
"Not yet," whispered Anna.
"I'll keep going 'til the fifth floor."
The elevator opened. Brewster stepped in. Anna waited until the doors closed before hurrying over and reading the display of floor numbers above the elevator. She kept the cell phone close to her ear. She pressed the down button hoping to use that to check the elevator's progress. "Past the third floor."
"I'd better go to the sixth or seventh."
"Past the fourth now." Anna could hear Robert's breathing pick up as he continued up the stairs. "It's stopped at the sixth."
"Near-nearly there," said Robert.
"It's the sixth, definitely. It's on the way down again."
It was a minute before Robert replied. "He's gone into a room. He had a pass key. I'm going to recon."
"Wait 'til I get there," said Anna hurriedly.
"Can't."
Anna sighed. "Fine. Be careful. Keep your cell open."
"Yes, dear," said Robert cheerfully.
Anna's foot tapped impatiently on the floor. She fairly ran into the elevator when it came and punched the sixth floor button savagely. "C'mon. Go!"
Robert heard the elevator's chime. Unsure if it was Anna or not, he walked away from the door of the room where Brewster had disappeared into. He stepped down a few doors closer to the elevator. Anna stepped out cautiously with eyes darting everywhere. Robert held one finger against his lips.
He whispered in her ear. "Room 610. I can hear Brewster and a woman."
"Recognize the voice?"
"No. Too faint to make out from behind the door," said Robert. "Wish we had access to the room next door."
"Do they sound friendly? Is he having an affair"
"Friendly but not an affair. I didn't hear anything amorous. It's been awhile but I still remember what that sounds like."
Anna blurted out. "It's just like riding a bike, Robert. You never forget." Her last three words repeated in her mind mingling with other words said in past times and places - You never forget your first love.
She took a step back as he stepped forward. Eyes grew searching. Hearts began to hammer. Hands unconsciously reached out.
Robert stared at Anna. His mind and body remembered the kiss in the side street. A slight widening of her eyes followed by a softening of her expression told him that she too was thinking of the kiss. He dared to ask, "Want to ride a bike for two, Anna?"
"Takes ... balance and ..." Her voice trailed off as she read another question in his eyes.
"And trust." The words were said with wistful earnestness.
Anna didn't break eye contact. "You have that. Do ... do I have yours?"
"Need you ask?"
"Our timing together has never been the best. We'll … we'll fall off."
"Maybe or maybe not," he replied stepping closer to her.
Even in cold weather, the docks were busy with workers, sailors, cargo haulers and private citizens doing business with the stores and companies that lined the riverfront. The mix of people and businesses encouraged people to keep their business and whatever else they may witness to themselves. One never knew what could happen. The police department maintained a dedicated patrol just for the riverfront area including the docks.
Several police officers nodded at Anna as she took her early afternoon walk on the docks. A brimmed black hat, dark leather gloves and a thick gray coat shielded her from the stiff wind blowing in from the river. The press, while fewer than the day before, were still camped out at the detective agency. She had been forced to use her office window for a quick escape. She was midway to crossing an intersection when she spotted Robert lurking in the shadows of a small store. Anna glanced around quickly before ducking into the side street to join Robert.
"Anything interesting?" asked Anna.
"Possibly," said Robert. Unconsciously, he pulled Anna closer. Automatically, he turned his own body to shield her from one side. "I was taking a stroll earlier and saw Daniel Brewster step into the store across the way there."
The store in question was a tobacco shop. It seemed neither shabby or too prosperous. There were no flashy advertisements in its lone storefront window. There was no neon sign proclaiming to any who passed if the store was open or not.
"He may just like cigars," said Anna.
"He's never smoked," replied Robert.
"A gift?"
"Why would he hide his identity under a hat and workman coveralls?"
"Ah, yes, that would be suspicious," said Anna. Over his shoulder, she kept an eye on the store.
"Can you see anything in the upper floor?" asked Robert.
"Shades in the windows. Can't see a thing," said Anna. "One customer coming out. It's not Brewster. How long have been out here?"
"A half hour. Long enough for him to buy a gift I think," said Robert.
"Well, yes, if he shops like you."
"I see something I like. I buy it. Why do women make a fuss about shopping?"
Anna smiled. "It depends on our moods, Robert." She spotted Brewster coming out of the store. As he put his cap on, she got a good glimpse of his face. "He's out and heading this way."
With little thought to her actions, she grasped Robert's coat lapels, pulled him urgently towards her and lifted her face upwards. As if reading her mind, he bent down and touched her lips with his. Through lowered eyes, Anna kept Brewster in sight as he got closer and closer. Unable to do anything about his quarry, Robert did the only thing he could do - acting the part of a lover. He pressed Anna against the wall. A protective hand lowered on their own to her waist. He deepened the kiss.
If his response took Anna by surprise then her own reactions overwhelmed her reason. Her senses registered the feel of the brick wall at her back, the solidity of Robert's body at her front and the soft gliding warmth of his lips on her own. Her hand tightened on his lapel. Her eyelids felt suddenly heavy. Her lips parted under his in natural invitation.
Anna was barely aware of Brewster passing them by without a glance. He was a brown blur in her peripheral vision. The kiss lingered on for a few more seconds before a loud bang brought them both to the present.
Robert searched Anna's face as he stepped back from her. For her part, Anna turned her flushed face and bright eyes away from his gaze.
"Anna?" whispered Robert.
Looking far into the distance and trying to get her breathing under control, Anna said, "We sh-should follow him."
"Him?" asked Robert.
"Brewster," reminded Anna. "You … you were trailing him, remember?"
Robert cleared his throat and made to check his coat. "Right. I'll follow him. You can go to lunch or something. I can handle this one on my own." He began to walk away to pick up Brewster's trail.
Anna rushed after him. "You may need backup. Two's always better than one."
"I'm not going to say no," said Robert.
She glanced sharply at him. Her brain asked one question and her heart another. "No?"
The corner of Robert's mouth curled up. "How often do I say no to you?"
Anna grinned. "Rarely and only when I give you the chance to, Scorpio."
"One of these days, Devane, I'm going to put my foot down with you." His eyes stopped scanning the people in front of them. "I see him. Let's hop to it." His hand found hers and gripped it gently but firmly. She didn't pull her hand away. Instead, she matched him stride for stride as they followed Brewster down the riverfront.
As they got closer, their pace slowed. Brewster did not seem to be in a hurry. He walked at a normal pace. He did not stop to window shop. Anna and Robert followed him for three more blocks before he entered the Harbour View Hotel. As it became obvious that Brewster was heading for the elevator, his trailers split up. Robert took to the emergency stairs while Anna continued to follow at a distance.
She stood by a bank of phones while watching Brewster as he waited for an elevator. She dialed Robert's cell phone.
"Robert?"
Robert's voice came in a rush. "Got a floor?"
"Not yet," whispered Anna.
"I'll keep going 'til the fifth floor."
The elevator opened. Brewster stepped in. Anna waited until the doors closed before hurrying over and reading the display of floor numbers above the elevator. She kept the cell phone close to her ear. She pressed the down button hoping to use that to check the elevator's progress. "Past the third floor."
"I'd better go to the sixth or seventh."
"Past the fourth now." Anna could hear Robert's breathing pick up as he continued up the stairs. "It's stopped at the sixth."
"Near-nearly there," said Robert.
"It's the sixth, definitely. It's on the way down again."
It was a minute before Robert replied. "He's gone into a room. He had a pass key. I'm going to recon."
"Wait 'til I get there," said Anna hurriedly.
"Can't."
Anna sighed. "Fine. Be careful. Keep your cell open."
"Yes, dear," said Robert cheerfully.
Anna's foot tapped impatiently on the floor. She fairly ran into the elevator when it came and punched the sixth floor button savagely. "C'mon. Go!"
Robert heard the elevator's chime. Unsure if it was Anna or not, he walked away from the door of the room where Brewster had disappeared into. He stepped down a few doors closer to the elevator. Anna stepped out cautiously with eyes darting everywhere. Robert held one finger against his lips.
He whispered in her ear. "Room 610. I can hear Brewster and a woman."
"Recognize the voice?"
"No. Too faint to make out from behind the door," said Robert. "Wish we had access to the room next door."
"Do they sound friendly? Is he having an affair"
"Friendly but not an affair. I didn't hear anything amorous. It's been awhile but I still remember what that sounds like."
Anna blurted out. "It's just like riding a bike, Robert. You never forget." Her last three words repeated in her mind mingling with other words said in past times and places - You never forget your first love.
She took a step back as he stepped forward. Eyes grew searching. Hearts began to hammer. Hands unconsciously reached out.
Robert stared at Anna. His mind and body remembered the kiss in the side street. A slight widening of her eyes followed by a softening of her expression told him that she too was thinking of the kiss. He dared to ask, "Want to ride a bike for two, Anna?"
"Takes ... balance and ..." Her voice trailed off as she read another question in his eyes.
"And trust." The words were said with wistful earnestness.
Anna didn't break eye contact. "You have that. Do ... do I have yours?"
"Need you ask?"
"Our timing together has never been the best. We'll … we'll fall off."
"Maybe or maybe not," he replied stepping closer to her.
"One of us will push the other off." In that moment, Anna said goodbye to her pride. "I hurt you too much. You can't deny it."
"We hurt most the ones we love. I've hurt you, too," said Robert. "How about now?." He ducked his head and kissed her softly.
The kiss was brief more curious than passionate. Yet it was enough to answer some questions.
"I'll catch you if you fall," said Robert.
"I know," she replied.
"Maybe it's time we stopped pushing away from each other." Robert sighed. He looked around as if reminding himself of where he was. "But this isn't the place."
Anna became aware of where they were. She ducked her head embarrassed. "I guess not."
"We could never separate work from the personal," said Robert. He asked shyly, "Dinner, later?"
"I'd like that," replied a beaming Anna. She glanced at the hotel door. "What about him?"
"Let's go back downstairs and wait for him to leave," said Robert. "We can talk while we wait. Clear the air about us."
"You want to talk? You?" teased Anna.
"That's the only thing we can do in public. Unless you have something else in mind?" asked Robert.
"Maybe later. Business first," Anna walked away towards room 610.
Robert forcibly wrenched his wandering mind to the present and to their case. He watched Anna lean against the door and eavesdrop. She listened intently for a few minutes before returning to him. They entered the elevator silently. As the doors closed, their faces were masks of neutrality but their fingers touched and held each other all the way down.