Chapter 13
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Junior parked and waited while Steve got out and opened Lynn's door and extended his hand to help her. He saw the smile on her face as she took the offered hand. After Lynn exited the car, Steve gave a hand signal to Junior who acknowledged with a small nod.
Steve shut the back door and turned, he offered his arm to escort Lynn into her hotel. She was disappointed when he let go of her at the revolving door. He was right behind her but still she wished he had squeezed in with her. She stepped through and waited for him. He exited and took her arm.
"Now what? Nightcap?"
"No thank you." The last place she wanted to go was the lounge. "Just follow me. I'd like to take you to my 'Fortress of Solitude'."
"OK. Sounds mysterious." Steve was intrigued. He was relieved when they turned away from the elevators. She led him toward the coffee shop but turned down an unmarked hallway about 15 feet passed the check in counter. She opened the door at the end of the hall.
Steve was ready for anything but was pleasantly surprised. A high hedge was about 10 feet in front of him. English Ivy covering a white trellis with blown glass butterflies and bright red ceramic lady bugs mounted to the structure. There was a white gravel path that lead beyond the trellis to more greenery.
"Lynn, this is unexpected; green therapy. I just assumed there was a pool back here." Steve was trying to look everywhere at once.
"When this hotel was built, at the turn of the last century, it was built with mid-westerners in mind. The place originally had a garden and outdoor café, but no pool. It was near the Jersey shore, go play there. Here, you could sit under an umbrella and have the hotel's version of high tea. Or purchase a boxed lunch and go sit on the lawn and have a picnic. When I inherited this place, it was just a ½ acre of weeds. I found a drawer full of old pictures of the lost gardens. Weddings were held back here, club meetings, all sorts of social events." Lynn took Steve's arm and led him down the path. "The hedge covers the hoses, the pond supplies, the replacement soil and all the maintenance equipment. I have one grounds man with a prolific green thumb and an assistant who rakes the gravel every other day. I have schools bringing classes to see the foliage. Clubs can request a guided tour. The hotel doesn't charge to walk the garden to individuals but tours get charged a nominal fee, which goes right back into the garden."
"Your creation is really something. Self-sustaining, educational and beautiful, too much concrete on the east coast for my liking. I like green plants."
"The path is lit but you have to see it in the daylight. There are flowers everywhere, every shape and color. There are playful garden gnomes, birdbaths and a few fountains. All lit now but the daylight is best. "
"I promise to come back for lunch and another walk."
Lynn knew she was grinning like a fool but she didn't care. She took Steve's arm. "I'm holding you to it sailor man."
They walked to the center of the greenery and stopped at Lynn's favorite bench.
"Do you have a quarter?"
Caught a bit off guard, but he searched his pocket with his free hand. "Yes, I've got three. Why?"
"We're getting near the koi pond. I'm sure the fish would enjoy a snack." She took two of the quarters.
Steve pocketed the solo coin and quickened his step a bit. He like koi fish and hadn't seen any in quite a while. Even though Lynn had a tight hold on his arm, he enjoyed the stroll. But his mind was on Catherine, on how much she would enjoy this walk and it would be a nice place for a wedding. With this in mind, he kept a guard on his words and checked his mental clock ticking down.
Shortly, they were at the pond and sat down on Lynn's bench. Out of habit, Lynn took out her silver cigarette holder. She noticed Steve watching her.
"Do you mind?"
"Not if you share."
"OK. I hope lights are OK.
"Regular or flavored?"
"Regular."
"Perfect."
Steve took a cigarette and the lighter. He patiently waited while Lynn put the case back in her evening bag and set it aside.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She said when she saw her date was politely waiting for her to take a cigarette so he could light hers before his. She would have rather shared a smoke with him, but she could get used to this treatment. That the Navy man was in her age group was a bonus. That he was educated, intelligent with a nice personality: even better. Tall, dark and oh, so handsome: jackpot!
She exhaled her smoke and shook her head mentally at how eight short hours ago she sat here, depressed, anxiety ridden and near tears. Now, her daydream was a reality.
Steve let his head fall back and scanned the sky. "Oh wow, look at the stars. I figured the city lights would be too bright to see the stars. But back here, I can see so much." He took a draw from the cigarette and blew the smoke upward.
"You like the stars?" She turned to him.
"Every true sailor does." He chuckled. "You know, being in the modern navy with radars and sonars and all our modern technologies and communications, we forget our fore fathers had none of it and navigated by the positions of the stars. You know, constellations are different in each hemisphere and different positions at certain times of the year."
Lynn put her head on his shoulder and just listened to him talk. He was still talking about navigating by the stars when she heard crunching coming up fast the gravel path. She fought the urge to run or hide. She knew from the night Steve had invited her to have a drink with him, George didn't like the man sniffing around his favorite 'perk' on their business arrangement. He was especially rough with her that night.
The footfalls were getting louder by the second.
Steve felt Lynn's body tense up. He stopped talking and put his arm around her shoulders. "Are you cold?"
"No. I hear someone coming."
"So?"
Lynn tried to act casual. Not trusting her voice just then, she shrugged.
McGarrett noticed her mannerisms changed. She sat stiff, was hyper alert and instead savoring her after dinner cigarette, she all but inhaled it. She actually jumped when Junior burst into view.
"Hey, Lynn, relax. It's just my assistant.''
"Of course, he just startled me."
Junior had doubled timed from the car. He stopped and caught his breath. "Sir, we're to report back on the double.''
Steve got up and offered Lynn his hand. "I'm sorry but I have to cut our evening short."
"That's OK. I understand."
"I'll walk you home.'' He turned to Junior. "I'll meet you in front in 10 minutes.''
Junior saluted. "Yes sir." He turned and trotted off.
"I'm truly sorry, Lynn." Steve lied convincingly.
"Me too." She snuggled to his side. "Can we walk just a bit slower? Just take me inside and I can find my way home. I would just like this to last a bit longer. Please Steve.''
He reached over with his free hand and squeezed her arm. No word spoken, but he slowed his stride and started a new countdown in his head.
It took them five minutes to get to the lobby. Steve escorted Lynn to elevator. "Good night. I'm sorry but duty calls.''
''That's life." Lynn waited even though the elevator arrived and the doors opened.
Steve was about to step away when he realized she was waiting for her good night kiss. He chided himself for forgetting that important dating ritual. He hadn't kissed any woman but Catherine in years and felt he couldn't pull this off persuasively. Instead, he took her hand and kissed it. "Good night, Lynn. We will do this again very soon, I promise."
The continental manners thrilled Lynn. ''Good night, Steve. I look forward to seeing you again." She stepped into the elevator.
Steve stood there until the elevator closed and he heard the car leave. He turned and crossed the lobby and met Junior out front.
George was wiping the bar when he noticed Lynn in her red dress cross the lobby with the naval officer she had drinks with the night before.
"Order." Jennifer called as she was entering the order in the bar's computer. "Hello George."
"Huh?" George said distractedly.
"Order please."
"Yeah, sure." George read the order and got busy mixing the drinks out of habit.
"Hey George, you OK?" Jennifer asked with genuine concern.
"Of course. Why?"
"You looked, I don't know. Lost in thought?" Jennifer searched for the right words. "Lost in a daydream? Having a stroke?"
"I'm fine. Just tired." He busied himself by filling orders, making sure all the finger foods were available and other busy work. He didn't like that naval officer around. It made him nervous. He didn't care if the guy was getting in Lynn's bed. The woman was a convenience 'perk' as far as he was concerned but she was needed to launder the money from his criminal activities.
About 30 minutes later, he saw the navy man hot footing it through the lobby. He decided this needed his attention. "Hey kid."
Jennifer looked up, eyebrows up.
"I need a smoke. Can you handle the bar?"
Jennifer looked the room over. "Yeah, sure. Reorders won't be anything l can't mix. I'll text you if I get in trouble. Enjoy two."
"Thanks." George left the lounge.
"All go well, sir?"
"Affirmative." Steve slid in the front seat. "Good timing. That woman heard you coming and I think it took all her self-control not to run. Something has her fearful, maybe for her life."
"Yes sir. I saw her face when I rounded the corner. She looked panic-stricken. She was hanging on to you for dear life."
"I know. I think I'm going to have her finger marks bruises on my arm for a week. Why is she so fearful? I doubt they would kill their golden goose." He sighed. "What were you planning to say if she asked what was so important l had to leave?"
"Classified. Sir." Junior grinned.
"Such a great catch all." Steve found himself relaxing now that the date was over.
Lynn locked her door and found Kimba waiting for her.
"MMMMMMMMMeeeeeeeeoooooooooooowwwwwwwwwww?" Kimba had a questioning tone.
Lynn tossed her evening bag and wrap on the couch and picked up the white fluffy cat. "I'm sorry, baby. He got called away. Maybe next time you'll get to meet him."
The feline purred as Lynn petted her and told her loyal companion everything about her date with the handsome Steve McGarrett. "Oh baby, that reminds me. I brought you steak. I forgot the crab in the car. I'm sorry." She carried the cat in the kitchen grabbing her purse on the way. She put the cat down on the counter and grabbed her treat bowl from the dish drying rack. She put the cut up steak scraps in the bowl and offered it to Kimba.
"You know when I told Steve I was collecting scraps for you, he donated to the cause.'' She petted her feline friend. "I'm sorry I forgot the crab but I was distracted. Besides, it was seasoned. I doubt you would have liked it."
A knock at the day interrupted their 'conversation.' Lynn looked at her watch, maybe Steve came back. She went to the door.
Opening it, she suddenly found herself falling against the end table by the couch. She was so surprised by the action and the pain that she didn't even cry out.
George came in and slammed the door behind him. "You stupid bitch. What do you think you're doing?" He demanded.
Lynn knew he was furious, his accent only came out when he was mad. As thick as it was, he must have been livid. She tried to get up but George gave her a hard kick in the midsection. She gasped for air. With Adam on vacation, there was no one on the floor to hear her scream even if she could.
George impassively lit his cigarette and watched the woman lay at his feet, gasping for breath. "What have you told him?"
"Nothing." She squeaked. "I swear."
"No more dates." George growled.
"And if he calls? What do you want to say?" Her voice was getting stronger s she spoke. "It will be suspicious if I suddenly refuse his advances.''
"Fine, fuck him and be done with him." George commanded.
Lynn coughed. Her rib cage felt as if it was on fire. She wondered what broken ribs felt like. She blinked away the tears of pain and hoped she wouldn't throw up her dinner.
"Do you hear me, harlot?"
"Yes."
He pulled Lynn to her feet and grabbed her dress by the shoulder and bodice and tore it off her.
Lynn stood there, shaking. She knew what was coming and dearly hoped tonight she wouldn't see her mother again.
George put his cigarette in his mouth and grabbed the battered woman by her hair. He dragged to her bedroom and threw her on the bed. He put his cigarette out in her glass of water by the bed.
Lynn sat up and was met with a hard slap and she blacked out. She was oblivious to George ripping her brand new bra and panty set she bought with Steve in mind, cotton candy pink with navy blue lace.
Kimba heard the ruckus in the front room and ran to her hiding place. She heard the man's angry voice and her human's whimpering. Knowing there was nothing she could do to help her mom she made herself as small as she could and wait. She would be there for her human when her ordeal was over.
"Well, l think you made progress Steven.'' Danny said stiffing a yawn. "Think you can handle another date? I think she'll confide in you."
Steve sighed. "I think so too. But I can't keep being recalled to base. As dating practices have been updated for me, sex is basically expected by date #3. I have a dilemma Daniel.''
"Your fiancé. Yeah, I hear you. Well, let's think about this before dismissing it out of hand." Danny suppressed another yawn. "Maybe something will come to one of us after some shut-eye."
"Sounds like a plan. Good night Daniel."
"Good night Steven. Sleep well." Danny hung up and settled back against his pillow. He closed his eyes and signed.
"Daniel, don't press your friend too hard." Rachel chided her husband.
Danny opened one eye and glared at his wife. "What are you talking about? Turn the light off, will you please babe?"
Rachel gave him annoyed looked as she turned the light off. "Daniel, the man has a fiancé, don't push him into something he might regret.'' She snuggled up to him.
"Come on babe. He doesn't have to go through with it, besides not all guys trying sliding into home by date #3. Holding off on sex doesn't mean he's gay or nothing.''
"Says the brash young man who stole home on date #1. If I were her and there wasn't even a good hot make out session by date #3, I'd be wondering if we had a future." Rachel waited a few beats. "Danny. Daniel?" She shook her head and pulled the cover up.
Danny was softly snoring, blissfully incoherent.