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It was hard going back to normal life, even harder when Pete was hired by the Classen Foundation to check on some suspected treachery at their plant upstate. He had left early Tuesday morning, promising to call when he could and to be back as soon as possible. "If you need anything call Lt. Jacoby." He told her, holding her hands tight through the rolled down window. "And you know that Emmett is always willing to give you a ride if you need one."

"I know." She nodded, swallowing tears. For some reason saying goodbye this time was much harder than it had been the hundreds of times before. Maybe it was because he was permanently hers now, or maybe because they hadn't spent a night apart in three months. "Be careful please, I'll worry." She hoped Pete hadn't noticed but it seemed she could cry at the drop of a hat these days.

"I'll be back, before you can say the word." He winked at her.

She returned to the house, fed the dog and cat, took Jac out for a walk, and then took her own shower and toilet. She picked a brown dress and shoes and tied a bright orange scarf around her waist that fit the September day. Adding her favorite earrings a set of hoops her parents had given her for her 18th birthday, the last thing on was the necklace from Pete and grabbing her purse and coat she walked out into the day.

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Rick Collins had watched the farewell from a nearby tree and had a nice crop of bug bites to show for it. He should really talk to Miranda about expenses he thought. He had managed to snap a few pictures of Edie Hart, taking the dog for a walk, taking the time she was inside to gather his things and go sit in his car.

He watched as she caught a taxi on the corner, had her hair done at 5th and River and then a voice lesson at 15 Dunning Street. He lost her in the drug store but found her right before she came out with a small package and found it hard to hide in the small bakery next door where she bought half a dozen chocolate doughnuts. He noticed both times she had paid cash. She met another girl for lunch, a dark haired beauty that filled out her dress nicely and they both ordered a salad with a glass of white wine and talked about men. He couldn't imagine why Miranda Elliot would want to know this stuff but she was paying him so it was really none of his business.

The two of them parted after lunch promising to do it again soon and giving hugs. Then Mrs. Gunn went into Marshall's Department Store and browsed the women's section for what seemed like an eternity. Sitting there pretending not to watch he almost fell asleep. Not only that, he was in one spot so long he had to buy something to keep a sales lady from throwing him out. He was definitely going to need some expenses.

The lady ended up buying one dress and the store promised to deliver it to the supper club sometime tomorrow. Stepping outside once more she paused, looking around and he felt a moment of panic wondering if somehow she knew he was there.

She started walking again and Collins decided to hang back, almost not seeing Mrs. Gunn go into Chadwick's, Department store but he caught up to her at the make-up counter. She chatted with the sales girl and finally decided on a tube of lipstick and small silver bottle of perfume. There as she had the other two places, she put her items on a charge account. After that she took a taxi to Edie's. While he waited for it to open he read the paper and thought about what he would do once inside the restaurant where he could get a table, enjoy a steak and a cold beer and watch her at the same time. Maybe this job wasn't too bad after all.

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Around 2:00 that afternoon Edie had the strangest feeling that someone was following her. Several times she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end and once or twice a cold chill engulfed her. She hadn't planned on the stop at Marshall's but it had been there and she felt safer around people. While she looked at dresses and the newest in pants suits she tried to come up with a plan. When the sales lady had come back and said she had found a man almost asleep on the couch across from the dressing rooms it had scared her more than she let on.

She still couldn't prove anything but the man sitting at a side table with a T-bone steak and baked potato whose eyes didn't seem to miss anything set her on edge. She asked Leslie if he'd keep an eye on him and the maître d' agreed. She found Emmett right before the band went on and asked him if he minded giving her a ride home. Try as she might she couldn't stop the quiver in her voice.

"Of course not." He told her. "Are you all right?" his face full of concern.

"I'm fine." She smiled. "But can we can talk later?"

She was singing that night and she wished they had picked another song but she had been practicing it for a week. Inhaling slowly, she took the microphone Leslie handed her and started singing.

I don't know why, but I'm feeling so sad
I long to try something I've never had
Never had no kissin', oh, what I've been missin'
Lover man, oh, where can you be

The night is cold and I'm so all alone
I'd give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me, but there's no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

She heard the phone at the bar ring and she hoped it might be Pete. The bartender shook his head no in her direction and she smiled a smile she didn't feel. The man ordered another beer and sat listening. She continued on.

I've heard it said
That the thrill of romance can be
Like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet little things in my ears
Huggin' and a-kissin'
Oh, what I've been missin'
Lover man oh where can you be?

She told Emmett about the feeling of being watched when he drove her home and he told her she should follow her instincts. "And if it makes you feel better you could call Lt. Jacoby." He had noticed the Buick following them since they had left the supper club but didn't want to scare her.

She nodded and then paused. "Emmett would you help me with something?"

"Of course, Edie." The piano player had been one of her first friends since she had moved to the city seven years before. They had both worked at the Silver Strand for a time until he became fully employed at Mother's and had talked his employer into giving Edie an audition at her small club. He had hoped in the beginning to be more than friends but she had never thought more of him than a big brother. If that was all he could get, he'd take it. So when she had asked him to introduce her to the tall dark, handsome detective of course he had done it. Pete and Edie were his greatest success story.

"Take the street coming up here and see if we can go around and come up behind the car that's been following us." He couldn't help but grin. He should have known she had seen the car too.

"You've got it." He took the corner with a squeal of tires, and just as he had hoped the Buick didn't have time to follow through. She managed to get the end of the license plate number, but a street lamp was out at the end of the block and it wasn't worth attempting to get any closer to get the rest. Finally Emmett made the circle again and came up the back way to the town house.

"Pete would have been very proud of you." He grinned as he helped her from the car.

"I like to think so." She smiled back. "Do you want to come in, I have coffee on and I think there's some Danish left."

He debated and finally agreed. While they ate, she called Lieutenant Jacoby and gave him the partial license number and the policeman promised to call back in the morning. After Emmett had left, Edie climbed into bed Jac joining her, his doggie snores making her feel not so alone. But it was hours before she fell asleep.

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Jacoby called around 10:00 the next morning and told her they had run the license plate numbers they had but there were just too many to narrow it down. "Did you see what kind of car it was?"

"No." she shook her head even though he could see it. "Emmett said it was a Buick and it was a four door I remember that. But I'm sorry I don't remember the color or anything. During the day he didn't have the car; he walked or took a taxi."

The police lieutenant whistled under his breath. "I'll see what I can do Edie, but to be honest this is a time I could really use Pete."

"Tell me about it." And she wasn't sure if she might faint or cry.

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A package arrived at 11:30. It was delivered by messenger who placed it on the kitchen counter for her and she tipped him a dollar. Both the dog and cat sniffed it finally loosing interest and then it was her turn to stare at it. The writing on the outside was not familiar. She cut the string with a pair of kitchen scissors noticing the smoothness of the tissue paper inside. Slowly she pulled out the contents, a dress silky to the touch, cut low in back and more so in the front. She held it up against her noticing the dress hit her calves and would leave little to the imagination with a slit up the left side. It was also fairly obvious that neither panties nor a bra would be an option.

The note in the bottom said "to my darling, Pete." She read it over three or four times shaking her head. Pete had many lovely endearments for her but darling wasn't one of them. And in all the time she had known him he had never bought clothes for her, not even lingerie or pajamas. And he certainly wouldn't want her to wear this in public she knew. He loved the way she looked but it wasn't the business of other men he would say. And there was another thing. The writing on the outside said Edie Hart 16 Monroe Court. She poured herself a cup of coffee and drank it slowly. Ever since he had placed that gold band on her finger three months ago he couldn't say Mrs. Gunn often enough. And lastly the dress was purple—Pete abhorred the color.

She knew there were things she should be doing but her stomach felt upset and the bed looked comfortable. At 12:30 she called Leslie and asked him if he would mind taking charge of the restaurant for the evening. He assured her he'd take care of everything.

Sinking down into the couch, she whistled for Jac, the little dachshund curling up on her lap, sighing as she scratched his ears. For the first time she wished they had a television set.

She was surprised to find herself waking up to the hall clock chiming out the 5:00 hour Jac gone, Sherlock stretched out beside her. Slowly she got up and headed for the bathroom trying to decide what to eat. Her stomach felt queasy but she was still hungry. Finally she decided on won-ton soup and egg rolls. The Chinese place around the corner delivered for two dollars. After calling in the order she put on the tea kettle and thought about the package some more.

Pete was working and while he might bring her home a trinket he wouldn't have time to pick out a dress. Plus the fact that when her husband gave a gift he liked to see the look on the person's face, especially for something this big. The door bell rang and she cautiously asked who it was before opening it. "Jacoby" was the answer and she unlocked the deadbolt.

"Come on in Lieutenant. She shut and locked the door behind him.

"Sit down," she waved towards the comfortable chair by the fireplace. "Would you like anything? I have cold cuts or I can make you a grilled cheese?"

"That would be nice actually." He nodded. "I missed dinner. Which ever is easier for you would be fine." He took off his hat and sat down where she had indicated. Jac came up immediately to see if the good policeman had brought him any treats but Sherlock stayed in the kitchen with his 'mommy." He wasn't fond of visitors. In a few minutes Edie returned with a golden brown sandwich, the cheese melting over the side and a nice sized cup of coffee for her husband's friend. Sitting down on the couch facing him she tried not to look to hopeful.

After he ate a few bites and drank some coffee, he placed the cup and plate on the end table and gave her his 'I wish I had good news look'. "Without more information there isn't any way we can track the man who's been following you. I'm sorry." He gulped the rest of his coffee, took a deep breath and continued.

"Edie, are you sure that someone is actually following you? It's a very easy thing to think is happening. I know you and Pete have had a lot of changes lately and with all the responsibilities of the restaurant and he says you've been more tired than usual and I know this is the first time in awhile Pete's been gone."

"Lieutenant, I'm very sure. I don't go around making up stories about men following me and being tired or not being tired has nothing to do with it." Her voice was rising.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean anything by it. I just know that at times women can more high-strung"….

"High-strung?" Her voice was deadly calm, so calm it scared him. Lieutenant I know that you and Pete are very good friends and have been for a long time. And I know there isn't anything the two of you wouldn't do for each other but I don't think he would appreciate you insulting me like that."

"Edie," He stood up, thinking it might give him some ground. "I didn't mean to insult you; I was just merely pointing that sometimes women…."

"Sometimes women what?" Her voice was smooth and low but her eyes had a fire in them he had never seen before. "Now I understand why Pete gets so frustrated with you at times. If you aren't going to help, then leave." And she pointed to the door.

The phone interrupted his next sentence, and maybe it was a good thing it did. Her first hello was so pleasant you would never know she had just been angry. Her second hello was soft and her smile grew large. "Just a minute." She said into the receiver, and then placed her hand over it. "Lieutenant its Pete and I don't know how long we might end up talking. Maybe we could finish this lovely discussion later?"

"Of course." He shrugged. "Tell Mr. Gunn hello for me." And he shut the door firmly behind him as he walked out on the small stoop.

"Pete, when are you coming home? Have you almost figured out what ever it is they hired you to figure out?" she asked

"As a matter of fact I think I have. There is just one more thing I need to check and if it's what it seems to be I can leave here in the morning. I can't wait to get home to you."

"I'm sort of excited about that myself." She grinned sinking back down into the couch she had abandoned to answer the phone. They talked about nothing for a few minutes, a knock on the door interrupting their flirting. "That should be my dinner." She told him. "Don't go anywhere."

She paid for her order including the $2 delivery charge and another $2 for his trouble. The broth of the soup smelled wonderful and she put in some of the crispy noodles and took a bite before picking the phone back up.

"Chinese for dinner?" he asked with a jealous tone.

"Yes, she nodded and took another drink of tea. I got the wonton soup because I wasn't very hungry but it smells so good I feel I could eat half the menu."

"I had another hamburger." His voice was flat.

"With cold coffee?"

"The coldest." He chuckled. Cold coffee was a code between them that told how much they missed each other.

"Pete. Someone is following me."

"What?" The words came so suddenly he wasn't sure if he had heard them right. "Honey, did you just say that someone is following you?" all the lightness gone from his tone.

"Yes. I didn't notice him at first, but I kept feeling like someone was watching me as I got into the afternoon. A man came into the restaurant last night and Leslie kept an eye on him, he came in at 9:00 and stayed until we closed."

"Did he try to follow you home?"

"He did, except Emmett and I outsmarted him. Emmett took me out the back way and we took the loop out to Monroe. When we got to Berkshire, I asked him to make a sudden turn and the car didn't see us and we were able to come up behind him but could only get half of his plate number, a couple of the street lights were out. Then Emmett drove me home and I made sure everything was locked tight."

"Good girl. Would you promise me if you need to leave before I get back that you'll call Emmett or someone to give you ride, no walking or cabs and try to remember every time you thought you saw or felt like someone was watching and write it down."

"Yes, of course."

"Did you call Jacoby?"

"Jacoby says I'm seeing things or that I'm tired or I'm being a woman." She sighed.

"I like it when you're being a woman." Pete teased her. "It's my favorite way for you to be."

"Flatterer." She grinned. But I know he was there Pete." She continued; going back to her story. I could feel him watching me, wherever I went, and at the restaurant. And he did try to follow me home. I had Emmett come in for coffee when we first got here and I swear the man was walking around the yard."

"I'll talk to Jacoby when I get back. Make sure everything is locked and don't let Sherlock go out tonight."

"I won't. Hurry home."

"I will honey, I love you."

"I love you too."

She had to re-heat the soup but she didn't mind. The egg rolls were beyond help so they joined the other stuff in the kitchen garbage can. She found them the next morning half chewed in the living room. Sleep took a long time to come but once it did her dreams were surprisingly sweet. Right before she dozed off she recalled she forgot to tell Pete about the package.