CHAPTER 6 –ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES A FOOL

Thorpe had awoken before her and left silently. As much as he didn't want to he had to. He left her a note with his number, if she called him then all was well if not it couldn't be changed what happened between them. Even if they never saw each other again they'd have the memory of those moments to look back on. The other matter was the doll she had received, he hope she was smart to bring it with her if she still remembered she wanted to meet him tomorrow.

Jocelyn awoke a couple hours later long after he had left. Her body felt wonderful, tender, relaxed. She couldn't think of anything else. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks

"God what have I done?" she said as she sat up in bed.

"Got laid…. Whoooo hoo…" The voice said joyously inside her head.

Yet tremors of something akin to fear and not yet definite moved on the nape of her neck. She dashed out of the bed and over to her handbag where she had the doll stashed. She opened it and breathed easily. He hadn't seduced her to get it and she had promised to meet him day after bringing the doll with her and she would.

~~Next day~~

She had met him as promised, but didn't stay long; she never even looked him in the eye. Their night together was still too fresh in her memory. His touch still tingling all over her body and the utter betrayal of her body responding to his voice and the electrifying heat wave he was sending her unknowingly. She definitely didn't' want to go back to her room either his scent still lingered, she'd have to find other things today to occupy her time and a cruise seemed like it was in order.

A day cruise is exactly what she needed to put a few needed steps of distance between them, for he only ignited an appetite within her that she felt no other man would be able to satisfy. Hamilton Thorpe was under her skin, there was no denying that. She didn't get to meet his friend Mr. Reese whom he said was busy at the moment but they would soon. After a lot of thinking she concluded that she didn't believe Thorpe's crock story that he was some private investigator, and this made her wonder all the more what he did for a living.

However she gathered if he was it's the reason he asked to many damn questions. Also the man looked smooth, dangerous and she was inclined to believe he broke the law more often than obeyed it. The day she spent down the islands was wonderful. She had bought three disposable cameras and took lots of pictures. The trip to the 'Crete' was her most enjoyable it was the longest of the Swiss Italian islands, where the ancient 'minotaur maze' meets modern 'malia's' main street life. She spent the entire afternoon there and didn't return until quarter to seven, the ambiance of the sunset making for a wonderful evening backdrop.

She ascended the stairs and as she opened her door and crossed the threshold her sixth cop sense made her aware that a stranger had been in here during her absence. She couldn't be certain until she switched on the light; she knew that her privacy had been invaded, just as surely as she knew there was a gathering menace in this entire situation. Glancing around she was relieved to see that everything seemed to be in place. Perhaps she was mistaken, but she was sure about the feeling that someone else had been in here and she wasn't talking about the night her and Thorpe had.

She took a couple breaths; she closed and secured the door firmly behind her. Whoever was in here couldn't have come through the front door. She opened her terrace doors and it was only as she inspected the door upon close range did she see the tiny signs which confirmed her fears. She looked around her room again and found a drawer not quite closed. She was a neat freak and her drawers had been shut tight earlier. And also her bathroom door was opened when she distinctly remember closing it before she left. Finally she noticed the wardrobe was off the latch.

It wasn't the hotel staff. And she had not requested her room to be cleaned for any reason. The perp had come through the terrace. Searching amongst her belongings Jocelyn shuddered. Surely there could only be one reason for this interest…. The cat doll…? She bathed and dressed for bed, but there was little sleep for her that night. She wanted to call Thorpe but didn't she didn't want to come across as a frightened girl who needed him to protect her besides she'd only be proving his point. She scarcely closed her eyes. Soon it was morning. The telephone call from Thorpe came early… just as she had known without need of words he would call.

"Thorpe is that you?" she asked her voice a shade higher than usual. She coughed slightly to conceal the transparent nerves which gripped her.

"Missing me I see." He quipped sounding almost light hearted

"Thorpe I must see you… as soon as possible." She said and added "can you meet me?"

"There was an almost imperceptible hesitation…

"I have an appointment at 9." He said at last. "I reckon I should be there an hour or more. So will you meet me outside the 'Cathedral di san Lorenzo,' say about eleven? It's an hour drive from where you are."

"Yes alright." She said without hesitation.

"You know how to get there?" he asked

"I'll find my way." She said

"Ok but in any case, you can take the 'Funicular' up the hill."

"I've told you I'll find my way…. I am not an idiot." She snapped and immediately wished she could take the words back.

"No I didn't think you were. Excuse me for trying to help." He said calmly

She reprimanded herself; he was only trying to help. She had to trust someone, she had already slept with him and she barely knew him. She had to trust Thorpe; after all he was the most prepossessing candidate to receive her confidences…. "I am sorry, and thank you I'll see you later good bye." She knew she had at least three hours before there meeting she showered and dressed and decided to walk to the little café for breakfast. By half nine she was on her way to meet him. The ride in the funicular was a slow one for her she was impatient to get to him. She walked through the arcaded streets of the town until she came to the hill which led to the magnificent cathedral. Slowly she made her way up, past the small shops, many containing the wide variety of goods designed to catch the attention of the tourist.

She had done some shopping but obviously she had more to do. It would be her second week here and there was no sign or word from her cousin. All she wanted was to see Lizzel make sure she was alright then go home, because it had to be that Lizzel was alright and had made a mistake in calling her. This was it. She wouldn't be running to anymore of Lizzel's calls in a hurry. Arriving at last at her destination she walked to the small piazza, admiring the carved doors of the cathedral di san Lorenzo.

~~10:50am~~

"Have you been waiting long?" came, the familiar voice startling her from her reverie into which she had fallen moments ago.

"No! Have you been waiting long?"

"I might have gotten here a couple minutes before you."

"Ok."

"So how do you find it?" he asked

"I find it rather pleasant just too…. to catch my breath in a manner of speaking..." She said flashing a quick smile.

He smiled curiously at her, and then snatched her hand as if impatient for her to hurry up. His abrupt manner sent that warming thrill snaking down her spine once more, thus stiffening her in his grip.

"So you still don't trust me Jocelyn?" he asked his tone kindly amused maybe and there was no reproach in his eyes despite his words.

"There is so much I don't understand." She said slowly but frankly feeling the need to match his frankness with one of her own.

"What don't you understand? That I can be interested in you?" she sensed the teasing expression in his voice and his face shimmered some of it. Evangeline lowered her eyes feeling oddly foolish beneath his knowing lusty gaze.

"That's not what I said? I simply wonder why you are showing much interest in my problems."

"Well- have you perhaps thought I may like you enough to want to help you, I don't mean to sound sexist but you just look fragile, alone, lost, and I am a glutton for damsels in distress, not that you are in any distress, well not outright distress, but if I were you I'd be glad I had a friend. Hadn't you considered that explanation?"

"No ... Please Thorpe lets be serious shall we? I'm not here to amuse myself with idle flirtations. I'm here to help Lizzel thus I have to find her first to do so and if you can't help me then I don't want to waste anymore of my time or yours."

"I wonder why it's called 'idle flirtation?" Thorpe spoke contemplatively reaching out his hand and tucking her hair behind her ear. "It seems to me there's nothing idle about it, more like hard work." He said turning on his heels.

She watched his back as he kept abreast of her a bit, his words were merely a cover for something more to be said and it sounded neither good nor bad.

"So, have you found any reasons why someone planted that present in the basket?"

Thorpe paused and faced her….

"I can't answer that question immediately I am still waiting like you, but as soon as I know you will know." He said turning to continue the walk.

She cut him a questioning glance…

"You know you sound like you're determined to get the answer yourself. Please don't let it take priority over your more important business and time."

"Ah but I want to, and why not? You have intrigued me with all this mystery."

"Well then it's not important anymore to me, if you find something out let me know, I must be going now."

"Is that why you needed to see me?" he asked carefully.

"Oh right, sorry um… well its strange but I believe someone was in my room yesterday searching for that cat. I know its trouble but you aren't telling me."

"Is that why it's not important to you anymore?"

"Pretty much…"

"Is anything missing?"

"No."

"Did you alert the hotel?"

"No."

"So what exactly did you do?"

"Nothing... Nothing was missing so there was no need to alert anybody. And besides if someone is trying to scare me into leaving then they better think again I am not leaving till I hear from Lizzel. That's a fact."

He was glad to hear that, but he wouldn't tell her so … "You're the boss, do you want me to come over and take a look?"

"No I am fine thank you, but will you just return the doll to me by tomorrow? And again thank you now I really must be going." She said turning to walk in the direction she had come. She didn't get more than a couple footsteps when he caught her wrist and pulled her inwards to the circle of his arms. She was face to face with him, breast to chest, pelvis to pelvis. Surprised at first she went into action and tried to pull free but he resisted her involuntary move and against her will she found herself held tighter in his embrace, she could literally feel the heat seeping through him into her.

She tried to protest but even as she went to speak, Thorpe's lips closed over hers, pressing burningly down and trapping her mouth beneath his own. A thrill passed through her body and she felt maybe even she thought her body take flight. She became only aware of the sense of drowning in the power of this unexpected, but not undreamed of moment. It was like Thorpe carried her on the crest of his ardor. She was unable to make any further movements to remove herself from the circle of his arms, other than to snake a hand around his neck. Thrill filled and powerless to resist it was as if she suddenly stood aside and watched these events through a stranger's eye. They had one night of sex recently. But even then his kisses didn't feel like this. So why was this kiss, unlike any other they'd shared in that night/morning of passion?

Horror filled and engulfed her, pushing aside her warm response to Thorpe's passion as if imbued with extra force and strength by the question which she refused to answer even in the depths of her sub conscious mind, she yanked herself free, hearing his groan of displeasure at her breaking the trance of the moment.

"You really are the most conceited man I've ever had the misfortune to meet." She said coldly "I warn you that you'd better not try to do that again not that you'll have much choice. I am going home to New York on the first thing out of here. And I sincerely hope I never meet you again." She spat turning sharply on her heels. She made her way quickly as she could out of the peaceful trance of the piazza towards narrow streets which led back to town. Her ramrod back and up tilted chin were evidence of her evident anger. Her mind was made up; however Jocelyn found it difficult to escape the wild tumult of her thoughts and the feelings which set her heart racing within her. Thorpe's kiss had been unlike any. It had surprised her, hocked her, and even terrified her in its warmth and intensity. But what terrified her more was her own response to his touch. When they had their one night it had been a quick passing fling between them she thought that had held no strings, now she wasn't so sure anymore.

~CDSL~

Thorpe couldn't still the strings of his heart. He knew she felt it, it was there. And it didn't take one night of passion for him to know that he wanted her, that she was and could be the one. Love was a strange companion to have encountered during this so called stint for a job. Getting involved with the client was never a good thing. This compromised everything. And he could hear both John's and Finch's words resounding in his head.

Dammit he had screwed up a lot, but maybe they would let it slide sense she was determined to leave to forget about him.

~Jocelyn~

"Ok... So what there is some sparks between us, but it's like he said he hasn't been with a woman in awhile I haven't been with a man so we're still pushing of heat on one another. It's that simple." She said convincingly to herself.

"LOVE…?" Ha! The word astounded her out of the welter of emotions which gripped her. "LOVE?" had she been foolish enough to allow herself to fall in love with Thorpe during this short break in her routine? She couldn't answer that yet. Upon reaching the hotel, she headed straight for her room, intending to make that first call. But alas it was not to be. The phone was ringing as she entered her room and at first she thought it might be Thorpe calling to see if she was here but what if it was Lizzel? She rushed to the phone.

"Ciao!" she said

"Ciao, signora... There's a telephone call- for you… a signora Lara…."

"Lizzel!" like a bolt of lightning the name of her sister hit Jocelyn with almost physical violence…"Thank you, yes please put the call through." She said steadily though she was feeling another kind of feeling on the inside. There was a brief pause then she heard the voice, Lizzel voice for sure, there was no mistake. It sounded like she was speaking to herself on the other end.

"Hello, Jo, how are, you? Enjoying your holiday in Kefalonia?"

It really was Lizzel. At last, Jocelyn had half expected to hear a stranger's voice.

"I am not here on holiday and you know this I came here because you asked me to more than a week ago and you have not called until now. Where on earth have you been? And where the hell are you? As a matter of fact what the hell is wrong or going on with you?" Jocelyn asked as she sorted her thoughts out, she was going to get to the bottom of this right now if it's the last thing she did.

"Why should there be anything wrong Jo? Surely I am free to take off for a day or two if I wish Jocelyn. You're not setting up as my keeper now, are you?"

Jocelyn gritted her teeth to quell the swift rise of anger and venom on her tongue the thought that this insolent sister of hers should think she came here on her own was outrageous. This was the last time she did anything for Lizzel Lara, so help her wretched soul….

"Firstly you invited me out here and it would have done you well to at least show some courtesy if you knew you had changed your mind that you inform me of that right away. And another thing you ungrateful little bitch, I really tried but this is the last time I ever come to your beck and call, I too have a life and this is good bye Lizzel I suggest you lose my number in cases of emergencies or your stupid prank calls and this also means you don't have to worry about taking of for however long because I won't and don't give a flying fuck if you do ever come back. Finally I am saying go fuck yourself and lose my info pronto, I won't be treated as such not even by my own family." As she was about to slam the phone down she heard Lizzel's piercing scream for her to wait…."Lizzel there is nothing more to be said I am going home on the first thing I can catch hopefully today. That's just how bad I want to be away from you for good."

"Jo-Jo I'm sorry, I really am terribly sorry," Lizzel sobbed into the phone and her sob tore at Jocelyn's heart. "It's just you don't understand but I want to explain. Please say you will meet me tonight and if you still want me to lose your number or go fuck myself I will never to bother you again I swear." She begged.

"Oh you really thought you had me there with that jo-jo shit didn't you. Well the answer is hell to the fucking NOOOOO! Before I agree to anything I need some questions answered first."

"It's a long story Jo and we can talk about it in person."

"Ha! I am not falling for that line again, you want to talk then let's get some shit straightened out over the phone now Lize- you feel me bitch."

"I really can't explain over the phone, jo"

"I am not falling for that either you said that and disappeared for almost two whole weeks. Now I've got time to listen. It would seem it is your lucky day as you caught me just as I was about to book my flight home to the big mother fucking apple, so I could be with my son and actually doing my job."

"Why leave?"

"You dare ask why as if you don't know."

"There is quite a lot to talk about, Jo and the phone isn't the place to talk about this."

"Then this is the only way you will get me to listen, and it starts with you talking to me right now on the phone. So again I will ask, what is going on Lizzel? Why the hell did you call me to come out here? And for goodness sake explain what all the cloak and dagger business is about. Seriously Lizzel are, you alright?"

"Yes of course I am alright. Why shouldn't I be? Do you think I can't take care of myself? I am fine." Lizzel said more aggravated than expected her mood swing noticeable to Jocelyn.

Jocelyn picked up on the defiant tone in Lizzel's voice oh hell no she thought for sure she was about to rip into her a bigger asshole but thought there was a tremor to her voice, Lizzel was surely protesting to much that all was well. Against her better judgment she walked into the trap. She had to go with her cop instinct, she had to get Lizzel to trust her to open up and as much as she wanted to leave the bitch in her own shit pile she couldn't, Lizzel was her bitch for real.

"Are you in Kefalonia?"

"I am nearby." Lizzel replied

"Where exactly…?"

"I am staying with a friend that you need not know about."

"That is no answer Liz."

"You sound just like mom, why can't you understand that I fucking told you I can't tell you over the phone."

"Why not…?" Jocelyn asked digging her nails painfully into her arms to stop her from reaching through the phone and wringing her neck.

"Why do you always need to know or analyze everything, stop being a damn cop and act like my damn sister, just get it through your thick skull that I can't tell you over the phone not because I don't want to but because I don't trust that what I say over the phone isn't being heard by a third party."

"It still doesn't answer my question why?"

"Jo-Jo you ask too many damn questions." Lizzel said like she was tired of this talk with Jocelyn.

"That's because there are a lot of questions which I need answers to Lizzel, before I can trust your black ass again."

"And I am telling you now via the telephone's not the time or place."

"And I am telling you it's the only time and place I have since I arrived here at your request, might I remind you.

"Ok Jo I am really, sorry its all been such a muddle, but Jo-Jo honestly you must have been enjoying your stay otherwise." Lizzel said switching the talk immediately to her Jocelyn.

Jocelyn thought this bitch had to be pms-ing, the way her mood was shifting…. "I highly doubt anyone can when their mind is preoccupied with other trifling matters like ones sister mysteriously disappearing after they all but cried and pleaded for them to hop on the first thing out of New York to come to them, I don't do that shit for many people Liz."

"Jocelyn you know what you're being really horrid to me." Lizzel said petulantly… "I am really sorry and it truly is a pity you came if you felt that way, you're acting like a lot of people call you, like you got a shit load of friends, news flash you don't have even a handful of loyal friends or people that care about you not to mention you're boring, you're all about the rules, you need to loosen up and live a little."

"You know what you're right, I need to loosen up and live a little, I need to shed one more piece of baggage and guess what it just happens to have your fucking name on it, I don't need unnecessary friends, or family calling me when they're in trouble, and I like my boring fucking life at least I know what my priorities are, so sister dearest, I am on the next thing going home and hopefully I never see or hear from you again like wise you won't hear a word from me… I swear this to you, you no good for nothing piece of trash, stay away from me and my son you got me, stay out of my life. I wish I could leave you with hopeful words but its best we do it like this good_"

"Jo I was just fucking with you- come, on girl you know I don't mean a word of what I say and besides this conversation doesn't seem to be getting us anywhere and we really don't want to say anymore hurtful things than what we have said so far for it will surely be the end of us."

"No you're right Lizzel, I been dealing with you as a cop and not as a sister, so I listened, I heard you loud and clear, you're just as vindictive as you always were, I tried so hard with you but its not ever going to be enough, you're going to always hate me and think of me as the one that broke up your family, that I owe you, but I just realize for the first time that I don't owe you a god damn thing- this is the end for us its sad that it had to be like this, and you don't have to worry about mom finding out, I'll take the blame for this one and_" she was cut of by Lizzel sorrowful

"NOOOOOO….! Jocelyn…!" Lizzel said again with that urgency in her voice as it broke again. "You can't leave me now, please don't go I need to talk to you- fuck I need you, I need you so much, I wish I could be as strong as you, just don't leave I need to see you."

"Then this is your third and final time to tell me what the hell is going on. Go ahead I am listening."

"Someone's trying to kill me."