CH25
"Esposito," Javi said as he answered the phone. "Hey Espo." Kate was glad to hear his voice. She missed her friends and even her old job, but her mother came first so she wasn't second guessing her decision to move to Wyoming. "BECKETT! How are things out in the middle of nowhere?" He and Ryan had already found out where she had moved to and Lanie was working on how to get there and where to stay.
"I'm fine actually. A little tired of sitting in a car all day, but I'm fine," she admitted. "Car? What are you doing, driving a delivery truck like one of those long haul 18 wheelers?" He doubted it but he wouldn't put it past her. Kate laughed which was already a change. Maybe the move had been good for her. "I'm driving a patrol car actually. A stupid Dodge Durango to be precise," she told him and if it wasn't for Rick's seat cushion she'd have shot it full of holes by now. "You're a beat cop?" He was shocked and had Ryan's attention now. "In a way yeah. Listen I need a really big favor, and feel free to turn it down…" Kate was interrupted.
"Why are you wasting my time, just tell me what you want," Espo said since Beckett's asking for anything meant he was willing to do it. "Please do your damnedest not to let Montgomery catch you at this, but I need you to run a background on someone for me. Try and do everything that you can, dig as deep as you can. He's the sheriff of Weston County and his name is Christian Dahl. Tell me where he lives, whether he's married, who his kids are, his background all the way back to high school, who his friends are if he has any. Everything Espo, everything you can find," Kate asked him.
"You got it, give me a few days and I'll wrap it all up and give it to you. How do you want it?" he asked her. "Work with Tori and have her send it to the email address I'm about to give you. Ask her to route it through as many servers as she can including out of the states," she said and gave him the address.
"Are you in trouble Beckett? Ryan and I can put in for some time off and be out there tomorrow," Espo offered. "No, no trouble. Rick's worried that the guy is dirty and I just want to be sure for my peace of mind," Kate told him not noticing that she just said something. "Rick, who's this Rick?" He pounced on the name instantly. She cursed internally. There was no way she was telling Espo that Rick was her life mate and that she was bonded to him for the rest of her life. "Rick is just a friend we have out here. He and his daughter actually live across the highway from us." She hoped that adding the word daughter would make him think that Rick was married.
"RIGHT. Whatever you say Beckett." Espo didn't buy a word of it, except for the name. "You want me to do a search on this Rick guy too? No charge," he offered. "Just stick with Dahl, Espo and get back to me when you find out what you can. And thanks Javi, I owe you." Kate ended the call before she dug herself in any deeper.
"What did he say?" Rick asked as he walked up to her with two glasses of wine and handed her one. "I slipped and told them your first name and that you lived across the highway. Espo is going to look up Christian Dahl and probably you, too, now that he has something to work with," she warned him. "I thought you said you didn't tell them where you moved to?" he questioned. "They're detectives Rick! They probably have a satellite view of my house as wallpaper on their computer by now." Or worse, pinned up on the board in the breakroom.
"I hope you know what you're doing. He's a county sheriff and I work for him." Kate was new and likely to get fired if he found out he had been looked at and assumed she had something to do with it. "I may not be a detective with your training, but if I was writing this story, he would be dirty. Like millions-in-the-Caymans kind of dirty," he commented. "And if he's that rich and that dirty, what's he doing out here?" she asked. "Because there's something out here that concerns him. Person, company, an area. I don't know what, but something. I'm telling you Kate, he's dirty. Name one county sheriff that drives a top of the line new car year after year?" Rick demanded, since she had already found out he got a new car every year from the other deputies in the office.
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Everyone but Johanna and Oscar was in the kitchen while Rick did the cooking since neither he nor Kate wanted to disturb them. They knew something bad had happened while they were gone, but they would wait to find out what.
"You really think he's dirty?" Kate questioned again, even though she had caved in and called Espo asking him to dig into his life. "Dirty might be the wrong word, at least in the context you are thinking. But he is hiding something, I can feel it. It just fits so neatly into the story," Rick said. "You do know your stories are works of fiction?" she countered. Rick was, or maybe Kate was, spared his comment when Johanna entered the kitchen.
"When did you two get back?" Johanna was mildly surprised. "About 4:30 or so. Just long enough to see you and Oscar on the sectional," Kate replied. Johanna was immediately on the defensive. "Nothing happened. Oscar got a call that his two dogs had passed away within an hour of each other and it hit him hard. So I did what I could to help him get past it." Johanna tells them.
"Where is he now?" Rick asked distracting her. "He went upstairs to shower and change clothes. Now get out of your kitchen and let me cook." Johanna shooed him away. "And take her with you," Johanna said, staring at Kate.
"Let's take your dogs outside Alexis." It was likely time for them to do their business anyway. They were still outside though Kate was with Alexis as they were each throwing a stuffed toy for the dogs to go get bring back and play tug of war before chasing after it again.
"So did anything happen while you two were alone?" Oscar showed up next to Rick who was just watching them. "What happened between you and Kate's mother? Your head was in her lap when we came home," Rick countered. "I suppose you've heard by now." Oscar was still hurting. "I'm so sorry, Oscar. I shouldn't have teased you. I know you've had those two for a long time. I take it you'll be leaving soon?" he questioned.
"I need to get Johanna in front of some banks so she can arrange financing. I've already got a general contractor on stand-by who has his subs ready. She just needs money," Oscar told him. "If possible we'll leave tomorrow. Time is something we don't have if she wants to be open by the 4th," he admitted. He also didn't have the time to mourn any longer if he was to help Johanna.
"I hope she's ready for New York," Rick said worriedly. "You might want to talk with Kate first and get some moral support to get her there," he advised. "Probably a good plan," Oscar replied and began walking towards Kate.
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Johanna had been mostly fine while Rick drove just Oscar and her to the airport since Kate was at work and Alexis was in school. "Where are we going?" She didn't understand where they were headed since Rick didn't drive to the terminal. "Oscar got out here on a private jet and that's how he's going back. He's just taking you with him. You, however, have an airline ticket back in 5 days. I'm hoping that's long enough for you to secure your financing. Plus Kate will be off work when you get back," Rick informed her. "Private jet?" she queried and turned on Oscar who was in the back seat. "Don't look at me." He held up his hands knowing he had nothing to do with this. "RICK!?" Johanna turned her wrath on Rick.
Yet here she was, sitting in a taxi headed for Oscar's place. Her stomach was in knots and it was only because Oscar was holding her hand that she didn't bolt out of the taxi and make a run for it. Well, maybe she was exaggerating just a little, but she wanted to be here like she wanted a hole in her head. "You'll be fine. Where you go, I'll go with you, and we're only going to talk to a couple of banks about getting financing," Oscar tried to assure her. "And what are we going to do the other four days?" Johanna was sure she didn't need 5 whole days.
"For at least one of them you're going to help me look for a puppy, or maybe even two. I need someone to come home to, even if it is to a home filled with puppy pee pads," Oscar chuckled which got Johanna to look at him and feel a lot of her worries fade away. "I'd be honored to help you find a new friend." Johanna placed her free hand on his that was already holding hers.
Johanna was impressed when the taxi stopped out front of the Stella Tower on West 50th Street. He was on the 12th floor of the 16 story building and he had 12H which was a corner unit facing 51st street. It was 1,851 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
"Let's get your bag in your room and I'll give you the tour," he offered though Johanna was already looking at the kitchen, living room, and what she was guessing was his office space. "This is my office that I use when I bring work home. You'll have to forgive the mess," he mentioned since it was a disaster. Floor plans, renderings, a computer with two screens, pictures tacked all over the walls. Reference books, magazines, and a filing cabinet filled to overflowing.
"The kitchen is in front of you. I didn't design this one so don't blame me if you don't like it," Oscar defended himself. "No, it's nice. Maybe a little small and not much counter space or cabinet space." Devizes cabinetry, solid European oak frames, polished concrete countertops, Miele appliances with the electric cook top in the middle of the island.
"The living room with floor to ceiling windows," he offered. There were only two of them but they were floor to 14 foot high ceiling tall. He had modern metal furniture, modern paintings on the wall. Wide plank oak flooring. Wood burning fireplace. Then he took her over to one of the windows and quickly found out that one of the panels was actually a door leading out onto a patio. It had a grill, seating for four, potted plants and... "Watch out for the land mines, I hadn't cleaned up for a couple of days before I came out to see you," he warned her. Johanna smiled, relieved that he was taking the loss of his dogs a little better.
"A half bath," Oscar pointed once they were back inside. "Your room with its own bathroom." It turned out her room was just a smaller version of his master bedroom.
Everything was modern. Modern low back chairs for a small sitting area in his room. Another concrete countertop with a single undermount lavatory. Black Zeus marble flooring, radiant floor heating, steam shower with glass enclosure, and a soaker tub with handles on the wall.
It certainly looked like him and there wasn't a single feminine thing in the place. She knew his wife was long since dead, but did he not have anyone else? Did he not date anyone? She had a hard time believing such a sweet man was alone.
"We can order take-out and have it delivered or we can venture out. We're in Hell's Kitchen so the Theatre District is close as is the Columbus Circle, even Central Park." Oscar offered. "Do you not cook?" Johanna asked not yet ready to be on the streets of New York again, and started opening cabinets. She found things to cook with, but very little to actually cook. "What do you eat?" In frustration she gave up opening cabinets and turned on him.
He stared at the floor in answer to her quesition. "You don't do you? A kitchen designer who can't cook?" she asked in amazement. "I gave up cooking after Eileen died. I mostly order in or grab take-out on my way home," he explained a little ashamed of himself. "Where's your phone book?" Johanna queried as Oscar opened a cabinet in the living room. She took it from him and sat down. "Phone!?" And she held out her hand 'til Oscar placed his cordless landline in it. He listened to her order groceries to be delivered. "You have 30 minutes if you want a $30 tip on top of your delivery charge, so get to it," she said then ended the call.
"I was right, you're going to make an excellent restaurant owner!" Oscar was still impressed with her. She was not afraid to take charge. "Now what kind of puppy are we looking for and where are we going to get one?" she asked, wanting to go puppy shopping. He was going to be happy again if it killed her.
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Johanna agreed to use her money to pay the $450 thousand needed for the first three months of operation meaning her loan was that much smaller and both she and Oscar loved the rate. Oscar, being Oscar, had even brought some small renderings of the interior and exterior for the bank to see, so they knew they were not loaning money to some fly by night shoestring budget restaurant wannabe.
Johanna had her loan.
Oscar had called the general contractor from the bank to get him out to the site as soon as possible, which was going to be in three days. The closest city where he could rent some of the bigger equipment he was going to need initially was in Rapid City, which meant towing it to Newcastle from there.
"Now, take me to the puppy place first on your list." Johanna had spent last night cleaning things out of his apartment that would remind him of his dogs. Which for her meant everything. So after getting the puppy they were going to have to go shopping to purchase everything it would need.
Johanna saw all of those little puppy eyes and was in love, but there was just one problem - a big one. Most, if not all, at this place were bigger dogs: Labradors, Retrievers, German Shepards, or very tiny dogs like Chihuahuas. On to the next store they went. She had her nose pressed up against the glass looking at the cutest little thing she had ever seen. He was mostly white with black eyes, a black nose, black ears, and black blob on his back. "Oh, he's so adorable." She soon had him in her arms, cooing at him, and kissing his fur. "What is he?" Johanna wasn't paying any attention to Oscar, she was deciding for him. "This little guy is a Coton de Tulear," she was told.
Cotons are happy-go-lucky dogs that are well-fit for living in small apartments. They are small in size, have easy to care for coats, exceedingly friendly with humans and other animals, and low exercise needs. The Coton loves to play fetch and go for walks, but won't suffer from being inside for a day either.
"His litter mate is over here," she was told and handed off the little guy to Oscar while she waited for the other one to be brought over.
Since they were in a pet store, they bought 3 beds, one for home and one for Oscar to take to work with him. Collars, leashes, puppy food, puppy toys, something for him to chew on instead of Oscar's shoes. The store had some boxes in back and they only just fit in the trunk of the taxi to get it all home.
Everything went into the apartment and then they were right back downstairs and headed to Oscar's veterinarian. "Oscar, I heard about Chili and Pepper and wanted to offer my condolences. They were such good dogs. …Now who are these two?" He took Oscar's dog out of his arms. "Well aren't you a happy little guy. I don't suppose they've given you a name yet?" He looked at Oscar who looked lost. "Mine's Patch," Johanna remarked and placed Patch on the table next to her litter mate.
The vet took what samples he could get, looked them over, and read the paperwork that came with them. He gave each of them a shot and gave them a card for when the next shot should be. "Patch and Mr. I-don't-know here are in good health. Come back in 2 weeks and we'll give them their next set of shots," the vet told them. "Oh, I don't live here. I'm flying home in a few days," Johanna informed him.
"In that case let me get you a health certificate. You will need to show it to the airline. Have you flown with a dog before?" The vet watched her shake her head. "You need to call the airline and tell them that you will be carrying you dog onboard. Buy her a carry-on pet carrier, one that will fit under the seat in front of you. Most airlines limit the number of pets that can fly in the cabin, so get that taken care of first thing. Show them your health certificate, fill out the form they give you, then pay the fee for her to fly which can be anywhere from $50 to $150. Your airline will be happy to take your money, and that's it," the vet told her.
Johanna actually called from the waiting room to book Patch a space on her flight while Oscar paid the vet for the visit. "One more thing, until they get their DHPP vaccine and rabies shots keep them away from adult dogs. DHPP stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. Parvo is the one virus that is very dangerous to puppies especially. Unfortunately it can live in the ground and on other items for years. If it's caught quickly enough we can stop it, but you only have a few hours before it's too late," the vet warned them.
"We'll watch them like a hawk. My neighbor has a pair of Dobermans that aren't even one yet," Johanna said. "Keep your puppy away from them and out of their home until her first shots. Likely nothing will happen, but let's play it safe," the vet advised sighed. That meant Rick, Alexis and their dogs couldn't come over for a while. Kate wasn't probably going to take that well. Especially since she had been smiling a lot and staying close to Rick ever since they got back from their trip.
Oscar laid out some puppy pee pads and let them play with each other. "Have you decided on a name yet?" he asked her, meaning the restaurant. Johanna nodded. "I had a whole list of names and finally settled on one, AFTER DARK.
"I like it. It's has a little mystery to it. You're only open for dinner for now and you still plan on shooting fireworks after every University of Wyoming victory I'm assuming?" Oscar asked her. "For now, every football and baseball victory. After that we'll see if I want to add other sports like basketball." Johanna still wasn't sure about that. "Men only or are you adding the women's teams?" He was betting even the women played baseball. She was ashamed of herself, she hadn't even thought about the women's teams. "Both." Johanna decided on the spur of the moment. "Home and away games?" he questioned and watched her nod. A win was a win.
They both had the same problem that night, neither puppy wanted to be left alone. Unbeknownst to each other, they reached down and lifted up their respective puppy into bed to sleep with them which kept them both quiet all night long.
Oscar did what he did with his dogs when he feared he didn't have the time to take them down the elevator. He took them outside onto his patio and cleaned everything up after them including what his dogs had left behind. He stayed out there with the puppies for a while, coming back inside to find Johanna in her pajamas cooking in his kitchen. The entire situation was tugging at his heart strings. What he really wanted to do was go kiss her. However he also knew that it would likely scare her off. Perhaps right out of his apartment into a hotel that took pets. He would bide his time. He had four more days and they already had the financing she needed.
"Come with me to the office? We need to start work on your restaurant's name. Get the billboard designs finalized; one for US85 and one for US16. Then make a few calls and get the name and logo on the information boards for your exit. Plus the office needs to meet these two," he added. His invitation forced Johanna to think about it. She honestly didn't want to go back out into the city again. Still, seeing where Oscar worked and taking his puppy in to meet everyone who worked there was appealing. Plus it was for her restaurant.
"Okay." Johanna hoped she didn't regret this.