Chapter 41: Her Story Again

Zach took man-sized swig of his frilly coffee, then set the cup down on the table. His long fingers stroked the Styrofoam, making Grace’s mouth water.
She shook away the images of her and Zach naked when his deep voice interrupted them. “In trouble how?”
“She’s going to be murdered.”
He straightened at the word “murder.” “Do you know for a fact? Have you heard of some plot?”
“Not exactly.”
How could she tell him? This had never become any easier for her. And probably wouldn’t ever. So she forged ahead. “I can’t tell you how, I know, I just know.”
“Now, Miss?”
“Harmony, but call me Grace.”
“Miss Harmony, if you’re trying to protect someone, they shouldn’t be. If they want to commit murder then they do not deserve your loyalty.”
She sighed, trying to get rid of her frustration. He heart swelled with her emotions for him and she couldn’t think straight. She just wanted to kiss him and see if he’d remember. Her fingers ached to touch him. She longed to be touched by him. “I’m not protecting anyone. But Dolores.”
“Then why do you think she’s in danger.”
Grace took a breath, then blew it out noisily. “Sometimes I know things before hand.”
His mouth twisted into grimace. “Oh, a psychic.” His eyes rolled. “I’ve dealt with those before.”
“Then you understand.”
“Completely.” He stood, then dropped some bills on the Formica table. “And I’m not buying into your scam.”
Grace’s mouth fell open as he strode out of the coffee shop.
Well that didn’t go well.
***
Zach strolled back to his car. He heard the thud of someone running behind him. Not the rhythmic patter of a jogger, but someone in a hurry. He whirled to find the young woman racing towards him.
She stopped two feet from him her chest heaving. “What if I can prove that I know things?”
“Ma’am, you are looking at the world’s greatest skeptic. I’m not going to be bothered.”
“Please.”
Her green eyes pleaded with him. He was always a sucker for a pretty face. And she had a nice one. And a nice body hidden in those baggy pants, he’d bet. What the hey. “Fine, Karnak, predict something.”
“Dolores is going to tell you she’s pregnant.”
“Fine, we’ll see.”
She shoved a napkin with numbers on it at him. “Call me either way.”
She turned and walked away from him, seemingly confident in her ability.
“We’ll see about that.”
***
Dolores was cooking some dinner when he arrived. The kitchen had been scrubbed, but it still looked shabby. The appliances needed to be updated.
“Want some?” she asked.
“Thanks.”
“What’d that chick have to say?”
He waved a hand in the air. “Just some nonsense. One of those psychics.”
“What’d she predict?”
“That you were going to be murdered.”
“Lovely. Will you miss me?”
“Won’t have to you’ll still be here. By the way, you’re pregnant.”
Dolores grew still. “You think so?”
“So the lady says.”
Zach dug into his meal. Dolores followed suit a few minutes later.
“She was so sure she gave me her number.”
He dropped the napkin with Grace’s number on the table. Dolores picked it up, then threw it aside. “Odd.”
“That’s what I thought.”
***
Grace decided she needed a book. Or just to see Dolores who happened to work at a bookstore. “Time to Read” occupied an old Victorian House on the main drag of Glen Hills. The shop sat between an ice cream parlor and a hardware store. Small town America alive and well in New Jersey.
She pushed open the door almost knocking down her quarry.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Dolores said.
Loaded down with books, the woman still struck a defiant pose. What had Grace done to deserve this being so hard? “I’m looking for a book.”
“No, you’re stalking me.”
Paranoid? “I am looking for you, too.” She surveyed the room and at one end sat a small coffee bar. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee.”
“Never drink the stuff.”
“So what can I get you so that you sit and listen to me?”
Dolores frowned. Dropping the books on a cart, she wiped her hands on her dress. “Okay if you’ll leave me alone after this.”
“I’ll try.”
Grace ordered a cappuccino, not that she needed the caffeine. She as too keyed up by the events being different that she could have run to Ohio.
“Spill it.”
“I think you’re in some danger.”
“Danger? What? From you stealing away Zach?”
Did she have Zach this time? “No, I think someone is trying to kill you.”
“Zach said you thought you were psychic.”
“You talked to Zach? Did you tell him about the baby?”
Dolores went still. Her face twisted into a grimace. “Now how do you know about the baby?”
“Because I know Dolores. Just like I know that in two days someone is going to enter your home and shoot you dead.”
Dolores blinked, her face a mask, now. “I think I’ve heard enough.” She stood.
“Dolores, I knew about the baby. Why would I be wrong about this?”
“Because you are. You could have found out I was pregnant other ways.”
Dolores moved away as if on a mission.
“Have you told anyone?”
“No.”
“Then how could I know?”
She whirled to face Grace. “I am pregnant and I don’t care how you know. This will bring Zach back to me.”
“But the baby isn’t his.”
Dolores’ mouth gaped open and she took in a sharp breath. “How do you know that?”
“I know things, Dolores. Now tell me why anyone would want to kill you?”
***
Zach fielded what seemed like a million phone calls when he arrived back at his office. Seems everyone had a cheating spouse.
Then he had more of his own to make.
One of them to Grace.
Before he could dial the number, she sat in the chair opposite his desk.
“She isn’t pregnant,” he said.
“Yes, she is.” Grace ran a hand over her face. Her hand longed to touch him. Just once so she could convey her feelings. He wouldn’t get it. Would he fall in love with her this time? “She just didn’t tell you because you brought it up.”
“You talked to her? I think you need to stay away from her.”
I can’t. How could she tell him? “We chatted. She is pregnant. She wants you back.”
“The child is mine. I’ll do what I need to.”
“But the baby isn’t yours.,” she said louder than she wanted. If only she could go forward instead of backward. She’d be through all this. Frustration ate at her patience.
Zach frowned. “So the great Karnak knows that, too.”
Grace bristled at his tone. “No need to make fun. Dolores is in danger. In two nights, I think, someone is going to enter her home and shoot her. Have you checked out her new tenant?”
His back straightened. “I’m in the process of doing that. None of your concern.”
“He’d be a major suspect.”
Zach leaned back in his chair his arms crossed. “Why can’t you tell me who did it?”
“I can’t. I don’t have control over these things.”
“Is she really pregnant?”
“Yes, Za-Mr. Holten.”
“Then why didn’t she tell me? Dolores isn’t exactly one to back down from a confrontation. As a matter of fact I didn’t even confront her. I said it in passing conversation. Look, I have a pile of work to do so if you don’t have anything more specific to tell me about Dolores and her alleged killer I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Grace stood, knowing what her next move would be.
She needed to find out about Dolores’ tenant.
***
With Dolores at work, Grace was able to knock on the garage apartment door without prying eyes.
Too bad no one answered. She could see the furniture that came with the place and some boxes, but no other signs of life.
As she headed back to her car, her phone jangled. Mark’s cell number showed on her screen.
“Hey, Gracie.”
“Hey, Mark.”
“That wasn’t enthusiastic. Have I become a burden or are you having a bad day?”
“Bad day. I’ve rewound and everything is different again. I can’t even rent the apartment by Dolores.”
“Dolores?”
“I’m sorry, Mark, I’m speaking as if you rewound also. Dolores is the name of the person who is going to be killed.”
“I knew a Dolores once. Hot chick.”
“Unless you’ve lived in Glen Hills, New Jersey, I doubt you know her. Are you in California or on your way to see me?”
“Is that what I did last time?”
“Yes.” And professed your love. A love she couldn’t ever return. That part she certainly didn’t want to go through again. She could only hope that was different, too.
“Did you try to find out who the tenant is?”
“Yes, but she won’t tell me. I just knocked on his or her door with no answer.”
“Maybe he’s at work.”
“He?”
“Just a guess. So tell me about Dolores.”
“She’s pregnant. I don’t know who the father is. He’s my prime suspect, but I also think I need to find out about this tenant.”
“Why would this person be the killer? They didn’t rent the apartment last time.”