Chapter 264 Cat and Mouse 20

Chapter 264 Cat and Mouse 20
Cat

She acted normal. I think that was the strangest thing. She smiled and chatted when I passed her table but she didn’t seek me out.

If she was really stalking me, which I knew because she had given me a fake name she was acting completely normal.

The Reapers wanted to send people to get her, I had said no. More than getting her off the street we needed answers. Or more specifically they did. If we scared her off now we would never get them or find out whether she was working alone or with Josh.

Ugh. I’d heard all about him. And he sounded disgusting. He was also meant to be dead. I hoped he was dead for all of our sakes.

It was only when almost every one else had left that I wandered outside again. Only this time I felt a little more at ease. My phone was recording in my pocket and somewhere I was praying that Psych was watching. He wouldn’t have had enough time to get upstairs before she turned up but I could almost feel his presence. It made me feel safe.

Stepping out, I took a deep breath and called out in my most cheerful voice. “Hey, we are just about to lock up and-“

A sob ripped its way out of her throat. Making me freeze.

“Are you ok?” I whispered, inching closer.

She sniffled. Wiping the back of her hand under her nose. “Yeah, sorry.” She scrubbed at her face. “I haven’t been able to look at the ocean since-“ she broke down into floods of tears again.

Coming to a stop opposite her, I stared at her in the light from the swinging lanterns over head. Horrified to find actual tears on her face.

She was actually sobbing. No one could fake the snot coming down her face and dripping from her chin.

“What’s wrong?” I didn’t want to feel sorry for her but it was impossible to not feel a flutter of sympathy.

“It’s nothing.”

Pulling out a chair I sat down with a sigh. “You’re out here alone crying in the dark and looking out over the ocean. Guy problems?” I probed. She didn’t answer me. “Girl problems?”

“Man. The most gorgeous visionary man.” She sobbed, each sound ripping out of her lips.

Like everyone else I had been filled in on her past. Was she talking about her husband? Who had been a fed before his body had been found?

“Girl.” I tried to keep my voice light. “You’re gorgeous. If he left you he didn’t deserve you.”

Finally she flicked her eyes to me. “He drowned.” She hiccuped , pointing out to the ocean. “Out there. Last summer.”

Not her husband then. If I had to put money on it. I would guess she was talking about Josh. I sent up a silent prayer of thanks that I was recording.

“Oh.” I reached out and touched her fingers with mine. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“Thank you.” Her voice sounded genuine. “We had only just got back together. He left once before and I moved in but it was always him. You know what I mean?” She gave a sarcastic laugh. “Oh you probably don’t. But he was the love of my life. I would do anything for him. Anyone else just didn’t compare. We were going to try again. He saw how much I loved him and -“ she shuddered. Dropping her face into her hands and sobbing loudly.

“I know how that feels.” I whispered. And it was weird because my heart actually ached for her. There was so much pain in her voice. She wasn’t faking that.

I wasn’t sure what angle she was playing but I still felt sorry for her. It was impossible not to.

“You do?” She peeked at me through the gaps in her fingers.

“Yes.” I took a deep breath. “I lost my husband several years ago. In a- road accident.” I wasn’t going to go into gory detail. She probably already knew them. “Love of my life. He was my first everything.”

Slowly she raised her head. “Will he be your last everything?”

I frowned, a line denting the skin between my eyebrows.

That was a strange question but I kind of understood it.

“Most probably.” I admitted with a sigh. “Grief is a weird thing. But I promise you it will get better. You just have to take one day at a time.”

Her lips trembled. “Thank you. I’m glad I came here tonight. I don’t have anyone to talk to that understands.”

I remained silently at that. It felt like there was an opening here. A way to get The Reapers the information they wanted.

“Here. Pass me your phone.”

She stared at me confused and then handed it over. I typed my number into it and saved it. “My phone is dead right now.” I said quickly. “But if you need to talk just call me ok. We will get through this together.”

For a second she stared at me. “You’re so nice Cat,” she said and her voice slushed almost apologetic. “I should go. Thank you again.”

I didn't help her  get back to her car, instead I stayed where I was. Only pulling my phone out to stop the recording when I was sure she was gone.

“Did you catch all of that?”

There was a flicker of a lighter and then a glowing orange ember , a second later a tall figure dressed in black stepped out of the shadows. “Yeah I got it all. And so did you, didn’t you. You clever girl.”

I basked in his praise. “Thanks. I thought it was a great idea.”

His eyes flashed under his hood. “It was a stupid idea. A fucking foolish stupid idea Cat.” He strode forward. Gripping my chin in his rough fingers and tilting my head up. “You could have been hurt being out here alone with her.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “I knew you would protect me.”

He rolled his eyes. “Oh I can protect you now huh?” His grin grew. Flashing white in his face. “And who is going to protect you from all the things I’m going to do to you tonight?”

My cheeks heated. “Who says I want or need protecting ?”

Psych stared at me; rolling his lips over his teeth. “Get your ass upstairs.” He growled out finally. “Because if I catch you I am going to bite it.”

I giggled, “promise?” I teased.  I shouted to the staff that I was heading up and took off at a jog, knowing he would be right behind me. 

“Yeah.” He said breathlessly. “Yeah I fucking promise.”