Five Minutes Late (27 page)

“Arf.”

Ellie laughed. “Guess it was meant to be.”

“Definitely.”

“How did he get the name Tofu?”
 

“A friend of mine owns a restaurant where I always eat tofu scrambles. He suggested the name and Tofu seemed to like it.”

She gave Cedric a kiss and eyed the pancakes. “That’s sweet.”
 

“The pancakes, the story, or my mouth?”

“All three. Yummy.”

After they stuffed themselves, Cedric cleared the table and stuck everything in the dishwasher. “I need to run and take care of some work, something I haven’t been doing much of lately. I’ll call you this afternoon to schedule our next rendezvous.”

“I’d like that.”

“Good!”

He kissed Ellie goodbye, tucked Tofu under his arm, and headed downstairs to his car.
 

Happy.

Yeah, that was an understatement.

Cedric had no more fears. He was one hundred percent sure about Ellie and it felt so exhilarating, he wanted to scream.
 

Unfortunately, his high was cut short by the siren behind him as he left Ellie’s place. He looked in his rearview mirror and saw the motorcycle cop behind him. He pulled his car to the shoulder as he waited for Vlad to approach the car. Now, he had to be more careful. Vlad was in uniform and had the power. That just about made Cedric sick to his stomach.

“You were doing forty-five in a thirty-five,” lied Vlad.

“I was actually going five miles
under
the speed limit so if you want to write me a ticket for going too slow, have at it. We both know the truth.”

“You calling me a liar?”

“I’m not saying anything. Obviously, I can’t do anything about this, so just write the ticket and I’ll be on my way.”

“Arf. Arf, arf, arf.”

Tofu was obviously a good judge of character and didn’t like Vlad either.

“Number one, watch your language. Number two, you’re not getting off that easy. And number three, tell your dog to shut the hell up.”

“Arf.”

“I’m okay with numbers one and three, but you’ll need to elaborate on number two.”

Vlad took off his sunglasses and leaned into Cedric. “Leave Ellie alone. Don’t even go near her again or you’ll have no chance of getting your old Papa George’s property.”

Cedric’s body tensed up and his eyes widened. He was hoping Vlad’s brother wouldn’t have a reason to mention Cedric. Obviously not.

Vlad crossed his arms. “I see I have your attention now.”

“You can’t do that.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. My brother is in charge of the sale of that farm, but
I
control my brother, giving me the power to approve who buys it. So back off or you lose the place.”

“You’re pathetic.”

Vlad grinned. “And don’t go getting any bright ideas. I have you under surveillance and if you are anywhere near Ellie, your deal will fall through.”

Cedric looked around and saw a man with sunglasses in a car across the street, staring at him. “Seriously? You’re having me followed? You’re a lunatic. She doesn’t want to be with you. Can’t you get that through your head?”

“Maybe she doesn’t. But if I can’t have her, neither can you. Stay away from her. You better not go to the library either.”

“I’m a volunteer at the library, I have to go.”

“Cancel it or Papa George’s place will be torn down and I’ll piss on the debris before they clear it away to build a strip mall.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Cedric was in need of a serious kick in the pants—must be that hole in his heart that was sucking his energy dry. He knew Vlad was serious with his threat and there was nothing he could do about it. Ellie was the best thing that had happened to him in a long time and now he was just going to give that up? Ellie had left him a couple of messages, but he didn’t return her phone calls and he felt like crap.
 

And Tony’s cheeriness at the farmers’ market wasn’t helping matters any. “Maria fucking rocks my world. I told you when I met her in the restaurant that she was the one!”

Cedric placed a few more baskets of cherries on the table and turned to Tony. “Wipe that look off your face. How many times have you gone out with her?”

“Twice.”

“And just like that, she’s the one?”

“I told you. I knew it
before
we went out. I’m a changed man.”

Cedric shook his head in disbelief. “This is very hard to believe.” Cedric watched as a woman approached. He leaned in to Tony, looking to test him. “What about her? What if she said she wanted to sleep with you right now? Would you do it?”

Tony didn’t even look up at the woman. “Not interested.” He turned to grab another crate of garlic from the bed of the truck.

Cedric was impressed that Tony didn’t even look at the woman. But maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise. Whenever Cedric saw another woman, he thought of Ellie.

The woman smiled and picked up a basket of garlic and stuck her nose in it.
 

“It’s the best,” said Cedric, confidently. “I guarantee it.”

“I believe you.” She squinted her eyes at him. “You look familiar. What’s your name?

“Cedric Johnson.”
 

“Did you go to San Jose State?”

Cedric raised his eyebrows. “Yeah. What’s your name?”

The woman held out her hand. “I’m Pamela Deville.”

“Nice to meet you. DeVille? Like the Cadillac?”

She smiled, still holding on to Cedric’s hand. “Just like it.”
 

“Sorry, I don’t remember you. What was your major?”

“I—” Pamela suddenly had a pained look on her face. “Oh God.”
 

She looked like she was going to pass out.

Cedric wrapped his free hand around her back to hold her up. “Are you okay?” Pamela leaned forward and slammed her face against his chest. Cedric used more of his arm to get a better grip on her back so she wouldn’t fall to the ground. “Hang on. I got you.”

She pulled her face from Cedric’s chest and blinked a few times. “I just got dizzy all of a sudden. That was weird. I’m sorry.”

“No need to be sorry. You okay?”

“I think so.”

“You sure? Can I let go of you?”

“Yeah, yeah, I think I’m fine.” She stood up straight. “I was in a hurry this morning and skipped breakfast. That probably wasn’t a good idea.”

Cedric pointed to a basket of cherries. “Eat some cherries to get something in your system.”

“No. I’ll be fine, thank you.”

“No charge.”

“You’re very kind, but no, I’ll be okay.” She kissed Cedric on the mouth and smiled. “Thanks, though, that was very sweet.”

Cedric stood there, motionless. What the hell just happened? He wiped his mouth, disgusted that a stranger kissed him.

As she walked away, Tony slapped Cedric on the back. “Dude, you don’t even have to try and girls just throw themselves at you.”

“I don’t care about her. I want Ellie.” He wiped his mouth again. “The problem is, I can’t have her because my promise to my mom is a priority.”

“I’d take the girl.”

“I can’t go back on my promise.”

“Vlad’s a dirty cop and he uses his authority and the system for his own interests. That’s bullshit.”

“I agree.”

An older woman approached the booth pushing a shopping basket on wheels.

“Good morning, Mrs. Grundog,” said Cedric. “How’s the family?”

She smiled and rubbed her belly. “The family is going to get bigger, Cedric.”

“That’s great.” Cedric went around the table to hug her. “Number seven. That’s a lucky number.”

“We’re lucky to have them.” She eyed a few baskets of garlic, chose one, and handed Cedric the cash.

Cedric pushed the money back in her direction. “It’s on the house. Congratulations.”

She put the cash back in her purse. “You’re too kind, Cedric. When are you going to meet a nice girl and settle down?”

“That’s the million dollar question.” He waved goodbye to her.

“I’ve got it!” Tony slapped his hand on the table. “Mr. Chronic Fainter.”

“Owen? What about him?”

“You said he was a PI.”

“And?”

“And you need to have him dig up some dirt on Vlad to use against him.”

Cedric sighed. “It’s not that easy.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s not.”

Tony slapped his hand on the table again and Cedric jumped.

“Quit doing that.”

“Call Owen.”

“No.”

Tony held out his hand. “Give me the phone, I’ll do it.”

Cedric didn’t answer.

“How much do you like Ellie?”

Cedric looked at Tony and shrugged. “To be honest, we’re past the
like
stage. I’m falling in love with her.”

“Then fight for her dammit. What does it hurt to call Owen? Nothing! If he says no, then no big deal, you’ve wasted a minute on the phone with him. Call him.”

Cedric pulled out his wallet to retrieve Owen’s business card. He dialed the number.

“Owen Fitzpatrick.”

“Owen, it’s me Cedric, got a minute?”

“Hello, Cedric. What’s going on?”

“Remember my situation?”

“Of course.”

“Well, would you by chance be free today sometime?”

“Absolutely. Where are you?”

“Right now, I’m at the farmers’ market in Willow Glen, but I can stop by later.”

“No, I’ll come see you. I’ll be there within the hour.”

“Perfect, thanks.”

Thirty minutes later, Owen approached Cedric’s booth, smiling. “Beautiful day.”

Cedric looked around. “That seems to be the mutual consensus because everyone is out.”

Owen held up an empty canvas bag. “And a great day to buy cherries.”

“They’re on the house today, thanks for coming by.”

“No worries. How can I help?”

Tony stepped forward. “Cedric is being blackmailed.”

“Is that right?” said Owen.

Cedric shook his head. “Blackmailed is such a strong word. I’m trying to buy my grandfather’s old property in Gilroy. Ellie’s ex said if I wanted to buy it, there were certain guidelines that needed to be followed.”

Tony waved his finger in the air. “That’s bullshit. He told Cedric to quit dating Ellie or he’d have no chance of buying the property. He’s a cop and his brother is the County Supervisor controlling the sale of the farm.”

“That’s blackmail indeed. Which County Supervisor?”

“Dominic Cunnings.”

Owen nodded. “Ah, I’ve heard of him. He got in trouble a few years back for accepting gifts from a general contractor in exchange for favors. They slapped him on the wrist, he returned the gifts, and that was the end of that.”

“Can you dig up dirt on him?”

“Tony watches way too much television,” said Cedric.

“On the contrary,” said Owen. “Some people make it easy. One case I was working on not too long ago, it took me exactly two hours to get evidence that the guy was cheating on his wife.”

“Will you do it?” asked Tony.

Cedric grabbed Owen’s canvas bag and placed two baskets of cherries inside. “You can’t just follow him until you see something odd. That could take months and I don’t have that much time.” He handed the bag back to Owen.

Owen smiled. “Thank you. It helps if I know what I’m looking for. If you know about some of his illegal activities, that would be ideal.”

“Ellie would know for sure,” said Tony.

“No. If he finds out she was involved, there’s no telling what he would do to her. The guy doesn’t seem stable to me. Forget it, this was a bad idea.”

“Can I get your card, Owen?”

“Of course.” He pulled a card from his wallet, handing it to Tony.

“No, Tony,” said Cedric. “I can’t take the chance of losing the property.”

“I’m just innocently asking a person for their business card.”

“I know you.”

Cedric had images of Vlad harming Ellie flashing through his mind and he shuttered.

Tony stuck the card in his wallet. “So, you’re just going to—”

“Forget it, Tony.”

Later in the evening, Cedric was at home, pacing back and forth in his kitchen. He stopped, took a sip of his coffee, and then continued with his pacing. Tofu’s head followed him back and forth, like he was watching a tennis match.

“I’m going to get an ulcer from this anxiety.” He looked over to Tofu. “Do you even know what anxiety is?”

Tofu wagged his tail.

“No, you don’t. You’re a dog and you only know how to eat, sleep, and poop. That’s it. Am I right?”

Tofu jumped up and walked over to Cedric who filled his cup with more coffee. He picked up Tofu and scratched him on the head.

“I wish you could help me.”

Tofu licked Cedric’s ear.

“I appreciate the effort, but a lick is just not going to cut it. You need to learn to speak.”

“Arf!”

“No dog talk. You need to learn to speak English.”

“Arf!”

“Okay, you don’t get it. Don’t you have another body part to clean?”

Cedric’s cell rang and he grabbed it from the counter.

“Hey, Michael.” He set Tofu back on the floor.

“I just got your message. Did you make a decision?”

Cedric let out a loud breath. “No, but I’ve worn a hole in the carpet, so at least I’m doing something productive. Or maybe that’s destructive.”

“Sorry. I wish I could help.”

“You can. Just tell me what to do so if I find out it’s the wrong decision in the future, I can blame you.”

Michael laughed. “You wish. Look, I know this is hard for you, but if it were me, I would choose a person over a property.”

Cedric put his coffee cup in the sink. “But I’m not really choosing the property, I’m choosing the promise I made to my mom. Which happens to be the property.”

“I know this may sound silly, but … why don’t you talk with your mom? Go to the cemetery if you have to. You may not get the answer directly from your conversation with her, but you may receive a sign.”

“What type of sign?”

“I have no idea, but there’s usually a sign if you look hard enough. So, just watch for it and pounce on it.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Two days ago.
 

Technically, two days, six hours and fifteen minutes.

That was the last time Ellie spoke with Cedric. It was such a wonderful time, followed by two days of doubt and uncertainty.