Her Eyes (22 page)

"Not at all."

Claudia noticed he seemed to be studying her. “Do I know you?” A slight frisson of fear. No, not fear, but something ... something ... a flash of memory, except it wasn't like a memory of her own. It was like looking at someone else's memory.

He studied her for a few moments before replying, “I don't think so, but I'll admit there's something familiar about you. Do you work around here?"

"No, I, uh, I don't work. We live a couple of blocks away.” Then she realized he was the man from the restaurant, but couldn't very well admit to seeing him there. It wouldn't be right. How would it look if she told this total stranger she'd been watching him while she was out with another man? A man she happened to be living with.

"Hmmm, did you grow up around here?"

"No. I'm originally from Montana. You ever been there?"

"No, to be honest I've never been farther west than the Mississippi."

"Pardon me, my name is Claudia."

"Frank, Frank White. Good to meet you, Claudia."

"You, too."

He motioned to a bench near them. He led the way and she couldn't help watching his body. There was something more to him, not just the restaurant, but another time. She couldn't wrap her mind around it. But the feeling was comfortable. More than comfortable. It was like coming home, and then the feeling passed.

They sat in companionable silence watching the dogs run and play, chatting lightly about the dogs’ antics, but otherwise not saying much. Claudia felt Frank's gaze on her more than once. There was nothing threatening. It actually felt kind of good, which made her wonder just what kind of person she was if she was sleeping with Mike and otherwise enjoying this man's company. As the dogs wound down and loped over to them Claudia stood.

"Well, I guess we should be heading home. Nice to meet you, Frank, maybe we'll see you and Win again some time."

"That would be great. Maybe arrange another ... what is it folks with kids call it? A play date, soon."

"I'm sure Bloop would like that."

They stood there, staring at each other a moment. She didn't really want to leave. His hesitation must've meant the same thing but staying any longer would be inappropriate. For a split second, she wished he would hug her, hold her like someone used to. Quick flashes went through her mind but nothing stuck. She led Bloop back down the sidewalk.

She couldn't actually know the man from the park. He would've recognized her and said something. He must remind her of someone else, someone from her past who she couldn't remember.

Arriving home, Claudia thought back on the afternoon. There was something familiar and comfortable about Frank White, but nothing she could put her finger on. Not just the little time she had watched him in the restaurant. It was something more. Something longer, more enduring. Whatever it was, something told her not to mention anything to Mike. He wasn't really possessive—protective, yes, but not possessive like...

"Oh damn! Damn, damn, damn!"

"Claud?"

"Mike! You're home!"

"Yeah, but what are you damning about?"

She walked into his arms and hugged him tight. “I had a memory, a glimpse of something, but it passed. I lost it as fast as I saw it."

"You'll remember sweetheart, you'll remember. I just know it."

Mike's words held an edge, like maybe he really didn't want her to remember. She squared her shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “I will remember. One day I'll be able to put all this together."

Mike looked over the test results, the variety of chemical compounds that had coursed through Jose's body. It had indeed been rat poison. The doctor at the hospital had called it correctly and in time to save Jose's life.

Now he had decisions to make. He brought in Catherine White and interviewed her. No doubt that she was a crazy bitch and probably capable of poisoning; however, there was no hard evidence connecting her to the incident. She was one of a hundred people that had access to the coffee and could not have been guaranteed a chance to add poison. Even prints on the coffee pot proved only that Catherine had a cup of coffee.

His instincts screamed that she was guilty but the DA wouldn't touch the case as is. He needed more. A search of the residence had turned up nothing except a woman that hadn't packed to leave yet, although, according to the owner of the home, she was supposed to be out by tomorrow morning.

Part of the problem wasn't just that Catherine was an excellent liar, from what Frank and one of the doctors at the hospital said she was more likely than not a sociopath. To add to his troubles, Mike found his focus divided. His mind kept drifting back to Claudia. His Claudia had been going out more, taking Blooper to the park two, sometimes three times a day. He had followed her yesterday and knew exactly where she had gone. No one met her either, but the way she continually looked around, she had hoped to see someone there. Yeah, she could be having memories or flashbacks, except she usually told him when she had one.

He didn't think she had cheated on him. A worse possibility came to mind. She might be reestablishing her old life, finding old ties. His fear was that she looked for an old love, someone that she missed. Damn it all, he was not going to lose Claudia now.

Claudia never showed any standard signs of being involved with another. They made love, she was attentive to him, but a distance felt more than seen stayed between them like a chasm, and if he didn't find a way to breach it, he might lose Claudia forever.

Mike balled his hand into a fist. He knew the adage about setting love free, but he had never been a fan of clichés. He had been there for Claudia, he had helped her when she left the hospital. It might be more noble to let a good deed be enough but it wasn't. He wanted Claudia. Had to have her. Losing her now wouldn't be fair.

He was stating to sound like that crazy chick, Catherine White. During their interview, she had ranted a few times that Frank was her husband, no matter what a paper said. At first, Mike thought her intense statements were due to some religious influence. She might consider divorce a sin. As their interview had continued, he found not a religious bone in her body, just a need to own, even people.

Ending up like her was unthinkable. Yet, he understood the desire. He wanted Claudia more than anything in the world, but part of him knew she belonged to someone else. She might love him, but she was in love with a man she couldn't remember.

Back to the case
. He had to focus on this because at the moment the only way he could imagine arresting Catherine would be to catch her in the act. That could mean hoping to catch her attempting murder before she accomplished the deed. He didn't like those odds and was completely against risking innocent life.

There were few options at this point. He might give that Frank White guy a call. If Mike couldn't have Catherine arrested, Frank needed at least a heads-up about the situation. Since Frank had been cleared of any suspicion, it would be best to have him keep his eyes open for any dangerous situations.

Mike pulled out Frank's business card with his cell number written on the back. It was pretty late in the afternoon, so hopefully Frank would have a few minutes to talk. He might even shed some new insights into a way to catch Catherine.

He dialed the number and waited. Soon Frank picked up, but it didn't sound like he was at a construction site. There were dogs barking and traffic noise. It almost sounded like the park Mike took Blooper to.

"This is Frank. Talk to me."

For a minute, Mike couldn't say a word. He waited, listening, wondering if he would hear Claudia's voice in the background. The assumption was illogical. His head was screwed up, that was all.

"This is Detective Malone. Just wanted to bring you up to date with the case."

"Yes."

"We don't have enough to make an arrest. I am a bit concerned that if you were the target of the last murder attempt, Catherine White might try it again. Isn't she supposed to be out of the house Monday?"

"She supposed to be out this weekend. I've asked a deputy to go out there Monday if she hasn't vacated yet. That's all I know to do."

"Good choice. Best to keep away from her."

In the background came a woman's voice. For a second he could've sworn it was Claudia, but that was absurd. She wouldn't be there with Frank. They didn't even know each other. Now he was just being paranoid.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Not unless you know where Catherine might keep a bag or box of rat poison with her fingerprints all over it."

"Sorry, sure don't."

"Keep your eyes open then. Let me know if anything unusual happens."

"Will do. Thanks."

Frank White seemed like a nice guy. Mike had pulled his complete history. The only trouble he had with the law was when a permit had not been properly filed and one of his jobs had to be shut down. Everything else about him was by the book.

Catherine White was a different story all together. She had been arrested for public intoxication in Vegas. She had a slew of speeding tickets and a few minor complaints about verbally abusing the officers. The biggest shocker was her arrest at Frank's home. She had a good chance of serving jail time for that one.

"I know you're violent. I know you're angry that Frank left you. What are you going to do about it next?"

He closed his eyes and tried to imagine himself in her position. The only thing that came to mind would be an accident at one of the sites. It would be the only safe way for her to have an alibi and Catherine would arrange a good alibi after the rat poison fiasco.

Frank had too many sites and kept odd hours. Mike couldn't watch him, and the department wouldn't spare the man hours on this. Too many couples threatened, even beat each other, only to turn around and get back together before the court date. It made serious crimes harder to prosecute.

"I'll get you, Catherine.” He spoke to the report with the chemicals listed, ones she had to have put in the coffee. “I will get you."

First, though, Mike wanted to get his own house in order. It was getting late and he wanted to take Claudia out to dinner. A little romance and hopefully she wouldn't worry so much about her past.

He picked up the phone and called home. It rang five times before the answering machine picked up. Claudia wasn't home again. He had a strange feeling she was with Blooper at the dog park.

Claudia anxiously waited while Frank finished his phone call. She tried to concentrate on the dogs and not the curiosity over who was on the phone. Frank never mentioned having a girlfriend, but he was handsome. It was hard to believe he wasn't dating someone.

Every day Claudia anxiously awaited seeing Frank. There were times she made several trips to the park, hoping that he would be there. She told herself she should feel guilty for stepping out on Mike, although they'd never spoken of a commitment. She felt guilty, like she was cheating on Frank.

When Frank started mentioning times when he would be bringing Win by, it should've made things easier, but she found herself going crazy trying to find the perfect thing to wear, trying to fix her hair just right. It wasn't like they were dating or anything but she loved seeing him. It was like he had become her instant best friend.

It wasn't like she was sneaking around that was something ... something ... she knew someone who snuck around on her husband. Who was it? Someone she knew well or had been close to. But who? The memory lingered at the fringes of her consciousness. Almost like she had been the one to cheat, but she wasn't married and had no memory of anyone but Mike and until now. No, this wasn't cheating. She and Mike didn't have a commitment. Yeah, Mike wanted one, but with the person, the parts of the person she was now. The person who was basically born just a couple of months ago. It sort of bothered her that he wasn't willing to wait, give her a chance to figure out who she was.

Somewhere, deep inside, was a memory of Frank.

Frank.

If Frank thought it odd that she always met him at the park, he didn't let on. It seemed like it was their place. Something about a park, not this one, but one almost like it. And while it couldn't be possible, the memories were of happy times with Frank. Frank in another place and time, secret giggles, plans made, dreams broken.

Frank finished his phone call and clipped the phone to his belt. He looked at her a moment and suddenly slapped his thigh. “I know where I know you from."

"You do?” Claudia felt hope swelling in her chest.

"Yup. A little over a month ago, at this little Italian restaurant. I saw you there with some guy ... your boyfriend?"

She wished he knew her from some other place. “Yes! I remember that. Yes, I was there with Mike.” She didn't want to say boyfriend. “Well, Mike's my roommate.” She knew Mike would be upset if he heard her call him only a roommate, especially since they no longer slept in separate rooms, but for some reason, she needed Frank to believe she was single and available. He was at least ten years older than her, but there was something about him, something so special and the last thing she wanted to do was lose him.

"Well I'm glad we figured that out. That guy, Mike, he's just your roommate?” Frank emphasized the word “just".

"Yeah.” She felt low for lying, but she couldn't tell Frank the truth.

Frank looked at her and appeared to be deep in thought. He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. For a moment, she thought he may have a secret he was also hiding. That wouldn't be though. She was the one with questionable morals here.

"Frank, this is going to sound really odd, but..."

"Yeah?"

"I feel like we've done this before, like we've known each other for years. Like we were best friends.” Something about that phrase hung with her, bringing a heaviness in her heart.

She watched an indefinable emotion cross his features, as if he knew something and then it faded. “I got to admit, I feel that way too. I've felt like we've known each other for years, a lifetime. But it can't be, you're a lot younger than I am and grew up in another state. Unless..."