Meeting Destiny (19 page)

He kept his eyes on Rachael the whole time, reminding me of a jaguar on the prowl, paying the same attention to me that he would a bush or a tree. “I’m Paul,” he spoke very proper English, and sounded so nervous that his words came out stiff.

Rachael quickly introduced us both, “I’m Rachael and this is my friend, Lauren.” He glanced in my direction briefly then refocused all of his attention on Rachael.

“
I am very pleased to meet you both. Are you waiting for your boyfriends?”

Rachael too eagerly replied, “Oh, I don’t have a boyfriend, and Lauren’s meeting hers later. We’re just here hanging out and shopping today.”

“
I can’t believe that a girl as pretty as you does not have a boyfriend? You are teasing me.”

Paul was making my skin crawl. He was very polite and I have to admit - devastatingly handsome, but something was off. I couldn’t let Rachael be alone with him. I glared at him hoping he would take the hint and find a way to politely excuse himself. I knew he could feel my stare, but paid no attention to it.

Rachael giggled at his line, buying it hook, line, and sinker. “No, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Paul rubbed his eyes with both fists, over exaggerating the movement, “There must be something wrong with my eyes. I am looking at the most beautiful girl in the place and you tell me you do not have a boyfriend? This is my lucky day! Where would you like to go, what would you like to do? I must celebrate my good fortune!”

The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood up, my stomach physically hurt, and I knew without a doubt if I allowed this to go any further, I’d get physically ill. Rather than take the chance that my staring daggers in his direction would dissuade his advances on Rachael, I bitterly responded, “Actually Paul, this is a girl’s day out, so you may have to celebrate by yourself. I hear the arcade has a special token bonus offer going on.” My voice was cold and my tone undeniably hateful.

Rachael was still under this loser’s spell, “Oh, come on, Lauren, I’m sure Paul and his friend would be a great help shopping.”

Fury engulfed me as I could see for the very first time, Rachael was really not taking me seriously. “Rachael, I need to go to the restroom. Come with me.”

She rolled her eyes in my direction, “All right,” to me. She turned her attention back to Paul, “You’ll be here when we come back, right?”

“
Absolutely, I will anxiously await your return.”

Rachael and I went down the long hallway and made our way into the restroom. As soon as we were two steps inside, she fiercely expressed her frustration, “Lauren, stop it. I know you get these weird feelings sometimes, but drop it! I don’t care what you say, I like him. Do you mind taking the bus home? I’d really like to hang out with Paul, and you obviously don’t care for him, so it might be better if you just left.”

Taken aback by her conclusion that I was just being difficult, and it would be better if I left them alone, I asked, “Are you nuts? Name one time that I’ve ever been wrong. This Paul is a snake. I wouldn’t leave you alone with him for a million dollars. Friends don’t leave friends with creeps. I’m sure that’s a rule in some friendship handbook or something.” Trying to lighten the mood did no good, and I could tell she really wanted me to leave. “Not a chance, Rachael, I’m staying.”

“
Fine, stay, but not one more word about him. I have a real feeling about him. Everyone is entitled to one mistake, and this is obviously yours. He is gorgeous and he likes me. Don’t ruin this for me.”

“
Rachael, I’ve never been wrong. I’ll humor you on this, but I won’t leave you alone with him, deal?”

“
Okay, deal! Let’s go!” Rachael all but sprinted out of the bathroom. She was back to the table in no time, enthusiastically asking Paul, “So, when is your friend supposed to be here?”

Paul smiled an awkward smile, “I hope you won’t hold it against me, but I just said that so you wouldn’t think badly of me for wanting to join you two.”

Perfect…a self-confessed liar. Warning bells were going off in my head, as if I needed any more reminders of how bad an idea it was for Rachael even to be talking to this guy. The banter between them took off while I concentrated on a strategy to get Rachael away from him.

“
See, she doesn’t mind. We’ll be right back.” The malevolence in his face was unmistakable, and it felt as though I had just been punched in the gut. Unsure of the exchange between the two of them, I quickly asked, “I’m sorry, what?”

“
Paul was just telling me about his car. It’s a Porsche. I want to go take a look. We’ll be right back.”

Before I could file a protest, they were both up and out of their seats headed for the door. I was fuming at Rachael for ignoring our agreement. She shot me a cross look indicating that I was to stay behind.

I have never been wrong. What’s the worst thing that can happen if I stay here? I don’t even want to think about it. I jumped up from my seat and ran to the door. My eyes scanned the parking lot from left to right. At first I didn’t see them, but then I saw them walking in between cars two rows away. I gave chase, shortening the gap between us to just ten feet.

They were talking quietly, so I couldn’t hear them, but as long as I could see Rachael, I was sure she’d be fine. I replayed the conversation with Rewsna and her explanation of a temptation. That must be what Paul is to Rachael. I’ve never felt more protective of her in my entire life. The conversation I had on the bus less than an hour before immediately became crystal clear. It was my responsibility to get him away from Rachael.

Without a word, I walked to the back of the car, keeping my distance so Rachael wouldn’t be any more furious with me. I was confident that no matter the danger she could potentially be in with this guy, he would not try anything with me watching. At least, that’s what I hoped. As my mind started running through all the worst case scenarios - I did the only thing that came to mind.

What guy our age drives a Porsche, anyway? Without any hesitation, I called the police and confessed, “I saw a suspicious man near a white hard-top Porsche, and I was worried it might be stolen. He’s at the mall hitting on my friend and I’m worried for her safety. Would it be possible for me to give you the license plate number and you can tell me if I’m overreacting?”

The dispatcher asked if this was some sort of prank. I assured her it wasn’t. I gave her my name, phone number and location. After she was confident that this wasn’t some stunt, she answered, “Read me the plate.” I did and she stated, “Hold on, please, the system’s pretty slow today.”

It felt like I was on hold forever as I watched Paul and Rachael standing less than twenty feet from me. The dispatcher came back on the line, “Lauren, where are you right now?”

“
Outside Northwoods Mall, in parking area 117A, about half way down the row.”

“
Lauren, you need to stay away from him.”

“
He’s talking to my friend Rachael by the car.”

“
Get her away from him. The police are on their way. Get her away now.”

In my most booming voice, I yelled, “Rachael, your mom’s on the phone. You were supposed to pick up your little brother from soccer practice. She wants to talk to you, now.” I waved my phone in the air knowing that this was the fastest way to get her over here.

She rolled her eyes and raised her index finger to him in a gesture saying, “Just a minute,” then she walked over to where I stood. I handed her the phone.

In a theatrical tone she protested into the phone, “Mom, you didn’t say you wanted me to pick Zack up today. I’m at the mall with Lauren. Why can’t you or dad get him?”

I endured a long silence as the dispatcher was talking directly to Rachael. I kept my eyes on Paul the entire time, making sure that he made no sudden movements. He really seemed not to sense anything was out of the ordinary. Within minutes three police cars were pulling into the parking lot. Without so much as a word or a glance in his direction, Rachael tugged on my shirt sleeve and began walking farther away from her handsome friend. I heard her say, “Yes, they’re here now, thanks.” Rachael disconnected with the dispatcher and handed me the phone.

Bewildered at what had happened in less than five minute’s time, “Wow, Lauren, when you’re right, you’re right. The car is stolen and the person they think stole it is the suspect for a double murder.”

Rachael and I stood in an awkward silence waiting to see if the police needed to talk to us. She didn’t look up from the pavement for a really long time, then in a hushed tone, so that anyone outside of two feet from us wouldn’t hear, “How do you do that?”

“
I don’t know.” The hair on the back of my neck was tamed again, and I was relieved that the whole incident had ended so quickly.

“
Maybe we could get you in a circus side show or something.” I quickly looked in her direction to catch her smiling. Evidently the fear was short lived, and she had accepted these events as a normal occurrence. Even though this was the most acute use of my perception she had ever witnessed, I believe she was aware well before today that my senses were very sharp. We watched as a policeman slammed Paul up against a police car, searched him for weapons, handcuffed him, and escorted him to the back seat of a squad car.

It looked like we wouldn’t be needed for anything, so I thought we’d be able to escape back into the mall without so much as a wave, when a policeman did finally walk in our direction. He asked, “Which one of you is Lauren?” I identified myself, and he followed with, “Miss, I’m not sure why you thought to call the emergency line when you did, but I wanted to tell you, your instincts are amazing.”

“
When I got the call from dispatch, I heard your name, then I saw your name come across the computer screen in my car. You’re the same person who was shot at Tasty Burger a few months ago, right?” I nodded shyly, expecting that he might think I was involved as more than a victim in both incidents. Realistically, what are the odds that the same person would be involved in two completely different criminal acts as simply a bystander only a few months apart?

The officer continued, “You are like a one person law enforcement agency.” His broad smile beamed, as he took my hand to shake it. “If you’re interested, I believe we can get the chief to waive the waiting list and get you into the academy in the next session.”

Never having considered a job in law enforcement, the idea seemed exciting. “I hadn’t thought about it before, but I’ll think it over,” was all I could manage to say.

“
Fair enough, but I want you to know that I know veteran cops who don’t have the instincts you have for criminals. Just keep us in mind. The dispatcher already has all the contact information for both of you. The city attorney may phone you if your testimony’s required. And Lauren - I wouldn’t be surprised if this hit the media. You are becoming our poster child for crime prevention.”

“
Oh no, I don’t want to be involved. Can you keep me out of this?” My voice was pleading with him. My parents completely freaked out about the TV crews asking for interviews after the robbery. I could just imagine what it would be like if they found out I had anything to do with helping catch a murderer.

His voice was solemn, “Sorry, Lauren, but your name went out over the radio. Anyone with a police scanner knows that you phoned this in.” He paused for a second and then offered, “I can give you a lift home and try to get there before any of the news media knocks on your parents’ door. I actually got assigned to your house when you were in the hospital, after the shooting, for crowd control.”

“
No, that’s okay, I’m not ready to go home yet.”

The officer handed me a card with his name and phone number, “If you ever need a police escort, give me a call.” I thanked him, and he walked back to his police car.

Rachael and I walked slowly back to the mall. She was talking a mile a minute, but I was only catching every few words. My mind was in a different place. What had Rewsna told me when she wouldn’t let me follow her off the bus? “Keep to your path.” Emotions flooded in as I realized that she had known this was going to happen. She wanted me at the mall. What would have happened if I hadn’t followed my path? I shuddered when I thought of the possibilities.

“
Hey, Rachael, could you give me a ride downtown?” I realized, after saying this, that Rachael had been in mid-sentence, I had just cut her off.

“
Uh, sure, where to?”

“
I need to go to the market. I just need a ride there, I can take the bus home.” I’m sure through her constant babbling that she was likely thinking about how close she had come to real danger today.