Soul Mate (The Mating Series) (19 page)

“I understand, but I have no one else to care for me
,” I said. “I have nowhere else to go, either.”

“Can’t you stay with your dad?” Cho asked. He obviou
sly knew my mom was dead. “At least until this blows over?”

“You’
re the second person to ask that,” I said, thinking about Ben earlier. “My dad lives in Texas and It won’t look good if I leave the state right now.”

Cho shrugged.
“If it’s for your safety.”

“Like you said, how do I convince a judge?”

“True, it would look suspicious.”

“I don’t know what this guy wants from me?
I’m not a prostitute and I don’t have anything that he’d want.”

“Jimmy thinks you know this person.”

“I’ve only spoken to, maybe, two other men since this case started and they’re cops.”

“
It’s impossible to allow Jimmy to move in with you.” Cho thought rubbing his chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Why don’t you stay at Jimmy’s place?”

“
I couldn’t impose,” I said.

“I’m surprised Jimmy didn’t mention it
,” Cho said.

I was tethered to my apartment the same as my mother. I never considered relocating because of the uncertainty of Mom accompanying me. I couldn’t imagine Mom being stuck in the green room. If she couldn’t follow me to another place she would hate it. I hated to admit it most times, but I liked having Mom as company. I wandered if Jimmy knew how I felt
, even if I didn’t. “Maybe I could stay at the condo, temporarily,” I said. Someday, I hoped to be married. I couldn’t stay in my little one bedroom. I would eventually have to say my goodbyes to Mom. I didn’t want to think about that day. Right now, I needed my Mom; she was my voice of reason, even when unwanted.

“Cassie?” Cho asked “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” I replied, shaking my thoughts.

“You look upset
,” Cho said. I didn’t know whether Cho knew about my life and my mom or not.

“
I’m fine,” I said, “Just thinking.”

When we finished eating, Cho paid for his meal and stuck out his hand, “Your coffee was a buck-seventy.”
I would have offered the money, but it annoyed me how he expected it. Cho wasn’t Jimmy.

We didn’t talk much on the
drive to my home. Cho perplexed me. I couldn’t tell if he approved of me or not. He warmed to me a little over lunch, but he still didn’t seem to like me.

I told Cho that I
wouldn’t to stay at Jimmy’s until after he was released. Cho planned to stay at the condo and I didn’t want to be alone with him. Cho’s stares and sarcasm made me feel uncomfortable. I would sleep better alone in my cozy home than in Jimmy’s place with his brother, even with the threat of danger.

Cho walked me to my door. When we got to my apartment
, the maintenance man worked to finish my new door. “Ms. Williams, I’m glad you’re home. I changed the deadbolt too. Here’s the key,” the man said.

“Thank you
,” I said.

“Is this door secure?” Cho asked.

“It’s as secure as the last door.” That didn’t make me feel better. My intruder had no problems breaking in the old door.

“Could you provide a heavier door?” Cho
asked.

“Not on a Sunday
,” the man replied. “If the tenant wants to buy a heavier door she can, but this will have to do for now.” The man glared at Cho. I could see he wasn’t pleased by a weekend call.

“It’s fine
,” I said, placating. “Thank You.”

“Try the key to make sure it works
,” the man instructed. “I don’t want a call later.” I tested the door and lock several times. It appeared to work. I signed the work order for the maintenance man and sent him on his way.

Cho followed me inside and took in the destruction. “Man, what a mess
,” he said.

“Trust me it was worse earlier.”

Cho pointed
. “It was worse than this?”

“Yes, I was in the process of putting everything back when you called.”

“It doesn’t look like you got much done.”

“I got a lot done and Ben helped…” I stopped mid-sentence. Cho caught the comment and rounded on me.
Crap!

“Ben?” Cho
asked, eyebrows raised.

“Detective King
,” I stammered, “He cleaned up the mess from the refrigerator.”

“You had a cop here?” Cho
asked. “I thought I said
not
to talk to the cops?”

“That was before everything happened
,” I said, shrinking back.

“I think you need to tell me
what you did last night,” Cho said, evenly.

“It’s a long story
,” I said.

Cho looked at his watch.
“I have the time.”

“After I hung up with you last night, Jane, a resident at Mary House, called. She said I needed to get there.”

“…and you went.” Cho huffed. I could tell he was frustrated with me. 

“Yes, I went over there to find out what was going on. I had no idea that Mary had been killed or that Jimmy was arrested there. You didn’t tell me any of that
,” I said.

“I didn’t know until I arrived today.”

“I assumed it was a fight between the women or something. How was I to know?” I shrugged. I told Cho about the events at Mary House and explained how Ben brought me home. I described the state we found my apartment in, and how I completely fell apart.

“Then he spent the night here…w
ith you, unconscious in your bed,” Cho said, glaring at me. Cho’s expression said he thought I was a child.

“Yes
,” I said. “I didn’t know he stayed here all night. I was completely out.” Cho eyed me suspiciously.

“What?” I demanded.

Cho exhaled. “Nothing.”

“
You’re looking at me like I spent the night cheating on Jimmy.”

“I didn’t say that, but…” Cho looked around and then gave me a doubtful look.

“That’s right, there was no intruder. I made it all up. Truth is that I messed
up my place screwing the cop like an animal! Christ Cho!” I growled. Cho made me so mad. Irritated, I kicked at the debris.

“I didn’t say anything!” Cho barked, but he was fighting a smile.

“You’re giving me that look.” The same look Park Min gave me at dinner. That look that said,
you aren’t good enough
. I sighed. “I love Jimmy with all of my heart. I didn’t invite Ben to spend the night. I don’t know what the hell he did while I slept.”

“I’ll tell you what he did
,” Cho said. “He went through your stuff…everything! If he found something it would be admissible in court because you allowed him in and he’ll testify that he had probable cause to stay because you were incapacitated.”

“What would he find?”

“Shit Kiddo, I don’t know!” Cho exclaimed. “He could have planted something, and say he found it here. You couldn’t deny it. Do you know what you’ve done?” Cho rubbed his forehead in frustration.

“Who in the hell is he?” Mom asked
, appearing in a Japanese flight Kimono.

“Jimmy’s brother.” I replied
, absently.

“Yes, I am Jimmy’s brother
. What about it?” Cho asked, giving me a weary expression.

Oops
!
I forgot Cho couldn’t see or hear Mom. “Uh…I said you’re upset because You’re Jimmy’s brother.”

“Nice save
,” Mom said.

“
I’m not upset because of that. As your attorney, I advised you
not
to talk to anyone.” Cho paced, almost tripping on trash. “Instead you show up at a crime scene, bring the investigating officer home with you, and then you leave him alone for…I don’t know…ten hours to search your premises.”

“He didn’t do that. I watched him the entire time
,” Mom said, indignantly. “I wouldn’t have let him snoop.”

“He wasn’t alone.” I relented.

“You weren’t watching him. He was alone. Unless there’s something you’re not telling me.”

“Cho, how much has Jimmy told you about me?” I asked.

“Lots of stuff,” Cho said.

“Has he ever told you how we met?” I asked.

“At a psychic fair or something,” Cho answered waving his hand. “I don’t remember the details.”

“Did he tell you about my mom?”

“Yes, she’s dead. What does this have to do with anything?”

“I met Jimmy because my dead mother haunts
this apartment. I was referred to him for help.” Cho looked at me wide eyed then he suddenly looked around. “She’s over there.” I pointed at the space were Mom stood. “You can’t see her. Only Jimmy and I can see her.”

“She’s standing there
?” Cho pointed. “Right now?” Mom stuck her tongue out at him.

“Yes and she’s sticking her tongue out at you.” I laughed. “You see
, Mom followed the cop all night while I slept. She says he didn’t do anything out of line.”

“What if he would have?” Cho asked. “Could your mom have stopped him?”

“Well, she can move objects and make noises, typical poltergeist stuff.” Mom kicked over some books stacked on the floor. “I just stacked those. Don’t make more of a mess trying to get Cho’s attention.”

“They just fell over
,” Cho rationalized.

“Ha, I’ll show you
,” Mom said and threw a book at Cho. It flew past his head and hit the wall.

“Seriously?” I
asked. “Mom you’re being childish.”

“I don’t like his tone with you. He may be Jimmy’s brother, but he’s not nearly as polite.”

“What?” Cho asked.

“Mom says you’re not as polite as your brother.”

Cho sniffed, angrily. “I’m trying to protect your daughter’s rights,” he said to the air. “I can’t do that politely.”

“Mom watched out for me last night. If she says Ben didn’t do anything
, then I believe her.”

“Your mother can’t always watch out for you
,” Cho said and then asked, “Can she?”

“No.”

“Then you have to follow my advice,” Cho said. “For Jimmy, if not for yourself.” I nodded in agreement. Cho looked over his should as if expecting another book. “Now, I think I’ll go before your Mom’s aim gets better.”

“She was trying to make a point, not hurt you.” I laughed.

“Never the less, I need to go.” Cho clasped my hand. “I’m not trying to be an ass.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“If you need anything or if anything happens call me.” He held up a finger. “First.”

“I will
,” I promised. “I won’t dial 9-1-1 until I’ve cleared it with you.”

“Okay, if you have an emergency, call the police first, but don’t
talk
to them unless it’s an emergency.”

“Very well
,” I said.

“Jimmy’s arraignment isn’t slated until one-thirty tomorrow.” Cho looked at his watch. “I have to call my parents before they head out
for Sunday bridge club.”

“I’
m glad you have to make that call,” I said.

“I wish I didn’t.” Cho heaved a sigh, “but there’s no other option.” Cho left.

After I changed into something more comfortable, I continued the task of cleaning my house. I returned everything to its proper place. The idea of a stranger touching my unmentionables made me shiver. I laundered everything, clean or dirty. By evening, I had all, but a good vacuuming, completed.

I summoned a taxi to retrieve my car. Remnants of
an investigation remained on the property. The doors chained and locked. Yellow and black caution tape marked an X across the entrance. The tape blew from the windows like streamers. I avoided close examination so not to get upset again. As I started out of the lot, I noticed the BMW gone. I assumed either Cho claimed it or it had been impounded. I really hoped Cho took it. A nice car would be stolen in that neighborhood. I drove home.

I arrived home to find another flyer from
The Holy Covenant of the Apostle Church.
These people don’t give up.
I opened it. A rust colored stain bled through the paper. I turned it over and read the word
Whore
. I jumped inside and locked my door. Breathing heavy, I turned, and saw Mom. Startled, I screamed.

“Cassie, I didn’t mean to startle you
,” Mom said.

“It wasn’t you
,” I said. “This was stuck in the door.” I opened it to show Mom.

“That looks like blood
,” Mom said.