Moth(15)

I extend my hand. “It’s nice to meet you Windy Lewis. Maybe I’ll see you around campus sometime.”

She smiles and starts to turn, but stops halfway. “Did you need a ride somewhere?”

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s a terrible idea to pick up a stranger?”

“You’re not a stranger. I know your name. Plus, I’m pretty tough. I know how to defend myself. My dad is a cop.”

I hadn’t gotten this far into my investigation. Now I’m more curious, even though I assume it’s a lie. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d really appreciate it. You can tie my hands up if it makes you feel more comfortable.”

She snickers. “You’re the one who should be afraid. I could be a serial killer.”

“If you were, you’d be the sexiest one this world has ever seen.” I can’t help it. Her large brown eyes are beckoning me to look into them like she’s hypnotizing me. I’m not usually this vulnerable around a woman, but I am cocky, and recent events have left me a bit more vulnerable than I’m used to. Sometimes I find that when extreme situations take a toll on me the only things to settle me down is a long night of beer and sex. Not that I have any intentions of being with her. For now she’s the suspect. I have to keep her at a distance, no matter how much I’d like to see her naked.

She doesn’t seem offended by my compliment. “Are you flirting with me?”

We take a few steps closer to her car. I consider apologizing. It’s what a good guy needing a ride would do, but something tells me this girl likes bad guys, so I don’t quit. “It’s possible.”

“Get in before I change my mind.”

I wait for her to unlock the door and climb inside. Later I’ll get a ride back to pick up my truck. It’s only ten miles. If the weather stays nice I might run to get in some exercise. I haven’t been able to work out in days, so I could use the stress relief. If I’m not getting *, I have to do something to work off my frustration.

We get a block away from campus before she speaks again. “So, you said you were new. What brings you to Virginia?”

“A change of scenery.”

“Where were you from before?”

“All over,” I truthfully respond. “My parents bounced around when I was young. Recently I lost someone close to me. My mom,” I lie. “Anyway, after a lot of soul searching I ended up here. I knew I needed to finish grad school and the new semester just started so the timing was right.”

“What’s your major?” She asks.

“Literature.” I can’t believe that’s my answer. I don’t know shit about books. I’ve always hated to read. There were three books in my life I somewhat enjoyed. Lord of the Flies, The Call of the Wild, and Barabbas. I’m sure none of those are on a college syllabus.

“Wow, my worst subject.”

“Really. You kind of look like the school teacher type.”

She flashes me an ornery grin. “Seriously?”

“Na, I’m just f*cking with you.”

“I’m studying to be a pharmaceutical scientist.”

“A scientist.” I pretend to be amused. “Don’t you need a pair of wide rimmed glasses and a pencil protector for your pocket?”

She’s laughing at me. “Of course. You seem like the jock type. If you must know, that’s a stereotype. I only know four people in my classes that own pencil protectors.”

I chuckle at her comeback. “Your boyfriend must be proud walking around with you on his arm. Although he might feel threatened you’re too smart for him.”

It’s quiet for a second. I take in the smell of her sweet perfume. I’d love to know if she’s sprayed some of it around the nape of her neck and imagine my nose brushing over the spot. It’s distracting and out of sorts for me. I’ve been with plenty of beautiful women. Maybe my attraction to her is a desperate plea. I don’t want this smart, career oriented woman to be guilty of anything, especially murder. “Actually, I’m not seeing anyone. I don’t have time for a boyfriend.”

Another red flag. She told the police Jamie was her boyfriend. She’s either lying to me, or she lied to them. Either way isn’t good. I hate that she doesn’t mention him at all, like he’s nothing but someone she wants to soon forget about. It’s difficult to sit next to her expecting the topic to come up, only to have it not exist.

“You mean to tell me someone as sexy as you are doesn’t have a guy to spoil her?”

She shrugs. “I never said I wasn’t spoiled, but there isn’t anyone with the title of my boyfriend. I don’t have time for drama.”

I snarl. So she has men that please her on the side. Lucky them. I can only imagine what it’s like to be them. Once again I’m becoming aware of how much her presence distracts me. I’m determined to find out what this bitch is hiding. It’s clear she’s not forthcoming with the truth. The only way to get to the bottom of it is to get closer to the source. Like it or not, I’m going to go against protocol. I’ve been given free reign for once.

I let the conversation go flat and wait a few minutes before I start to give her directions as to where to drop me off. Since I don’t want her to know I’m staying at a hotel, I take her to a neighborhood close to a few restaurants, after all, she thinks I’m late for work. She stops the car for me to get out. I step on the curb and lean back in. “Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it.”