Dangerous Game

Part 9

"I guess I should be angry with my father for having you follow me," I said looking at the man sitting across from me.

"Something tells me you were, but you let it slide. Life is too short," Paul replied. 

"Mmm-hmmm..." was all I could say as I was tearing into my veggie sub. 

I pulled over at the next stop just to talk to my father's partner, the man sent to follow me. 

"Now," I said, in between chewing and swallowing my sandwich, "How come you weren't surprised that I knew you were tailing me?"

"Detective Lopez already explained to me that he told you, and I can hear everything you two were talking about in the car, remember?" he said casually. 

"Wait..what are you talking about?" Then it hit me, dad had the car bugged as well. I cursed under my breath. 

"You kiss your father with that mouth," Paul smirked. 

"Whatever. What's your name?" I asked him.

"Paul," was his simple reply.

"Detective...tell me about yourself," I decided I needed to get to know my father's partner, see if he's trustworthy. 

"What exactly would you like to know?" he said with a half-smile.

I shrugged my shoulders, "Surprise me," I said nonchalantly. This was one handsome man but I couldn't let him know that. 

"Sure. I'll entertain you. I'm originally from San Jose, California. Love the beach and the ocean. My dad is from Morocco, the country in Africa..."

"North Africa...I know where it is," I interrupted him.

"Most people have never even heard of the place. Sorry," he responded. 

"I'm not most people and apology accepted. Continue," I added with the movement of my hand. As he was talking I noticed the same man from the previous stop, the one who was drinking coffee, was now ordering at the counter. 

"Are you listening to me or checking out that guy at the counter?" Paul grabbed her attention again. 

"Huh? No, I am listening to you. You just said that you have an aunt in Brooklyn who is letting you stay with her. Am I right?"

"Yeah..but what's got your attention?"

"That man," I motion with my head," was at the last stop I made. I don't think it's a coincidence that he's here too, what do you think?"

Paul took a deep breath, slowly and casually looked at the man. He did a quick look over with his eyes. Turned those exact brown eyes on her and made her stare at him for a second longer than necessary. 

"Do you want me to question him?"

"No, I want you to clean up and take the tray to the trash can. Then go to the men's room or something. I think he wants something from me. Let's see what it is?" I was in full investigation mode now.

"I can't put you in danger. Your father will kill me, "Paul replied shaking his head. 

I sighed and shook my head. "Trust me. He can't hurt me. Please just follow my plan. If you're worried walk towards the men's room but don't actually go in. Stand somewhere you can see me and get to me quickly if there's trouble," I said in a stern but low voice. 

Paul looked like he was having an internal debate with himself. "Fine," he snapped. 

I stood up and said in a subtle but loud voice that I was heading to the ladies' room and asked Paul where he would wait for me, at the car or here in the restaurant?

"I'll wait for you at the car, " he replied looking at my face then my lips. 

I smiled and walked away in the direction of the restrooms, knowing Paul wasn't going to let me out of his sight, I relaxed a little. I pretended to get a little lost and out of the corner of my eye, I saw the man slip out of the restaurant behind me and towards the ladies' room. 

"Can't surprise me, stupid," I mumbled under my breath. I sighed and headed towards the ladies' room. I wasn't surprised when I walked in and saw him waiting for me. Of course, I had to act surprised. "Oh..I'm sorry. Did I walk in the wrong bathroom?" I started to back out.

"No! Wait!" He yelled quickly. "Please, wait. I need to talk to you about Raul?" He said quickly.

"Who are you?" I asked quickly.

The guy ran his hands through his hair and blew out a heavy sigh. "I am the guy that was supposed to go with your brother to work on his case in Morocco. My name is Phillip Knoeman," he said quickly. 

"Well, now that we have the introductions out of the way, maybe you can tell me why you're following Maria?" Paul said as he walked stealthily inside behind me.

"Lock the door," I responded without turning around. "Now why are you following me?" I asked Phillip while assessing his looks. Tall, maybe 5'10'', Caucasian male, 26-28 years old, light brown hair, blue eyes, eyeglasses, broad shoulders, jeans, ACDC t-shirt, black sneakers. He seems to be fit. Ok, visual analysis done, I thought to myself. 

"I want to help find your brother," Phillip said while looking in Maria's eyes.  his eyes were a piercing blue and reminded her of the time she visited the ocean. 

"How do I know I can trust you?" I replied as I crossed my arms and got into a defensive stance. Paul looked at Maria with newfound respect. 

"This girl can hold her own," he thought to himself. "This Phillip guy seems too calm and composed for someone who is hiding," Paul thought. 

"Why are you hiding?" Paul blurted out. 

"Who says I'm hiding?" Phillip responded. 

"Well, you have facial hair, which is uncommon for lawyers. The vintage t-shirt and torn jeans, is probably not your typical lawyer attire. I'm positive those eyeglasses aren't prescription," Paul responded smugly. 

Phillip narrowed his eyes and said to Paul, "Who are you again?"

"Detective Paul Collins. You can call me Detective Collins," Paul responded sternly. 

I knew that I had to say something to diffuse the amount of testosterone in the small bathroom.

"Do you have any ID on you Phillip?" she asked politely. 

"Yea, yea, sure. Here," he said as he handed her his driver's license. But I did not move to take it. Only give Paul a look. Paul grabbed it and called someone on his cellphone. 

"Wait, who are you calling? Why are you on the phone?" Phillip said panicking. 

"It's standard procedure. We just want to make sure you have nothing to hide and to make sure you are who you said you are. Is something wrong?" I asked calmly. 

"Please hang up the phone," Phillip said nervously. 

"What's wrong Phillip?" Paul said as he held the phone to his ear listening to his voice messages.