Watching

Part 2

2.

Another weekend was beginning.

He had decided to watch more carefully this time, beginning on Friday evening. He was parked across the street from the 1-6, in an inconspicuous rental car. He knew she was still in, probably still working on a case. He had seen her partner leave earlier. He had a wife to get home to, and he guessed a few kids as well. He had not checked out the partner. He was married so he knew she would keep her distance. Just like she had before. Her partner would not be part of her weekends.

It was late. He was beginning to think she was going to spend the night at the station. Then she emerged. He gasped. She had changed into a stunning black evening gown that spilled down to her ankles. A side split revealed part of a long leg and the high heels she was wearing only accentuated the length of her legs. Her black woollen coat reached her hips. It was hanging open, revealing the low cut V-neck to him before she pulled the coat around her. She seemed to shiver a bit in the cool November breeze and hurried over to a black car that must have been waiting for her. He could not see the driver. As she got into the car, he started his engine to follow them.

It wasn't a long drive and they ended up in the EastVillage. He passed them, pulled over half a block away and watched her get out of the car in his rear view mirror. The car drove off immediately and she started walking in the same direction. He ducked a little in his car when she passed it but she did not notice him. He did not want to start his engine while she was within hearing range and waited until she had turned right into a side street. He drove past the side street slowly and managed to catch a glimpse of her entering a bar with a man. He guessed the man had been waiting outside for her.

The street was too narrow to allow parking and he drove on for another block. After parking the car, he slowly walked back, wondering what he should do. He wanted to know who she was with but he couldn't very well go peeking inside. She would see him, he was sure of it. She was trained to always be alert and be aware of her surroundings, even while she was on a date. Maybe especially when she was on a date. But he wanted to see her. Especially when she was on a date. His heart started beating a little faster as he approached the bar. He had never been there before and glanced inside while walking past it. He was also trained to take in his surroundings and just the quick glance told him there was a quite large bar in the centre, with stools on all sides, and there were private booths along the walls of the room. He quickly decided to go in and find a seat in one of the private booths. He wasn't sure where she was but the lights were dimmed in the bar and he expected to be able to sit down before she would notice him.

It worked. As he entered the bar, his eyes scanned the room and he saw her with the man at the far end of the bar. Her back was turned to him. He quickly found an empty booth and scooted in, his back turned to where they were. He took out his phone and pretended to check his messages while switching on his front camera. He used the camera to peek around his seat. He could not resist pressing the record button and waited a few seconds before putting his phone down in front of him on the table. A waitress came over and he ordered some tea. Then he played back his recording.

She was smiling at the man and they looked like they were having fun together. He could hear her laughing now and it sent a chill down his spine. He could not see the man very well in his recording. He was tall and he had dark hair and a dark beard. That was about it. He was also dressed formally and he guessed they were meeting up here to go elsewhere later on. She had taken her coat off and he could now see that her dress was sleeveless. She looked absolutely stunning.
The waitress brought his tea over and he drank it slowly, resisting the urge to look behind him. He could hear her voice every now and then. They sure laughed a lot.

He was nursing his second cup of tea when they suddenly passed his booth together and headed out the door. He got up as casually as he could, leaving some money on the table. He didn't follow them outside immediately. He waited to see in which direction they were walking. He watched them turn left and walk away, arm in arm. He left the bar and also turned left, walking slowly to increase the distance between him and the couple some more. He heard the man laugh out loud and his laugh echoed in the street.

He didn't like him already.

Because he was with her.

Detective Olivia Benson.