Robbery in Progress

Two

After that man left the coffee shop, I took one last sip and sat the empty cup on the counter for the barista to clean up. I walked outside and saw the man there, again.

"You do realize I am a cop, right?"

"Yes?"

"Well, it would not be a smart idea to stalk me then."

"I am doing no such thing." I look around and then back at him.

"Do you need a ride?"

"What?"

"Come on, not again. You did not drive here, did you?"

"No, I did not."

"Do you not have a car or do you just enjoy walking places?"

"Both actually."

"Well, where are you headed?"

"I'm going back home."

"Want a ride there?"

"Don't you have to get to work?"

"I do, yes. I do have some extra time, though."

"Oh."

"Yeah, so do you want that ride?"

"With you? Of course." I unlocked my car and we both walked to open the doors. I glanced up just long enough to catch him smiling at me as we got inside.

"Just tell me when I should turn so I can get you home."

"Okay." I noticed that he kept looking at me and it was kind of making me a bit uncomfortable.

"What is it?"

"Would you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Go for it."

"Why are you like this?"

"Like what?"

"Well..."

"Oh, just be honest. Say what's on your mind."

"Well, okay then. You have been so rude when I have tried to talk to you and yet, you offer me a ride home? Why is that?"

"I am not rude. I just know what I want and don't want. I offered you a ride as a friendly gesture, hoping that it will get you to stop stalking me." I gave him a quick smile and turned my head back to the road.

"Make a left up here." I nodded.

"You asked me a question. It's only fair that I ask you one now."

"That's true. What would you like to ask?"

"I want to know why it is that you keep trying to talk to me."

"Oh."

"Well, what's your answer?'

"You need to turn right up ahead."

"Okay."

"We're here." I pulled the car over to the curb and shut it off.

"I would like to know the answer."

"Do you have time to go inside?"

"I probably don't honestly." He got out of the car and I proceeded to do the same.

"Thanks for the ride home."

"No problem." He put his hand on his neck, rubbing it a bit.

"What is it? Something you want to ask?"

"Yes, there is."

"Well, you answer my question and then you can ask yours."

"Why do I keep trying to talk to you? Well, even though you try to shut me down, there's just something about you that I can't get out of my head. Ever since the robbery when you showed up and I saw you, you have been what I have thought about. I don't know how to explain it, but that's the truth."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Would you like to ask your question now?"

"I'm not sure I should. I probably know the answer already."

"Just ask. Trust me. I mean, what could it hurt?"

"That is true. Well, would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?"

"Dinner?"

"Yes. I will cook it, too. You already know where I live so that is simple enough. I don't have a car so clearly I wouldn't be able to pick you up." He chuckled a bit at his comment. Everything from my past relationships was running through my mind and I did not want to ever get hurt like I had been before. Something inside me, though, made me answer differently.

"Although that would be different from my regular routine, I don't see what harm it could do."

"Is that a yes?" I nodded. He immediately gained a smile on his face.

"Now, what is your name again?"

"Did you really forget?"

"No, guy with two first names."

"It's Derek." I nodded and smiled as I opened my car door.

"I'm Jen by the way." I got inside and started the car. Out of the mirror, I could see him waving and then he disappeared into the distance. When I got to the police station, my uniform was already on from the morning. I always put it on before I grab my coffee. No sense in time wasted. I went to my desk when I got there and could feel someone looking at me.

"Jen?'

"Yes?"

"Do you know what time it is?" I checked the computer for the time.

"I didn't realize."

"Clearly you didn't. This is unlike you. This is the latest you have ever been here. You're always the first one here after boss man."

"I guess I took a bit longer this morning getting my coffee."

"Sure."

"What? Do you not believe me Paul?"

"No, I don't. You always take the same amount of time getting your coffee almost every morning. Something else happened this morning. What was it? Must be good if you lied to me about it."

"It's none of your business."

"No." He said, shocked.

"What?"

"A guy? You know I do have a teenage daughter myself and this is the same way she acts whenever there's a guy she's interested in or that talked to her. Who is he?"

"I'm sure you don't remember him. It's nothing serious anyway. I'm just going to his house for dinner tomorrow night."

"He's cooking you dinner Jen? Wow. Who is he? You have to tell me. I'm your partner."

"Remember the robbery at Derco Fine Jewelers on Brannan Street?"

"Yes."

"The man that was working there that night..."

"Yes, I remember him. Is that who it is?"

"Yes, it is."

"That makes sense."

"What do you mean by that?"

"He was interested in you then. I could tell when he asked me about you."

"What did he ask and what did you tell him Paul?"

"He just asked about your work is all. He saw you in action that night and he was intrigued. I told him you're always like that. I told him you're a hard worker and very dedicated."

"Good and you better not be lying to me about this."

"Trust me Jen, I wouldn't do that to you."

"Thank you. Now we better get busy." Paul nodded and we looked back down at the paperwork on our desks.