Chapter 5
Kelee had just dropped Lori off at a luncheon for a committee meeting. Knowing it would be another two hours before the meeting ended, she decided to browse the stalls of the crafts market a few blocks away. It was about one
P.M.
in the afternoon and the sun was bright and hot. Kelee parked the car in one of the shaded empty spaces outside of the plaza. It was not pleasant to get into a car that had been sitting in the naked sun, especially on a hot day downtown.
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He watched Kelee step from the car. Her shapely legs were perfect in platform cork mules. She wore a flirty short skirt and a midriff T-shirt. Her hair was in a high ponytail off her neck. A small bag was tucked under her arm. She squinted against the bright sun as she made her way towards the craft market. A sweet smile curved his lips. They were right; she was beautifulâand sexy as hell to boot. He watched the sway of her behind as she climbed the few steps to one of the entrances of the building.
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Kelee paused as her eyes adjusted to the dimmer light of the building. She needed a nice painting for her bedroom and whatever else caught her eye. The minute she had entered the building a vendor insisted on her taking a look at her booth. After visiting about six booths and not finding anything she liked, Kelee started to get hungry. She had had a light breakfast this morning of coffee, toast, and fruits. She looked at her watch, noting the time. She had little over an hour before she picked up Lori.
There was a restaurant across the street; she decided to go there for lunch. At the entrance of the craft market she slipped her shades on.
Just across the parking lot a man resembling Sean made his way to his car. Kelee found herself smiling as thoughts of Sean St. John flooded her consciousness. She couldn't wait to see him again. He was all she could think of since she had met him. Her stomach protested loudly, pulling her from her steamy thoughts of Sean. She looked at the restaurant across the street and contemplated whether she should drive over to their parking lot, or just walk over. Suddenly she was shoved hard from behind; she had to grab on to a pole. Her bag was ripped from her shoulders, and a man ran past her.
“Hey! Thief!” she screamed. “Thief!” she screamed even louder a second time. A number of people came running out of the market building. Kelee watched as the man dodged traffic across the street, then disappeared between two buildings. She swore as she watched one of her favorite bags disappear. Her money was gone. Kelee stood there at a loss.
“Yu' OK?” a deep male voice asked behind her and Kelee turned to find a man of rich brown complexion looking at her in concern. Dark penetrating eyes held hers. Kelee looked at him, taking in his expensive linen attire. He was over six feet and well built. His height made him a bit intimidating. Kelee took a step back.
“Are yu' OK?” he asked again.
Kelee focused. “Yes, I'm fine, but my bag is gone.” Just then Kelee remembered that the car keys were in the bag. She swore. “The car keys are in my bag.” Kelee headed towards where the car was parked. She gasped in shock when she saw that the car was gone. She let out a string of curses. Her bag was gone, now the car. Had she really stood out that much that someone had targeted her? Her stomach growled in hunger even louder. She really needed that money. She would have to interrupt Lori's meeting. She dreaded telling Lori about losing her new Lexus. Allan had just bought Lori the car for her birthday a few months ago. Damn it!
“Is there someone yu' can call?” the man asked, holding out his cell phone to her. Kelee looked at him. That was nice of him. “When yu' shop downtown it's a bit more risky than being uptown,” the man informed her.
“Do I stand out that much?” she asked. As she finished her sentence she realized how silly she sounded. While she was comfortable in St. Pala, she was still a foreigner and foreigners were targets, especially downtown.
The man looked her over and smiled. “Yu' stunnin' and very stylish.”
Kelee couldn't help but smile at his compliment, but this was not the time or the place for compliments: her bag and her sister's car were stolen. She kicked herself for not being as careful as she should have been. She should have known better; she was downtown, not uptown. She turned to stare at the spot where she had parked the car and contemplated her next move. She needed to get back to Lori. Kelee really didn't want to interrupt her, but Lori had to know her car was stolen. The police also had to be informed. This was a mess. She had never been robbed before, not even in New York City. She felt stripped; she didn't like it at all.
Lori was three long blocks away and the sun was piping hot. Kelee didn't know if she could make it there without passing out. She looked down the long, hot, bare road and bit her lips.
“I can't believe this is happening to me,” she moaned in frustration.
“Tell yu' wha'. I was just 'bout to have lunch across the street. Let's get out of the sun. Yu' can make yu' call from there and get some'ting to drink.”
“I was about to go there to eat when that ass stole my bag.”
“So join me for a drink? Yu' look like yu' could use one.”
Kelee knew he was right. She was thirsty, hungry, and sweating. However, she had to be careful: she didn't know him.
“Thanks, but no.”
“Yu' can't just stand here,” he pointed out.
She knew he was right. At the moment she could use the help, but her guard was upâespecially after what had just happened.
“Thanks, but I don't know yu',” she responded.
“Tyce.” He held a hand out to her with the most infectious smile. She looked at his hand before taking it.
“Kelee,” she said.
He shook her hand gently. “Kelee, that's pretty.” His smile was comforting.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Care to join me?” He gestured towards the restaurant. What harm was in it anyway? Her throat was parched; she could use a cool drink.
“Only for a drink, then I have to call my sister.”
“OK,” he said and led her through the parking lot, across the street, and into the cool restaurant. The restaurant was called Yams. Its billboard outside advertised traditional dishes.
“Welcome, Mr. T.” The hostess greeted them with a bright smile. “Yu' usual table?” So he was a regular, Kelee noted, and relaxed a bit.
“Thanks, Janet. Two lemonades, please,” Tyce said to the hostess. Janet nodded and led them to a table at the far end of the room. Their table offered up a great view of the entire restaurant. It was simply decorated with bright pastel mismatched colored tables and chairs that actually worked. Local art lined the wall, with an array of mini Caribbean flags hanging from the rafters. Soft Caribbean fused jazz played in the background. Tyce assisted her into her seat. Kelee thanked him. He took his seat and handed her his cell phone.
“Make yu' call.”
She took the phone. “Thank yu'.” Kelee smiled at him and dialed Lori's cell, praying she hadn't turned her phone off. The phone went to voice mail. She frowned and ended the call.
“She's not answerin'?” Tyce inquired.
“She's in a meeting so her phone is off.”
A waitress bought them lemonades and menus.
“When does her meetin' end?”
“An hour.” Kelee sipped her lemonade and sighed as the refreshing liquid slid down her parched throat.
“So have some lunch an' I'll take yu' to her after.”
Kelee looked at him, touched by his kindness. Her stomach rumbled; she knew she couldn't refuse. “Thank yu'. I'll pay yu' back when I meet up with my sister.”
“Now I'm offended.” He frowned. Kelee felt bad. He had been nothing but helpful, but she still didn't know him.
“Sorry, but I don't know yu'. I just met yu'. Yu've been really nice, but . . .”
“Do me a favor, jus' enjoy the lunch. They have some of the best local dishes here.”
Kelee relaxed and smiled at him. “Thanks.”
“Yu' welcome.” He gave her that infectious smile again. She picked up her menu.
Kelee had the fried fish strips and a salad with another glass of the delicious homemade lemonade. Over lunch she learned that Tyce was a businessman. He owned a pharmacy located downtown and a number of variety stores both uptown and downtown. He traveled a lot, especially to Miami to buy special items for his stores. He was born and raised in St. Pala, but he had attended college in Florida. He held a degree in business from Florida University. Kelee in turn told him of her decorating business in New York, which impressed him.
“I'm havin' a new house built,” he told her. “Maybe yu' can decorate it for me?”
Kelee smiled at him. “I'm not in St. Pala that long.”
“I could fly yu' in,” he said. Kelee looked at him, surprised. “It's hard to find a decent decorator on the island and I'm not 'bout to leave it up to my sister. The woman has really bad taste. Yu' should see what she did to my first house.”
Kelee laughed, enjoying his company. He was very charming and amusing. Sean's face suddenly flashed before her. She couldn't wait to see him tonight. There was something so intoxicating about Sean. She wished she knew what it was that drew her to him. Only time with him would give her that answer.
“Yu' OK?” Tyce asked and Kelee looked up at him.
“I should go,” she said, pushing her plate away.
“OK.” Tyce signaled for the waitress. The waitress came with the bill. He pulled out his wallet and paid her in cash.
“Thanks again,” Kelee told him.
“My pleasure.” He smiled. He was so nice, which she appreciated.
“Wait here,” he said outside the restaurant. “My car is across the street.”
She watched him cross the street to the craft market parking lot. Kelee checked her watch; she hoped Lori would be out of her meeting by the time she got there. The sooner they got the theft reported to the cops the better.
A few minutes later a black BMW X5 jeep pulled up. Nice, she thought as he assisted her into the brand new jeepâfrom the smell of it. The interior was spotless.
“Nice ride,” she said, relaxing into the plush seat, snapping her seat belt in place.
“Thanks.”
He pulled out into traffic. Kelee told him where Lori was and he headed down the street.
“I really appreciate yu' help,” Kelee told Tyce as he came to a stop outside the building. She gazed at him, unbuckling her seat belt.
“Thank yu' for havin' lunch with me.” He smiled. “An' be careful next time.”
“Thanks, I will.”
“Can I have yu' number? I might need yu' for decorating reasons.” He looked at her in such an honest way Kelee couldn't tell him no. Plus, he had been a perfect gentleman.
“Sure.” Kelee smiled at him. She gave Tyce Lori's house number and her business number in New York before getting out of the jeep. She watched him drive off.
Kelee approached the security guard who sat in a small booth at the entrance of the courtyard. The guard was dressed in a khaki uniform. Shades shielded his eyes from the glaring sun. She prayed he'd remember her from dropping Lori off.
“Hi, I'm here for Lori DeCosta,” she told the guard.
“Go on in.” He smiled.
“Thank yu'.” Kelee smiled at him and went in. She made her way through the courtyard of the building to the entrance. The courtyard was well kept with a small garden in a circle. Benches were sparsely placed against the far walls. Most of the buildings in that area were colonial style and well kept to maintain their colonial history.
Kelee entered the lobby of the hall. A receptionist sat at a desk just below the wooden staircase. She was thin and pretty with a ready gap-toothed smile.
“Hi, I'm here for Lori.”
“Yu' Kelee?” the receptionist asked.
“Yes.” She smiled at her.
“Yu' sister waitin' in the lobby.” She pointed toward the right.
Kelee thanked the receptionist and headed towards the doors; she hoped Lori hadn't been waiting too long. Kelee headed towards the lobby. She entered and interrupted Lori talking with three other women. Kelee had briefly met the women when she had dropped Lori off earlier. The women reeked of island high society with their upper crust attitudes accentuated by their designer outfits.
“Wha' wrong?” Lori asked, concerned, when she saw the look on Lori's face. The women looked on with interest.
Kelee took a deep breath and started. “I was robbed and yu' car was stolen.”