Gina
McCarthy is stuck like so many college graduates, unable to find a
job in her field. She's taken a night gate guard job at a local golf
course/ exclusive residential area in Daytona. One night, shortly
after she starts there, someone arrives who will change her life
forever.
Headlights
illuminated the interior, momentarily blinding her. The driver
realized the beams were on high and set them on low. The car wasn't
one she knew. All of the residents' cars were high end imports. This
was a vintage Cobra, dark blue with wide white stripes on the hood
and roof. She couldn't see the driver clearly, but from the height,
was pretty sure it was a man. The driver pulled up next to the booth,
lowering the window.
His
face was in shadow. All she could see what the firm jawed profile
with a five o'clock shadow, and dark, wavy hair that didn't quite
touch his collar. Gina could see her own reflection in the car
window. Light blonde hair was pulled back in a severe bun, dark eyes
holding a question.
She
opened the sliding window next to her, flashlight poised. There were
lights around the booth, but they didn't penetrate the shadow of most
cars. Nor were they particularly good to read by. Smiling politely,
she leaned out to speak. Before she could say a word, a strong, long
fingered hand flicked a driver's license at her. She studied it
carefully, matching the unsmiling face in the photograph with the
unsmiling face in the car. He wasn't facing the window, so all she
could see was his profile.
"Zane
Caputo?"
"Yeah?"
he didn't look at her.
"Mr.
Caputo, I need you to face me, please."
He
leaned through the window, glaring at her. "Happy now?" his
eyes were dark and angry.
"I
apologize, sir. It's the rules."
"Baby,
if I were gonna cause trouble, I wouldn't have come to the gate in an
easily identifiable, vintage, muscle car."
Gina
blushed, nodding her agreement. "Again, I apologize, sir. I'm
new, just learning the ropes. Are you expected?"
"Not
really. My mom's house is here. I'm just rolling into town, here to
close out her house and settle the estate."
"Oh,
I'm so sorry, Mr. Caputo. I didn't realize. This is only my second
week."
His
face softened into kind lines. "I'm just real tired. I drove
about non-stop from Houston. I'm beat."
Gina
was thinking, You couldn't fly? But didn't think it was her
place to ask. "I need to issue you a guest pass, Mr. Caputo."
He
sighed heavily, glancing at his watch. "Is this gonna take
long?"
"Five
minutes, if the computer cooperates. Would you like some coffee? It's
only fifteen minutes old."
"I'd
love some."
"How
do you take it?"
"Light.
Three sugars." His face softened and he half smiled. "Thanks."
She
got the coffee and he turned off the car. As she filled out the
paperwork, he started humming, then singing with his music. He had a
great voice. His fingers tapped the steering wheel to the drum beat.
It took her a moment to realize he was singing
Lyin' Eyes by
the Eagles. A couple minutes later, she was done with his pass.
Handing it to him, she joined him on the chorus, picking up the
melody as he sang harmony. When the song ended, Zane Caputo was
actually smiling.
"Not
a bad voice for a security officer," he chuckled.
"Thanks.
Not a bad voice for...whatever it is you do."
"I
run a couple hotels. My real love is music, but my old man had other
ideas. How about you? Surely this isn't your dream job?"
"No.
I didn't grow up telling myself I wanted to guard snooty rich people.
I got downsized from my last job. This was available."
Zane
yawned loudly, apologizing with a sad smile.
"I'm
keeping you up, Mr. Caputo. I'm sorry. Do you know the way to your
mother's house?"
He
tapped the dashboard. "GPS."
"Just
a word of warning. Some of the streets here don't scan right. It
might send you left when you should go right. If you don't find the
house, go the other way. You can dial the gate if you need
directions." Gina gave him a card with the number.
"Thanks
for the tip. I've had that happen before. Irritating as shit."
"Sorry
about your mom—and everything." She gestured vaguely at their
surroundings.
"Not
your fault. Thanks for the coffee and the chorus."
"Good
night, Mr. Caputo."
"Good
morning, Officer...?"
"McCartney.
Gina...."
"Officer
Gina." He winked as she raised the gate.
©
2017 Dellani Oakes
No comments:
Post a Comment