The Unknown Quotient

Word count 299

The Unknown Quotient

         Sitting in the restaurant, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Gazing around, I noticed two guys in the corner kept glancing my way. I didn’t think they were looking for a date.

         “Non?”

         I looked at my best friend Andrea who’d coined my nickname. “What?”

         “You’re distracted.”

         “Sorry. Just thinking about a new location to sketch.”

         Andrea relaxed. “I’m glad you’re sticking with the art. Your last art show was wonderful.”

         I fiddled with my food while glancing toward the corner. The men had vanished while Andrea talked. All these years I’d never told Andrea my being an artist was a cover for my real job investigating criminals.

         “Non?”

         “What?”

         “Sweetie, you’re not listening.”

         I didn’t want to tell Andrea that last night someone had broken into my place while I tried to sleep. I didn’t want to tell her…

         Andrea lifted her arm, brushing her hair from her face. There, dangling from her wrist was the charm bracelet I’d found on a ramp at the marina. It had come loose as a woman’s arm dangled from a bundle while she was carried aboard a yacht I was investigating. Last night, that bracelet was still in my possession.

         I watched Andrea’s expressions the way I’d watched for drug dealers the previous evening. I tweaked a charm. “I’m glad you still wear this.”

         She smiled. “Why wouldn’t I? You gave it to me, I never take it off.”

         “I need to go, my sketchpad is screaming for attention.” Andrea gave me a kiss; somehow, it felt like it was from Judas.

         I left the restaurant with the same sensation of being watched, unsure who was watching—Andrea or those men. I rounded the corner, finding the tires on my car flat. Geez, could the day get any uglier?