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Daniel put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer. "The story of you being attacked at the bar still haunts me. When I think of how Jared snuck up behind you and threatened you, I still get that dreaded feeling."
The reminder failed to send chills up my spine this time. "It's all okay now, Daniel. I was shaken up, but not hurt. If I hadn’t gone there that night, the case would still be dragging along. The terrible odor of his cologne was another nail in the case."
"Did you ever find out what fragrance that was?"
"No, I didn't. But I can assure you, it will never be one of my gifts to you." It was good to laugh again with Daniel face to face. "When I went back to Tommy's, I found out that the bartender at Tommy's is Jared's brother-in-law. I'm sure he was cheated in some way by Jared, too."
I told Daniel about the remark Joe made to the bartender when I left the tavern the last time. "There's no doubt people will keep coming out of the woodwork with accusations against Jared," said Daniel. "Prison will be his permanent home."
"That suits me fine," I said. "I'm glad I won't have to be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I'm sorry I suspected your friend. For a long time, I was so sure he killed Frank."
"It's all right, Laila. He can be hard to take sometimes. You have to agree, he knows how to serve good food, don't you?"
"I do agree with that."
We had talked so long that both of us were surprised when the plane landed at LaGuardia. I was glad the trip was relaxing for Daniel. Jacob and Thor met us and once we arrived home I told Daniel we should have a private Christmas dinner the next evening.
“More food?” he said.
“Yes, more food and your Christmas present. Or had you forgotten that?” His eyes lit up like a child on Christmas.
“I did forget, but only for a moment. I can’t begin to think what you have for me.”
The next afternoon, I stopped at the shelter. I called ahead to let them know I was picking up Benji Junior. He was ready in the crate I had left for him. Around his neck was a wide red ribbon with a gift tag hanging off it. It read “To Daniel. Love Benji Junior.”
When I presented him to Daniel, I thought I saw tears threatening to flow down his face. He opened the crate and took the dog out. He nestled him close and I noticed a light mist of happiness in Daniel’s eyes. He wrapped his free arm around me and kissed me.
No whirring expresso machine, no dead bodies and no crime at all could permeate the peace we shared at that moment.
