The lights in the huge dining hall have been dimmed and soft music wafts from the speakers overhead. Three frenzied waiters dart between tables, taking orders and setting down plates of steaming food. So far, Dave has only met one celebrity. A has-been writer from maybe two decades ago. With a wry smile, Dave acknowledges that Detective James Mackey has likely been duped out of over fifteen-hundred dollars.

  Dave's eyes sweep the entire dining hall. There is only one face he wishes to see right now. He finally spies her on his second visual pass around the room. Hazel is seated alone at a table in the far back of the hall. Several men, who are seated at nearby tables, shoot casual glances in the young woman's direction--hoping to catch her eye. However, Hazel is deeply absorbed in thought. She absently runs a finger along the rim of her wine glass. She has yet to take a single sip of the red wine the glass contains.

  Dave cautiously approaches the table. Unsure of Hazel's present mood, he chooses to play it safe. Deputy Newsome slides into the chair directly across from Hazel. He gently places his right hand on top of her left. Hazel's eyes refocus and she shifts her gaze, a tiny smile drawing her lips upward.

  "A penny for your thoughts?" Dave says, offering Hazel his own smile.

  "I was thinking about Sabrina. And those other young girls...Well, young women. They were all so beautiful. To be murdered with such casual brutality. It's sick, Dave. It's horrible."

  Dave's mouth droops beneath his darkened mustache. He pats Hazel's hand tenderly and their eyes meet. The oldest of the victims, Bridget Davis, was only thirty-one years old. Not much older than Hazel. How scary this whole Aquarius situation must be for a young woman like Hazel.

  Climbing to his feet, Dave takes the chair with him. He plants it directly beside his careworn lover. The deputy reclaims his seat, studying Hazel's youthful face. He cups her right cheek with his left hand. Hazel releases a soft sigh, eyelids fluttering with pent up emotion. Dave considers kissing her but thinks better of it. Not in front of all of these strange people.

  "I'll ask you again, Hazel. Would you even consider marrying someone like me?" Dave questions.

  "What's that supposed to mean, Dave?" Hazel retorts, her brown eyes widening. "What do you mean...Someone like you?"

  "You know what I mean, Hazel," Dave laments. "I'm old, and I'm fat. Hell, I'm pretty damn close to retirement. I don't have much to offer you. If I get a second glance from any woman...It's usually because of the uniform I wear. They respect the badge. They're not seeing me. I know, I'm no great catch. I'm jaded and I'm tired as hell. Is that why you can't bring yourself to say you love me again? Was it a mistake when you said it the first time? Did you mean it? Or were you just trying to make me feel better? I don't blame you, Hazel. Really I don't. If I were you, I wouldn't want me either. You're beautiful too, Hazel. You have your whole life ahead of you. You deserve someone a helluva lot better than me. William doesn't realize what he's giving up. I love you, Hazel!"

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  Hazel's brow knits and she refuses to look at Dave. When she makes eye contact again, there are tears pooling in her eyes.

  "You know that's not the reason, Dave! I don't give a damn what you look like! If I was that vain...That petty...Would I have invited you into my bed as many times as I have?" Hazel chides Dave in a stern whisper.

  Dave's heart flutters and he stares hard at Hazel's gorgeous face. Now, they're getting somewhere. At least, she isn't shutting him out anymore.

  "Then, what is it?" Dave presses.

  "It's this life we all live. The constant barrage of negativity, day in and day out. The brutal murders, the stories of violent abuse, the drug addicts and the traffickers. Long hours spent mopping up the messes which constitute other people's lives. It's all so bad. I've had to live with it all of my life. From my dad and William. And now, you. It follows all of you around wherever you go. Like an eclipsing shadow. I don't know if I can commit to a life like that, Dave. It's depressing. I don't want it anymore."

  Dave leans forward and kisses the flesh behind Hazel's right ear. She reaches up her left hand and cups his face.

  "I'm sorry, Hazel. I didn't realize. I won't ask you again."

  Hazel plants a small kiss on the corner of Dave's mouth as they draw apart. She peers deep into his eyes.

  "It's not your fault, Dave. I'm the one with the weak stomach. I can't handle death like I used to. I think it started when Mom died and when Chrissy left us. Dad was all alone. He needed me. So I stayed. Now, I wonder..."

  Hazel's words trail off and she blinks rapidly, pushing down tears. Dave squeezes Hazel's left knee, above the hem of her short black skirt. She looks down at his head. Placing a finger under Hazel's chin, Dave raises her head level again. He leans in to kiss her but Hazel shakes her head.

  "Not here, Dave. That might not be such a good idea. Since learning about the new murders, Detective Bennett has become my dad's number one fan. I'm staying at the only other motel in town. The D?nhoff. I believe it's German. I love the way it rolls off of the tongue. D?nhoff! Haha. Room 118. Wait until after nine p.m. though. Most of the regular boarders will be in for the night. My plane doesn't leave until eleven in the morning. We'll have plenty of time."

  "Ooohoohoo!" Dave whispers impishly. "Too bad William isn't here. Then, we could let him hear our bedsprings for once."

  "Dave!" Hazel hisses playfully, slapping Dave's arm through his sleeve.

  Dave's response is to slip his arm around Hazel's middle. He uses his fingers to toy with the belt cinched around her waist, the belt holding her flowing silk blouse in place. It won't take much to remove said blouse. The belt is merely for decoration. And what little material there is to Hazel's blouse hides even less than it should.

  "This is supposed to be a night full of music, fun, and dancing. Shall we dance?" Dave cajoles Hazel.

  "I don't see why not," Hazel says, smiling.