Chapter 6

She was about an hour early for the concert. Abigail parked her car into the concert parking lot, grabbed her bag and locked the car before heading to the venue entrance. She touched her chest, making sure she still had her pass which she did, and walked to the gate which held the sign “Authorized Personnel Only”.

A woman, who seemed to be in her early thirties, was standing at that gate wearing a navy blue T-shirt with the word “STAFF” plastered on the front and a black visor. Abigail noticed that she too held a pass around her neck. The woman saw her approaching and raised the clipboard, that she was holding expectantly as she looked at her.

“Name?” she asked, her eyes hard.

Abigail was taken aback by the woman’s demeanour but answered anyway.

“Abigail Rains.” She said as if she had every right to be there.

The woman scanned the list of names on her clipboard before her head snapped up.

“Your name is not on the list.” She said as if she’d expected that, “Are you with some magazine or something?” she asked her, acting disinterested.

“Actually,” Abigail began, “I’m Rick Camden’s girlfriend.”

The woman let out an unladylike snort as she looked her up and down.

“Right.” She said folding her arms, “And I’m married to Brad Pitt!” she retorted, “Look honey, if you want to get in here, you got to do better than that or at least get your name on this list here.” She tapped the clipboard with the back of her pen.

“Maria?” they heard a voice say.

They both turned towards the voice and Abigail found herself staring into the most amazing blue eyes she’d ever seen. It reminded her of the Caribbean Sea on a hot summer’s day and she immediately felt her insides melting at the way he was looking at her. His blond hair was sticking up all over the place and he wore only a white wife beater and jeans as he returned her gaze.

“Mr. Camden!” Maria stated, clearly surprised at his sudden appearance but recovering quickly, “This young woman,” she motioned to Abigail, “Was actually pretending to be your girlfriend just so-“

“She is.” Rick cut in before she could finish, his gaze never leaving Abigail’s.

“I mean, can you believe that!” Maria continued, then paused as his words registered, “Excuse me?”

“I said,” he finally averted his gaze to the woman he was speaking to, “That this beautiful, young lady, is my girlfriend.” He put out a hand to Abigail, which she took a little hesitantly trying to figure out what his game was or maybe Jason did contact him and tell him about her. Abigail crossed the gate to stand by his side.

Maria looked flustered, Abigail wanted to laugh.

“But I don’t understand.” She protested, “Her name’s not on the list and-“

“Isn’t she wearing a pass?” Rick asked.

“Yes but-“

“Good.” He stated before walking off, taking Abigail with him as he still held her hand.

When they were out of earshot from anyone around them, he finally faced her. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans as he scrutinized her from her honey-coloured eyes all the way to her sandaled feet.

Abigail shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny. Ever since they’d met, he’d made her feel uncomfortable, and she didn’t know why. Maybe it was because he kept looking at her like man who’d been lost in the desert and had just found his first glimpse of water.

“Are you done?” she asked, her eyes narrowing as she folded her arms across her chest.

He smiled then, slowly. Actually, it was more of a lopsided grin, which did crazy things to her pulse.

“I’m sorry.” He said, shaking his head and blinking a couple times. “It’s just that you have beautiful….. eyes.” He told her.

She smiled amused.

“Eyes huh?” she asked noticing that every time he looked at her, his gaze lingered on her chest.

He actually blushed.

“So Mr.Camden,” she began, her tone suddenly serious, “That wasn’t a very smart thing you did back there.”

He frowned.

“Why not? I thought you wanted to get in.” he said.

“I did. But that woman was just doing her job to protect you.” Abigail told him.

Rick shook his head.

“I know that, but sometimes Maria can be a bit … over-protective.” He said, “I mean, you had a pass. She should have let you in regardless of whether or not your name was on the list.”

“That shouldn’t be. I said I was your girlfriend and I’m not.” Abigail replied.

“And somehow that doesn’t bother me.” He said absently looking at her.

“Well it should.” Abigail said, putting her hands on her hips, “You can’t just let strange girls in, especially in your current situation.” She added, looking at him reprovingly, “I can see how you get yourself into this kind of trouble Mr. Camden.”

Rick’s jaw dropped as he looked at her stunned. He took a step back before he spoke to her again.

“Okay,” he said pointing a finger at her, “Just who the hell are you?”

She smiled as she put out her hand.”You’re lucky I’m not a psychotic killer.” She teased, “Detective Abigail Rains.”

He took her hand slowly as he regarded her.

“Detective?”

“Yeah. I work for Jason.” She clarified.

Rick’s sudden relief was obvious as he smiled back.

“Oh. Jason huh? I thought it was Sergeant Kincaid?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.

She blushed.

“It is.” She said, lowering her head.

Rick looked at her and knew that there was more to it than that. He decided to leave it alone, for now.

“By the way,” he said then making her look up again, “Call me Rick.”

She shrugged, “Sure.”

“So?” he said with a smile, “Does that mean I get to call you Abigail? Or do I have to call you detective, Detective?”

She smiled back.

“You can call me Abigail.” She told him, “Jason- I mean Sergeant Kincaid.” She corrected herself and watched him smirk, “Doesn’t want anyone else to know I’m here.”

“Right.” Rick agreed, “Speaking of Jason, where the hell is he? He promised to be here.”

“Yeah well, he got a lead on this really important case he’s working on and had to work tonight.” Abigail explained.

“So he sent you instead.” Rick finished.

“Yup. He thought I’d fit in best.” She stated.

“True. But I have to say, pretending to be my girlfriend wasn’t such a good idea.” He told her, “Do you know how many girls have used that line to get back here?”

“It wasn’t my idea!” she protested.

Rick put up his hand quickly.

“Let me guess, Jason?”

She nodded and Rick shook his head.

“Well anyway, I guess he told you about everything that’s happened.” He said.

“Yes but I have to tell you now,” she began, “I’m not officially on this case. Jason just told me enough so I can come here tonight and keep an eye on things for him. He’s the one in charge.”

Rick nodded.

“That’s too bad.” He murmured. He could get used to having her around. Damn but she was gorgeous. He couldn’t believe his eyes and ears when he saw her standing there with Maria saying, boldly, that she was his girlfriend. His heart had done a summersault then and he had immediately gone to her aid.

Someone called out to him then and he touched her arm gently.

“Sorry, I gotta go.” He said, his eyes apologetic. “You see that girl over there?” he said pointing to a brunette. She followed his finger and nodded, “That’s AJ’s girlfriend. You can chill with her until I get back.”

She looked at him confused.

“Who’s AJ?” she asked.

He turned to look at her suddenly before his face broke out into a huge smile.

“Well?” she looked at him expectantly.

He was about to answer when the person called out to him again.

“I really gotta go!” he said, “Don’t worry. Hang with her and if anyone asks, you’re with me!” he told her and walked away.

“Oh great!” she muttered, “Here we go again!”