Predilections

By Vince Nakovics

A stalker plays coyly with the police, confident they are smarter than they are. Their attempts to implicate Dimitri Taylor in murder fail not once, but three times. They aren't thwarted and leave a false trail of evidence and quips to lead the police astray. Dimitri isn't waiting for the police to save him. He hunts his stalker engaging in a dangerous cat and mouse game.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vince Nakovics
• Release date: Oct 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201523480

Vince Nakovics

   Vince Nakovics retired from the US Navy. His career was anything but conventional with a variety of positions from technician to manager; from prison guard to investigator he covered a lot of ground. He jokes about working his technical career backwards as he started out on the most technically advanced equipment in 1975 and worked his way back in time to 1942 on board the USS Missouri. It didn’t end there he found himself reverse engineering the construction of Revolutionary War cannon carriages for Colonial National Historical Park in Yorktown, VA. His work on the carriages resulted in his becoming a blacksmith in 1999. He became the newsletter editor for his local blacksmithing associations for seven years, publishing over 65 monthly issues, including two articles for the national magazine Anvil’s Ring and interviewing over 100 American and international blacksmiths.    He has published three non-fiction books; American Blacksmiths 2010, 1781 Siege of Yorktown Cannon Carriages 2013 and Horses Need Not Apply 2016.  Also in 2016 he published The Blacksmith Murders and has concentrated on writing novels since.  He resides predominately in Albania with frequent visits to the rest of Europe looking for interesting tidbits of culture, folklore and mystery to incorporate in his works. His books are widely available through the many D2D partners, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Book preview

Chapter One

I don’t know Devon , there’s something about him. He isn’t good looking, but you know, he makes you look.

Charismatic, that’s what you’re thinking.

Yeah, that’s it. You’re pretty smart for a kid.

Alisa, I wish you would stop calling me a kid. I am seventeen. I work here like you.

Well, if you’re going to get all sensitive on me, I’ll go wipe some tables that don’t need wiping.

The bell rings twice, it’s the man’s order. Devon picks it up and rushes it to the table.

Alisa smiles as he scoots to the pickup window. He has a crush on the guy and doesn’t even know it. Poor Devon doesn’t know what he wants to be or do with his life. He knows one thing; he doesn’t want to be called kid.

She watches him set the plate down and linger at the table. She checks her watch; he is just standing there. Eight seconds pass, the customer rolls his knife; a sure sign he is uncomfortable.

Devon, could you help me with something in the back?

He looks and sees Alisa waving him over, Okay, and to the customer, Flag me down if you need anything.

Looking at him over his glasses, the customer, Dimitri, gives an I understood wave.

What was that Alisa?

You were standing there too long; he was fiddling with his knife. Who knows what he thinks you were doing.

Oh. You think I creeped him out?

Be less there and more friendly. You never say anything. He always has books and papers with him. Have you ever noticed a title on the books?

Of course, he had this one the other day I read. I didn’t want him to think I was spying on him so I didn’t say anything.

Look, he is obviously a single guy, has a job and a place to live. We know this how?

He is clean, pays with a card and tips in cash.

At least you remember something I taught you. Don’t stay at the table for longer than four seconds without saying anything once you deliver the order. Eight Seconds Devon, that’s an eternity. Moving on. She gives him a hand roll, then asks, What was he reading today?

He has a book on archaeology and one called The Honorables, by Roberto Legion. That’s the one I read a while back. It is about the crime families in the Bronx who came from Albania. It was good.

I don’t need a book review, but you could ask him what he thinks of it. Adding, After he eats. She waits for him to nod in understanding. If he is lonely, has time, or both, he may talk to you about it. Nuance, subtlety.

Yeah. Hey, you should write a book. Call it ‘Diner Savvy’. Alisa swats him with her towel while they laugh.

The customer puts his fork down, slides his plate to the center of the table, then puts both elbows on the table, steepling his fingers. The ultimate finished sign for a customer. Devon tops off a coffee for a customer on his way over to the table. He wishes he had washed his hair this morning instead of last night now. When he gets to the table and looks down his hair loosens and hangs between them like a curtain. It throws his resolve off for a second, but he recovers.

More coffee? He doesn’t pause long enough for him to answer before saying, I read that book The Honorables, it was good. Are you enjoying it? The man looks him squarely in his eyes, though his hair veils one. 

Yes, to both questions. What did you like about it? He turns in his seat to face him more directly.

I like stories about criminals. I like to imagine what they might have been like growing up. This book made it sound... Oh, what are you up to?

Bravo, I am almost done with it. You don’t have to worry about spoiling it for me. I know the writer and he and I have discussed it several times. He assures me what he wrote about the Albanian culture is correct and I know the ending. I’m doing research for a book of my own. It will take place in the Balkans and I am extracting the sections on culture to use in a new series of lectures I will be giving. Dimitri studies his face and decides to put an invitation out. If you are interested, I can put a list together for you to read on the customs and cultures I have for my research on the Balkans. The research has generated quite a list, but the hidden and oft overlooked stories you may find interesting. 

Oh, you’re a writer. I have a million questions I could ask you.

A million. Hmm, listen, I have been in here a few times and see your shift coincides with my supper much of the time. Pausing he debates telling him he will be in NYC for about eleven more months.Um,I had a thought and I..."

Cutting in, Oh, you don’t have to tell me about that. It happens to me all the time.

I see. The boy’s impetuousness amuses him. Um, I will be around for a while and I like this place so the next time I stop by I will set aside some time to answer a few of your million questions, but I have to get going tonight.

My name’s Devon, and I work Tuesday to Friday, 6 to 10. Saturday and Sunday I work a full shift 3 to 7.

I will keep that in mind. Um, my name is Dimitri. I’ll see you around then.

Dimitri, the name echoes in his mind as he watches him walk out. When he goes to bus the table, he sees he left a ten spot. He didn’t think he came across as creepy. Later, he recounts the conversation with Alisa. She thinks he needs to tread carefully because he doesn’t want to lose a steady customer who is also a good tipper. She misses Devon the crush he has for this customer.

As promised, Dimitri made time the next time he ate at the diner to answer whatever questions Devon the waiter might have. It relieved him to hear he had more complex questions than the infamous, How do you get ideas? They agreed they would chat once a week.

Dimitri enjoyed the conversations and took on the role of a mentor. Devon sounded like he needed one, and he was right. He always thought he was lucky to have someone older to talk to about things you couldn’t or wouldn’t with your friends because they all had the same questions and perspectives. They all pretended to know the answers, but didn’t.

He didn’t realize how big a crush Devon had on him. It happens in some mentor relationships, but as always they become a conundrum. It is obvious their conversations are helping him. He stands taller and walks with more confidence. He doesn’t want to destroy all that and needs a plan to deal with it.

Chapter Two

Dimitri waits outside for Alisa to get off work. She becomes scared when he approaches and gives him a face full of mace. When she realizes who it is, she rushes him into the Diner to wash his face. After several minutes of flushing his eyes with water, he is able to see, but his eyelids and surrounding skin still burns. The reflection in the mirror tells quite a story, blotchy skin, red rimmed bloodshot eyes, and tussled hair, it is quite the horrific reflection. Alisa apologizes profusely.

Dimitri makes light of the situation, Certainly does the trick. Anyone seen like this will be remembered. He forces his eyes open and pulls at the skin below the burns. Nasty stuff. Just what he needs, something to make him stand out for a day or so.

It is anti-bear spray. My brother gives me a new can every six months. You’re the first person I ever actually used it on. I am sorry. I freaked out. I’ve told Gus a dozen times to fix the light in the lot this past week. I couldn’t make you out because of the backlighting.

I should have spoken sooner. Water down the drain.

Alisa sees him smiling, she never heard it expressed that way before.

I could use your advice, but didn’t want to talk here. tapping his ear.

Alisa is flattered and intrigued he wants her advice. He is better educated than most, if not all of the customers she usually has. She can’t imagine what he needs her advice for.

Tomorrow is my day off. Why don’t you meet me at Queens Center, you know the mall?

Dimitri chuckles because she felt the need to explain it was a mall as if he’s from out of town. His own memory of cutting school hanging out in the food court watching the people mill around comes and goes in a flash.

We can find a spot, in one of the restaurants. We’ll have lunch and talk.

It impresses Dimitri. She instinctively picked a public place with both private and city police. He did scare the crap out of her tonight, so it’s no wonder she is leery. She doesn’t know him really.

He wonders if she lives near the mall? He lives nearer the mall than the diner, or his mother did, in a private neighborhood with private police in Kew Gardens. Most of the houses are brick with exposed beams with waddle and daub facade. Very formal. He prefers no one from the diner know where he grew up or is living, even though he won’t be in New York much longer. The people at the diner are not friends, at best they are acquaintances. He chose the diner to revel in anonymity and observe people in various states of relaxation and stress. It is always difficult to maintain anonymity when you frequent a place too often, interactions are inevitable. When the inevitable happens it is best to control the environment with people who are disposable. 

Alisa strides through the doors of the mall’s main entrance, right on time. Dimitri’s face still bears marks from last night. She had worried his eyes may have been hurt and is glad to see there is no serious lingering effect. She decided this morning they will go to either the Chinese or Italian restaurant since they are busy and both have two exits.

After greeting each other, Dimitri lets her choose which restaurant. In less than ten minutes they are seated and the waiter is rushing off with their order for Egg Foo Young, Spring Rolls, shrimp, steamed dumplings, and fried rice.

What I need is your assessment of Devon’s mental state?

Expelling air, You cut to the chase. You know he is a nice boy. I mean, are you interested in him? Or are you messing with him?

Not at all Alisa. That night he told me he read The Honorables, her eyes squint so he explains. It’s a book that is part of my research. She nods indicating she remembers. I sensed he needed help to improve his self image, but I didn’t realize.

Yeah, that was my idea. Slow waving her hand at him. He had a crush on you from the moment you came in. Pausing, she moves her head side to side, examining him. She wants to choose her words carefully since she doesn’t have a fix on his sexual preferences. Look. I told him you didn’t look like you would be interested in the same way, but you know how kids are.

He made it obvious the other night when he took my order gushing at me, ‘Anything for you’. Then last week I think he got an erection while he watched me from the service door. It added a level of creepiness.

Alisa laughs. I know, I know. I had to send him on break to cool down. It is nice of you to ask. I knew you were a nice guy.

They talk over several approaches, none of which leave Devon without setbacks. The waiter comes with the check asking the perfunctory, Do you want anything else.

Alisa knows he wants to clear the booth, but today she doesn’t care. It is nice to sit and talk with Dimitri. He made her feel as if they have known each other their entire lives. By the time the waiter came by a third time, it no longer mattered, the lunch crowd was thinning out and he gave up trying to move them out of their booth. 

Alisa told Dimitri what it was like being a career waitress while he revealed little about himself. She marveled how he made comparisons between her work and his own. He made being a waitress exciting. His charisma combined with an unidentifiable something drew you towards him. She watched him at the diner, and it was as if he had a switch to turn it on and off. He isn’t a classically good-looking guy, with his tight curly hair and bushy eyebrows, but when he spoke to you, you became the center of the universe. Speaking to him this one time made her more confident about her job and life choices. It’s no wonder Devon improved after chatting with him once a week for eight months.

Are you a shrink?

No, I barely completed college. It was a half lie. He barely attended college but was able to do sufficient work so his attendance became a moot point for the professors, plus he schmoozed the heck out of them. His persuasiveness, and his family’s connections made it a slam dunk. It is what goes on in those ritzy little colleges people think are so special.

You should be. You could probably help a lot of folks out there.

Thanks. I don’t think I would enjoy it. He omits psychology was his second major and at one time he thought about going into the field for the opportunities it offered.

After lunch he offers to drive her home. She turns him down.

Dimitri thinks, [Smart girl, she still doesn’t know me and I gave her a fright last night.] He walks her to the subway entrance outside the mall, noting she never told him which train she was going to get on. It makes him smile.

Alisa hugs him, then frames his face in her hands, moving her head side to side, examining him again. He exudes charisma, but there is something else. She can’t figure it out and it causes a bit of confusion for her. For an introvert, his social skills are well honed. His story will remain a mystery as she needs to prepare for the aftermath of Devon’s unrequited love, as Dimitri Taylor, man of mystery departs to his life abroad. It will be a week full of drama. It occurs to her she doesn’t know where he lives abroad, or in New York.

Chapter Three

Dimitri continues to show up at the Diner as he has for the previous six months. He waited until his last week to tell Devon he's leaving. For him it is the best solution, he will tell Devon, deal with his expected fit, and leave the following Monday.

Intuitively sensitive, Devon knew something was off for the past four weeks. A coolness, a change, happened between them. When he asked Dimitri if something was wrong, he gave him that phony smile parents give their kids when they are worried and say, Nothing, what makes you think something is wrong? He tortured himself when he wasn’t busy trying to think of what he could have done to make him act so weird. It kept him up at night.

D-day, one week prior to his flight. Dimitri’s mild anxiety regarding Devon both surprises and amuses him. His schedule is full, so he won’t have time to think about it for the remainder of the day.

When he arrives at the diner, he sees his usual table is open. He is surprised because it is busy.

Devon picks up his pace, moving and speaking quicker to clear his other customers. Devon’s oblivious some of his regular customers see he rushes their orders whenever Dimitri shows up. A few of them watch the interaction with the intensity of a soap opera, some silently cheer him on in his quest for love.

Dimitri watched Devon and his interaction with the customers. Chiding himself for missing the obvious indicators and the attention the regulars were giving them. He will attempt to use his sensitivity for his advantage. It can be difficult with people who emote everything. Devon is smart when he keeps his emotions from over taking his intellect. The moment of truth has arrived. He hopes it goes better than he expects.

Gus, the owner, pokes his head out the passing window, shaking and rolling his head at Dimitri to make him sit quicker, as if doing so will hide the obvious fact Devon held the table for him. He should have set the precedent to go to another place when it crowded from the start, but an odd ping of obligation made him keep returning, and Devon held the table for him most times. He should have stopped going to the diner altogether, and never taken on Devon as a project. The challenge of a short term mentee whom he could improve appealed to him. The process provided an entertaining distraction from his work and estate duties.

Hi Mr. Taylor. Devon thought he sounded like Veronica Lake, but raised eyebrows told him he missed the mark. In three weeks it is his eighteenth birthday and he has planned out quite the evening for him and Dimitri. He is getting more and more excited, and knows it will be as wonderful as he imagines.

Hi, Devon, let me have the penne and meatballs with a glass of Merlot. He watched him scribble it down.

Devon refrained from his habitual, Anything else, if he wanted something else, he'd have said so. It is one way you make your long-term customers feel special, knowing their habits. Alisa is a good teacher.

Dimitri is grateful the crowd thinned out soon after he arrived. He will drag his meal out waiting for an appropriate moment. It is tonight or never. He is still considering just disappearing, but the idea of losing all the progress Devon's made is unappealing to him. He refuses to let it go, He has time invested and to see his project fail without an attempt to save it is unthinkable for him.

Devon, when you get a few minutes, I want to speak to you?

Sure thing! I need to finish two tables and then I have all the time we need.

He sashayes when he walks away. His exaggerated overtures are for his benefit.

He rubs his face thinking, [Last chance, just disappear. This will not go well.]

Devon sit down.

No, it has to wait. Those two tables put a second order in. It won't be long.

Dimitri wants this to be over and decides to tell him while he is busy in the hopes the distractions will help him keep his emotions in check. I have news. Devon’s eyes widened with expectation. At that moment it became clear he should have left without saying anything. Devon is already emotional and he won’t be able to stop his emotions from overtaking him. My business here in New York is finished. I leave for Europe on Monday.

Devon’s smile turns into a gaping mouth. His eyes widen to the point of wrinkling his forehead, standing there, stunned, like a deer caught in a car’s headlights. Dimitri swivels from under the table to catch Devon when his face become ashen. He expected an outburst of surprise and later some anger mixed with agita, but this is worse.

Devon bends over, his stomach tightening. He resists the urge to throw up. His right hand reaches out and grabs the back of the booth’s bench seat and his left the table to prevent him from falling. Hands guide him onto the bench. They are warm hands; they are his hands. Hands he never felt until now. Hands he will never feel again since he will probably never see again. He holds his scream inside; he couldn’t afford to lose his job. Gus is already on him for his makeup. His face is so hot, he worries it may be running. He forces himself to rise, pushing Dimitri’s hand off his shoulder and walks away. Purposefully, carefully, he walks, no theatrics, no fuss, hands at his sides. Once at the double doors to the back of the diner, he turns to look at Dimitri standing next to the booth with his lower lip pressing over the upper one, his eyebrows transformed into one single bushy squiggle. He looks the epitome of concern. This is how he will remember him forever, standing there, with that stupid face.

In the back he makes his way to the employee’s toilet, his face hot and his stomach a knot. He doesn’t know what to think, but distancing himself from Dimitri allows his anger to subside. He wants to take his break. He can’t go back out while he is there. He needs time.

Devon, are you okay?

I don’t know, Alisa. I really don’t know what I am.

Oh honey, I know it hurts, but I told you he wasn’t interested in you the same as you.

But all those weeks. And me acting so silly, so excited when he came in.

I know. I told him I was worried about how you would take the news.

You knew! You knew he was leaving? When did you know? His face scrunched up to the point you couldn't see his eyes in their slits.

I sp, spoke to him, a, a, last week.

He moves his face to within an inch of hers and whispers, You’re lying. When did you know?

Alisa begins to shake. His red face, his eyes bulging now with most of the whites obscured by red veins. It scared her. She wished she had her can of mace.

She steps back. I, I, spoke to him a few weeks ago. He, we didn’t know how to tell you. We both knew you made more of your relationship than it was.

Laughing, I forgot you’re a sage. All knowing in regard to personal interactions and relationships. How’s yours? Not giving her time to react he juts his face an inch from hers again.  That’s right, I forgot. How insensitive of me, you don’t have one. Alisa cringes as spittle flies into her face.

Devon moves in to lick it off. She jerks her head back, banging it against the wall. Gus is ringing the pick up bell. She eases away from him, smooths out her shirt and skirt, shakes her head and goes through the doors.

The doors swing past each other providing flashes of Dimitri’s face. They make a flapping sound at each passing reminding Devon of the old movie clips where the film clacks along showing a new image for each clack. The image he sees is one of relief, not for him, but for Alisa.

[Oh, gushing with concern for Alisa. I don’t see him trying to peek in here to see how I am doing.]

He opens and closes his fists, pounding them against his legs. His veins bulge and a few pulse as it surges through him.

Alisa knowing and not telling him is a breach of trust, a