The Card Says "Secret Admirer"
“Are you sure this is where you want to go?”
“Yes,” replied Eve Baird as the car pulled up outside the Annex door. This wasn’t the first time she got asked that nor would it be the last.
The driver stared at her as she got out. “Are you sure,” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied, “I like the quiet and enjoy having lunch out here.”
Eve watched as the car pulled away. Next time, she thought, maybe I should just take the back door.
The back door was a magic door that Jenkins came up with. It could take them anywhere in the world that has a door. They just twist some knobs on the old globe, open the doors, and they were there. It was fast and convenient, but when just going into town, it felt better to take a car. Made her feel more like a regular person.
In fact, today, they all decided to head out for a while. Jenkins took the car and dropped them all off. He had a few errands to run himself and needed the car. He said he would pick them up when they were ready or set a door to their location. Eve decided to call a car instead. She didn’t always like using the magic door and even though Jenkins said he would pick them up, he would complain the whole time.
Eve saw someone walking in the woods nearby, but couldn’t make out who it was. She waited until they were out of sight before heading to the Annex door. They didn’t need others nosing around the building. She always got on Jones every time had a pizza delivered.
As Eve got closer to the door, she noticed a package sitting next to it. She approached it carefully. Flynn or Jenkins probably had an artifact sent here from someone. These artifacts can be dangerous. She hated getting surprises like this.
After making sure the package was safe to move, Eve picked it up and took it inside. After putting away the things she had picked up on her trip to town, Eve took the package to the Annex. She sat it down on the table and plucked the envelope off the package. There was nothing written on it except for a drawn heart. No name, no address. Nothing to indicate where it came from or who it was for.
At that moment, Jenkins walked into the room. “That is the last time I offer to take any of you anywhere,” he said.
“Didn’t enjoy the ride,” asked Eve.
“No way. First one of you wants to go here. Another wants to go there. Somebody wants to be picked up and taken somewhere else. That is it. Next time you want to go to town, drive yourselves or take the door,” replied Jenkins. He spotted the package on the table. “What is that,” he asked.
“I don’t know,” replied Eve, “I found it by the door, outside, when I got back.”
“Well, who is it from? Who is it for,” asked Jenkins.
“I’m not sure. There is nothing on the envelope except a heart,” replied Eve, as she showed it to Jenkins.
“So, it is not from you,” asked Jenkins. Eve shook her head no. “Well, I didn’t leave it,” replied Jenkins, “It must be from Mr. Carsen.”
“What must be from me,” asked Flynn as he walked into the room.
“Did you leave this package by the door for me to find,” asked Eve.
“No, why would I,” Flynn Carsen said as he walked over to check it out.
“I don’t know, because you love me and wanted to do something special,” replied Eve.
“Sorry, sweetie. I meant to say I love you,” replied Flynn, “But I didn’t leave this.”
“Uh, huh,” replied Eve quizzingly, as Flynn kissed her on the cheek.
“Mr. Jenkins, where did you put my…” said Cassandra as she came into the room. She stopped when she saw the three of them standing around the Annex table. “What’s going on? Do we have a new case,” she asked them.
Jenkins suddenly remembered when Cassandra had a crush on him. “Did you leave a package by the Annex door,” asked Jenkins.
“A package? What kind of package,” asked Cassandra moving towards the table.
“I found a package outside. There is a card, but the only thing on the envelope is a drawn heart. We don’t know who it is for, or who is from,” Eve replied.
Cassandra looked over at the package. “I didn’t leave it,” she replied. “And none of you left it,” she asked the three of them. They all shook their heads no. “What do we do with it,” she asked.
“I don’t know, maybe we should open the card? See what it says,” said Flynn.
Before any of them could answer the globe started spinning and the backdoor lit up. As the doors opened up, Flynn and the others could hear them arguing before seeing Jacob and Ezekiel walking into the room.
“We said we were going to meet at Blue Bird Tavern,” said Ezekiel.
“No, we said we were going to meet at Burgerville,” replied Jacob angrily.
“No, we didn’t mate. I distinctly remember saying Blue Bird Tavern. We were going to grab a pint before we came back,” replied Ezekiel.
Ezekiel and Jacob stopped when they realized the other four were staring at them. “What’s going on,” asked Jacob
“What are you two arguing about now,” asked Jenkins, “I thought you were going to call when you were ready to be picked up, but you never did.”
“Yeah, because Jones never showed up to the meeting place until I called to see where he was at,” replied Jacob.
“No, you didn’t show up to Blue Bird Tavern, where we said we were going to meet,” replied Ezekiel.
“We said Burgerville,” said Jacob. He and Ezekiel started arguing again.
“Enough,” said Eve and they both stopped.
“What is everybody doing in the Annex, anyway,” asked Ezekiel.
“Why are you asking? Are you trying to hide something,” Flynn asked Ezekiel.
“No, just curious,” replied Ezekiel and took a bite of the pizza he had in his hand.
Flynn eyed Ezekiel for a moment. Eve broke the silence and said, “Anywho, I found this box outside. Did one of you two leave it?”
Jacob and Ezekiel walked up to the table to look at the box. “I’ve never seen that,” replied Jacob.
“Me, neither,” replied Ezekiel, “Who’s it for?”
“We don’t know,” replied Eve. She held up the envelope and said, “There’s no name written on it. Just a drawn heart.”
“Well, the only person I would send that to is myself,” replied Ezekiel. “But I didn’t,” Ezekiel said after noticing the weird looks from the others.
Jacob rolled his eyes at Ezekiel. Then he held out his hand and said, “Can I see it?”
Eve handed the enveloped card to Jacob. He looked it over while asking, “You found this outside by the door? Did you see anybody else when you found it?”
Eve replied, “Yes by the door.” She thought about it for a second and replied, “Wait, I thought I saw someone walking through the woods, but I didn’t get a good look at them.”
“Hmm,” said Jacob, “Somebody could have seen one of us in town and followed us back here. We aren’t always careful when we head out on the town.”
“You’re right,” replied Jenkins, “We haven’t been careful, but that’s why we have safeguards to keep people out.”
“So, what are we going to do with it,” asked Ezekiel.
“I think we are going to have to open it to see who it is for,” said Eve.
They all agreed. Then Cassandra asked, “Who’s going to open it?”
They all looked at each other. Then Flynn said to Jacob, “Why don’t you open it since you are holding it.”
Jacob said okay and then opened the envelope. He opened the card and glanced at it real quick. Then he turned to Cassandra and said, “I believe it is for you.”
Cassandra took the card from Jacob and read it to herself. She smiled.
After a few minutes Flynn asked, “What does it say?”
Cassandra looked up and read, "Cassandra, you are the smartest, most beautiful woman I ever met. I love your caring nature. I love that you try not to let people get the better of you but not afraid to tell them off. I have trust in you and I hope one day you would feel the same about me. For now I will cherish the moments we have together."
Cassandra stopped reading the card. She looked up as Eve said, "do you spend a lot of time with people?"
"I don't know. I do visit a lot of the same places when we go out and talk to some of the regulars and employees at those places," replied Cassandra.
"Who does it say it's from," asked Flynn.
"The card says, 'Secret Admirer'," Cassandra replied.
"Someone wants to remain anonymous for now, that's interesting," said Flynn intrigued.
"What's in the box," asked Ezekiel.
Cassandra opened up the box. She reached inside and pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper. She carefully unwrapped the gift to reveal a stuffed cat dressed as a scientist. She smiled a slight smile.
"Wow, that's so interesting," said Ezekiel sarcastically. Jacob gave him a slight shove. "Sorry, I mean, what a thoughtful gift," said Ezekiel.
"I don't care what you think, Ezekiel. I think he's cute," replied Cassandra.
"Whatever," replied Ezekiel, "I'm going to my room." As he headed out of the room, he turned back and said, "and Stone, maybe next time you'll remember where we were supposed to meet." He was gone before Jacob could reply.
"Well, now that we got the box out of the way, I'm going to check to see if all the security measures are up to date," said Jenkins. Then he left the room.
Flynn and Eve were the next to leave the room. As they left, Eve was asking Flynn if he would do something that sweet for her with Flynn saying that of course he would.
Cassandra and Jacob were the only ones left in the room. They stood there quietly for a moment. Cassandra was still looking at the stuffed cat in her hands. She didn't realize Jacob was staring at her. He had a sweet smile on his face as he looked at her.
Jacob was lost in thought, not realizing he was staring at Cassandra. I'm glad she likes the gift, he thought. He's not sure if he'll ever tell her the truth.
After Jenkins dropped them all off, Jacob made a plan. Jenkins dropped Jacob and Ezekiel off at the same place. Jacob turned to Ezekiel and said, "Hey, I am going to run a few errands and we can meet up after to call Jenkins to pick us up."
"Alright, Mate," replied Ezekiel. Ezekiel took out his phone and looked at his G.P.S. "How about we meet at Blue Bird Tavern," said Ezekiel.
"Sounds good," replied Jacob, "In an hour sound alright?"
"Alright, see you then," replied Ezekiel.
Jacob watched as Ezekiel walked away and turned the corner. As soon as he was out of sight, Jacob rushed to get done what he had to do and get back in time.
Jacob had just placed the box, when he saw a taxi turn the corner. Someone was coming back earlier than he expected. He rushed off to the woods hoping not to be seen. He was going to have to take a longer way back to meet Ezekiel.
When Jacob got close to the meeting place, he was already running behind. That's when he spotted Burgerville. He ducked inside and waited a few minutes to call Ezekiel. “Where are you, man," asked Jacob as soon as Ezekiel picked up.
"I'm at Blue Bird Tavern waiting on you," replied Ezekiel.
"But we said we were meeting at Burgerville," replied Jacob.
"No we didn't, Mate, we said Blue Bird Tavern," replied Ezekiel.
"I am pretty sure we said Burgerville, but whatever, just meet me here," said Jacob.
Ezekiel arrived and they began to argue about who was right. Of course Ezekiel was right but Jacob will never admit to that. They called a door instead of calling Jenkins and waiting to be picked up. They continued to argue as they stepped through the door into the Annex.
Jacob came out of his thoughts when he realized Cassandra was looking at him. He realized she had said something to him. He asked her to repeat what she said.
"I said it was really sweet of someone to do this for me," she replied.
"Yeah," replied Jacob, "I am sure whoever left it, thinks you are special and deserve something special."
Cassandra looked at Jacob. He was looking away kind of shyly as he said that. It was at that moment she knew. "I wonder why he didn't write his name," she said.
"Maybe he's afraid you won't feel the same way about him," replied Jacob.
They were silent for a moment. Cassandra waited until Jacob looked at her. "Well, I hope he one day gets the courage to tell me who he is," she said. She picked up the cat and card and put them into the box. "I think I'm going to go to bed,” she said as she picked up the box.
Jacob walked with Cassandra to the door. As she was about to walk out the door, she said, “Good night, Jacob," and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then she was gone.
Jacob gathered up some things in the Annex, as he thought about what Cassandra said. He went to the door, looking back as he reached for the lights. Yeah, he thought, maybe someday I'll tell her it was me. He turned out the lights and headed to his room.
