Kristin Ashe: Disorderly Attachments Part 11

I cleared my throat. "Maybe."

"About what?"

I avoided eye contact. "Nothing."

"You letting this Carolyn O'Keefe situation eat away at you?"

I didn't respond.

"You want to be single? You got the idea that's the way to go?"

"It'd be easier than this," I said petulantly.

Fran pounded her fist on the desk. "Cut the c.r.a.p. Destiny would never cheat on you."

"How can you be sure? You don't know this Carolyn O'Keefe, what she's capable of."

"I know Destiny, don't I?"

"So do I."

"Not well enough, evidently. That girl adores you. Always has. Always will, unless you keep s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g things up. Let it go, you hear me?"

I nodded, a slight movement.

"You haven't had any contact from O'Keefe?"

I shook my head.

Fran scowled. "Doesn't feel right. Too quiet. No sign of O'Keefe at all?"

"None," I said, leaving out my trip to the Botanic Gardens and her nasty follow-up call.

Two little lies.

Fran studied my impa.s.sive features. "You haven't heard from O'Keefe since you gave her the report on Destiny?"

I willed innocence into my tone. "No. Do you think I should call her?"

"You got the number?"

"No, but I could track her down at the school district office."

"Nah. Sit tight. Wait for her next move." Fran scratched her chin. "Surprised it hasn't come yet, but you stay out of it."

I let out a long sigh.

"I mean it. Let me take care of this, and it'll blow over."

"What's going on anyway?" I said testily. "What have you been doing on the case?"

"Plenty," she said firmly. "But this ain't the time for an update."

"Why?"

"First off, you're too hotheaded. You wouldn't be able to view it rationally. Second, I'm still compiling my report."

I glared at Fran. "When will you care to share?"

"Before you know it. Meantime, you can believe Fran Green's got everything under control."

She stared at me hard, until I said in a monotone, "Okay."

"Gonna let it go?"

I shook my head but said, "I suppose."

"You better." She approached me, and I tried to brush off her hug, but she squeezed me tightly.

Let it go.

Easy for Fran Green to say.

She didn't have to spend a day in my mind, which, granted, was p.r.o.ne to paranoia.

But not this time.

I was certain Carolyn O'Keefe posed a distinct threat, even if no one believed me.

That evening, Destiny and I made it through dinner without arguing, an accomplishment, given our recent history, one waited to broach any tender subjects until we were in bed.

"I feel like I'm losing you," she said, cupping my cheek in her hand. You're so far away.

"I'm right here," I replied feebly.

"Is it that case you're working on?"

"A little."

She propped herself on one elbow and studied me with concern. "Can you talk about it?"

"No."

"Don't let it get to you, Kris. I know you care about your cases, but no one's worth this."

"You're wrong," I said, looking directly into her eyes.

She kissed me tenderly. "Let me make love to you."

"Not tonight," I said, detaching, unable to bear her hands touching me.

"Fooling around always makes you feel better."

"Not now, please."

She pulled back. "Are you sure?"

"We'll make love soon," I promised, stroking her hair.

"Tomorrow?" she said eagerly.

I smiled faintly. "Not that soon."

"A week from now? A month?"

"Not that long."

She grinned at me playfully. "You promise I'll have s.e.x in the next thirty days?"

"Yes, Destiny," I said quietly, my heart aching.

"While I'm waiting patiently," she said, pulling me close, "I'll hold you until you're ready."

I lay in her arms, stiff, for a long time.

When she finally fell asleep, I moved to the far side of the bed, where I lay on my back, wide awake.

I longed to close my eyes, but every time I did, scenes of Destiny and Carolyn played out on the backs of my eyelids.

Exhaustion eventually won out over horror, and I fell asleep shortly before the sun rose.

"We've got a problem."

A ridiculous way to open a Monday, but I should have expected it, knowing Fran Green seldom bothered with tact.

My face went slack. "Is this your way of telling me you finally have an update on Destiny and Carolyn?"

Fran nodded. "Spare a minute?"

"Can I sit down first?" I said irritably, my blood pressure rising.

"Take your time," Fran said sociably. "Can I get you anything? Water, soda?"

I shook my head glumly.

"What do you want first, facts or opinions?"

"Facts."

She opened her notebook. "Plenty of those. Fact number one, Destiny and suspect have met on three occasions."

"Could we call her Carolyn?"

"Fair enough."

"For dates?"

"Wouldn't label 'em that. Hardly romantic settings. Sweet Tomatoes, Chili's, Applebee's. Middle of the day, middle of the 'burbs. I performed surveillance from the car, using high-powered binoculars purchased from a reconnaissance Web site. I'll submit the receipt later."

"I could care less about the receipt. What I need is-"

"You're a stickler for financial details," Fran interrupted. "Wanted to put you at ease concerning my bookkeeping."

"What about my lover?" I practically screamed. "Put me at ease about her."

"Can't do that," Fran said solemnly. "But making progress. Chalk up these liaisons to business meetings." Could you get to the point?"

Fran's tone and speed never changed. "Two of 'em arrive separately. Destiny's always a few minutes early. No signs of guilt or subterfuge. Shakes O.K.'s hand when they leave the restaurant. Never walks her to "e car, never lingers, never looks at her with l.u.s.t. Nothing out of the ordinary."

"O-K. is what?"

"Shorthand for O'Keefe."

"Could we please call her Carolyn?"

"Limiting, but you're the boss. Fact number two, three days ago, Destiny received a two-hundred-dollar bouquet of flowers."

"From Carolyn?" I said frantically.

"No, that's the perplexing angle. From Shirley Ba.s.sett."

"The one you believe is Carolyn's lover?"

"Yep."

"Have you confirmed they're lovers?"

"Not yet. Got some feelers out, the old Fran Green search engine. Takes longer than Google but produces better matches. Should hear back soon."

"How do you know how much the flowers cost?"

"Noted the quality and quant.i.ty, queried the floral experts next door."

My chest heaved. "Why would Shirley Ba.s.sett send Destiny flowers?"

"Didn't. Fact number three, S.B. brought them to the Lesbian Community Center herself, along with a hundred-K donation."