by Lydia Rose
“Me too, but I want him to stay out jail,” Leslie answered touching the girl’s shoulder.
Marnie approached them. “Marnie, this is Ann Collins. Ann, Marnie is Tom’s attorney.”
Marnie watched as the girl’s face turned white as a ghost. “Hello, Ann. I was wondering if I could have a few minutes of your time.”
Ann looked around for a way to escape, but then nodded her head. “What do you want to talk to me about?”
“I know you were at the party. I just have a few questions.” Marnie led her away from the crowd of people.
Sheila in the meantime was working the crowd. She spoke to a group of girls and asked if they knew Pat. “We do,” one girl said.
The other added. “She’s not here tonight. We both were surprised.”
“How about Steve and Rodney? Are they here?”
Both girls looked at each other. “No.”
“Thanks,” Sheila said before walking away, but then she turned around. “Were you both at the party?”
Again the girls looked at each other. “I was,” the dark haired girl answered. I didn’t see anything,” she added quickly.
Sheila looked at the other girl. “What about you?” The girl shook her head. “Weren’t you invited?”
“I was, but I decided not to go.” The girl blushed a deep red.
“Were you at the lake?” Sheila asked moving closer to her. The girl shook her head, but didn’t respond. “Your parents don’t have to find out you were with a boy there.”
The other said quickly, “Christy doesn’t have a boyfriend.”
Sheila and Christy’s eyes met before the girl dropped her gaze. She now understood why the girl was reticent to speak. “We can speak in private if it makes you feel more comfortable.”
Christy looked at Sheila. “I don’t know anything,” she said walking into the darkness.
Meanwhile, Marnie was speaking with a very nervous Ann. “I’m only trying to get to the truth, Ann. I’m not here to hurt you,” she said softly.
“I don’t know anything,” she said firmly and walked away into the darkness.
Marnie walked back to Leslie and her friend. “Did she tell you anything?”
“No,” Marnie said shaking her head. “But she knows something.” Sheila now approached. “How did you do?”
“Pat, Steve and Rodney didn’t show up tonight. I spoke with some girl named Christy. I know she knows something, but she wouldn’t tell me anything.” Sheila leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “I think she’s gay and doesn’t want anyone to find out.”
“Would you ladies like to go for a drink with us?” Leslie asked looking at the two women.
“Yes,” Sheila answered before Marnie could refuse the invitation.
They all walked into the local bar and found a table. “How about a pitcher of beer?” Ashley asked already standing. At everyone’s nod, she walked over to the bar.
Leslie nodded. “Christy is gay,” she said softly. “I’ve had a few conversations with her. It might be better if I spoke with her.”
“Thank you, Leslie,” Marnie said as she watched Ashley coming toward their table.
Ashley took her seat. “So, Sheila, Leslie tells me you are an investigator.”
“I am.”
“That must be exciting.”
Sheila smiled. “It can be, but it’s just a job like any other.”
“Sheila is being modest, Ashley. She is very good at her job. She is able to find out things I never could to help our cases,” Marnie said proudly of her friend.
“Dance with me?” Sheila asked Leslie.
“If she won’t, I will,” Ashley was already standing.
“You can two-step?” Marnie asked.
“I’ve two-stepped a few times,” she said following Ashley out to the dance floor.
“I’m afraid Sheila is going to be disappointed to find out Ashley is straight,” Leslie said chuckling.
“She isn’t interested in Ashley,” Marnie said looking at Leslie out of the corner of her eye.
“I’m not interested in having a brief affair with her, Marnie. She’ll be gone soon,” she said with a sigh.
Marnie nodded. “I understand.” Leslie’s statement told her she didn’t stand a chance with this woman either. It had been a long, long time since she met a woman that she wanted to spend time with. She turned to the dance floor and now saw Ashley and Sheila dancing with men. Marnie wished she could be like Sheila and just let loose and enjoy herself. She now watched as a man came over to Leslie and asked her to dance. Leslie stood up and took the man’s hand. Someone began to approach Marnie, but her eyes told him to back off and he veered toward the bar instead. Now Marnie watched as the woman from the café approached Leslie and took her in her arms. They danced, but not as strangers. Their bodies had an infinity for each other and Marnie felt something in the pit of her stomach. She realized it before her heart clenched. Marnie was jealous.
They all left the bar feeling no pain. Ashley and Sheila were holding each other’s arms singing at the top of their lungs. Leslie laughed. “I think they both had a good time.”
“Are you okay to drive?” Marnie asked, standing next to Leslie.
“I’m fine. I stopped drinking over an hour ago and changed to water.” She nodded with her head and said, “I better get Ashley home before she does something she will regret in the morning.”
Marnie nodded her understanding and watched as Leslie took Ashley’s arm and led her over to her car. Sheila stopped singing and gave Leslie a dirty look. “Hey, she was coming up to my room.”
“Not tonight, Sheila. If she wants to go when she’s sober, I won’t stop her.”
Marnie took Sheila’s arm. “Time for bed, Sheila.” She turned to Leslie. “Thanks and let me know if you are able to speak with Christy.”
“I will. Good night.” Leslie was now helping Ashley into her car.
“Good night, sweetie,” Ashley called to Sheila and threw her a kiss.
“Hey, I could have had her tonight,” Sheila said as Marnie led her into the hotel.
“Yeah and then she would hate herself in the morning and so would you.” Sheila looked at Marnie with a frown. “She’s straight, honey.”
“Well she didn’t act like it tonight.”
“She was drunk, Sheila.” Marnie opened Sheila’s door and helped her into bed. “Call me when you wake up.”
“Good night, baby.”
Marnie chuckled. “Good night to you too.”
CHAPTER 9
Leslie picked up her phone before she left for the café. She wanted to catch Christy at home before she left for school. The phone rang three times before a voice said, “Hello.”
“Hi, Christy, it’s Leslie Reynolds.”
“Hello, Leslie.”
“Christy, I was hoping you would come to my house after you got out of school today.” Leslie held her breath as she waited for her answer.
“I can’t, Leslie. I’m sorry, but I don’t know anything that can help you.”
“Please, Christy,” Leslie said with a frustrated sigh. “You know Tom didn’t do this.”
“I can’t. I’m sorry, but I just can’t.” Christy could no longer hide her tears as they began to fall onto her cheek. She looked up and saw her mother standing in the doorway.
Alison took the phone from her daughter. “Leslie, its Alison. We’ll call you back in a few minutes.”
“Thanks, Alison.”
Alison now disconnected the call and took a seat next to her daughter. Her arm went around her waist and she wiped at Christy’s eyes with the dishtowel she was carrying. “Can you help, Leslie?” Christy shrugged. “If there is something you know that could help Tom, you have to be honest.”
“I can’t, Mom.” A sob left her mouth and the arm around her held on tighter. “You’ll hate me if I do. Everyone will hate me.”
“Honey, you are almost eighteen years old. In a few months you will be out of this town and
off to college.” Alison turned her daughter’s face so she could see her eyes. “Don’t you know you can tell me anything and I will still love you?”
“No you won’t, Mom.”
“I will, Christy.” The girl just stared at her mother and Alison knew she was going to have to admit what she knew. “I know, honey. I’ve known for a long time now. I waited for you to come to me.” The tears formed in Alison’s eyes. “I should have told you that there was nothing that you could tell me that would change the way I feel about you.”
Christy hiccupped. “You know I’m gay?” Alison nodded with a smile. She was crying harder now. “I’m so sorry, Mom.”
Alison put Christy at arm’s length so she could see her daughter’s face. “Don’t you apologize for something that you can’t change. I’m so proud of you, honey. I always have been. Do you understand me?” Christy nodded at her mother’s words. “Always proud.” Her arms wrapped around Christy as she let her tears subside. “Do Ellen’s parents know?”
Christy sat back quickly. “No. Please don’t tell them.” Christy begged.
“I won’t, but you know it might come out anyway.”
“Ellen is going to hate me, Mom.”
“She’s in love with you, honey.” Alison chuckled. “I doubt you could do anything to change that.”
“You know I love her?”
“Of course. A mother knows when her daughter is falling love,” she smirked. “Why do you think I stopped the sleepovers?”
“Oh, Mom,” Alison said pulling her mother close. “I’m late for school,” she said through a sniffle.
“I’ll write you a note. Call Leslie back and tell her we will be at her house after school.” She looked at Christy. “Will you take Ellen with you?”
“I’ll ask her at school. She’s going to be disappointed in me,” Christy moaned.
“Maybe for a few minutes, but you both know you have to do what’s right.”
“I know, Mom.” Christy picked up her phone and called Leslie. “I love you, Mom.”
Alison smiled. “I love you too, baby.”
*
Leslie called Marnie after her conversation with Christy. “She said it was all right for you to be there too.”
“I can’t thank you enough for getting her to talk to us.”
“Marnie, I’ll do whatever I have to for my brother.”
“I know you will.” Marnie wondered just how far Leslie would go if her brother was guilty. She pushed that thought out of her head. “Sheila is walking around town seeing what she can snoop out while the kids are in school.”
“I know. She stopped in this morning for breakfast. Why don’t you come over and have some?” Leslie asked softly.
“I can’t right now. They delivered the autopsy report to me this morning and I have to go through it.”
“Okay. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“I’ll see you later.” Marnie hung up the phone and began to read the report. She could see that the autopsy was performed by the local funeral director and her blood ran cold. Her phone was in her hand and she made her call. “Hello, Al.”
“How are you, Marnie?” Her friend for the last ten years asked.
“I need you, Al.”
“Sure.”
“Al, I’m in Georgia.”
“Georgia?”
Marnie laughed. “Yeah, I ended up working on a case after a car accident. I need you, Al. The autopsy was performed by the funeral director. I don’t see where any of the samples were sent for DNA results.”
He chuckled too. “If you’re in a small town, they can’t afford to send them out for analysis.”
“I know and that’s why I need you to review the report and collect samples if there are any.”
“Is your firm paying for this or is this a pro bono case?”
“It’s pro bono and I’ll be paying all the costs.”
“Who is she?” he asked again with a chuckle.
“There is no she, Al. It’s a seventeen-year-old boy who is accused of the rape and murder.”
“I know there is more to this story, but I’ll wait until I get there.”
“So you’ll come down?”
“Yes, Marnie. Send me the information and I’ll let you know when I can arrive.”
While Al was talking there was a soft knock on the door. Marnie walked over to the door and opened it to find Leslie standing on the other side. She held up a bag and in her other hand held a coffee. Her smile opened wide as she motioned Leslie inside. “I really appreciate you taking the time to come here.”
“You are going to owe me big time,” he said chuckling.
“I’ll take you to the restaurant you are so crazy about in Hell’s Kitchen when I get back.”
She disconnected her call and walked over to Leslie. Marnie watched as Leslie opened the bag and put the food on the small table in the room.
“I thought you could use some nourishment while you worked,” Leslie said smiling.
“Thank you. A coroner friend of mine is coming down to review the report and take samples.”
“Marnie, you have to let me and my family give you money for your expenses,” Leslie offered again. She knew this had to be costing Marnie a fortune and she felt bad.
“I have to do everything I can to free your brother. I don’t care about the money.” Her eyes went to Leslie’s mouth. They both stood their staring at each other. Leslie opened her mouth to speak, but before she could get the words out, Marnie pulled her into her body and kissed her mouth. The kiss began chastely, but quickly escalated into a passionate exploration. Realizing what she was doing, Marnie retreated. “I’m sorry, Leslie. I don’t know what came over me.”
“The same thing that I’ve been thinking about,” Leslie answered softly. “Now we both know.” She turned toward the door.
“Who is that woman that you were dancing with last night?” Marnie asked waiting for Leslie to turn around.
Leslie opened her mouth to speak and then closed it. Her eyes met Marnie’s and she said. “Patty. The woman I was telling you about.” Leslie shrugged. “As I told you, I was serious and she wasn’t. End of story.”
“It didn’t look like that last night nor the day in the café that she was glaring at me.”
“That was over a long time ago, Marnie.” Without turning around, she said, “If you need a ride later, let me know.” The door opened and closed and she was gone.
“Shit,” Marnie said softly to the empty room as her fingers went to her lips. She couldn’t let Leslie distract her from her job. No woman had ever been able to do that in the past and she wasn’t about to let that change now. Marnie wanted to do her job and get the hell out of this little town, but knowing that Patty was going to still be here bothered her.
CHAPTER 10
Sheila and Marnie drove over to Christy’s house. When they walked into the living room, Leslie was already sitting there beside their potential witness. “Hi, Christy. Thanks for seeing us tonight,” she said with a nod to Leslie. “You don’t mind if I tape this?” Christy nodded her head and Marnie turned on the machine. The scared girl admitted that she was at the lake with Ellen and they saw Tom pull in at ten o’clock. “Do you know what time he left?”
Christy nodded. “It was eleven fifteen.”
“How can you be certain of the time?” Marnie asked softly.
“Because when he backed out, his headlights flooded our car. I glanced at the clock before his lights disappeared.”
“If needed, will Ellen back up your story?” Marnie asked leaning close to her.
“Yes.” She looked at her mother. “My mom said the trial probably won’t be for months and I’ll be out of school.”
Marnie touched the girl’s leg in comfort. “If I can help it, there won’t be a trial.”
“Really?” Christy asked finally smiling.
“If my evidence turns out to be what I need, I’m hoping to get the charges dropped.” Marnie smiled an
d saw the surprised look on Leslie’s face. “Thank you Christy for telling us the truth.”
Marnie and Sheila left leaving Leslie behind with Christy and her mother. Their plan was to hopefully catch Pat Simmons at home. Sheila started the car and pulled out on the road. “Head back toward town. Wilma told me that Pat lives off the square,” Marnie said getting out a fresh tape for her machine.
“What’s up with you and Leslie?” Sheila finally asked.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing,” Sheila mumbled. “You two could barely look at each other.” Marnie didn’t answer so Sheila pressed on. “Oh my god, you slept with her, didn’t you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Marnie sighed. “We kissed. Are you happy?”
“When?”
“This morning. Leslie brought me breakfast and before I knew what was happening, we were kissing.”
“I know what is happening,” Sheila said laughing. “You both are so attracted to each other. Anyone within a mile radius can see that.” She chuckled. “Even if you two can’t.” Sheila pounded her hand on the steering wheel. “Oh this is too good. You’re falling for the girl from Georgia.”
“I am not falling for her,” Marnie insisted, but her heart was saying something else. When was the last time you spent time with a woman that didn’t involve sex and enjoy yourself? The answer to Marnie’s question would only lead to more questions, so she went back to thinking about the case at hand.
“What are you going to do, move her to New York City?” Sheila sucked in a breath. “No better yet, the big shot attorney is going to live in this little town. I can just see it. You’ll go to work in overalls and a straw hat.”
“Shut up, Sheila,” Marnie growled out her protest, but now she wondered if Sheila was teasing her because of her attraction to Leslie. Leslie told her she thought about kissing her, but that was just curiosity. Right?
The reception at the Archer house was much different. “Hello, Mrs. Archer. I’m…” Marnie words were cut off.
“I know who you are and my daughter isn’t here.”
