by Karen Legasy
“Good.” Marlee stood up to get a closer look at the notes, wanting to ensure that all of Hannah’s suspicious behaviors were included. “Did you document the times when Hannah accessed Abigail’s email account to reverse decisions?”
“I have notes in my spreadsheet,” Tyler said, “but I’ll add it to this list as well.”
“Hannah left in a bit of a hurry yesterday afternoon, don’t you think?” Marlee folded her arms as she stood behind Tyler.
“And she snuck back in the middle of the night,” he said.
“She didn’t sneak back.” Abigail stood up. “She let herself in and came to my room because she was concerned about me.”
She also slept with you once. Marlee mentally added it to the list, jealousy or not.
“Why don’t we review our notes?” Marlee backed up so Abigail could study the screen.
“Hannah’s name sure does appear a lot,” Tyler said.
“It does, doesn’t it?” Abigail reviewed the list, her head shaking. “Maybe we should hold off on involving her.”
“It sounds like we might have a suspect,” Tyler said.
“No, we don’t have a suspect,” Abigail said. “Just because I want to wait a bit longer before involving Hannah with us doesn’t mean I believe it could be her. It’s more that I want to be cautious because her name is so prominent in our list. I’d like to think about it for a bit before I make a final decision on whether or not to involve her.”
“That’s a good idea.” Marlee touched Abigail’s arm. “I want you to feel comfortable with what we’re doing and trust in your own gut about this. We’ll do whatever you want.”
“Thanks.” Abigail put a hand on Tyler’s shoulder and grasped Marlee’s arm with the other. “I really appreciate the effort you two are putting into this. I want you to know how grateful I am.”
“No problem,” Tyler said. “I never would have believed I’d be doing something like this. I’m enjoying it.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Abigail smiled as she stepped back toward the door. “I think I’ll leave you two for now while I deal with a few things from the office.”
“Do you have to go in?” Marlee asked.
“No, but I need to finish reviewing Hannah’s data. And I also need to think about what I’m going to tell her when she comes over later this morning, expecting an explanation.”
“Blame it on me,” Marlee said. “Your police officer advises against involving her.”
“I might have to,” Abigail said. “She can be very persistent when she wants something.”
“I can talk to her if you like.” Marlee didn’t really want to. “Let me know.”
“I will.” Abigail’s footsteps faded into the distance.
“Hannah’s overstepping her boundaries,” Marlee said. “We need to zero in on the little bitch.”
Tyler chuckled as he twirled in his chair to face Marlee. “What happened last night?”
“She at least had the good sense to knock on the closed door first,” Marlee said. “I hid under the sheets while Abigail chased her away.”
“And she didn’t notice a big bulge under the blankets?”
“Abigail wouldn’t let her turn on the light,” Marlee said, impressed with her lover. “I went downstairs a few minutes later and asked them what was going on. Hannah wouldn’t look at me.”
“I bet. One wrong look and the two of you could’ve ended up in a catfight. Two pussies fighting over Abigail.” Tyler laughed. “It would have been fun to watch.”
“You’re disgusting.” Marlee scowled.
“Don’t let jealousy cloud your perspective on Hannah. Abigail believes she’s innocent. We should trust her judgment and not waste a lot of time zeroing in on the wrong person.”
“I’m not jealous of Hannah,” Marlee said. “I’m watching out for Abigail.”
“The way she calls your lover Tay and touches her whenever she can. ‘Ta Tay.’ Don’t tell me that doesn’t get you going.”
“Look at the evidence,” Marlee said. “Hannah’s implicated in everything. Her research was fucked with. She abused her proxy of Abigail’s email. She left in a hurry yesterday and snuck back in the middle of the night.”
“What are you going to say to Hannah if she wants to talk to you?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’ll think of something. I can’t let her know she’s my main suspect.”
“You’re that sure?”
“No, but she’s the only suspect we have right now. I have a hunch about her. Something’s off with the way she acts around Abigail. It’s like she’s trying to imitate her. They have the same ponytail, drive the same car, do the same research, and Hannah has a picture of Abigail’s boat for her Facebook profile. I don’t like it.”
“Go figure,” Tyler said. “What do you suggest we do now?”
“I want you to track every move she makes on the network. What time she’s logged in, who she’s sending emails to, what sites she’s visiting, when she proxies into Abigail’s account, when she’s badged into the building, when she’s working remotely, and anything else worth noting. Can you do that?”
“I have my ways,” he said. “I’ll get on it right away.”
“Perfect,” Marlee said. “I need to check in on a few things back home.”
“Like returning to work in a few weeks? How are you ever going to go home?”
“I’m going to request an extension on my work leave. I can’t return now. This is starting to feel like home.”
“I could get used to this being my home too.” Tyler motioned around the room. “Who wouldn’t in a place like this?”
“I meant Australia and with Abigail,” Marlee said. “I found the love of my life here.”
“Love is a pretty strong word,” Tyler said. “You don’t really know that much about her and how this is all going to turn out.”
“I think she loves me too.” Marlee smiled.
“You can’t be serious,” Tyler said. “You may be infatuated with each other, but love? I don’t think so. It hasn’t been long enough for that.”
“Long enough for what?” Abigail came into the room.
“Is Hannah here yet?” Marlee’s patience with the woman was waning.
“Yes. She’s out by the pool and wants to talk to you.” Abigail fidgeted with her ponytail. “I feel so terrible. I didn’t know what else to say to her other than you, as the police officer, advised me against telling anything.”
Marlee’s heart drummed and her mouth suddenly dried. “You didn’t tell her I was working with the Australian police, did you?”
“No.” Abigail shook her head. “All she knows is that we met by chance and now you’re helping me. She doesn’t understand why the two of you are staying here and I couldn’t think of what to say so I suggested she speak to you.”
“Does she suspect anything going on between us?” Marlee’s stomach churned.
“No. She knows I’m not a lesbian.” Abigail put a hand on Marlee’s arm. “Sorry. I didn’t mean for it to sound like that.”
“I know,” Marlee said. “Let’s get this over with. I’ll think of what I’m going to say while we head to the pool.”
“I was hoping you’d go on your own.” Abigail pulled her hand back. “I need some space by myself to think and can’t deal with this right now. I’m picking up Josh this afternoon and we’re taking the boat out for a few hours.”
“Is she okay with that?” Marlee asked. “Talking to me on my own?”
“Yes.” Abigail backed away. “She insisted on speaking with you, actually. I promised to say good-bye before I go. She’s expecting you now on your own.”
Marlee took a deep breath as she watched Abigail rush out of view then approached the doorway. “Here goes nothing.”
“Good luck,” Tyler said.
“Thanks. I’ll need it.” Marlee’s tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth as she headed to the pool. She didn’t know what was worse—facing off against Hannah
with no prepared words, or her disappointment at not being invited on the boat.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Hannah’s fingers hammered against the patio tabletop as Marlee trudged toward her. She sat cross-legged in one of the chairs and her face was hidden by unruly hair sticking out of a black ball cap that matched one of Abigail’s.
“Good morning, Hannah.” Marlee held out a hand. “Thanks so much for agreeing to talk with me.”
“What are you doing here?” Hannah swung her head to face Marlee, enlarged black pupils glaring through glassy eyes, her body rigid. “Abigail is vulnerable right now and I won’t have strangers taking advantage of her.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Marlee spoke in a soft voice as she pulled up a chair and sat down. “I understand the two of you are close friends and can appreciate your concern.”
“You haven’t answered my question.” Hannah crossed her arms and looked at the pool.
“She saved my life.” Marlee struggled to keep calm. “I owe her and will do whatever is necessary to catch the scum who’s trying to hijack the good work of her company. I’m staying here because it’s convenient and I don’t want anyone but Abigail to know about my investigation.”
“Then who the fuck is Tyler?” Hannah twisted around with such fury that she almost overturned the table.
“He’s my friend and I’m helping him too.” Marlee stayed still. “His ribs were broken by an angry ex and he needs a safe place to stay right now. I couldn’t leave him alone and Abigail graciously allowed him to come here with me.”
“Sounds pretty contrived to me. Are you working with the Australian police?” A spray of spittle followed Hannah’s words.
“No, of course not.” Marlee wiped her cheek. “This has nothing to do with my position as a sergeant in the Ottawa police. I’m on leave at the moment and working for Abigail.”
“How convenient,” Hannah said. “She’s not a lesbian, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Marlee stifled a flinch.
“She’s a very rich, attractive, vulnerable woman.” Hannah leaned toward Marlee and tapped on the table to the beat of her next words. “Don’t kid yourself into thinking she can be seduced by a loud dyke like you.”
Marlee’s patience was gone. “That’s not what I’m trying to do. How would you know what she likes anyway?”
“I’m her best friend and know everything about her.”
“No you don’t or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” Marlee gripped the arms of her chair.
Hannah bent closer, her mouth slightly open to reveal shiny white teeth. “Abigail is susceptible right now. I’ll do whatever is necessary to protect her from anyone who tries to take advantage of the situation. I expect to be included in your investigation. Got that?”
“For sure.” Marlee stood, her jaw tight. “You, like everyone else in the company, will certainly be included in my investigation. Got that?”
Marlee swung around to retreat and almost knocked Abigail over. They grabbed onto each other as Abigail gasped then quickly let go and stepped away to put a chair between them.
“I’m heading out now,” Abigail said. “I’ll have my phone if anything urgent comes up, but please don’t contact me if it can wait. I want to focus on Josh for the afternoon and have some time to clear my head.”
Hannah stood up and pulled Abigail into an embrace. “I’m worried about you, Tay. Please be careful.”
“I will.” Abigail returned the hug and pecked her cheek. “Try not to worry about me, okay?”
Hannah kept her grip. “You’re my best friend, Tay. Of course I’m going to worry about you.”
Abigail pulled out of the embrace, turned to Marlee, and nodded. “Enjoy the rest of the day.”
“You too.” Marlee’s throat constricted as she watched Abigail disappear inside. She resisted the urge to follow and stomped into the yard to calm down, conscious of Hannah’s spiteful gaze on her back. She strolled around the perimeter of trees, touching the foliage, inhaling the eucalyptus, and made it to the front of the house just in time to see Abigail backing her vehicle out of the garage. She waved and was about to approach the rolling SUV when Hannah’s car started. All she could do was watch as the two women drove away. Dejected, she went into the house in search of Tyler. He was still seated at his computer.
“They’re both gone.” Marlee flopped into a chair. “We have the house to ourselves. Yippee.”
“They left together?” Tyler’s eyes widened.
“No. They went at the same time, but not together. That bitch better not follow her to the boat.”
“I take it your little chat didn’t go very well.” Tyler leaned back. “What did you say?”
“It doesn’t matter what I said to her, we don’t trust each other.” Marlee’s body shook with anger. “I can tell Abigail feels caught in the middle. She’s probably going to insist we include Hannah.”
“You don’t know that,” Tyler said. “Abigail’s a smart, rational woman and she’ll think things through.”
“She thinks the world of Hannah. She even kissed her good-bye—on the cheek. All I got was a nod.”
“What did you expect?” Tyler laughed. “You of all people should have recognized that Abigail was on the ball by not divulging your illicit affair.”
“It’s not an illicit affair.” Marlee punched her knee. “We love each other.”
“So you’ve told me. If I was Hannah, I’d be nervous too. Think of it. Abigail has been her best friend for years and all of a sudden two strangers move into her house. Wouldn’t you be freaking out too?”
“This is getting complicated.” Marlee sighed. “It’s so much easier when I’m not personally involved in a case. I know what you mean, but it doesn’t matter. I can’t empathize with that woman and especially not when Abigail’s future is at risk.”
“How did things get left between the two of you?”
“She’s going to think about things.” Marlee sighed.
“What things? Did you give her some kind of ultimatum?”
“Of course not,” Marlee said. “I’d never ask her to choose between Hannah and me.”
“I meant Hannah.” Tyler chuckled. “How did you leave things with her?”
“This is some kind of game for you, isn’t it? Laughing when things aren’t so funny.”
“It’s easier for me because I’m not personally involved,” Tyler said. “I’m just your IT hacker guy along for the ride.”
Marlee’s phone buzzed with a text. “Abigail’s spending the night on the boat with Josh. Shit. I was hoping to talk to her tonight.”
“As in pillow talk?” Tyler said.
Marlee swatted at him. “We need to go to the marina to make sure Hannah’s not there too. Abigail’s picking up Josh so we should be able to get there before they head out to ensure they’re left alone. I don’t trust that woman.”
* * *
Tyler eased his car into a parking space behind a white minivan in the marina car park. Marlee watched Abigail and Josh load a few bags onto the boat. There was no sign of Hannah or her car.
“Wow, nice boat,” Tyler said. “I wouldn’t mind sailing on that. Are you going to get out and let her know you’re here?”
“No. She asked not to be disturbed unless it was an emergency.”
“I thought it was an emergency,” Tyler said. “You, a police officer, even ordered me to run three yellow lights.”
“It’s not like they were red,” Marlee said. “We had lots of time to clear the intersections. Besides, we were in hot pursuit and didn’t have a second to waste at lights.”
“The only hot pursuit was in your pants,” Tyler said.
Marlee folded her arms and lowered her chin. “I had to make sure Hannah wasn’t anywhere near that boat before they left.”
“Oh, come on. You couldn’t stand the thought of Hannah spending the night on the yacht instead of you.”
&nb
sp; “Abigail said she needed some time to herself to think,” Marlee said. “I want to make sure she gets that. Otherwise I’d be over there now myself, weaseling my way in.”
“Like you expected Hannah to be doing?”
“Yes. I’m feeling more encouraged about Hannah now that it looks like she’s giving Abigail some space.”
“It’s a good thing because after a night of thinking on her own, Abigail could insist we include her,” Tyler said.
“I know.” Marlee put down her window and watched as the impressive boat navigated out to open water then disappeared from view. She longed to be on it. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
When Abigail returned the next morning, Marlee and Tyler were in the workroom sipping on coffee. Marlee was tired and adjusting to the new day after a restless night of brooding and longing. She hoped the caffeine would reverse her blah mood after Abigail hadn’t invited her on the boat. Tyler, on the other hand, was humming away at his computer when Abigail burst into the room and almost made Marlee spill her mug.
“Good morning.” Abigail was perky and dressed for the office. She looked stunning in her fitted navy skirt with matching blazer and a light floral patterned cotton blouse underneath. “How are you going?”
Marlee’s jaw trembled at the sight of Abigail. Her eyes begged Tyler to answer.
“Hard at it, but nothing new to report,” he said after a pause.
“I hope you didn’t work all night.” Abigail hovered over his shoulder to look at the screen.
“Nah,” Tyler said. “We were out and about a bit yesterday after you left.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Abigail turned to Marlee. “I was wondering if I could have a few words alone with you?”
“Sure.” Marlee’s knees shook as she followed Abigail out of the room, afraid of what was coming.
Abigail led them out by the pool and stopped at the edge.
“I hope you’re not going to push me in,” Marlee said.
“Should I?” Abigail’s tone was serious.
“It depends.” Marlee’s mouth was dry. “If you’re going to tell me you’ve thought about things and want us to be over then yes, push me in.”
