The Lies You Told

by Emerald O'Brien

  He grinned, handing them to her, and she laughed. “Well, thanks. I didn’t think you’d take me so seriously, but…are those teas?”

  “Yours is. Peppermint, right? Mine’s coffee.” He handed the tray and flowers to her.

  “You really didn’t have to do this.”

  “I wanted to. I know you don’t want to take a break, but I wanted to see you—and you need to learn to take breaks.”

  “I want to see you too. I just have to finish this.”

  He held up his hands and took a step back. “I get it. Hey, I’m out of your hair until you let me know otherwise.”

  “You’re just going to drive back home?”

  He nodded with a smile. “At least I got to see you. I have Kenzie this weekend, and I figured I wouldn’t see you again until the next one if we don’t have a case together before then.”

  I never thought I’d be standing across from Mac and feeling this way about him, but the kind gestures, the attention, the way he thinks about me and wants to be with me…

  “Well, have a good night.”

  “Hey…you brought us drinks. You might as well come in for my tea break.”

  He followed her inside and sat at the table as she put her tulips in a vase.

  “So what’s stumped you about this one? You never take this long to finish paperwork on a case.”

  “Nothing really. I’m almost done. I’ve just been kind of sidetracked with a case going on in Amherst right now. A friend, she went missing.”

  “Tina Morelli? That’s why you were asking about the BOLO.”

  She nodded. “She helped Madigan and me get out of a bad foster home when we were young, and I followed up with her after I graduated. Anyway, I know her daughter, too, so I’ve been trying to be supportive for her, and I want to find Morelli—I’ve just been distracted by all of it. They found her car this morning—broken down into parts.”

  “I saw the BOLO was taken off.”

  “Still no Tina, though. It seems like everyone in her life is a suspect, and now she’s attached to this other case and…” She lost her train of thought in a daze, imagining Tina driving back home from the gym and Tommy Leman stopping her from getting home somehow. Taking her and getting the revenge he must have wanted since the night they caught him, but it was intensified since she spoke against him at the parole hearing.

  “And you’ve pushed your work aside for a case that’s not yours because you’re personally involved.”

  “Right. I know it’s wrong. I’m trying to finish it, but I want to help Tina more, and I end up chasing leads any chance I get.”

  “Alright, I’m going to leave so you can get your case finished.” He stood and grabbed his coffee.

  Disappointment sank in as she sipped her tea, making eye contact with him.

  “What?” he asked.

  Can he read me that well?

  “I don’t want you to go,” she said in a low, quiet voice.

  He smiled. “I’m just trying to respect your boundaries. Work first. Play second, right?”

  I don’t want to just play—well, I do—but not as much as I just want his company. Just to have him here and talk through the disappearance. Enjoy our hot drinks together, finally not fighting about a case we’re on. Cuddle up on the couch and…

  “Listen.” He cleared his throat and leaned against the wall. “I’m fine with your boundaries, but I don’t feel right about just coming over for some fun and then not seeing you again for a while. When we’re not working together, I understand we’ll see each other less, and I don’t want to get in the way of your work, but I can’t stop thinking about you. I don’t want what we have to just be…fun. I know you’re of a different mindset right now…”

  “Actually, I was thinking the same thing.”

  “You were?”

  She nodded, her cheeks flushing with heat. “I’m not just some work drone. I’ve been doing that for a long time, and now that my life is more about paperwork, I miss being in the field. I miss spending time with my sister, and I miss you when we’re not working together.”

  “You do?” He raised his brow and grinned.

  “Yes,” she laughed, “stop with that. I like being with you, but the thing is, I do prioritize work first. It’s more complicated when we work together, but maybe it won’t have to be for long...”

  If I worked back in Amherst, not only would I be able to help more people… We’d be able to see each other without mixing work and pleasure.

  “How’s that?”

  “My aim is to get a job back in Amherst. It could really free us up to explore this without a conflict of interest, or distractions.”

  He stared at her as she waited for a response.

  He can read me, but I don’t know what he’s thinking right now.

  “I mean, it’s not a guarantee that I’ll be able to work there again, but it would make things so much easier for us to—to give this a go.” He frowned, and she did the same. “I thought you’d be happy that I’ve finally admitted my feelings, but you’re just standing there…”

  “I didn’t know you weren’t going to stay here for good.”

  “Well, I am. I’ll still live here, but I’d commute to the city.”

  “Huh.” He nodded, staring at the table between them. “Is that what you’ve wanted the whole time since being here? To go back?”

  She nodded. “There’s more happening in the city. More people I can help. This demotion was demoralizing, but I’ve seen it as a challenge. To earn back my place.”

  “You’re not happy here?”

  “I mean, I am, but it’s because of you and Madigan. Not this job where I’m mostly doing paperwork lately. That’s why, if we can just put this on pause until I can get a job back in the city again, I feel like we can have a real shot.”

  He nodded and tapped the back of the chair. “I see. Well, it’s good to know where you stand.”

  He started for the door, and she followed him. “Mac, what’s the big deal? I thought—”

  “You thought you could use this county as a stepping stone to get back to the big city with all the action, where you say you can really help people. If that’s how you feel, go for it.” He reached the door and opened it.

  “Hey,” she said, resting her hand on his arm, and he turned back to her. She tried to mask the hurt and rejection in her eyes as he stared at her.

  “Grace, I’m not going to be some second choice, wait list, project to you. You want to help people. I admire that, but there are people here to help. You feel the way I do, or that’s what you say, but you want to wait. Put us on pause?” He huffed out a laugh. “What does that even mean? We’re not a game. I’m not a work project. I’m a man who wants to get to know you. I wanted a chance for us, but I see things from your perspective now, and that’s not what I want.”

  He walked out the door and down the pathway, disappearing past the house, leaving her in the doorway alone.

  There’s the stubborn Mac I know.

  If it’s his way or nothing, then I guess it’s nothing. If he doesn’t understand how important my career is, then he doesn’t really understand me.

  Although logical thoughts filtered through her mind, a slight ache in her chest began to drown them out at the thought of never being with Mac again.

  He didn’t even give us a chance to talk it through—compromise.

  The cold spring night air bit at her nose, and she shut the door behind her, walking back into the empty house. She sat at the kitchen table with the papers, tulips, café cup and monogrammed mug once more, each taunting her.

  I can’t live like this forever, pushing papers and waiting my turn. Pushing aside everything else in life, even my own ethics, to make sure I succeed in my career.

  Madigan was right—I won’t ignore people who need help just to advance my career—but I also won’t give up my dream of working in the city, either. I can align my actions with my ethics, and tomorrow, I’ll call Police Chief Waver
man and put a plan in place to get back to Amherst.

  I’m not letting Sergeant Colette stand in my way.

  Chapter Ten

  Daylight filtered through the windows of Roy’s, and the dishwasher unstacked chairs out on the deck, too early in the season, as most Canadians did, eager to welcome the good patio weather once more after a harsh winter. Madigan wiped down each of the bottles on the bar shelves, watching him push the chairs into their spots at the tables as Roy served a few of the early birds, as they called them, their drinks with dinner.

  I need to watch those tapes again from the shoe store, start to finish.

  “And guess what?” Roy said as he poured some bourbon into his friend’s glass. “You’re not seeing things. Knox is actually here this Friday night.”

  “Haha.” Madigan kept her back turned to the patrons as she finished cleaning. “I never leave you hanging, Roy. I always have my shifts covered.”

  “We’ve been over this.” Roy stepped beside her and nudged her arm with his elbow. “Okay, Steve, who makes the best whiskey sours?”

  “Knox.”

  “Joe, who’s your favourite wing woman on a Saturday night?”

  “Knox!”

  “Who gets your drinks to ya fastest during a crowded Friday Happy Hour?” Roy asked.

  “Knox!” they all shouted in unison.

  Madigan laughed with them, elbowing Roy back, and turning around as Aleesia, Jack’s fiancée approached the bar. The smile faded from Madigan’s face.

  “Hi there.” Aleesia stopped right in front of her on the other side of the bar. “I’d like to pick up some hot wings for the boys at the firehouse.”

  “Did ya make an order?” Roy asked.

  “No, uh, I was hoping to surprise them,” she muttered.

  “Hey, no problem if you don’t mind the wait.” He nodded to Madigan, and she nodded back, setting her cloth down. “How many?”

  “Umm, 20 pounds? Half hot, half mild?”

  “Haha, sounds about right,” Roy said. “This’ll be a nice surprise. I’ll go tell the kitchen.”

  “No, that’s alright, I will,” Madigan argued, but he pushed past her, leaving her with Aleesia. “How are ya?”

  “I’m well, thanks,” she said, taking a seat at the bar.

  “Oh, we can have them delivered if you like? You don’t have to wait.”

  “Actually,” Aleesia lowered her voice, “there’s something else I’d like to bring with me when I take them.”

  “What’ll ya have?”

  “I want to bring Jack the good news that you’re coming tomorrow night.”

  “Ha,” she laughed, taking a step back to create distance between the surprise and her reaction, picking up the cloth again. “Well, I’m sorry, I can’t make it.”

  “I figured. Jack said you hadn’t answered his text about coming, and he figured that was a no coming from you, but Nicole, his mom, wants a final count since they’re hosting, so I told her I’d ask you personally.”

  Did she really just feel the need to tell me who Nicole is? Like I didn’t spend half my life across the street from her? Like our families weren’t close? Like Jack and I weren’t close?

  “I think she wants you there just as much as he does.”

  “Well, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.” Madigan leaned against the bar toward her. “But I have to work tomorrow night, and to be honest, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal if I didn’t show up.”

  She cocked her head to the side and raised her brows. “Really?”

  Madigan shrugged and picked up a bottle she had already cleaned, concentrating all her efforts on wiping it.

  “Well, he told me about the things you brought over from your brother, and we got to talking about his childhood, when you guys were kids, and I just know your brother meant a lot to him—still does—and so do you.”

  Madigan cleared her throat. “Did he tell you about my family? How they moved away after Drew died?”

  Aleesia nodded, leaning in. “I’m so sorry about that.”

  “Our families were extremely close, but after that, things haven’t been the same. They moved for good now, and it’s just been a weird time…”

  “And you don’t feel as close with them now?”

  I don’t want to be talking about this, period. Never mind with you. What will it take to make her leave me alone?

  Without saying anything, Aleesia nodded. “I can’t imagine how it’s been for you, and I understand how things change, but I had to come here and just make sure you knew that tomorrow night means a lot to Jack and me. Could you maybe switch a shift?”

  “Hooo, there,” Roy called as he approached the bar. “Knox, you’ve gotta be kidding me. Tell me she’s not talking about you switching shifts again.”

  “Relax, Roy. I’m not switching anything.”

  Aleesia pressed her lips together and glanced from Madigan to Roy and back.

  “What’s this about?” Roy sighed.

  “Jack Holden and I are engaged, and we’re having a party to celebrate tomorrow night. It would mean a lot to us if Madigan could be there.”

  “Tomorrow night?” Roy echoed. “Knox, doesn’t your shift end after the dinner crowd tomorrow?”

  Madigan frowned, holding her breath and pretending to remember the facts. “You’re right.”

  “There we go. You can work and go to the party.” Roy returned to his friends beside them. “Problem solved.”

  “So you’ll come?” Aleesia asked.

  Maybe I’m being immature about this. Maybe it really does mean something to the Holdens to have me there, and I should just do it.

  Madigan nodded, forcing a smile until Aleesia smiled back.

  “Oh, this is perfect.” She clapped her hands together a few times and straightened her posture. “No presents, okay? And it’s just dress casual since it’ll be in the Holden’s backyard.”

  Madigan nodded as Aleesia crossed her fingers. “Nicole set up these pretty twinkle lights around their patio, and we’re hoping for good weather. I don’t want to jinx it, so I won’t say the word, but we’ll bring it inside if we have to…”

  As Aleesia went on, Grace walked through the door, waved, and took a seat in a booth by the bar.

  “Sorry, I have to go.” Madigan pointed to Grace.

  “Oh, of course. See you tomorrow night!”

  As Madigan approached the booth, Grace raised a brow at her and mouthed, “Aleesia?”

  Madigan nodded.

  “Thought I recognized her from the wedding,” Grace whispered as Madigan slid in the booth across from her. “What does she want?”

  “Me at her engagement party.”

  “What?”

  “Yep, and thanks to Roy, I have no excuse not to go now.”

  “This isn’t a good idea.”

  “I know,” Madigan mouthed and nodded goodbye to Aleesia as she passed them with a big bag in each hand. “I don’t know how to get out of it now, though.”

  “You could say you’re sick?”

  “Ugh, I hate this. I don’t understand why she had to come and ask me in person. She said it’s important to the Holdens and to her and to Jack.”

  “She said that?”

  Madigan nodded. “So either Jack really thinks of me like a little sister, or there’s really just no reason for her to think of me as a threat or not want me there. Both realities are depressing.”

  “I mean, you pretty much knew that already, right?”

  “Well she seemed standoffish at the wedding, especially short towards me.” Madigan shrugged.

  And I hoped it was jealousy. That maybe she did see something between Jack and me.

  Madigan shook the thoughts away. “So, what brings you back here again so soon? Miss me?”

  “That,” Grace smirked, “and I wanted to make sure you dropped off the tapes.”

  “I did.”

  “Shawna hasn’t messaged me about it yet, and I thought if the police knew, they�
�d tell her.”

  “Maybe they have, but she hasn’t told you yet.”

  Grace nodded. “Hey, after our talk yesterday, would you still be upset if I wanted to work in Amherst?”

  “Upset? No.” Madigan shrugged. “I mean, I know you’ll still live out here, but I won’t get to see you as much. It’s more dangerous in the city, but I know you can handle yourself.”

  “Right. I can help more people there too.”

  “As long as I get to see you.” Madigan shrugged. “Why’d you ask?”

  “Just wondering how you felt… If you thought I’ve been compromising my morals to get ahead, that’s not what this is. I won’t go down that road again.”

  “We all lose sight of things that matter sometimes.”

  “Thanks for reminding me.” Grace pursed her lips and sighed.

  “What?”

  “They should have contacted me about the car being found in my county, but they didn’t.”

  Madigan frowned. “Is that against the law?”

  Grace shook her head. “It’s just not how things are done. I should have been notified, but Sergeant Colette must be desperate to keep me out of the investigation. Now with this Tommy Leman, who happens to be staying in South Bend with his brother—”

  “They should definitely be in contact with you.”

  Grace shook her head and licked her lips. “He’s the one making this personal when he could use my help.”

  “Well, I think we should look into Leman. I think we should follow the trail and see what happened between him and Tina. We can figure out that at least.”

  “I know some of it.” Grace filled her in on the news articles she read before and after Mac came over.

  “That poor girl.” Madigan shook her head. “Disgusting. That’s terrible. Shoving that officer down the stairs and then kicking Tina?”

  Grace nodded. “I think that’s why she was personally invested in keeping him locked up. She was close with the case and assaulted by Leman. If it happened to me, I’d follow his case, too.”

  “Let’s look into him further, then. After my shift?”

  Grace nodded. “I want to go to the prison first. I want to find out who visited him, if Tina ever went there. He was released two days before she disappeared. That’s too big of a coincidence for me. I want to know if there was a personal vendetta being carried out against her. Shelling will already have looked into him, and since no arrest has been made, he may have an alibi for the time gap she disappeared or some other reason not to bring him in, but it’s not for sure.”