Killer Summer

by Kay Bigelow

  When they returned to their bungalow, Dani led them to the living room. She sat on the couch and pulled Leah down to sit with her. Dani took Leah’s hand and kissed her palm.

  “I know going back is scary for you, and I wish you had more faith in me and in our relationship. But I’m feeling very positive about both things, and truly believe we’ll be okay. Trust me. I’m not stupid enough to let you go. You’re good for me. I feel at peace with the world and at peace with me. My entire family loves you. Well, maybe love is too strong a word for what my father feels for you, but you know what I mean,” Dani said with a smile.

  “Dani, I know we’re good together and I know we’d be stupid to let the other get away, but I also know the pressures that a job and travel can put on a relationship.”

  “And I know we can handle those things because we are two incredibly smart women.”

  Leah laughed. “Even if you say so yourself.”

  “Even if. I happen to think it will be easier if we lived together and worked out the problems, if any, as they arise. I understand, though, your reluctance to commit to something so big and scary as living in the same house. When you see that our love will not change at the core, you’ll be more willing to live together because you’ll know several things about me. You’ll know I’ll always keep you safe and you will forever be in my heart. I won’t betray you, Leah. I won’t sleep with another woman. You’re the one I want.”

  She paused to kiss Leah softly on the lips.

  They made love again, undoubtedly the last time they’d do so on Wild. When they both were satisfied, Leah wondered how much more time they had before they would leave Wild. She thought it was nearly eleven.

  Leah got up and took a shower. As she retrieved her clothing from where it had been dropped, she asked, “Are you hungry?”

  “Did you hear my stomach growling from across the room?”

  “No, but you usually are right around noon. And by the time we get back to the big house, it will be close enough.”

  “Actually, I am. It’s kind of nice knowing someone—you—knows me so well. Let’s see if there’s anything in the refrigerator we can eat.”

  They both stood staring into the refrigerator. The only thing left was a partial bottle of wine.

  “It looks like we’re going to have to go out for lunch,” Dani said.

  “I guess that will have to do.”

  Dani turned and took Leah in her arms and held her tight.

  “Please don’t worry about my running, love. It won’t happen. I love you and will be at your side for the rest of our lives. We’re going to grow old and gray together.”

  “I very much hope so,” Leah said with less conviction in her voice than she’d hoped for.

  “Come on, let’s go get some sustenance so you’ll have the stamina to keep up with me when we make love this evening in Victoria as a newly engaged couple.”

  “Ha! I think you mean that you need food to have the stamina to keep up with me, don’t you?”

  At the front desk, Dani told Bette, “Here are the keys to our hover-car and our bungalow. We’d like to check out now and leave our bags with you.”

  While Dani was paying the bill, Bette told Leah, “I’ll have your driver put your bags in your car. We had you scheduled for the one o’clock shuttle to Xing, but the time needs to flex a little. We’re picking up a party of twelve, who made a last-minute reservation, from Victoria. So your take-off time has been pushed to four.”

  “Party of twelve?” Leah asked.

  “It’s a wedding party. Most of the party will be returning to Xing on Monday, but the newlyweds will be staying for a week.”

  “They couldn’t have chosen a more romantic place for their honeymoon,” Leah said.

  “Perhaps we’ll come back for our honeymoon,” Dani said with a smile.

  Dani led Leah into the dining room. They were seated immediately because their timing was perfect and there was no line.

  “Do you find it difficult to change from your vacation persona back to your business persona?” Dani asked after they gave their server their order.

  “I don’t know what you mean. This is the first real vacation I’ve taken.”

  “Ever?”

  “Yes. Thank you for making it so memorable.”

  “It was, literally, my pleasure,” Dani said.

  “Do you have a hard time changing from your vacation persona?”

  “I don’t know if I’ve ever had a ‘vacation persona.’ When I come here, I’m in business mode because I own the place so I’m paying attention to what’s going on around me.”

  “Even if you brought someone with you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I bet you were just a bundle of joy to be around,” Leah said with a smile.

  “I didn’t get any complaints.”

  “I’m sure you didn’t. I know I don’t have any complaints. Well, maybe one.”

  “What? What is your one complaint?”

  “Not enough time with you.”

  “Not my fault this time. It was your murder case.”

  “Okay, maybe it wasn’t your fault, but the bottom line is I would have liked to have more time with you,” Leah said with a smile.

  “Baby, I’m going to remind you that you said that when you complain that I’m underfoot all the time.”

  “That is one thing I’ll never complain about.”

  After they ordered lunch, they ate slowly as if by doing so, they’d gain a few more minutes in Paradise. Afterwards, they sat enjoying another cup of coffee. They talked about the case and its aftermath.

  “I’m having Cooper’s bungalow torn down, and the cabin as well as soon as Fujiyama convicts Cooper and McDonald and gives me the go-ahead. I’m thinking of creating a memorial to Natalie there. Something simple like a small meditation garden with a bench or two. I’ll also check into whether Natalie had siblings, and what her home life had been like, if she had a home. What do you think?”

  “I like the idea of a memorial, and I especially like the concept of a meditation garden. That way you won’t have the ghouls coming here to stay in that bungalow just so they can tell their friends there were ghosts. Do you want Cots to locate Natalie’s family for you?”

  “Do you mind?”

  “No, of course not. He’s been feeling left out while Peony and I have been gone. This will give him another link to the case,” Leah said, smiling.

  “I’d also like to find the other girl Cooper buried out in the woods. With luck, maybe Cooper will tell us where and who she was.”

  “If she even knew the girls’ names.”

  After they finished their coffee, they left the big house and walked toward their bungalow. They didn’t stop there, though. Instead, they went to Dani’s little hideaway.

  “Would you like to go swimming?” Dani asked.

  “Not really,” Leah said. She was holding back tears and wasn’t sure why she was being so emotional.

  Dani took her in her arms.

  “I’m not sure how to handle what’s going on with me. I feel like something will change once we’re back on Xing, and I don’t want it to, but I seem helpless to change it because I don’t know what ‘it’ is.”

  “I understand. I won’t love you less, but I’m afraid reality will set in and you’ll change your mind about wanting to be in a relationship,” Dani said. She paused and then laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I feel the same way as you do.”

  “You think I’ll change my mind about wanting to be in a relationship with you?” Leah asked with incredulity lacing her voice.

  “I’m not exactly the kind of woman anyone believes is relationship material considering my history. I know you were reluctant to even date me. But surely you know now that I want you to be the last woman I sleep with. Ever.”

  “Dani, I hear what you’re saying, but telling me is very easy. Showing me that may be considerably harder.”

  “W
hat do you mean showing you will be harder? I don’t understand.”

  “Words are easy. Showing me that you mean the words by being monogamous might be harder for you than you imagine.”

  “Ah. Now I understand. You are the only woman I want to be with. I will show you every day that I am the woman you want me to be. I’m insanely in love with you, Leah.”

  Dani moved them to the bed. They made sweet, gentle love, until the alarm on Leah’s computer sounded. They took a shower together, made sure the cabin was cleared of their belongings, and headed for the big house. As they walked back to the big house, they held hands—an effort to maintain the patina of the vacation relationship they had.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Their driver, Ryan, was waiting for them when they entered the big house for the last time. They were a half hour early because Dani wanted to give Bette some last-minute instructions. Leah suspected Bette already knew as much as McDonald had known about running the resort, but she probably also knew Dani would feel better if she could assure herself that she, not Bette, had everything under control.

  While Dani was busy with Bette, Leah went to see Reagan, who had returned to Wild a couple of days earlier. As she walked into the doctor’s waiting room, she heard the doctor singing a song that was vaguely familiar. After calling Reagan’s name, it was clear she wouldn’t be heard so she went toward the back of the office. She found Reagan dancing with a mop as she cleaned her lab.

  “Hey, Doc,” Leah said loudly.

  “Leah, hi. Hang on a second and let me turn the music down.” After the music was no longer blasting at full force, conversation was a possibility. “To what do I owe the honor of your visit today?”

  “I came by to say goodbye. Jardain and I are leaving for Xing on the next shuttle. And to ask if you’ll have dinner with me while you’re on Xing to testify in Cooper and McDonald’s trials.”

  “I’d love to have dinner with you. We never got around to discussing how we both ended up on Wild.”

  Leah smiled, “No, we didn’t. Why don’t you call me the next time you’re on Xing and we’ll set something up,” Leah said as she handed Reagan one of her business cards.

  “I’ll do that. Have a safe trip home.”

  “Thanks. I’m looking forward to hearing your story.”

  As she was returning to the big house, she stopped by the jail to see Stanhope. She was sitting at a desk reading documents and signing off on them. At first, she didn’t notice Leah standing in the doorway watching her.

  “Sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “I didn’t want to interrupt your work.”

  “Just reports about a fracas a couple of nights ago involving two very drunk women fighting over, of all things, a table near the dance floor. Seems awful tame after the Cooper case.”

  “Yearning for a more exciting life? Be careful what you wish for because the gods will surely make it come true just to punish you.”

  Stanhope laughed. “Ain’t that the truth!”

  “I stopped by to thank you for all your help in solving the Cooper case. We’re returning to Xing in about an hour. If and when you’re called to testify, you need anything while you’re there, give me a call,” Leah said, handing Stanhope her business card.

  “Thanks. And thanks for not making my being blackmailed a part of the case. I learned a lot from you. I only wish I could have been on your team when you were a cop.”

  “If you decide you want a change, come see me at Black Orchid Investigations. We can always use another experienced investigator.”

  “Are you serious?” Stanhope asked, obviously surprised by Leah’s offer.

  “I am. But think long and hard about what you really want before jumping the fence between the pastures.”

  “I never saw myself being the head of security on a pleasure planet.”

  “Don’t be so harsh on yourself. Do you know how many women dream of being where you are, doing what you’re doing?”

  Stanhope laughed. “I guess you’re right. The grass is always greener somewhere else.”

  Leah laughed, too. She went to the kitchen door of the big house. Inside, things were calming down again after the lunch rush. She saw Meryl sitting at the table reserved for her in a corner of the kitchen. She had her head resting on the wall behind her and her eyes closed.

  “I hate to disturb you, Chef, but I want to thank you for keeping us all fed during the Cooper case.”

  “It was my pleasure. Do you think I’ll be called to testify?”

  “Probably not. But if you’re ever on Xing, give me a call,” Leah said, handing the chef her business card.

  “Will do. Have a safe trip home.”

  “Will do.”

  Next, she went in search of Dani. She found her in Bette’s office. “Ready to head out?” Leah asked.

  “Unfortunately, I am,” Dani said.

  They said goodbye to Bette and went out the front door to the resort’s town car sitting at the curb. Ryan was waiting, and opened the back door for them.

  Leah and Dani held hands, but again didn’t talk. Ryan had them at the small SpacePort in forty minutes. The shuttle was waiting for them and they were shown to their seats. They’d no sooner got their seat belts tightened than they were airborne.

  The captain’s voice came over the intercom. “Welcome on board, Dr. Bensington. We’ll be arriving on Xing in four hours and forty-five minutes. Enjoy the journey.”

  “Dani, I had a wonderful time getting to know you. I’m so glad I went to Wild with you.”

  “What we had on Wild is not ending, Leah. It’s changing, yes, but not ending.”

  “I want to believe you.”

  “So do I.”

  Their shuttle set down shortly before nine o’clock Xing time. They were quickly through customs having been scanned from head to toe much as their luggage had been inspected. They turned and headed toward the outer doors. Luke, Dani’s driver, was waiting for them. He took their bags and led them to the town car waiting at the curb.

  “Where to, Dr. Bensington?”

  “Take us to Leah’s home, Luke.”

  Luke was an efficient driver. He stayed within the speed limit—barely—and had them in front of Leah’s building in good time. Leah got out of the car on the passenger side while Dani got out on the driver’s side. As Dani went around the rear of the car, she took Leah’s bag from Luke.

  “You’re not coming up?” Leah asked.

  “Not right now. I’m going to go home, take a shower, and make a few phone calls. If it’s okay with you, I’ll be back for dinner by eight.”

  Dani leaned in and kissed Leah gently on the lips. To Leah, her kiss felt more like goodbye than see you soon. She was instantly deflated. Whatever remnants remained from their time on Wild disappeared immediately.

  “See you soon, then,” Leah said as she took her bag from Dani and went toward the entrance of the building. She didn’t look back because she didn’t want to see Dani get in the car and drive away from her and their life together.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Rusty was waiting for her at the door when she exited the lift. “Welcome home,” she said as she took Leah’s bag from her.

  “It’s good to be home.”

  “Cots said you solved a murder while you were gone. Is that true?”

  “Me and a bunch of other people solved a murder.”

  “I guess I’ll have to watch it on the vidnews. I have a new recipe to try, would you like dinner?”

  “Yes, but first I need a shower and a change of clothes,” Leah said as they walked down the hallway to her bedroom.

  Without pausing, she went to the bathroom. “Shower on, standard temp,” she ordered. The shower sprang to life with all twelve jets spewing water. She shed her clothes and walked into the shower stall and sighed. She had missed her shower while she was gone. She only left the shower when her skin began pruning. It wouldn’t do to greet Dani at the door with wrinkled skin. Just thi
nking about Dani had her aroused. I would have thought after spending two weeks with Jardain on a pleasure planet, I wouldn’t be excited she was coming over for dinner. But she was.

  What are the chances she’ll show up? Little to none? Fifty percent? I wish I was a hundred percent sure she’ll be here at eight. Worst-case scenario is that I had the vacation of a lifetime with enough memories to last me until the day I die. What would have been the best-case scenario? The vacation would have lasted for the rest of my life. And just who in this world has a life like that? I can dream, can’t I?

  By the time Leah exited the bathroom, she felt refreshed and much better able to handle complex tasks than when they had first arrived on Wild. Of course, the trip was much faster returning to Xing than going to Wild because coming back there had been no need to take a round-about route to ensure that no one was following them.

  She glanced at the time on her phone. It was three minutes past eight. She’s not coming. She’s too compulsive to be late for anything. In this one case, I hate being right. I really was beginning to think she wanted a relationship going forward. Maybe changing her ways was just too hard for her.

  Rusty had laid out navy slacks and a pale blue long-sleeved T-shirt. Since she was staying in for the evening, she didn’t think twice about putting the clothes on. She ignored the sandals Rusty had chosen.

  As she neared the front door, the doorbell rang. Who is that? Probably Cots wanting a debriefing. She smiled at the thought. He had once told her getting the details of human behavior would help him understand humans and the way they thought. Leah thought he was merely being curious about her personal life.

  “I’ve got the door, Rusty.”

  When she pulled the door open, she was stunned into silence. Standing at her door was Dani.

  “Oh,” Leah said, knowing Dani must have seen the surprise on her face and in her voice.

  “What? Am I late? I didn’t think I was that late,” Dani said, smiling. “Are you going to invite me in?”

  “Yes. Come in,”