This time, I reached out for his hand. A shimmer of tears glinted behind his eyes when I did. “You know what Cliff? Sometimes circumstances just work out where good things happen in the midst of bad situations. You’re here; I’m here, regardless of how it happened. Let’s just go chalk it up to fate and her twisted ways, and move forward. Okay?”
“Like I said before, love, wherever you go, I’m right next to you. I meant it then and I mean it now.”
Smiling through my own tears, I gave Cliff’s hand a final squeeze, letting go when the waiter brought our dinner.
We spent the next two hours discussing the craziness in Whitten County, bypassing our personal feelings toward each other. Cliff asked about my visit with the doctor and I cringed. Instead of lying to him like I did to Eleanor, I told him the truth. He insisted I contact the surgeons and set up appointments.
I countered with the fact I had no insurance and probably no job after what had happened. A big, easy smile graced his face when he told me not to worry about such trivial things, saying he’d make sure, if I truly needed surgery, it would happen. I didn’t want to think about it so I changed the subject.
We came to the conclusion Mayor Cayhill either hired me to keep me under observation, assuming I knew the truth about Martha and hoped offering me money and the bribe to keep Billy in jail would keep my mouth shut about the night at the lake, or to forever keep me in his debt should I figure things out if I didn’t already know.
We also concluded the picture dropped off at Eleanor’s was probably done by someone hired by the Mayor to push me into revealing what I knew about the night. It tied in perfectly to Traci’s attempts to weasel information from me about what I remembered about my father. Both Cliff and I reasoned Cayhill figured my mother might have told me she murdered Cyndi and Dad at the lake, and maybe saw Martha slink away.
“You know, I still don’t understand why Traci was involved, or why they picked poor Kendrick Paulson as the fall guy.”
Cliff wiped a smear of garlic sauce from his chin and smiled. “Traci’s aunt Sylvia deeded all the land over to Traci last year. If the manufacturing plant went through, part of the deal meant several acres around the entire lake would be converted to commercial rather than residential. Kendrick was an easy mark. Old, sick, and a loner. Singleton actually took some of Kendrick’s blood to the doctor so test results would return as positive for cancer, if anyone ever checked.”
“Oh, my God, are you serious? Did he really think that’d work?”
“Seems so. People don’t usually question such a harsh diagnosis. They just feel sorry for you and thank their lucky stars they aren’t the one struck down with such a horrible disease. He might have gotten away with it, at least until the deal went through, then had some sort of miraculous recovery. Who knows what he was thinking? We’ll learn more after he starts talking, which I guarantee you he will. He’ll want to cut a deal, you watch. In terms of Traci’s reason for getting involved, it was purely from greed.”
“You think Traci assumed the land would sell for a lot of money then?”
“I don’t think, I know. She called one of the fake attorneys after a one of the meetings with Cayhill several months ago. She asked if they’d be interested in buying twenty acres. When they said yes and quoted her some outrageous figure, she apparently came on board.”
“That bitch,” I muttered. “And I though Gretchen was bad.”
“The phrase I heard was Traci the Twat. When we were flying down Highway 9 and I heard that, I laughed out loud. Some mouth you’ve got on you, girl.”
I took a bite of pasta, enjoying the look of amusement on Cliff’s face. “You know, Deputy, if you hurry up and eat, I’ll show you what else my mouth can do.”
I’d never seen anybody eat so fast in my entire life.
ELEANOR CALLED ON our way back to Ridgeport, informing us the reporters had migrated from her front yard over to Judge Singleton’s place, and that it was safe to come home.
After hanging up I laughed. “Eleanor’s sort of enjoying all the hustle and bustle I think.”
“Can you blame her? The biggest scandal to hit Whitten County in, oh, pretty much ever, and her favorite gal’s smack dab in the middle of it.”
“I don’t think her interest is just because of me. I can’t remember if I told you or not, but she’s kind of close to Kendrick. She mentioned she’d go out once a month to check on him, bring him food and such, you know, just to make sure he knew someone cared? It really bothered her when he got arrested. At least he’ll be able to go home now and live his remaining days in peace.”
After getting tossed and smacked around the day before, plus sitting in an interrogation room for hours, my back was thumping. I shifted in the seat several times trying to find a comfortable spot.
Cliff noticed and asked, “It’s really bad, isn’t it?”
Grimacing, I nodded. “Yes. Advanced osteoarthritis. Dr. Crusher said I needed to have two discs fused together. But, the pain will subside now that I’m not in danger of being knocked unconscious again.”
“Bullshit. Well, I mean bullshit about the pain easing up, not about the other thing. No one will ever hurt you again, Renee. That’s a promise. You got those numbers of the two surgeons with you?”
“I think so, why?”
“Call them both, right now, and get appointments scheduled.”
“Cliff, we talked about this earlier. I don’t have insurance or—”
“Renee, stop. I have plenty of money. Well, I’m not a millionaire or anything like that, but I’ve been frugal with my income over the years. Never married, no kids, and lived in military housing. I’m paying for the surgery and that’s final.”
“I can’t let you do that. I mean I appreciate the offer, but there are other things to consider, too.”
“Such as?”
“For starters, I don’t want to have the surgery. Second, someone will need to take care of me for a while after, and I’m not putting that burden on Eleanor or you. Third, even if I did have the surgery, then what? I’m back at the beginning of this nightmare with no job and a house to pay for. I’ve got to concentrate on finding work, first. If I snag a job with insurance benefits, I’d feel better about things. Surgery can wait until I get my life back in order.”
“Renee, stop. You need the surgery. Now. You won’t last six months at a job in the condition your back’s in, I can see it in your face. I didn’t buy my place, I’m just renting. I’ll simply give my thirty-days’ notice, move in with you, and take care of you while you recover. Well, I certainly will try to get some time in. I’m sure Eleanor will hover over you like a Momma hen.”
The look of sheer determination to woo me to see his point of view made me smile. “You’ve got it all figured out, don’t you Deputy?”
Cliff grinned. “Not all of it, but certainly most. The rest we’ll just wing. Now, call Eleanor and tell her you’re staying with me tonight. I plan on pampering you.”
Shaking my head, overwhelmed with Cliff’s generosity and love, I punched in Eleanor’s number. When I told her my plan, she laughed and said she’d figured as much.
The woman didn’t miss a thing.
“THIS HOT TUB is amazing! Forget back surgery. I’ll just sell my house and move in here.”
“That’s why I rented this place. It certainly wasn’t for the spacious closets,” Cliff yelled from the kitchen.
The two-bedroom house was small, situated on a small hill overlooking downtown Ridgeport. I’d driven by it before numerous times and never imagined it was so nice inside because the exterior looked like all the others around town. Boring, bland, with no fancy landscaping or hint of the attention to detail inside.
The bathroom was big enough to hold a separate shower, dual sinks, and a hot tub with six seats. I’d gasped in shock when I first stepped inside. In my entire life, I’d never soaked in one, and the experience was amazing.
Once again, I’d given up on life way too soon.
“Dinner’s ready if you’re done playing in the water,” Cliff called from the hallway. “Want some help getting out?”
“Uh, no, I’m good. Be right there,” I answered back.
The lights in the bathroom were bright, and I wasn’t ready to reveal all my faults to Cliff just yet. The sexual heat between us both was high tonight, and I knew what we’d end up doing before midnight rolled around. On one hand, I was eager and ready, but the other hand screamed for me to wait until in a dark room.
“Damn, you just keep shooting me down. My plan to seduce you so far is a failure,” Cliff laughed.
I waited until I heard him walk away then eased out of the tub. There was a bottle of baby oil under the sink so I oiled my water-logged skin up. Looking down at the pile of clothes I had on earlier, I groaned. They weren’t exactly fresh. With my makeup all gone, hair a damp mess, wrinkled clothes and dark bruises, I’d make a fine specimen.
In the mirror, I noticed a robe hanging on the door. Yanking it off, I tried it on. Though a bit long in the arms, the material was soft and warm, and smelled of fresh linen. “Okay, here I go. I know what’s going to happen next. Let it. Push away the old fears. Cliff isn’t Billy. He’ll be tender and loving. Gentle. Not all men are monsters.”
My palms were sweating already. I wiped them on a towel and opened the door. The smells of dinner filled the hallway, along with a trail of white and red rose petals on the floor leading to the kitchen. Several votive candles were placed along the way, their gentle flickers guiding me toward my destination in the dark house. The sounds of light jazz rang through the rooms.
Rounding the corner, I stopped in the doorway to the small dining area. Just like at Eleanor’s, dinner sat ready on the table with additional candles interspersed between the plates. Unlike Eleanor’s the plates were paper and the cups red plastic.
Cliff stood next to a chair, a seductive grin on his face. He’d changed clothes and wore a loose pair of sleep pants and a thin, cotton t-shirt. Muscles bulged underneath the material as he pulled out the chair. “Madam, dinner is served. Love the robe.”
I laughed as I walked over and sat. “Hamburgers and French fries? Perfect choices! I’m just a simple country gal so this is spot on.”
“You’re anything but simple, Renee. Strong. Complicated. A fighter, and the only person I’ve ever considered sharing my bed permanently with.”
“That was smooth, Detective. You’re doing just fine with the whole seduction-thing. Promise.”
“Good to hear! Now, eat, because what I have planned for us next will require energy.”
I took a bite of the hamburger, surprised it was really good. “What did you put in here?”
“Oh, I can’t share all my secrets with you. Must leave some things to the imagination.”
I laughed and dug in, enjoying the food and company. My stomach was in knots, knowing what was coming next.
“What’s wrong? Did I under cook it or something?”
“No, it’s fabulous. Really. I’m just…uh, I don’t know how to say this and not sound pathetic.”
Cliff reached across the table and took my hand. “Nothing you say is ever pathetic. I’m listening.”
Heat rolled up from my chest. “Okay, here goes. I haven’t been…intimate with anyone in a very long time. A very long time. I’m nervous I won’t live up to your expectations.”
With gentle urging, Cliff stood and pulled me to him. I thought he was going to kiss me but instead, we swayed to the music, moving in small shuffles around the room. “Renee, the only expectation I have is to make you scream out my name. I’ve waited over thirty years to make you cum.”
I almost did right then. My worries about being as dry as the Sahara were a waste, because I was practically dripping wet. “Then make me,” I whispered, my voice husky with passion.
Cliff’s reaction was immediate. Scooping me into his arms, he carried me down the hall to the bedroom. The comforter was pulled back already, revealing more rose petals on the sheets. He eased me down, his lips never breaking their hungry kiss on my own.
Shaking from desire and worry, I held still while he untied the robe. His mouth moved down my neck and chest, leaving a trail of wetness and heat, until he found my nipple. When he took it into his mouth, I groaned with delight as his hot tongue licked and caressed.
“You’re more beautiful than what I dreamed,” he mumbled into my breast. “Let’s see if you taste as sweet as them, too.”
Cliff yanked off his shirt and pants and I groaned again as his flesh connected with mine. When his strong fingers entered me, I gasped. His lips found mine and he brought me to an orgasm in seconds.
“I didn’t hear my name, so my job’s not finished yet.”
I’d never experienced so much raw passion. My hands couldn’t touch his body fast enough. Bucking my hips, I welcomed all of him inside me. We rocked in heated harmony, his strokes deep and strong.
Mind-numbing bliss overrode everything else. The pleasure was beyond anything I’d ever imagined. The intensity built to a crescendo as I sank my fingers into Cliff’s strong butt muscles, shoving him deeper inside me.
“Oh, God, Cliff! Oh, God! Fuck me!” I screamed as wave after wave of bliss exploded out of me.
And fuck me he did. Cliff’s head dipped down and he found my nipple again, sucking hard as he rode his own orgasm. “All mine, Renee!” he groaned, followed by heavy grunts as he came.
Rather than pull out, Cliff wrapped his arms around me and we rolled over until we were facing each other. Both of us were covered in sweat, breathing hard.
“That was…amazing.”
“Beyond,” I whispered.
“I’m not moving my cock. Ever. It’s home now,” Cliff chuckled.
I gave it a little squeeze with my vaginal muscles, which apparently, still worked. “Wrong. I believe I still need to demonstrate what my mouth can do.”
Cliff’s hand reached up and wiped a lock of damp hair from my face. “You’re going to have to wait a few minutes. I’m not a spring chicken, you know.”
Nuzzling my head against his chest, inhaling his delicious scent, I responded, “I’ve waited my whole life to feel like this. What’s another few minutes?”
AFTER THE NIGHT spent in sexual bliss with Cliff, things in my life finally took a turn for the better. Oh, hell, who was I kidding? Life did a one-eighty. Sometimes, while I slept curled up against Cliff, and listened to him breath, I wondered if I’d stepped into an alternate reality, because I was in Heaven.
For a few months, things in Ridgeport were insane. At the urging of Eleanor and Cliff, I finally gave an interview to a reporter. On my terms, not his. Cliff set it up, had the guy come with only one cameraman to his house, and for thirty minutes, I told my side of the story.
Well, not all of it. I did leave out one particular detail.
Suddenly, I was a quasi-celebrity. Gretchen had the balls to call me and ask if I’d like to get together and “Hash things out,” over dinner. I told her to go fuck herself and hung up. Myrtle from City Hall called about a week after the news broke and asked me if I wanted to come back to work. I told her to fuck off, too.
Kendrick Paulson, Jr., died one week after being released from jail, Eleanor by his side when he passed. She’d tried to convince the man to come stay with her, but he was adamant about returning home. So, Eleanor went to visit him every day, cooking, cleaning, and caring for his needs. The last day he was alive, he gave Eleanor a small metal box and told her not to open it until he died.
No one attended his funeral except the three of us.
After leaving the graveside service, we took Eleanor home. She asked us to stay while she opened the box. Inside was a handwritten Last Will and Testament of Kendrick Paulson, Jr., written and notarized te
n years prior. It left all he had, including the house and five acres it sat on, to Eleanor.
She cried and so did I.
The state dredged Bradford Lake for two days after the arrests of Cayhill and the others. They found the skeleton of Greenwood’s wife the first day, chains full of algae and mud still wrapped around her arms and legs. After the discovery, plus their own damning words I’d recorded, the former mayor and detective both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to life down in Varner.
The second day of the dredging, my father’s bike was discovered. The clothes I’d tied to it were gone, eaten away by the rancid water over time. When Cliff came home from work and told me, I cried. The tears were a mixture of sadness and shame, yet also tinged with relief.
Dad and Cyndi’s remains were never found.
The manufacturing plant never was built, and Bradford Lake was officially closed. The natural spring that fed it was diverted by the state and plans to drain it were underway. There was some squabbling between the state entities about who was responsible to do it, which was rather comical. Why did it even matter?
The murky water remained, the area cordoned off by a ten-foot metal fence and the road blocked by a gate. Cliff said the gate had been repaired numerous times, probably from thrill seekers or nosy kids.
Traci’s sentence was five-years’ probation. The last I heard, she was still living in Sylvia’s rental cabin and working part-time at Walmart over in the adjoining county.
Several Quorum Court members came over one night, begging Cliff to run for County Judge. I would have slammed the door in their face, but Cliff simply smiled, thanked them for the offer, and respectfully declined. A new mayor and judge were finally appointed, and each tried to wipe away the dark stains left by their predecessors. It was an uphill battle they’d yet to win.
“WHAT DID YOU say, sweetie? You’re mumbling.”
My eyelids were so heavy I struggled to open them. “Eleanor?”
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