by Alexie Aaron
“I will,” she promised.
I walked out to find the upper hall empty. I gathered that the police presence was being withdrawn from the Richardses’ home. I walked down the sweeping staircase to find Alex standing in the hall. I looked around but didn’t see Sidney or Harry.
“Harry took him home,” Alex said, walking over to me. “You look tired. Do you want me to stay to drive you home?”
“I managed to get a catnap earlier. I’ll be fine. I have to give my statement and talk to Tom before I go. Hell of a night.”
Alex nodded. “I’m driving the jeep back. I imagine Harry will be back to drive you home.”
“Call him, and tell him I’ll get a cab. Just have him go straight home and get some rest. He and I will have to exchange information later.”
“Mom, are you alright?” he asked.
“I think so. I’m a bit focused on a few things right now, so forgive me for being drifty.”
“Oh, I’m used to that, believe me,” he teased. “How’s Mandy?”
“I think she’ll survive. That must have been horrible for her. But she’s tough,” I informed him.
“Call me if you change your mind about the ride home,” Alex said and hugged me before he left.
The deputy at the door told me where to find Buslowski. I walked down the hall and into Susan’s library. He was sitting, looking over some notes. He didn’t notice me standing there, so I had a moment to observe him. Even though the man was tired, he still emitted a sense of power. His years in the military gave him a regal stance. Buslowski was a good-looking guy. I liked the way his eyes crinkled in the corners when he was smiling, but I doubted I would see the laugh lines anytime soon. He looked up and said, “I’ll be with you in a moment. Sit down.”
I looked around and found a small sofa tucked in the corner. I decided to sit there, taking the cashmere afghan off the back of it and draping it over my cold shoulders. I sat down, tucking my feet under me. I think I dozed off. All I knew was, I woke up to a rough hand caressing my cheek.
“Cin, wake up,” Buslowski said gently.
Confusion filled my head. “How, what? Oh. Sorry.”
“It’s been a long hard night. I’m sorry to keep you here like this, but…”
I waved him off and tried to sit to put some distance between us. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Let’s save the extra information you have for later today. Harry’s invited me over for something he’s labeled as a confab.”
I smiled, remembering when Harry didn’t know what a confab was. I convinced him it was garden snails that Georgia people ate. I quickly related this to Buslowski.
“Tell me about your involvement with Caroline,” he instructed.
“I had a few interesting conversations here, but the trouble started when Caroline Broadhurst dragged me into this very library and accused me of trying to steal her husband. I assured her that was just a rumor started by Elijah to mess with her. We came to some kind of an accord. She said she was going outside to smoke, and I left to find Sidney. That’s when I first met Mandy. She was hurling abuse at Sidney in the great room overlooking the patio. He was sitting on the sofa. I extracted her and brought her into this room for a talk. She was upset about not being able to get any attention and backing for her music. We talked for about a half hour.”
I stopped. I didn’t want to talk about what happened after. Not here. So I summed it up, “I left looking for Sidney. I found that he was no longer on the sofa where I had left him. I went out on the patio to search for him. He wasn’t there. I spent some time with Manuel Rodriguez until Sidney showed up. That’s when I first heard Mandy screaming – except, it didn’t sound like a scream at first. More like someone fooling around with an electric guitar. But once my dull brain figured it out, I alerted Toby on the radio and ran out onto the beach.” I told Buslowski the rest and answered his questions. He was restrained. “If there is anything else, you know where to find me.”
“Do you have a theory about who killed Caroline?” he asked.
“No, but after I heard Mandy’s account, I can tell you who was in my sight when it was done. But I’m hoping Harry will have collected some information that will help me put it together.”
“Harry handled himself quite professionally tonight, Cin,” Dave said.
“He certainly is capable of being an adult. I’m glad he came through for you.”
“Okay, I think I can release you. Do you have a ride home?”
“No, but I’ll call a cab. They let you ride if you don’t have any shoes on, don’t they?” I asked.
“I’ll take you home,” Buslowski said. “Just wait for me out in the foyer. I shouldn’t be more than a half hour.”
“Okay, thanks, I appreciate it.” I got up and replaced the afghan. I turned around to see him staring at me. “I’m going.”
He was about to say something, but he seemed to decide against it.
I left the library, pulled my phone out of my purse and texted Alex and Harry that I had a ride home. I saw that I still had one of the Toby’s radio. I walked down the hall and slipped into Tom’s office and set it on the desk. I had the feeling I was being watched. I turned around but didn’t see anyone, so I shook it off and left the room.
I walked over to take a last look at the Atlantic before I found a seat in the foyer to wait for Buslowski. I had missed the sunrise, but still, the early morning sun danced on the water. I thought about standing here with Sidney just last night. I wanted to recapture that feeling, but I feared the distrust Buslowski had of Sidney was nagging at my brain. I thought about the news he would receive today and was sad. I turned around and walked away from the view, the memory, and the Atlantic.
~
We crossed the Intracoastal Waterway. I gazed out the window, not really seeing anything. I was sitting in the rear of the Sheriff’s cruiser. Soon I would arrive home, in broad daylight, barefoot, and in a police car. I guessed that would start the neighborhood’s tongues wagging. It was a Monday, so maybe I would luck out and most people would be at work.
My phone vibrated. I dug it out of my purse. It was a text from Harry telling me that he had taken Sidney home and had lots to tell me. I texted back that Buslowski was taking me home. I put the phone back in my purse.
“That Harry?” Buslowski asked.
“Yes.”
“He likes to keep track of you.”
“We’re partners, Dave. Heaven help me.”
“It could be worse.”
“Some days, I doubt it.”
“Cin, I’m sorry about grabbing you so hard.”
“Don’t worry about it. I must bruise easily.”
“I don’t want you to think that’s how I treat women, even the suspects.”
“Don’t worry about it. Tensions were high last night. I do want to thank you for showing up when Harry called.”
He smiled. I saw his face reflected in the rearview mirror. His eyes crinkled at the edges. “All part of the job, Cin.”
“I suspect you went beyond the call of duty a few times for us, and I do appreciate it. I’m sorry if I never told you before.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I can be a bit of a bastard to work with. I’m used to being in the company of military men not fragile females.”
I laughed at the fragile female remark. “Gee, in the last few days, I’ve been called a few things, but fragile female is a first.”
“I forget that you’re not just this ball-busting dynamo, but a beautiful woman who needs to be appreciated.”
“Whoa, you better stop while you’re ahead.”
He laughed. “Yes, I will no doubt put my foot in my mouth if I keep going.”
He pulled into my neighborhood. “I’ll say goodbye now. I’ve got a few hours of reports before I can get some sleep. If you’re around, I’d like to get more background information on my suspects tonight.”
“Are you asking for a date?” I asked, teasing him.
&nb
sp; “No, now you cut that out. You have had too many dates lately.”
I didn’t ask him how he knew. His source was no doubt Harry. He pulled into the drive and opened my door. I saw the garage door go up, and I hastened into it, turning only to wave goodbye before I ran into the house.
Harry was waiting for me in the garage.
“Alex’s in bed.”
“Me too, in a minute. Thanks for holding the fort. Buslowski was much impressed.”
“Harry O’Rourke rules,” he said, complimenting himself. “Wait a minute, Cin. Can I ask about the bruise on your arm?”
“Buslowski forgot his strength when he had ahold of me. He’s ashamed and apologized for it.”
“So it wasn’t Sidney.”
“Oh no, Sidney is quite a gentleman, in every sense of the word.”
“You like him, don’t you?”
“Oh yes, but I think it’s more on my side than his. He’s got too much to deal with to add a shoe-losing detective to his life, I fear.”
“He was pretty quiet on the way home. He asked a few questions about you. I didn’t tell him anything that wasn’t public knowledge.”
“I appreciate that, Harry. Well, I’m going to pass out. Oh, before I forget, Buslowski is coming over to get the lowdown on, as he says, the circus band, tonight.”
“Gotcha. Well, get some sleep. I’m headed there myself.”
“Don’t forget to put the alarm on.”
“In the daytime?”
“Please, I got a bad feeling over at the house. Humor me.”
“No problem.”
I hugged Harry before I left to go to my room. The events of the last few days spun around in my head. “Stop, I’ll deal with you when I can see straight,” I said aloud. I barely managed getting out of my clothing. My head no sooner hit the pillow and I was fast asleep and dreaming.
Funny thing about dreams, they are so coded that it’s hard to tell if they are trying to entertain or warn you. My dreams were in the erotic arena, and the gentleman involved kept changing. It started off with Sidney, then Manuel, Elijah, Buslowski, of all people, and finished off with Father Michael. I opened my eyes and punched my pillow a couple times before finally falling back into a dreamless sleep.
The landline phone ringing woke me up. I reached for it and managed to say, “What?”
“Monday afternoon hangover?” asked the buttery, southern voice of Father Michael.
“Wait a minute.” I rolled over and yawned. “I was out all night at a crime scene.”
“I thought you were going to a party?”
“How did you? Oh, Harry.”
“No, actually, Dave Buslowski. He called to tell me about the trial.”
“What else did Busmouthski tell you?” I asked.
“Said you were hanging around with a bad crowd,” he teased.
“I fear he may be right. How are you, Michael?”
“My leg aches when it rains, but I think I am totally rehabilitated. How’s your fingers?”
“Healed.”
“I think I’m going to rent a place for the duration of the trial. I’m going to come down to check out a few places this week. I know you’re in the middle of a case, but I’d like to visit with you.”
“That would be nice. Give me a call when you’re in town.”
“I will. Well, I’ll let you get back to sleep. Say hi to Harry for me.”
“Sure. Night, I mean, bye,” I said and hung up.
The phone rang immediately. I assumed it was Michael calling back but was surprised to hear Sidney’s voice.
“Cin, I need to talk to you.”
“I’ll come down,” I offered.
“Would you? Thank you. I’ll be waiting,” he said and hung up.
I showered, dressed, and left a note for Harry: I’ve got something important to do. Stall Buslowski if I’m not back in time. Cin
I admit I pushed the speed limit getting there, but I wanted to make up for the time I spent in the shower. I had dressed in comfortable clothes and securely tied my tennis shoes on my feet. The shoe paranoia was starting.
I pulled around to the garage. I got out and started walking to the house when the back door opened. Sidney, I could tell was upset. He must have gotten the report. I swallowed and gave myself a brief lecture before I started walking towards him. The closer I got, the less the lecture had an impact. What was it about this man that brought out the lusty side of me?
He opened the door saying, “Thanks for coming, Cin. I know you must be dead on your feet.”
“I managed to catch a few zees, don’t worry. Now what is this all about?”
He handed me the letter. I read Tom’s physician’s report, and tears sprung to my eyes. Sidney then handed me the actual lab report which stated very clearly, as Sidney had told me on Friday, that the cancer was still in remission. My heart jumped. “What’s going on?” I asked.
“I don’t know, but I asked my oncologist to run another few tests. I just got back when I called you. I should know tomorrow. But honestly, Cin, I feel good. The first thing the cancer does is zap my energy and…”
“There’s nothing wrong there,” I said.
“Why would Tom’s report be so different?”
“I can’t help but feel this is another effort to sabotage the tour,” I said. “It’s a horrible way to do it. I have to confess that I knew about Tom’s report last night. It’s why Mandy and I were holed up for so long. I was crying my makeup off.”
Sidney looked at me oddly. “I don’t understand. Is this just you being overly compassionate or…”
“I think I’ve fallen for you,” I filled in.
“We’ve only just met,” he argued.
“I know. Forgive me, Sidney, I hope I’m not freaking you out. It surprised the hell out of me.”
He guided me to the couch and sat me down. “Cin, it’s probably just lust. I don’t normally have that effect on women, but you’ve been away from the dating scene for a few years,” he tried to explain.
I admit part of me was insulted that the man wasn’t in love with me. Where was the ardent suitor that introduced me to his beloved cousin? Where was the man who was so concerned about me accepting his illness? Where was the wounded bird who needed me?
“This has me thoroughly confused,” he confessed. “Women fall for guys like Elijah and Manny, not Sidneys.”
I put my hand on his cheek. “I assure you it’s not a whim, but you don’t have to reciprocate. This is my problem, and I’ll deal with it,” I assured him.
“No, don’t deal with it. Let’s explore it,” he said, smiling.
“Don’t you dare play with me,” I said outraged.
“Cin, you’re listening, but you’re not hearing me. I feel something for you, but I just assumed you were using me for information and to get closer to your suspects. So I’ve been protecting myself.”
“Your instincts are right. Harry was pushing me towards you, but I was already smitten before I left the stage the first time.”
“Yet you still went to dinner with Elijah,” he accused.
“He’s my client,” I said.
“He seems to be attached to you,” Sidney argued.
“Elijah is a bit of a con artist. I think he even fools himself. I enjoyed my dinner with him and will treasure the memory, but, Sidney, you were already on my mind when he and I went out,” I assured him. “Think what you want, but I’ve been mostly honest with you.”
“But not totally.”
“We’ve only known each other for a few days, and you’ve got this big wall up.”
“I do. So what do we do now?”
“Start over?” I asked, still wanting to salvage the relationship.
He laughed. “You’re not easy to get rid of are you?”
“Actually, yes,” I said, getting up. “I get it. You’re not interested, fine. Let Harry know what your new labs say. If Tom’s report is false, we’ll look into it.”
“Cin.”
>
I ignored him and walked through the kitchen and out the back door. I didn’t cry. Actually I did, but it wasn’t until I was well away from his house. I pulled over and allowed myself to purge my pent up frustrations and anger for hopping in bed with the guy after the first date, for cripes’ sake. What the hell was I thinking? I wasn’t thinking; that was the problem. I started to form a barrier. I had to. I still had to deal with this band, and Sidney was part of it. I would simply have to bury my feelings where I kept the ones I had for Father Michael.
“Cin Fin-Lathen the priest lover and sap,” I said out loud and pulled back onto the road. I was almost home when I decided I needed some retail therapy. I turned in the direction of CityPlace and turned on the radio. Coincidently, there was a breakup song playing. “Great,” I said and turned the radio off. I could have put in a CD, but all I had was happy love songs. Instead, I pushed in an Ely’s Coming CD, put the top down and listened to “Redheaded Stepchild” as I sped toward a very large credit card purchase.
Chapter Eleven
I was back well before the meeting we had scheduled with Buslowski. I picked up some expensive snacks and probably too much whiskey, but I intended to get through this meeting and then do some serious drinking.
I wore one of my new outfits. A very soft pair of sweatpants topped with a scoop-necked t-shirt. I had my curls bundled behind a headband. I decided what the hell and put on makeup. I was amazed I was able to repeat Mandy’s eyeliner flare the first time. I turned off the phone and would let the answering machine pick up. I did not want to deal with Sidney while Buslowski was within hearing distance.
“Are you okay?” Harry asked.
“I’m fine, just fine,” I lied. “I can’t wait to share information. I’ve got a couple of ideas. You?”
He looked at me a moment. “Is this new you the product of your sudden departure this afternoon?”
“Oh, yes, most certainly. I’m turning over a new leaf. Gullible Cin is gone.”
“But I like gullible Cin,” Harry said. “You have a hard edge that wasn’t there before your secret meeting.”
“Oh, Harry, must you pry?” I said. “I got dumped. There, I said it.”
