by Ann Roberts
Her voice trailed off in mid-speech. When she finally comprehended everything Ari had said, she realized that at some point she’d started smiling.
“Honey?” Ari asked gently. “Um, well, we can do this another time.”
“No!” she shouted. She took a breath to control her voice. “No, I’d really like to see you.”
“Oh, great. Then why don’t you come over to my place? I’ll put together a light supper. Will that be okay?”
“Fine. I’ll stop at my apartment and be over by seven-thirty.”
She quickly hung up and downed a glass of water, working to shed the drunken state that was gripping her. Normally she’d nurse a cup of coffee for at least another hour before she attempted to drive, but she desperately wanted Ari—now.
She navigated the streets, careful not to blow through any lights or stop signs. She was five blocks from her apartment when flashing lights appeared behind her. Shit. She pulled over and checked her appearance in the mirror. As long as they didn’t give her a Breathalyzer, she’d be okay.
“Evening, ma’am. You appeared to be weaving. Have you been drinking?” the uniformed officer asked.
She showed him her badge and shrugged. “Just a couple, officer. I’m on my way home now.”
He studied her badge and nodded. “I’ve heard of you, Detective Nelson. You’re working the Maria Perez murder, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, me and my partner, Andre Williams.”
The officer grinned. “I know Andre. We play ball on Saturdays.” He handed back her badge and nodded seriously. “Get home, okay?”
“Thanks,” she said with great relief. It wasn’t until he’d driven away that her heart stopped pounding.
As she pulled into her assigned parking space, she noticed her neighbor Dorothy Lyons approaching. Dorothy pulled her metal cart that usually hauled laundry, but tonight it was full of feathers.
“Howdy, neighbor,” Dorothy said with a mischievous grin.
“Hey, what are you up to?”
She stepped in front of the cart and whistled. “Nothing, officer. I’m just a little old lady out for a walk.”
Molly pointed at the feathers. “And what are those for?”
“Promise you won’t arrest me?”
She laughed at the idea. Dorothy was a spitfire, and she thought of her as family. “I’m off duty,” she said, “unless you’re murdering someone by feathering them to death. What’s up?”
Dorothy looked around the parking lot and stepped closer. “I’m gonna teach Howard Birnbaum some manners. He’s parked in my space for the last time.”
She nodded, well aware of Dorothy’s ongoing battle with their inconsiderate and crotchety neighbor who refused to park in his assigned space, taking whichever one was open and closest to the building. Of course he’d never taken her spot, probably because he knew she’d throw a boot over his rear wheel.
Dorothy reached underneath the feathers, some of which were spilling onto the ground, and pulled out a can of shaving cream. “I’m just gonna tar and feather his windshield a little. That’s not illegal, is it?”
She laughed and shook her head. “Nope. Just do a good job.”
“You wanna help?”
“I probably shouldn’t. I’m on my way to Ari’s.”
Dorothy smiled. Molly knew how much she liked Ari, and the fact that the older lady approved of their relationship was a bonus. “Say hi from me. She’s a great kid. I want to have you both over again for supper.”
“That sounds great.”
“Okay. I’m off to commit public mayhem. If this doesn’t work, can I borrow a taser?”
She realized too late that she could’ve used a shower, and she kicked herself for appearing at Ari’s door smelling like stale cigarettes and scotch. As usual Ari looked amazing in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. Her hair was up in a bun, the way she preferred it. Unable to be physically apart from her for another second, she immediately pulled her into an embrace and a rough kiss. Each murmured her own penance for the fight before her tongue silenced their lips. The taste of Ari’s mouth only heightened her passion which was a razor sharp edge of desire.
“I need a shower. Take a shower with me,” she pleaded.
Without acknowledging the request Ari stepped away and went to the kitchen. She turned off the stove and removed the small pot from the hot burner.
“So you’re not hungry?” she teased.
“I’m very hungry.”
Ari smiled seductively and crossed the distance between them, discarding her T-shirt on the couch and stepping out of her jeans while Molly bit her lip in anticipation. “What do you want to eat?” she asked innocently, batting her eyes for dramatic effect.
“What are you offering?” Molly parlayed, watching as she unhooked the clasp of her bra. When it fell to the floor their eyes met.
Ari licked her lips. “Well, I thought about soup and sandwiches, but I don’t think you’re interested.”
“No.”
“Would you like me to undress you, Detective? I can smell that suit from here.”
She quickly shed her clothes, all the while staring into her eyes, which seemed to sparkle.
They drifted together for another kiss. Ari was the best kisser she’d ever met, crafting each kiss perfectly. She knew when to be rough, when to tease and when to be tender. These were the kisses of forgiveness and caring.
Ari took her hand and pulled her into the bathroom, reaching for the hot water tap. Clad only in their underwear, they touched and explored each other until their bodies were slick and wet from the shower steam. Ari stepped into the shower and crooked her finger at Molly who followed behind. She backed into the corner and laced her fingers behind her head.
Molly fell to her knees, her hands trailing down Ari’s chest, her fingertips lingering on her nipples while she kissed her soft belly. Ari moaned softly and dropped her hands into Molly’s curls.
“Now,” she begged.
Molly became easily frustrated by her uncooperative, wet underwear and tore them away before she spread her legs and kissed her thighs tenderly.
Only when they’d pleasured each other long enough for the hot water to run cold did they retreat to the warmth of Ari’s expensive sheets, allowing the fine linen and their body heat to dry them. Ari fell asleep, but Molly awoke frequently, remaining in her embrace for as long as she could, unwilling to break the physical connection that healed their anger. The emotional anxiety remained, as it always did after they made love.
Eventually the images of Maria Perez’s autopsy filled her head, and she headed for the kitchen and the bottle of scotch Ari kept above the sink for her. She knew her drinking worried Ari, and it secretly worried her too, but she was certain she could control it. She wandered through the living room, settling into Ari’s desk chair. She turned on the computer, deciding to surf the net for 6815. Maybe she’d get lucky.
While she waited for the machine to start up, her gaze strayed to the stack of Ari’s client folders that always sat on the edge of the desk. She smiled at her impeccable organization, until she noticed Biz Stone’s name on one of them.
Chapter Sixteen
Ari maneuvered through the small parking lot of Susan’s Diner searching for an empty space. After three tries she swore and parked on the nearby side street. She trudged back to the building, her anger growing with each step. She’d agreed to meet her father here for breakfast, but that was before she’d woken up and faced Molly’s drunken, jealous rage.
Molly had found Biz’s client file during the night and instead of waking her up so they could talk about it rationally, she’d chosen to stew in her anger, polishing off an entire bottle of scotch in the process. Only when dawn broke did Molly shake her awake, thrusting the file in her face.
“What the hell is this?”
It had taken a minute for her world to realign. The ugly, twisted face that hovered over her was nearly unrecognizable. The gears in her brain unlocked and the scene fina
lly registered.
“I was going to tell you—”
“When? After you’d finished the deal? Or after you two had slept together?”
“Honey, I wanted to tell you last night, but we were a little preoccupied. I didn’t think it was appropriate.”
Molly threw the file against the wall, and Ari jumped. She’d never seen Molly like this, although she’d admitted to a violent past with her other lovers.
“Telling me wasn’t the issue. Why is Biz your client? You know how I feel about her, and you know how she feels about you.”
“It’s just a business arrangement—”
“Bullshit! Don’t insult me. That woman wants you, and I’m beginning to wonder if the feeling is mutual.”
She automatically shook her head and touched her arm. “Baby, you’re drunk. You’re not rational. Don’t say that. Don’t think that.”
Molly shoved her—hard—and the force propelled her on her back. She lay on the bed, momentarily out of breath. Molly had never touched her in anger, and she fought back tears.
“Don’t tell me what to think!” Molly screamed.
She stormed out of the room, and Ari heard the sounds of her making coffee. She imagined Molly would consume an entire pot to quell her hangover before she went to work. The clock read seven-fifteen, and she suddenly remembered her breakfast date with her father. She quickly got ready and when she emerged from the bedroom, she found her sprawled across the couch, a cold pack over her eyes.
“I have to meet my father for breakfast. Are you okay?”
“Never better,” she slurred. “Oh, and do give your father my love,” she added. “Wait, you can’t. He doesn’t know I exist.”
She wanted to go to Molly, but her hands were shaking. For the first time she was afraid of what Molly might do. She chose to stay by the door. “Baby, I’m so sorry,” she said.
Molly sprang up and headed for the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
She called her father’s cell several times in an attempt to cancel, but it only went to voice mail. Worried that he’d never get the messages she felt obligated to appear.
She found him in a booth chatting up the waitress who topped off his coffee. When he glanced in her direction she pasted on a pleasant smile for his benefit.
“Hi, honey. How about some coffee?”
She nodded, and the waitress filled her cup while she settled into the seat across from him. She didn’t bother to pick up a menu, her emotions killing her appetite.
Jack frowned. “You’re not eating.”
“I’m not hungry.”
He said nothing else and continued to study the entrees. When the waitress returned to take the order he glanced at her, but she looked away.
They sat in silence, Ari avoiding his stare. He drummed his fingers on the Formica tabletop and she noticed his wedding ring. He and her mother had divorced several years before her mother’s death, but she couldn’t remember him wearing his ring—not even at her funeral.
“Not that I think you’ll tell me,” he said, interrupting her thoughts, “but just so you know your old man is somewhat observant and his memory is unaffected by his age, I’ll ask you what’s wrong.”
“I’m okay.”
“Nope, I disagree. When you skip breakfast something’s buggin’ you. That’s how your mother and I survived your teenage years. She’d serve a plate of eggs and if you didn’t eat, I’d quietly excuse myself so the two of you could talk.” He chuckled. “You were the only kid I knew who’d eat eggs at seven at night except when you were hurting.” He paused and sighed. “I guess we can’t count on your mom’s help here anymore.”
Her eyes dropped to the table as she willed herself not to cry. “There’s just some stuff going on right now,” she said simply.
“Work stuff or personal stuff?”
“Both, I guess. More personal stuff.”
She looked into his eyes and saw none of the hatred and judgment that she remembered from the past, from the night he had disowned her and banished her from the house. In the end it had been his undoing. He lost his daughter and his wife, who divorced him soon after.
She couldn’t erase the memory completely, but she felt compelled to take a step forward, not for him but for Molly. She owed him nothing and Molly everything.
“Actually, Dad, there’s someone in my life. Someone important.”
A tentative smile crossed his face. “I’m glad. What does she do?”
“She’s a cop.”
He didn’t look surprised. “Does she work downtown?”
“Uh-huh.”
“What division?”
“I don’t want to go into it yet. I’m not ready for you to meet her.”
He patted her hand. “I’m sure whatever’s going on will work out.”
She smiled in relief, grateful for the words even if she wasn’t sure he was right.
The subject dropped when his breakfast appeared. He pointed to his plate with his fork. “You sure you don’t want any?”
She shook her head and watched him shovel the food into his mouth in typical cop mode. Her mother had berated him endlessly for his poor table manners, certain that Ari and her brother Richie would follow suit.
“Sol and I went to the Suns game last night. Double overtime.”
“Great,” she said with little enthusiasm. “Did they win?”
“Oh, yeah. Steve Nash nailed a jumper with two seconds left. It was just beautiful.”
Ari grinned. They’d found some neutral ground. They spent fifteen minutes talking basketball, the Phoenix Suns and Jack’s adopted team, the Portland Trailblazers.
“Can I ask you something as a cop?”
He took a sip of coffee and looked at her thoughtfully, obviously surprised by the abrupt shift in the conversation. She figured if she couldn’t talk to Molly about her suspicions, he was the next best person.
“Did you ever just have a hunch that someone had committed a crime but you couldn’t prove it?”
He snorted and shook his head. “Happens all the time. I probably had a hundred cases where I knew the perp, but I couldn’t prove it.” He leaned closer and pointed a finger at her. “One time the guy actually confessed to me after the judge threw out the case.”
Ari’s eyes widened. “What did you do?”
Jack cleared his throat and adopted a proper expression. “As an officer sworn to uphold the law and live by judicial ethics there wasn’t anything I could do.”
She knew her father better, and her raised eyebrow told him so.
“Actually he had an unfortunate run of bad luck when he got nailed for breaking and entering. Wound up in the joint because of his priors and some of his old friends put a shiv in his back.”
“I suppose that’s karma at work.”
“Exactly.” He paused and said, “So why are you askin’?”
“I have this client who’s the sleaziest person I’ve ever met. I think he’s capable of most anything.”
“What do you think he did?”
She hesitated. If she told him the truth, he’d run to Sol and Molly immediately and she’d look like a fool. She had no proof. Until she got some there wasn’t anything to investigate.
“I’m not really sure, fraud at least.”
“Well, my best advice is to keep watching and listening. Most criminals make mistakes, and if they think they’re hot shit they tend to make more mistakes.”
She nodded. “Thanks. That’s good advice.”
His face brightened. “Really? A compliment? I think I’m blushing.”
The check came, and the conversation dwindled as they drifted out to the parking lot in silence.
Jack finally said, “I’d really like to see you once more before I leave on Friday, maybe Jane too.”
She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “I’m not sure. I’ll have to check my schedule and ask Jane.”
His expression suggested he knew he was getting the brush-off. “
Sure. I understand. Three meals in a week after a four year absence is probably pushing it.”
Ari snorted. “Dad, it’s not that—”
“Of course it is, honey. And that’s okay. It’s just that eventually I want us to get to the point where we’re gonna say everything that needs to be said.”
Ari shrugged. “Why?”
“Why?” he repeated, clearly stunned.
“I mean, I think that parts of the past are best left there. I don’t want to go back.”
“I know that, honey,” he said gently. “But I want us to move forward. You’re all I have.”
His words hung in the air as a group of women walked between them and dissolved the conversation.
“Look, Dad, I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
She turned and walked away, almost disappointed when he didn’t call to her.
A throng of sixth-graders passed Ari as she strolled toward One Desert Plaza, the home of the Hometown Grocery Corporation and Stan Wertz’s executive office. Located near the Arizona Science Center and Heritage Square, the three entities made for eclectic partners. The Science Center and Heritage Square were major draws for tourists and students, the technology of the future literally a stone’s throw away from the series of incredible homes from the late 1880’s, which now served as businesses or museums.
She glanced toward the Teeter House and smiled. She had wonderful memories of her mother taking her there for tea and cookies. Those were the most precious times of her life, remembering the two of them sitting in their best outfits—they always dressed up to go to tea—and her mother giggling and making up stories about the people who passed by. She blinked away some tears and took a deep breath, feeling overwhelmed. After years of being isolated and apart from family, she’d had breakfast with her father and vivid memories of her mother all in the same morning.
She found a bench and sat down for a moment. Stan Wertz could wait. She glanced at the parking garage where only a week ago she’d found Warren Edgington in his car with the shiny tower nearby. How difficult it would be for Wertz to kill Edington and get back to his office? But he had no motive that she could find and if anything, it looked like they were friends. He’d never had any business dealings with Edgington. And could someone force you to drink alcohol and drugs? How would he do that? There’d been no signs of struggle. None of it made sense, and she knew she was probably allowing her hatred to cloud her judgment. She wanted him to be guilty of something, but she wanted her commission too.
