Becoming Forever (Waking Forever Series)

by McVea, Heather

  Ash nodded, and put her credit card on the bar. “Just open a tab, please.” Matt pulled the credit card off the bar, swiped it on the adjacent card reader, and handed it back to Ash. Within a minute, Ash was walking back to the table with two drinks in hand.

  “You ended up with a Vodka Collins, which is a Tom Collins with your liquor of choice instead of gin.” Ash set the glasses on the table, and then slid into the booth next to Lara. She was relieved to see the phone had been put away.

  Lara lifted the cocktail to her lips, and before drinking took a deep breath through her nose. “Mmm, lemon.” She looked at Ash’s drink. “What did you get?”

  Ash took a sip of her rum and coke. “Appleton rum and coke. I’m usually a beer person, but this place makes me want to branch out.”

  Lara smiled. “I feel that way about restaurants. Especially the ones with seasonal menus; so you can try new and fresh items.”

  Ash nodded. “Any places in San Antonio you enjoy?”

  Lara took a drink of the cocktail. “Feast. Which is actually not too far from here.”

  Ash knew the restaurant. They specialized in tapas style plates that were a twist on American comfort food. “I know it. Haven’t been, but my brother and his wife went there last year for their anniversary and said it was great.”

  Ash couldn’t help but stare at Lara’s eyes. She knew there were parts of Mexico where people looked Caucasian, and frequently had blonde hair and blue eyes. She had not seen anyone with dark skin and hair with the piercing light blue eyes Lara had. They reminded Ash of the Caribbean Ocean.

  “You have siblings then?” Lara asked.

  Ash took a mental breath as if she were getting ready to submerge herself in a pool of water. Lara and her were about to endeavor on the obligatory small talk indicative of all first dates. In the end, it frequently left Ash feeling like she had just finished a job interview. “Yes. Two brothers. Michael and Jason. I’m the middle child.”

  Lara tilted her head to the left and smiled. “I hate small talk too.”

  Ash’s eyes widened and she had a moment’s panic that she had given voice to her internal dialogue. “I - I guess it can’t be helped in situations like this.” Ash frowned at how inarticulate she had suddenly become.

  Lara took another drink of her Vodka Collins. “It’s exhausting, and when my friend Ana suggested this I thought she was crazy.”

  Ash chuckled. “Yeah. Your Ana is my Alan, and evidently they bonded over fashion and thought that qualified them to be match makers.”

  Lara ran her manicured nail around the edge of her glass. “I’m not complaining.” She looked at Ash mischievously. “Yet.”

  “I appreciate you giving me some time to make an ass out of myself.” Ash finished her drink.

  Lara laughed. “It’s the least I can do.” She leaned forward and put her elbows on the table. “So let me see, I’m from Mexico City, but have been in the States for about six months. My favorite color is red, I like the sun and beaches. I don’t eat cooked fish, but like sushi.”

  Lara pursed her lips as she looked at the ceiling. “And, what else? Oh, I don’t have any siblings, my parents are dead, and I don’t work because my extended family has money. Never married, no kids.” Lara finished the last of her cocktail in one long gulp before slamming the glass down dramatically on the table. “And done.” She looked at her platinum and gold Rolex. “Fastest get-to-know-you ever.”

  Ash sat with her elbow on the table, and her chin resting in her palm. “Amazing.” She leaned back, and not to be outdone, took a deep breath.

  “Middle child of three, never married, no kids, love my niece and nephews dearly, no pets, favorite color is black, born and raised in San Antonio, BS in Criminology from the University of Texas in Austin, dad’s retired firefighter, mom died three years ago, homicide detective with San Antonio P.D., enjoy a hoppy beer, and you’re weird with that whole sushi thing.”

  Lara crunched down on an ice cube. “I know! I think badly of myself for that one.”

  The two women looked at each other for several seconds with amused expressions. Clearly the tension had been broken. Ash nodded toward Lara’s empty glass. “Another round?”

  “Yes, please.”

  For the next hour Ash and Lara talked about current events, politics, and even managed a civil conversation about religion. Ash enjoyed the woman’s quick wit and appreciated her sarcasm. It wasn’t love at first sight, but Ash was definitely interested in seeing Lara again.

  “How about an actual meal next week?” Ash said as she finished her third rum and coke.

  Lara got her phone out, and after several seconds of swiping and button pressing said, “How about next Thursday at Feast?”

  Ash mirrored Lara on her own phone. “I can do that. Seven good?”

  Lara smiled. “Perfect.”

  Ash closed out their tab, and graciously accepted Lara’s twenty dollar bill when she insisted on Dutch treat. They exited the bar and stood at the top of the concrete steps. “Where are you parked?” Ash asked.

  “Around the other side, near Stella Public House.” Lara was digging around in her large red leather Luis Vuitton bag for her car keys.

  “I’m across the way there, by the river.” Ash smiled.

  Lara looked up at Ash. “I’ve had a good time, and look forward to next week.”

  Ash nodded. “Me too.” Lara stepped forward, and wrapped her arms around Ash’s waist. They kissed quickly on the cheek. “Be safe.” Ash waved as Lara walked away.

  Ash turned and was walking back to her Jeep, when she heard a familiar voice calling after her. “Ash?”

  Turning around, Ash saw Emma getting out of her car. “Hey. We have to stop meeting at bars, people will start talking.”

  Emma smiled. “I have to admit, I hesitated. I didn’t want you thinking I was an alcoholic stalker.”

  Ash laughed. Emma had managed to make an actual joke, not just say something so off topic or peculiar that it amused Ash. Ash noticed Emma’s car was parked in one of the electric car recharging slots. “You drive a Nissan Leaf?” Ash walked toward the silver car.

  Emma nodded. “I do. Purchased it last year, and have really liked it.” She pushed the unlock button on the remote. “Please, feel free to have a look inside.”

  Ash opened the driver’s side door, and was immediately hit with the wonderful floral and soap scent she had come to associate with Emma. Smiling, Ash slid into the leather seat. “This is more spacious than I would have thought.”

  Emma leaned into the cabin, resting her arm on the door. “Put your foot on the brake.” She leaned across Ash and pushed the keyless ignition button. “I’ve had no issues with the room or the driving range.”

  Ash wasn’t looking at the car anymore. In fact she wasn’t even sure where she was because all she could focus on was how wonderful Emma smelled, and how perfect her neck was.

  Fighting the urge to reach up and kiss the small mole just below her right ear, Ash forced herself to lean back in the seat. Emma turned to look at her, and their faces were inches from one another.

  Ash swallowed hard, and bit her lower lip. Her heart felt like it was going to come out of her chest. Emma’s eyes flashed an intense blue before she quickly stood up. Ash took a deep breath trying to clear her head. Getting out of the car, she hoped she sounded calmer than she felt.

  “It’s nice.” Emma had taken several steps back and stood with her back to Ash. Her shoulders looked tense, and Ash wondered if she had offended her. “Is it still running?”

  Emma turned and any tension Ash had seen was gone as she smiled. “Zero emissions. No tail pipe, no engine noise.”

  Ash nodded, and looked at the car again, grateful for the distraction. “It makes sense with the cost of gas.”

  Emma took several steps toward Ash, and using the car’s remote powered it down. “EVs typically have a higher initial out of pocket cost, but naturally achieve better fuel economy and have lower fuel costs than simi
lar conventional vehicles.” She dropped the remote in her brown leather Saint Laurent purse.

  “Take, for example, your Jeep. It has an EPA combined city and highway fuel economy estimate of 21 miles per gallon, and can cost as much as eighty dollars to fill the twenty two gallon tank. Whereas the Leaf costs dramatically less because of the low cost of electricity relative to conventional fuel.” Emma gestured toward the Nissan. “I can drive two hundred and fifty miles on a charge that cost me less than five dollars.”

  Ash was leaning against the side of the car with a smirk on her face, and her arms crossed over her chest. “And it’s good for the planet.”

  Emma frowned. “Well yes, and that’s also -” She stopped, and squinted at Ash. “Are you making fun of me, detective?”

  Ash pushed off the car. “Never, because I need your help with something.”

  Emma cocked her head to the side. “What?”

  Ash bit her lower lip. She hadn’t wanted to talk shop with the attractive doctor, but her confusion over the report Emma’s office had issued wouldn’t allow her to enjoy her time otherwise. “Ah, are you meeting someone?”

  Emma shook her head. “No, I was going to have a drink and listen to the live music.”

  “Do you mind a little shop talk and then maybe a drink at 1919?” Ash could see Emma hesitate. “So you can tell me why I shouldn’t have bought that gas guzzler.” Ash pointed at the Jeep.

  A faint smile crossed Emma’s lips. “Okay, go ahead.”

  Ash smiled, and looped her arm through Emma’s, pulling the doctor along. “Excellent. The Garrett case, how did fibrinolytic end-up in the bite marks?”

  Emma stopped suddenly and Ash was pulled back, surprised by Emma’s strength. “Oh, that.”

  Ash released Emma’s arm. “Yeah. A vampire bat enzyme in the bite marks. Bite marks that resemble, by one of the crime scene investigator’s comments, a vampire bite.” Ash chuckled as Emma’s eyes widened.

  “Don’t worry, doctor, the investigator quickly qualified the comment by saying vampires don’t exist.” Ash continued to smile at the shocked look on the doctor’s face, no doubt caused by what she considered to be inappropriate speculation by one of her team members. “Have you ever seen anything like that?”

  Emma shook her head. “No.”

  Ash held her hands out in front of her. “Hey, I’m not challenging the finding. Please don’t think that, but I was hoping you could shed some light on how it got there.”

  Emma looked down at the ground. “You seem frustrated.”

  Ash nodded. “No shit. None of it makes sense. Cris and I are at our wits end with it.”

  Emma winced. “I’m sorry, I wish I could give you some insight, but it would be speculative.”

  Ash smiled. “Humor me, and speculate.”

  Emma shook her head. “Oh, I couldn’t and risk -”

  Ash put her left hand on Emma’s forearm. “Hey, we’re just two girlfriends getting ready to have a drink, and we happen to be chatting about a heinous crime scene.” Ash smiled and crossed her heart with her right hand. “Off the record - swear.”

  Emma chewed nervously at the inside of her cheek. “It might be something the killer does as part of a ritual because the enzyme also stops blood from clotting; so -” Emma looked at Ash.

  “Thrombogenesis is an important part of hemostasis, wherein a damaged blood vessel wall is covered by a platelet and fibrin-containing clot to stop bleeding. If that doesn’t occur, it expedites the victim’s blood loss and -” Emma shook her head. “The victim’s death.”

  Ash nodded. “So the victim bleeds out faster, and -”

  “It’s not about faster. Not all the bites had the enzyme; so it may be the killer has a rhyme and reason to the placement of the enzyme.”

  Ash squinted. “I can’t imagine the enzyme is easy to come by?”

  Emma nodded. “Very rare, especially with the recent interest in stroke treatment.”

  Ash smiled. “Thanks, I have some ideas on where to start now. Distributors of the enzyme seem reasonable to you?”

  Emma grinned. “Very reasonable conclusion, detective.”

  Ash waved Emma toward the bar. “Come on, enough shop talk.” Emma followed, and Ash couldn’t stop from smiling. She felt better after the brief exchange with Emma, and the new direction she had to follow on the Garrett case. “By the way, kinda in awe of the fact you know more about my car than I do.”

  Emma looked earnestly back at Ash’s Jeep. “Didn’t you research the vehicle before you purchased it?”

  Ash laughed. “Evidently not enough.”

  The two women made their way back into the bar, and the bartender looked up and greeted them. “Back so soon?”

  Ash waved. “Yep.” She hoped Emma wouldn’t ask about her previous visit, because it occurred to her that being in the same bar, with two different women in the span of ten minutes could be misinterpreted.

  Emma slid into the corner booth across from the bar. “Do you want to go somewhere else?”

  Ash sat next to her. “No. This is good. Besides, they have perfectly cubed, Gibbs-friendly ice.” Ash winked.

  Emma chuckled. “I know I tend to go off on details not everyone thinks are important, but I’m a firm believer that life hinges on the smallest detail.”

  Ash nodded. “Oh, I agree. The quality of my cocktails is certainly a hingeable detail.”

  “Now I know you’re making fun of me.” Emma waved the bartender over.

  Ash held her thumb and forefinger apart by an inch. “Maybe a little.”

  “Ladies what can I get you?” Matt asked.

  “I’ll have the 90 Dogfish IPA.” Ash responded. She had already had three drinks with Lara and didn’t need the awkwardness of asking Emma to drive her home.

  Emma looked past Matt at the lighted shelves of liquor bottles. “Glenlivet 21 on the rocks, please.”

  Matt walked back toward the bar, and Ash reached into her back pant pocket to get her cell phone that had started vibrating. “Excuse me. It’s my brother.” Emma nodded.

  “Hey, Michael.” Ash glanced up at Emma. “Quickly, I’m having drinks with a friend.” She caught Emma’s smile out of the corner of her eye, and couldn’t stop one from popping on her own lips. “I’ll get the cake. Yes, Lucy’s.” Ash mouthed an apology to Emma. “Yes I agree it is the best cake ever.” Ash rolled her eyes. “Got it. Love ya, bye.” She hit the end button and put the phone back in her pocket.

  “Sorry. My one year old niece, Chelsea is getting baptized and I am the godmother, which somehow means that besides spiritual guidance, I also bring the cake.” Matt came back with the drinks, and blushed when Emma smiled at him.

  Emma chuckled. “I think it’s great that you’re so close with your family.” Emma hesitated and reached for her drink. After a quick sip, she looked intently at Ash. “How has your family been since Elizabeth died?”

  Ash took a deep breath. She had thought at some point this might come up, and she felt after three years she was able to talk about it. “It has been difficult. My dad - James - was a wreck, and seeing him hurt while hurting myself was a lot to handle.” Ash felt tears forming, and bit the inside of her cheek.

  Emma reached across the table, and placed her hand on Ash’s “The death of a parent, especially one that was so obviously beloved, is devastating.”

  Emma squeezed Ash’s hand. “And then one morning you wake up, and realize you slept a good night's sleep. You don’t hear her voice in your head all the time, but only some of the time.” The tears that had been threatening brimmed over, and Ash intertwined her fingers with Emma’s. “It becomes a useful sadness.”

  The two women sat in a comfortable silence, and Ash felt like she could be still with Emma. For all of her awkwardness, and clear disdain for metaphor and euphemism, Emma always - in the end - said the right thing.

  “Thank you.” Ash finally managed to lean back, but couldn’t bring herself to take her hand away; so she reached for a napkin wi
th her free hand and wiped at her eyes and nose. “I seem prone to fits of crying with you.”

  Emma released Ash’s hand, but instead of taking hers away, slid it up to Ash’s wrist and wrapped her cool hand around it, lightly stroking the pulse point in Ash’s wrist with her thumb. “Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

  Ash cocked her head to the side, enjoying the sensation of Emma’s hand on her arm. “Buddha?”

  Emma smiled. “Dr. Seuss.”

  A burst of laughter erupted from Ash. “Another brilliant doctor.”

  Emma pulled her hand back and took a drink of her scotch. Turning her attention to the far corner of the bar where a three piece jazz ensemble had been setting up, she smiled. “The music is going to start soon.”

  Ash looked at Emma’s profile. In the past ten minutes, this beautiful woman had become exponentially more appealing to Ash. She wanted to know her, and she hoped they could be friends. Beyond that, Ash didn’t know, but for now a friendship with Emma seemed very precious. “Can we have dinner sometime?”

  Emma turned and looked at Ash. “I would like that.”

  Ash nodded as the band started playing Another Great Day, a medium tempo piece that she thought altogether appropriate.

  Chapter 6

  “You liked her. You want to marry her, don’t you?” Alan sat across from Ash on the Starbucks patio just after ten in the morning on a sunny Saturday. His aviator glasses were perched on top of his head as he drank his triple cappuccino.

  “You’re such a child.” Ash took a bite of a blueberry muffin. She had liked Lara, but since she wasn’t in the mood for intense ribbing from Alan, she wouldn’t tell him she had enjoyed the last few hours of the previous evening with Emma more.

  She and the doctor had stayed at Bar 1919 for the entire jazz set, and then stood in the parking lot afterwards talking for another half hour. Ash was amazed at how intelligent and informed her new friend was.

  There wasn’t a topic of conversation the doctor wasn’t willing to broach. Even Emma’s tendency to get overly detailed hadn’t bothered Ash, considering the details pertained to interesting subjects that ranged from travel in the Middle East, the near collapse of the U.S. economy, and the European football clubs. Ash was even willing to forgive Emma for supporting Manchester United.