by Cat Connor
“Hi.” Mac smiled. “How do you feel?” He pushed my hair back off my forehead.
“I’m okay.” Both eyes open and semi-alert are usually good things.
He frowned a little and inspected my forehead. “Good.” He leaned down and kissed my head. “This looks quite nasty.”
“It feels funny,” I replied, moving my eyebrows up and down. The local doctor had glued the cut, holding the edges together with butterfly closures. The skin felt tight.
“I expect it would,” he said. “Do you need anything?”
I need to stop attracting freaks. I need better judgment. I need to embrace a new life as a hermit because it might be safer that way. I need coffee. I need you to smile at me and make everything okay.
I chewed my bottom lip. “Coffee?”
“Is that a question or an answer?”
“I need coffee.”
“You want to get up and have some coffee?”
I nodded. Getting out of bed proved to be a little more difficult. My body decided it didn’t want to move yet, still tired.
“What time is it?”
“After two.”
It was after two on Monday morning when I sat my sorry ass in Kevin’s squad car. I gave this due consideration and reached no conclusion. Not only was my body uncooperative, but my mind had stepped out without leaving a note.
“It’s Monday afternoon, babe,” Mac said. His frown disappeared and his eyes lightened.
“Ohhh.”
Redoubling my efforts to sit up and get out of bed, the comforter fought back, my legs tangled in the bedding. I threw the covers back and attempted to extradite my legs manually, but the sheets were wound around one leg.
“How does a person make such a mess of a bed, while sleeping?” Mac asked.
“Interesting dreams,” I replied.
My brain’s vacation was almost over. A little voice in my head said “Be thankful you have clothes on while you’re flailing about like an idiot.”
Mac grinned. “You up yet?”
“Getting!”
He took hold of my elbow and assisted the process, then directed me to the kitchen. Unnecessary, as my nose never failed me when coffee was around. Sitting on the kitchen table were two large mugs of strong black coffee.
Mac pulled out a chair and pushed me into it. “Holly’s in the store, and we can go through when we’re ready.” Mac rocked back in his chair.
“Okay. When did you get here?”
“About eight, had breakfast with Kevin then came on over here.”
Kevin, Carter ... the night came flooding back in brilliant Technicolor. “Where’s Carter?”
“Sitting in jail.” He sighed, “He hasn’t been arraigned yet. Kevin told me Caine is coming out.”
Well, that wasn’t a surprise. Kevin would have informed the FBI, and they do get a little antsy when their agents dodge bullets. Of course Caine would come down. I mentally slapped my head. Caine meant well. We had been partners for five years before he became my boss. My stomach churned at the thought of him arriving and the lecture that would follow.
Mac played with a pack of cigarettes on the table. He spun the pack around. I watched the red and white packaging blur. “Kevin thinks Carter will make bail, so does the Assistant District Attorney,” he said.
“That’s ridiculous!” I reached for the pack of cigarettes, took one out. As I lit it, I watched my hand shake.
“Kevin said the tape you made last night shows intent. He wants Caine to hear it. Build a Federal case.”
I could see from the expression on Mac’s face that he had heard the tape. I tried to recall what Carter had said. “He was ranting, that’s all.” I didn’t remember him saying anything of real importance.
His eyes met mine. “Babe, I rant ... that wasn’t a rant. That was one sick lunatic with a serious problem.”
“I don’t remember anything that Caine could use.”
“He did say something.”
“Spit it.”
“He said ‘I flew in from Chicago for one reason and one reason only. To teach you a lesson. No one rejects me.’”
I stared at Mac. “Okay, that shows he crossed State lines with intent.”
“I hope Caine can pull this off. If Carter is freed on a bail bond, I want you to come back with me.”
My heart leapt. That sounded so good, safe, protected, alive ... like hell! I did not need rescuing. I was quite capable of looking after myself.
Six months ago, I accepted a date with the wrong guy, but I realized he was not for me and ditched him. Any normal person would’ve moved on. I should not have to leave my home because Carter had freak tendencies, and that was the end of that!
I looked up at Mac. His eyes spoke volumes. I saw last night reflected back at me. I heard myself speak, but I barely recognized the word when it fell from my mouth. “Okay.”
He placed his cup on the table and blinked at me. His expression changed to confusion.
“What?” I demanded.
“You’re not going to argue? You’d argue black was white for eternity and then change your mind.”
“I’m making a point.” I felt a smile spread across my face. “I’m not contrary.”
Mac laughed. “Jesus, Ellie! For a minute there, I thought there really was something wrong with your head.”
He thought right. There must be something wrong with me. Each time I was the least bit involved with a man it became obvious that I shouldn’t have bothered. I consoled myself with the thought that I was better off having a friend like Mac than ever dating again.
“Anyway, I’d planned on calling you today and coming up to see you, hoping we could go to the Smithsonian butterfly garden. I’d like to see the butterflies.”
“We can do that. I would love to do that with you.”
Yes!
“Let’s do that then.”
Three
I Can See Clearly Now
Iwandered through the bookstore looking for Holly. As I approached the counter, she popped up like some crazed jack-in-the-box. Her blonde hair gave the impression of unkempt wilderness. It suited her perfectly. She had bright-yellow price stickers stuck half way up her arms.
“You hiding?”
“No, pricing new stock,” she replied, pushing a book across the counter to me. I glanced at the cover, Are You Psychic? I could do with psychic powers. That would remove all of life’s little surprises.
Holly stared with intent across the store; I followed her line of sight to Mac. He had his back to us and appeared to be flicking through a book. The section title above his head read, New Age. I guessed he’d found an astrology book, one of the many subjects he was interested in.
Holly pulled out a chair and attracted my attention. “Come here.”
I scooted around the counter and sat. She nudged me and grinned. “Is there any angle he doesn’t look good from?”
I raised an eyebrow and immediately realized my mistake. I really needed to stop doing that. My fingers sought the cut on my head and applied pressure to stop the sting.
“Nah, as far as I know he always looks good.” I picked up a shiny, almost holographic, covered book from the pile at my feet and flipped it open. Pictures of angelic beings came alive and danced off the pages. “Wow, these are beautiful.”
There was no response from Holly. She was still watching Mac.
“Yes, he has a nice ass,” I mumbled. Her head turned towards me. Her deep-green eyes seemed to penetrate my soul.
“Question,” she stated. Her eyes narrowed.
Oh God, here we go.
“How long have you two known each other?”
I bit my lip. “A little over two years.” I don’t know why, but I felt the need to elaborate. “You know, we only met in person four months ago.”
She nodded. Her eyes hinted at her purpose. “Do you have any idea what is right in front of you?”
I frowned. Damn, that stung.
“The counter is right in
front of me.”
“What else?” Her tone suggested I had better not have another flippant answer ready.
“Books?” I can’t be told. Keeping the smile off my face was tricky. “Shelves full of books.”
“Ellie!”
Her tone caught Mac’s attention. He turned to see what was going on. I smiled at him and received an inquisitive expression in response.
Holly called him over.
“Problem?” he asked, the book still in his hand. I was right. It was an astrology book: a gold star for me.
Holly glanced at the title. “Have a look in that book and see if all Sagittarians are smartasses and impossible.” She huffed and tossed her mad hair over her shoulder.
Mac chuckled. “Apparently, they are only equal to Librans in that regard.”
I looked at the book in his hand again. His thumb was a place marker. “Which bit are you reading?”
He flipped the book open so I could see a page about Sagittarius.
“I wouldn’t believe everything you read,” I mumbled, and turned my attention back to angels.
Holly and Mac pored over the chapter. What’s right in front of me? My two best friends having a great time at my expense.
The bell above the door jangled. It jangled again as the door shut. I looked over and saw the stony expression on Caine’s face as he strode towards us.
I tapped Holly on the shoulder. Mac moved closer to me and turned to face the approaching male.
“You don’t look happy,” I commented. Truth is, it took a trained eye to discern Caine’s moods. He didn’t give anything away, and he sure as hell never looked happy.
“Ellie, Holly,” he said with a nod. “You must be Mac.” He stepped forward, extended his hand, and introduced himself. “SAC Caine Grafton.”
They shook.
“Pleased to meet you,” Mac replied.
“You’d be the only one,” Caine said, then glared in my direction. “We need to talk.”
He terrified most people by what appeared to be open hostility, and yet I found it difficult to keep a smirk off my face.
“Okay if we use your kitchen?” I looked at Holly. She nodded. I flashed a quick smile at Mac. “Back in a bit.”
“He comes too,” Caine growled. Sometimes his teddy bear impersonation was so accurate I wanted to bend and straighten him to make him growl some more. Today, he seemed less like a gruff old teddy bear and more annoyed.
Mac and I sat at the kitchen table in silence waiting for Caine to say something. Eventually he said, “He’s out on bail.”
“Conditions?” My heart pounded. I didn’t want this nutcase out on bail.
“He is not allowed within one mile of your home, or within a hundred and fifty yards of your person.”
“You think he’ll adhere to that?” Mac asked.
“No.”
Words fell from my mouth, “Fuc’n Jesus, dammit!” It made no sense. “How the hell did he make bail after firing on police and a fed?”
Caine snarled cynically, “There were ‘extenuating circumstances,’ according to his lawyer.”
“And the District Attorney just rolled over and let him walk? Did I somehow click my heels together and end up in another country?”
“Bail was set at two million dollars, and he made bail,” Caine said. “I want you to go to your parents.”
I choked out his favorite phrase, “Not in this lifetime!”
“I want you to go to your parents,” Caine repeated. “You can’t stay here.”
Mac spoke, “Ellie’s going to stay with me.”
Caine’s mouth twitched. He eyed Mac and then settled his gaze on me. “All right. You are back to work next Monday.”
“A week off?”
“Doc says one week. Delta has a case in Maryland … it looks as if we have a connection to three unsolved rapes in Arlington late last year. You’ll join them in a week.”
It could be all over by then. “Those rapes in Arlington, were they the ones in the cemetery?”
Caine nodded.
They had a lead and I was on leave. I should be on my way to Maryland. “You got another cemetery rape, huh?”
“St. Anne’s in Annapolis.”
Damn Carter and his idiotic behavior. The delight at having a week off vanished, replaced with a sense of frustration. I suspect my voice betrayed my feelings. “I’ll contact you when I get to Mac’s.”
Caine’s eyes narrowed as he studied my face. “You better. They’ll miss your input.” He inclined his head and then directed a deadpan face to Mac. “I have heard good things about you from Kevin. I hope they’re true.” Caine stood up. I went to stand, but he pressed my shoulders making me sit back down. “There’s no need to walk me out. I know the way.”
Mac and I stared at each other for several seconds after Caine left.
“So that’s the infamous Special Agent in Charge Caine Grafton. He’s hard to read.” Mac said.
I nodded. “He is indeed. He likes you.”
“How the hell could you tell?” Mac’s left eyebrow arched.
“I saw his mouth twitch. That’s Caine’s version of a warm smile.” I looked at Mac. He appeared calm; I knew he wasn’t. “Do you believe this bail shit?”
He shook his head in disgust. “No. I shouldn’t be so surprised. I’ve never had a lot of faith in the judicial system. There are too many lawyers involved in it by half.”
Moments later, a shadow fell into the room. We both looked up. I half expected to see Caine but instead my brother stood in the doorway.
I had an odd sinking feeling in my stomach as Aidan spoke, “Ellie.”
I recovered and replied, “How come you’re here?”
“Had a job in Lexington. I called, but you didn’t answer your home phone or your cell.”
I couldn’t answer my cell phone. It was still lying on the kitchen floor at home. “Must’ve left it behind. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I came right here anyway. You didn’t answer your phone so I thought I’d visit Holly.” He turned his attention to Mac. “We haven’t met. Are you a friend of Holly’s?”
Aidan liked Holly, and I’d known that for a long time. He was checking out the competition.
“Yes, I am,” Mac replied. “But I am probably more of a friend to Ellie.”
I watched the cogs turn in Aidan’s head. They didn’t always turn smoothly, but for some reason they did today.
“Mac,” he said, striding forward and offering his hand. “I’m Aidan.”
How does everyone always guess who Mac is? I don’t think I have ever introduced him yet.
I observed the exchange between them.
“Are you all right?” Aidan asked, touching my arm.
“Of course, I’m always all right.” My hair covered the cut on my forehead, so I was sure he couldn’t see it. I’d refused to allow anyone to inform my family of the incident. I struggled with the notion that they deserved to know something but eventually dismissed it. The night’s drama would just serve to worry them.
“I saw Caine on his way out. He seemed grumpier than normal.”
“He always looks like that. He was in the area and dropped in for a visit.” I had my fingers crossed under the table. There really wasn’t any need to say why. “Sit down, Aidan. You’re making the place untidy.”
I kicked out a chair for him. He smiled and twisted the chair around, so he could see into the store. I rolled my eyes at Mac, who grinned back at me. Could Aidan be more obvious about checking out Holly?
“Wipe your mouth. You’re drooling,” I said under my breath.
Aidan hit my arm. “Shut up.”
I punched him back. “Make me, drool boy!”
“Sticks and stones.” Aidan flipped me off without shifting his gaze from the store.
“Boy, you have it bad.”
“Not like you, huh, Ellie,” he retorted.
Heat rose in my cheeks. Embarrassed at finding myself blush, I mumbled something about nee
ding more coffee and escaped to the kitchen sink. I washed the coffee pot to within an inch of its life. I scrubbed until my color receded.
I turned to ask who wanted coffee but before I could open my mouth, Kevin and Caine stormed the room. My mind threw up images of Starsky and Hutch as they would be now. Aged, graying, but still with a hint of cool.
I stood dumbstruck as Starsky and Hutch secured the room like the wannabe superheroes they were. The only things missing were the trademark cardigan and hair. The latter was a scarce commodity on both heads, and graying rapidly.
“Just checking everyone is okay,” Kevin said, shoving his gun in his holster.
“Why?” Mac rocked back in his chair and gave Kevin his undivided attention.
“Yeah, why?” Aidan repeated.
I couldn’t wait to hear the explanation.
“Turns out,” Kevin started. “Carter is mighty slippery.”
“How so?” I asked.
“He was under surveillance, and tailed out of Lexington to here, but he gave the boys the slip.”
“Oh, dear lord!” I exclaimed. “This isn’t exactly a metropolis. Anyone would be lucky to come across another ten vehicles on the road out of here.”
“He stopped in at Parker’s and didn’t come out. The boys went in and found his car, but he was nowhere to be seen.”
Caine perched himself on the edge of the table.
“You think he was heading back to my place?” Without a vehicle that would be one hell of a hike from Parker’s Apiary. Parker’s was on the outskirts of our little town and at least a twenty-minute drive from there to my place. Mr. P was renowned in the area for his honey. I hate honey, but his was supposed to be very good. He had won all manner of awards and such for his particular honey. Why do people like bee puke so much?
“It’s possible,” Caine said.
“I’m going home to get a few things.” My announcement fell into the room, drawing a stony stare from Starsky and a stunned expression from Hutch.
“Now?” Caine said.
“Yes, now. I need clean clothes and personal items before Mac and I head north.”
“We’re coming with you.”
“No, you two find Carter.”
