by Cass Sellars
“We have some truly inspirational guests here to address everyone this evening. Tonight we begin with our most esteemed and accomplished law enforcement leader, Chief Jayne Provost, who came to our fair city a scant five years ago from our nation’s capital. She brought with her thorough knowledge and a dedication to ridding our lovely city of violent crime and the unwelcome behavior of delinquents and deviants.” Pamela seemed thoroughly impressed with herself.
Syd leaned into Parker’s ear. “I love it when I get mentioned in my mother’s speeches.” Parker giggled and rubbed Sydney’s hand, remembering briefly how the elder Hyatt had referred to both her and Sydney as deviants during a thoroughly unpleasant exchange last Christmas.
“Please give a warm welcome to Chief Jayne Provost!”
Everyone clapped politely as she climbed the stairs of the dais revealing the red soles of her Louboutins. Parker had heard that it consistently bewildered the officers sworn to protect and serve Silver Lake that their top cop behaved more like a fashion-addicted celebrity than a law-enforcement professional.
The slender, auburn-haired woman smiled and waved as the reception quieted. “Thank you so much for that warm welcome and for coming out tonight to this beautiful event.” Her manicured hands swept grandly over the venue. “It is my distinct pleasure to welcome my officers here tonight as well as our community’s business and government leaders. Our esteemed district attorney Robert Fillmore is also with us—please stand, Bob.” He waved awkwardly garnering a quick round of applause. “Now please give a hand for Marco Hamlin, our city manager.” A short round of applause followed again as the small man in a dark suit did a half stand from his place at table two.
“Let me now offer a special welcome to our local celebrities from the world of business who were most generous in their sponsorship of this event. First, please offer a special welcome to our Platinum sponsor, representing CacheTech Incorporated, one of our largest corporate partners in Silver Lake as well as the city’s largest employer—Lawrence and Bryce Downing.”
Pamela worked her way through the corporate sponsors, recognizing each one. “And finally, representing the PRC Advertising Group—”
Parker tensed as she heard the company’s name and glanced around uneasily, wondering how she hadn’t seen anyone from PRC during the cocktail hour.
“—senior account manager and vice president Dayne Grant, and account manager Tom Simmons.” Applause rang out as Parker’s ex-wife was the first to stand followed by her shorter, pudgier colleague.
Parker watched as Dayne waved to the crowd as if she had just been crowned Miss America. Anyone who knew the brash Dayne Grant would expect nothing less.
Jenny leaned over the table and whispered to Parker, “Did you know she was coming?” Jenny looked at her best friend and boss, as if to read her unspoken thoughts. After more than seven years together at Davidson Properties they worked together like sisters. Parker knew she likely looked unsettled to her best friend. After all, Jenny had watched the daily struggle Parker endured to get to the other side of her horrific separation from the unfaithful Dayne.
Parker took a long steadying sip of her wine before answering. “I had no idea. Richard told me months ago that he had declined this invitation because they would be on their cruise. I suppose I should have assumed that they would send her in his place.” She shrugged and watched Dayne lean over to other tables to shake hands with acquaintances as the speech continued.
“Are you okay?” Mack asked.
Syd hugged Parker more firmly against her adding her other arm around her lover’s shoulders. “Parker has nothing to worry about from Dayne. I don’t think Ms. Grant would attempt a repeat of our New Year’s gathering, do you?”
Parker looked warily at Dayne who had made a pointed play for Parker before knowing that she and Sydney were together. Syd lifted Parker’s hair and dropped a kiss on the nape of her neck.
Parker turned to look at Syd. “Are we okay?”
Sydney looked incredulous for a moment and pressed the side of her face against Parker’s as she spoke. “Of course we are. I’m not, nor will I ever be, threatened by Dayne Grant. Surely even she has better sense than to behave inappropriately at a citywide event like this. New Year’s Eve was bad enough.”
Parker laughed and nodded. “Yes, I think even she has more common sense than that.”
Sydney looked at her steadily, her sharp gray eyes locking into Parker’s. “She missed an opportunity to spend the rest of her life with you, so you’ll forgive me if I give her common sense a failing grade.”
Parker smiled and turned farther in her chair to kiss Sydney’s mouth slowly. “I fell in love with a hopeless charmer.”
“As long as you stay in love with me, you can call me anything you like.” Sydney watched Dayne as she resumed her seat, flicking a glance over to her ex’s new girlfriend before focusing elsewhere. Syd made sure that her silent warning was clear. Dayne would steer clear of Parker because Sydney wouldn’t permit an attempt to lure Parker from her. It should have been out of consideration for Dayne’s new girlfriend; however, Syd wondered if Dayne ever considered anyone other than herself.
The evening ambled by slowly as Major Williams gave his State of the City address, regarding the reduction of crime in Silver Lake. Major Cash had happily escaped the obligation, normally his responsibility, since he and his wife were celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary in Belize.
Syd people-watched as Major Williams spent the majority of his speech verbally kissing Chief Provost’s designer-clad behind. It was no secret that Major Williams coveted the chief spot. He had been summarily overlooked five years ago by the city council but no one had expected them to select an even more mediocre cop, which Jayne Provost had proven to be. Pamela hovered nearby, seemingly entranced by the speech. Typical.
As Major Williams finished, he angled toward their table. He introduced a reluctant Mack and invited her to the podium. “Our Detective Sergeant Mackenzie Foster, over the west side homicide division, has helped bring our little city into the new millennium, overseeing a number of new and progressive projects. Please help me welcome this rising trailblazer in the Silver Lake Police Department.”
Mack politely thanked the major. Sydney wondered if her disdain for the incompetent leader was as apparent to the rest of the room as it was to her. She spoke quickly and knowledgeably about the progress her division had made and the sound solution rates they had achieved. She noted that crimes like homicide affected predominantly the homeless and drug-involved populations in the city. She reviewed recent programs and initiatives to help the underprivileged populations in their city as well as announcing the CIT certification of thirty-five officers, dedicated to helping the mentally challenged residents of Silver Lake. Mack finished as her fellow officers gave her a louder than necessary round of applause which made her blush, but gave her the opportunity to return to her seat quickly, swallowed by the celebratory din.
Finally, District Attorney Robert Fillmore took the stage and spoke about the successful prosecution rates of some of the city’s more publicized criminal trials. He took a moment to address his staff and the administrator of the courts, then made special mention of Sydney Hyatt and DRIFT, asking her to stand as he cited her invaluable contribution to a recent successful prosecution.
Syd sat down as soon as it was appropriate and took a swallow of her now-watery scotch. The group at the table clapped loudly for Sydney who gestured away the uncomfortable kudos.
The speeches ended and Syd knew the remainder of the evening would be dedicated to rubbing elbows with people who thought networking might garner them future business advantage. She could manage the task easily but it wasn’t her favorite pastime. Several attorneys pulled her aside and asked to set up meetings for cases that were pending. While she did many personal injury cases when she believed the claims were bona fide, she had no patience for ambulance chasers and staged reconstructions of minor accidents. She happily ste
pped aside as her competition snatched those cases aimed at big settlements from large corporations who were often just victims of a litigious wave. Syd’s true love was pro bono work, reconstructing violent incidents where the defendants were long forgotten and resources were slim by the time new evidence came to light.
* * *
Parker watched Dayne make the rounds with the local elite, no doubt touting the work she could do publicizing their businesses. Dayne had glanced over once, catching Parker’s eye and raising her scotch in salute. Dayne had then darted her eyes over the crowd as if to locate Sydney before her girlfriend grabbed her arm and her attention possessively. Parker felt nothing for her ex-wife and was glad she was no longer part of the ad exec’s sales pitches and endless diatribes of self-aggrandizement.
Parker accepted a fresh glass of wine from a passing tray as she watched Sydney speak with the DA about the latest project she was finishing for him. She was dark and serious and cripplingly sexy as she talked business and inadvertently charmed her audience. She scanned the room and noticed Mia and Sandy walking with Mack and Jen to the coffee station, when a stocky, light-haired man in a gray suit approached her.
“Nice gathering, don’t you think? I’m Bryce Downing.” He thrust a clammy hand toward her and she shook it reluctantly but graciously.
Parker smiled at him politely. “Yes, it’s lovely. The tent and the lighting make it feel really special.” He finally released her hand and she reflexively rushed hers back as if it had touched something unpleasant.
“My company is the major sponsor of this event every year. I was assured this time it would be better—more upscale—or I wasn’t interested in having the company name up there.” He smiled smugly as he turned her toward the sponsor board behind the coffee bar. Parker caught Jen’s bemused expression as she observed Parker tensely and awkwardly engaging the self-important little man. He attempted to appear assured and laid back but instead she thought he came off as uneasy and arrogant. Parker remembered a man once telling her that confidence could easily be mistaken for arrogance. She was quite sure that he had made the comment because everyone thought he was arrogant. By contrast, she thought, Sydney was coolly confident in any situation; this guy was just a pretentious ass.
Parker moved away slightly, causing his unwanted hand to slide off her upper arm. She took in an unexpectedly shaky breath and struggled to corral her reaction. “Well, it was nice to meet you.” She tried to smile but she was positive the attempt could have been called a grimace at best.
Clueless or completely unconcerned about his acquaintance’s attempt to extricate herself from the conversation, he continued speaking too closely to Parker.
“So what do you do—or are you married? I don’t see a ring.” He sang the last word as if he had dug for gold and come up a millionaire. He sounded slightly drunk. He smelled like whiskey and had begun to slur his words. His breath fell hotly over Parker who still tried in vain to subtly increase the distance between them.
“Well, I’ve been married and I also had a job at the same time.” Parker felt the affront for any of his potential girlfriends and hoped the new sheen of indignation would coat her unsettled mood. “I guess I’m just multitalented like that. And no I’m not—”
“Well, I just mean, when I decide to get married, I expect my wife to stay at home and tend to the duties there. A lot of women would appreciate a traditional guy like me.”
Some women marry imprisoned serial killers, too, she thought. She also thought the number of his potential girlfriends could be statistically similar.
Out loud she managed, “I’m sure they would. I guess I’m one of those pesky, self-sufficient types.” Parker tried a grin again but she was finding the exchange with the boorish man increasingly unsettling. She skimmed a hand over her neck where a glaze of perspiration was forming despite the relative cool of the room.
Parker noticed Sydney deep in negotiations with an attorney who had spent weeks practically begging for help on a case he hoped to fast-track for his corporate client. As if feeling her gaze, Syd glanced over to wink at Parker before she turned back to face the attorney. Parker stared at her, willing her to turn around again.
As if the footlights on his personal stage had just snapped on, Bryce Downing leaned in. “People are finally dancing, looks like our chance.” His watery eyes and stale breath contributed to the churning in her stomach. Without any warning or indication of capitulation from Parker, he grabbed her upper arm, more tightly this time, and endeavored to move her toward the dance floor.
“Thank you, but no.” She attempted to pull out of his grasp but he held her too firmly. She scanned the space for a place to relinquish her glass, suddenly wanting both hands free. “Please let go,” she said a little louder as a cold sweat broke over her face. She suddenly felt short of breath and, despite the room full of people, desperately isolated. Alarm flushed over her body and her knees felt weak. She mentally evaluated her visceral reaction to the situation. She bordered on panic which she knew was irrational so close to the safety of hundreds of people, but she couldn’t seem to break its spell.
“Come on, honey, I’m a great dancer.” He leaned into her and attempted a wink that wound up looking like some sort of nervous tic. Parker supposed his alcohol consumption made touted prowess of any kind easy for him to believe. She was sure she wouldn’t be finding out firsthand.
Parker endeavored once again to twist out of his grip but felt weaker from each attempt. She hardly managed words now as she struggled for a breath. Edges of her vision narrowed and she felt locked on his face which seemed only inches from hers. She closed her eyes and fought for oxygen which seemed to catch in her throat. Her internal admonishments told her that she was being ridiculous and that she was overreacting. They did nothing to calm the pounding of her heart.
“She said no.” Sydney stood too close, towering over Bryce, her hands inches from his. “Let go.”
“Not sure this involves you,” Bryce responded. Parker thought something akin to beer muscles just overtook his logical brain. His sarcastic delivery sounded feeble in the face of her physically imposing girlfriend. But the sudden tension caused him to squeeze Parker’s skin even harder.
Sydney sneered as she peeled his hand from Parker’s arm and twisted his fingers roughly, holding them in hers for a few unnecessary seconds. Once free, Parker tried urgently to rub away the legacy of him from her flesh. Sydney moved between her and Bryce Downing, creating a shield with her body. Parker knew that Sydney’s move to protect her was more instinct than calculation. Parker placed her hands against Sydney’s back using the moment to ground herself, feeling suddenly silly at her reaction.
“I beg to differ,” Sydney stared at him treacherously, not moving a muscle. “Don’t ever do that again.” Parker moved around and accepted Syd’s arm around her back.
Bryce Downing smirked at Sydney and sidestepped to look more directly at Parker, who still felt strangely off balance by the peculiar encounter.
“You’re queer?” He sounded incredulous as he dragged his eyes lecherously over Parker’s body, increasing her discomfort. Sydney remained partially in front of her, her other hand half clenched at her side.
Parker laced her fingers into Syd’s and attempted to sound flip. “Yup, I got a toaster oven and the T-shirt.”
“Good luck with that.” He threw the words over his shoulder as he began to walk unsteadily away. “You don’t know what you’re missing.” Parker was grateful for that at least.
Parker hoped he might be embarrassed, but then doubted if he even understood how inappropriate his behavior had been. She sighed loudly as Sydney turned to fold her arms around her, causing a shudder to wash over her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t see him earlier.” Sydney was visibly steaming. “Let me see your arm.”
Parker forced a smile. “I’m okay, really. It was just so weird. I’m thinking that guy is used to getting what he wants and alcohol is not his friend.” She present
ed the angry red ring on her arm quickly before shrugging it away.
“I’m going to go talk to Bob about him, okay?” Parker knew Sydney’s reassuring tone was no match for the blind rage she could see simmering behind her eyes.
“No, please, love, it’s okay. He just doesn’t seem to have much experience wooing women, I guess. He seems harmless enough.” She chuckled as she now felt Sydney’s heart beating loudly in her ear instead of her own. Syd brushed long soothing strokes over her back.
“You don’t know how close I was to choking the little cretin.” Her words sounded much less lethal than her voice.
“Thank you for not making a scene. It’s okay, really. I’m just going to run to the restroom, all right?” As she turned, Parker still felt her face burn from the encounter—whether a blush, or the heat created by the crush of the crowd, she couldn’t arrive at a satisfactory description.
Parker walked quickly through the door of the deserted bathroom and leaned against the wall in front of the sink. She felt grateful for the cool tiles at her back. Pressing a damp paper towel to her cheeks, she dabbed carefully under her mascaraed lashes. She marveled at how easy it had been for him to unnerve her and how instantaneously she recognized the feeling. It had been nearly a year since one of Sydney’s acquaintances began stalking her and ended up taking her hostage. Becky Weaver had held her at knifepoint until Sydney talked her way in and eventually overpowered the unstable woman. Since then, feeling defenseless against some unwanted touch, some stranger’s grasp, was more of a frightening trigger than it should have been.
The Becky incident had left a now-tiny scar beneath her right eye and some other faint legacies from the deranged woman’s knife, but otherwise she had escaped significant injury. Parker breathed slowly and pushed the memories back. This was the first time she could remember the recall coming so vividly or affecting her so dramatically. She pushed the damp towel under her eyes again and over her forehead before wetting it again in the sink.
