Unleashed_Case of the Collie Flour

by Erik Schubach

  She just stood there and held me as I sobbed uncontrollably. She never said a single word, just shushed me and shared her strength, surrounded by the scent I was starting to associate with safety and Jane.

  I finally was able to get myself under some semblance of control, my face buried in her shoulder, my hands flat on her muscled belly. I eased back a bit and looked up at her. Then tried to smile, knowing my mascara was probably running all over and I looked like an extra form the movie 'It'. “I know, I was stupid.”

  She cocked her head that infuriating cocky smirk on her face as she wiped tears from my cheeks with one hand before returning it to my waist. I tried to explain, “I didn't mean for it to happen like that. The other walkers were just supposed to call if they saw her. Really.”

  She just kept that smug look on her face, and her deep brown eyes were twinkling with some sort of amusement that was going to get her toe stomped. I blurted, “I know I could have been hurt, but she was getting away, and I knew...”

  I tilted my head and said in a calmer tone, “I knew you'd be there, Jane.”

  Her smirk turned into a smug smile. I growled and pushed her back. There is no way I could have moved her if she didn't let me. She took a half step back, her arms still on my waist, heat spreading deep into my core from the contact, my hands still on the rippling muscles of her taut flat belly, “Say something! Yell at me, tell me how foolish I was. Something.”

  She shrugged and said as Calvin cocked his head at us as he sat, “Why? You seem to be doing a good job of it yourself.”

  I moved one hand to slap her breastbone lightly. “If you're going to be a jerk about it then I'm not sorry!”

  She cocked an imperious eyebrow leaning down a bit, so her eyes were level with mine, “Fine.”

  I swallowed when I realized I was staring at her lips now. But she was such a condescending... “Fine!” I leaned in farther my eyes seeking hers.

  I could feel her hot breath on my face, and it sent a tingling electric current to my core as I realized it wasn't rage heating me, it was desire. She whispered, “Fine.” I closed my eyes as she tilted her head, our lips almost touching and she started to move in. Part of me was so confused about how I could be feeling this way, and the other part was aching for it so badly.

  The instant before our lips met, there was a loud knock at the door that caused me to almost jump out of my socks. The magic of the moment was lost, I was in a haze of arousal, my nostrils filled with the scent of her sweat, of lilac and leather. And I covered my mouth with a hand to repress a nervous laugh as she released me. I still may have squeaked.

  I glared at the door then my eyes widened. I crinkled my brow in apology to her. She looked flush, had she wanted it as much as that part of me which did? I grinned sheepishly as I held up a finger. “Sorry, just a second. I thought you were going to be irate, I got a bribe.”

  I grabbed some cash from my bag at the door then opened it and paid the delivery driver, tipping him well. Then I turned dramatically as I closed the door and held out the pizza box out to her like an offering of peace with both hands. I shrugged a shoulder up to my cheek and asked, “Pizza?” I tried to give my best puppy-dog eyes like Calvin could do.

  She looked at me and the box, I think she could read my eyes begging her not to talk about what just about happened. Then her face bloomed into that pretty smile of hers that held none of her smug Jerk Cop-ness. She accepted the bribe and said in amusement, “You know me so well already.”

  We wound up on the couch with drinks and pizza, flicking little pieces to Cal. As she took her first bite, I took a chance and turned to lay back against her, my had on her shoulder as I nibbled my own slice. She just lazily laid an arm across my shoulders, her fingers playing with my curls as we ate. It felt good. Like home was supposed to be.

  I tilted my head back to look at her. She deserved to know what I was thinking. I took a deep breath then said, “About earlier.” I saw pain in her eyes even though she kept a smile on her face. “I don't know if I can. I mean I want to... I reeeeally want to. I'm, it's just that.”

  It was all coming out wrong. So I just blurted, “I'd like to see... it will take me some time.”

  She shrugged and said, “It's confusing, but life is like that. To be plain, Finnegan, I think that I like you a little more than I should. And I think you're worth it. I can wait until you decide.”

  Then she smirked. “It's not like I'm going anywhere, my room's just there.” She nudged her chin, and I grinned back and took a bite of pizza before turning back away and snuggling my back into her.

  She ran her fingers through my hair again and kissed the top of my head. I felt content. And surprisingly I was ok with the realization that I was apparently bi because there was no denying what I had felt whenever she was near. I just had to work through the revelations of my new sexuality with myself before I committed to changing our relationship.

  I didn't want to experiment, as it wouldn't be fair to Jane, and wouldn't be fair to me. I'd hate to wake up in the morning and realize it had just been my heightened emotions over the murder and its aftermath. She deserved better than that.

  I handed my crust to Cal, then Jane said with humor in her voice as she switched the TV on, “You know, stomping McKnight's foot was technically assault. I really should bring you in.”

  I jabbed her ribs with a finger, and she chuckled, “Fierce.”

  I took a moment to smile then took in a deep breath as I looked down at Cal and voiced the new fear that was eating away at me. “I think they are going to take Calvin from us.”

  She froze then started breathing after a moment and asked, “What do you mean?”

  I stretched out to retrieve my cell from the coffee table. She asked as I pulled up the text. “Did you wax the coffee table.”

  As I handed her the phone, I muttered, “Shut up.”

  She read it and was quiet for a long three heartbeats before she just handed it back and said, “We'll deal with it if it comes. Calvin is family, and we won't let him go without a fight.

  Then she slid the cell onto the side table and said as she flipped through the news who were all still reporting about the arrest. Jane said with a smirk in her voice, “Right now I want to hear about the case of the Collie Flour.”

  I groaned. “How long have you been wanting to say that?”

  She tapped my head. “Shut up and watch, brat.”

  I smiled and snuggled in as Calvin joined us on the couch. “Fine.”

  “Fine.”

  Epilogue

  We were carrying the mattress from the moving van to the freight elevator in the 855 Building. Jane barely flexing her muscles as she dragged me stumbling along. I squawked as I almost dropped it, my arms aching. She teased, “Come on Finny, we're burning daylight.”

  I crinkled my nose at her and dropped the corner of the queen-sized mattress with a flourish. “Stop being Betty McBoss Pants. This thing weighs more than I do. Why did you pick this of all things for us to carry? Jerk.”

  She chuckled. “You're tiny, but you're mighty.”

  Ok, I may have blushed there.

  Garrett walked past carrying a lamp. A lamp! I had been carrying a twenty-seven thousand pound mattress, and my big bad brother had a lamp.

  I growled at him and grabbed the lamp from his grasp and held it away from him, my body between him and it. I pointed at the mattress. “Make yourself useful, Gar.” Then I said primly to the Detective who was watching in amusement, “I'll take this lamp up. Now chop chop you two, my sister-in-law awaits.”

  He squinted one eye at me and gave me his winning grin. “I didn't know why you even tried to carry that, sis. When Jane motioned over your head to me to help her with it, you just grumped and picked up one corner. I figured you knew what you were doing.”

  Whaaaa? I thought she was motioning me to help. My cheeks were burning, but I could spin this. “Well as you can see, I could, I got it to here, didn't I? Becky has mentioned you've been
getting soft after the wedding, so I thought I'd help you out by getting it this far for you.”

  He asked Jane, “Is she still talking?”

  She shook her head. “I'm not sure, I stopped listening in the van when she was telling me the fastest way to get here.”

  I grinned, happy that they got along so famously. Jane was so very important to me. I wasn't really sure what we were to each other as we still haven't defined our relationship over the past three months. I'm coming to terms with who I am and am thinking it is probably time for me to swallow whatever fears I may have lingering about my attraction to her just being a phase or hero worship and do something about it.

  Because one thing I did know, was that I loved the woman. She was infuriating as hell, but she saw me. I can't explain it any better than that. She – saw me. And she was sexy as hell. That's like a bonus. I admit I've had fantasies about being her personal squeaky toy for quite some time now.

  Garrett called out, “Hey, Flea, stop perving out over Jane and press the button.”

  Oh god... If it was possible to blush your way to another dimension, I had to be getting close. Jane had her smug smirk going on as I pressed the button in the elevator. “I was not...”

  He interrupted, “You were practically drooling.” He rolled his eyes and asked Jane, “Women. Am I right?”

  She opened her mouth then shut it again, then said, “I should be offended by that, but oddly I find myself in agreement.”

  I muttered, “I hate you both.”

  McSmirky smiled hugely and said, “Tough, we love you, so live with it.”

  I muttered, “Fine.”

  “Fine.”

  As soon as the doors opened, I marched out, chin high, ignoring the evil ones. I stepped into Abigail's old apartment and placed the lamp on a stack of boxes, then smoothed my sky blue summer dress before I embraced Calvin as he bounded up to me, tail wagging, tongue lolling.

  Bek waved from the kitchen area where she was unpacking the bakeware mom had gifted them for their wedding. I waved back as I thumped Calvin's sides and ruffled his ears.

  I remember how terrified I was of losing him when I went to that meeting at Thornton, Kissinger, and Ives. We hadn't been able to attend the funeral. It was full of socialites and a veritable who's who of the New York upper crust. They had turned it into a spectacle, and nobodies like me were turned away by the police and security at the cemetery. Even when I explained that Calvin was Abigail's son. I thought he should get a chance to say goodbye to her.

  Jane took some time off work to accompany me. When we arrived at their offices, Trent Ives reasserted to us that it was the reading of Abigail's will. Only one other person was there, Trent introduced him as Dr. Henry Gere from the Manhattan School of the Performing Arts.

  Every second that ticked by, my fear and anxiety was growing. I loved Calvin with all my heart and knew that nothing good could come of this. He was just sitting at Jane and my feet by our chairs as we sat. One of my hands was continually stroking his fur, the other Jane had in hers, sharing her strength. She knew I was about to break and she wouldn't let me.

  I swallowed hard when the lawyer started the reading after discussing all the legal mumbo jumbo of a reading to us. “I Abigail Rene Reeves, being of sound mind and body...”

  I must have retreated in upon myself, because Jane shook my hand to get my attention a few minutes later when Trent read, “Bequeath fifty percent of my financial holdings and all my worldly possessions, save my apartment and my dog to the Manhattan School of the Performing Arts for a scholarship for financially disadvantaged students.”

  He paused and looked up and stated, “Miss Reeves' current financial holdings are just over twenty-three million five hundred thousand dollars.”

  My smile bloomed at her generosity, half of that would fund a scholarship foundation for decades. She lived and breathed the arts, and I found I respected and admired the woman even more now. How many disadvantaged students would be able to realize their dreams because of her generosity now?

  Then the distinguished man with his silvering hair looked over his glasses at me and then Calvin. His slate grey eyes were sharp, and I thought I saw the tick of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. This was it, the moment I dreaded, the moment I lost the dog I saw as my own now. I had a white-knuckled grip on Jane's hand, and she gave it a reassuring squeeze. The man continued, “The balance of my financial holdings and my condominium at 855 Madison Avenue, I leave to my companion in life, who gave me unconditional love and loyalty, my Border Collie, Sir Calvin Cornelius Fluffytoes.”

  I think I may have gasped. Calvin would want for nothing!

  He continued, “The funds are to be placed in a trust for Calvin's caretaker to give him the best life he can have. A cap of twenty-five thousand dollars per month to be placed on the funds until such time as my Calvin leaves this world, the remainder will go to his caretaker for their service to my beloved boy.”

  My eyes were starting to well up with tears as I looked around for who was going to take him from me to start his new life. Jane placed her other hand over mine. I would not cry, I would be strong for Calvin.

  The stuffing ripping lawyer just kept reading, not caring that he was tearing out my soul, “At the time of this writing, that dear sweet girl, Finnegan May holds power of attorney for my Calvin. I entrust my darling boy into her hands, or heaven forbid, she is no longer in my employ at the time of my passing, then I entrust him to the care of whoever holds his power of attorney at that time.”

  I blinked as he paused to look at me, a kind smile on his face. I wiped tears away as I tried to digest what he had just read. I asked him as Jane just beamed at me, “You're... you're not going to take Calvin from me?”

  The man chuckled, “Of course not. You seem to have engendered Miss Reeves' trust.”

  I asked, just to make it completely clear that the rug wasn't going to be ripped out from under me like this was some sort of cruel joke that lawyers liked to play, “Cal gets to stay with me? Forever?”

  He furrowed his brow and said, “Yes... and you will control his share of Miss Reeves' fortune...”

  Like that was important? I said as I slipped off my chair to hug Calvin to me, “Who cares about the money... Calvin gets to go home with Jane and me.”

  He prompted as Jane slid down to crouch by Cal and me, “You do understand we are talking about almost twelve million dollars here, Miss May?”

  I waved him off as I scrubbed my boy's ears. “That doesn't matter. The important part is that Calvin is going home with me.” I looked up at him like he were daft.

  He blinked twice then got an odd smile on his face and inclined his head slightly as he said, “I understand her choice now.”

  There were all sorts of blah blah blah and legal speak after he finished the reading. I was almost bouncing off the walls. If I had a tail like Calvin, it would have been swishing around like a tornado. I signed the endless documents, and Jane witnessed them.

  I was exhausted by then, my emotions strained to the breaking point. Half the day had been spent in terror of losing my boy, then this massive relief and then blinding joy. I had a dog, he was mine for real now, and nobody could take him from me.

  It wasn't until Jane led us to her car and asked after we settled into our seats, “So... what are you going to do with two apartments now.”

  I don't think it registered until that moment that Abigail had left her apartment to Calvin. Then I realized what she was really asking without coming out and voicing it, and I almost got whiplash I had snapped my head to her so fast.

  She didn't think I was moving out of our place did she? Sure Abigail's was so much more spacious and posh but, “I don't know. We're not moving in if that's what you're asking.” I knew it was selfish of me, but I loved the look on her face when I said “We're” not “I'm.” It was a sheepish relief that she tried to hide under an air of disinterest.

  I shared, “I couldn't live where Calvin's mom had
died. Besides, I kind of love our home. It may not be as glamorous, but it is home.” Then I feigned innocence. “But if you wanted to move out to there...”

  She smiled fondly and said, “Damn it Fin. You make it so hard to wait sometimes. I love that about you.”

  It had been my turn to smile, it was the best day of my life, and I felt bold. I leaned in without hesitation and gave her a whisper of a kiss on her lips. She tasted just as good as she smelled. I whispered, “I promise it will be worth the wait,” then sat back with a smug grin on my face. I crossed my arms over my chest as I looked out the window, purposefully not looking at her.

  After a short silence, she grumbled, “Brat.” Then added with a smile, “Let's go home Finny.”

  I sighed at the memory and thought of how awkward I had been when Jamal had shown up at our place the day after McKnight's arrest for the promised coffee date. If looks could kill. Poor Jamal didn't know what he did to make the tall ebony haired Amazon glare at him with a burning jealousy.

  I had such conflicting feelings at that moment, it was like choosing between cake and pie. I had looked back at the cake, and she tried to act like it didn't bother her that someone was there to court me. Jamal was looking at us and did the math, and I saw him deflate a little even before I turned back to him and asked, “A raincheck?”

  The man was as amazing as ever as he gave me a warm, understanding smile and said, “Of course. But the invitation is always open, no expectations.” I gave the man a quick hug and saw him out. I understood Jane's comment about her ovaries sighing when I caught Jane checking me out as she bit her lower lip. She was quick to turn around and examine the salt and pepper shakers.

  I didn't know what, if any relationship we had in our future. But I was pretty glad I had netted the Jerk Cop.

  I was knocked out of the arousing memory by said Jerk Cop whining, “Move it short stuff or get run over.”