by Robin Hicks
"Kasey and I are going to open a clinic together." Chris told her as they went to sit in the living room. "She is very sweet isn't she Koty?"
'What are you up to Chris?' Koty wondered before responding. "Yeah...I guess she is, but then again, all of your friends are very nice. I know you've been talking about opening a clinic for quite awhile now, I'm happy for you sis."
Koty thanked Chris for the 'best lasagna in town' and got up to leave. She hugged them both goodnight, and was on her way home when she decided to stop at Laces and have a few drinks. It was still early enough.
Laces was one of the few clubs around, that served as a wonderful restaurant in the afternoon and early part of the evening, turning into a hot spot dance club, with a D.J starting at 9:00.
As Koty turned from the bar with a whiskey seven in hand, she heard her name being called. Jamie and Trish were at the corner table.
She bent to give them both a kiss. "Hey guys, what are y'all doing out on a work night?"
Jamie worked at the Fire Department with Tina, and Trish owned a little book store that was doing really well. Most of the books were lesbian romances, but there were a lot of other gay related and straight ones. They also had collectable gifts as well.
Koty even helped out with the store a few times when Trish and Jamie wanted to take off for the weekend. She enjoyed lesbian romance novels, and had quite a collection herself. Trish had recently hired a couple of collage students to help out part time, but normally worked until closing.
"It's my off days, and Trish doesn't have to be there until eleven. Sit your sweet ass down, and tell us how your date with Dr. Feelgood went."
"Jesus, how in the hell does everyone know about us having dinner together? And it wasn't a date!"
"Easy Tonto, I'm just yoking your chains a bit. Besides, I told you, she is a hotty. If I wasn't with this old ball and chain, (Jamie playfully poked Trish in the ribs) I would probably make a play for her myself."
"Yeah right, you would be a jiggling mass of sappy goo, if it wasn't for that ball and chain right there ya goof ball."
Anyone who knew Jamie and Trish, knew that they were a match from the Goddess herself. Koty knew that Trish was the perfect catch for Jamie. She was loving, funny, sensitive, and 100% monogamous. Something none of Jamie's past girlfriends ever were. They were totally made for each other, and Koty would dare anyone to say different.
Koty had never known her best friend to be as happy as she was with Trish. Trish put up with even more shit from her than Koty did. True love suited them both.
"Hello...Koty, anyone home?" Jamie laughed as she finished off her drink.
Koty shook herself from her thoughts and reached for her drink. "Dinner of course was great. I took her to Bluegills. We were getting ready to order more wine when Tina waltzed up, put her hand on my shoulder, told me I needed to return her calls, gave Kasey a shitty look, then sauntered off."
"Tina? What the hell was she doing there?" Jamie asked with a frown.
"I don't know, she sure never wanted to go there when we were together. I about shit when she walked up."
"Koty, when was the last time you talked to her?" Trish asked as she handed her another drink.
"She left a message on my answering machine asking me to call her so we could get together and talk, but I haven't seen her since I asked her to leave. I really don't have anything to say to her right now."
Laughing, Jamie put her drink on the table. "To hell with Tina, I say make a play for the Doc."
"I told you Jamie, she's straight. Besides, I'm not in the market for anyone right now." 'Even if she is hot.' Koty silently added.
"I don't know about her being straight Koty, surely a smart Dick Tracy like yourself can figure that out."
Koty finished off her drink and stood to give them hugs goodbye. Trish asked her if she was still going with them to see the Martina Mcbride concert with them on Saturday night.
"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss it for the world, that's one woman I should marry."
"Yeah right, you and every lesbian on the east coast. Go home and get your beauty sleep Baby." Jamie told her, patting her on her butt.
Chapter Ten
The next morning, found Koty at her desk talking to Jason about a case he just finished with when her phone rang.
"Detective Silvers, can I help you?"
"Hey sis, I have a favor to ask of you. Remember that foreman I was telling you about? I need to see if you can get any background on him. I need to find out what the hell he is up to."
Koty got some more information from him that she thought she might need, and told him she would get back to him as soon as she found anything out. She took it to a friend of hers at the station, and told her she would check back later.
Saturday evening, Koty was in a rare good mood as she got dressed for the concert. She went through five different outfits before deciding on a tight fitting pair of butter soft black leather pants that fit her like a glove. She then picked out a tight pink tank top, and a black leather jacket that matched her pants.
She knew the effect that this outfit would have on some women, but that wasn't why she was wearing it. It just made her feel good. After pulling on her boots and some New West perfume, she was on her way to Jamie and Trish's house.
It had been awhile since she had gone to a concert. The last one she remembered was Melissa Etheridge. Trish had won free tickets and a limo ride from being the tenth caller on the radio. She had gone with Tina, Jamie, Trish, and one other couple. It was a good thing that they had the limo, because none of them were fit to drive afterwards.
Trish opened the door to Koty's knock and stepped back with a grin. "Wow Koty, that outfit is really hot. How are people going to be able to watch the concert when they won't be able to keep their eyes off of you?"
Jamie came around the corner at that time. "Shit girl, I haven't seen you wear that thing in a long time. Look out Virginia Beach! Well, if you ladies are ready, lets rock this town."
As they drove to the concert, Koty thought about the first time that she had worn her current outfit. It was over three years ago when she had met Tina. She had gone to a party at Jamie's where she introduced Tina as being the newbie at the fire department. She had just transferred from North Carolina.
Tina had asked her to dance, and could not keep her hands off of Koty. Her excuse had been that women in leather 'just did something to her.' Tina would only let Koty wear leather if it was just the two of them going someplace where they would be alone.
"Baby, I know how I reacted to you in leather. Nobody else needs to be looking at you the way I do when you wear it. I can't bear it when other women just look at you." Tina had confessed at one time.
Koty briefly wondered if the woman she had caught Tina with wore leather. She shook off her memories, and concentrated on the concert. 'I really don't need to have these memories.'
Faint lights on the stage, and one brilliant light silhouetted the image of a solitary figure behind a curtain. All at once, bright lights and a pulsing beat that could be felt as well as heard, began, and bodies were up clapping and yelling. The Goddess of country music, started the show.
During the intermission, Koty volunteered to go get beer for everyone. As she approached the line, someone dropped a drink. The woman in front of her quickly backed up to keep the splash from hitting her. As she went to back up, she tripped over Koty's foot and started to fall.
"Whoa, careful!" Koty advised as she caught the woman before she hit the ground. Looking down at her, Koty caught her breath. There in her arms was Kasey. Unable to speak right away, she just held her there.
In that low husky voice that turned the detectives insides to mush, Kasey laughed, "Koty hon, are you going to just hold me all night or will you help me up?"
"Jesus Kasey, I'm sorry. Are you alright?"
"Koty, I tripped over your feet, don't apologize ok?"
Kasey could not help but to look Koty up and down once she wa
s helped to her feet. She felt herself blush hotly, and quickly looked away. She was positive that Koty could see the lust in her eyes, and the heat radiating from her body. She could imagin Koty in a lot of things, but never black leather. Seeing her dressed that way sent her body into meltdown, and her libido into overdrive.
When the doctor felt safe enough to speak, she introduced Koty to her friend Lee, who watched them the whole time with an amused look.
Lee reached for the detectives hand. "That, is a very stunning outfit you're wearing. Isn't it Kasey?"
"Um...yeah, it's really nice. I see that your eye is looking a lot better Koty," Kasey said to change the current topic, "does it still hurt?"
"Actually, it's much better. Now that the black and blue has mostly faded I don't feel so awkward going out in public."
"Thursday or friday, either come by the clinic, or have Chris remove those stitches. I imagine they are starting to itch."
"Yeah, Chris told me she would remove them for me. I'll see you later Kasey. It's nice to meet you Lee, you two enjoy the show," the detective said as the two turned to leave.
Looking back over her shoulder as they walked away, Lee asked, "wow, who is that beautiful specimen of woman flesh? She is sexy as hell."
"She's just a friend Lee. Actually, she is Chris Silver's sister-in-law. You met Chris at the hospital a few times when you met me for lunch."
"Yeah, I remember Chris. So, she's just a friend huh? Ever date her?"
"No. We have never dated. We had dinner once, but it wasn't a date. The only reason she even asked, is to thank me for taking care of her eye." 'Isn't it?'
Lee glanced over her shoulder once again. "Well, I gotta tell you Kase, sparks were flying so fast I thought you were going to ignite, but if you don't want to date her..."
"Forget it Lee. She is going through a lot of stuff right now, and doesn't need any complications."
"Uh huh. Well, you could help her out I bet. Did you notice the way she was looking at you?"
"You, are imagining things. Koty isn't interested in me, or anyone else for that matter as far as I know."
"Oh yeah? Then why she is still watching you?"
As Koty made her way back with the beer, she was wondering who the cute blond was, and just what she was to Kasey. 'Jesus Silvers, it's none of your damn business.'
Handing her friends thier beer, Koty told them what happened.
"I don't know Koty," her best friend teased, "looks like destiny to me."
"Shut up Jamie. God Trish, how can you stand her when she's like this?"
"I ignore her of course. You are coming to the club with us afterwards aren't you?"
"But of course. Besides, I need a real drink, beer just doesn't cut it for me."
Chapter Eleven
They had to drive around the parking lot several times before they found a spot to park. Trish slipped her arms through both Koty, and Jamie's. "Boy, it's packed tonight. Everyone must be here from the concert."
Luck be with them, as they walk towards the dance floor, a group was just getting up to leave. Jamie grabed the table right away. They had been there for about thirty minutes or so when Trish asked Koty to dance with her.
"Sure, I think I have enough alcohol in me to make me believe I can dance shake a leg or two. Lets go sweetheart."
Two fast songs had played, and a slow one was just starting. Koty was just getting ready to bow for Trish when she heard a husky voice behind her.
"Mind if I cut in?"
Trish grinned, said sure, and turned Koty into Kasey's arms. Koty caught her breath. She couldn't speak.
"Fancy meeting you here Koty, are you following me?"
"I...uh...I..." 'Geeze, why do I constantly find myself unable to perform complete sentences when she is around?'
"I'm joking with you Koty, take it easy." Koty swallowed then found her voice.
"What are you doing here Kasey?"
"Lee brought me here a couple of weeks ago for dinner. It was in the middle of the week, and wasn't quite as busy as it is now, but I really liked it, so here we are. We stopped by tonight to have a couple of drinks."
Koty looked over and saw Lee leaning against the bar talking to some women there. 'Christ! maybe Kasey is a lesbian just like Jamie thought!'
Kasey stepped in a little closer, and put her arms around her neck. Koty trembled slightly
when she noticed Kasey's breathing change. They never lost a beat as another song started to play. Without Koty's permission; the detectives hands had a mind of their own, slid down to Kasey's hips, and pulled her even closer.
When Kasey placed her thigh between hers, Koty felt that she was going to spontaneously combust. 'Oh God, this can't be really happening. I can't let this happen. She feels so good.'
After a few turns around the dance floor, Kasey felt Koty tense up. Following her gaze, she saw the red-head from the restaurant slither up to Koty, and ask if she could cut in. Koty was getting ready to refuse when Kasey backed away and walked off, but not before Koty saw the dark look on her face.
"Who's your new girlfriend Koty?"
"Jesus Tina, what's it to you anyway? Where is your girlfriend? Surely she wouldn't like you hanging on women, and sniffing around would she. Haven't you caused enough damage for one lifetime?"
"Whoa Baby, take it easy. I just wanted to talk to you, and see how you are doing. Come here." She pulled Koty closer to her. "I've really missed you Koty."
"Oh you have, have you? Somehow I find that just a little hard to believe Tina. Like I said, where' your girlfriend?"
"She's not here Koty, and she's not my girlfriend. Can't we just dance or do you really hate me that much?"
Koty saw the tears starting to form in Tina's eyes, and in a much calmer voice she said. "I don't hate you Tina, I just can't..."
"Good, then hold me like you used to."
"Tina, I..."
"Hush Baby, just dance with me." Tina told her as she placed her face in the softness of Koty's neck.
Koty stole a glance over at the table where Jamie was getting ready to come out of her seat and say something to Tina. Trish had her hands on Jamie's shoulders trying to calm her down.
"Let her be Honey. Koty is a big girl and can handle Tina."
The song was finally over and Koty pulled away.
"Please call me Koty." Tina told her as she kissed her hard on the lips and left her standing on the dance floor. Koty shook her head then walked back to the table.
"Damn it Koty, how can you dance with that..." Jamie saw the dour look on Koty's face and never finished her sentence. "Sorry. Here, I got you a drink.
Tina walked over to the table where her friends were sitting, and thought about Koty. It really bothered her a lot to see her dancing with that woman. She missed Koty, and to this day, still couldn't figure out why she had messed around on her.
Koty was the catch of a lifetime, and she knew that she had messed up big time. Koty hated women that screwed around on their partners, and Tina had become one of those women. She hoped that one day soon, they could at least be friends again.
Koty had been the one stable thing in Tina's life that she could ever depend on, the one friend that would never have turned her back on her, and she threw it all away. 'I still love you Koty. I always will. I can't change what happened, and don't even know that it wouldn't happen again, but I love you.'
Tina finished downing her drink and put her jacket on. She stood there for a little while longer just watching Koty. When she saw Trish lean over and give her a hug, she told her friends that she was leaving, and she would catch them later.
As she drove home, she thought about the night she met Koty at Jamie's house. She never would have dreamed that a woman like Koty could be even remotely interested in her.
She could have anyone that she wanted. Tina knew, because she had asked around. When she found out that Koty was interested, it made her feel so special. As a matter of fact, Koty had always made her feel special. May
be that was why it was so hard for her to understand why she did what she did.
All of her friends kept telling her that she was really messing up by screwing around on Koty. She guessed she thought that maybe Koty would never find out, and once the affair had burned itself out, she and Koty would always be together. She should have known from the start that it wouldn't work out that way. In a way, she was glad that Koty found out. She desperately hated running around behind her back. Wiping a stray tear from her cheek, she walked into her house and went straight to bed.
Koty looked around the bar trying to find Kasey, but her and Lee had already left. 'Fuck. Obviously, Kasey is gay. Just as obvious Lee must be her girlfriend.
She didn't know what would have happened on the dance floor if Tina hadn't showed up. She felt herself getting far too carried away out there dancing. She was enjoying it too much. She felt herself getting a little too crazy and was on the edge by the time she got home that night.
'Man, I really need a break.' She climbed under the covers and turned out the light. 'I don't think I want to know what tomorrow is going to bring me.'
Chapter Twelve
On Monday morning Koty called Monty. "I have a little info for you on your foreman. You better get an inspector over to any of the buildings that he's done. Seems that this guy Coleman did the same thing in Washington State. A huge office building that he did apparently collapsed, killing two people. By the time they figured out that the materials he used were at fault, and they weren't the materials he was suppose to use, Coleman had left town. Taking with him about two million dollars he got from pocketing the money that wasn't used for supplies.
"Word is, that he could be pretty violent when provoked. He also had an inspector working out of his pocket. I guess that's how everything was passed."
"God damn it! I knew something was up. I know just the guys I need to talk to. Thanks Sis I owe you one. If you find anything else out call me on my cell phone, not my work."
"Alright Monty, but be careful ok."
"I will be. Look if you don't have any plans tonight why don't you swing by for dinner. I know Chris would love to see you."
