A Right to Remain

by Beth Rinyu

  Normally, being this close to Lacey put my mind at ease, but now a whole new set of questions popped up in my mind; like finding out a little more about her husband’s best friend. Something seemed a little off about him, and then hearing Lacey’s bewilderment over him dating someone so far away only added to my suspicions. Was he doing that so he could be closer to Lacey and still have an in with her? I would add that to the top of my to-do list in the morning, but at the moment, I wanted to put the long day of wracking my brain over this to rest. Instead, I wanted to hold Lacey in my arms for the rest of the night and take comfort in the fact that tonight I was with her, and as long as I was, I didn’t have to worry about anyone doing anything to hurt her.

  ***

  “Other than the standard questions, I don’t think we ever really checked out the business partner. We didn’t really have a reason to,” Detective Frankild said. “But what you’re saying does sound logical. Do you happen to know if he was in town visiting his girlfriend last weekend when you came upon the footprints in the snow and the roses were left?”

  “I really don’t. And for all I know, he may have nothing to do with the murder, but I do know he had asked Lacey out before she started dating her husband. Lacey met her husband through him.”

  “The question is, how long did he carry this torch for Lacey, and did he let it fester for years, eventually leading to murder?”

  “I don’t know about that…it may be a shot in the dark, but something seems off with him.”

  “Well, I’m gonna do my homework with this one. You’ve given me a great lead just by looking it over for a few days. More than my guys have given me in two years.”

  “Yeah, well. I have a vested interest at stake.”

  “Are you seeing the Sullivan girl?”

  I tapped the tip of my pencil on the desk. “Yeah. She’s pretty special to me.”

  “Well, that’s good to hear. I’m glad she’s able to go on with her life and put this behind her, and I’m glad you’re able to get her to open up so much. She was like a zombie each time we interviewed her. This traumatized her badly.”

  My heart sank just hearing that. “Yeah, well, she’s gotten a lot stronger now. I don’t want all of this to bring her back to where she was. That’s why I’m not saying much to her until I’m one hundred percent sure.”

  “Yeah, that’s good thinking. I’m gonna delve into this best friend/business partner angle and see where it leads me. I’ll let you know if I turn anything up.”

  “Sounds good, man.”

  “Have yourself a nice Christmas, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

  I hung up the phone, wishing I could put the pieces together on this one. If I could just get Lacey to remember a little more, then maybe I could have something to go off of. My theory of the best friend having something to do with this did hold some weight. It could have been because he was infatuated with Lacey, or it could have been over a bad business deal. The only part that didn’t make sense was the rape. If he had hired someone to murder Lacey’s husband, the rape definitely wasn’t part of the deal. Lacey wasn’t even supposed to be home. I looked over the pictures of Lacey’s husband taken at the scene one last time before shutting down my computer. Looking down at my watch, I hurriedly got up and headed out of the station. I had been so wrapped up in trying to get answers, I had forgotten it was Christmas Eve. The stores were all closing in a few hours, and I hadn’t done any shopping whatsoever.

  I made it to the mall in record time, and much to my surprise, found a spot someone just happened to be pulling out of. I had about two hours to do all my Christmas shopping. I had been under worst time constraints than this in the past and managed to get it done, so this would be a piece of cake. That was until I literally almost walked right into Sara, who was exiting the mall as I was entering.

  “Quinn.” As much as I hated to admit it, I still loved her smile, but one thing had changed…I loved Lacey’s more.

  “Hey, what’s up?” I replied, unable to return that smile.

  “I was actually getting ready to call you in a few.”

  “For?” I raised my eyebrow, hoping to keep this conversation brief, as the droves of last minute shoppers maneuvered around us, hitting me in the leg with the occasional shopping bag as they passed by.

  “Well, for one, to wish you a Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas, Sara,” I replied in a hurried tone.

  She pursed her lips and shook her head. “Would you please let me finish?” she asked in annoyance.

  “Umm…yeah, I just gotta—go ahead,” I finally relented.

  “The realtor is scheduling an open house two weeks from Sunday. I’m not gonna be around, so I was wondering if you could stop by and make sure everything is okay after she leaves?”

  “Yup. Not a problem.” I was short and to the point.

  “So, are you working for Christmas?” she asked.

  “No, actually, I’m off.”

  “Wow, that’s a first!”

  “Yeah.” I zoned out.

  “You look great, Quinn,” she said with a deep sigh and a regretful smile.

  “Thanks, so do you.”

  Our eyes finally locked, and I could see hers filling with tears. “Does she have anything to do with it?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Oh, the cute little school teacher I’ve been hearing all about.”

  My eyes widened.

  “It’s a small town, Quinn. People talk. You of all people should know that.”

  “It’s not your concern, Sara.”

  “It isn’t? Last time I checked, you were still my husband.”

  I rolled my eyes, wanting so badly to walk away. “Yeah, well, that won’t be true in a few months from now. It’s a shame you couldn’t remember that fact before you started fucking him.”

  She let out a sarcastic laugh. “Fine, Quinn. If this is the way you want to play it.”

  “Play what, Sara? I’m not playing anything with you. This isn’t a game, and it never was. I’m not gonna fight with you anymore over this. You and I both know what we had is done and over with. I don’t know, Sara, maybe it was done before we even lost him.”

  She gasped and covered her mouth in shock. “How could you even say that?”

  “Because it’s the truth and deep down inside you know it too.” I looked up at the ceiling before gazing into her tear-filled eyes. “Look, I’m not going to hash out our problems in the middle of a crowded mall. I can’t fight with you anymore over this. I’m happy, Sara, and I hope you are too.”

  She pulled her bottom lip in and gazed at me silently.

  “Merry Christmas,” I whispered, leaning down and brushing her cheek with a kiss, taking her a little by surprise.

  She placed her hand on her cheek where my lips were moments ago, closing her eyes and swallowing hard. “Merry Christmas,” she mouthed the words.

  I nodded, turning around and walking away. Away from a past that once made me happy and moving on to a future with a woman I hadn’t planned on having one with, but now, I couldn’t imagine a future without her.

  Chapter 28

  Lacey

  We pulled up to a house that looked like it was plopped right from a TV show. One with the perfect family. Two kids—boy and girl. A mom who stayed home and made cookies while they were at school. The kind of show with just enough drama to keep you on your toes for an hour, only to get your happily ever after wrapped up in a pretty little bow in the end, leaving you feeling warm and happy when you turned off the TV. So unlike what real life was all about. At least mine anyway. I could tell Quinn’s childhood was a lot different than mine just by looking at the two-story colonial with the well-manicured landscaping and perfect amount of holiday decorations that made it look classy but not tacky.

  My legs were shaking as I hopped out of Quinn’s truck and waited for him to get to my side. I wasn’t sure exactly how much he had told his parents about me, and the last thing
I wanted was for them to think I was some kind of home wrecker who was preying upon him when he was down.

  “Stop…it’s going to be fine,” he said, reading my thoughts like usual before taking my hand and strolling up the walkway. I drew a deep breath through my nose when he opened the door, and we stepped inside. The pitter-patter of footsteps sounded in the distance, and a cute little blond boy peeked around the corner. “Hey, Jake,” Quinn shouted as a girl with long blond hair who looked to be around my age appeared right behind the child.

  “Jakie! Uncle Quinn is here!” The girl beamed. Her bright smile remained as she focused her attention on me.

  “Lacey, this is my sister, Laura.”

  “Oh, hey, Lacey!” She was so cheerful and upbeat, allowing me to let my guard down a tad. “Let me take your coat for you.”

  I draped it over her arm once I took it off.

  “Hi, I’m David, Quinn’s brother-in-law,” a rather tall man with glasses said, extending his hand to me.

  “Nice to meet you.” I smiled, shaking his hand back. Okay, so far so good, but I had yet to get to the hard part—his parents.

  “You must be Quinn’s friend,” a very distinguished, nice looking man, who looked to be in his fifties, greeted as we walked into the living room.

  “Oh, yeah. I’m Lacey.”

  “Well, hello, Lacey. I’m Samuel, Quinn’s father.”

  I nodded and smiled, knowing there was only one person left to meet. The one I was dreading the most. “Is that Quinn?” I heard someone shout from upstairs.

  I creased my eyebrows, trying to place that familiar voice. My stomach churned in anticipation when I heard the footsteps coming down the stairs. Shock, panic, and relief would sum up exactly how I was feeling when I finally saw the face that went with that voice—Camille.

  We were both speechless as we stood there staring at one another, neither of us knowing what to say. Pull it together, Lacey. Pull it together. I took a step forward and extended my hand to her. “Hi, I’m Lacey. It’s really nice to meet you.”

  “It’s...it’s really nice to meet you too, honey. I’m Camille.” She placed her trembling hand in mine, and I gave her a reassuring squeeze. A million thoughts raced through my mind. Why did I have to go and tell her everything about me and Quinn, including the fact that I slept with him? But how was I supposed to know he was her son? He’s her son. He was the child she had gotten pregnant with after her rape. How I wished I didn’t know that information now. I would never break Camille’s trust and tell Quinn her secret, but I felt a little bad knowing it.

  “Well, dinner is almost ready.” Camille cleared her throat and headed into the kitchen. I knew this was a bad idea to come here in the first place. The last thing I wanted to do was make Camille feel uncomfortable around her own family.

  “Would you like something to drink, Lacey?” Quinn’s father asked.

  “Oh no, I’m good. Thanks.”

  Quinn led me over to the couch and took a seat next to me while his nephew tore the wrapping paper off the presents Quinn had gotten him. I tried to pretend I was in the moment, but my mind was in the kitchen with Camille. I needed to let her know I would never break my promise to her.

  “Let me get your coat on!” Laura shouted as Jake was almost out the door with the remote control car Quinn had gotten for him. Laura and her husband stood up and threw their coats on as well as Quinn.

  “Do you want to come out?” Quinn asked.

  “Umm…no. It’s too cold. I’m going to get a glass of water.”

  “I could get it for—” Quinn started.

  “No, no, it’s fine. Go outside with them.”

  He gave me a reassuring smile before heading out the door.

  “Hey.” I poked my head into the kitchen where Camille was taking the turkey out of the oven.

  “Lacey, I’m so sorry. I was just a little shocked.”

  “Yeah, so was I.”

  She stretched her neck and peered into the living room.

  “They all went outside for a few minutes.” I let out a deep sigh. “God, Camille, I feel like such a fool for sharing all my intimate details with you…if I had known.”

  She put her hand up to stop me. “It’s okay, Lacey. I shared some pretty deep dark secrets with you too. Remember?”

  “Yes, and I promise I will never say a word to anyone about that.”

  A relieved smile fell upon her face. “I appreciate that.”

  “Camille, I don’t want you thinking of me differently now.”

  She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

  “I know you were Quinn’s biggest advocate for saving his marriage, and I need you to know I wasn’t the reason—”

  “Lacey, sweetheart, don’t you think I know that already? Just hearing how much you treasured your own marriage, and the way you would talk about Quinn before I knew who he was, I knew you had nothing but his best intentions at heart. I know now that Quinn’s marriage is over, and I’m starting to accept that. He looks so different now. He looks happy. I haven’t seen him that way in years, and I know you have everything do with that. You’re a lovely girl with a beautiful heart, and I truly am happy the two of you found each other.”

  “Thank you. That really means a lot.”

  “It makes me happy to know that my son was the caring, loving gentleman you were talking about.” A deep smile graced her face.

  “He truly is a great person.”

  “So, now that I know all about who this mystery man is, can I get the details of how you two met?” She took out two wine glasses and poured us each a glass.

  “I would love to tell you all about it.” I smiled and took a sip of wine, starting back to the very first day Quinn and I had met.

  ***

  “I had a really nice time today.” I looked up at Quinn, making out his silhouette through the moonlight shining through his bedroom window.

  “Yeah, so did I.”

  Camille and I were able to pull it off throughout dinner, acting as if she and I had just hit it off right away, never giving away the fact that we had hit it off prior to us meeting today. A slight burn invaded my stomach every time I thought about what Camille had confided in me and how much it had to do with Quinn. I never wanted to keep anything from him, but I knew this was one thing I didn’t have a choice in. I glided my hands up his bare chest as we lay in his bed together, wrapped in each other’s arms.

  “Your hands are nice and warm for a change,” he teased.

  “Well, that’s because someone got me these pretty cool gloves for Christmas.” I giggled.

  “Oh yeah? And who would that be?” he asked, pulling me on top of him.

  My lips moved up his chest before finally locking with his. “Just some guy.”

  “Just some guy?” He began to tickle me.

  “Wait, wait, wait! You didn’t let me finish!” I exclaimed through my laughter. I caught my breath and stared down at him, running my fingers through his hair. “Some very special guy…” My lips skimmed his neck and moved up to his ear. “Who I’m hoping will make love to me…right now.”

  “Well, that depends.” He tucked my hair behind my ear when I lifted my head.

  “On?” I played along.

  “Does this special guy have a name?”

  I rested my head on his chest, pretending to be deep in thought. “Hmm…I think it may be Bob, or wait, was it Tom?”

  He rolled me over and hovered over me, pinning my arms above my head. “Well, tell Bob or Tom it sucks to be them, because tonight you’re all mine.”

  It had been one of the best Christmases ever. I didn’t think celebrating the holidays or celebrating anything for that matter would ever be possible since I had lost Aaron, but Quinn made it a reality. A reality I was so happy to be in, yet so afraid of losing. As his lips met mine and his hands moved over my body, that reality was feeling more like a dream. One thing was for certain. If it was a dream, I never wanted to wake up from it, and if it was reality, I nev
er wanted to escape from it.

  ***

  It was hard to believe my Christmas vacation was almost over. So far I had accomplished everything I had set out to do. I had taken my first kickboxing class and followed it up with my first self-defense class, had lunch with a few of the girls from the support group, and was planning on going to the shooting range with Quinn in the morning.

  Gus and I were just coming back from our walk in the woods when a strange SUV pulled in the driveway. My heart raced, and I began to mentally go over the self-defense lessons I had learned in class. A tall blond female exited the vehicle as I got closer, and my racing heart started to slow down.

  I gripped Gus’ leash tightly, and she turned around to look at me, staring at me up and down as if I were on some type of exhibit at a museum.

  “Hi…” My voice was meek. “Are you looking for Quinn?”

  “I was, but I can see he’s not home.” She was expressionless, never taking her eyes off me.

  I nodded and started to walk away, not knowing what else to say and feeling very uncomfortable. I had made it onto the porch when she shouted, “Are you her?”

  I frowned and turned around slowly, facing her once again.

  “The one who’s fucking my husband?” she asked with tear-filled eyes.

  I didn’t know what to say. I was feeling so small, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me as I came face to face with the woman Quinn had vowed to be with forever. The woman he had shared so much with, and the woman whose husband I was sleeping with. “I-I, umm…” I shook my head and was unable to look at her.

  She took a step closer, and I swallowed the golf ball-sized lump in my throat. “Do you think you’re special? Do you actually think he’s going to fall in love with you, and you’re going to live happily ever after with him? He’s using you to get back at me. You are nothing but a rebound so he can prove to me that he can be unfaithful too.”

  I was speechless, allowing her to continue with her verbal assault and take her frustrations out on me. I deserved it and then some for doing what I had done.