Dressed in White

by Diana Stone

  I squeeze Mr. Morrow’s arm, and he looks at me. I lean over and whisper “I have a Glock .45, compact, if you want to borrow it.”

  “Let’s get moving, people. I have work to do,” Kay tries to rally us along.

  “Thanks for your offer, but I have another. And I’d rather you keep it,” he smiles encouragingly.

  “I couldn’t get to my .38. I’m so glad you were here.” I’m absolutely not used to being so mushy to a man. Usually, I need to prove my strength. There’s no comparison between his training and mine, so I don’t feel competitive.

  “If you hadn’t been waiting for me, it would have been under your pillow. It would have instantly been in your hands. I have faith in you.” His arm is around me.

  I feel like I’m absorbing his strength. I’ve never felt this before. Not just the romantic part, but the mental connection.

  Nikki and the detective go to her room, while Quinn and I stand on the porch.

  I want to let him know what I think. “You’re so impressive, no matter how modest you try to be. I’ll stay with Monica, but can’t wait to see you in a week.” A thought occurs to me. “You said a week, right?” I don’t want to be too needy, but…

  “Yes, at this point, it will be a week. Things often change, but I’ll do my best to see you before my next assignment.”

  “Ahem, it’s your turn Jess,” the detective motions to me.

  I follow the detective to the master bedroom. Quinn is right behind.

  The bodies have gone. But wow, look at the mess. “I’m not cleaning it up this time. I’m done.”

  My shoes have been moved, and the .38 is gone. “Did you book my .38 as evidence?”

  “Yes. It will be tested as well. It may be several weeks. I hope you can manage without it.”

  “I hate to be without protection for that long.”

  “Maybe you should stay out of trouble,” he snips.

  Quinn’s hand reaches forward to squeeze mine. He doesn’t need to say anything. But I know.

  I look under the bed for my cat, but no Cami. The poor thing is in hiding. I want to take her with me. She and Monica’s cat could get to know each other. I bet the vacuum, and all the other noises chased her out. She used to be a stray, I’m sure she’ll last one night outside with the coyotes.

  I get my cell back. It has print dust on it. They’re letting me keep it. I’m pleased about that. Kay fiddled with it and got the texts from Alyssa collected for evidence.

  I get my duffle bag, and stuff it with jeans, work shirts, and everything else I think I need for a week.

  “You wanna get this show moving?” It’s Det. Kay again.

  I take a last look at the bloody mess. The bullet goes in with a small hole, and comes out with a blast… Yuck, it’ll take a lot of bleach, and paint, and flooring.

  On the way, I stop by the fridge to grab left overs. I rummage through the cabinet for my protein powder and peanut butter. I hear his sigh. “Ok, I’m done.” I advise the irritable detective.

  22

  The Day After

  The door is locked and yellow crime scene tape is strung across it—like a haunted house.

  It’s nearly 5 AM, and the sun is thinking about rising. The suspect’s car has been towed, the CSI team has gone, and Det. Kay just drove away with a nod.

  I got hold of Monica… she’s up early for Sunday at the bakery. She said absolutely, we can both stay with her for however long we need. Nikki is heading over there now so she can rest somewhere cozy.

  That leaves Quinn and me. He has to get going as well; he has a 4 ½ hour drive. All night, he has kept some kind of physical contact with me. I think that made a big difference. I’m fatigued, yes, I’d love to fall into a nice bed somewhere other than here. But that isn’t happening. What’s making the difference is that I finally feel that I have someone who cares AND that I can rely on. I really can rely on him—he’s shown it several times.

  He pulls me close. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” He moves back a little. “Keep your .45 with you—there’s something magnetic about you.”

  “You mean I’m a shit magnet?” To use that old term I earned on LAPD.

  “I prefer to call you an adventure magnet.”

  “That sounds better, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes,” he pulls me to him once more, holding me tight for a few heart beats. “Call me anytime. I’ll get back to you when I can. Most of the week I won’t have my personal phone with me.” He scrolls through his contacts. “Here’s the number where you can reach me in an emergency.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine. The cockroaches are dead.”

  “As long as there aren’t more in the same hole.” He kisses me once more. “Keep a watch out. I mean it. I’ll call you when I have breaks. Don’t worry about me, either,” he gives a pensive smile.

  “Oh no, you’re in the middle of something big?”

  “Yes, that’s nothing new.”

  “I’ll be waiting. Like the lady waiting for her man to return from the sea. I’ll be watching from my window.”

  A final kiss, and we tear ourselves apart. I step back and watch him drive away.

  Well.

  Well, what? Well everything.

  Well—I have to move on and get over this latest blood-bath, and the fear and residual trauma I’m feeling. I don’t want to stay here, but for now, I will. Nikki is unable to handle living here. I need to work through whether I want to keep leading trail rides, or if I should keep my code enforcement job and find something else part time.

  And, well—I have an amazing man in my life. This one feels right. I don’t have any big, red flags waving at me. Although, perhaps his job is more dangerous than I like…

  I’m not going there. I’ll focus on today. Since it’s Sunday, I have two rides to lead. I’m only doing them to get close to nature, and to help clear my head. I want to be around people in the daylight. I need to start calculating if I want to keep this job, or not. It probably isn’t the job that’s the problem, it’s the location.

  The immediate thing is to retrieve my .45 from its hiding place. It wasn’t in the house, so they didn’t take it for ballistics. I didn’t tell Kay, just in case he came up with a reason for booking it as evidence. I tuck it behind the fly spray and the iodine on the top shelf in the barn. It’ll be safe there, and easy to reach when—I mean IF needed.

  The sun is up, the horses are eating breakfast, and I have time for a nap in my trailer. I’m not stepping foot in the house for a while. I’m a bit overwhelmed. I’ll need to phone Jacqueline-Noelle to let her know. And maybe a crime scene cleaning service. For now, I’m going to see if I can sleep.

  I already miss Quinn. I’d like to text him that I’m taking a nap. But that may be too much. Especially if I send follow up texts that I’ve woken up, having a protein shake, etc.

  I know my brain won’t shut off when I lie down. There’s always left over wine in the fridge. It’s the Cab. I pour half a glass and gulp it down. I’m looking for immediate results. I take my .45 and go lock myself in my trailer tack room.

  I wake three hours later and see I have several texts.

  One is from Quinn! “I’m sending you my mother’s number. I’m almost in Stockton. I made great time, there wasn’t any traffic, and yes, I exceeded the speed limit.”

  His mother’s phone number!! Wow—he’s serious.

  The next is from Alyssa. “Have you reconsidered searching for Tony?”

  “He can probably come out of hiding. The two goons looking for him came after me. They’re dead.” There how’s that for a jolt?

  “Whaaat?” she sputters.

  “Yes, they tried to get me to tell them where Tony is. I have no idea. They got mean and found out my boyfriend doesn’t play games.”

  I’m calling him my boyfriend. Not to his face, but it works for Alyssa.

  “I’ll call Melani and let her know. Maybe if Tony calls her, she’ll tell him.”

  “Fine.”

&nbs
p; That’s all I need to discuss with her. I have five horses to groom and saddle.

  The ride goes well. I can’t forget last night, but I’m appreciating the companionship of nice people. I feel myself wanting to curl up and hide. But there’s nowhere to go, plus, the danger has passed. I have to internalize that.

  By the end of the day, I’m kaput. I put out three bales of hay, broken apart, and figure that will last them until tomorrow evening. I’m going to Monica’s, and I don’t want to come back in the morning to feed.

  Now, were is my little cat? I haven’t seen her all day. Before I stress out, I’ll check the house. I go to each window and call her name. I don’t see her running up, yelling to me. She may be hiding, or she could have come outside. There was too much going on for the coyotes to get her.

  The front door is locked. I should ask permission before crossing the police tape. I call Kay. He answers, “Shoot anyone yet?” He thinks he’s being personable.

  “No, I’m missing my cat. She may be locked in the house. Can I go look?”

  “What does the yellow crime tape say?”

  “Look, I know what it says, but I need to go in. Haven’t you collected all the evidence yet?”

  “Who’s running this operation, you or me?”

  “You are, your highness,” I’m fighting back the sarcasm, which won’t do me any good.

  He’s silent for a moment. “You can open the door and call your cat. Don’t touch anything,” he relents.

  “Thank you. I won’t.”

  I unlock the door and call Cami. I don’t get a reply until my second time. Then I hear a plaintive meow. It doesn’t come closer. I wonder if she’s locked in somewhere. He didn’t actually tell me to stay out. He said ‘Don’t touch anything.’

  So I duck under the tape and step in. Her voice is coming from my room. I already feel creeped out going in there. The bedroom door is open, the house is still light from the afternoon sun. I’ll find her and get out.

  At the door, I get the goosebumps and look at the bed. There is blood splatter across the covers and the back wall. A big pool of it has soaked into the carpet from where he landed. It’s already turned to a rust color, with several flies having a feast.

  I stand here a second longer, reliving it. Then I crack open the closet door and grab the cat as she tries to dart past.

  “Oh no you don’t. You’re coming with me.” I sweep her into my arms, smashing her body to me so I don’t get scratched.

  I stuff her into her carrier, get her litter box and supplies, and get out. The place has an icky vibe. I don’t want to be here at night, or during the day. I’m glad this isn’t my property.

  Between rides, I phoned Jacqueline-Noelle and explained the situation. She didn’t take it great. I mean, she’s a French aristocrat. She doesn’t have this kind of crap in her life. I told her I’d let her know if Nikki would be moving out. We still have 11 horses here, two are mine. She may want to lead rides during the day, but live somewhere else. I’ll make my decision when Nikki’s responds.

  23

  Monica’s House

  The cat is howling in her cage on the front seat. I’m motoring down the driveway feeling sad. I’m uncomfortable leaving the horses without someone being here, but I’m sure it will be fine. I hope it will be fine, that’s what I mean.

  I pull to the curb behind Nikki’s truck. It looks like everyone is home. Monica must have closed the bakery at exactly 5:00. Her car and Charlie’s vet-mobile are parked in the driveway. I grab the cat and head up the walk.

  The door swings open and she steps out to welcome us. “You poor thing. Nikki told us all about it.”

  “Thanks.” I smile weakly.

  “Come on, let’s introduce Cami to Nicky. It’s already confusing having two females with the same name.” She locks the door behind us.

  “Right, but you use a baby voice for the cat.”

  Charlie and Nikki come over to welcome me. It feels like home already.

  “You found her, where was she?”

  “In a closet.”

  “You went inside?” Nikki is horrified.

  “I got Det. Kay’s approval. The first thing I saw were the walls and carpet. I couldn’t help but look. I’m glad the suspects are dead, but I won’t be sleeping in that room again.”

  “I’m not sleeping in the house.” she insists. “I’m not going back.”

  Monica is standing still, watching us. “My suggestion is to discuss this over dinner. How about if we lock Cami in the guest room so she can get used to the house?”

  “Ok thanks,” I pick up the carrier from the floor. Nicky the cat has already been examining it. I set Cami free in the guest room, and she slinks under the bed.

  I’ll get food and her cat box and let her relax. Two trips to the truck, and I’m done. My duffle bag is here, and I’m set for the night.

  I follow my nose to the kitchen table, and we begin the conversation over a big helping of lasagna and salad.

  One forkful, and I can tell it’s going to revive me. “I haven’t had anything but a spoonful of protein powder. Thank you for letting me stay.”

  “We love having you two. It will be fun.” Monica hesitates, “Not that the reason you’re here is fun, but we’ll make sure you recover, and figure out what you want to do.”

  “It could be like summer camp,” I suggest.

  After dinner, Charlie clears the table as we talk about the case in detail. He brings a large plate with pastries Monica brought home.

  “I’ll be gaining weight, I can see that now,” I moan.

  “Would you rather not have one?”

  “No. No. I didn’t mean that—it was just an observation,” I quickly reply as I survey the options.

  I already feel emotionally lighter. I’m with good friends in a cozy house. I cat-sat for Monica a few months ago and loved it. I can’t stay forever, but this will be nice.

  Nikki begins. “I’m telling you—I’m not going back to the ranch.”

  “Do you want to sell the horses and quit the business, or take them to the other place you were going to work at?”

  “I’ll do one of those. I don’t know yet. The only way I’ll go there is with a ton of people.”

  “I know what you mean. I was there today with the customers. It was alright, I immersed myself in the horses and the rides. But when they left, it was creepy. I normally don’t mind being alone, but I’m really uncomfortable there.”

  “I’ll make my calls tomorrow and see if I can get a wrangler job,” Nikki takes a bite of pastry and seems to relax when the flavor hits her palate. “Thank you, Monica, for taking me in. I could find a hotel, but I don’t want to be alone.”

  Monica reaches across the table and pats her hand. “You can stay as long as you like.”

  “I fed three bales of hay before I left. That should last till tomorrow evening. I work in Solvang until 5:00. I’m going to haul ass to the ranch, feed, and make sure everyone is alright. Then I’ll get out of there.

  “I’ll call the three places tomorrow. If they’ll hire me, I’ll be gone. If not, maybe they’ll take a few of my horses.”

  “So, it’s really over?” Charlie asks.

  Nikki replies with a “Definitely yes. I’m done being way out there. I need to be around people.”

  “How about you, Jess?”

  “I’m trying not to make any major decisions. I’m going through my daily routine to see if I can recover fast.”

  I stifle a yawn and dread having to go to work tomorrow. If I get a good sleep, I should be fine. Fine-ish.

  We make the decision to continue our conversation tomorrow, same time—same place. Nikki and I clear the table and clean the kitchen. Charlie and Monica head to bed because they are early risers.

  Nikki and I don’t say much while cleaning up. We’re both talked out and drained. My bed is their neighbor’s cot, but it works perfectly for me. Both of us are in the same room, with my cat. I think we feel safe, at least I
know I do.

  “Goodnight, Jess,” she whispers.

  “Goodnight Nikki. It’s nice here, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. I never want to leave.”

  “I’m sorry those men followed me home.” I feel sick with guilt.

  “Thanks, but you had no way of knowing. Plus, I guess it was partially my fault. I booked the clients who asked you to follow the man,” she tries to make me feel better.

  “It’s amazing what happens out of the blue.”

  “Yeah, well at least your husband didn’t tie you up in a cabinet in the garage.”

  “I agree.” I stop to change subjects. “So how about if I take care of the horses, so you don’t have to go there at all? I could lead rides on the weekend, if you think you may want to keep the business but live somewhere else.”

  “Thank you, I appreciate that. Do you really want to be there every day, alone?”

  “No,” I snort.

  “I’m doing this to keep both of our options open,” I turn over, and pull the covers up. “Good night, we’ll know more tomorrow.”

  The cat jumps up and settles at my feet. It is really nice here.

  24

  The Proposition

  It wasn’t the softest bed, but I had a great sleep. There’s something comforting about being around friends. Even my gun doesn’t totally help, because I still need to be on guard. I could get a dog, I suppose. Maybe that’s why people have them. They alert you, and supposedly frighten off crooks, though I doubt those two would have been frightened away.

  Nikki is still sleeping. I quietly get dressed. I only have a few blocks to the city building. What an easy commute. I wonder if I should rethink my life too. I mean, I am rethinking it… but this feels great, staying here. Why stress when I can live a more simple life?

  I’m sipping on a cup of coffee from a bakery down the street. I need a little help, so I selected half real, and half decaf. I’d love to go with hot chocolate, but I won’t love the calories. I’ll save them for dessert. Being at Monica’s will challenge my diet.