Tug Of Law (Bernadette Mackenna Cases Book 4)

by D. R. Bailey

  D’Arcy gasped and stared at it almost as if she had been struck dumb. What seemed like a very long minute went by with this frozen tableau. Bernadette and Eve were holding their breath, wondering what the hell was taking her so long. Was she going to refuse Imogen now? The consequences were something Bernadette could not even imagine. Imogen would be broken beyond measure.

  “Please, D’Arcy, say something!” said Imogen at last the tears flowing unheeded now down her cheeks.

  After an almost eternal second, D’Arcy erupted into a loud squeal, “Oh my God, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!”

  “You will? You really will?” said Imogen almost unable to believe it.

  “Yes, of course, I will, this is my absolute dream come true, oh get up, get up, come here, my precious angel.”

  Without further ado, Imogen was enfolded in a kiss which seemed like it was going to continue for some time. Bernadette looked at Eve, and they slipped past the happy couple and headed for the ladies’ room. The restaurant actually had individual unisex cubicles and they picked one.

  “That went well,” said Bernadette as they took turns on the loo.

  Eve was adjusting her makeup, in the mirror. “Yes, after a heart stopping minute.”

  Bernadette laughed. “Did you think D’Arcy was going to say no?”

  “I was beginning to wonder when she didn’t say anything!”

  “I think she was just overcome.”

  Bernadette finished her business and washed her hands.

  “Shall we stay here a while?” Eve said eyeing her speculatively.

  “Oh no, not like you did last time,” said Bernadette fully recalling how Eve had her pinned against the wall and used her fingers in this very same cubicle.

  “You’re no fun.” Eve pouted.

  “On the contrary, I’m lots and lots of fun. I also think that counts as intent to misbehave and should go on the list.”

  “Ooh, goody!” Eve giggled.

  “My God you’ve turned into such a girly girl these days, you are beginning to sound like D’Arcy,” Bernadette observed.

  “Is it such a bad thing? I mean, I’ve got the blonde hair…”

  “No, darling, no it’s not. I love you, whichever way you are.”

  “Even when I’m a fucking moody bitch?”

  “Even then.”

  “That’s alright then.”

  Bernadette kissed her and they held each other closely.

  “I remembered how you proposed to me, that time, made me cry so much with happiness,” Eve whispered.

  “I’ll never forget it. I was scared shitless.”

  “Of what?”

  “You would say no,” Bernadette replied seriously.

  “I wouldn’t have, of course not.”

  “Thank you, for saying, yes.”

  “Thank you, for asking me.”

  “Should we go back? I think they should be settled down by now,” said Bernadette.

  “If you aren’t going to let me do anything then…”

  “Come on, you little witch.”

  As they approached the cubby hole once more, Bernadette suddenly motioned Eve to stop. There was a distinctly recognisable noise coming from within. Muffled gasps and little moans. Bernadette ventured a small glance around through the opening.

  D’Arcy was sitting on the bench at one side of the room out of immediate sight, with her legs apart and her skirt rucked up. Her head was laid back, her eyes were closed, and she was biting down on one hand. Imogen was kneeling in front of her with her head between D’Arcy’s legs. There was no mistaking what was occurring. Bernadette whipped her head back.

  “Oh my fucking God,” she whispered to Eve.

  “What?”

  “Look.”

  Eve peered around for a moment and then back. She put her hand to her mouth.

  “Fuck!”

  “Exactly!”

  “What should we do?” Eve wondered.

  “We’ll stay here and make sure the waiter doesn’t come down,” Bernadette said still whispering.

  “OK, but maybe I could take another look.”

  “Don’t you dare!”

  Eve looked at her speculatively and then thought better of it, but she smiled a secret smile. It was true Bernadette had seen D’Arcy and Imogen having sex at D’Arcy’s house, but she felt boundaries which D’Arcy seemed to entice them to cross with ease, perhaps were better for being preserved.

  As it was, several minutes passed while they stood silently listening to the performance going on just the other side of the wall. Visuals were completely unnecessary. All of sudden D’Arcy let out a long gasp and a squeak which was probably a suppressed scream. They soon heard normal whispered conversation coming from within and judged perhaps the happy couple had had time to sort themselves out.

  Bernadette started talking loudly to Eve and they strolled in just as if nothing had happened. They wouldn’t let on to D’Arcy, but Bernadette was certainly determined to bring it up with Imogen at the next opportunity. Reckless seemed to be her friend’s middle name.

  “So,” said Bernadette as they walked into the cubby hole.

  Imogen and D’Arcy were sitting very close together. Imogen looked like the cat who had got the cream. D’Arcy was starry eyed.

  “Oh, darlings, just look how this ring suits me,” she said showing them her left hand. It most certainly complemented her pale complexion.

  “It’s beautiful,” said Bernadette.

  “So lovely,” said Eve.

  “She’s so naughty, spending so much money on me,” said D’Arcy a little disingenuously.

  “You’re worth so much more than I could ever spend, my darling,” Imogen murmured.

  “You are so sweet.”

  “Shall we have another coffee?” said Bernadette, “You seem a little flushed, D’Arcy.”

  “It’s just hot in here and I was very emotional with such a beautiful proposal in front of my best friends.” Her eyes told them a different story, but Bernadette didn’t let on about what they knew.

  “I’m sure.” Bernadette smiled.

  “Imogen was going to propose at the weekend, but events overtook her,” said Eve.

  “Oh!”

  “The assistant heard your name and that was that, I didn’t want the press finding out before you did,” said Imogen, “I was going to tell you, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be, this was perfect, more than perfect,” D’Arcy assured her, “But, does this mean you two are not coming this weekend after all?”

  She looked absolutely crestfallen and Bernadette immediately said, “Of course we are coming, we want to, don’t we, Eve?”

  “Of course, we do,” said Eve at once.

  “Oh goody!” D’Arcy clapped her hands.

  Bernadette shot a look at Eve who had used exactly that expression and mannerism not long since. Eve suppressed a smile and looked innocently back at her. It seemed as if the association with D’Arcy was somehow rubbing off on her. The Eve Bernadette knew was changing, becoming more sophisticated somehow. Bernadette realised this was part of Eve maturing. It worried her only in that she sometimes thought Eve might outgrow her and she didn’t want that. But Eve seemed to have found her wings and Bernadette had to let her fly wherever it took her. She just hoped Eve’s feet would always be planted firmly with her.

  “Eve is going to teach us some martial arts moves for self-defence,” said Imogen.

  “Ooh, I would love that!” D’Arcy squealed.

  “I knew you would,” said Eve smiling.

  After coffee and having admired D’Arcy’s ring for the umpteenth time. They decided to leave. D’Arcy called up Carragh her driver and bodyguard to come and pick her up. He would have been waiting a short distance away in case of need.

  “What?” she said on the phone, “How many? Oh fuck! Oh well. We’re coming out now.”

  “What’s the matter, honey?” Imogen sa
id at once.

  “It seems there’s a lot of press outside on the pavement,” D’Arcy sighed.

  “Is there a back way?” Bernadette said practically.

  “Not really no, this is a basement,” D’Arcy said sadly.

  “Well, so much for being discreet, I’m going to have words with that assistant!” said Imogen grimly.

  “You don’t know it was her, it might have been her area manager,” Bernadette said.

  “True but even so.”

  “I guess we will have to face the music,” said D’Arcy ever practical about such things, “It would have been better to do a press release, but no matter, I can still get one arranged, but we might as well announce it.”

  “OK, but I’m not really dressed,” said Imogen.

  “You look lovely,” her fiancée reassured her.

  “Shall we?” Bernadette suggested.

  “I’ll take you in my car to wherever your car is parked, and I’ll bring Imogen back to the office,” said D’Arcy.

  “Why don’t you just take her home, we can deal with things tomorrow.”

  “OK.”

  “Thanks, darling,” said Imogen smiling.

  “You’ll want to celebrate,” Bernadette replied.

  The press was waiting en-masse. D’Arcy was most gracious introducing Imogen as her fiancée and told them Imogen had just proposed. Pictures were demanded including of the ring, and Imogen down on one knee on the pavement repeating her performance. After they’d had their fill of pictures, Carragh got them into the car and drove them away. He circled around and dropped Bernadette and Eve at their car. They said goodbye to D’Arcy and Imogen, then watched her black Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD Premium Plus seven seater drive away.

  ✽✽✽

  “It will be all over the world by tomorrow,” Bernadette observed once they arrived back at her office, “D’Arcy Brown engaged, who would have thought it.”

  “Nobody, I guess.” Eve smiled. She shut the door behind her and locked it.

  “What are you doing?” Bernadette asked her, although she had a pretty good idea.

  “What I’ve been wanting to do all day and you wouldn’t let me,” said Eve advancing on her.

  “But I’ve got wo—”

  Eve’s lips closed over hers and Bernadette was lost in the magic of her kiss. There was no coming back from the sensations which were running through her body, Eve was busily snaking her hands under Bernadette’s blouse. With deft hands, she snapped open Bernadette’s bra and circled her fingers over her taut nipples.

  “Oh… God… Eve… what are you doing to me,” Bernadette murmured.

  “Come on, over here,” said Eve as she guided Bernadette gently to the sofa and sat her down pulling off her sandals, trousers and knickers.

  “I should have made you wear a skirt,” said Eve softly, running her tongue up the inside of Bernadette’s thigh.

  “Oh fuck… oh… shit… Eve… my God… fuck… ahh.” Eve’s tongue found her sweet spot and began to flick.

  “My God… Eve… fucking hell… oh… oh… oh my God… fuck… oh… God…” Bernadette was trying to keep her voice down, but the wave was building in her head making her want to scream at the top of her lungs. Her hands dug hard into the sofa.

  Eve didn’t stop, she carried on relentlessly, and Bernadette began to grind herself into Eve’s mouth, as her orgasm started to break.

  “Ah… oh… God… God… fuck… Eve… my God… fuck…ohh,” Bernadette cried out as her body tensed and untensed, and wave after wave went through her.

  Finally, it subsided, and she opened her eyes looking at Eve. “You witch, what are you doing to me?”

  “Just my magic,” Eve giggled.

  Bernadette slid to the floor and pulled Eve down with her, her hand slid down frantically undoing Eve’s trousers. Her fingers found their destination and Eve gasped.

  “Now, then my beautiful witch, I’ll show you some magic,” Bernadette whispered as her fingers began to move.

  “Oh… oh God… oh my darling… oh… oh… oh… oh… oh… oh… ah… darling… darling… oh my darling… oh… oh… ohh.” Eve was bucking and writhing as she was quickly brought to a climax. “Fuck… oh… fuck… oh… fuck… ohh.”

  Afterwards, they lay on the floor together in each other’s arms.

  “I’m supposed to be working you know.” Bernadette smiled kissing her softly.

  “I know but this was necessary.”

  “Was it?”

  “Yes, because I said so.”

  “Well, who can argue with that,” Bernadette chuckled.

  “Exactly.”

  “I love you, darling, I love you so much.”

  “I love you too.”

  They kissed again, long and lovingly. In a while, their lips parted.

  “This is still going on the list,” said Bernadette.

  “Have I got five things yet?”

  “Most probably, yes,” Bernadette told her.

  “Oh…” Eve lay back with a satisfied sigh.

  “You’ll be facing some consequences at the end of the week, my girl,” Bernadette murmured.

  “Thank fuck for that.”

  “You’re incorrigible.”

  “I know.”

  “And a witch.”

  “I know that too.”

  Chapter Four

  Thursday had been taken up with preparations for the bail hearing, and now the morning of the hearing had arrived. Bernadette came out of the shower to find Eve waiting as usual. She brushed Bernadette’s hair into a ponytail, and then did her makeup. She chose red for the lipstick and nails, as a power colour, even though Imogen would be leading their case.

  Once she had finished, Bernadette put on her clothes. A light pink blouse, black jacket and skirt. There was a pair of high heeled black strappy sandals. Bernadette put them on and went downstairs. Eve was preparing breakfast. As Bernadette took a seat, Eve put a plate of eggs on toast and a side of bacon in front of her. Bernadette gratefully took the cup of coffee and sipped it with evident satisfaction.

  “So, is it the hearing today?” Eve asked her.

  “Yes, it is.”

  Bernadette cut into her eggs, and Eve followed suit. After consuming a mouthful, Eve said, “Is Imogen up to it?”

  “For sure, she’ll be great.”

  “What if it’s Shane again?”

  “Then, she’ll slaughter him a second time.” Bernadette laughed taking another mouthful. “Lovely bacon, darling.”

  “It’s from a local butcher I found down the road.”

  Eve didn’t want a car for herself as she didn’t go too far. She liked to walk or take the bus. Bernadette had also bought her a bike, particularly as the weather was more clement.

  “Well, it’s very nice.”

  “So, after your bail hearing?”

  “Then we’ll probably try to persuade Olivia to investigate that transport firm.”

  “Will she?”

  “I hope so, I mean, they seemed very dodgy to me.”

  “They did, for sure.”

  “I’m certainly not going back there, at any rate.”

  “I won’t let you put yourself in danger,” Eve replied firmly.

  “Thank you.”

  They kissed and returned to eating their food. Once finished. Bernadette sipped her coffee.

  “And after that?”

  “Well, I’ll come home,” Bernadette said in non-committal tones.

  “And then?” Eve flicked a glance to the fridge, where her list was now filled in.

  “That’s for me to know and for you to find out,” Bernadette told her, picking up on the signals.

  “OK.” It seemed Eve was happy with this answer.

  She wanted her craving fulfilled, Bernadette knew it, and she fully intended to do so later on that night. On Saturday they would go over the D’Arcy’s and return on Sunday night. So, it had to be
tonight.

  Eve ran her bare foot up and down Bernadette’s leg. Bernadette put down her coffee cup, stood up and pulled her in close. She kissed her and Eve tasted of coffee and bacon. She liked the combination.

  “You’re so beautiful,” she said stroking her hair.

  “No, you are.”

  “Come on, I’ve got to go.”

  Eve followed her out for a goodbye kiss.

  “Are you going to behave?” Bernadette asked.

  “No,” said Eve with a smirk.

  “Witch.”

  It was their game. They kissed then and the firework show began. It was uncanny, almost as if Eve turned on a magic spell. Eve told Bernadette that she wanted to make sure Bernadette didn’t forget her when she went to work. Bernadette’s lips were certainly tingling as she drove away watching Eve wave goodbye in the rear-view mirror.

  The thing about misbehaving was a joke between them, but Bernadette sometimes wondered what Eve really did do at home all day, apart from drawing, and keeping house. Eve had pretty much stopped being a personal trainer as her income from her art started to roll in steadily. Valentino had some international buyers now for it, and there was talk of an exhibition further afield. Nothing had come of this yet.

  Upstairs in the bedroom, they had a drawer full of toys, rabbits and many other things acquired between them. Bernadette was no fool, she was sure these got some use while she was away. Did Eve watch porn? Did she care if she did? In truth no. Bernadette never enquired, it was an unbroken trust. They had an agreement of no secrets but truthfully there were still parts of Eve she did not know and had yet to discover. Eve knew almost everything there was about her, but it wasn’t the same the other way around. There were hints of things from Eve’s past which had gone unsaid. Her attitude to certain things, her interest in certain things sexual and otherwise. Was it wise to know or would it be opening Pandora’s box? Bernadette knew one day she would need to ask for her own better understanding of the woman she was to marry. However, that day was not today. Happy to let things lie, Bernadette turned on the radio.

  ✽✽✽

  Once she got to work, Bernadette dropped her keys at the counter for Juanita. She went upstairs with two coffees and into Imogen’s office.

  “Hi,” said Imogen as she entered. Imogen was gathering up the papers for the hearing and putting them into a small wheely suitcase.