by Lydia Rose
“I’m just trying to get to the truth, Mrs. Archer,” Marnie pressed on.
“Pat said she didn’t see anything and there’s nothing to discuss.” The door closed loudly.
Marnie turned to Sheila. “Well, that didn’t go as I planned.” Back in the car, Marnie said, “Al is coming in tomorrow. You may as well go home, Sheila.”
“I guess I got as much as I could from here. When are you coming back?” she asked with a glance.
“When Al is finished, I’ll come back with him. I’m either going to have to prepare for a trial or the evidence will prove that Tom didn’t do it.” Marnie chuckled. “Then I’ll just have to convince the prosecutor that they have the wrong man.”
“What about your car?” Sheila asked thinking Marnie wouldn’t leave her prized possession behind.
“I’ll have it transported home,” she answered with a shrug.
“You’ve changed since you came down here,” Sheila said softly, but Marnie didn’t answer. “You did need to get away, but I’m sorry that you didn’t get to go down to Miami and visit with your friend.”
“I’ll get down there one of these days.” But she didn’t know when she would be able to get away again. Look how long it took her to get away from the office.
*
Marnie drove Sheila to the airport and picked up Al. By the time they were near Waterville, Marnie knew the café would be closed so they stopped at the first place they saw. The food was edible and they discussed what Marnie had learned so far. “I’ve made arrangements to have the evidence brought to the coroner in the morning. There will be a deputy watching you and I’m sure the coroner will be on hand if you have any questions.”
“Will you be there?” he asked his friend.
“I’ll drive you and introduce you to everyone. How many days do you think you’ll need?”
“I think just a couple of days.”
“Then I’ll make arrangements for us to fly back to New York together. I also have to check on my car and say goodbye to a few people.”
Al and Marnie walked into the café the following morning together. Dot was there to greet them. “What happened to you, Marnie? You haven’t been here for a few days,” Dot asked.
“Working on the case.”
“Dot, this is Al. He’s also working on the case.”
“Are you from New York too?” Dot asked in her southern accent.
“I am,” he answered grinning at the forwardness of the woman.
“Are you going to be around long?” Dot asked pouring their coffee.
“No. Marnie and I should be out of here in a couple of days,” Al answered picking up the menu.
Dot now stared at Marnie. “Don’t you have a trial?”
Marnie chuckled. “The trial won’t be for months. I can’t stay here. I have a job to get back to.”
“Does Leslie know?” Dot asked leaning closer.
Marnie shrugged. “Not yet.”
Dot took their order and walked away. Marnie now couldn’t meet Al’s eyes. He waited for her to lift her head before asking, “Leslie, huh?”
“She is the sister of our client,” she said softly.
“Mm hmm,” he answered picking up his coffee, but he didn’t push.
Marnie glanced around the café and saw Leslie standing near the kitchen door. “I’ll be right back.” She walked toward the petite woman. “Hi,” she said softly and Leslie spun around.
“Hi. Dot just told me you are leaving in a few days.”
Marnie nodded. “I have to go back to prepare for the trial and get back to work.” Leslie just nodded her head. “Will I see you before I leave?” It seemed like a simple question, but to Marnie it held so much more.
“You know where I work,” she said smiling. “I’m sure you will be back before you leave.”
Marnie nodded and walked back to the table. So the kiss meant nothing to her after all.
CHAPTER 11
Al collected what he needed. There was only one more piece of the puzzle required and she knew just who to go to. “I need your help, Buddy.”
“Anything, Marnie.”
Marnie had asked if there was any place that Steve and Rodney hung out. “There’s another party Friday night,” he said.
“Those two don’t stop, do they?” Buddy shook his head. “Can you go to the party?” Marnie explained that she needed DNA from the two boys and either a cigarette or glass would be the best. Buddy told her that both of them smoked and he would get the evidence needed. Marnie handed him two evidence bags with each of the boy’s names written on the outside. If she was right about the boys, she couldn’t use it as evidence because of how their DNA would be obtained. If nothing else, she would know who the guilty parties were.
The evidence was sent off to the lab and Marnie and Al would be leaving for the airport early tomorrow morning. Marnie had only seen Leslie at the café, but they never spoke. She saw Tom and Buddy to tell them she was leaving. Of course, she stopped in at the body shop and told them to call her when her car was ready. Marnie was packing her suitcase when a soft knock on her door startled her. Thinking it was Al, she opened the door without looking. “Leslie,” she said shocked to see her.
“May I come in?” Leslie asked calmly, but she felt the flutters in her stomach.
Marnie stepped out of the way. “Of course.”
“I know you told my father and me not to worry about payment, but I have a check for you.” Leslie held out her arm holding the check.
“Leslie, I told you it wasn’t necessary. I told you I would do this pro bono.”
“No, Marnie. You’re using your own money.” Leslie put the check on the small table in the room. “We know that you have spent ten times this, but that’s all we have right now,” she said showing all the emotion in her voice.
Marnie looked down at her and wanted to take her into her arms and comfort her. She didn’t need the money but the ten-thousand-dollar check that sat there was a lot of money to these people. “I don’t need your family’s money, Leslie.”
“Please, Marnie.” She let out a breath and swallowed her tears. “Do this for me.”
“Okay,” she said finally giving in because she couldn’t stand to see Leslie in this condition. Wanting to feel her close, she put her arm around her. “I’ll miss you,” she admitted in a whisper. Marnie couldn’t believe that she was admitting this to her. Her brain said leave it alone. You’ll be gone in the morning.
Leslie finally looked at Marnie and smiled. “I’ll miss you too.” She wrapped her arms around Marnie and held her tightly. “Let me stay the night, Marnie. I can’t let you go without making love with you.” Her words were filled with tears.
Marnie raised Leslie’s chin so they were eye to eye. “Are you sure?” Please don’t say no.
“Never as sure as I am at this moment.” Leslie answered with a squeeze of Marnie’s arm.
Marnie took her hand and led her over to the large bed. Her fingers reached for the buttons on Leslie’s top, but her fingers were trembling. “Sorry,” she said with shaking hands.
Leslie’s hands settled on Marnie’s hands as she smiled. “It’s only me. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Marnie shook her hands and made quick work of the rest of the buttons. Leslie moved to the center of the bed and pulled the sheet up to her waist. Marnie was so taken with her beauty that she almost forgot why she was standing there with the hem of her shirt in her hands.
“Are you going to stand there all night?” Leslie asked with a grin.
That was enough to knock Marnie out of her trance. Her clothes came off quickly and she joined Leslie on the bed. She placed her body over the smaller woman and looked into her eyes before she lowered her body until their bodies touched. A gasp left Leslie’s mouth and she spread her legs wider to find more contact. Marnie’s mouth was inches from her own. Blue eyes stared into the green eyes until their mouth’s melted together. Lips parted and tongues tangled in passion. Marn
ie was now sliding up and down on Leslie’s body bringing their cores together. Filled with slick passion, Leslie could no longer hold out and she trembled as she climaxed. Marnie followed seconds later, but she let out a loud moan as she came. Their lips came back together before Marnie buried her face in Leslie’s neck. Now her mouth began to explore the soft skin under her mouth. Her hand went to Leslie’s full breasts and she pinched her nipple and continued her assault as Leslie’s moans aroused her to heights she had never experienced before. Lower she moved, taking her breast with her lips and mouth.
“Please, Marnie. I need you inside,” Leslie said as if she were going to die if she had to wait a moment longer.
Marnie didn’t need for her to ask again. Her hand moved to Leslie’s core, but kept her assault on the full breasts. Her thumb circled her bud and she moved two fingers inside of Leslie. Leslie’s hips moved with her thrusting and Marnie was having a hard time keeping her lips pressed to the stiff nipple.
“More,” Leslie moaned holding onto Marnie’s back tighter.
Not wanting to disappoint, Marnie added another finger and felt the starting of her orgasm begin. With a loud scream, Leslie came crashing into her body. It was the most sensual thing Marnie had ever felt before. As Leslie was coming back down, Marnie’s core rested on her leg and instantly she fell over with her.
*
Marnie knew the moment she opened her eyes that she was alone in the bed. She rolled over and felt the sheets knowing it had been a long time since Leslie was in her bed. The check still sat on the table, but a note was added. “Cash the check, Marnie.” There was no other information. Marnie ran her finger across the check as if she would feel Leslie as her fingers touched the paper. The night had been wonderful in Marnie’s mind. Their time together had been more than sex to her. She felt as if she had made love for the first time in her life. Leslie had been a wonderful lover and they had been insatiable as they learned what the other wanted. The first time Leslie brought her to climax, she had to hold back her tears. She had never cried before while making love, but she felt so much with Leslie. Now she wondered if Leslie had felt it too or was it just sex for her and nothing more.
Al offered to drive them to the airport based on Marnie’s face when he met her downstairs.
“Wilma, thanks for everything. I enjoyed your hotel.”
“You come back and visit us sometime,” she said pulling Marnie in for a fierce hug.
“Are you okay?” Al asked finally as Marnie hadn’t spoken since they left the hotel.
“I will be,” she answered keeping her head against the side window.
CHAPTER 12
Marnie returned to work on Monday and met with the senior partners. “We hope you enjoyed your vacation?” Martin McDonald asked.
“I really didn’t have one,” she answered smirking. “I had an accident in Georgia and ended up getting involved in a case.”
“Is this a paying client?”
“No. This one is on me.” She watched as the partners nodded their heads, but didn’t comment.
Marnie’s first week back was as if she had never left. She was at the office early and was the last one to leave the office. By Friday night, she knew she had to do something or she’d be in the same boat as she was before. She packed up her briefcase with files she could review on the weekend and took the elevator down to the street.
At her apartment she stood in front of the massive glass and looked out across the Manhattan skyline. Her arms wrapped around her waist and a tear fell onto her cheek. She couldn’t get the memory out of her head of making love with Leslie. Marnie had thought that their lovemaking would have been quick and rushed because of the attraction they felt for each other, but it was quite different. Marnie knew this would be the only time they would be together and she had to memorize everything about this woman. What surprised her the most was how responsive Leslie’s body was to her tender touch. As her mouth settled onto Leslie’s breasts, the moans above her caused her arousal to pool between her legs. Leslie could feel Marnie’s need and her fingers moved between their bodies. She not only touched her body, but her soul was being lost in the moment. When Leslie entered her, Marnie’s heart was lost. They were both moaning at this point. Lost in the touch and feel of each other’s bodies.
“I know you’re close,” Leslie said softly into her ear. “Don’t hold back. Let me feel you completely.”
Marnie didn’t know if it was Leslie’s magical fingers or the words she whispered in her ear, but she came with such force she nearly knocked Leslie off her body.
As they laid together too exhausted to go again, Marnie’s arms wrapped around Leslie pulling her close. No words were said as they were both satiated by their lovemaking. No one had ever taken Marnie to such heights and it seemed the petite woman felt the same way by her movements. If only things could be different, she thought. If only.
Marnie pulled her eyes away from the skyline and went to her empty bed. She hoped she could find some peace in her slumber or at least dream about the woman who wouldn’t leave her thoughts.
Saturday morning, Marnie sat with her cup of coffee and her briefcase. She had gotten as far as taking out her papers, but she couldn’t concentrate on what was written on the page. The ringing of her cellphone brought her out of her trance. “Hi, Sheila,” she said seeing Sheila’s face on the phone.
“Hey. Sorry I wasn’t in the office this week, but they have me on a new case. Do you want to have lunch today?”
“Yes,” she said automatically without thinking.
Sheila laughed. “Are you bored or something? Usually I have to beg you to stop working.”
“Just need a change of scenery. How about Anton’s?”
“Okay, sweetie. I’ll meet you there at noon.”
Marnie now looked at the clock on the wall. She had two hours to sit with her thoughts. Her phone was suddenly in her hands again and before she realized what she was doing, she began to type. Seems like forever since I’ve seen you. Say hi to everyone. Marnie. She hit the send button before she changed her mind.
Walking into the restaurant, she spotted Sheila waving her over to the table. “Hi.”
“You look like shit,” Sheila said as Marnie took her seat.
“Gee thanks.”
“What’s wrong?” Sheila asked concerned about her friend.
“Nothing. I just haven’t been sleeping well.”
“You miss her,” she said softly.
Marnie’s head snapped up looking at her friend. Her mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out.
“At least you aren’t denying it. What is it about her that makes you like this?”
“I wish I knew,” Marnie finally answered. She wished she had an explanation for the way she felt. Now she wondered if Leslie was having a hard time sleeping too.
“Did you sleep with her?” Sheila asked knowing that Marnie was open to the conversation she was about to have.
Marnie’s head went up and down. “The night before I left. She came to my room and gave me a ten-thousand-dollar check.”
“High class,” Sheila said with a laugh, but stopped instantly when she saw the look on Marnie’s face. “I’m sorry, honey. I wish there was something I could do.”
“There’s nothing to do. I just need time.” Maybe like forever.
“Why don’t you ask her up here to visit?” Sheila asked offering some hope.
“Then what? She returns to Georgia and she’s more entrenched in my heart.”
“You’re in love with her?” Sheila asked shocked. Her friend had never given her heart to anyone in the past.
“Yes.” Her words were soft and emotional. “I don’t know what happened. I’ve never let a woman get that close and she just took possession of my heart without even trying.”
“Oh, honey. I’m really sorry.” Her hand caressed Marnie’s arm. “You know what they say. The best way to get over someone is to get under them.” Marnie’s eyes were like fire. Shei
la shirked back. “I’m sorry again. I was just trying to lighten the situation.”
“I know you are, but I’m not ready to make light of this situation yet.” I don’t know if I ever will be.
“What are you going to do when you see her again?” Sheila asked wanting to protect her friend.
“If my hunch is correct, I won’t be seeing her again.” Marnie went on to explain the evidence she and Al had collected. There was still no word from Pat, but Marnie hoped she didn’t need it to get the charges dropped.
“You think you can take care of this case without ever going to trial?” Marnie nodded. “So you just never see or speak to her again?”’
Again Marnie nodded. “That is the only way I can get my life back. I need to forget her or I’ll go crazy,” Marnie stated seriously, but knowing she had sent that text.
“So you haven’t spoken to her since you got back?” Marnie shook her head. “She hasn’t tried to contact you either?”
“Why would she? It was just a one night stand and that’s all,” Marnie sighed. So how come it didn’t feel like a one night stand to me?
Sheila took her best friend’s hand. “I’m here for you, Marnie. Remember that.”
Marnie wiped at her eye, pissed that she couldn’t even control her emotions any longer. “You are a good friend.”
CHAPTER 13
The weeks flew by, but to Marnie it seemed like an eternity. Al’s phone call brought her out of self-pitying. “Hey, Al.”
“Hi, Marnie. Do you have time to stop and see me?”
“Good news, I hope.”
“Come see, Marnie.”
“I’ll be down as soon as I can.” Marnie finished up with her clients and stopped at her secretary’s desk. “I’m going to see the coroner.”
The cab took forever because of the mid-day traffic. When the cab was within two blocks, she got out. “Thanks,” she said as she threw money at the driver.
“Have a seat, Marnie,” Al said when she walked into his office. She took a seat quietly and waited for the news. “You were right.” A smile opened on her face. “Both boys’ DNA are on her clothes. There is even some of Steve’s blood on her. Jess put up a fight, but she was no match for the two of them.”