Beneath the Layers

by Caitlyn Willows

  “And to the world, you and I are still finished?” she asked.

  “Yes. We brought your SUV over here. My car’s parked two blocks down. I brought you more clothes. I saw Zach was pretty thorough in gathering your toiletries.”

  “I’m going to wear my glasses. I want her to think I am sufficiently humbled.” She took her mug back and drained it.

  “Should I anticipate seeing the hair bun again?”

  “I’m not that humbled.” She nudged his thigh with her foot. “Mind if I use your shower?” she asked Claudia.

  “Not at all. And this little guy is done.” With her words, Adam relinquished his hold on his food source, mouth agape, drooling milk and sound asleep.

  “I’ve got him.” Zach swooped in to retrieve his son.

  “Thanks. I’m starving. I’ll get us some breakfast.” Claudia reached for the footrest.

  “I’ll do it.” Kurt jumped up and headed for the kitchen.

  “Adam and I will keep you company.” Zach followed him.

  The love in the air and in their actions nestled deep into Midge’s heart. “Nothing like being spoiled by the people you love.”

  Claudia smiled and snuggled into the recliner. “Get used to it. Accept it as your due. Now go shower. You stink.”

  “What time did you get in?” Zach settled into one of the kitchen chairs. Adam was nestled deep in his arms. At present, the baby was the perfect combination of his parents, though his eyes promised to be Claudia’s deep blue.

  “About two hours ago.” Longing welled up in Kurt. He covered the emotion by gathering what he needed to make breakfast. The rattle of pans brought the cats into the kitchen.

  “Thanks for taking Hades last night.” He dumped frozen hash browns into a pan. “This should be all wrapped up soon.” I hope. “One of us will pick him up afterward.”

  “No rush,” Zach replied. “He’s doing a great job of keeping Miss Kitty’s attention off the new addition. She’s not too sure of Adam yet.”

  “Did Midge tell you everything?” he asked.

  “That’s a little hard to answer since I don’t really know what the heck is going on.”

  Kurt almost laughed. A day ago Zach would have thrown out ‘fuck’ instead of ‘heck’. Having a baby changed everything. He made a note to watch his language, too.

  “Given your closeness to each other and past history, I’m going to presume she did.”

  He gave the potatoes a stir and started cracking eggs into a bowl. He would have preferred to make omelets, but when Claudia said she was starving, meltdown generally wasn’t far behind.

  “It made me sick inside to see what he’d done to her.” His shoulders slumped with his confession. “I love her so much. I want her more than my next breath. And now I’m scared to death to touch her.”

  “I know how you feel.”

  Kurt turned and leaned against the counter. “What do I do?”

  “Just continue to love her. Tell her how you feel. Take your time with each other.” Zach’s gaze fell to Kurt’s battered knuckles. “What happened there?”

  Midge didn’t tell me everything. Maybe she didn’t remember, being in the state she’d been in at the time.

  “I pulled him off her and beat the hell out of him. Jess and that DEA agent had to pull me off. I’ll probably lose my job over it, but I don’t give a sh…a da… Not cursing is very hard, by the way.”

  Zach chuckled. “I know.”

  “The least I can hope for is suspension and reprimand. He purposefully plowed his car into Vic. Then to see what he’d done to Midge… What he was trying to do to her…” He scrubbed his hand down his face. It didn’t erase the memories. Each time he thought about it, Kurt got sick inside. “What if Midge thinks that’s who I really am?”

  “Trust me. That’s the furthest thing from her mind.”

  “And what’s the closest thing on her mind?”

  Zach smiled. “You’re going to have to ask her. I’m going to put Adam in his bassinet. Claudia’s not the only one who’s starving.”

  Kurt returned his attention to cooking…or tried to. Midge filled his mind, his heart, his soul. Then he felt her slip her arms around his waist and press her cheek to his back.

  “And he can cook, too. Goodness, you are a keeper.”

  He didn’t know what to say. Well, he did know what to say but was afraid to do so. Marriage proposals should be intimate and romantic and given after a longer association than we’ve had…right? But Kurt found himself turning in her arms, taking her hands in his, starting to go down on one—

  “I’ve got a present for you.” Zach charged into the kitchen, phone extended to Midge.

  Her eyebrows scrunched closer as she took it. Kurt read the text over her shoulder.

  Stanford wife divorced soon after his retirement. Took half of his retirement, too. Others stepped forward after Ellis’s complaint. What little rep he had tanked. He committed suicide two years later.

  Midge lifted tear-filled eyes to Zach. “Where did you get this?”

  He shrugged one shoulder. “I told you I was going to give Colonel Scott full disclosure. I’ve seen him mad before but never as mad as when he heard the backstory. Said he was going to find out what he could about the ass.”

  She returned the phone and gave him a tight hug. “You’re the best.”

  Zach hugged her back and winked at Kurt. “Back at you.”

  Midge pulled away and squared her shoulders. “Now to get these other bastards.”

  Kurt hoped their children were as fierce. If they had children… If he could find that perfect moment to lay his heart before her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Midge took yet another deep breath to calm her nerves. She was determined to sell this act and equally determined to see Susan was held accountable for her actions. Going in shaky and nervous couldn’t happen. At least Everest had found a way to put the bug on the vase and she didn’t have the pressure of trying to hide it. The device was part of a fleur-de-lis glued to the cobalt-blue vase. She plastered on a smile when she stepped off the elevator. Head high, shoulders back, she walked to the nurse’s station.

  “I’m trying to find Petty Officer Bolotnik’s room.”

  The nurse’s smile brightened her dark features. “Last one on the left.”

  “How is she doing?”

  “Much better than when she was brought in.”

  “Good.” Façades—if that was what she’d been doing—were hard to maintain. Midge knew that firsthand.

  Susan was watching TV when Midge walked in. No smile greeted her, but Susan did turn off the TV.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “How the fuck do you think I’m feeling?” Susan snapped.

  “Don’t get an attitude with me. I was there, too, and I wouldn’t have been if it weren’t for you. As far as I’m concerned, you brought this on yourself.”

  She frowned. “Why aren’t you at work?”

  “I’ve been given the week to recover.” Midge strode to the small bedside table to place the flowers. “These are for you. I honestly don’t even know why I came. You’ve got some explaining to do. Why the hell were you trying to frame me?”

  Susan closed her eyes on a sigh. “It wasn’t like that.”

  Midge crossed her arms. “Then what the hell was it?”

  She turned her head and opened her eyes. “It was fun and addictive. All those idiots cheating on their wives. They deserved what they got.”

  “Like you deserved this?” Midge waved her hand at her. “I certainly didn’t do anything to deserve what that creep did.”

  “Well, if is matters, I’m sorry for that. I just thought”—she shrugged—“I thought it would be something we could do together. We could be partners. You got laid. Quit complaining.”

  Unbelievable.

  “What I got was me being used, my heart stomped on, my house broken into, hours of interrogation from NCIS and my landlady killed.”

  Susan�
��s eyes widened. “Bernadette’s dead?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, that’s not on me.” She turned away and stared ahead.

  “Parsons did it. She surprised him when he was searching my house for your blackmail videos and pictures. I’d appreciate it if you were upfront with NCIS about what you did when they come to talk to you. It’s the least you owe me for what you put me through.”

  Susan jerked her head around. “It’s not like I have a fucking choice, since the evidence was under my bed.” Anger lit her eyes.

  A throat cleared by the door—Everest, right on time. Midge turned. He flashed his badge and walked in.

  “Petty Officer Bolotnik, I’m Special Agent Everest with the DEA. I’d like to ask you a few questions about Private First Class Jeremy Forton.”

  “Go on,” she replied.

  Midge stepped away from the bed and sat in the only chair in the room. She crossed her legs and pulled a nail file from her purse, feigning disinterest in the conversation.

  Everest pulled out a notepad. “What was your relationship?”

  “Friends only, though we did have sex from time to time.”

  “Were you aware that he was dealing drugs, specifically ketamine?”

  Susan sniffed. “It wouldn’t surprise me. He was constantly in trouble or looking for it.”

  “Our sources suggest he’d acquired a large amount of ketamine. Do you know anything about that?”

  She frowned. “Why would I?”

  “Just asking questions, ma’am.”

  “He asked me the same ones.” Midge kept filing her nails. “It’s been a long night.”

  “Yeah, it’s been a cake walk for me,” Susan replied snidely.

  Everest tucked his notepad away and stared at her. “Here’s the thing, ladies. We know he purchased a lot of ketamine for distribution but died before he could do anything with it. You two seemed to be the ones who spent the most off-duty time with him. Was there any time in the days prior to his death that he might have had the opportunity to hide that in either of your residences?”

  “Really?” Susan laughed. “NCIS is tearing my place apart right now. Don’t you think they would have found it? The bastard who did this to me apparently tore through her place, too. Do you really think he left no stone unturned? I’m quite sure if he’d found that much ketamine, he would have sold it himself and left me alone.”

  He plucked his business card from his pocket and placed one on the nightstand. “If you think of anything, let me know.” He handed one to Midge as well. “I might come by later with more questions.”

  “Knock yourself out,” Susan replied.

  He gave them a nod and walked out. Midge listened to his footsteps fade, then sighed.

  “What a nightmare.” She tucked her file in her purse and stood. “My home and most of my possessions have been destroyed. Hell, if I found that much ketamine, I’d be tempted to sell it myself.”

  “Jeremy was alone for a long time the other night,” Susan said. “Do you think he really did hide it?”

  Midge squinted her eyes, pretending to consider the possibility. “The best place would have been the window seat.”

  “What window seat?” Susan asked. “I didn’t know there was one.”

  “Hades is generally on it, watching the world outside.”’

  “I hate that fucker.” She ran her fingers over the scratch on her neck.

  Now we know whose DNA is in Hades’ claws.

  Midge tilted her head to one side. “Hmm. I don’t recall anything on top of the seat being disturbed. The curtains were drawn, so that’s probably why Parsons didn’t mess with it. Of course, he wouldn’t have known to look there. I found it by accident myself after I moved in.” She frowned at Susan. “Do you think I should tell the DEA?”

  “I wouldn’t. I’d get a lawyer first. You don’t want them putting the blame on you, do you?”

  “You’re right.” She glanced at her watch. “I wouldn’t know who to contact.”

  Susan snickered. “You work for legal. I’m sure one of them can steer you to a civilian attorney. I appreciate the flowers, but I’m exhausted and need to rest. So, if you don’t mind…”

  “Not at all. I’ll stop by later.”

  “I’d rather you didn’t.”

  A feeling Midge echoed. “Fine by me.”

  She walked away but was tempted to hover outside the door to see if their plan had worked. She’d find out soon enough. There would be no do-overs with Susan. They’d made it clear to each other their relationship was over. Midge couldn’t wait to testify against her in court—Parsons, too.

  The closer she got to the exit, the more she picked up the pace. As she reached one set of automatic doors, Midge tried to look beyond to the parking lot to see if Everest and Anders were still there. She needed to know if Susan had taken the bait. She was so focused that she nearly ran into two Marines walking in. They all drew up short to avoid a collision. Her heart jolted to find McConnell and Clark in front of her. They muttered apologies and walked around her.

  Midge willed her heart to stop pounding and thanked her lucky stars they hadn’t recognized her from the Lost Oasis. She had been without glasses then and wearing the red wig. She continued on and spied Anders waving her to come to his vehicle—the same silver sedan he’d driven during his inept attempt to spy on her. Beyond him, Everest was driving away. It looked like their little sting operation had succeeded.

  Anders leaned over and opened the passenger door when she neared. She recognized frantic when she saw it and prayed Kurt was all right. Pasting on a smile for anyone watching, she slipped into the seat.

  “Who were those men?” he asked.

  “Their names are McConnell and Clark. They came on to me at the bar the other night. Kurt intervened. Why?”

  His gaze wandered to the building. “I saw them on those videos we confiscated last night.”

  Midge scrunched up her face. “They were having sex with Susan?” What use would she have had with them? She didn’t think either were married.

  “No. With each other. Sometimes another older man was with them. Do you know anything else about them?”

  That explained why Susan might be blackmailing them. “Nothing. But if they’re here, do you think Susan is in danger?”

  “I don’t know. Let’s find out.”

  He put his earplugs back in. To anyone watching, he was listening to music.

  Midge cracked her knuckles while they waited, earning Anders’ side-long scowl. “I presume Special Agent Everest is headed to the other scene.”

  He nodded and lifted his palm for silence. With each second, the furrow between his eyebrows deepened.

  “She’s not in the room. Shit, they’re going to kill her.”

  He called for backup from the Provost Marshal and dashed off, badge in hand. The automatic doors parted before him. Two doors down, Susan walked out, dressed in dark blue sweats.

  Midge debated her actions while Susan scanned the parking lot. Susan’s eyes narrowed when she looked in the direction of Midge’s SUV, but her attention shifted quickly and she hurried off. Staying low, Midge watched Susan go to her flashy red sports car. A few minutes later, she drove off.

  “Oh no, you don’t. You’re not getting away.”

  She started to open the door when she saw that Anders had left the keys in the ignition. Midge took advantage of it.

  Easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.

  * * * *

  Kurt hid in Midge’s bathroom. It was the closest he could get without being seen. There was no place to hide on the first floor. Adrenaline buzzed along his nerves. Susan hadn’t taken long to call her cohort, and in doing so, revealed the full extent of her involvement by saying, ‘And don’t send those fucking idiots. You get it or you know what will happen. ’

  Kurt couldn’t wait to review the videos of her sexcapades. He had a feeling it would be a who’s-who list of individuals who had a lot to
lose. It’d been thirty minutes since she’d made her call. He was getting antsy and knew Jess—watching the back entrance from his car—would be as well. Everest had arrived fifteen minutes before and taken his position in the front. Backup was on standby a block over. Comm links for all were operational.

  “Got a hit,” Jess said in Kurt’s ear. “Male, black jeans, olive-drab sweatshirt, ski cap and gloves. Bulge at lower back. He’s carrying. Can’t ID him yet. Heading to the back door. He’s picking the lock. Come on, you fucker. Turn around. He’s in.”

  Kurt barely heard the door open. It was more like the pressure in the house changed. He drew his weapon and crept to the edge of the staircase for a peek. The man Jess had described stood before the window seat. A military duffel bag lay on the floor beside him. Without pause, he opened the curtains, tossed the pillows aside and reached for the lid.

  “Hello? Anyone here?” The woman’s high-pitched voice was reminiscent of Bernadette. Cat claws on a chalkboard were less irritating.

  “Got a problem,” he whispered into his headset. “Woman walked in.”

  Jess muttered a string of curses. “Coming to the back.”

  “Got the front,” Everest added.

  Kurt crouched against the wall, trying to keep watch below. The man spun around. Yost. Kurt told the others and watched in horror as Yost reached for the weapon at his back but didn’t draw it.

  “I saw you come in the back and dashed right over.” The Bernadette clone thrust out her hand. “I’m Gloriana McFee. My mother was Bernadette.”

  Yost ignored her greeting and she awkwardly dropped her hand. “I’m the owner now. I wanted to talk to your girlfriend about keeping the lease.”

  No way in hell.

  “I also wanted to apologize for my mother’s actions. She could be annoying on her best days. I won’t be like that. I won’t even be here. I’ll be renting out the other side as soon as it’s cleaned.”