by Sam Skyborne
“I could come back later,” he said.
For once Lizbeth seemed to be at a loss for words.
“I was just leaving,” Maxine cut in a bit too hastily. “I just dropped off some lunch for Ms Du Cannon.”
“Oh, well please, don’t let me interrupt your lunch,” Lawrence said. “I can come back a little later.”
“No, no, it’s okay. I won't stay,” Maxine said and then added. “I have already eaten.”
Lawrence did not miss the subversive glances they exchanged, not to mention the new wave of scarlet colouring that crept over Lizbeth’s features.
“Oh, yes.” Lizbeth finally spoke. “Please, come in... I was just about to see Detective Bennett out.”
Lizbeth did not need to walk Maxine to the elevator, but she wanted the time to compose herself away from Lawrence’s perceptive gaze. She also wanted the chance to talk to Maxine. However, once they were in the corridor alone, she could not find the right words—not after such an encounter. She felt giddy, like a teenager—a sensation she had not experienced in a long time. Her rational mind tried to explain it away as hormones pulsing through her bloodstream. Whatever it was, it felt good! She felt alive.
The elevator pinged its arrival.
Maxine glanced around checking for prying eyes and finding the coast clear she planted a soft kiss on Lizbeth’s cheek. “I hope lunch was to your satisfaction,” she whispered softly in Lizbeth’s ear, sending another shiver down her spine.
Once the doors opened, Maxine stepped into the elevator. Lizbeth saw her reach into her pocket. Too late Lizbeth realised Maxine was reaching for her panties. She pulled them out and dabbed the corners of her mouth with the soft fabric like a napkin.
Lizbeth cringed happily as the elevator doors closed between them.
Toni had just about finished her visits to the list of Erika’s lovers. She was feeling a little frustrated now as none of the interviews with the lovers unearthed anything new. All their alibis checked out so far, even Terry, who Toni had a distinct feeling was hiding something, seemed to be clean. According to Lawrence, he had fifteen guys able to vouch for his presence at the stag do and a video of the night’s proceedings.
She was now on her way back from Aiden’s office. She had taken him the DNA samples and explained that Maxine’s department in the USA would be contacting him for them.
The whole DNA thing was a long shot. Even if the DNA did match a case in the USA what would that mean for Erika? It would not necessarily prove who murdered her.
Toni felt tired. It had been a big week. She needed to rest. She was looking forward to her DVD night in with Lizbeth later.
After the meeting with Lawrence, Lizbeth tried to focus on her work once more. It was not going well. She really struggled to concentrate. Her mind kept wondering back to the events of her lunchtime encounter with Maxine, replaying those delicious moments over and over again.
She did not see herself as a ‘pleader’. She always felt and liked to be very much in control during sex, or so she thought. It was becoming clear Maxine was showing her a new side to herself. This new side also seemed far less risk averse. She could never in a million years imagine she would let someone make love to her in her office, especially not with the imminent arrival of her young colleague hanging over them. It was terribly exhilarating.
Just the thought of what had happened in her office earlier set her off again. Was Maxine turning her into some kind of sex monster? Maybe it was time to rethink keeping the door to her office open.
Her phone rang. She glanced at it. Think of the Devil. She couldn’t help smiling.
“Lizbeth Du Cannon,” she said.
“Hey. Fancy another bite to eat?” Maxine’s voice crackled on the phone, which just added to her arousal.
“When?”
“Tonight. I can be at yours by around 7.”
Lizbeth’s heart bounced around in her chest. She felt a little giddy. “Sounds nice. What did you have in mind?”
“I thought I could cook for you. I’m pretty dextrous in the kitchen.”
“I bet.” Lizbeth flushed at the thought of Maxine taking her on the kitchen countertop.
Suddenly she remembered Toni was staying with her. She could not imagine what an evening with both of them around the dining table would be like. She did not have the nerve for the tension. Besides, it would be a pretty frustrating evening. She could not imagine allowing herself to feel amorous in Toni’s presence, let alone doing anything with Maxine while Toni was sleeping in the spare-room next door.
“Ah, I have a better idea,” she said quickly. “I know a lovely tucked away little restaurant in a basement in Soho. They serve the best vintage red wine. Let me treat you.”
“Oh, I hoped you would,” Maxine teased with a little laugh.
“Are you always this incorrigible?” Lizbeth asked.
“Probably,” Maxine admitted. “Seriously, that sounds lovely. I’m happy to do that. But I do want to cook for you sometime.”
“And I am sure there will be an opportunity to do that.”
“Okay, great! See you around 7pm?”
6.45pm Toni burst through Lizbeth’s front door, box of pizza, a six-pack and a bag of shopping in hand.
“Liz, you home?” Toni called out.
“Hi, in here,” Lizbeth replied from the bedroom where she was busy getting ready for her evening with Maxine.
“Sorry I'm late. The shops were so busy.” Toni put the pizza and groceries down on the kitchen counter and the beers in the fridge. “But you'll be pleased to know I can make up for it. I bought you a bottle of that really nice wine you like for tonight.”
“Tonight?” Oh shit! Lizbeth suddenly remembered their arrangement to have a pizza and movies night as a first step towards rebuilding their friendship.
“Yeah, and I got that new sci-fi movie we talked about?” Toni called back.
Lizbeth entered the lounge.
“Wow!” Toni said instantly stopping what she was doing and admiring Lizbeth’s smart dress. “My guess is you aren't dressed up like that for pizza.”
“No! I am so sorry, I forgot we were meant to have a DVD night.” Lizbeth tried to think quickly. There was only one option. “It’s fine. I’ll cancel.”
“No! No!” Toni said. “Don’t you dare. Wherever you’re going dressed like that is clearly a lot more exciting than pizza, beer and a movie which we can do anytime.”
Lizbeth hesitated. She did not want to let her friend down and she also really wanted to see Maxine.
“Besides,” Toni added quickly, “the DVD is on a 72 hour rental so we can watch it tomorrow.”
“Are you sure? Because I will cancel if you want. I did have an arrangement with you. I just—”
“Don’t be silly,” Toni said a little too upbeat. She grabbed a beer and the pizza and headed to the couch. “More for me! Three gave me a run for my money in the gym today. So I'm famished. I’ll easily manage your share too!” She stuffed a slice of lukewarm pizza in her mouth.
“Okay,” Lizbeth said. “But only if you are absolutely sure?”
Toni switched on the TV, waving off Lizbeth absentmindedly, as if her attention had already been absorbed by the commercial on screen. “Now go already,” she said with a mouth full of food.
Lizbeth knew Toni was disappointed but felt very grateful to her for giving her a pass. She wondered if Toni had guessed that she was seeing Maxine. She grabbed her handbag and dashed out the door.
As soon as the door closed Toni tossed the pizza slice back into the box. She sighed and walked over to the large window.
Down in the street she saw Maxine kiss Lizbeth hello. Maxine hailed a black cab. Toni stood there for a while after the cab had driven off, watching the nightlife outside.
The restaurant Lizbeth took Maxine to was a quaint little bistro, deep in a basement not far from Leicester Square. It was a very cute and cosy little gem in the heart of bustling London. She had only been there once or twice
before and picked it because she wanted to be able to relax and enjoy the evening with Maxine without having to worry that they might bump into anyone she knew.
“So tell me…” Lizbeth took a sip of her wine. “Toni said you are here unofficially.”
Maxine mimicked her, taking a sip of her own wine before answering. “So you two have been talking about me?” She raised her eyebrows and smiled at Lizbeth.
“Maybe. Just a little,” Lizbeth glanced down. She was unconsciously playing with the stem of her wine glass. “I find it’s sometimes good to know a little about the person I take to bed.”
“Maybe, huh?”
“Well, at the very least to make sure that they are not a serial killer or a psychopath.” Lizbeth peered at Maxine in a cartoon fashion, as if assessing her mental health.
“True,” Maxine said. “But finding that out might need a bit more of a thorough investigation, I hope.”
Lizbeth nodded. “Yes, and one I will enjoy conducting in detail a little later. For now I will limit my investigation to an in-depth interview.” Lizbeth waited for Maxine to answer.
“I'm using some personal time that I am owed. I think every cop probably has at least one—an unsolved case that just won't let go. For me, it's three young women who were brutalised and murdered. In the States, the trail went cold about eighteen months ago.”
“And you're sure they are all related to Toni’s victim?”
“Of course there is absolutely no way to know just yet, but I have a hunch it is a very good match.”
“Do you always follow your hunches, Detective Bennett?” Lizbeth tried to sound like an interviewer.
“Well, yes. Mostly. It usually stands me in good stead.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, I followed it with you, at the club the other night, didn’t I?”
Lizbeth could feel her cheeks flush as memories of that night flooded her mind.
“So when I heard about this case I started asking around,” Maxine continued. “That's how I found out about this vic's wife hiring a PI”
“How did you find that out?” Lizbeth was concerned. “I know Toni has kept everything about the case strictly confidential.”
“I guess it is the price you pay for being a serious politician like Lucille Ransom-Evans—the whole world knows your business.”
The waiter arrived and they ordered. Lizbeth chose the grilled salmon and Maxine a medium rare rump steak.
“So why are you not happily married to… a nice successful executive, or something?” Maxine asked once the waiter had gone.
Lizbeth laughed. “Maybe I’m just not the marrying kind.”
“Oh?” Maxine sounded surprised. “I think you could be.”
“Well, maybe I have just not met Ms Right yet.”
“Or, maybe, Ms Right just does not know it yet.” Maxine lifted her eyebrows.
Lizbeth was not sure what Maxine meant. Was she fishing for her to suggest that she could be Ms Right? Whatever Maxine meant, Lizbeth was nowhere near ready to get serious.
“Well, whatever the future holds,” Lizbeth raised her glass, “let's make the most of now while it lasts.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
That’s when she felt Maxine’s hand on her knee, travel up her leg.
“Maxine,” Lizbeth reprimanded.
“You say you are a good lawyer?”
“I think I give my clients a good service.” Lizbeth said wondering what that has to do with Maxine’s errant hand tickling the inside of her thigh.
“And, I assume that includes being able to present a very good poker face when the opportunity requires?”
“Yes, if needed.” Lizbeth nodded. She felt Maxine’s hand travel higher under her skirt. Suddenly Maxine’s intention hit her. Oh God!
She also knew what awaited Maxine. She watched Maxine’s face. As Maxine’s fingers made contact with her bare skin, her eyes shot open wider and an expression of sheer delight crossed her features at the realisation Lizbeth was not wearing any underwear.
Toni tried desperately to lose herself in the sci-fi film she had so been looking forward to. However, it was not the same watching it on her own without her friend. Her mind kept wondering to thoughts of Lizbeth and Maxine.
She wondered where they would have gone? Did Lizbeth take Maxine to her and Toni’s favourite restaurant? She pictured them sitting at their usual table. But, she eventually decided that Lizbeth would not have done that.
She wondered if they might have gone back to The Vox. She could visualise them sitting together in one of the booths, enjoying gin and tonics.
Would they venture into the Dark Room? It was hard to imagine Lizbeth having the confidence to have sex in public. But, then she remembered the display in the window. That was a whole new side to Lizbeth. She had no idea she was a closet exhibitionist.
There was obviously a lot she still had to learn about her friend.
About half way through the film, when she realised she had absolutely no idea what was going on, she decided to give up. She had to go do something useful.
As her mind stubbornly wandered back to Lizbeth and Maxine in the Dark Room and her memories of the couple she had watched on the half-moon sofa, she remembered Sasha.
Maybe now that she knew a bit more about Erika’s lovers she could persuade Sasha to open up a little more and tell her who Erika hung out with in the club. There must be other people who knew more and would be able to shed some light onto that night.
Maybe she could head down there now and perhaps have a word with Sasha? That would give her something to do. She groaned. If she went to see her now, it would mean potentially bumping into Lizbeth and Maxine.
Come to think of it though, judging by the way Lizbeth was dressed, Toni doubted they’d be going to The Vox. Her stylish but understated dress was more suitable to a high-end restaurant or theatre than a club. She decided it was worth the risk, if for no other reason than to stop the looping in her mind.
After their dinner, Lizbeth and Maxine caught a black cab.
Lizbeth was in a very good mood. For the first time in a few days she felt relaxed thanks to perhaps one glass too many of that delicious red wine. “If you had continued any further I think the couple next to us would have needed resuscitation.”
“It's your fault,” Maxine said. “I can't help that you do that to me.”
“Me?”
“Yes, Ms Commando.”
They both laughed.
Lizbeth fell forward into Maxine and kissed her. Maxine’s hand was resting on Lizbeth’s knee. As they kissed, her hand slid between Lizbeth’s thighs and started travelling up under the dress. Lizbeth almost lost her breath. She so wanted Maxine to touch her again.
Then she suddenly became conscious that the taxi-driver could see them through his rearview mirror and probably had a view up her skirt. He could potentially be watching them rather than keeping an eye on the road which would be unsafe. She felt shy and stopped Maxine’s hand, breaking off the kiss. She rested comfortably back against Maxine's shoulder.
“What?” Maxine interrupted her thoughts. “What are you thinking?”
“Oh, nothing.” She was having such a lovely evening, but like all good things knew it had to end but she was not quite ready for that yet.
“Seriously?” Maxine pressed.
“I wish the evening did not have to end so soon,” Lizbeth admitted and then almost instantly regretted it.
“Oh? I was hoping it was just about to start,” Maxine dipped her head and kissed Lizbeth’s ear.
Lizbeth smiled and, when Maxine lifted her head back up, planted a long tender kiss on her lips. She reached up and gently ran her fingers along Maxine’s neck down across her upper chest to her shoulder. Lizbeth loved Maxine’s chest and clavicle which was now just visible under her soft shirt. She was beginning to really like and admire this woman sitting next to her. She glanced up at the strong silhouette of her profile. Maxine was entertaining, hot
, but kind and considerate too. Being with her was beginning to feel really good and comfortable.
“Can we go back to yours?” Lizbeth asked.
Maxine shifted her seat slightly and shook her head.
“Why? We have not been to your place yet? Have you got ‘another woman’ hidden there?” Lizbeth joked.
“In a manner of speaking,” Maxine said.
“Oh?” Lizbeth’s heart sank. It had never occurred to her that Maxine might be seeing someone else. She thought back to that night at the club. What was her dancing friend’s name… Mo? Could it be her?
“It's not what you think,” Maxine said.
Lizbeth realised that Maxine had been watching her with a calm bemused smile growing on her lips. She assumed Maxine probably thought she would be jealous or upset. “Look, you really don't have to explain yourself to me. We had fun and that's it. I get it.”
Maxine shook her head. “No, I’m staying with my sister and her husband and so sharing a room with my five year old niece.”
“Oh!” Lizbeth tried to imagine Maxine reading bedtime stories to a five-year-old. It was a sweet image really.
“What's the matter with your place?” Maxine asked. “I’m sure the neighbours would love another tantalising little show. You were absolutely stunning and you seemed to enjoy it.”
“Don’t recall you complaining either!” Lizbeth teased but then stayed silent.
“Well, shall we?”
Lizbeth finally shook her head.
“What is it?”
“I have Toni staying... until her flat is back in order.”
“You can't let her rule your life.”
“She doesn’t rule my life.”
“Look, it is not my place—”
“You’re right. It’s not.”
Maxine clenched her jaw and looked out the window.
It was not Maxine’s place to interfere with her relationship with Toni. Lizbeth decided to stop that trail of thought as she really didn’t want to ruin the rest of the evening.