Exchange

by CF Frizzell

  Chapter Fourteen

  “And your bike’s fine and happy in the garage,” Misty said, finally sitting down beside Shay on the porch. She’d been playing nurse for the past hour, getting Shay moved from the bedroom to the glider, and being such a burden frustrated Shay no end. She looked out at the lake with her one opened eye.

  “Freddy Marsh drove it?”

  “He said he hoped you wouldn’t mind. Thought you’d trust him with it.”

  “He’s a good guy. I need to thank him.”

  “Well, you’re not going anywhere for a while. But he called this morning, asking how you were. He said some of the guys want to come visit, and I told them tomorrow. Day one, you need to rest.” She sipped her iced tea and adjusted one of the pillows behind Shay’s head. “It’s very sweet of them.”

  “Did you call the cops for me?”

  “Sure did. They should be here any minute. Mel, too. She asked if you were going through with this and seemed pretty pleased.”

  Shay grinned, then winced and touched her mouth. “Damn stitches.”

  “Hey, check this out,” Coby said, carrying a bouquet of pink carnations from the kitchen. Misty hurriedly made room on the coffee table. “Moriarty’s. You made a great impression, apparently.”

  “Whoa, that’s awfully nice. Hard not to make a good impression when you follow an act like Sorvini.” She glanced from Coby to Misty. “Jesus, word travels fast.”

  “Bob stopped by the clinic while they were stitching you up, you know,” Misty said.

  “Hell,” Coby added with a chuckle, “there was a crowd. Keary and Doran, Freddy and a couple of other guys, even Sonny. Man, he takes up space, huh?”

  Shay’s laugh led to a moan, and she squeezed her eye shut.

  “Even someone named Lisa,” Misty said.

  “Della’s secretary.”

  “Hmm. She’s a wild one. Was very worried about you.”

  “Yeah, Mel noticed,” Coby said. “The more questions Lisa asked, the more irritated Mel got.”

  “Lisa’s just a kid.”

  Misty tapped Shay’s shoulder. “That’s not the point.”

  The doorbell rang and Coby left to answer it.

  “It’s going to be a busy morning, I think,” Misty sighed, “so no long visits. You need to rest, even if it is only a mild concussion.” Mumbled conversation reached them from the living room. “I’m shutting you off from visitors in a bit.”

  “Yes, Nurse Kincaid.”

  “Morning, everyone.” Officer Hennessey stepped out onto the porch, sizing up Shay’s condition. “Maguire, we meet again.” She surveyed Shay’s battered face and shook her head as she pulled a notepad from a pocket on her thigh. “So you got the number of that truck, I hear? The clinic had to report the assault.”

  “Yeah, Angelo Sorvini.”

  Misty offered her chair and went inside. Hennessey wrote as she sat.

  “Simple story,” Shay said, “bastard bushwhacked me.”

  “Start from the beginning.”

  Somewhere during the tale, the doorbell rang again, and soon more conversation could be heard. Shay sighed. It was going to be a long day. Probably several. She wished Mel would arrive.

  “What did he say to you, as specifically as you can recall?”

  “Oh, his favorite term for me is ‘motherfucking dyke.’ Said I shouldn’t have made an ass of him, that he was holding back, but wanted to clean my clock. ‘Beat me to a pulp,’ I think he said.”

  She watched Hennessey note every word.

  “Witnesses?”

  “Don’t think so.”

  “Did he have a weapon of any kind?”

  “None he showed, but he has hands the size of friggin’ dinner plates. Hit like a brick, for Christ’s sake.”

  “He struck you twice, then?”

  “After the backhand, I think so. He slammed me into the building a lot. I think I went out a couple times before he finally put me down.”

  “Jesus. Didn’t I tell you to watch out for him?” She closed the notepad and rose.

  Shay couldn’t look up that far to see her face. “Anyone ever call him on stuff like this before?”

  “Once, maybe a year ago, but Della settled things before charges were filed.”

  Shay snorted. “She’s not settling this one. No fucking way.”

  Hennessey patted Shay’s shoulder. “Okay. We’re done. Take it easy, huh? You’ll be hearing from us.”

  She turned to leave and stopped, and Shay struggled to turn to see why.

  Della stood holding flowers and something covered in silver gift wrapping. Shay hoped it was booze, that a few stiff shots would help the pain meds that had yet to do any good.

  “Good morning,” Della said, and Shay imagined that, confronting Hennessey, Della was picturing Sorvini in cuffs. “Chicago, Officer Hennessey.” She came closer and pushed things around on the table to make room for her gifts. “I’m not going to stay because I’m sure you need your rest, but I wanted to see how you were getting along.”

  “Thanks, Della.” Worried I’m going to sue? “I’m supposed to lay low for a while till my brain stops sloshing around and the eye opens. My vision is still cloudy, but I’ll live. I’m giving it a week. Hope that doesn’t put us too far behind.”

  “Your health is more important,” Misty chimed in from the doorway.

  Della sent her a look. “Absolutely. You’re not to worry about that. I need you well and riding herd as soon as you’re fit. Not before.”

  “Thank you,” Shay said, hearing the doorbell ring again. “I’ll do my best.”

  “I have no doubt.” Della glanced up at Hennessey and back to Shay. “Forgive me, but I assume you’re pressing charges?”

  Hennessey fussed with her tactical belt and tucked both thumbs behind the buckle. Shay enjoyed the intimidating stance.

  “Ms. Slattery, my meeting with Ms. Maguire will be public record soon enough.”

  Della nodded. “Of course. I had a feeling it might come to this.”

  “You did? Do you have information about this incident?”

  “No. I just feel terribly about it.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Good morning, all,” Mel proclaimed from the doorway. “Since I have everyone in one place, could I ask a few questions, please?”

  “Really,” Della said on a sigh, and studied Mel’s shiner longer than was polite. “I hardly think this is appropriate, Ms. Baker. I’d thought you’d show more compassion for such a situation. After all, this woman needs serious rest.”

  “I’m fully aware of the situation, Ms. Slattery. I’m standing here at the invitation of the homeowner.”

  “I’m sure Ms. Kincaid’s intent was not to provide you an interrogation opportunity.”

  “You’re sure? What is your reaction to this assault by Angelo Sorvini?”

  Shay and Hennessey shared an amused glance.

  “I’m not commenting on this incident.”

  “Do you believe Mr. Sorvini was involved?”

  “I’m not repeating myself, either.” She turned to Shay and bent forward slightly. “My concern is that you are well. I hope you get some rest.” She straightened stiffly. “Good day.” Mel stepped aside to let her leave and turned back to Hennessey.

  “Can I pick up a copy of your report before lunch?”

  Hennessey smirked. “Sure, Mel.” She paused and looked at Shay before heading down the back steps. “If you think of anything else you need to add, let me know.”

  Shay gave her a thumbs-up. “Thank you.”

  Mel drew a chair up against the glider. “Hi.”

  “Hi back. I’m happy to see you. Cute that we both have shiners.”

  “Just swell. Yours is far worse. And I’m happy to see you, too, especially here.” With a fingertip, she grazed Shay’s injured jaw. It was soft and so smooth, she could enjoy the feel forever, but it was also too warm and swollen. The dark purple bruise matched her left eye, which Shay still could not open
. “How are you feeling?”

  “No pain now.”

  Mel studied Shay’s stitched cheek and lip. “I hate that bastard.”

  “Kiss me.” Shay managed to push herself up on an elbow to get closer.

  “No.” Mel pressed her back down with a palm on her stomach. She kneaded her fingers into the cotton tee and the taut muscle beneath, and the coiling sensation in Mel’s chest made her bite her lip. “Don’t move so much.”

  “I like your hand there. It feels good.”

  “Your pain meds have kicked in.”

  “Wanna take a nap with me?”

  “Sure, like that’s what you have in mind.”

  Shay sulked, but peered at her through her half-opened good eye. “I enjoyed watching you with Della.”

  “She can be so full of herself. It’s kind of fun sometimes.”

  “I like how you can be so gorgeous, sexy, and tough.”

  Shay’s teasing warmed her. Without thinking, she ran her palm languidly across Shay’s stomach several times. “I’m trying to make progress, Shay.”

  “Oh, you’re making wonderful progress right now.”

  Mel slapped her belly. “I meant on me.” She rested her hand back in her lap, the feel of Shay too distracting. Too suggestive. “I’m brave enough to do my job, and I do want to approach my life the same way, but the nerves, the risks are still there.”

  “I think that’s normal, Mel. A person can’t change overnight.”

  “But, Jesus, I have to play my cards just right, Shay, or I’ll go insane. I have to bide my time.”

  Shay wrapped her fingers around Mel’s thigh and squeezed. “You’re making progress, you said?” Mel nodded. “I like that you’re comfortable with me here.”

  “Here doesn’t count. It’s safe here. Misty and Coby are our friends. But at the clinic, your nurse Erica—”

  “Saw me kiss your hand.”

  “Yes. And in the hall, I was a little…cocky.”

  “Naw, not Chronicle editor Melissa Baker. What did you say?”

  “That we’re close friends, and I suppose I looked pretty happy about it.”

  “Are you?”

  Mel gazed into the lone, tired eye. The impulse to cup Shay’s face in both hands and kiss her rose quickly. “Yes.”

  “She worries you, though, huh? Is she a gossip?”

  “Hell, everyone in Tomson is a gossip, Shay. It’s the town’s official sport.”

  “So…?”

  “So,” Mel sighed deeply, “rumors will probably start, if they haven’t already, and they’re dangerous.”

  “Hey.” Shay lifted Mel’s chin. The touch tingled along her throat, but it was the weariness in that voice that struck Mel. She wished she hadn’t broached the subject at all. “So, we’re close, Mel. No one needs to know how my brain fries when I see you, or that I break out in a sweat and throb.”

  “Throb, huh?” The concept excited her. She watched the color rise in Shay’s unblemished right cheek. “I think you’re blushing.”

  “Yeah, probably. It got hot out here all of a sudden.” Her good eye blinked.

  “Well, at the risk of hiking the temperature further, I confess the same. I nearly made a fool of myself at Moriarty’s. You looked so fine. And then did you have to wink at me? Jesus, Shay. I completely lost my train of thought.”

  “Mmm. Good to know.”

  “Mike noticed. God knows if anyone else did.”

  “I liked it.”

  “You’re bad.”

  “What did Mike say?”

  “Oh, he put me through the third degree back at the office. He was terrible. He had convinced himself that we’d slept together until I insisted we hadn’t.”

  “Really? You sure you don’t wanna take a nap with me?”

  “You’re incorrigible.”

  “He’s no gossip, though. I just know.”

  Mel shook her head. “No, he’s a sweetheart. But he knows there’s something between us.”

  “Is he right?”

  The question brought Mel up short. Level with her. This split-second hesitation says…what?

  “Well,” she felt heat rise in her cheeks now, “I suppose he is.” The words surfaced from somewhere inside and popped out, honest and promising. Defiant and fearless—and damning. Mel heard them as clearly as Shay did, and she was as surprised as Shay was happy. They’d soared out of her heart, not her head, and left shadows in their wake. But the beaming expression on Shay’s face brightened everything.

  Shay tugged her down to within kissing reach. “No one needs to know more until you tell me otherwise. Then I’ll scream it from the rooftops.”

  Enveloped by a surge of relief and gratitude, Mel set her nose to Shay’s and let herself enjoy their connection. Shay’s understanding calmed Mel’s racing mind, pushed concerns aside, and allowed genuine emotion to surface. “You better hurry up and heal. There’s a chance that delicate little kisses won’t suffice much longer.”

  “So you’re ready for lots of serious kissing?” Shay’s good eye fluttered closed, but she opened it quickly.

  “Ahem,” Misty said. “Sorry, girls, but you’ll just have to suffer for now.”

  Mel sat up and Shay growled at Misty.

  “Killjoy.”

  Mel put her chair back in place and located her notebook on the floor. Just drop everything, why don’t you?

  “You need to sleep.”

  “Already dreamin’,” Shay murmured, a goofy grin across her marked lips.

  “And heal.” Mel bent down very close. “And hurry up.” She set a light kiss on her lips. “See you soon, tough guy.”

  She left Shay smiling sleepily on the glider before jogging down the porch steps, her mind abuzz with all she’d said and the repercussions.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Wednesday found Shay far more clearheaded, propped up on the glider in the early morning breeze, sipping coffee through a straw. With Mel beside her, however, a sleek leg pressed to hers and that freshly showered scent filling her senses, concentrating on a serious matter grew more difficult by the second. She wished she’d spoken to her about the Heights sooner—not when Mel was pressed for time.

  “I’m sorry I’m cutting into your busiest day, but this is important.”

  “I do only have a half hour or so, but it’s okay. First, tell me how you are? Did you sleep well?”

  “I did. Yes. I’m sore as hell, but better. Your black eye is turning yellow.”

  “Gee, thanks. How to make a girl—”

  “You are gorgeous, Melissa Baker. The yellow means it’s healing fast.” She squeezed Mel’s hand. “I’m really glad to see you.”

  “Same here. I look forward to seeing both your eyes soon.” She thanked Misty for delivering a cup of coffee. “Now, what is this that’s so important?”

  “I think something fishy’s going on at the Heights.”

  Mel stopped in mid-sip. “Like what?”

  “Like I heard Sorvini and Chandler are doing stuff that’s not on the plans.”

  “Do you have any specifics? Who talked? When did—”

  Shay exhaled hard. “Christ. I wish I talked to you sooner. But then this shit happened.” She gestured toward her battered face. “And yesterday, I was…I think I was high most of the day.”

  “Shay, tell me.” Mel set her coffee on the table and pulled out her tablet. “I won’t involve you, but I need specifics, please.”

  “The guys said they struck rock so big excavating the leaching field that Sorvini told Chandler to dig around it, to move the field’s location. They’re already digging in the new spot. I don’t know if foundation trenches have been moved, too.”

  Mel stopped making notes on her tablet and Shay watched her gaze take on an eerie blue haze, a vacant look beyond her toward the lake, as if seeing something in her mind. Then they flashed crisply to her.

  “Mike and I will go out there to see. Damn it. I don’t think there’s a way to check everything in time for t
his week’s paper, but I can try asking around.”

  “Well, these guys had no reason to make stuff up. I believe them because they saw the whole thing in terms of cash. They heard Sorvini say Della wants things sped up, so he’s pushing.”

  Shay could practically hear the wheels turning in Mel’s mind.

  “It all sort of blew my mind, too,” she continued, “so I went to Della and tried to get it out of her, see if she knew.”

  “Shay, I’m no fan of hers, but I’d be the first to admit she’s sharp. She wouldn’t allow Sorvini—either of them—to screw this up.”

  Shay shrugged. “She’s shrewd, Mel. She didn’t fess up to anything, but she endorsed Sorvini like he’s some Wonder Boy and said he’s got her blessing to ‘expedite’ the project. So, whether she knows the details or not—and probably not—the buck still stops with her.”

  “True.” Mel sat back heavily, her tablet abandoned on her lap. “Damn it.”

  Shay stroked Mel’s hand. “I don’t know all this for fact, Mel, but I’d bet on it. Just how you go about showing it…Just be careful.”

  Mel nodded distantly. “Of all days.”

  “I’m so sorry. I should’ve told you sooner, I know, like at our picnic on Sunday, but…Well, it wasn’t on my mind.”

  “It’s okay.” Mel entwined their fingers. “Sunday was…for us. And then, God, Shay, you were dragged through hell. I don’t blame you at all.” She squeezed Shay’s hand as she sat back. “I just have to figure out the next step.” She shoved her tablet into her satchel and grabbed her coffee cup. “There are a lot of pieces to put into place if we’re going to run something this big this week. I doubt we’ll make it, but I have to try.” She gulped down two mouthfuls of coffee and palmed the uninjured side of Shay’s face. “Thank you.”

  “Will you keep in touch?” Shay looked up as Mel prepared to dash off. “This worries me, Mel. There’s a lot on the line here and it’s bound to set them off.”

  “Believe me. I know.” She ran a finger along Shay’s jaw and Shay wanted to pull her back down beside her. “Mike and I have to do some quick work. Of course, if I can’t reach the building inspector in time, this will all have to wait till next week. I’ll call you soon, okay?” At the top porch step, she looked back and held up crossed fingers. “Won’t this just make me the hit of Tomson?”