* * * *
She met Jordan at the car after her shift. Ellie got in and sighed.
“You’re not still feeling sick?” Jordan asked, leaning over for a brief moment to kiss her softly, before she started the engine. “I was hoping for a celebratory drink.”
“People like that will always make me sick, but sure. There’s somewhere I’d like to go first, if you don’t mind.”
“No problem. Where are we going?”
Jordan’s expression revealed her surprise, but she didn’t comment when Ellie gave her directions to the cemetery.
“I’m sorry if this looks like a bizarre way of introducing you to my parents, now that we’re going to get married. I don’t mean it that way. I just felt like dropping by.”
“I understand. It’s a big day. I wish I could have met them.”
“Yeah. They would have loved you. I…I’ve been going more lately, but I have to admit I didn’t for a while. Almost the whole time we’ve been together.”
“Why?” Jordan asked. There was no judgment in her tone, just curiosity.
“I don’t know. I guess I felt like I had to prove something to myself, have something to show for, especially after the attack. Now…I have a whole lot, a promotion and an engagement ring. Surprise, no matter how much I achieve, it still doesn’t bring them back.”
Jordan took her hand at a red light, and Ellie let herself be comforted by the warmth of the touch.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get all dramatic.” In fact, she hadn’t said these things out loud to anyone. With Jordan, she could. It was a relief to know.
“That’s okay. Would you like to get flowers?”
“I didn’t think about…maybe. Yes.”
They stopped at a flower shop where Ellie had the florist put together a bouquet of spring flowers.
When they arrived at her parents’ plot, there was already a bouquet of long-stemmed roses draped across the grave.
“What the—” At the last moment, she reminded herself of the place they were at. “Okay, they are nice, but this is weird.”
Jordan waited patiently.
“No one comes here except me—ever.”
“Maybe someone wanted to be friendly.”
“This is expensive. Unless my parents had some rich friends I don’t know about…I doubt someone would do this as a random kind gesture.”
Maybe she was still freaked out by the idea that somebody wanted to kill just to see what it was like…maybe some people were kind. Truth be told, Ellie hadn’t made much of an effort to keep in touch with friends of her parents. The depth of loss couldn’t compare, at least that’s how she had felt at the time. Perhaps she should find some of them, see if they wanted to talk some time.
“On the other hand, you could be right. There are a few people I should probably call at some point. It took me a long time, but…I knew they would want to talk about Mom and Dad, and at the time, I couldn’t.”
Jordan nodded. “I know it’s not the same, because my parents were alive all along, but I understand you get used to burying it.”
Ellie stared at the roses for a long moment.
“Maybe. I shouldn’t have. They were good people. And they had some good people in their lives that cared about them, that I shut out. You had every reason to feel about Kathryn and Jim the way you did…”
“Yeah. Her recent Samaritan deeds notwithstanding. Are you really worried about those flowers?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll see if there are others, and perhaps make a few of those calls finally.”
Ellie knelt down to put her bouquet next to the roses.
When she got up, Jordan pulled her into an embrace. “Thank you for taking me here,” she said.
“I’m not sure what to say to that, but I think it’s time for that drink now. Let’s go.”
* * * *
Cliff Waters wasn’t at the Night Shift, but Derek sat at a table with Detective Maria Doss, making Jordan wonder if they had rekindled their brief relationship—though the setting didn’t look terribly intimate. In any case she was glad she and Ellie could invite them both to the wedding without worrying.
“Hey, Harding, good work,” Doss greeted Ellie. “Are you guys worried about your record yet?”
The latter part was meant for Derek and Jordan. She shrugged.
“Wait, you hold a record?” Ellie asked, her eyes wide. “How come no one ever told me?”
“You’ve only been around us for a few days, have a little patience,” Doss advised. She gave Jordan a quizzical look. “How are you not exhausted? No offense, Ellie. You’re the reason I can work solo now, for the first time in years, and I’m loving it. Now, let’s talk about people that aren’t solo. Are you all ready for the big day?”
Jordan shared a look with Ellie, certain that she was thinking the same thing. Basically, we need to take care of everything yesterday—this weekend, to be realistic.
“Sure, it’s going great,” she said, eliciting a smile from Ellie. “No one’s got any allergies, right?”
At this moment, Ellie looked downright panicked.
“Relax! Everyone came to Marcus’ retirement party, and nothing bad happened, remember? People were all right with what Maria served at her birthday too.”
“Well, I don’t think I ever met a cop with a donut allergy,” a cheery voice said, making them all turn around.
“Hey guys. I hear there’s a wedding to plan, and correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the maid of honor hasn’t been announced yet.”
“Kate, hi. I hope that means you’re volunteering? It’s all hands on deck.”
Kate pulled herself a chair and sat down, placing her glass on the table.
“I’ll definitely be here for a while. I’ve finally decided to go back to school next semester. I’ll be working for friends of my grandparents over the summer, but that leaves me plenty of time to see off my best friend into marriage.” She only gave a quick glance to Derek who smiled as if none of this was news to him—Jordan concluded that in all likelihood, it wasn’t.
Ellie leaned over to hug her. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
It wasn’t self-evident, after Kate had lost her fiancé shortly before the planned wedding. However, it seemed that she was happy with her decisions.
Jordan wondered if she could stick with her decision to never talk to Kathryn again, or if she’d been out of line, with her, with Ellie.
“Me too,” Kate said, stealing another quick glance. “So tell me, what are you going to wear? What’s the menu? Who’s coming?”
Maria laughed. “Don’t scare them.”
“I’m not scared,” Ellie said. “However, we’re going to be very busy in the next few weeks.”
Chapter Nine
Ellie’s emotions were all over the place on this day, and she was grateful Jordan was able to simply go along with it when she was in this kind of mood. Okay, so her mixed emotions came with pleasant results for her soon to be wife. It was incredibly liberating to close the door of their own home behind them and leave a trail of clothes all over the floor, knowing there’d be no one to walk in on them.
Eventually, they made it to the bedroom, but not before spending some time on the new couch.
Her mind clear again, Ellie gathered magazines and invitation samples and spread them all over the bed.
“Big day,” Jordan commented. She sat back against the headboard, now wearing a tank top and shorts, her cheeks still flushed. Ellie was tempted, but she wanted to finalize one more thing today.
“Yeah. And I got reminded of everything we haven’t gotten done yet. So, how about this one?” She held up one of the samples. “It’s simple and classy, and I think they can do it rather quickly.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“It’s a good thing the people we want there will RSVP in person, so we can go to the caterer right away and tell them how much food we need. I believe Kate and Derek might come together.”
�
��Yeah, given that they left together earlier, it’s a safe bet.”
“You think Maria will have a plus one?”
Jordan shrugged. “No idea.”
“You think I should ask Cliff? I’m not sure he even cares, but I guess it would be odd not to ask him.”
“Ask him. I don’t think there’s a chance in hell he would want to be seen at a lesbian wedding.”
Ellie had to admit that it was a possibility. “Libby, Casey, Wes,” she said the names out loud while writing them down. “You’re sure about Kathryn and Jim? I don’t mind either way, and I’m sure neither do Jack and Pauline.”
“I’m sure,” Jordan said, and her tone left no doubt that the subject was closed for her.
“Okay. There’s someone I’d like to call, a couple of friends of my mom she was close with. I haven’t talked to them in years, and I don’t even know if they want to talk to me, but I want to give it a try. Darla. Oh. The lieutenant? What’s the etiquette for that? Sergeant Bristol might want to come. If we invite Cliff, then he should be on the list too. I really owe him for letting me work with you guys so often. Valerie?”
“Um. I don’t think so. And I don’t think she’ll feel left out. Don’t say it.”
“I wasn’t going to. No exes, I’m totally fine with that.”
Jordan laughed. “I’m so relieved. Seriously, I think we should keep it down to a comfortable number. Everyone gets along.”
“That’s the plan.”
* * * *
It wasn’t until the next evening that Ellie found the time and the courage to make the call. She didn’t have a recent phone number, so after her shift, she sat in her car and did a quick internet search on her phone. Jordan was working later. They’d meet at home after.
No more delays.
Ellie found a social media account, and from there it didn’t take her many detective skills to come up with a phone number. She thought she might not even recognize the voice, but when the phone was answered, and Madeline Kaplan spoke, her throat went tight. The last time they’d talked, it had been at the funeral. Ellie had barely been able to acknowledge anyone on that day. All she knew was that she felt all alone in the world, no matter how many people were present.
Everything had changed. She was planning her wedding.
“Hello? Who is this?”
She cleared her throat, realizing that she’d been lost in thought.
“Madeline? It’s Ellie Harding.” A few seconds ticked by, and Ellie hurried to fill the silence. “You probably think I’m out of line, calling you after all those years. I’m really sorry I never reached out before. It was just…It seemed too hard. I’m sorry I didn’t realize it was hard for you too.”
“Ellie, hold on, I’m so glad to hear from you! How are you?” Madeline’s voice sounded shaky, and Ellie was afraid they might both be crying by the end of the call.
“Much better than when you saw me the last time. I’m doing well,” she said. “This is part of why I called. I was wondering if you’d like to have a coffee sometime.”
“I’d love to,” Madeline said without hesitation. “I’ve felt bad, too. I thought I maybe should have tried harder—but you made it pretty clear that you didn’t want the contact with your parents’ friends. May I ask you what made you change your mind?”
Ellie sighed. “I realized that even if I don’t talk about them, I still think about them every day. I thought I couldn’t bear to hear the stories, about everything you shared, but the truth is I want to know. It’s even more important to me now, because I’m getting married.”
“Ellie, honey, that’s fantastic! I’d love to hear all about it. Why don’t you come by for dinner tonight? And bring your partner. We have so much catching up to do, why not start as soon as possible?”
“I…I can ask. Are you sure it’s okay?”
Madeline laughed. “I’m cooking for half a dozen people anyway, what’s two more? Come. You remember my family, right? Susie has her own business now. Walt is away in college, and the twins are growing up too fast.”
Ellie had vague memories of Madeline’s children.
“Wow,” was all she could say. “You must be so proud.”
“I am. I can’t wait to see you, and I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.”
Was it too fast, too easy? Ellie wondered. But why shouldn’t it be easy for once?
“Thank you so much. Just one more thing—I don’t mind, but I was just wondering if you left flowers on the grave recently? Long-stemmed roses?”
“I’m afraid that wasn’t me. Of course, Meri and Pat would be worth it, but I don’t believe there’s actually anything there…the soul, you know?”
“I understand. Thanks. I’ll see you later,” Ellie said and quickly ended the call. Meri and Pat. Now her eyes were welling up, but she didn’t have a lot of time to indulge in the emotion. Her next call was to Jordan.
“Change of plans, if you don’t mind,” she said. “I called Madeline, my mom’s BFF? She was so happy about the call she invited us to dinner. Tonight.”
“Are you okay? You don’t sound happy.” Jordan didn’t waste any time.
“I’m good, just a little…shaken, I guess. This is a bit more intense than I thought, but I said I’d come. You think you can make it?”
“Looks like it. Nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow, frankly. Does she know your fiancée is a woman?”
Ellie understood the real question behind, does she care?
“She said ‘partner’ but I’m not sure how she meant it. In any case, I don’t think it’s a problem. I can’t remember my parents hanging out with that kind of people.”
“I just want you to be okay. All right. I’ll sneak out as soon as I can.”
“How about now? I’m still in the parking lot.”
Jordan laughed. “That would work, too.”
* * * *
Things were going well for Ellie, so it was probably time to stop worrying, Jordan reflected as they arrived at the address Madeline Kaplan had given Ellie.
She had done well on her first case, her best friend was back in town to be her maid of honor, and she had reconnected with a friend of her parents’, all in a matter of days. Ellie never hesitated when it came to the important things in life, and she’d rather worry about it later than miss a chance. Jordan had to remember that. She had to remember that not everyone’s parents, and their friends, were irresponsible and unreliable.
Still, she was nervous when Ellie rang the doorbell. She’d had girlfriends before who weren’t out to their family or where the introduction to the parents turned awkward. Bethany had been in the latter category, though they hardly ever saw her parents. It didn’t matter at the time.
It mattered now, because Kaplan was the closest connection Ellie had to her parents, especially her mother.
A girl of pre-teen age opened the door to them, regarding them curiously.
“Hi,” she said, and into the slightly awkward silence, “I’m Sarah.”
“Hi Sarah. I’m Ellie, and this is Jordan. Your mom…”
“Sarah, did you answer the door? Ellie. Oh my God. You’re all grown up.” She wrapped Ellie into a tight hug before shaking Jordan’s hand.
“It’s so nice to meet you too. This day is just full of wonderful surprises. Come on in.”
Jordan caught Ellie’s smile to her. She, of course, had been right about the kind of people her parents were friends with. Madeline Kaplan seemed genuine. Why shouldn’t she be?
Ellie was easy to love.
* * * *
After dinner, Susie Kaplan and her husband said goodbye, and the twin girls, Sarah and Lily, went to do their homework. Jordan and Ellie sat in the den with Madeline and her husband Brad. They had taken out various photo albums, and a bottle of Scotch. Jordan declined the latter, as she was the one driving.
She excused herself as her cell phone rang, thinking Ellie looked a bit overwhelmed. Perhaps it was time to call it a night soon.
“Carpenter.” She had stepped aside into the kitchen area, from which she still had a good view of the scenery.
“It’s April. You asked me to look into Andrews Secure Living? I’m not sure this has anything to do with the case you closed, but there’s definitely something shady going on.”
Jordan instantly switched from monitoring the cozy reunion scene to shop talk with the detective she’d asked for a favor. Since she hadn’t heard anything from April in a few days, she had assumed there was nothing.
“Can I meet you tomorrow, first thing in the morning?”
“Will you buy me a coffee? Then we have a date.”
“You people in Fraud drive a hard bargain. Okay, sure. I’m curious.”
“You won’t be disappointed. I’ll see you there,” April promised.
“Thanks. Bye.”
That was good news indeed. No proof in the world would bring her husband back, but knowing she’d been right might help Mrs. Kenning after all.
She joined Ellie and their hosts, apologizing once more.
“Oh, I’m sure it was important,” Madeline said. “You two are doing such amazing work. Ellie’s mom and dad would be beside themselves with pride if they were here now.”
“I don’t doubt that. I’m very proud of her. Did Ellie tell you that she just solved her first big case?”
Ellie gave her a grateful smile. No matter how important it was to confront your past, sometimes it was helpful to remind yourself of adult achievements. Jordan could relate to that more than anyone.
* * * *
Ellie was barely waking up when Jordan came out of the shower the next morning.
“I thought you we had a little more time,” she said, sounding disappointed.
“I wish. I promised April to buy her a coffee.”
“Okay, go on. Who’s April?” She sat up, leaning against the headboard.
Jordan was pretty sure she was only teasing—but in her opinion, it was too early in the morning for that. “April from Fraud, regarding the Kenning case.”
Ellie sat up straighter. “Really? I thought that was closed?”
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