Close Encounters

by Kitt, Sandra

  Lee opened the door to his police colleagues, Anthony and Jeremy. They looked first at Lee and then beyond him to Carol, who regarded the two officers with calm curiosity. The two men stepped into the apartment.

  “Lieutenant,” Anthony murmured, nodding to Lee. He said nothing to Carol.

  “Is she ready?” Jeremy asked Lee.

  Lee shook hands with both men, then drew Carol forward to stand next to him. “Carol, this is Anthony and Jeremy. They’re from my squad. They’re going to take you to your brother’s place. He’s waiting for you.”

  “I’m Carol Taggart,” she introduced herself. “You probably don’t remember me from that early morning back in January.”

  “We know who you are,” Jeremy replied.

  “Since you’re here, I know it means you want to do whatever you can for Lee.”

  The two officers exchanged glances with Lee.

  “Yeah, that’s right,” Anthony confirmed.

  “You trust him?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then please believe that Lee wouldn’t ask you to help me if it wasn’t very important. His career and my dignity and credibility are on the line. We wouldn’t jeopardize either unless we believed in how we feel. So… I want to thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt.”

  Still without comment, Lee transferred his attention to his men. Anthony looked genuinely surprised. Jeremy nodded as he stood aside for Carol to pass.

  “Jeremy and I took some personal time so no one would know what we’re doing, Lee,” Anthony said. “Everyone’s pretty tied up making arrangements for Barb, anyway.”

  “Yeah, the mayor’s been making statements to the press about how brave she was, how she helped capture a player we’ve been after for a long time. There was no mention of you, Lieutenant. We managed to keep that out of the report.”

  “What about Carol? Did her name come up?”

  “Yeah, she was mentioned—the story made the front page of today’s paper.”

  Carol and Lee gazed at each other. “You’d better go,” he said.

  The two officers stepped discreetly back into the hall to wait for her. She pressed a light kiss to Lee’s mouth and whispered, “Thank you for taking care of me. When do you think we’ll see each other again?”

  Lee’s eyes filled with regret and resignation. “Probably in court,” he said.

  “Are you nervous?”

  Carol didn’t answer Wesley right away. Weeks ago, she’d stopped putting a name to how she felt. She was too numb. Too tired and impatient.

  Carol was also grateful to Matt, in an odd way, for his interference which had set the wheels in motion for the suit with the city.

  She was sure she had the epiphany from a near-death experience and meeting Lee to thank for other significant changes in her life. The assignment of blame or guilt was pointless. Any monetary compensation was irrelevant. She had learned a basic truth that no one owed her anything and that her life belonged to herself. The awareness may have set her free, but it was also a lonely place.

  She sighed as she and Wes climbed the steps to the courthouse building on Centre Street in lower Manhattan. “Not nervous,” she said. “Just glad this will soon be over.”

  “It will be. We got a real break when the judge decided to call it in a month early.”

  “It was still a month too long.”

  “The system moves slowly, but it does move.”

  Wes took Carol’s arm to steer her through the entrance and to the security check which obscured what had once been a majestic foyer.

  Carol had become familiar with the routine, the personnel, the surprisingly small and outdated rooms where the fate of people’s lives was decided. During the first two weeks of preliminary hearings back in March, she’d gotten used to the small group of ardent and persistent demonstrators who caused enough commotion outside the court to ensure daily press coverage of their outrage about police negligence and brutality. By now, they had given up their vigil. It could have been worse.

  So far the public had made no direct connection between her and Lieutenant Lee Grafton. Perhaps it had helped that except for the first meeting, when everyone directly or indirectly involved in the case had been present, Lee had not attended any other hearings.

  Carol had not seen or heard from him in weeks. She had not talked about him to Wes, and her brother had made only legal references to him, in relation to their case. But she had found a safe haven in her mind and heart, where her feelings for Lee remained strong.

  “The good news, Carol,” Wes continued, “is that so far the police aren’t contesting that they are responsible for your being shot. The ballistics tests were gold in terms of evidence. You have a clean record as a law-abiding citizen. We don’t have to prove anything.”

  “And the bad news?” she asked, as they got off the elevator and headed toward the judge’s anteroom for the meeting with police counsel.

  “So far, there isn’t any,” Wes said cheerfully.

  Carol was not inclined to agree.

  The bad news was that the hearings, appearances, documents, and pretrial meetings seemed endless. The case had disrupted her teaching schedule and she’d had to postpone a trip out west to visit her parents and to meet Ann’s fiancé. She’d moved back to her own apartment, only to conclude that she would prefer to move out altogether rather than endure the daily reminders of what had happened there.

  “Look, you’re doing good. I know this doesn’t mean all that much to you, but it’s the principle of accountability that I’m after.”

  “And all I’m after is getting on with my life.”

  Wes sighed as they reached the doors. “Me, too. But I don’t want you to have to worry about how you’re going to support yourself.”

  As Wes reached for the door, it suddenly opened and a young woman stepped out. She looked back and forth between him and Carol.

  “Good, you’re here,” she said. “I need to speak with you for a minute before you go in. Just you, counselor.”

  Wes immediately turned to Carol. “Give me a minute,” he said, stepping aside to converse quietly with the woman, a city representative.

  Carol strolled away, letting herself speculate on how Lee was handling the situation. Were the legal proceedings wearing him down? Had their lack of contact obliterated the feelings he’d declared for her? Despite what he’d told her, when all was said and done, would he still love her?

  “Carol…”

  Wes was calling out to her. There were now three more lawyers in the hallway with her brother, all waiting for her to join them. Carol did so, taking her time while she tried to read their expressions. But they were like her brother, who gave nothing away. A poker face, Wes called it. And Carol wondered whose bluff was about to be called.

  Wes put his arm lightly around her shoulder as she stood next to him.

  “Carol, they want to settle.”

  “Settle?” she asked blankly.

  “They want to suggest a specific compensation. You understand this doesn’t mean the police or the city admits to any wrongdoing, but we all agree that if this goes to trial it will take longer, cost more money, generate unwanted publicity… and you could end up taking them to the cleaners. No guarantee, of course, but I’d personally bet the farm on the outcome.”

  Carol examined each of the faces regarding her. They were clearly waiting for some response from her, and she wasn’t going to give them one.

  “Can we talk about this?” she asked Wesley.

  “Absolutely,” he said, walking them away down the corridor. “This is what they’re offering,” he added, giving Carol a figure.

  “That’s a lot of money,” she murmured.

  “It sure is,” Wes agreed.

  “What do you think?”

  “I think it’s a fair offer. It’s less than I asked for, but you’re saved the aggravation and stress of waiting for a jury trial. If we go that route, the police and city will keep filing delays for as lon
g as they can get away with it. This case could go on for another year.”

  “Wes, I don’t want to be doing this next month, let alone next year.”

  “I didn’t think so. So, shall we accept?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Everyone gathered in the judge’s chambers to work out the exact wording and stipulations of the settlement. The room was crowded with men, many of them in uniform, lots of lawyers and note takers—and Lee.

  Carol felt a peculiar twisting of her stomach when she realized that he, too, had been summoned for the occasion. She allowed herself only one covert glance in his direction, and then gave her attention totally to Wes and the judge. But she was as aware of Lee’s presence as if he’d been sitting next to her, holding her hand.

  The negotiations took almost two hours.

  At the conclusion the judge offered Carol the only official acknowledgment she’d received from the city about what had happened to her.

  “The money is secondary to being alive, Your Honor,” Carol said with dignity. “The most important thing to me is not to let this episode rule my life. I’ve learned a lot from it, and now it’s time to move on.”

  There were congratulations and handshaking, everyone pleased with themselves. Carol hoped Lee would approach and say something, but Wes hustled her out of the room.

  “It’s best that we leave and not let them feel too proud of themselves, Carol. Believe me, they think they’ve gotten off easy.”

  “So have I,” she said dryly. “Does this mean it’s all over?”

  “It sure does. And I suggest it’s not necessary to celebrate by spending your entire award to support Bloomingdale’s or Nordstrom.”

  Carol ignored her brother’s caustic wit. They were almost out the door when she glanced over her shoulder in search of Lee. But Wes propelled her into the hall.

  “Wes, wait a minute—”

  “No, Carol,” he said, leading her toward the elevator. “Now is not the time. You are still being watched. Everything has to be aboveboard until the ink is dry and the check has been cashed.”

  Of course he was right. They stood in silence, waiting for the elevator to arrive. Other people gathered around them, and the crowd grew larger. Carol hazarded a look back toward the room she’d just left and saw the contingent of NYPD officials making their way to the elevator as well. She spotted Lee immediately and waited for him to make eye contact. But he never once looked in her direction.

  The elevator doors opened, emptied of several passengers, and then began to fill again with those waiting to descend. Carol had no choice but to step aboard with Wes. She waited to see if the police would try to get on, but they didn’t. They were out of her line of vision now, but she heard a sudden burst of male laughter from the group. Wes put his hand on her back, as if to comfort her.

  The elevator doors closed, cutting off the sounds, and the elevator began to descend.

  Chapter Sixteen

  CAROL FINISHED MARKING THE TOP of the box and, getting on her knees, pushed it across the bare floor and against the wall. That made three that she’d filled with art, accessories, and furniture from the foyer. There was also the rolled carpet from the entrance, ready to be carted downstairs for pickup by the sanitation department. And Wes was in the bedroom repairing a ceiling fixture.

  She stood up and surveyed the area again, but no longer felt any flashbacks of the attack that had taken place here. The wood floor was permanently damaged and she’d decided to have it sanded and resealed. And she was still going to move eventually.

  When the buzzer sounded, Carol called out to Wes, “I’ll get it,” and pushed the intercom button.

  “Who is it?”

  “Delivery,” a young male voice announced, giving the name of the local supermarket.

  “Come on up,” Carol instructed, releasing the front door.

  She made sure the way was clear for her packages to be brought in and then went to get money to tip the deliveryman. The doorbell rang as she retrieved her purse from the living room.

  “Coming,” she called out, reaching the door and unlocking it.

  A teenager stood outside the door with two packages in his arms. Carol waved him into the kitchen, frowning as she followed him.

  “Is this okay?” he asked, putting the bags on the counter.

  “Yes, but is this everything?” she questioned. “I’m sure I ordered more than this.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He pointed back to the front door. “The rest is coming now.”

  Carol looked up and saw Lee standing in the doorway, holding the third bag of groceries. She was so unprepared for his appearance that she just stood and stared at him.

  “He said he knew you,” the teen added when he noticed the surprise on Carol’s face.

  She recovered quickly, pulled several bills from her purse, and passed the money to the young man. “Yes, I know him. Thanks very much.”

  “That’s okay. That man already tipped me.”

  Carol detected a slight smile on Lee’s mouth, his eyes alert and watchful. She approached him and took the bag out of his hands. “A tip… or was it a bribe?”

  “’Cuse me?” the teen questioned.

  “Never mind. Thanks again,” she said and he left. She placed the third bag of groceries in the kitchen and returned to the hallway, slowly.

  They faced each other in silence. Finally Carol waved Lee inside and closed the door. Nothing about him seemed to have changed, except that he appeared to be remarkably relaxed. He was dressed in jeans and a navy-blue polo shirt under a brown suede aviation jacket. It was zippered and seemed to bulge out. He put his hands in the pockets.

  “You look like you’re pregnant,” she commented. “It wasn’t me.”

  He chuckled. “If I am, my reputation is ruined.” He sobered quickly and stared at her. “I guess I don’t need to ask if you’re surprised to see me.” He noted that her bruises and cuts were all completely healed.

  Carol was also wearing jeans, and a gray athletic sweatshirt with the name of the college where she taught printed across the front.

  “If you meant to surprise me, it worked,” she said. “Why didn’t you just say it was you?”

  “I was a little afraid you might not want to see me yet.”

  “Funny… I’ve been thinking the same thing about you.”

  “You were wrong,” Lee said earnestly. “I don’t think I can tell you how good it is to see you again, Carol.”

  “Try,” she said bluntly, watching his face.

  Lee grinned slowly at the command, but he was also relieved. He leaned toward her, tilting his head to one side. Carol followed suit, bending hers the other way so that their lips could meet. Then he boldly deepened his kiss with an intimacy that quickly eliminated the many weeks, and all the doubts of their separation.

  The familiar sense of well-being returned to them both, along with a warmth that, for the moment, left no need for more. The kiss slowly ended.

  “I feel the same way… and more,” Lee admitted.

  “How can you be so sure?” she asked.

  “I was never in doubt.”

  “Which is a good thing,” said another male voice, “since you’re going to need your convictions and a lot of fairy dust to pull this off.”

  They turned as Wesley emerged from Carol’s bedroom carrying a small ladder and a box of tools. She was about to make introductions when she became aware of the way Wes and Lee were sizing each other up.

  “Wesley, this is—”

  “I know who this is.” He leaned the ladder against the wall and stuck out his hand. “I’m glad we’re no longer facing each other across a courtroom,” he said, shaking Lee’s hand. “So… you’re not going to give up, are you?”

  Lee shook his head. He reached out and took one of Carol’s hands to hold tightly. “Not a chance.”

  Wes grunted.

  Their attention was caught by a squeak and a movement from the front of Lee’s jacket. Carol frowned a
nd poked a finger at him. “What do you have in there?”

  “Why don’t you take a look and find out?”

  Carol cautiously pulled down the zipper. Then she gasped, putting out her hands quickly to catch the round butterscotch ball that tumbled out with a tiny yelp.

  “Oh, Lee! Look at him. Ooooh … he’s so cute!” she gushed, carefully cupping the puppy in her hands and holding him up to examine him. She made silly kissing sounds at the animal.

  “How come you never do that to me?” Lee teased, pleased by her immediate acceptance of the pet.

  “You’re not nearly as cute as this little guy,” she answered.

  Wes rolled his eyes. “If you’ll excuse me… I’ll return this ladder to your super. You now have a new ceiling fixture in the bedroom.” He looked from his sister, who was still cooing over the frisky puppy, to Lee. “Do you know what you’re up against?”

  “No more than anyone else,” Lee said calmly, facing Wes.

  “And where are you going to take up residence? Tibet?”

  “Wesley—” Carol began, annoyed.

  “Take it easy, we’re just marking our territory,” he said dryly. “I have the right to play the protective big brother.”

  “And I’m the significant other,” Lee said. “Carol and I have a lot of catching up to do. Then we’ll talk about what happens next.”

  “Is he worth it, Carol?” Wes persisted.

  Carol rubbed her cheek against the puppy and gazed at Lee. “We’re each a work in progress,” she said.

  Wes nodded thoughtfully. He picked up the ladder again and opened the door to leave. “You’re not going to want me to take you to dinner tonight, so I’ll talk to you later. You, too,” he said to Lee, walking out the door.

  Carol and Lee exchanged glances.

  “Good man,” Lee commented.

  “Yes, he is,” Carol agreed. She gazed down at the pup. “Is he for Erica? She’s going to love him.”

  Lee shook his head, reaching out to scratch the puppy’s head. “Erica is a horse lover. This guy’s for you.”

  It took a moment for his words to fully register. The smile faded from Carol’s face and she looked almost pained. Then she transferred the small animal back to Lee’s arms.