by Jade Winters
Once alone, Keri flopped back on the bed, and pulled the sheet over her face. She pressed her face against the spot where Helen’s perfume was most prominent. Inhaling deeply, she realised with a start how nice it was that someone actually got her. That she didn’t have to tell Helen what she was feeling. Maybe she had been too hasty dismissing her. Could she commit to Helen? Wholeheartedly commit? She wasn’t sure, she’d never tried before. Not because she didn’t want to. More like no one had been on her emotional level. Like Helen was. Strangely, she found herself warming to the idea of being around Helen more. Maybe she’d be a good influence on her. She could visit Keri once or twice a month at her apartment in Manchester. That, she decided could actually work. I’ll run it by Helen over lunch.
Chapter Twenty-Six
A noise in the doorway caught her attention. Sitting on a chair behind her desk, Callie stopped typing and braced herself. It was Astrid. This was the moment she had been dreading all afternoon. Coming face to face with her again after their early morning tryst on the mountain. Back in her safe zone, she still couldn’t believe she had done the deed with a near enough stranger, never mind the fact that they were in a public place and could have been seen by anyone. If it hadn’t been so exciting, so exhilarating, she might have felt ashamed of herself. But she wasn’t. In truth, if the opportunity presented itself again she wouldn’t hesitate, not for a moment. But would it happen again? Neither woman had said anything about the future. Was it a one off or the beginning of something new? Callie desperately wanted it to be the latter. Astrid had somehow managed to reach inside her and open a door that she thought would never be unlocked.
The office door opened.
‘Am I interrupting you?’
Images flashed through her head. Never in a million years. ‘No, I’m retweeting a few posts from Lexi’s friends.’
‘Nothing new then?’
‘Nope. How about you?’
Astrid scratched her cheek and glanced at the floor. ‘Um, no. Not really.’
‘How’s your ankle?’
‘Sore, but the pain killers are helping.’
Callie glanced up from the computer screen. ‘Good. So, did you speak to Luke?’
‘Uh huh.’
‘And? Does he know anything about Lexi’s disappearance?’
‘He said he doesn’t. But he pointed me in the direction of someone else. A boy called Darren. Did Lexi ever talk about him to you?’
Callie thought hard. Darren? She vaguely recalled Lexi mentioning him a few times. ‘Yeah I think so. Why?’
‘Luke implied she was seeing him.’
Callie eyed Astrid cautiously. ‘Do you believe him?’
Astrid shrugged. ‘Who knows?’
‘Oh, okay.’ Callie thought it a little odd that Astrid seemed to be clamming up about the story. She thought she would have found out something. Even if it was a little bit of gossip. She debated whether to probe further but decided to leave it. Surely Astrid would have told her if she’d found something important.
Astrid’s brows furrowed. ‘So I was wondering … you want to do something later?’
‘You and me?’ Callie asked feeling a sense of giddiness rise within.
Astrid looked around the office, then back to Callie. ‘We’re the only ones here.’
Callie laughed nervously. ‘Yes, so we are. Yes, I’d love to.’
‘Good. So what do you suggest we do?’
Bottle of wine back at my place where I can devour you? ‘Um I don’t know really. We could go out for a meal or a drink. What do you fancy?’
‘You,’ she said taking a step nearer. ‘How about we go back to your place …’
Yes!
‘To?’ Callie asked, slowly stroking her lower lip with the tip of her finger.
‘To do what you promised.’
‘What I promised?’ Callie thought back to the many declarations she made in the throes of her many orgasms. She had said a lot of things but remembered none.
‘Do you want to jog my memory?’
‘I’d like nothing more.’ She leant in and lowered her voice to an intimate murmur. ‘You said—’
Callie’s phone rang on her desk. Just great! Then realising it might be something to do with Lexi she lunged for her phone.
‘It’s Roxy,’ she said before answering it. ‘Whoa slow down, I can’t understand you. Tell me again … they found … oh my God, where?’ Her voice was subdued. ‘I’ll be right there. Give me ten minutes.’
Callie grabbed her keys off the desk and rushed towards the door. ‘I’m sorry, I’ve got to go.’
Astrid gave her an odd look. ‘What’s happened? Is it about Lexi?’
‘Yes. They’ve found her bag.’
‘Oh shit. Where?’
‘In a bin at the youth club.’
‘Jesus Christ. Can I come with you?’
‘You can, but stay out of sight. I don’t want Roxy seeing you. She’s in a bad enough state as it is.’
‘I promise you won’t even know I’m there.’
A few moments later they were in the Jeep, speeding away from the kerb.
‘So this is the bag she took with her when she went missing?’ Astrid asked as Callie swerved around a cyclist and slammed her foot on the accelerator to avoid being stuck at an amber light ahead.
‘Yes. Her phone was in it,’ she said in a fierce whisper. ‘Lexi never goes anywhere without her phone.’
***
‘Oh no,’ Callie cried when she rounded the corner and a hive of activity came into view. Police dogs and their controllers were everywhere. Neighbours hanging out of windows. Kids on bikes. News vans. It was a circus.
‘I see your colleagues are here.’ Callie couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice. To them Lexi was just a name. She wasn’t a real person. They’d write their headlines for the morning papers, then get on with their lives not giving her a second thought.
‘Seems so,’ Astrid said.
‘Are you going to stay in the car?’
‘No. I think I’ll mill around for a bit. I really hope this doesn’t point to anything bad.’
‘Me too.’
Astrid leant over and planted a kiss on her lips. ‘I’m here if you need me.’
Callie exited the Jeep. If the circumstances weren’t so dire, she would have been ecstatic. Tonight was going to be far removed from the times when she had gone home stressed or worried and had no one to talk to. She glanced back one last time before she pushed her way through the crowd and caught sight of Roxy and Robert speaking to an officer. Roxy fell into Callie’s open arms as she neared. Sobbing, her words were barely audible. The stench of alcohol was overwhelming.
‘She’s gone. It’s too late … no going back …’ Roxy’s body half collapsed and Callie squatted to help stand her up straight. Over her shoulder she watched as the policeman said a few words to Robert.
‘What did he say?’ Callie asked Robert when the officer walked away.
Robert eyed Roxy and gave a small shake of the head. Callie was surprised he didn’t show any concern for her welfare. He was detached.
‘They’re going to keep searching,’ he said almost as an afterthought.
‘Was there any evidence on the bag?’ she mouthed to him. She was talking about blood. By the way Robert shook his head, she knew he understood.
Robert took Roxy by the arm, his grip so tight his hands were pale. ‘Let’s make a move, Rox.’
‘No,’ she groaned, shrugging him off. ‘I want to stay here.’
‘What’s the point? The police will contact us when they … if they find anything.’
Roxy tried to steady herself, using Callie’s shoulder. ‘What about the press? They already think Robert’s hiding something,’ she slurred.
Roxy was right when she thought about it. Robert would leave a bad impression if he disappeared without saying a word, Callie thought it was in Robert’s best interests to say something. Even if it was a few words to confirm th
e police’s findings.
‘Come on, Robert. All of these people are here to support you. Let them. I think you need to tell them what’s going on.’
‘Who? Those vultures over there?’ He pointed a ridged finger at a bunch of reporters snapping frantically at Roxy’s swaying body. ‘It’ll be bad enough dealing with them when they find Lexi’s body.’
‘Robert, why would you say a thing like that?’ Roxy said reaching over and slapping his shoulder.
Robert looked contrite. ‘I didn’t mean … I didn’t mean anything by it. My mind’s in a state that’s all.’
A shiver ran down Callie’s spine. He didn’t look in a state. Angry yes. But in a state? No. In fact, he’d looked quite calm when he said it. As if he knew for sure that Lexi wasn’t coming back. What made it even more unnerving was that now he was avoiding her eye contact. Jesus Christ, has he done something to Lexi? Was it safe for Roxy to go home with this man Callie barely recognised? In a panic, she looked around her hoping to catch sight of Astrid. She needed to talk to her. To ask what she should do. After all wasn’t she the one who thought something was amiss with Robert from the word go? She couldn’t let Roxy go home alone with him.
‘You go and talk to the press, Robert. I’ll take Roxy home.’
‘You will?’ Roxy said.
‘Yes. Come on, let’s get you home. We’ll see you back at yours, Robert.’ She started to move away from him before he could protest.
‘He hates me,’ Roxy mumbled incoherently. ‘He hates all women.’
‘Why would you say that?’ Callie said. Her throat was dry. Her heart pounded a little too quickly for her liking. Deep down she didn’t want to hear the answer. Surely Roxy would have told the police if she had suspected Robert of harming Lexi in anyway. Wouldn’t she?
‘Because it’s true.’
As they neared Callie’s Jeep she caught sight of the back of Astrid. Their plans for the evening would have to be put on hold. She eased Roxy into the Jeep.
‘I’ll be back in one minute. I just need to speak to someone.’
‘Yeah,’ she slurred slumping back in her seat.
Callie gently closed the door and hurried to where she last saw Astrid. As she got closer, she noted Astrid wasn’t alone. She was talking to a gorgeous woman with tanned skin, artfully tousled blonde hair and sculptured features. The woman threw back her head in laughter in response to something Astrid had said.
Seeing them laughing over something made her suddenly feel very odd. Callie didn’t like the fact that Astrid was enjoying such a light moment with this attractive woman. It was a feeling she couldn’t describe. All she knew was that it didn’t feel good. It didn’t matter if it was an innocent encounter, Callie somehow felt betrayed. But that’s ridiculous, why should I feel that way? Why betrayed? The woman was still laughing when she looked in Callie’s direction. She had a perfectly lined set of teeth which gave her a beautiful smile, in fact her smile was the most endearing part of her face
‘Astrid,’ Callie called, feeling like she was interrupting something personal.
Astrid spun around. Her slate grey eyes were cool as they rested on Callie’s face. ‘Is everything okay?’
Callie began to say something but stopped mid-sentence. There were a dozen questions on her lips about this strange intruder, but none were spoken. Instead her gaze flittered between the women. The woman stared hard at Callie. She stared back. ‘I’m going to have to give tonight a miss,’ Callie said.
‘Aww, that’s a shame.’ With a laugh the woman tossed her hair and leant into Astrid. ‘But don’t worry, I’m sure I can keep you entertained.’
Astrid let out a frustrated breath as she disentangled herself and said to Callie, ‘Is there anything I can do?’
‘Yes,’ the woman said, arching her perfectly plucked eyebrows. ‘You can introduce us, or shall I do it myself.’ She walked over to Callie, hand outstretched. ‘I’m Keri, Astrid’s … what shall we say? Special friend. And you are?’
Callie searched for her voice. She hadn’t been prepared for such an encounter. A ripple of unease passed through her. Callie considered herself a good judge of character and the woman standing before her spelt trouble. ‘Callie. Astrid’s … not so special friend,’ Callie said.
She ignored Keri’s hand and turned, cursing herself as she walked back to her Jeep. Even when she heard Astrid calling after her she carried on walking.
‘I’m a stupid, stupid, stupid idiot. Of course Astrid has a girlfriend. How could she not? As if a woman like her is going to be single.’ What the hell was I thinking? A hot flush eased its way up her neck. I wasn’t thinking. That’s the problem.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Was it even remotely possible that Callie was jealous? Astrid thought with a jolt. It seriously looked that way. There was no warmth in her eyes when Callie looked at her. None of the softness she had spoken with barely an hour ago, was in her voice. As always, one step forward. Two steps back. She wouldn’t have minded if there was anything of substance in Callie’s thoughts. Astrid had no intention of picking up from where she left off with Keri. It hadn’t even crossed her mind. From Keri’s flirtatious behaviour, she obviously felt differently.
‘Thanks for that,’ Astrid murmured, kneading the tension at the base of her neck. Stress was the last thing she wanted. She’d had enough of that from Ross.
Keri pouted a little, innocently fluttering her long eyelashes. ‘What did I do?’
What did she do? Who does she think she’s kidding? Marking her ‘territory’ would have been less obvious if she would have bared her teeth and growled. ‘You were blatantly trying to scare her off.’
Keri’s dark eyes bored into Astrid’s with a vibrant excitement. ‘What? By introducing myself?’
‘Like a cat to a mouse.’
Keri laughed. ‘Is she some kind of snowflake?’
‘Anything but,’ Astrid said defensively.
‘How strange.’
‘What is?’
‘You being so protective over your adorable little fuck buddy.’
‘My fuc …’ Astrid stopped short. If she blew her fuse that would only lead to Keri thinking she was right. With her temper straining at the seams, she said through clenched teeth. ‘Callie is not my fuck buddy.’
Keri blinked, amused. ‘Ain’t she? I mean you two are fucking, right? So what would you call her then?’
‘Are you high? She’s … well … um … a friend,’ Astrid said trying her hardest to push the image of her mouth crushed against Callie’s out of her mind. The taste of her mouth, warm and moist, still lingered. Astrid’s stomach muscles twisted themselves in knots as a wave of emotion overwhelmed her. Was it sexual or something else? She had never felt that way before, so couldn’t tell.
‘If you insist. So what’s the buzz down here? Have you spoken to the parents again?’
Astrid spotted Callie’s Jeep make a three-point turn in the road then shoot off in the same direction they came from earlier. ‘No. But I found out something that could’ve been the cause of her running away.’
‘So you think she’s a runaway?’ Her gaze skimmed over Astrid’s face. ‘Come on, spill the beans.’
Astrid gave a small shake of her head. ‘We’re on opposing teams, Keri. Remember? Competitors.’
‘Suit yourself,’ Keri said, waving her comment away with a gesture of her hand. ‘I’ll find out one way or another.’
‘That’s what good reporters do.’
Flipping a glance over Astrid’s shoulder, Keri said in a bored tone. ‘Well there’s nothing much doing round here now by the looks of it.’
Astrid turned around and was surprised to see the police loading dogs back into the vans. ‘No, there isn’t,’ Astrid said, echoing Keri’s statement.
Most of the activity that had been present when they arrived had died down. Just the locals milled around. Luckily she had managed to take a photo on her phone of one of the officers carrying Lexi’s bag earlier on.
But that wasn’t what had startled her. It was the fact that just barely an hour after speaking with Darren, Lexi’s bag had been found. Was that just a coincidence?
Astrid decided to send the image of the bag to Ross but to sit on things regarding Lexi’s pregnancy until morning. She wanted to speak with Callie first and run it by her. Getting on the wrong side of her again was the last thing Astrid wanted. That’s if I’m not already, she eyed Keri, tapping her finger on her iPad.
As if sensing she was being watched, Keri closed the cover and looked up at Astrid with a grin.
‘So you fancy a drink back at the B&B?’
Astrid wriggled her nose. ‘You obviously haven’t tasted the local ale Elaine has.’
‘Didn’t have to. She got me wine and beer from town today.’
‘What like real beer?’ It hadn’t even occurred to her to ask Elaine to pick up some booze for her when she went into town. Her mind had been preoccupied with more important things … and people. Callie.
‘Becks. I’m surprised Snowflake didn’t stock up for you.’
‘Give it a break, will ya?’ Astrid said. The petty name calling was tiresome.
‘Well seeing as she’s dumped you for something more appealing, looks like your only option left is me.’ Keri reached across to pick her bag up off the floor. ‘Do you want that drink or what? I hate drinking alone.’
Astrid thought about it for a few seconds. A few drinks wasn’t going to kill her. She liked Keri. No longer in a sexual way, but as a fellow reporter. Besides they were staying in the same place. It wasn’t as if she could avoid her forever.
‘Why not? I don’t know how we’re going to get back though. Callie brought me here. I still haven’t managed to hire a car.’
‘That’s where you’re in luck. I have a car. You can reward me later,’ she said suggestively running her tongue along her lip.
Oh God this is all I need. For the first time in forever, she regretted not being a bit more selective with her choice of partners. But how was Astrid to have known that she would meet Callie? A woman who had managed to turn her world upside down.