by Gina LaManna
“I’m that easy to read?”
“Sorry, kid. Maybe your next partner won’t be able to read you as well as me.”
I rolled my eyes. “You and I both know that the paper-chain countdown is just a formality. I’m not partnering with anyone else. If you leave, I’ll be a lone wolf for the rest of my career.”
Jimmy laughed. “That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“My mom was getting on my case about me getting into the festive spirit for fall. Honestly, I didn’t know it was possible to be festive for any season except maybe Christmas.”
“You’d be surprised. My wife’s full-time job is changing out her seasonal décor. I never knew there were so many holidays until I married her.”
“My mother seems to think my boringness will affect my relationship with Russo.”
Jimmy looked downright mystified. “Why the hell would a dude care about your decorating capabilities?”
“So I’m not crazy?”
“Well, I didn’t say that. A little seasonal cheer is a good thing. I mean, you hand out candy to the kids, right? You’re not that horrible of a person.”
I wrinkled my nose.
“Aw, c’mon, Rosetti. Splurge. Buy some Twix.”
“I’ve been working on Halloween,” I said defensively. “It’s not my fault. Once, a few years back, I went to my mom’s and helped her hand out candy. I wore a witch hat for a few minutes.”
“I won’t believe it until I see a photo.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I said. “But I think her real point is that she’s worried I might not have kids.”
“You’re not even married. You won’t even let poor Russo stay with you for more than a long weekend.”
“He stayed for a week once.”
Jimmy leaned back in his chair and toyed with the lid on his cup. “You know I respect you. I like you just the way you are. I’m not sure I should be giving you relationship advice. If I hadn’t gotten lucky meeting my wife a million years ago, I’d be a single old man. I don’t know why she picked me in the end, but I don’t ask too many questions. There’s no way I’m rocking the boat.”
“Maybe Russo is my...” I hesitated to say Jimmy’s wife’s name. “I mean, what if he’s that guy for me? What if I screw things up now, and in thirty years I’m looking back and wishing I’d just relaxed?”
“This isn’t really anything to do with relaxing. It has to do with what you want and where you see your life going. Do you see yourself getting married and having kids?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “That’s the honest answer. I don’t know.”
“Have you thought about it?”
“A little,” I admitted. “But I don’t like to think about it because I never get anywhere. I could see myself getting married and being happy. It’s hard to see me as a mom, though. Can you picture me responsible for a baby?”
“I’m not commenting on that.”
“Point proven.”
“I’m razzing you, Kate. You’d be a great mom. If you ever decided that was for you.”
I felt a little shiver go down my spine. “I shouldn’t have brought any of this up. I don’t know what I was hoping to accomplish.”
“I can’t tell you what to do, but I can tell something is bothering you.”
“Russo’s been asking about our situation,” I said. “We talk on the phone most days, unless one of us is totally swamped by a case. We’ve said ‘I love you’ for a couple of months now. I generally see him one to two times a month, but usually just for a long weekend.”
“What does he want?”
“He’s not being super pushy. He knows I spook easily. But at the same time, he does mention living together.”
“Is he willing to move to Minnesota?”
I shrugged. “We’ve never made it to the logistics part of things. I told him I’m not ready to go out to DC. That usually stalls the conversation.”
“What if he offered to move here?”
I shivered again. “I don’t know. In theory, it’d be great to have him here. We get along; he’s a better cook than me, and I enjoy the little time we do get together in person.”
“But?”
“But what if living together ruins all that? You know me. I like my space, my alone time. If we’re together all the time, then it wouldn’t be as sweet.”
“That’s marriage. Or at least serious relationships,” Jimmy said. “It’s through the good times and bad. Not just a little vacation here and there to see each other.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s not even like he’s putting concrete pressure on me. But I can see the writing on the wall. We can’t keep doing this forever.”
“You don’t have to decide today. It is good to think about, though.”
I blew out a breath and stalled by taking a sip of my coffee. “What do you think happened to the dead guy in the leaf pile?”
“Smooth transition.”
“I’m nothing if not blunt.”
Jimmy covered a smile with his hand. “Be a little blunter with yourself, and maybe you’ll have fewer questions about Russo.”
“We’ve got a bullet wound to the chest.” I ignored my partner, having switched off the personal side of my brain for the business one. “And a seemingly random dump location. Could it be convenience? Maybe our killer lives nearby?”
“Maybe, but that’s not very smart. Unless the murder wasn’t planned, and the killer panicked. Then I could see him dumping it the first chance he gets in a pile of leaves.”
“What’s your theory on the broken heart?”
“I’d say jilted lover, but that seems a little obvious.”
“Agreed.” I shrugged. “Although sometimes the simplest answer is the only answer.”
“It could’ve been an affair,” Jimmy suggested. “Maybe our guy was two-timing his significant other, and she found out.”
“Or”—I raised a finger—“the victim broke off his relationship with his affair, and she was angry enough to kill him. The broken heart could be trying to frame the other woman. The significant other.”
“Without knowing the guy’s name, we’re going to be spit-balling all day,” Jimmy said. “We need some identification, and we need to get the autopsy results.”
“Oh, look at that.” I nodded at the barbecue place. “They’re opening up a little early. Maybe if you flash your badge, you could get a sandwich before they open.”
“Do you have someplace you need to be?”
“I’m going to head home before going back to the precinct,” I said. “I want to be ready when we get a lead. I doubt an ID will take too long.”
“Go on,” Jimmy said. “I’ll hold down the fort here.”
“I hope you brought your vest for this stakeout. Are you sure you don’t need backup?”
Jimmy smirked. “I’ve trained my whole life for this. See you at the precinct, Rosetti.”
“I’ll take some cornbread,” I said, standing. “The largest slab they sell. And some of that honey butter.”
Jimmy gave me a salute. As I stood and made my way out of the seating area, I cast a quick glance over my shoulder. For all the jokes Jimmy and I made about his retirement, it had begun to sink in lately that the day was rapidly approaching. I wasn’t sure what I’d do when that day came. I couldn’t imagine having a partner who wasn’t Jimmy.
Sighing, I made my way outside and headed toward my car. I’d push that dilemma to the back of my mind, just like I did everything else that caused me stress. As I opened the door and slipped into the driver’s seat, I wondered how long I could push all my big life concerns into the back of my mind before I exploded.
There was the situation with Russo, the ticking countdown on my partner’s retirement, and the whole Grinch thing my mother had brought up today. Maybe I’d buy some candy this year. Just in case.
I PARKED ON THE STREET outside of my little house. It hadn’t taken me long to get home, and it woul
d only take me a few minutes to get to the precinct when word came in on the case.
I climbed up crumbling front steps that desperately needed repair and let myself inside. I found my sister, Jane, in the kitchen making coffee. She was dressed in a cute, matching little pajama set in a shade of sunshine yellow. She looked more put together rolling out of bed than I looked having gotten dressed for the day.
“You have nicer pajamas than I have clothes,” I muttered.
“Good morning to you too,” Jane said. “Need some coffee?”
I raised my to-go cup in answer. “Sorry I’m snappy. I talked to Mom this morning.”
“Ah. Was she pestering you about Russo?”
“How’d you guess?”
“Because she always pesters you about Russo,” Jane said. “You have to stop letting it get to you.”
“I’m not letting her get to me.” I hesitated. “I’m getting to myself. I know that nobody can make my decisions for me. I wish I knew what I wanted. How do you figure out what you want?”
Jane looked surprised. “You’re asking me?”
“Yeah, you.”
“I don’t know. I just go by how I feel. I really like Wes. We’ve talked about moving in together.” Jane raised a slim shoulder, then lowered it. “It always felt a little too soon before, but I’m getting ready now. I think we might start browsing apartments.”
“That’s really exciting. Congratulations. How did you know when it was the right time?”
“When it felt like the right time. There’s no magic answer.”
“Sounds like magic to me.”
“You’ll know.” Jane laughed. “You’ll just know, Kate. You’ll realize that you don’t want to lose Russo, and you’ll decide to do what you need to do—within reason—to make that happen. Alternatively, you’ll realize you can live just fine without him, and you’ll go your separate ways.”
I grimaced, not really liking the sound of either option just yet. “Can’t we just continue as we are? We’ve got a good thing going. Why ruin it?”
“Look, I haven’t had my coffee yet, so this conversation is honestly going over my head.” Jane turned and poured herself a mug of hot black coffee. She turned back, took a sip, and then reached for something on the table. “Do you want to be distracted?”
“Do I ever.”
“You’re in luck.” Jane fished one handed through a stack of mail on the table. “We both got one of these bad boys.”
I frowned as she handed me a letter, not sure how the bill du jour could distract me from the relationship issues that were on my mind. But the second I touched the envelope, I knew it wasn’t a bill. The texture of the paper was thick, creamy, almost velvety to the touch. It even felt expensive.
I flipped it over and saw my name and address in elegant writing. The name on the return address looked to be from some division of Gem Industries. I blew out a breath and looked up at my sister.
“What? Another fundraiser?” I shook my head. “If I’m expected to keep showing up at these events, I’m going to need an allowance for some new clothes. I’ve used up every dress I own on Gem’s events.”
“You’ve been to, like, two events.”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t think he’d be opposed to giving you a clothes budget.” Jane winked. “He’d give you just about anything you asked for.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked sharply. “I thought you said you haven’t had your coffee yet.”
“I had a sip,” Jane said. “Just enough of a jolt to be honest. Go on, open it. You might be surprised.”
I really doubted I could be surprised at an invitation to another of Gem’s events. The billionaire owner of Gem Industries, a sometimes friend of mine, had an event at his place about once a week. At least, that was what it felt like to someone who wasn’t used to receiving invitations to black-tie events on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, Jane was right. As I tugged the letter out of the envelope, I felt my eyes just about pop out of my head as I started to suspect what I held in my hand. When I glanced at the text on the front of the note, my stomach plummeted. I told myself it was because I was in shock. I hoped I was right.
“Gem’s getting married?” I looked up at Jane. “What is this, some kind of joke?”
Jane shook her head. “Wes already asked me to be his plus one. I mean, I’m sort of invited anyway, but we’re going together, so I’m not sure it technically matters.”
“Sorry, but who is he getting married to?”
“His girlfriend.” Jane stared at me. “I guess the correct term would now be fiancée.”
“Mindy Hartlett?”
“That’s who he’s been dating the last few months. You know, the woman you saved from a murder attempt in one of your recent cases? The woman who came to Wes’s cabin? Pretty sure you know who I’m talking about.”
“I know who Mindy is,” I snapped. “I can’t believe she’s getting married to Gem.”
“I thought you said they were a good match.”
“Yeah, to date each other, not to make a lifelong commitment to one another.”
“Dating usually leads to one of two places—marriage or a breakup. I guess they decided they love each other, and they’re ready for the next step.”
“Do they even live together?”
“You’re the one who’s friends with Gem.”
“You’re the one who’s moving in with Gem’s best friend.”
Jane sipped her coffee patiently. “I don’t spend all my time with Wes gossiping about Gem. We have our own lives. Frankly, I guess I don’t care as much as you do. If Gem’s happy, then I’m happy for him. He’s a good guy. He deserves this.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I murmured as I digested the information. “No, you’re absolutely right. I’m just in shock.”
“I know you are.” Jane reached out and gave my arm a squeeze. “I know you guys had a little something.”
“We didn’t have ‘a little something.’ We’re just friends.”
“Okay.”
“He’s been dating Mindy less time than I’ve been dating Russo. It’s too fast.”
“For who?” Jane asked. “For you, or for them?”
“Do you think she’s pregnant?”
“Kate.”
I tossed the invitation down on the table and sat down hard in a chair. I polished off my drink and took a few deep breaths. My mind was racing.
Gem was getting married. Married to Mindy. What had prompted Gem to rush into something like this? Was Jane right, and he loved her so much he couldn’t wait, or was there more to the story?
I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts that at first I didn’t notice Jane sitting quietly next to me. Her face was arranged in a thoughtful, sensitive expression that seemed to only make things worse. I made a noise in my throat that told her I knew she was watching me.
“Kate, it’s okay to be feeling things,” Jane said quietly. “It’s not wrong to feel a little confused. There’s a lot happening here.”
“Not really,” I said. “Just a wedding. It’s not a big deal. Might need a new dress, though.”
“You care for Gem. Even if it’s not romantic, it’s normal for you to worry about him. It is happening fast. It’s a little unusual. Plus, you’re a detective. Your mind goes instantly into thinking about what’s wrong with any given situation. Even if there’s nothing wrong.”
“I guess.”
“I know it.” Jane gave a soft smile. “I’ve experienced it myself. I think it’s fine if you want to have a friendly conversation with Gem to feel out how he’s doing, and I mean really doing. But Kate, if he tells you that he’s in love and is excited to get married, I would advise you to leave it at that. Maybe that’s all it is. Maybe there’s not more to the story.”
“You’re right.”
“It’s not only Gem that’s bothering you. Don’t beat yourself up about your reaction to the invitation. When something like this happens, i
t’s hard not to compare your own situation,” Jane said. “You’ve already been stressed about your relationship with Russo, and now you have this shoved in your face. It’s not easy.”
“Gem’s situation doesn’t affect mine.”
“No, but it might make you think about it. Then there’s the fact that I mentioned I am thinking about moving in with Wes. Plus Mom bugging you about your personal life.”
“Jimmy’s on his way to retirement,” I said. “He’s leaving me too.”
As soon as I said it, I regretted it. It made me sound pitiful.
“We’re not leaving you, Kate.” Jane scooted her chair closer to me. “Life moves and changes. That’s normal and healthy. You don’t have to like it, but it is what it is. That doesn’t mean it’s not hard, especially when all this is hitting you at once.”
I pushed my chair back and stood. “None of this is big stuff, Jane. It’s fine. You don’t need to read into it, though I appreciate you trying to make me feel better. What is important is the dead body that’s waiting for me to find a murderer. I’ve got to get going.”
“Don’t do this, Kate.”
“Do what?”
“Throw yourself into work,” Jane pleaded. “Don’t shut everything off and push everyone away. We love you. We want to be there for you.”
“Speaking of love,” I said, “I have to get an ID on the body and find out if he was married. Chances are it was the wife.”
“Kate.”
“I’ll see you around,” I said. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“Are you going to RSVP to the wedding?”
I shrugged. “Can you do it for me?”
“Should I add a plus one?” she asked, almost nervously. “Do you think Russo will go with you?”
“I’ll call him tonight,” I promised. “Can I let you know tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow is fine. Good luck with your case. Just keep in mind, you see the darker side of humanity every day,” Jane said. “It’s not always like that. Sometimes there is a happily ever after.”
I left Jane in the kitchen, thinking how lovely it must be to wear cozy yellow pajamas and be filled with a sunshiny sense of optimism around the clock. Jane didn’t receive phone calls in the middle of the night to visit dead bodies. She didn’t have former victims haunting her dreams. She didn’t have any reluctance to move in with her boyfriend. She just knew when it was magically right.