by Jill S. Behe
“So talk already.”
“She was walking, real unsteady. I pulled over after I recognized her, and asked what was wrong. She said she was going home sick. She’d had to leave work early, and her sister couldn’t come pick her up.”
“What time was this?”
“I don’t know, exactly. Maybe 11:30, maybe closer to noon.”
“All right.”
“I took her home. She was about to collapse, and I was hoping she wouldn’t hurl in my truck.”
“Aw, Deck, that truck’s seen more action than that.”
“Shut up, Levi.”
A chuckle. “Sorry. Sorry. Okay, you dropped her off at the house?”
Decker cleared his throat. “Her mom pulled into the drive just as I stopped out front. I waited until they were both inside before I left. Her mom had to help her into the house. God, I can’t believe— You said you spoke to her family, right?”
“Yes. Lottie, Bea’s sister, and her parents. Called Mrs. Chapel, the library director, and I’m sure she’s told her staff by now. She told me she was going to close the library for the rest of the week. Understandably, everyone is stunned.”
When Decker didn’t respond, his friend prodded. “Deck? What’s going on?”
“I’m…absorbing.”
“What’s to absorb?”
A pause. “This stays between us.”
“Okay.”
“Promise me, Levi. Do not tell anyone. Especially your wife.”
“I don’t make a habit of discussing police business—” He cleared his throat. “Okay, I promise.”
“I asked Teal for a date Friday night.”
“Teal? The redhead on the desk at the library?”
“What other Teal do you know?”
“That’s great, but what’s it got to do—?”
“I thought you were going to tell me it was her…the second victim. Nearly gave me heart failure. My favorite mug is in a zillion micro-bits on the floor and its very hot content is soaking my jeans.”
“Shit, Deck.”
“Tell me about it. Almost nailed Bella with frag.”
“Cripes.”
“Can you describe the crime scene to me?”
“Only if you agree to come onboard.”
Of course he’d have stipulations. Just enough of a teaser to get the gray matter sparking. “You drive a hard bargain, my friend.”
“Well?”
“I’ll give you an answer tomorrow morning.”
“Okay. If it’s a go, you’ll need to come in and make it official.”
“Understood.”
“So, when’s your date, again?”
“Friday night.”
“Where ya taking her?”
“Haven’t figured that out yet. Do you realize it’s been over thirty-five years since I was on a date?”
“Huh. Better you than me, bro.”
“It’s not too soon, is it?”
“Deck, you’ve been alone for five years. I’d say it was high time. But only you can know for sure.”
“I sat in my truck after she said yes, in shock, mostly. You know? I realized I felt the same way after I asked Lizzie to the prom. Felt the same way about her, too.”
“I remember the first time I asked Bethany out.” Levi chuckled. “She slugged me.”
Decker laughed. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. Said no six more times after that, too. Whoever came up with that slogan ‘third time’s the charm,’ never met my wife.”
Decker hooted, making Bella bark.
“Well, my friend, I wish you—no, I won’t say luck—good fortune. And much success.”
“Sounds like luck to me. But thanks. And remember, no telling Bethany.”
“This is great news, Deck,” Levi protested. “She’ll be happy for you.”
“And so will all of Crescent Falls when she gets through spreading the news. The citizenry doesn’t need to know my personal business. I don’t think Teal would appreciate it, either.”
“Bethy wouldn’t—”
“She most certainly would. And you, of all people, should know that.”
“Aw, Deck.”
“Levi, I love that woman of yours like she was my sister, but she’s got a big mouth. Nothing is sacred, and heaven forbid, a secret.”
His friend chuckled, again. “She wouldn’t mean any harm.”
“I have no doubt of that. Still….”
Bella began pacing at the back door.
“Okay, okay. I promise. If she murders me when she does find out, and that I knew in advance, it’s on your head, bucko.”
“So be it. Levi, I’ll call you in the morning. I gotta go, my girl needs to water the lawn.”
“Talk to you then.”
Chapter 9
Three hours after that, the landline rang, again. “Brogan.”
“Decker?”
It took a moment for the voice to register. “Teal? What’s wrong?”
“First I need to apologize. I used confidential library card information to locate your phone number.”
“There’s no need for that.” He was grinning. There was that nose-in-the-air librarian again. “I should have given it to you. What’s up?”
“I’m sure you know that Bea was— She’s—”
“Yes. I heard. I’m sorry.”
He waited.
“Her sister called.” She hesitated. “The family has arranged the funeral for Saturday morning, with the visiting set for Friday evening from 7 PM to 9 PM.” Again, she paused. “I agreed to share a meal with you, and I don’t want you to think I’m trying to get out of it. I’m really not. But, as part of the library staff, I need to be at the funeral home.”
“I see.”
“You’re not mad, are you?”
“Why would I be mad? How about an alternative?”
“Please. I was looking forward to seeing you. I mean—”
“As was I. How about if we go for a meal earlier, and then—if you agree—we could pay our respects together? I don’t have a problem waiting with you, for as long as you need to be there.”
“That, um, that would be wonderful.”
“You wouldn’t be upset that everyone in attendance will see us together?”
“It doesn’t matter who sees us together. I’m glad you’ll be with me. I didn’t want to go alone.”
“I was hoping you’d say that, or something similar.”
As she laughed, she heard barking from his end. “Oh! I almost forgot you have a dog.”
“I do, yes. A brilliant lab-mix named Bella Mia.”
“That’s sweet. I’d love to meet her.”
“Great. I’m sure you’d both get along.”
“What if she doesn’t like me?”
“Why wouldn’t she?”
“She might see me as competition, or a rival.”
“Huh. Never thought of that, but I don’t think you’ll have anything to worry about.”
“I hope you’re right. I love dogs.”
“Good to know.”
“Well, I’ll let you get back to what you were doing. Oh, what time will you be here Friday? With the library closed, I’ll be home most all day.”
“How about we play it by ear. I’ll call you Friday morning. Okay?”
“I’ll be waiting,” breathlessly, “by the phone.” Her tone was over-the-top dramatic, and breathy.
He could hear the smile. “Super.”
“See you.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Same here.”
“Bye, Teal.”
“Bye, Decker.”
He thought he heard a giggle before she hung up, and grinned. Reverting to his teens is what he felt like. Huh. They had a lot to talk about: Her age, for one. And how the hell did she get the name Teal? It was a great name, matched her eyes.
This was going to be fun.
They spoke Friday morning and decided he’d come by around four-thirty. She was waiting, w
hich Decker admired. He strived to be on time, and usually was. Except for when his books needed to be returned to the library…but that was mostly on purpose.
He took her to Nelson’s, a popular restaurant about twenty miles from town. He thought she was impressed with the place. He’d taken Lizzie there a few times, and was familiar with the menu.
“Have you lived here all your life?”
“No. I grew up in New Mexico. My grandmother raised me from a baby. Mom died just after I was born.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
She smiled. “It was probably a good thing.”
“How so?”
“Gran said I was a blessing, but my mother was a trial from the day she was born. According to Gran, mom heard about some big concert taking place in upstate New York in ’69.”
Decker nodded. “Woodstock.”
“Yeah. Mom said she was twenty-one, and nobody could tell her no, and headed out. When she got back, three weeks later, she was—well, found out a couple months down the road—pregnant with me. No idea who the father was. Gran said she hadn’t been particular about who she’d been with. Mom went cold turkey with the drugs and alcohol, even cigarettes, once she knew about me.
“Three days after my birth, there was a complication. They couldn’t stop the bleeding. Before she died, she told Gran what she wanted my name to be, and apologized for the mess.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Teal shrugged. “I can’t be sad for what I never knew. Gran was the best. She said I kept her young.”
“Past tense.”
A nod. “Lost her last summer. Doctor said it was an aneurysm in her brain.” She held up a hand. “No need for the sad face.”
“Well, the thought’s in my head, so….”
“Thanks.”
“Why did you move here?”
“A little backstory first? I was living with my now ex, in Arizona, after graduating from college. I’d met him my sophomore year, and we married after graduation. I was married twelve years before we divorced, and I moved back to New Mexico to be with Gran.
“Couple years later, I still wasn’t coping well and it had everything to do with the ex. Not stalking so much as just not wanting to let go. Calling at all hours, sending packages, threatening to show up at the door, begging me to come back.” She shrugged. “Things like that. I was losing weight, couldn’t sleep, and was taking too much time off from work.
“Gran finally sat me down and we talked about a more drastic move. She said she thought maybe I needed more distance from him. I did, but felt like no amount of distance would be enough. She agreed to move with me. I’d always been drawn to Colorado so that’s where I started my search for jobs. I had…have a degree in library science, with a minor in business management, and was looking for jobs in either field. I saw an ad for the position as head librarian here in Cascade Falls, and applied. The rest—as they say—is history. I’ve been here, huh…about eleven years now, give or take.”
“Will there be anything else, sir?” The waitress hovered, hand in her apron pocket.
“Teal? Dessert?”
She pressed a hand to her belly. “Oh no. None for me.”
“Then that will be it for tonight.”
“Very well.” The hand appeared, check in tow. “You can pay up front.”
“Thanks.” Decker reached for his wallet. “Are you ready?”
Teal took one last swallow of her water. “I am.”
In the truck, she leaned against the headrest. “I really enjoyed that.”
“Me, too.”
“You’re sure you’re not going to mind sitting in a funeral parlor with me all night?”
“Any time I can spend with you is good. Doesn’t matter where it is.”
She smiled. “You’re such a romantic.”
“Ha. You keep thinking that.”
“I don’t have to think it. I can see it, hear it, feel it.”
“You’re good for my ego.”
“Decker, seriously. This thing tonight? It’s not going to bring back bad memories for you, is it?”
“No.” At least, he hoped not. Hadn’t thought about how it would affect him.
“I don’t want— I’d rather go alone than stir up any pain.”
He reached for her hand.
She didn’t pull away.
“I’ll be fine, but thanks for your concern.”
“Are you going to tell me the rest of the story?”
“Rest?”
“You’ve been here how long? Eleven years? No nibbles in the dating pool? No romantic weekends with the bank president?”
“Mr. Longaberger? Eeuww.”
They both laughed.
“Seriously. Surely someone had the brains to ask you out before I did.”
“Oh, they did. Just never felt right, and never accepted a second invitation.”
“My lucky day.”
“Not sure if I should admit this or not, but you’re the only one I’ve ever wanted to go out with.” She shook her head. “That sounds so junior high school.”
“Not to me. And, I know exactly how you feel. After Liz, I wasn’t even interested in looking at another woman. Then I saw you, and I haven’t had any desire to look at anyone else.”
Teal blinked back tears. “Gosh that sounds nice.”
“I’m being serious.”
“I know. So am I. It’s scary, too.”
“Tell me about it.”
Chapter 10
They stayed an hour.
Teal made the move to leave, pulling Decker to the front with her to say goodbye to Bea’s family, and letting her boss know she wouldn’t be at the funeral the next day.
At the truck, Decker opened the passenger door, and Teal turned, “I probably shouldn’t have done that.”
“Done what?”
“Told them I wouldn’t be there. I just, I can’t do it. I don’t understand how anyone can go through that. I don’t remember going to my mom’s—obviously. I know I was at Gran’s, but it’s all fuzzy.”
His hands slid up her arms. “Take a breath, Teal. There’s no rule that says you have to be there. No one’s going to think any differently about you. That’s a family thing. They’ll do okay without you.”
“I was her supervisor. I should—”
“Shh. Shh. Shh. No, you shouldn’t.”
She looked up, eyes questioning.
“You really shouldn’t.”
Though doubtful, she accepted his word, and got in the truck. “Thank you, Decker.” She wondered at the change in him since they’d left the restaurant.
He was quieter. More reserved. Yes, he’d kept her company without complaint, and even reassured her, but something was bugging him. She could feel it.
“You’re welcome.”
He shut the door and went around to the driver’s side. “Buckle up.” He started the engine, flipped on the headlights, and pulled out of the parking lot.
She had to ask. “Okay. What’s wrong?”
“What?” It took him a minute. “Ah. Well, you were right. It was harder than I anticipated.”
“See!” She let out a sigh. “Can I do anything to help?”
“You’re doing it. I appreciate your company.”
“Well, it’s my fault. If you hadn’t asked me on a date, I’d have had to go alone, but you wouldn’t have—”
“Teal.”
“Yes?”
“Shut up.”
She blinked. “What?”
“Shut up. I wanted to be with you. I offered. Nothing is your fault.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Well, okay.”
“Would you like to stop at Decadent Desserts for pie and coffee?”
She looked over, and smiled. “Sure. That’d be great.”
“Told myself I was going to cut down on the sweets, then bought cookies and ice cream at the grocery store. Now I’m going for pie. I’ll have to run an extra five miles, when I’m allowed to again.”
“No. No. I’m not sick. Levi, er, the chief of police, asked me to curtail the daily run until we catch this guy.” He pulled into a parking spot, and turned off the truck. “I told him it didn’t have anything to do with me, but he’s got this sensitive gut. And it’s damned accurate for a gut. If he says to lay off the run, I’ll lay off the run.” Decker got out and came around to her side.
Her eyes narrowed. Well, that was mildly confusing. But if he kept talking maybe she’d figure it out, eventually. “You two are close?”
“Long story there, but yeah, you could say that. We served together, too. Way back when.”
“Were we at war?”
A quick nod. “Desert Storm. We helped liberate Kuwait. That was the major one. There are others I can’t talk about. Still classified.”
“Ah.” She looked like she wanted to ask more questions, but slid out. “Let’s go have some pie.”
“Good idea.”
“Just an FYI thing, I do have something to talk to you about, but it needs to wait until we’re in a more private setting.”
Oh boy. “Okay.”
“Sorry. I hate when people do that to me.”
“You mean tease you with a mystery then make you wait until later to hear what it’s about? Yeah, I kinda hate it too, but I’ve done it before. Guess it’s my payback.” Decker opened the door, allowing Teal to go in first, his hand at her lower back.
“YOU BITCH!”
Chapter 11
Teal fell backward into him.
Decker held on to her, trying to see around her. “Teal, are you all right?”
“I’m fine, she just pushed me off balance.”
Then he saw. “Carin? What the hell are you doing here?”
“I went out to your place to see if you wanted to go to dinner, but you weren’t there.” She was spiting mad, and on a tear. “Apparently, you had something more important to do than spend time with your daughter.”
“I told you I had things to do. And I told you to go home. What part of that didn’t you understand?”
“Decker—”
He silenced Teal with a look. “I’m waiting, Carin.”
“I figured you were just blowing me off. And, you lied.”