by Joanne Fluke
“Just dropping off some paperwork. Did you eat lunch yet?”
Jill shook her head. “I’ve got a doctor’s appointment at three so I’m working though lunch. I’ll pick up a sandwich on the way there.”
“That’s exactly what I was afraid of. You said your doctor told you to eat regular meals. How about this morning? I’ll bet you didn’t have breakfast, either.”
Jill winced. “You’re right, but I didn’t have time. I got a late start this morning.”
“So all you’ve had is coffee?”
“Guilty as charged.” Jill sighed. “But the coffee was decaffeinated. That should count for something.”
Doug began to frown. “It’s a good thing you have me. Somebody’s got to make sure you eat right. Clear off your desk and prepare to chow down.”
“Chow down on what?” Jill smiled as Doug held up a large white bag, and she hurried to shove her papers to one side.
“It’s a chicken and broccoli pasta salad.” He plunked the bag on the center of her desk top. “If I know you, you’re probably not eating your vegetables.”
Jill nodded. “You’re right. Thank you, Doug. It was sweet of you to bring me lunch.”
“I brought enough for me, too.” He took two Tupperware bowls out of the bag and popped off the tops. Then he handed Jill a fork and sat down on the chair in front of her desk. “I’m joining you. It’s the only way I can make sure you eat some of that broccoli.”
“Yes, Officer.” Jill’s eyes widened as she saw the huge portion of salad. She would have been intimidated by the sheer volume of food if it hadn’t looked so delicious.
“Go ahead. Start eating.” Doug waited until she had taken her first bite. “Do you like it?”
“It’s great! Honey-Dijon dressing is my favorite.”
“I know. You ordered it on your salad the last time we went out to lunch. How about the broccoli?”
Jill speared a piece and popped it into her mouth. “It’s tender, but it’s not overcooked.”
“The pasta?”
Jill ate a piece and a wedge of chicken. “Very good! The pasta still has some texture. It’s cooked just right. And the chicken really tastes fresh.”
Doug nodded. “I’m glad you like it. It’s got something from every food group. That’s supposed to make it nutritious.”
“It’s not only good, it’s good for you, too?” Jill grinned as Doug nodded. “I could eat this for lunch every day. Where did you buy it?”
“I didn’t. I made it.”
“You made it?” Jill raised her eyebrows. “I had no idea you were such a good cook. But you took a real chance, Doug. What if I’d gone out for lunch?”
“I checked with your secretary, and she said you were working through lunch. That’s not right, Jill. It’s not good for the baby if you skip meals.”
“You’re right. I won’t do it again.” Jill nodded solemnly. Then she said the first thing that came to her mine. “You’re taking such good care of me, you’d think you were the father of my baby!”
“I wish! I really love kids, Jill.” Doug grinned, and she dropped her eyes. She was glad he didn’t know what she was thinking. If she were married to Doug, life would be a lot different. He’d be a good husband and father, and she was willing to bet she wouldn’t have to compromise to make their marriage work.
* * *
There was no plus sign! Connie stared down at the test strip in disbelief, but the minus didn’t change to a plus. She’d been so sure. Still, this was the third home pregnancy test she’d tried, and all three had come out negative.
“Damn!” Connie was frowning as she dropped the package into the bathroom wastebasket to join the circle that hadn’t changed to pink and the liquid that had refused to turn blue. There was no baby, not this month. And God knew it wasn’t for lack of trying!
She scowled as she picked up the trash bag and carried it to the door. She’d throw it down the incinerator. That would make her feel better. It was just a pity she couldn’t throw Mark Turner down there, too. He deserved it, but she still needed him to give her Alan’s baby.
“What was that, Alan?” Connie dropped the trash bag and hurried to Alan’s picture. He was frowning, and that meant something was wrong. She leaned close, listened to what he had to say, then shook her head. “No. Mark doesn’t use any kind of birth control.”
Alan was still talking as Connie carried his picture to the couch, where they could sit down. “I know he doesn’t, honey. I watch him.”
Connie leaned back against the couch cushions, wishing she could remember how Alan’s arms had felt around her shoulders. She held his picture up to her ear again, concentrated on making out the words he was saying.
“That’s true. I know about the shot and the implant. But I don’t think he’s the type to . . .”
Alan was talking again and Connie listened carefully. “That’s a good idea. I’ll think of a way to ask him. And you’re right. We don’t want to waste our time on him if he can’t give us our baby.”
When the doorbell rang, Connie placed Alan’s picture on the coffee table. A change of scene would be good for him. She usually kept him on the mantel during the day, and he spent all night on her bed table.
“Hi, Mark!” she forced a smile as she opened the door. “What’s up?”
“I just got the word. There’s a party tonight!”
“What kind of party?” Connie’s smile turned genuine. If they went to a party, she wouldn’t have to spend all night in Mark’s bed. When they got back to his apartment, he might be too tired to do anything except make love to her the normal way.
“It’s that group I was telling you about. It’ll be wild, babe, and I think you’re ready to party with them. You’ll have the experience of a lifetime.”
“Oh, that kind of party.” Connie began to frown. Mark had been telling her about the crazy parties his friends threw, and she really didn’t want to go. “I don’t know. I’m not really sure . . .”
“Come on, babe. You’ve got to learn to live a little! It’ll be fun.”
“I’d love to go.” Connie did her best to sound enthusiastic. This was a perfect chance to ask him about birth control. “But the timing’s all wrong for me. I forgot to take my birth-control pill yesterday morning, and I wouldn’t want to get pregnant.”
He laughed. “You don’t have to worry about that. All the guys in my group take precautions. No one wants a kid to slow him down.”
“But you don’t, do you?” Connie held her breath as she asked the question. “I mean . . . you’ve never used anything with me.”
“I don’t have to. I’ve got built-in birth control. I had a vasectomy three years ago.”
“You . . . had a vasectomy?” Connie clenched her hands tightly at her sides. “Why didn’t you tell me?!”
“Because you never asked. Come on, babe. It’s perfectly safe. What do you say I pick you up at eight?”
Connie’s mind spun in circles. She wanted to kill the kinky bastard for leading her on, but she couldn’t let him know how she felt. She had to stall him so she could talk to Alan. He’d know what to do.
“I made some plans, but I could cancel.” Connie gave him an eager smile. “Let me make a few calls, and I’ll let you know in less than an hour.”
Mark grinned at her, then tipped her face up for a kiss. “Okay, babe. Come down to my place the minute you know. And try real hard to cancel your plans. This party’s going to be the best one yet!”
“Yes. I’m sure it will be.” Connie’s smile disappeared the moment she’d closed the door behind him. He was a bastard, and now that she knew he couldn’t give her Alan’s baby, she had no further use for him.
She sat down on the couch and picked up Alan’s picture again. “You heard him. He doesn’t deserve to have your kidney. What do you want me to do?”
This time Alan’s voice was much clearer. He was every bit as angry as she was. They discussed it for a moment, but it didn’t take long to mak
e their plans. Connie would go to the party but she’d arrive late, after everyone was too stoned to remember her. The party was the perfect place to steal Alan’s gift of life from Mark Turner.
CHAPTER 23
“An ex-hooker, huh?” Mark grinned at the phone as his buddy told him about the woman he was bringing to the party. “Come on, Jerry. There’s no way she can do all that!”
But Jerry went right on talking, swearing that everything he said was the gospel truth. “Okay, Jerry. If she’s half as good as you say, I want first crack at her.”
Mark began to frown as they negotiated. Jerry was willing to let him have the ex-hooker first, but he wanted first crack at Mark’s date. That might just present a problem. Jerry was a little rough around the edges, and it took an experienced woman to handle him.
“That’d be okay with me, Jerry.” Mark tried to be tactful. “But I don’t know how she’ll feel about it. She’s never been to one of our parties before, and I thought we’d break her in easy.”
When Jerry started to argue, Mark’s frown deepened. Jerry had a hair-trigger temper, and he didn’t want to get the big guy mad.
“Okay. You can have her. But you’ve got to promise to give her a couple lines of coke before you take her back to the playroom. A drink couldn’t hurt, either. Get her bombed and she’ll loosen right up. And no rough stuff, huh? You don’t want her to go off screaming to the cops.”
Jerry seemed willing to listen to reason, and Mark was relieved. “Sure, she’s coming. I wouldn’t shit you, man. She’s gonna be late, but I gave her the address and she said she’d be there before ten.”
Mark was grinning as he hung up. His friends were eager to meet his newest discovery, and he’d promised to share her. She might not like it at first. Some of his buddies were into some pretty weird stuff, but Jerry had promised to get her bombed out of her mind. By the time the party was in full swing, she’d be ready for anything anyone suggested.
Mark popped the top on a cold brew and stretched out on the couch to watch the sports channel. They were showing a figure-skating competition, and that really wasn’t his thing. The guys looked gay, and the women were skinny, with no tits. Some of the positions they got into were interesting though; Mark wondered how it would be to screw a woman who could bend over backward until her hair touched the ice. Maybe he ought to try to pick up a figure skater. She might have some special talents that would come in handy at one of their parties.
There was a knock on the door, and he got up to answer it. She’d told him she’d drop by to pick up the address before she left for her job interview. He handed over the slip of paper, told her he’d be waiting for her at the party, and closed the door, frowning. It was always risky, sleeping with someone who lived in the same apartment complex, especially because she had his key. If she got mad at him for loaning her out at the party, she might try to get even with him by trashing his place. He’d have the locks changed tomorrow and conveniently forget to give her the new key.
She wouldn’t go to the cops. Mark was sure of that. And if she threatened to turn him in for gang rape or some other trumped-up charge, he’d just show her the tape he’d made of her and that would keep her quiet.
Just thinking about the tape made Mark smile. She hadn’t suspected he had a hidden video camera in the closet. Women never did. They were much too willing to trust the guy that was banging them. He’d recorded their last session, and it was the best tape he’d ever made. All he had to do was show her a copy and she’d do whatever he wanted.
* * *
Pregnancy definitely had its benefits. Neil grinned as he rolled over and hugged Jill. She probably would have left him over that incident with Lisa, but she’d convinced herself it wasn’t right to deprive him of fatherhood. He was happy about the baby. It was another tie that would bind Jill to him. And he really hadn’t meant to get it on with Bonnie. She was the one who’d come into his room and surprised him when he’d been dressing.
Bonnie had been good, a little on the dull side, but good nonetheless. Some women were better than others, but he’d never met one who’d been bad. It was a shame Bonnie had suffered an attack of the guilts. They could have gone on for several more weeks. A little love in the afternoon was the ticket to fight off his depression.
Of course there was always Jill. Neil reached out to fondle her breast. She was filling out now, getting the kind of figure that really turned him on.
“Honey? Are you sleeping?” He massaged the back of her neck, just where she liked it the most. They’d gone to bed ridiculously early because she’d told him she was tired.
“No, I’m awake.”
Her voice was breathless, and Neil felt a rush of power. Although it wasn’t as exciting as exploring new territories, there was an advantage in knowing precisely what turned her on. “What did the doctor say about making love? It’s all right, isn’t it?”
“It’s fine.” Jill snuggled a little closer, rubbing her body against his. “We only have to be careful the last couple of weeks.”
“And you’re not too tired?” He congratulated himself for being so considerate. Except for the error in judgment he’d made with Bonnie, he’d been a model husband.
“I’m not too tired.”
Jill rolled over, granting him better access to the part of her he wanted most, and Neil stroked her lightly with his fingers. It didn’t take more than a minute or two before she made the little purring noise that told him she was ready.
“You’d better get on top.” Neil moved her gently so that she was straddling him. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
To his surprise, she accepted his excuse without protest. That was something new. She’d always preferred having him on top. As she started to move her hips and ride him, Neil gave a groan of pleasure. They said you couldn’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Jill was trying so hard to make their marriage work, she might just be successful.
* * *
Doug bought the woman another drink, but his heart wasn’t in it. Why hadn’t he told Jill that he loved her on Christmas Eve? If he’d admitted his true feelings and asked her to leave Neil for him, she might have been with him tonight. But he hadn’t thought it fair to take advantage of her when she was so vulnerable, and now he was alone and she was still with her husband.
It was all his grandmother’s fault for raising him to be a gentleman. Doug frowned as he took another sip of his drink.
“I love this place.” The woman smiled at him. “Everybody here is in the same line of work.”
Doug nodded. She was pretty, with short blond hair and a trim figure. “So you like cop bars?”
“They’re comfortable. I used to go to regular bars, but the guys would freak when I told them I was a cop.”
“I guess that’s understandable.” Doug tried to think of something to say. He’d forgotten her name. It was Trixie, or Trisha, or something like that, and she’d already told him twice. “I haven’t seen you around before. Where do you work?”
“Anyplace they need me. I’m with the school police.”
“The school police?” Doug was surprised. “That’s a new one for me. I’ve never heard of the school police.”
“Most people haven’t. We’re a branch of the MPD, but we’ve got our own station. You’ve probably seen our cars. They’re maroon and white, just like the highway patrol, but they don’t have the state symbol on the door.”
Doug began to get interested. “So you’re like a truant officer?”
“That and a lot of other things. We have full arrest powers on any campus. We can bust drug dealers and vandals, anybody who breaks the law. The only thing we can’t do is off-campus pursuit. That’s when we have to call you.”
Doug nodded. “It sounds like an interesting job.”
“Not really.” She shrugged. “Most of the time we just provide a presence so the kids won’t act up. The only bust I made this month was a ten-year-old tagger, and he was released to his mother’s custody. How about yo
u? Have you solved any interesting cases?”
“Not lately.” Doug managed to hide his surprise. He must have told her he was a detective.
“Let’s not talk about work.” She reached out to take his hand. “Let’s talk about you and me, and what we’re going to do tonight.”
This time Doug couldn’t hide his surprise. He blinked and stared at the hand on his. “Uh . . . okay. What do you think we should do?”
“We should go to your place and light a fire. And then we should take off our clothes and see what comes up . . . Unless you’re married. You’re not married, are you?”
“Uh . . . no. I’m not.” Doug stared at her. She seemed serious, and she was very attractive. What was wrong with him? A year ago, he would have jumped at the chance. Now he felt like turning her down and walking out the door.
“Don’t tell me. Let me guess.” She looked disappointed at his lack of response. “I picked the wrong guy. You’re gay?”
Doug shook his head. “No, I’m not. I just can’t take you to my place, that’s all.”
“Then you’re living with someone?”
“No.” Doug shook his head again. “And don’t get me wrong. You’re very attractive. But I’m just not looking for someone right now.”
She sighed and managed a smile. “Okay. I guess it’s true. All the best ones are taken.”
“Here. Have another drink on me.” Doug left some bills on the bar and slid off his stool. As he buttoned his jacket and went out the door, he realized that she was right. All the best ones were taken. Jill was married, and he wished to hell that he were Neil!
* * *
Connie could hear the party three houses away. The windows were closed, but the laughter and the loud music seemed to seep out through the walls. She’d parked around the corner, in front of a house that was up for sale. The windows were dark, and there was no furniture inside. The owners had already moved. That meant there would be no one to give a description of her or her car.