Power Play

by Warren, Nancy

  “Cousin Buddy? I don’t know. I hope not. I think you freaked him out last night being so big and tough and scary.”

  “Lots of people get nervous around cops. He was real spooked, though. Probably has a drawerful of unpaid parking tickets. Or he owes back taxes.” He shrugged, but the puzzled frown remained. “What was all that ruckus about when he came out of the bathroom?”

  “Ruckus?” She wrinkled her brow trying to remember. “Oh, I picked up his cell phone by mistake. Thought it was mine. He got all bent out of shape like I was taking his calls or something.”

  “A guy shouldn’t leave his cell phone lying around in a bar if he doesn’t want people making that kind of mistake.”

  She nodded. “I’m glad you reminded me of that. I saw a text message. I’d forgotten all about it. It said something about everything being set for pickup at midnight on Saturday.”

  “What’s he picking up at midnight?”

  “I don’t know. But Saturday’s tomorrow, the night Leanne and Derek are getting married. Do you think he’s got some infantile prank in mind?”

  “Most likely.”

  “Can you arrest him for inappropriate behavior?”

  He showed his teeth. “I’d love an excuse to put that little schmuk behind bars. But it’s not my jurisdiction.” He dug through his bag, pulled out briefs and jeans. “You know, there’s something about that guy that doesn’t feel right.”

  “Cop’s instincts?”

  He shrugged. “Don’t knock them. It can’t hurt to do some quiet checking. Find out why Cousin Buddy gets so nervous when he meets a cop.”

  He grabbed the pad of hotel stationery off the desk and the blue plastic pen with Elk Crossing Lodge written in gold down the side punctuated by a tiny gold Elk logo. Clicked open the ballpoint. “What’s Buddy’s real name?”

  Luckily, her aunt had mentioned it in passing. His name’s really Bruce, but when he was a little boy they had a dog called Buddy and little Brucie got confused and thought it was his name. He’s been Buddy ever since. “His real name’s Bruce.” And she gave him the correct spelling for her cousin’s last name, which he jotted down.

  “What else do you know about Buddy? Tell me everything.”

  She told him everything she knew about her third cousin, which was surprisingly a lot given how much her family had been extolling his attributes. Thirty-four and not married, so you know he’s ready to settle down with the right woman. “He’s thirty-four.”

  His practice is in Boise. He could have gone for a cheaper rent in an outlying medical center, but Buddy’s one for doing everything the best. He’s right downtown in the medical center. He’s smart, too. Do you know he graduated third in his class from Penn Dental School? He drives a Porsche.

  It was surprising how much she’d learned as her family tried to sell her on her third cousin. After she’d recalled as many details as she could, she said, “This isn’t going to be embarrassing to us, is it?”

  “No. I’m only asking a few questions from some colleagues, all nice and quiet. So long as he’s not a wanted fugitive he’ll never know anybody was asking. Like I say, it’s probably nothing, but you get to my age and you learn to listen to your gut.”

  “Good. I’m glad this is all unofficial. He’s a strange one. But then so are most of my family.”

  She rose to sitting, watching him dress. “Any chance you can make the rehearsal dinner tonight? That would stop Buddy drooling over me.”

  He paused to glance up at her. “When and where?”

  “Dino’s Italian Restaurant. The wedding rehearsal’s at five. Dinner at seven.”

  “I might be a bit late, but I should make dinner okay.”

  She was much happier about this news than she should have been. She told herself it was because Jonah by her side meant an absent Buddy, but the truth was she enjoyed having him around. Liked the sexual sizzle between them, his no-nonsense way of looking at the world, and the way he made her laugh. She was definitely going to enjoy him for the last couple of days—and nights—they had together.

  He kissed her on his way out the door. “See you later.”

  She did some yoga stretches, savoring the entire day to herself. No errands to run, no more decorations to make, nothing to do but enjoy herself. Her cell phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “The cake is ready to be picked up today,” her mother said, bubbling with excitement at the thought.

  “Really?” She recalled her conversation with Jonah and how right he was. He barely knew her and he’d noticed that her family took advantage of her single status and inability to say no. She had to start standing up for herself and saying no once in a while. No. She mouthed the word silently. No. She would not pick up the cake. Enough was enough. She gripped her phone a little tighter as though that might help her determination.

  “Your uncle was going to drive to the bakery and get it, but he and your aunt have a million things to do. I told them you wouldn’t mind.”

  “But—” So much for saying no. She hadn’t even been asked. She’d been told.

  “They said I must be so proud to have a daughter like you, and I told them I am.”

  See? If Jonah could hear her mother on the phone he’d understand why she was such a pushover. Now what was she supposed to do? If she refused to get the cake her mother would look foolish. Besides, her aunt and uncle must have a million things to do, and since she’d done all the calligraphy on the cards they’d let her off from decorating the hall.

  She sighed, releasing her death grip on her cell. “What time will the cake be ready?”

  “Ten o’clock. And did Leanne remind you about the hairdo rehearsal?”

  “What hairdo rehearsal?” she asked, getting a bad feeling in her scalp.

  “You know, the hairdo rehearsal, so all the bridesmaids match. It’s at Gilda’s Salon at noon.”

  She sighed. So much for lunch with a friend. So much for at least wearing her own hairstyle with that hideous dress. Glancing at her watch she realized she didn’t even have time for a very long run. It was hell being the reliable one.

  JONAH MADE A COUPLE OF CALLS on his way to the rink. The kind of calls that don’t get logged. No reports are generated. Nothing official ever takes place and information quietly gets exchanged.

  He got to the rink and was putting on his skates when Sadhu came in yawning. His hair was all on end, he was heavy-eyed from lack of sleep and it was pretty clear he’d just rolled out of bed. Not his own, Jonah guessed.

  “Don’t tell me, Kirsten and you spent some quality time together.”

  He grinned. “I never talk about my conquests. You know that.” After the raucous comments and laughter died down, he added, “She likes waffles for breakfast. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “You dog. Hope you got some strength left in you to play.”

  He took a long look at Jonah. “Old man, you worry about your own strength.”

  EMILY SET OFF AT A SLOW JOG, heading for the park. She passed bundled-up kids on swings and slides, mothers chatting to each other, their hands wrapped around take-out coffees. The rain had knocked a lot of the fall leaves from the trees, and they squished beneath her feet as she ran, sending up the smell of autumn. The bright reds and oranges and yellows still hung from the oaks and maples, flaming against a leaden sky.

  She ran on, taking it easy because she was tired, and most of the night had been a workout. She smiled at the memories. Who knew a tough guy cop could be so inventive?

  Her phone rang as she hit her stride. She glanced at it and saw it was her mother. She should ignore the call. It was bound to be something that would annoy her. But it was her mother and she always had the guilty fear that the one time she ignored her mom would be the time the woman who gave her life was in mid heart attack, on her last gasp, and she could have saved her if only…

  “Hello?”

  “You sound out of breath. Is everything all right?”

  “I’m running.”


  “Oh, running. Nice for you to be able to take a vacation when we’re all killing ourselves over this wedding. I’ve personally hung fifty paper roses already this morning.”

  Guilt washed over her, but she knew it wasn’t really the unfair accusation that she wasn’t pulling her weight, it was the primeval fear that her mother could somehow divine what she’d been up to all night.

  “I’ll be there at noon for the hair rehearsal. And I’m picking up the cake on the way.”

  “Good. But I’m calling about rental dishes.”

  “Rental dishes?” It was no good. She couldn’t jog and talk at the same time, so she stopped and walked over to a big old oak tree, leaning against the solid trunk. It was damp, and cool through her running pants, but she didn’t care. “What about the rental dishes?”

  She should have known her mother wasn’t having a heart attack, and even if she was, she was surrounded by family all hanging paper roses Emily had twisted, and twinkle lights, and propping the place cards she’d personally calligraphied onto the tables. Her heavy breathing slowed.

  “I need you to pick them up.”

  “But, Mom, I’m already picking up the cake.”

  “I know. That’s why I thought of you. Morton’s Rentals is on your way.”

  Just say no, she reminded herself. “Isn’t there somebody else who could do it?”

  “Of course, don’t give it another thought. I’ll get Leanne to pick them up. She won’t be busy. She’s got nothing better to do.”

  “Not Leanne. I was thinking—”

  “Or me. I’m nearly sixty and my sciatica’s murder in this weather, and I’ve spent the morning hanging paper roses so you could have the day off, but don’t give it a thought. I will get the dishes, and your father with his bad back can help me. Go back to your running.”

  It was hopeless. Why did she even bother? “Where do you want the dishes dropped off?”

  She turned her phone off then, with a vicious jab. Whoever wanted to talk to her, she didn’t want to talk to them.

  Of course, now Jonah would phone and want to talk dirty in her ear and instead he’d get her voice mail. It was all so unfair.

  She picked up her pace, running her frustrations out until she was drenched with sweat and panting. She stopped to stretch out her muscles and then headed in for a quick shower.

  She was just drying off when the room phone rang. She considered ignoring it in case it was her mother again, but curiosity got the better of her. “Hello?”

  “I need to talk to you,” a breathless voice said in a whisper.

  “Who is this?”

  “Kirsten.”

  “Kirsten? Where are you?”

  “In the lobby.”

  “I just got out of the shower.”

  “Perfect. I can talk to you while you get ready.”

  She managed to scramble into her clothes before the knock sounded on the door. She opened it to find Kirsten looking a little the worse for wear, in last night’s clothes. Her makeup had worn off, her hair was a mess and she was pale from lack of sleep.

  All the symptoms of a man-crush.

  “Sadhu?”

  A grumpy-looking nod answered her. “I need you to cover for me. When I got home this morning, Tyler’s truck was parked outside my place so I made Sadhu drop me off here. You were out, so I had some coffee in the restaurant. Where were you?”

  “I went for a run.”

  “Oh. Nice. I should take up running. I really need to get back in shape.”

  She looked stunned, not so much like a woman who’d had raunchy sex all night, but like a woman who’d had a life-changing experience.

  But then Emily thought about her night with Jonah and realized a night of raunchy sex probably could be life-changing.

  Kirsten looked at her with those big brown innocent puppy eyes. “I’m going to tell Tyler that I had too much to drink and came home and crashed in your room. He doesn’t know about Jonah, so he’d figure it was a girls-only slumber party. Okay?”

  And just like that, another favor was being asked of her. She should definitely say no to this one. She didn’t like lying for one thing, and was terrible at it for another.

  “I’m not sure—”

  “Oh, Em, I don’t know what I’m doing.” And with that, Kirsten flopped onto the bed on her back. “Last night was the most amazing night of my life.”

  Emily put her hand up. “Okay, I might lie for you, but I really don’t want to hear about your sex life.”

  The woman bounced up and crossed her legs on top of the quilt. “What sex life?” she almost yelled. “I didn’t have sex with Sadhu. It was more like an all-night counseling session.”

  “Sadhu? He looked ready to eat you up with a spoon.”

  “I know. That’s what I thought.” She rolled off the bed and went to the in-room coffeemaker. “You get ready. I’ll make coffee while we talk.”

  She went into the bathroom and filled the carafe with water, came back and started the maker going. Emily dried her hair. This room simply wasn’t big enough for all the activity it was seeing.

  “What’s with the curtain?” her unwanted guest asked when she’d turned off the blow-dryer.

  “Go and look.”

  Kirsten drew back the curtain and laughed. “No way. It’s like camping. Without the campfire and marshmallows.” Letting the curtain drop, she poured them both coffee, went to her bag and drew out a battered pack of cigarettes.

  “You can’t smoke in here.”

  “I know. I’m giving them to you. Can you please hold on to them for me?”

  “You want me to hold your cigarettes? Why?”

  “No. I don’t.” She snatched the pack back, closed her eyes, and opened them again. “Yes. I do.” She drew one from the package. “I’ll keep this one, for emergencies. No. Not for emergencies. So I can enjoy my last cigarette. I think I’ll smoke it someplace special. I’ll take my time, enjoy every moment of it, and then I’ll always be able to remember my last smoke.”

  Emily took the pack and placed it inside the desk drawer. “You sound a little like a crazy person, but I think it’s great that you’re quitting.”

  “Me, too.”

  She pushed her hair behind her ears and dug around in her bag. “I need gum.” She found the pack, pushed a piece into her mouth and chewed like it was the first meal she’d seen in weeks and she was starving. “I’ve never craved a cigarette when I was smoking as much as I do now that I’ve decided to quit. It’s like when you go on a diet and all you can think about is food.” She chomped harder.

  “Maybe you should think about the patch?”

  She watched Kirsten chew, adding a new piece to the wad in her mouth long before she could have lost the flavor in the first piece. She couldn’t help but compare the jittery behavior of her friend with her own almost Zen-like calmness induced by a night of amazing sex.

  Interesting.

  “When I left Brandy’s last night I figured you and Sadhu were going to, you know, have amazing sex all night.”

  Another piece of gum came out of the bag and she stuffed it into her mouth. Soon she wouldn’t be able to talk at all. “Ha,” she said around the gum. “I wish.” And scowled.

  She looked so put out, like a little kid contemplating a temper tantrum, that Emily couldn’t help but smile. “So, you spent the entire night with a hot guy and didn’t get laid.”

  “Stop rubbing it in.”

  “Was it because of Tyler?” Emily was all for being faithful, but Tyler and Kirsten had always had one of those relationships where you felt as though they were both hanging out together until something better came along. She knew Kirsten was well aware that she wasn’t the only one Tyler saw, so she doubted that it was some kind of loyalty keeping her from doing the deed with a new man.

  “No.” Then she put her head on one side. “Actually, maybe in a way.” She chewed for a bit and then with a huff, pulled the wad of gum out of her mouth and tossed it in
the wastepaper bin. “I’m going to have to tell you everything.”

  Emily glanced at the clock beside the bed. It was almost eleven. She really hoped the story didn’t take too long since she still needed to pick up the cake, the rental dishes and get to the hair salon by noon.

  She got her makeup bag out and started on her face while Kirsten talked, but a couple of times she had to kick-start herself back to the task because the story pouring out of Kirsten was so incredible.

  Sadhu should have been a one-night stand. He had one-night lover written all over him. And instead he’d taken a pass on sleeping with a woman who was not only beautiful, but sexy and willing. Not only that, he’d said some things to her that were making her think. He’d said what Emily and Leanne and Kirsten’s other friends had been thinking, hinting or outright telling her for months. Maybe from the right person, the message was finally seeping through.

  Maybe there was more to Sadhu than she’d realized.

  At the end of the recital, Kirsten didn’t look any happier. In fact, she appeared so confused that Emily wanted to hug her. She didn’t. Even though she wasn’t in town that often, she’d often been sorry to see Kirsten still in a town that was a great place to raise a family, a charming place to retire, but a dead end for someone like her. Instead of getting out when the job hadn’t worked out, she’d slid. Professionally, personally and, Emily suspected where Tyler was concerned, sexually.

  Now a man had entered her life, however briefly, who had decided to provoke her out of her rut. Emily had no idea what his motives might be or whether Kirsten was ready to move forward with her life, but she liked the possibility.

  “So here I am. And I don’t know what to do.”

  Emily rose, grabbed her bag and coat. “I’m going to drive you home. Once you get there, I suggest a shower and a change of clothes. Then why don’t you think about what you want? Sadhu saw some things after knowing you only a few hours. Maybe he’s right, maybe he isn’t. Nobody can figure that out but you.”

  “Did you hear the part when he said he’s playing hard to get?”

  She suppressed a smile with an effort. “That was my favorite part.”

  “Guys never play hard to get. I don’t think it’s in their genetic code.”