Anticipation

by Terri Breneman

Vicky went back inside the house to get her bag and Toni’s. The rest of the guests were herded into the vans by Sam and Betty.

  Toni whispered into Boggs’s ear. “I guess you really are my bodyguard tonight.” She was standing so close to Boggs she could feel her body heat. She looked into Boggs’s eyes and felt her knees get a little weak.

  She thought about the conversation she overheard at the party.

  She thought about whispering in Boggs’s ear and how it made her feel. Then she thought about Judge Haley, and how quickly life could be taken away. She remembered the loneliness she felt when she was with her friends . . . and the emptiness she’d experienced in the last few years. It occurred to her that she had never felt so alive, or laughed so hard as she had in the last few weeks. Life was short. Life was incredibly precious. Maybe it was the wine she drank at the party. Or maybe it was the fact that she might be the next target for a serial killer. Whatever the reason, Toni decided 140

  that she wanted to live her life to the fullest. With all those thoughts and emotions rushing through her in less than a minute, she made a decision. She leaned forward to whisper in Boggs’s ear once again. Boggs, clearly more than a little paranoid, pulled back ever so slightly.

  Toni recognized the small shift and instantly knew what Boggs was thinking. Boggs had felt the deep connection, too, but was attempting to deny and conceal it. It was at that moment Toni knew she was making the right decision. She trusted Boggs. She felt some uncanny bond with her. And now, she was trusting her life to this woman.

  “I know about you Boggs,” she whispered.

  Boggs leaned back, a startled look in her eyes.

  Toni took a half-step forward and gently placed her hand on Boggs’s arm. “It’s okay,” she said with a wink and a teasing smile. “I believe we belong to the same club.”

  Boggs raised her eyebrows and tilted her head slightly.

  Toni confessed, “I heard you talking to Vicky in the bedroom at Sam’s.”

  Boggs seemed to turn several shades of red, although it was tough to tell in the dark night. She started to speak, but all that came out was a stammer.

  Toni shut her up completely by saying, “I feel something, too.” Boggs was grinning from ear to ear when Vicky returned with the bags.

  “So,” she asked. “Did I miss anything?”

  Toni shrugged. “Just the usual chitchat. We solved the ozone problem and thought up a cure for the common cold. We were just about ready to discuss some really important issues when thankfully you appeared.” She graciously took her bag from Vicky.

  “Good,” Vicky replied. “I’d hate to think I missed anything earthshattering. Now, let’s move on to those important issues.

  What’s our plan here? We’ll need food, coffee and footed p.j.’s for later. I can offer my luxurious apartment for our party, if there are no complaints.”

  141

  “Well,” Toni answered. “if no one minds a mess, I’d like to go back to my place. I don’t like to leave Mr. Rupert alone all night.” Boggs and Vicky agreed and the plan was set. Vicky would swing by her place and pick up supplies. Boggs and Toni would go over to Boggs’s apartment for a change of clothes and then meet at Toni’s. Toni gave Vicky her address and was about to give direc-tions when Vicky waved her off.

  “I used to patrol that area back in the good old days. See you there.”

  Boggs and Toni got in the car. “First of all,” Boggs said with a grin, “I’m so glad we made it past that first huge hurdle. I can’t begin to tell you what I’ve been going through in the last few weeks.”

  Toni laughed. “Me, too. Jeez!”

  “Okay. We’ll talk about that for hours on end at some point, I’m sure. But until this other issue gets straightened out, I doubt if we’ll be alone. I mean, Vicky is cool with this, obviously, but others are definitely not.”

  Toni interrupted her. “I know the drill. Law school hasn’t exactly moved away from the good ol’ boys’ network.” Boggs nodded. She still hadn’t started the car. She looked in the rearview mirror. Everyone had left. The sexual tension in the air was thick as butter. Nervous, she glanced at Toni. She’d wanted to kiss her from the moment she’d seen her. This was her chance.

  Why was she feeling so apprehensive? It wasn’t as though she’d never kissed a woman. Hell. She’d kissed more than her share—

  and in more risky places. Still, she felt like a teenager.

  Toni broke the silence. “I guess we better get going or Vicky will beat us there.”

  “I guess so,” Boggs said. But she didn’t move.

  Toni turned to face her. That did it.

  Boggs reached out to touch Toni’s cheek. It was so soft. Toni smiled in return. She gently slipped her hand behind Toni’s neck 142

  and felt her hair slide between her fingers. She pulled her closer.

  They were inches apart now. Boggs could feel her breath and smell her light perfume. She drank it all in before leaning closer. Their lips met and Boggs heard Toni moan ever so slightly. The kiss was tentative and light. She pulled back and looked into Toni’s eyes.

  They took her breath away and lit a fire inside her. She kissed her again. And again, harder this time. Their tongues met and Boggs hungered for more. Much more.

  This time Toni pulled back. “If we stay here any longer,” she said, breathing hard, “we’ll get arrested.” Boggs laughed. “I know you’re right, but that doesn’t mean I want to stop. How about we pick up later—where we left off?” Toni smiled and winked. “Try to stop me.” Boggs started the car. She remembered what brought them to this point and the gravity of the situation Toni was in. “Tonight isn’t going to be what I’d like it to be. I mean, I might not be myself, exactly. I’ll be in more of a bodyguard mode, I suppose. I just, well, I wish it could be different. I didn’t want you to think, I mean, well—”

  “Boggs, I understand. This isn’t exactly what I would have wanted for our first date, but protocol is protocol. Let’s just try to make the best of it. From what I’ve seen of Vicky, that shouldn’t be too hard.”

  Boggs laughed. “That’s true. Vicky is lots of fun. And she’s good, so don’t worry. You’re in good hands, Toni.” 143

  CHAPTER 15

  Boggs parked in front of her apartment building. “We’re here,” she announced. “Come on in and I’ll give you the nickel tour.

  Please excuse the dust and mess. My maid has the year off.” She hopped out of the car and quickly scanned the area.

  Everything looked normal. She was glad she had on her shoulder holster instead of the ankle holster. It afforded a much faster access. She unlocked her door, flipped on the light and glanced around. Satisfied, she waved Toni inside, then shut and locked the door behind her. Toni looked almost startled.

  “No. I’m not locking you in. Just routine safety procedures.

  Not a bad idea, though,” she said with a wink.

  Toni shook her head and smiled. Boggs gave her a quick tour and then left her in front of the fish tank while she changed her clothes. She thought about what to wear for the first time in a long time. She wanted to be comfortable and had decided she wanted to keep the shoulder holster. It gave her a better feeling of control 144

  because she was constantly aware of its presence. In this situation, she didn’t want to lose sight of the potential danger, and just being with Toni could make her forget her own name. With that in mind, she pulled on a pair of old jeans and a tank top. She refastened the holster and slipped her gun inside. She grabbed a denim workshirt from her closet and put that on. She glanced in her mirror. The shirt was big enough to gain easy access but still completely covered the holster. She took her gym bag from the closet and emptied out the clothes, leaving the shampoo and toiletries inside. Then she picked out a change of clothes for tomorrow and headed back to Toni, who seemed to be mesmerized by the fish.

  “I’m ready for the slumber party,” she said, holding her bag up for inspection.

  Toni didn’t even
look up. She pointed to the tank, careful not to touch the glass. “What’s this one?” she asked. “He looks like a miniature Jaws. And this guy is hysterical. I didn’t know you could have frogs in a fish tank. He swims for a few seconds, then just stops. It’s like he’s posing for a picture. I love this.”

  “Yeah, he’s my favorite,” Boggs said, then went on to give a quick description of all the fish. “We better hit the road. Vicky will be getting to your place any moment now.” She did another quick scan before allowing Toni to walk outside. She was on a mission and taking it very seriously, but she tried not to be too obvious for Toni’s sake.

  On the drive to Toni’s apartment, Boggs talked about her fish and attempted to answer all of Toni’s questions about each one.

  Meanwhile she constantly monitored her mirrors, looking for anything out of the ordinary. When they arrived at the parking lot she turned off the engine.

  “Let’s wait here for Vicky,” she said. When she pulled up a little later, Boggs unlocked the door and went in first. Vicky was right behind her. She turned on the light and motioned for Toni to remain at the threshold. With an expertise gained from years of experience, the two swept the area, their guns unholstered. After the main floor was clear, Toni was ushered inside and the door was 145

  locked. Toni remained by the door while Boggs and Vicky headed upstairs.

  “We’re having company tonight, boy,” Toni explained to Mr.

  Rupert, who had been lounging on the couch. “It seems my boss is a little concerned for my safety.”

  It wasn’t until they’d arrived at her place that Toni realized the true seriousness of the situation. She knew enough about police tactics to sense that Boggs had waited for her “partner” to arrive.

  Toni felt like one of those protected witnesses in a mobster movie and shuddered involuntarily.

  Mr. Rupert seemed a bit confused, as if he sensed her nervousness and that made him uncomfortable.

  When Boggs and Vicky came back downstairs and were laughing, Toni let out a breath, relieved. At that moment Mr. Rupert decided he too would need to protect Toni. Filled with determina-tion, he sat up straight and tall. He didn’t even flinch when Vicky said, “My God, he’s huge.”

  Toni introduced her to Mr. Rupert. “He’s not huge, just big-boned. Anyway, make yourselves at home.” She went into the kitchen. “Anyone like something to drink? I’ve got coffee, water and some diet Mountain Dew. Sorry I’m not more prepared.”

  “Coffee sounds good to me,” Boggs said.

  “Me, too,” Vicky agreed. “And let’s break out some food and get comfy.”

  Toni retrieved some cheese from the fridge. She had just finished with the coffee and turned on the pot when Vicky joined her in the kitchen with her own bag of goodies. She had obviously stopped by the deli. She asked for a couple plates and bowls, then kicked Toni out of the kitchen. Toni took her plates to the living room and then noticed the light flashing on her answering machine. The first message was from Jake, asking her to call and give him the scoop on the party. The next was from Linda, want-146

  ing to know if she was going to the flag football game tomorrow, and the last was a message from Anne Mulhoney.

  “I guess I don’t need to call her now that I have my very own bodyguards. She must have tried me before she got ahold of Sam,” Toni said, half to herself. Boggs nodded.

  Vicky made several trips during this time into the living room and soon the entire coffee table was full of food.

  Toni could hear the last gurgles of the coffeepot and started to get up, but she was waved off by Vicky.

  “I’ve got it, Toni. How do you like your coffee?”

  “If it’s okay with you guys, I’d like a splash of Kahlua and milk in mine,” she answered.

  Vicky grinned. “Sure. I’m a great bartender. Boggs, you still like a little milk?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Vicky returned with three steaming mugs of coffee. She surveyed the table. “Quite the spread, don’t you think? I doubt we’ll go hungry in the next few hours.”

  The table contained an assortment of deli meats, crackers, bread, potato salad, fresh veggies with onion dip, fried chicken, a Wisconsin cheddar and a box of Hostess Cupcakes. The women dug into the food as though they hadn’t eaten in days. There was some idle chitchat, but for the first ten minutes they all ate.

  “I suppose this whole situation is fairly commonplace to you two,” Toni said. “But this is a whole new experience for me. I don’t mind telling you I’m a little nervous. Even more so because we’re not talking about it.”

  Boggs took a sip of her coffee. “Well, from the practical side, we’re here to protect you. Anne’s concerned that maybe Crown wants to get even with everybody involved in this case. Since you’re the attorney of record, and you were the one in the courtroom, he might try for you. As you know, the women he killed before and now Judge Haley were all alone at the time. There was no forced entry, so either they let him in or he got in before they got home. We’ve swept your entire place and he’s not here. Since 147

  there’s no way any of us are going to let him in, you should be in pretty good shape. But we’re definitely not taking any chances.

  That’s why Vicky got assigned to the overnight shift.” Vicky said, “We’re doing everything by the book, so that’s why it seems so dramatic. No one is going to let you answer the door or go out by yourself. Metro also has units patrolling the area. It shouldn’t be long before we nab him.”

  “The whole thing just seems so unreal to me,” Toni said. “I mean, he confessed, then he just walks out of the jail. It just doesn’t seem to fit. I don’t know. Something just bothers me about the whole thing.”

  “I never even saw the guy.” Vicky shrugged. “I just know what I heard on TV and the murmurs around the station. I figure he’s crazier than shit and just got lucky.” She glanced over at Boggs.

  “What do you know? Aren’t you the investigator?” Boggs nodded. “Yeah, but I didn’t do hardly anything on this case. When Frank brought him in and got the confession, there wasn’t a whole lot left to do. As far as we were concerned, the guy was going to plead and that would be the end of that. In fact, I don’t think there was any hard evidence, and no one to interview.

  The only paper I ever got was that fax.” Toni remembered. “That was just a psych assessment from a few years back. I read it and he definitely fits the profile.

  Borderline Personality Disorder and a real problem with women.”

  “You understand all that psychobabble?” Vicky asked.

  “Basically,” she replied. “Before I went to law school I was a psychotherapist. Y’know, something didn’t sit right when I read the report, but either I was interrupted or I decided it didn’t matter. I’ve got it upstairs.” She headed toward the stairs. Boggs was right behind her. Toni looked at her.

  Boggs grinned. “We’re not even going to let you go to the bathroom by yourself until this is over. It’s just one of the perks of working at Metro.”

  Up in her bedroom, Toni retrieved the file from her desk and caught Boggs staring at her. Her cheeks burned and she averted 148

  her eyes. “I’ve got it,” she stammered. She felt the excitement of being alone in her bedroom with Boggs. For a moment she recalled the dream she had after seeing Boggs for the first time.

  She suddenly felt warm all over and for the second time that night her knees were weak.

  Boggs turned to leave but Toni caught her arm. She knew Vicky was downstairs but right now she didn’t care. She leaned in and kissed Boggs softly on the ear. Then on her neck and finally on her lips. The kiss was light and sensual. Boggs put her arms around her and pulled her closer.

  “I want so much more,” Toni whispered. “But not now. Not with Vicky downstairs.” She pulled away and headed back to the living room.

  Boggs blinked several times as though she couldn’t find any words. She followed Toni to the living room.

  Vicky was prop
ped up in the corner of the couch, chewing on a carrot stick. Toni cleared a corner of the coffee table and set down the file. While she reread the fax, Boggs cleared a few of the plates and refilled everyone’s coffee mug.

  Vicky let out an audible sigh and fanned herself. “Maybe it’s just me and the coffee, but is anyone else warm?”

  “Oh, that’s the furnace again,” replied Toni. “We’ve had problems with it the last week or so.” It came on even though the tem-perature was set at 65. Maintenance was supposed to have it fixed a few days ago. They tried, but it didn’t work. “Earlier this week it was like a sauna in here. We can open the windows if you want.” Vicky looked at Boggs, who shook her head.

  “That’s okay,” Vicky answered. “I’ll just change into a T-shirt.” She retrieved her bag and headed upstairs.

  Toni continued to read and kicked off her shoes and socks. A few more minutes passed. Then she found it. “Here. This was what was bugging me. In the diagnosis.” She pointed to the page and waved Boggs over. Vicky joined them. “See? Right here.

  Acrophobia.”

  Boggs and Vicky looked at each other and shrugged.

  149

  “He’s afraid of heights. But to have it diagnosed, it means more than just a little nervous. It means a real fear. This guy would probably have a panic attack if he were up high. Having this diagnosis means that it interferes with normal functioning. I mean, I’m not crazy about high places, but it doesn’t interfere with my life. I can go up to the top story of a building and look out without freaking out completely. Does that make sense?”

  Vicky nodded. “But why is this such a big deal? So the guy is a crazy son of a bitch who also doesn’t like high places. What’s so odd about that?”

  Toni was about to respond when Boggs blurted out, “The third murder. He got out through the window. She lived on the fourth floor.”

  “Exactly,” Toni said. “A guy like this would have freaked out if he had to leave through the window. It doesn’t make sense.” She scratched her head and looked at Boggs. “Do you think there could have been a mistake and he really left through the front door?”