by Ann Roberts
They all buckled up but Ari sat frozen in the driver’s seat.
Molly wrapped an arm around her. “Are you okay, honey?”
When she turned to Molly tears streamed down her face. “I was so worried about you. What if you’d been on the trolley?”
“Oh, baby,” she murmured as their lips connected.
“Excuse me, I was on the trolley,” Jane said from the backseat. “Were you worried about me?”
Ari broke the connection and reached for her hand. “Of course I was worried.”
“Do they know what killed Drew?” Jane asked.
“Somebody laced his energy drink with strychnine,” Molly said. “Took several minutes for it to work, so I’m guessing whoever did it was with him long enough to drop it into the can without his noticing before they left.”
“I have some new theories,” Molly said. Ari looked at her quizzically and she kissed her cheek. “But all of them can wait until the morning.”
After they dropped Jane off at her condo, Ari returned Molly to her truck, which she’d left outside the trolley lot. As they pulled up, Molly frowned when she saw only two trolleys. Ari put the 4Runner in park but kept the engine idling and the air conditioner blowing.
“Want to talk about the case?”
“Not right now. I think the person responsible is probably reeling from the events of the night. Between Drew’s video and Yoli’s save on the trolley, he or she has a lot to think about. I think we can afford a few hours to recharge. Okay with you?”
Molly’s thumb stroked the side of her arm tenderly. It was the lightest of touches but provided the greatest sense of security. It was bliss.
“It’s fine with me. Speaking of the video…” She pulled a flash drive from her purse. “I made us a copy.”
Molly offered a tired smile. “Good thinking.”
“Want to come over to my place?”
“I’d love to if you want me to.”
“Yeah, I do.” Ari sat up and faced Molly. “I misjudged Yoli and I want you to know that. She was incredibly brave tonight, and while I don’t think she possesses many social skills, I know you owe her a lot.”
Molly bit her lip and stared out the window. When she looked back at Ari, she saw the hesitation, the need for reassurance. She cupped Ari’s cheeks between her hands and kissed her gently. “You know I don’t want to be with her, right? You know you’re the only one.” Ari nodded slowly. “But when you say I owe her a lot…you have no idea how much.”
* * *
A thud woke Molly and she blinked, completely disoriented. Then she inhaled Ari’s perfume and smiled. She was in Ari’s bed. She got up and headed downstairs, stopping at the entryway to the kitchen. Ari was preparing coffee. Her movements were always deliberate and poised. She was so graceful. And beautiful. Molly realized she was wearing a goofy smile.
Eventually she padded out to the kitchen where Ari prepped fruits and vegetables for a smoothie. When she saw her, she offered a slow smile.
“Did you sleep okay?”
She leaned against the counter and popped a strawberry into her mouth. “Not really. I couldn’t stop thinking of Drew. I got up and watched the video a few more times. How many people in their twenties use the word mayhem in a sentence?”
“My grandmother was the only person I knew who used that expression.”
“Mine too.”
Ari resumed her kitchen duties and asked, “What are you thinking?”
“First things first,” Molly said, pulling Ari into her arms for a long kiss. “Oh, I’ve missed this.” Then she said sheepishly, “But I need my coffee and cigarette.”
“Go out back. I’ll make smoothies and toast and we’ll eat on the patio.”
“I’ll go out front to smoke. I’m not subjecting you to it.”
She shook her head. “Honey, don’t worry about it. I’d rather have you near me. I’m not banishing you to the curb every time you need a cigarette. The patio’s fine. It’s a good compromise, don’t you think?”
She smiled. “Compromise. That’s not a word we used a lot during our relationship.”
She looked away and Molly sensed she was remembering some of the worst moments of their past, when she was most unreasonable, usually after she’d been drinking heavily.
“I think compromise is important,” Ari agreed. She sighed.
“What?” Molly asked warily.
“There’s something I need to tell you and you’re not going to like it.”
Molly could feel her blood pressure climbing. “What?”
“Weeks ago Dorothy and your mom planned a surprise birthday party for you. It’s tonight.”
Molly dropped onto a barstool. Her neighbor Dorothy called herself an ancient retiree with the energy of a teenager. Molly was sure the party was her idea. She scowled and shook her head. “We don’t have time for this.”
Ari nestled against her and played with a curl. “We need to make time. Your whole family is going to be there, and frankly, I’m glad they’ll see us together.”
“Okay,” Molly conceded.
Ari kissed the top of her head. “Now go get your smokes.”
One of Ari’s needy clients interrupted their breakfast, forcing her to drive over to a potential property. Molly decided to check on Yoli, but within ten seconds of entering her apartment, she knew she was gone, the key to her apartment sitting on the breakfast bar. She’d cleaned the perishable stuff out of her fridge and she’d taken all of her clothes and belongings in her Army duffel.
Left behind was a framed picture of her and Molly at the park, sitting on the swings. A teenager practicing photography had come by and asked to take it, and Yoli had insisted he email them a copy. Molly removed the photo from the frame and put it in her pocket.
What she’d told Ari was the truth. She owed her continued sobriety to Yoli even if they didn’t fit as a couple. She headed out the door, setting her key next to Yoli’s. As she locked the door behind her, grief washed over her. A part of her life was over and she was suddenly afraid for her sobriety. Although she knew Ari had nothing to do with her drinking, did she really believe she was Ari’s equal?
Chapter Twenty-Four
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MOLLY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!”
With the last off-key note came applause and celebratory hoots from the crowd gathered around the cake. Molly blew out her thirty-eight candles. Ari could tell she was embarrassed. Her cheeks were beet red, but her broad smile telegraphed how she really felt. She glanced at Ari, who winked, and the smile faded into a shy message only they understood.
“So, what’d you wish for, Aunt Molly?” six-year-old Kenny asked.
“I’ll bet I can guess,” Dorothy Lyons answered, raising her eyebrows and drawing a line in the air between Ari and Molly. Everyone knew Molly’s favorite neighbor was their biggest cheerleader.
Molly’s mother Teddy held up the first slice. “Who wants some cake?” she asked, pointedly ignoring Dorothy’s comment. Several of the fifty-plus guests huddled around the pool area of Molly’s apartment complex raised their hands. As the dessert was doled out, many retreated to the comfort of the pool. Although it was seven o’clock, the evening temperature remained above ninety degrees.
Ari knew it would take more time to patch up her relationship with Teddy, who didn’t share Dorothy’s enthusiasm for their reunion. Teddy still worried Ari’s relationship with Molly would implode, or worse—drive Molly back to drinking.
Ari was determined not to let that happen. She’d agreed to go to therapy with her every other week, and she’d decided to start seeing Dr. Yee on her own to help her with her own wounds. A memory of Richie with his baseball cards flashed in her mind.
“Ten bucks says I can guess what you’re thinking.”
She turned to find her father standing beside her.
“I’d never take that bet,” she replied, certain that she telegraphed her emotions.
Jack Adams wolfed down the last of his cake
and checked his watch. “I can’t stay long. I just wanted to be here for the surprise.”
“And the cake,” Ari joked. She knew how much her father loved birthday cake.
He nodded and filched a nibble from her plate. “Hey,” she said. “Get seconds if you want more.”
They laughed and she noted the easy rapport between them. The betrayal and anger that usually surfaced because of their rocky past had dissipated. She had to really focus on certain memories to resurrect the pain.
“Attention, attention!” Dorothy stepped onto a stool to be seen. In her hand she held a purple envelope. “Now, Molly, you may have noticed that there isn’t a table full of gifts—”
“That’s because we didn’t want to buy anything,” Brian joked.
Everyone erupted in laughter and she waved for silence. “No, it’s quite the opposite. There isn’t a table of gifts because we all know there’s only one thing you want, and we pooled our resources together to help your company get a place. Nelson Security needs a home.”
A bemused look on her face, Molly took the envelope from her. When she pulled out the check, she could hardly speak. “You guys…”
“There’s one catch,” Dorothy added. “I have an official guest list here and we all expect free security or PI services whenever we need it.”
“Thank you,” she said, tearing up. Everyone applauded, excusing her from a speech. They were well aware how uncomfortable center stage was for her.
People crowded around and hugged her but Ari and Jack stayed on the periphery. Jack wasn’t a hugger and Ari would have her own opportunity to congratulate Molly.
“Gotta go,” he said, dropping his empty paper plate in the trash. He kissed her on the cheek. “Go be with your girlfriend. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He waved at an approaching Brian and disappeared through the crowd.
Brian threw a brotherly arm around her. “I know this isn’t your scene. I’m about ready to have a word with my mother if she glares at you once more. Mom’s a tough nut so we’re all sensitive to her feelings, which is why we haven’t extended a bunch of invitations to you, but she’ll come around. She is coming around. Molly’s made her intentions very clear.”
“What intentions?”
He flashed a megawatt smile. “Not my place to say. Now, c’mon.”
He led her to a small group of family that included his fiancée Lynn, who launched into a plan for them to go shopping. It was like old times.
Strong arms wrapped around her middle and she sank into Molly’s embrace. She quickly lost track of the conversation, her senses overwhelmed by Molly’s cologne, her breath lingering over her ear when she spoke. Molly entwined their fingers, caressing her thumb all the while still completely engaged in the banter with her family.
Ari’s plastered smile belied the growing urge coursing through her body. She glanced down, confirming that their current pose didn’t warrant further ridicule from Teddy. What I want to do with Molly—to Molly… It’s been so long.
Lorraine interrupted everything with her dramatic arrival. On her arm was Lev Rosenthal. Molly and Ari exchanged a surprised look, but Lorraine didn’t miss a beat. “Happy birthday, Molly,” she said, offering a crushing hug while Ari and Lev watched.
“Sorry we’re late. I hope you liked your present.”
“I did and I imagine you’ll like having your conference room back.”
Lorraine winked. “It’s a win-win.” She hooked her arm through Lev’s and said, “I’m glad we’re taking an evening to celebrate your birthday even though you’re in the middle of a case.”
Molly shrugged and blushed. “Well, this wasn’t my idea. I’m not a party person usually.”
“You’ll party like it’s 1999, young lady,” Dorothy said as she approached. She was carrying a bottle of wine. “Who can help me with this? I need a corkscrew. There’s a glass of Chateauneuf du Pape in it for you if you get it open.” She looked at Molly and said, “Except for you. Not asking you.”
“Oh, I can help you,” Lev offered.
“Great. A Boy Scout. Walk this way.”
Lev followed her to the drink table. When he was out of earshot, Molly said, “I take it you haven’t told him that you know he’s part of TRIO?”
“No, chica. Not yet. I’m a patient person. But I have news for you both.” She glanced at Lev who was fumbling with a small corkscrew he’d pulled from his pants pocket while Dorothy made him laugh. “I did some digging and the third member of TRIO is Reverend Glass.”
Ari and Molly exchanged surprised looks. “I didn’t see that coming,” Molly murmured.
Lev shared a toast with Dorothy and grabbed another glass of wine for Lorraine. He smiled as he approached and the three of them smiled back.
“I still can’t believe you’re playing along,” Ari whispered.
“Remember, chica,” Lorraine said through her fake smile, “revenge is a dish best served cold. Please excuse me.”
She sashayed back to Lev’s side and they headed toward the cake table. Molly grabbed Ari’s hand and pulled her behind a tree. In the darkness she kissed her passionately and Ari swooned. She ended the kiss and whispered, “All I want right now is to be alone with you. When will these people go home?”
Ari chuckled and they rubbed noses. Movement in the shadows caught her eye and she froze.
“What’s wrong?”
“I think you have an unexpected guest.”
* * *
Molly went out the side gate to the parking lot. Yoli leaned against the back wall, her arms crossed. She stood under a work light that produced a harsh glare on her face. Her features had always been severe, and now she looked dangerous. A motorcycle was parked next to her.
“New bike?” Molly asked.
“Yeah. I’m heading out of town tomorrow and I’m traveling light.”
“I thought you’d already left. Have you talked to the police?”
“Yeah, I went in this morning.”
Molly stuck her hands in her pockets and shuffled her feet. She’d gone twelve hours without a cigarette, but the sight of Yoli was making her crave one. “Well, the police may have a lead. Hopefully, we’ll know more tomorrow.”
Yoli’s gaze drifted toward the street. She stepped away from the wall and searched the bike’s storage compartment. She withdrew an orange notebook and handed it to Molly.
“This might help.”
Molly held it toward the light and flipped through the pages. Much of what was written was a jumbled mess—repeated phrases from Fleetwood Mac songs, notes to Jonny and lists of times that had no meaning. She found the key dates, including the date and time Chynna threw the rock at Brown’s Diner, the time when Drew vandalized the artwork and the exact time he visited the Bikini Lounge.
“Where did you get this?”
She bit her lip. “I stole it from Drew yesterday…a few hours before he died. He’d left it sitting on his desk. I remembered you were looking for a journal with a Velcro strip.” She pointed at the strip that hugged the binding. “So I took it. I don’t understand it but maybe you will.”
“You heard he was poisoned with strychnine.”
She nodded.
“This could catch his killer, Yoli. Thanks. Now I owe you twice.”
“You don’t,” she said emphatically.
“That’s not how I see it. Where are you going?”
She flashed a crooked smile. “I’m reenlisting. This world isn’t for me. I belong in the service.” She hopped on the bike. “I need to get going.”
“Will I see you again? Will you keep in touch?” She tried not to sound desperate but it felt like her lifeline was slipping away.
Yoli looked at her warily and Molly realized she needed to explain. “I’ve had some time to think and now that I’ve got some perspective, now that we’re not together, there’s so many more things I want to ask you.”
Yoli scowled and said, “We’re not friends. Remember what I said about exes?” She threw a nod toward
the party and said, “Guess I was right, huh?”
She pulled something out of her pocket and handed it to Molly. It looked like a quarter but slightly bigger. A triangle covered the face and the words To thine own self be true circled the perimeter. In the middle of the triangle was a V, the Roman numeral five. Her five-year chip.
“You take this. Every time you want a drink, you look at it and you think about what it says. And then I want you to think about me coming back and kicking your ass if I find out you’re off the wagon.”
They both laughed, and she started to give her a hug, but Yoli held up her hand. “No, no. I can’t.”
Her face was shrouded in darkness and Molly wondered if she was crying. The bike hummed to life and she pulled away.
Molly stared at the chip and then gripped it tightly in her fist.
* * *
Ari returned to the pool area, wondering what Molly and Yoli were discussing. She knew her fear of losing Molly again was irrational, but still…
Her phone started to play ‘Born This Way,’ her ringtone for Jane. “Hi, sweetie.”
“How’s the party?”
“It’s great.” She looked toward the pool. “Right now, Dorothy is about to do a cannonball.”
“Oh, God. I hope some hot female paramedics are standing by. Does Molly have friends in other branches of public service, like the fire department?”
Ari laughed. “I don’t know. Right now she’s with Yoli.”
Jane gasped. “Yoli? What the hell is she doing there?”
“She just showed up. Nobody else knows she’s here. They’re off talking behind the main building.”
“Honey, are you okay?”
Ari finally voiced what had been bothering her for the last week. “What if this isn’t right? What if we don’t belong together? What if she belongs with Yoli and I’ve destroyed the possibility for their happiness?”
“She doesn’t belong with Yoli, honey. Of that I’m sure. And as for your future together, you’ll just have to work on it. Are you up for it?”