Opalescence

by Darla Jones

  He shamefully bowed his head. “You’re right.” His arms drooped at his sides and he clenched his fists. “I’ll think about it.” He didn’t sound too sure of himself. “I’ll think about it,” he repeated again, and his eyes aimed at the floor, he slinked out the door.

  For the next three nights, Jeff and Stu kept up their guard at her apartment, and there were no further incidents. On Thursday evening, Jeff had to attend an awards dinner for the county law enforcement, and he invited LynAnn to go with him. Becky and Stu were both staying with the children while they attended the dinner.

  Getting ready for the dinner, LynAnn enjoyed a leisurely soak in the tub. With a deep breath and then a long sigh, she closed her eyes and relaxed in the soothing water. After a few minutes she reached for a washcloth and a sudden movement by the sink caught her attention. It was a mouse. It scampered across the floor and disappeared down a crack in the floorboards by the drain pipe. She wasn’t afraid of a little mouse, but this mouse was different. It was completely white. She bolted from the tub, blinked, and rubbed her eyes. Perhaps she was under too much stress. A common little mouse was one thing, but a white mouse was impossible. She sat on the side of the tub and tried to compose herself. She must have imagined it, but it seemed so real. Oh God, let this end soon. She couldn’t handle much more stress. Worried about her own mental status, she forced herself to dry off and dress for the dinner.

  Once they arrived at the large hall with rows of tables filled with boisterous people, Jeff shook hands and introduced her to policemen, Delta County officials, and their guests. Of course, Jim Anderson was present, and he shied away from them. She didn’t say anything to Jeff about the two other men in the room she recognized, but she remembered them very well. They were the FBI agents who showed up at her house a few days after Todd died.

  She was surprised when Jeff stepped to the podium and gave a short speech of appreciation to the law enforcement group. The lady beside her, the sheriff’s wife, nudged her with her elbow. “That’s one handsome man you got there. There are some people talking about him running for the State House.”

  “Really?” Her big brown eyes grew large. She had no inkling he might become involved in politics. “He didn’t mention it to me.”

  “No, he wouldn’t,” the older, attractive woman replied. “He’s too modest. By political standards he’s still young. He has a long political career in front of him if he wants it.”

  “I had no idea.” Filled with pride, she listened to his speech. Most of the women in the room were probably wishing they could change places with her. Besides being disturbingly handsome, he had a knack for holding the audience’s attention. The crowd applauded enthusiastically when he finished his speech. Yes, he was political material.

  Once the dinner and speeches were over, the guests mingled again. She whispered to Jeff, “I recognize two FBI agents. They must be undercover. They seem to be avoiding you.”

  He looked puzzled and then he frowned. “There’re no FBI agents here.”

  Now it was her turn to be puzzled. “Yes, there are. They came to my house and searched it right after Todd died.”

  “What? Where are they?”

  She took a quick glance across the room. “They’re on the other side of the room, in fact, they’re talking with each other right now. The big man in the brown suit has his back to us, and the other man is wearing a dark green tie.”

  Jeff stole a peek across the room. “The man in the brown suit is the assistant coroner, Bart Nathan, and the other man is my assistant DA, Trent Boyles. You have to be mistaken. I’ve looked into Todd’s death, as much as I can, and there was no FBI involvement.”

  He didn’t believe her, and she tried to convince him. “Jeff, those two men came to my house. They said they were FBI agents and showed me their ID’s, and they had a search warrant. They tore my house apart. They were there for hours.”

  “Come on.” He took her arm. “We’ll get closer so you can get a better look.”

  She didn’t need a closer look. She remembered their faces as if it were only yesterday. Besides, wouldn’t they recognize her? She wanted to protest but Jeff steered her to the opposite side of the banquet hall.

  When they reached the men, Jeff interrupted their conversation. “Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet my friend, LynAnn.” He nodded his head in her direction. “This is Trent Boyles, my right hand man, and the big guy here is Bart Nathan, he’s the assistant coroner.”

  “Nice to meet you both.” She nodded her greeting and pasted a fake smile on her face. She spoke to the older man. “I’ll bet Jeff keeps you hopping, Mr. Boyles.”

  “He certainly does,” the man agreed and appeared to have no recognition of ever meeting her in the past. In fact, neither of them recognized her. Bart Nathan merely gave her a polite nod.

  “I want you to meet the county auditor.” Jeff made an excuse to get away from the men, and she was relieved to be out of their sight.

  “Hey, Jeff.” Another man held out his hand to him, and after several more handshakes and back pats, they headed for the exit.

  Once in his Buick, LynAnn grabbed Jeff’s shoulders and had to refrain from shaking him. “Those were the men, I’m sure of it.” She raised her voice for emphasis. “They said they were FBI agents. Please believe me,” she pleaded.

  He leaned over and gathered her in his arms. “I do believe you, sweetheart, but I need some time to sort this out.”

  She remained silent until they reached her apartment, but before he had a chance to exit the car, her hand latched onto his forearm to stop him. “Jeff, there’s something else. I think I’m seeing things again. This evening while I soaked in the bathtub, I saw a mouse.” If the caring man didn’t believe she was over the deep end by now, the mouse sighting would erase all doubts from his mind.

  He chuckled. “I’m surprised you’re afraid of a mouse.”

  She bowed her head and clenched her hands together. “It wasn’t just any mouse. It was a white mouse, like a lab mouse they use for testing.”

  “Ah, sweetheart.” He groaned and took her in his arms. “You’re letting this all get to you again. I’m trying to get to the bottom of it, but it takes time.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “Try to hold on a little longer.”

  “Okay. I promise.” She laid a kiss on the spot below his ear and was relieved there was no ridicule or mistrust in his voice. He could have flatly told her she was talking like a crazy woman.

  ****

  Once they reached her apartment, Stu greeted them. “All quadrants are secure,” he proclaimed as though he were a sentry guard. “I’ll be back later.” He disappeared out the door.

  Stu knew Jean was upstairs, and he took LynAnn’s advice and climbed the stairs. He knocked on the door. It felt very strange to be doing this on his own door. Jean opened the door, and the shocked expression on her face told him she hadn’t expected to see him again.

  “Hello, Jean.” He was so happy to see her. He missed her so much. “May I come in? I’d like to talk with you.”

  Without changing expression, she stepped aside, and he walked into their living room.

  “LynAnn says I owe you an explanation, and she’s right. I’d like to tell you my reason for leaving, even though I should have told you a long time ago.”

  Tears sprung up in Jean’s eyes, and she turned away so he wouldn’t see them.

  He rested his hand on her shoulder. “Jean. I’m so sorry, really I am. I never intended to hurt you.”

  Still unable to face him, her voice was strong. “If you’re here to deliver your own divorce papers, leave them on the table.”

  “No, that’s not why I’m here. Please look at me.” He tried to turn her body toward him, but she refused to budge. “Okay, don’t look at me then, just listen. My brother Jim had to be placed in a nursing home a couple of weeks ago.”

  “What does your brother’s condition have to do with us?”

  “My mother couldn’t care for him a
t home anymore. Jean, he’s ten years older than me.” His tone expressed his worry and frustration. “My mother and brother are my only family. My father died years ago, and my brother is now confined to a wheelchair.”

  “You said he had some sort of muscular dystrophy.”

  “He doesn’t have muscular dystrophy.” Stu didn’t want to continue, but since he’d come this far, he intended to tell his wife the truth. “He has Huntington’s disease. My father died of the same disease.”

  “What?” Jean turned to him. “Huntington’s disease? Why would you lie about his illness?” Her mouth gaped.

  “How could I tell you the truth? When we first married, we didn’t plan to have children for a while, and I kept putting off telling you, but you talk about babies all the time. I wanted you to find someone else who could give you healthy children. I would never want to have a child go through what my father went through and now my brother.”

  “I know about the disease,” she spoke slowly. “It’s hereditary. Didn’t you think I had a right to know? I should have been told two years ago before we married.”

  Ashamed he hadn’t told her before, he nodded in agreement. “I’m sorry. I kept putting it off, and when you talked about babies, I felt so guilty I decided it best for me to leave. You deserve a man who can give you a family, and I refuse to bring children into the world who might be doomed with this terrible disease.”

  Jean dropped onto the sofa like he punched her in the gut. “I’m really angry you didn’t tell me. I have been going through hell these past weeks.” The volume of her voice increased the more she spoke. “I thought you were with another woman. Every night in bed I’d picture you with some hot babe. You tore my heart out…If only I had known the truth.”

  Stu sat down beside her. “Well, now you know. I am so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.” He reached for her hand, and she pulled hers away. “If it’s any consolation to you, I’ve been going through my own hell over this.” His voice was full of pain.

  “Have you ever seen anyone about genetic testing?” Jean asked.

  “They don’t test for Huntington’s, do they?”

  “I think they can test for it now. We could call around and check into it. Would you get tested?

  “We? You said we.” The sides of Stu’s mouth curved upwards ever so slightly. “Of course, if there’s a test I’ll do it. But what if the test says I’m a carrier and I have the gene? I don’t want to see you caring for me the way my mother had to care for my father. He couldn’t even feed himself.”

  “First you get tested, and we go from there. I do believe our wedding vows said in sickness and in health.”

  “Jean, you said we again. Oh, I’ve missed you so much.” There were no more words between them as he scooped her into his arms and kissed her with so much love he thought he would burst. Whatever the outcome of the test, whatever problems lay in store for them, they were going to deal with it together.

  ****

  After checking around the neighborhood, Jeff knocked his special knock, and LynAnn threw the dead bolt to let him in. “Everything’s okay, maybe more than okay.” He grinned.

  “What are you talking about, Jeff?”

  “Stu didn’t leave. He must be upstairs with Jean.”

  She threw her arms around him. “Oh, how great. Maybe they’re making up.”

  “Speaking of making up, when do you think I’ll ever get you alone again? Do you know what I think about when I sit by this window all night?” She shook her head, and he continued. “I think about how much I want you and how I’m going to show you if we ever get a chance to be alone. I want to hear you purr like a finely tuned engine again.”

  “Promises, promises,” she teased.

  This evening she smelled like a field of wild flowers. He kissed her, a deep probing kiss and pulled her to his hard body. Her lips tasted like honey. “That’s a sample of what’s to come.” His eyes raked over her body. “I bet every man in the room this evening wished they were in my shoes when they got a look at you.”

  She laughed her girlish lilt. “Speaking of the dinner, the sheriff’s wife said something about you running for Congress. Of course, I had no idea what she was talking about. Do you?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s been mentioned, but don’t go running to the polls yet. I like what I’m doing. I may consider it down the road.”

  “I didn’t say I was going to vote for you,” she teased and he grinned. “You would make an excellent congressman. Funny, though, you never talk politics.”

  He laughed a hearty masculine laugh. “You’ve never been around when my father and I go at it.”

  “Now, back to the other subject.” She smiled and dreamily closed her eyes. “I also have some plans for you when we finally get to be alone.”

  He tugged her close once more. “Do I get a hint?”

  “No, but it will be well worth your wait.” Her lips trailed a path up the side of his throat.

  “Oh, my sweet, little Miata,” he whispered.

  “What is a Miata? Some sort of mixed drink?”

  Jeff smiled. “Yes, it’s a mixed drink.”

  “Next time we go out to dinner I’m going to order one.”

  Jeff kept on smiling. “Go ahead, sweetheart.” It was a harmless white lie, but he could already picture the waiter’s expression when she ordered one. He’d have to teach her about automobiles, but it would have to wait.

  Right now he had more urgent matters to contend with. Why would Trent Boyles and Bart Nathan be at LynAnn’s house and pretend to be FBI agents? He didn’t want to consider the fact Bart Nathan was the man who performed the scanty autopsy on her husband’s body. And Trent Boyles was his assistant and he trusted him. Neither man gave the slightest hint they knew LynAnn, yet she was certain she recognized them. If it were true they were involved in Todd’s death, LynAnn could be in great danger, especially after their seeing her this evening. Except when she went to work, he would not let her out of his sight.

  Jim Anderson’s brash attitude about LynAnn also bothered him. Anderson did provide him with Todd’s file and part of it was missing. Naturally, it was the part about his undercover work. Anderson couldn’t explain why it was missing, except to say it was highly confidential, and it may be filed at the state attorney general’s office. Jeff had some contacts at the attorney general’s office, and he asked Andrea to send a request for information on Todd’s undercover work, but their reply could take weeks. He had to keep LynAnn safe until he could sort this whole mess out.

  Chapter 20

  The next morning, Jeff announced to LynAnn and her children the night had been peaceful.

  “Where’s Stu?” LynAnn asked, since he was usually sprawled on the sofa. He pointed to the ceiling. “Upstairs. I think they made up.”

  “They did. Jean told me all about it before we went to bed. I didn’t hear Stu come upstairs though.”

  He was fresh out of the shower, shaved and shirtless, and LynAnn couldn’t resist wrapping her arms around him and inhaling his spicy aroma. Those pheromones worked full time on her feminine senses once again.

  Eating their cereal, the kids watched their embrace. Matt folded his arms on the table, laid his head down, and hid his eyes refusing to look at them. “I’m never going to hug a girl,” he declared. “My teacher says I could be another Einstein. He was a great scientist.”

  “I’m going to marry a prince on a white horse,” Cassie boasted, her pink tiara perched on her blonde curls.

  “Your daddy bought you Learning Baby CD’s to make you smart when you were little, Matt.” She remembered the CD’s and how Todd had decided Matt was going to be very smart and bought CD after CD for him.

  Jeff frowned. He seemed annoyed to hear her speak about Todd. “Did he give you any CD’s while he worked undercover?”

  Pensive for a time, she then replied, “Yes, he did. Several. There was one though, I’m trying to think of his exact words when he handed it to me.” Paus
ing she shifted her eyes upward in thought. “Oh, yes. He said, ‘This is a very special CD for you and the children.’ He usually said they were for Matt and didn’t include me.”

  “What about me?” Cassie cried.

  “You weren’t born yet, Cassie. You were still in my tummy.” She hiked the little girl onto her lap and gave her a hug.

  Jeff began pacing the floor and she decided not to mention Todd’s name again. The subject upset him.

  “Do you still have the CD?” he finally asked when his pacing halted.

  “I think so.” Why was he so worried about the baby CD? It took her a bit to remember where she put the old CD’s the kids didn’t play anymore. “It’s in a box in the basement. I tried to play it, but it didn’t work.”

  Matt quickly sprang to his feet. “I’ll go get it.” He raced off to the basement.

  Jeff paced the floor again, and his unruly lock of hair fell over his forehead. LynAnn didn’t understand what he was up to. He was anxious about a broken CD.

  Matt returned with the box. “Sort through it and see if you can find the CD,” Jeff requested.

  She shuffled through the dusty box and found the CD and handed it to him. “Learning Baby 6. Here it is.”

  He studied the CD label carefully. “Matt, turn on your computer for me, please.” He followed the boy to the computer, slipped the disk in, and waited. It took a long minute, and by now they were all glued to the computer screen. Finally the words: Operation Human Transport appeared on the screen.

  “Oh God,” LynAnn gasped. A list of names, dates, and locations followed. She recognized three names: Bart Nathan, Trent Boyles, and Ron Cooper. “This is what they’ve been looking for. To think it’s been in the basement all this time.” She was stunned. “Do you recognize any of the other names, Jeff?”

  He studied the names before he spoke. “Good God.” He expelled a long sigh. “I’m going to be busy putting a lot of criminals in prison.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “Todd knew exactly what he was doing when he gave this to you. He must have realized he was in danger.”