In Plain Sight

by R E Gauthier

  “What?

  “What did she say about what happened exactly?”

  “I told her that I had feelings for her and she said that they were her fault and that she should have talked to me about the kiss before. She then said that she wasn’t in a good place now and she had no business leading me on thinking there would be something between us.”

  “I see, but she didn’t say she didn’t have feelings for you. She sounds like she’s just not in a good place right now.”

  Kelsey thought about that for a minute, did Miranda have feelings for her too but just didn’t think she should act on them?

  “So she could still have feelings for me then?”

  “I’m not saying she does but I saw the way she looks at you when you’re not looking. I saw how you look at her. I just think you shouldn’t give up on her yet.”

  “Nikki, how will I know?”

  “Well you may have to wait until after this case, she’s right she’s not in a good place right now and neither are you.”

  “Speaking of the case, we really should get back to questioning the rest of the women on our list; who’s next?”

  “Well as luck would have it we have been able to contact all the five and they were all able to come here today. I’ll just check but Mary Stafford should be here, do you want to be the one to question her?”

  “Yes I could use more distractions, watching you question the last one only gave me too much time to think.”

  “Are you going to be okay now?”

  “I’m feeling much better, thanks.”

  “Anytime Mack, that’s what best friends are for.”

  ***

  They questioned the five women who may have had motives to kill their three women victims but all were well-adjusted adults who had coped well with the bullying and all had alibis that checked out for their whereabouts at the times of the murders. Kelsey felt a raw sort of exhaustion take hold of her body that she knew it went along with the defeatist thoughts she had at the moment.

  “Fuck, we’re getting nowhere. At this rate we’re never going to solve this fffing case.”

  “Mack it’s not all that bad, we’ll find that one clue. You said you were feeling better after our talk.”

  “I did but I just think we’re always fighting against such impossible odds in this case. Nothing seems to be going our way.”

  “Cases like this you eat for breakfast; do you remember the Boston break-ins? You found the one clue no one else could find.”

  “Yeah but that clue came because our suspect made a mistake this time our killer is one step in front us at every turn.”

  “Our killer might be one step in front of us but we have you and you’re a bloodhound when you’re really focused. Tell me how I can help get you focused again.”

  “Nikki I’m afraid I’ll never get the focus I once had, I mean at every turn this case has dealt me obstacles, obstacles I have never faced. Good lord I’m going through my puberty, coming out and dealing with a difficult case all at once.” She laughed at the absurdity of her words.

  “Maybe you need to get your blood pumping. Get some of that frustration out in a healthy way. It may get you to see this all in a new light. Why don’t we go to the hotel gym and hit the punching bag and if that doesn’t work you and I can spar for a few rounds.”

  “I have to warn you I’m VERY frustrated, I’m not sure you or the bag will be up to the challenge.”

  Nikki chuckled and smiled.

  “I’ll look for Detective Freeman and ask him to spar with you.”

  She laughed at the sight those words evoked. Nikki could always make her laugh and she needed that today.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “Feel the feeling but don’t become the emotion.”

  Kelsey had reached the hotel gym door when she heard Nikki coming up from behind panting.

  “Geez Mack, seriously I may not be able to do a workout with you after that sprint here to keep up with you.”

  “You’re more in shape than I am so stop complaining, it’s not my fault you’re almost a whole foot shorter than I am,’ she chuckled. “Besides it’s a good warm up,” she added with a wink.

  “That maybe the case but I need to expend more energy just to keep up with you so I think we’re equal. You didn’t lie when you said you couldn’t wait to get to the gym.”

  “Well I could use some major distractions right now to keep my mind off of the fact this case is whipping my ass,” she said as she opened the door to the gym and walked in.

  Nikki ran right into her as she stopped in her tracks by the sight in front of her. Two women were practicing yoga in the center of the room and she recognized one as the woman who haunted her mind daily. The other one she didn’t recognized but the taller woman’s shapely body had quite an appeal as well. The sharp intake of breath she heard told her that her best friend had seen them as well.

  Memories of another day watching the author going through her yoga poses came to mind and her body heated, her heart and other parts of her body began to throb, her breathing came out quicker with each passing moment. Today she had the good fortune or was it misfortune of knowing what that body felt like pressed into her own and those remembered sensations made her brow sweat. Good Lord I’m in so much trouble.

  The two women continued their practice and moved from one pose to another with fluidity and sensuality, she never thought yoga could be so erotic and until last week she hadn’t know what erotic even meant.

  “Oh my God,” Nikki whispered beside her.

  I know what you mean buddy, oh my God indeed.

  The petite woman’s body made one more pass down and then up and grey-blue eyes met her own.

  “It’s not polite to stand and stare Agent Macgregor,” Miranda said as she stood and placed her two hands on her hips

  The taller woman stopped and turned around frowning. She clearly heard Nikki’s moan and hiss, “Jesus.”

  If she were not so transfixed by the stare she received from the stern look in the author’s eyes she would have chuckled at her best friend’s sudden religious exclamations. She didn’t know how to react at the moment so she tried her best to apologize for her rudeness.

  “I...umm…I’m sorry I didn’t mean to stare I just...I’m surprised to see you here I thought you’d be with Doc,” she stammered and stuttered. I should have just kept my mouth shut I sounded like an idiot. She tried to look only into those eyes but what she saw there only confused her. When she looked elsewhere her eyes betrayed her and they fixated on the small frame clothed in tights and a loose, revealing top. That view only served to addle her brain even further. Geezus I’m like some horny teenager or what I imagine a horny teenager would be like.

  Nikki came to life and stammered her own ineffective apology,

  “Miranda I didn’t know I mean...Mack and I came here...”

  “I had a session with Doc early this morning and he and I decided it would be best if I took the rest of the day off.”

  The tall auburn woman next to Miranda put her arms around the author and Kelsey turned her eyes on her. The look in those hazel eyes with raised brows struck her as mischievous but she shuddered just the same. She knew without being told the identity of the woman holding Miranda.

  “Well this must be the infamous Senior Special Agent Kelsey Macgregor, I would recognize your sultry voice anywhere even if you stammer and stutter like a little school girl.”

  Nikki snickered and she elbowed her and shot her a withering look but it went unnoticed as her best friend’s gaze never left the woman who now approached them.

  “And this must be Special Agent Hyland, Nikki right? I spoke to you the other day and I must say I thought of how you would look but didn’t come even close.” She reached her hand out and took Nikki’s into her own.

  “Well introductions aren’t really necessary as you have probably already deduced this is my very best friend and literary agent Jess Harrington.” Miranda said with a smil
e that reached her eyes.

  Kelsey couldn’t help but smile a little when she saw the look in those eyes change to something more inviting. At least she doesn’t look upset with me. Her view was obscured when Jess Harrington stood in front of her.

  “Randi you described her as fierce, I’m afraid I just don’t see it. A shy little girl caught with her hand in the cookie jar maybe but I thought I’d look into the eyes of a stone-cold FBI agent; how disappointing.”

  Feeling the blatant distain in Jess’s voice before and being a recipient of this woman’s disapproval prior to today, she steeled herself to shake off her feelings of inadequacy.

  “Jess that’s enough, don’t tease Agents MacGregor and Hyland,” Miranda scolded. “I’m sure they’re busy and don’t have time to talk idly with us.”

  Her earlier frustrations about the case were now joined with arousal, anger and annoyance as each emotion tried to usurp the other. Her annoyance with herself for feeling confused and lost around Miranda Gauthier won out and she straightened and shouldered pass the frowning Jess Harrington.

  “Nikki I’ll be over there working out if you would like to join me, we really don’t have time to socialize and chat idly as Miss Gauthier so aptly put it.” She didn’t even glance toward the petite author even when she heard her sharp intake of breath; she had to steel herself to stay away from her.

  Nikki had felt the distinct changes in her best friend’s demeanor rather than saw the changes in her expression because she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off of the auburn goddess in front of her. She knew Mack had been as affected by the two women practicing yoga as she had been. She hadn’t been sure when she felt the change from arousal to annoyance but it was clear that her tall companion punching the hell out of bag across the room didn’t like Jess Harrington’s dressing her down. After their earlier conversation she already knew that seeing Miranda would upset her best friend’s equilibrium. She felt like she should try to explain without going into anything specific.

  “I’m sorry Miranda and Miss Harrington; she’s under so much pressure right now. She isn’t usually this abrupt.”

  “Thank you Nikki but it’s not your apology we need, I’m quite use to Agent MacGregor’s confusing behavior. It must come with the territory of being a stone-cold FBI agent,” Miranda said frowning deeply.

  Nikki’s earlier assumption about the author having feelings for her best friend had been correct. The woman stood there with hurt feelings and what she had seen earlier had definitely been desire.

  “Well I’m still sorry you witnessed that, she really isn’t like this ordinarily, I can’t go into why she is like this exactly but please believe me this is not her usual demeanor. I’d like to take you two out for dinner and maybe dancing to make it up to you.”

  “I thought you were busy,” Jess said as she looked down into Nikki’s eyes.

  “We’re busy but tonight I can definitely take time out to wine and dine two beautiful women.” Good God she is gorgeous.

  “That’s really not necessary Nikki but I’m sure Jess will take you up on your offer. Now that my idea of relaxing with a nice yoga practice is ruined, I think I’ll go for a walk. I’ll see you later Jess.” Miranda gathered up her yoga mat and shoes and turned to leave.

  “Wait Randi, are you sure you’re okay?” Jess asked as she reached out and took her best friend’s arm.

  “I’m fine, go have some fun. I know you want to, I’ll see you later.”

  Jess looked back at her and Nikki bit down on her bottom lip.

  “Well I really should go rescue that punching bag from Mack’s assault before the FBI has to pay to replace it.”

  “Mack? That’s a cute little nickname you have for her, is it short for MacGregor?”

  “No it’s more to do with her demeanor.” Ironically Mack had acted like meek little girl in front of this formidable woman so she didn’t think Jess would believe her if she told her. “I can tell you another time...maybe tonight over dinner and dancing?”

  “I’m certainly going to take you up on that offer, and I’ll work on Randi she really does need to unwind. Can you tell me what’s going on between those two?”

  Nikki shook her head she didn’t like to tell people about her best friend’s private life.

  “All I can say is that something happened between them that have them both in knots. You call Miranda Randi, your nickname for her? Did you give her the idea of her pseudonym?”

  “Miranda is a shy woman normally but she has a distinct persona who is predominately randy if you get my drift so the nickname just stuck, it’s a perfect name for her to write her erotica under. I assume you have read some of her work.”

  “Oh you assume right I have loved her work for years, I must admit she really isn’t what I had expected when fantasizing to her words.”

  “No she isn’t, May I ask what kind of woman you expected to meet?’

  “I think you already know.”

  ***

  Kelsey brooded and punched the bag with such anger and frustration. She had seen the hurt her words had caused Miranda and her heart ached. She should have apologized for her harshness, even agreed to join them tonight out on the town with Nikki but she knew she had to stay away from her. Nikki is wrong she doesn’t want me in anyway. Punching the bag again with such force it shook her whole body. Why does she affect me like this? Her mind filled with images of the small woman moving earlier and she felt the now familiar tug in her lower abdomen. Maybe I should call Race and tell her I will join her tonight; I need more distractions, distractions that work this time.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  “When you let go you are not giving up but allowing it to happen.”

  Miranda had let Jess convince her to take Nikki up on her offer to take them both out for a night of dinner and dancing. She now scanned Club Hippo and watched as the Ladies’ night crowd filled with every description of women she had ever seen. Glad that she had taken her best friend’s advice and bought this dress she wore. The tiny spaghetti straps of the midnight blue dress helped to accentuate her trim fit figure. She had been witnessing quite a few stares from women appreciating what they saw. She wasn’t that well-endowed but the ladies never were disappointed in what she did have. I needed this tonight; to get away from remembering something I obviously want to forget and try to forget the most unforgettable woman I have ever met.

  Nikki and Jess stood in line to order their drinks, she had asked only for bottled water because she didn’t like how alcohol made her feel and also she wanted to keep her wits about her tonight. When she looked for someone to share a one night stand with or a quick diversion to fodder her erotica writing she liked to be able to control herself. Scanning the room she saw quite a few women who would help her have either of her usual diversions.

  When her two companions returned to the table they were laughing and they clearly enjoyed each other’s company. I was right about those two.

  “Miranda I do believe you will have your pick of just about every woman in this place tonight. I heard three women at the bar say how they loved that dress and how they planned on getting you out of it.” Nikki said giggling when Jess nipped her neck playfully.

  Happy for her best friend she watched as the two women kissed and whispered into each other’s ears. At least someone is getting some tonight. She wasn’t so sure if she could stop thinking about the gorgeous tall FBI Agent she had turned away. No it’s for the best, she deserves more.

  “Yeah and I think here comes one right now,” Jess nodded in the direction just to the right of her.

  She started slightly when a very tall, attractive dark-haired woman in black crouched down beside her. Her immediate awareness responded to the fact this woman reminded her very much of another tall dark beauty. The main differences were the piercing blue eyes roving over her body and the look she saw in them.

  “I watched you come in here tonight and the first thing that came to mind is how I could convince you dance
with me.”

  “Well did you?” Miranda asked flirtatiously.

  “Did I what?”

  “Figure out how to convince me to dance with you.”

  “You tell me”

  She liked the air of confidence this woman had and she offered her hand as they walked out onto the dance floor. A thumb on her wrist and a hand on her lower back sent shivers through her.

  “I love that dress and I’m going to enjoy getting to know the lovely woman wearing it.” Tall, dark and beautiful whispered in her ear.

  Yes, she’ll do nicely indeed.

  ***

  After eating at the diner again, she and Race arrived at a night club; Race told her it would be ladies’ night. Post Labor Day crowds had filled the place with an array of women and Kelsey was transfixed by the scene before her. The throbbing music caused her body to strum and throb as well. The two beers she drank at the hotel bar before meeting Race had loosened her up and she knew she would be ready to go wherever this night took her.

  She had been only half-truthful when she told Race she had never danced; she never danced in front of anyone before. She loved to listen to music and danced when alone. Now watching the women dance in the darkened room she felt braver.

  “You promised to teach me how to dance,” she said pulling Race along behind her as she made her way to the dance floor.

  “It’ll be my pleasure to teach you anything you want,” Race purred into her ear as she drew her close and started a slow gyration against her hip. Yes I think it will work tonight.

  They had danced and kissed for several long mixed songs but now they stood in the shadows beside the dance floor. Race’s tongue explored her mouth and the headiness of the sensations and the effect of the alcohol had her mind fuzzy. She felt hands everywhere on her body and she responded in a foreign way. It felt like her body wasn’t her own and she both experienced and watched how she reacted to Race’s hands and mouth. Tasting the beer on her tongue, feeling the shivers running through her and over her, her head swam with a deep urge to move her hips against the hard thigh. She moaned and she heard it inside her head as well as deeper inside. The hand on her lower back slid down and firm fingers dug into her jean-clad flesh. She responded by mirroring those movements on Race and got a rewarding moan inside her mouth.