by Robin Roseau
"That's what everyone says."
"Don't you two ever go home?"
"If we weren't having to deal with a murderer, we might."
"I didn't do it. And what are you doing here? I'm remanded into custody and all that crap."
"The feds want you."
"What?" I screeched. "For what?"
"That's between you and the feds," she said. Then they shackled me again, and back to the courtroom we went.
Liah was there. And the judge. And the assistant DA, or whatever she was. I didn't see any feds. I was dragged to stand beside Liah.
"No real lawyer for you," she said. "You're screwed, Blythe. They found that offshore account of yours."
"What?" I screeched.
The judge banged her gavel then looked over her glasses again. "Ms. Todd." She shook her head. "New evidence has appeared in your case."
"I would think so, given the case is like four hours old."
"Quiet, or I'll hold you in contempt."
"And do what? Lock me up?"
"Counselor, instruct your client to keep her mouth closed."
I turned to Liah. "This is all bullshit."
"You need to be quiet. The feds are talking patriot act. Harriet is pissed but she's not pissed enough to hand you over to them. But you're doing a good job changing that. Now you apologize to her and then shut the fuck up."
I turned back to the judge. "I'm sorry, you're honor."
"That's better," she said. "As I said, new evidence has come to light. There are people in the hallway who wish to haul you away. The good news for you is that you would never see the inside of this courtroom again. The bad news is that you would never see the inside of this courtroom again. Would you care to change your plea? It's the only way I can protect you, Ms. Todd."
I stared at her and slumped. "Your honor, I didn't do anything wrong, and I won't stand here now and say that I did."
"I see. Counselor, perhaps you should share the nature of this new information."
"Yes," said the ADA. "There was something odd about the corpse."
"Yeah, she was dead from a vicious knife attack," I said. "One that I didn't do!"
The judge banged her gavel.
"Shut up," Liah said.
"This is all bullshit," I muttered.
"As I was saying, there was something odd about the corpse. You see, she wasn't quite dead."
"What?" I screeched.
"She said," said a voice from behind me. "That I'm not quite dead yet."
I spun around, and Raquel was standing there. She had a camera, and as soon as I was facing her, she snapped my photo. "For my scrapbook," she said with a grin.
I stared at her.
"But."
"I believe," she said, "that it is customary at this point for me to say a simple phrase." She stepped closer until we were only a step or two apart. "Got ya."
I immediately started sobbing. Liah wrapped an arm around me, and then the ADA, or whoever she was, was there as well. Raquel stepped forward and pulled me into her arms, and I sobbed.
"But-" I managed to get out. "There was a knife!"
"Theatrical knife," she explained.
"You weren't breathing."
"I'm quite good at holding my breath."
"There wasn't a pulse."
"I'll show you that trick sometime. I borrowed it from an old movie."
I pushed away. "All a trick."
"Consider yourself hazed."
I looked around the room. "Who are you?" I asked the ADA.
"Really, Ms. Todd. You need to get to know your friends." She smiled. "Donna Smith. You didn't even recognize me."
"The cops?" I looked around, but they had disappeared. "They were real cops."
"True, but when you have three lawyers and a judge, we know a few cops."
By then the judge had come around from her bench, and she was watching me. I looked between the four of them. "Where is Ms. Hunt?"
"At home, still laughing, I'm sure," Raquel said.
I turned in a slow circle, finally stopping at Raquel again. "I'm pretty sure I got some of your fake blood on my clothes."
"We already took them to the cleaners. It washes out. They'll be as good as new and freshly pressed besides."
I looked around once more. "I better be getting five blue marbles for this one."
They laughed. "Now that's the spirit."
Date Night
I contacted Kiki the next day.
"How are you doing?" she asked.
"I feel like crap," I admitted. "I didn't get much sleep, and my stomach is still in knots."
She was quiet, and then she asked quietly, "Are you going to be all right? Do you want someone to come over?"
"I don't know," I said. "Yeah, I'll be fine. But they're not supposed to interfere with my work, and I'm not going to get a thing done today. But that's not why I called. I just..."
"You want me to hold off a few days."
"I want you to hold off indefinitely," I replied. "I suppose that's asking too much."
"If you tough 'em out, you can get a whole ton of guaranteed blue marbles. And you've paid off a big chunk of your service hours. The people who you've served can give you blue marbles if they want, but they don't have to, Blythe. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yeah. I understand."
"Mine's not elaborate," she said. "It's just a little prank."
"You already know what you're going to do?"
"Well, I was planning something. One of Sylvia's ideas. But Liah already called me."
"Oh. I didn't need to call. I should have trusted you."
"It's okay," she said.
I thought about it. "This is all about trust, right?"
"We have to trust each other. We trusted you with a big secret. You're trusting us not to go too far. Was last night too far?"
"It went on too long," I said. "Please don't tell anyone I complained. I'm sorry. I should hang up."
"No. This is just between us, Blythe."
"If I ask a question, will you either tell me I shouldn't ask or answer honestly?"
"I won't lie, if that's what you're saying."
"I have a date with Opal Pearce tomorrow night."
"I know. I absolutely promise we won't do anything to interfere with your date."
"And I need to take care of work. I'm going to loose all of today and a good chunk of tomorrow. I can't afford this."
"I know. You're safe, Blythe. And mine is just a little prank anyway. Almost nothing."
"I don't want anyone to feel cheated."
"Don't worry about that right now," she said. "Look, you really sound ragged. I think I should come over."
"I should go back to bed."
"Will you sleep?"
I sighed. "I doubt it."
"Look. Let me take you to lunch. A good lunch of pasta always makes me sleep after. You can nap this afternoon. I can stay with you if you want. I promise, no tricks."
"You'd do that?"
"Yeah, of course. We stick together, Blythe. That's what the order is about."
It didn't feel like it. "I look like crap."
"Run a brush through your hair and throw on a blouse. You'll be fine. It's 10:15. I'll get you in a half hour. We'll have an early lunch and I'll tuck you into bed."
"Thanks, Kiki."
* * * *
"Did you sleep at all?" Kiki clasped my chin and tipped my head side to side. "Wow, those are some bags."
"Thanks."
She hugged me, and we stayed like that for a minute. It felt nice. "Thank you," I whispered.
"No problem," she replied. "I don't know what Mrs. Franklin has in mind, but you're safe from me until after your date tomorrow."
"Not right after!"
"No, no. Let's say you're safe until noon on Saturday. You can sleep in."
"That's sweet of you," I said.
"I know. I'm just that nice." She hooked my arm and pulled me out the door.
W
e had a nice lunch. I declined wine, but per her suggestion, I filled up on bread and pasta. We got done, and in her car, I said, "You know, we've known each other for a long time, but I think that's the first time we really talked."
"I know. That's my fault. I avoided you."
"Why?"
She started her car and got us on the road before she answered. "I thought you were stuck up."
"Me? Really?"
"Yeah. And I was afraid of your grandmother. I thought you were just like her. In a way, you are, but you're not at the same time. I was wrong about you."
I thought about it then reached out and squeezed her hand for a minute.
"I'm sorry," she added.
"It's all right. History. We're really sort of starting over here, aren't we?"
"Yeah."
It was a short drive, and soon we were in front of my house. We got out of the car together, and I led the way into the house then turned to her. "You don't have to babysit me."
"I know I don't. But I had just as much pasta as you did. How do you feel about napping together?"
"Seriously?"
"I think you could use someone to hold you, Blythe. I'm worried about you."
"I'll be fine."
"You'll be more fine after a nice nap. Come on. Where's the bedroom?"
I wasn't sure why I did it, but I led her upstairs, giving her a mini tour on the way. We came to the bedroom. I felt a little awkward, but she pushed past me.
"Wow, this isn't how I envisioned your room."
"I'm not allowed many changes for seven years," I said. "This is still pretty much how Grandmother Cadence kept it."
"Ah. I heard a little about that. The house isn't really yours yet."
"Six more years," I said. I smiled. "I wasn't sure at first, but I'm going to stay. Well, if I make it through this initiation, anyway."
"Don't worry. You will. Everyone likes you. That helps. So which side of the bed is mine?"
"You don't have to stay."
"Are you asking me to leave?" She moved to me and looked into my eyes. "I promise I'm not trying to seduce you."
I laughed. "Are there two lesbians in the room?"
"Naw. I'm just messing with you. But unless you ask me to leave, I'm staying. Got a nightshirt for me?"
Three minutes later, both of us in pajamas, we climbed into the bed.
"This is a little weird," I said.
"Do you care if it's weird? I got the impression you didn't worry about stuff like that."
"I guess not," I said.
So she opened her arms. "Good. Come here." And then we settled in.
And I slept.
* * * *
When I woke, it was dark out, but the side table light was on and there was a note. "Decided to let you sleep. Call if you want me to come back tonight. You're fun to hold. Kiki."
I found my phone, checked the time -- a little after seven -- and texted her. "Thank you."
"Are you all right?" she sent back a few minutes later.
"Much better. You were exactly what the doctor ordered."
"If you need another dose, there's more of Kiki where that came from." I laughed at that. Before I could respond, she added, "A slumber party would be fun, so you're not intruding if you ask."
I seriously considered it but finally said, "Let's do it some time when I'm actually well enough to give you proper attention."
"All right. But you can call if you need to."
"Thank you, Kiki."
* * * *
I felt a whole lot better Friday morning. I worked steadily through lunch but then knocked off early. I had appointments. I headed for the spa.
Hair. Nails.
Then the mall. New dress. New boots. New, well, a few other things.
I got home in plenty of time. I took a fresh shower. Then I buffed, spritzed, and did my makeup. Tasteful and elegant.
Then I dressed. Tasteful, elegant, but with a fair amount of skin showing. I studied myself in the mirror. I looked good.
Then I toned it down with a scarf. I'd make the point and be comfortable at the same time.
Opal was a few minutes late. Well, she said I would be ready by 6:30. She didn't promise she would be. But it was only a few minutes later before she pulled around and came to a park in front of my door.
I decided I was going to make her work for it. Plus I wanted her to see me without the winter coat. So I waited for her, then opened the door just before she could knock, inviting her inside. I didn't let her see me until the door was closed.
"Oh. My. God." she said.
"Don't drool on my floor," I said.
"Oh, Blythe," she said. She looked me up and down again.
Maybe she was quite a lot older than I was, but her appreciation touched me. It touched me deeply. I didn't often receive attention of this nature, and so it felt good.
I moved to her and let her take me in her arms. Her coat was scratchy, so I only accepted a brief hug, but she got her cheek kissed. Then I retrieved my own coat.
Once we were in her car, I said, "So, is this event at the asshole's house?"
"Country club," she replied.
"Who is going to be there?"
"Everyone important from the office and our most important clients."
"And you don't mind if I let him have it?"
"Oh, I hope you do. You're really going to let me treat you the way I want?"
"You vow our host is a jerk the way you described?"
"Yes, although he might not display it tonight."
"Are you going to be disgusting or treat me the way he treats his dates?"
"No. Absolutely not."
"Provided you treat me with respect, then yes you may treat me the way you want."
She smiled broadly.
It was a twenty-minute drive. She asked me about my business, and then spent the entire time asking questions. I was happy to talk about it, and she seemed genuinely interested in the answers, making astute observations along the way.
"Do you have a retirement plan?"
"No. I know I should. I have a little in a 401k from my last job, but it's not a lot."
"I can help you with that," she said. "When you're ready. If you want a sales pitch, then you should come to the office. If you don't do something about it, I'm going to prompt you annually."
I laughed. "Twice a year," I said. "Make the next one a week after I'm no longer an initiate."
She joined my laughter. "I'll do that." She paused. "You understand, we try to give each other our business, when we can. But this is about money, and sometimes people feel a little weird-"
"I won't," I said. "As long as you and I get along." I studied her in the dim light. "I don't know very much about you. I can't tell yet. Are we going to get along?"
She glanced over. "We might. I can't tell yet, either."
"What's not to like about me?" I asked. "I'm told I'm just like my grandmother."
She laughed. "You aren't at all like your grandmother."
I turned out the window, not responding. I wouldn't have minded being at least a little like her.
"That came out wrong," she said after a minute. She actually pulled over and parked the car. "Your grandmother was aloof. I can't recall ever seeing her display the slightest emotion, except rarely when she grew angry about something. I understand she wasn't always that way, but she was the entire time I knew her."
I turned back to face her.
"You're completely the opposite that way. Oh, you don't wear your heart on your sleeve or anything like that. But your face lights up from a joke, and you smile. Did you ever see your grandmother smile?"
"She taught me everything I know."
"She was a great woman," Opal said quickly. "I have nothing but respect for her. She helped me. She helped everyone. You're like her that way."
I turned away again. "Stop," I said. "Or I'm going to start crying, and that will ruin my makeup."
"I'm just going to say this. What I sa
id wasn't right. You inherited the good parts from your grandmother. But you're not her. You're you."
At that, I nodded. "Please say something to calm me down."
"You have a question you want to ask. Ask it."
I turned back to look at her. "All right. Do you make all the initiates go out with you?"
"Yes. If they refuse, they get a red marble, and I make sure they know it. If they refuse the next time, not only do they get a red marble, but I begin to use my influence to ensure they get more red marbles."
"How late into the evening is my obligation?"
"Until we drive through the West Hollow gates."
I nodded. "Do any of them get stubborn?"
"A few. But I think they've started warning the next ones. I get one or two months of refusals from some. I won't say specifically. But I haven't given out a white marble in years."
"White marbles are bad?"
"Yes. At some point -- I won't say when -- I stop giving red marbles. I start giving white ones, although I don't try to pressure anyone else into following my lead on that. You've heard of being blackballed."
"Yes."
"Using small white and black balls is a rather traditional way for small groups to vote. We've expanded it slightly. Traditionally, a white was yes, and a black was no, and many groups required decisions about membership to be unanimous. One black ball, and the candidate was not allowed to join the group."
"So black balls are very bad."
"Yes. White balls are almost as bad. At your first vote, three white balls would have meant no invitation."
"I didn't receive any."
"We had already voted once. It was unlikely anyone would change her mind."
"All right. What about the black ones?"
"One, and you're out."
"Then why would someone use a white one?"
"I'm actually not authorized to answer that."
I smiled. "I already know."
"Your grandmother told you?"
"Heck no. She didn't breathe a word about any of this to me. I bet only some people are allowed to use the black balls."
She laughed. "No comment."
"I'm betting Mrs. Shaffer and Mrs. Franklin. I'm betting my grandmother, although I don't think I have to worry about one from her now." Opal snorted at that. "I suspect Mrs. Grafton. After that, I don't know. There seems to be four classes of members."
"Four?"
"The women I just mentioned, the full members, the junior members, and me."