by Julie Ramson
“We both need a good night’s sleep. Right?” he smiled an angelic smile. “Just sleep.”
I knew how tired I was and I felt bad having him sleep on the couch. It was too short for him and it didn’t seem fair to make him sleep on the floor. He was only there to help me. I could sleep on the couch but I didn’t like it either.
“Bed rights, not sex rights! Got that?”
“Crystal clear, Toots!” He threw an arm around my shoulders. “In that case, I suggest we go to bed right now.” I pulled back and started to speak. “To sleep, Miss Cynic.”
We moved into the bedroom. It was strange having him there but I got my nightshirt and went into the bathroom to change. I came out and he was already in bed. Lying with one arm propping his head and a devilish grin on his face. “One false move, Pal and it’s back to the floor with you!” I eyed him suspiciously.
“Absolutely. No problem.” Now he was all angelic.
After one more look, I climbed into my side. The bed was big. We could probably be there for days and never even touch. It felt so good to lie down! I settled on my side and closed my eyes. Within five minutes I felt his arm snaking across my waist.
I turned and gave him my Look. “What?” he sounded hurt. “I’m just getting warm. Nothing more.”
Not for one minute did I believe him. But I was too tired to move and figured he was too tired to play games. We settled in, spoon fashion and, surprisingly, he was true to his word. I drifted off.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13
I woke. Digs’ arm was still around me. I poked him. “Digs, wake up! I hear something!” I whispered as softly as I could. I was wide awake, all senses taut.
“I'm awake. Heard the door and have my gun. Lie still.” His voice was the barest of whispers into my ear. I could hear someone moving. Killer, of course, was sound asleep at the side of my bed. What a watchdog!
Digs slid out of bed and moved soundlessly to the open bedroom door, staying away from the opening. I moved behind him. He motioned me back but I stayed. He peered around it slowly, looking down the hall, past the dining room on the left and into the part of the living room visible on the right from where we were. I crouched below him and peered out as well. I thought I could see a dim figure, all in black but I wasn't sure. There was very little light coming in from the living room windows. I listened intently. A noise? I peered again into the living room. A figure? Or just shadows?
Digs turned to me and put his finger over his lips. I pointed toward the hall and shrugged. He mimed back with a shrug but then turned to look again. I strained my eyes, trying to see movement.
Digs handed me the cell phone and started softly creeping down the hall, gun drawn. When he got to the end of the hall he shouted, “Freeze!” Killer, startled by the sudden shout, jumped up and scrambled past Digs to get out of the room, knocking him down just as he fired the gun. The shot went wild but I could see that a figure was there! It turned and fled out the front door with Digs in pursuit. He fired another shot as he ran after the man, but it hit the wall next to the door. Digs sprinted into the hall and started down the stairs. I hurried to the window and saw the dark figure tearing down the street. He jumped into a dark sedan and sped away. Digs was out the back door a few seconds later.....but a few seconds too late.
I sank into the dining room chair. Digs returned. His jeans were undone and he didn’t have a shirt on. And he was swearing a blue streak. Every word he knew. Killer hadn’t come out of the bathroom.
Digs sat down in the chair next to me. We just stared at each other wordlessly. Killer slunk out of the bathroom - either because he wasn’t sure if the danger was over or if he knew he was in big trouble. He came over to Digs and put his head on Digs’ lap and just looked up at him sadly. Digs gave me an exasperated look and reached down and patted Killer. “I know, boy. I scared you when I yelled.” He blew out a breath and shook his head.
I looked at Killer and Digs and couldn’t help it. I started laughing. Digs glared at me and said, “Maggie! This isn’t funny!” But he was starting to laugh too. Adrenalin rush aftermath or something but we laughed until the tears streamed down our cheeks until we were gasping.
“That damn dog!” Digs huffed. “We almost had him!” But he was petting Killer as he said it. Killer was still shaking from the gunfire. Digs reached over and put his arm around me.
His cell phone rang. “So help me God I am going to throw this in the toilet!” He held me in place and picked up the phone on the table. “What!” he barked.
Then he rolled his eyes. “No Sean, everything is fine.” I grinned and got up to walk into the kitchen. Digs watched me. “Yes, there were some gunshots but we’re fine. I’ll explain it in the morning. No, we don’t need a squad car. Yeah, see you at 9.” He flipped the phone closed. I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing. Digs scowled.
“Sean?”
“Seems one of your neighbors heard gunshots and called the police. The dispatcher called Sean instead of a squad because she recognized the address and apartment number. So, of course, he called.” He smacked his head with his hand. “Between Killer, Sean and that damn cell phone......” he started. I was laughing so hard I was doubled over.
Digs started to laugh again too. Then we both sobered. “Digs, someone was here looking for something. What is it? Do we have something and not know it? Like Emily?”
“I don’t know. I wish I did. But it took guts to break in here tonight. Someone is either watching Lily’s house - or your apartment. Someone knew we had brought boxes in.” We looked at each other.
“All I know is I am tired of people breaking into my apartment like it was nothing.”
“Yeah, well, whoever it was broke this lock.” Digs sighed.
We'll have it changed again. This time a double bolt.”
I looked at the clock. 4:30 am. I ran some water to start the coffee. “So much for a good night’s sleep. I know I won’t go back to sleep now so I may as well examine some more photos.” Digs nodded and opened the box.
We started going through them, photo by photo. Nothing was jumping out at me. They were regular family photos. The older ones had Herbert and Lily, some with Emily as a child and some with a young boy, presumably John. A couple of the pictures with John also had a man in them. From the family resemblance, thought this was probably his father. No pictures of a mother, however.
About 7 I got up and stretched. I wandered back into the bedroom and pulled on old jeans, a faded forest green sweatshirt with the University of Wisconsin logo and green leprechaun socks. A flick of a comb to put my hair in a ponytail and I was good to go. I walked back to the dining room.
“Find anything?” I asked. Digs looked up. He started to say something, but there was a knock at the door. We both looked at the clock, then each other. A little after 8 am. Too early to be Jimmy or Emily and Sean and Sam had keys.
Digs got up and walked over. He looked out the peephole. It seemed like he froze. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door. I followed him.
A woman stood there. A really beautiful woman. She was dressed in a red wool coat, opened over black wool pants and a soft white cashmere sweater.
Just what this morning needed.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Olivia.”
She wore long gold chains around her neck and gold hoops at her ears. Her dark black hair was parted on the side and curved perfectly in a soft shoulder length wave around her face. Her makeup covered smooth olive skin set off by liquid eyes the color of black coffee. Thick, long lashes. Mediterranean, I thought. Exotic looking. She was about 5'7" and wore black leather boots. She carried a black Coach purse and a matching briefcase.
“Hank. I’m sorry to intrude but I need to talk to you.” Her voice was deep and throaty. The woman dripped sex.
I sighed. Someday I am going to look that put together. Someday I will always wear the perfectly matched outfit with the perfect jewelry and perfect makeup over perfect skin
to go with my perfect hair and.......Stop! In my dreams. In truth, I am too gangly and not perfect anything. As for looking like that - that ship sailed away long ago.
“Oh?” Digs’ voice was neutral. His expression was politely inquiring but he had stiffened and was standing on full alert.
“May I come in?” He stepped back reluctantly, it seemed, while she entered the apartment and looked around. I was silent. She turned to me. “I’m sorry. I do hope you don’t mind.” She hesitated. “I have to talk to Hank, though. For just a few minutes.” Hank? Who was this woman?
“Of course not,” I said, trying not to grit my teeth as I stepped toward her. “Please come in. We were just having coffee. Would you like some?”
“I'm sure she can't stay, Maggie.”
Olivia looked at him for a moment and then said to me, “No, I really can’t stay, but thank you. Hank,” she said, turning back to him. “Please. I'm so glad to see you. I've missed you.” She reached up and gave him a kiss - on the lips! Right there in front of me, Killer, God - she kissed him! I almost choked.
“Excuse me,” I said. “I’ll give you a chance to talk.” I turned away but Digs reached out and grabbed my arm.
“You can stay, Maggie. This isn’t personal.” He turned back to her. “Maggie, this is Olivia Stavros. Olivia, this is Maggie Flaherty.”
Olivia looked uncomfortable. “It’s nice to meet you, Maggie.” She glanced at me again but then riveted her look back on Digs. He didn’t invite her sit and still had that neutral look on his face. Who in the hell was this woman?
“It's nice to meet you too,” I replied, lying through my teeth. She just walks in, looking incredible and kisses Digs? What was this?
“I used to work for Olivia, Maggie.” Digs spoke, but still no expression in his voice. Still no expression on his face. “But that ended a while ago.”
Olivia bit her lip. “We could change that, Hank. I’d like that. We could go back to the way it was and......” Her voice faded.
“No.” He said it pleasantly. “Olivia, what brings you here?” Digs made no move to sit and I stood there like an idiot, rooted to the spot. Finally, I got my voice and my manners back.
“Please, Olivia. Have a seat.” I stepped away from Digs. Hank. That’s apparently the name Olivia knew him by. I gestured toward a chair or the couch.
Olivia followed me put her purse and briefcase down. I took her coat. She finally sat on the couch, never taking her eyes off Digs. “Hank, I hear you are working on the Bacci murder, along with the Hastings murder. I think we should talk and compare notes. In fact, I’m on my way to a meeting about this case.”
“We don’t really have much yet, Olivia.” Digs never moved. Okay, that was it. I was out of there. What meeting? On a Sunday?
“Excuse me, please.” I headed back to the dining room table and stood, blocking her view, while I put the jewelry - especially the ring - back in the box and covered it. I didn’t know what was going on but it was clear Digs was not in a sharing mood. After packing it all up, I sat so that I could see them in the living room and could hear what they said. I have no scruples. I listened.
“How did you find me, Olivia?” Digs still spoke in that neutral tone. Then he put up a hand. “Never mind. I know how you found me.”
How? How did she find him? And why? Damn! I felt like I’d missed the first ten chapters of a book. It was killing me. Why was she here at 8 am?
“Hank, I know that things ended badly but we’re adults. I’ve regretted that so many times. I’m so sorry for what happened.” She reached up and touched his arm.
“Nothing to apologize for, Olivia. It was time to move on. Away from the job and away from us.” Digs moved away.
“Hank, have dinner with me. Please. I know you’re still angry, but I just want to talk to you and do whatever it takes to work this out.” She stood back up and touched his hand. “Please.”
Shit! Shit! Shit! I sat there, all ten feet of me with my green and purple face, my out of control hair and my faded sweatshirt while I watched Miss Everything I’m Not try to get Digs back. Back? Sounded like a major romance. Relationship. Marriage? Probably not. But a lot more than just work buddies. I was struck by the fact that I was jealous. I had known this guy for a week! How could I be jealous? This was ridiculous! Stupid!
“Olivia, I’m not angry but I won’t have dinner with you. There is nothing to work out. You know that.” Digs pulled his hand away and spoke rather gently considering that his back was rigid.
“Don’t say that, Hank. Please. We can talk.” She looked like a movie star standing there. Sort of a Catherine Zeta Jones and Liz Taylor combo.
I was Lassie.
“Olivia, is that why you came here? I’m in the middle of an investigation and I’m helping a friend.” Friend? Was that me? Sean? “In fact,” Digs continued, “we are all meeting here in a little while. We’re going out to work on the case some more. So, I’m sorry, but if that’s why you came.......” his voice trailed off.
She stood absolutely still. Dammit. She had a perfect body, too. Stacked. I wasn’t a pancake but no one would ever call me stacked either. I hadn’t felt this inadequate in years.
“Hank. Please reconsider. You know how to reach me. Please don’t throw everything away because of one fight.” She paused. “And we need to work together on this.” Digs didn’t answer.
She gave him one last look. “We need your help.”
He still didn’t answer. Olivia sighed and put on her coat. She gathered up her purse and briefcase. “It was nice to have met you, Maggie,” she glanced in my direction. She opened the door, turned and started to say something, then stopped. After a moment, she left. Digs just stood there watching. Then he went into the kitchen and poured himself more coffee. He sat down across from me at the table.
“Good. You put everything back in the box. Good idea.” He began gathering the morning paper together in a pile.
“Digs!” I was going to kill him! “What was that? Who is she? She is absolutely gorgeous! You worked for her? Where?” I was babbling again.
Digs looked at me and smiled. “She’s my old boss, Maggie.”
“Don’t hand me that crap, Digs! I caught that! But she was a lot more than an old boss! How long ago were you two involved?” I didn’t have any right to ask that but it just slipped out. He looked at me and shrugged.
Digs got up and went to the cabinets. He got out more paper plates, silverware and cups and saucers. Apparently, this conversation was over. I sat, not knowing what to do or what to say. It was very uncomfortable. And when I am uncomfortable, I babble.
“Okay, well, this is really none of my business. But she is so beautiful....but we can get back to the jewelry and notebooks.” I rustled some papers. “Did you live with her? Here in Chicago?” I couldn’t help myself. A mouth out of control.
Digs just turned to me and gave me a benign look. No comment. But I thought I saw some amusement in his eyes. I opened my mouth to say something probably even more stupid than I had already said when the front door opened.
“Food!” Sam called. Digs went to meet her. She had a coffee cake and donuts and bagels. “I was hungry. It all looked good!” She stopped and looked back and forth between Digs and me. “Well, uh, I just need to go into the bathroom for a minute.....” she said, backing out of the dining area.
I got up and went to the kitchen. I measured out more coffee and water and got the sugar and creamer. I put them on the table. Digs still hadn’t said a word. I was arranging the silverware when he came up behind me. He slipped his arms around my waist and lightly rested his cheek against mine.
“She was my boss. And, yes, more. But she’s not now. And not for a long time.” He tightened his arms and hugged. “And not ever again.” He rubbed his cheek against mine.
I didn’t turn around. “It’s really none of my business, Digs. I’m sorry I asked.” Digs took my shoulders and turned me to face him. “It’s kind of becoming your business, Maggie. Ma
ybe. I hope.” He leaned forward and kissed me. Then again. Wow, this guy knew how to kiss. No wonder Olivia wanted him back.
Sam coughed and we broke apart. Her eyes were dancing. “Digs, I have to warn you. I am going to try and pull every last juicy detail out of Maggie. You will have no privacy left.” She grinned. Digs narrowed his eyes at her - but also laughed.
“Sam, I don’t doubt that. But I have full confidence in Maggie’s discretion.” He looked at me. “Right, Maggie?”
“Absolutely. Not a word,” I said, knowing full well that Sam would drive me nuts with questions until she did have every last detail.
Digs snorted and flicked my nose with his finger. “It’s already growing, Maggie. About a foot so far.” With that, Sean and Jimmy and Emily arrived. The day was officially started.
We all sat at the dining room table. It was a close fit but comfortable. I watched Jimmy watching Emily. He was really hooked, I thought. I knew it was a good thing for him to fall for someone and I liked Emily. She just seemed so needy at times. And, for whatever reason, we protected her. No one mentioned the break in the night before.
Sean helped himself to the coffee cake. He looked at me, then Digs. “I got a call this morning. Big meeting with the top brass on this case. Command performance. It’s Sunday so this is obviously important.” He turned to me. “Maggie, Brice Connolly specifically asked that you be there. You, too, Digs. It’s at 10. So I suggest that you, Jimmy and I go there first, then meet up with Sam and Emily later on at Lily’s.” He looked around the table. “Okay?”
Digs sighed. “Sure. We can go.”
I looked down. “Yeah, but I’m not going looking like this. Give me five minutes to change.” Sean nodded and I headed for the bedroom. I put on my best black wool pants, a forest green silk blouse and matching black wool jacket. I added a green and copper silk scarf, a gold necklace and even gold earrings. I had always worn a pin when I worked so I added a gold bird with green and blue wings. For luck. Just in case this was the same meeting Perfect Olivia had been talking about. I threw the jeans and sweatshirt in a bag so I could change later at Lily’s.