by Lori Leger
“I was so pissed at him. I’d probably been there since four o’clock that morning and had my usual four hours of sleep and he only had one surgery scheduled that day with no rounds to make, and he had to go home and rest.”
“I bet Tanner never has trouble sleeping.” He heard her snort loudly.
“No, he doesn’t,” she said, sighing loudly.
Wishing he’d never brought up the subject of Tanner, he thought of a way to put a smile back on that beautiful face of hers. “Hey Doc?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m pretty damned proportional.”
By the time Red drove up to the site of his burned down club, they’d been on the phone nearly an hour. He turned off the ignition and sat there in the silence of his truck, surrounded by flashing lights and yellow tape in a parking lot full of fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, and other assorted vehicles.
“I need to let you go now,” he told her. “I’m sure they’ll want to question me again.”
“You’re probably right. You know, Red—” She paused, as though choosing her words carefully, “—It’s easier than I thought it would be.”
“What’s that?”
“Falling in love with you.”
He was quiet for a moment, letting her words sink in. “You don’t have to be afraid, Doc. I’ll never hurt you and I won’t step on your toes.”
“I’m smiling,” she said.
“I am too.” He ended the call and stepped out of his truck…into his own personal hell.
Chapter 13
It was noon before Tiffany pushed through the double doors leading back to the area designated for staff only. She’d just completed her second surgery of the morning, making her hospital rounds in between, and hadn’t had a chance to breathe, much less check her phone for messages until now. She turned on her cell phone, seeing that she had six missed calls—all from Red. She smiled when she saw that there were three messages from him also.
“What are you grinning about?” Tanner asked, walking up alongside her. “Your new boyfriend’s club just burnt down and they found a body of a woman in it, didn’t they?”
“Unfortunately, that’s true.”
“Maybe there’s a chance he did it,” he added.
“That’s funny. I was just thinking the same about you.”
“Why would you think that?” he asked, seeming generally shocked at her accusation.
“How about all those comments about how your father is a very powerful man and has his ways of making things happen to ruin people’s lives? I’m sure one phone call from his whiny, spoiled son about how I left you and took up with Red would have him plotting all kinds of things.”
“Oh come on, Tiff, you know me better than that.”
“I know you alright, and I wouldn’t put a damn thing past you. But if you had anything to do with it, he’ll find out,” she said sending him a look that promised trouble.
“Look, I didn’t! I admit I was tempted to try to pull a few strings to slow down the opening of his new club but that’s all I was thinking about doing,” he insisted.
“And are you still?” she asked him.
“Of course not! I wouldn’t kick a man when he’s down.”
Tiffany tossed her curls back. “Oh yeah? Since when?”
Tanner closed his eyes as his head drooped forward. “Alright Tiff, I have that coming, I know I do. But, I swear, I would never get my father involved in anything like that. I didn’t have a damn thing to do with it.”
“We’ll see.” She pushed the side door open to go outside into the fresh chilly air, throwing a glance back at him. “Don’t follow me,” she said. She assumed her spot against the brick wall and proceeded to play back the first message.
“Hey Doc, I just gave a statement to the police. I had to give them your numbers...I hate that. No identification on the poor woman yet. They asked me to hang around, but I told them I don’t live here and have another club opening up in a month. I’ve worked with a few of those people before and they know I have nothing to hide. They checked my record and it’s clean, so they said I could go home later. I don’t have any more info for you right now. I’ll call you again if I hear anything else.” He paused before finally continuing. “I hope you’re having a decent day, Doc. I miss you. If I could just hear your voice...”
Tiffany pulled up the second message.
“Hey, Doc. I miss you like crazy. I wish...Well, hell, there’s no use saying what I wish right now. The place is a mess. I stink like…like a piece of smoked meat. I can’t wait to go home and get cleaned up. I can’t wait to hold you.”
She smiled and pulled up the final message.
“I feel so alone, Doc.” The sadness in his voice was overwhelming and Tiffany had to fight back the tears just hearing him. She heard him sigh deeply then he said, “Call me please...” He paused to clear his throat as his voice broke slightly. “I just...need to hear your voice.”
She wiped the tears from her eyes and hit the last number dialed button. She heard his voice asking to leave a message.
She took a deep breath and tried to sound positive for him. “Hey Red, it’s noon and I just listened to the three voice messages you left for me. I’ve either been in surgery or making rounds all morning and this is the first chance I get to call. I miss you too—I guess it’s a good thing I’m so busy or I’d be crazy from worrying. I need to grab some lunch in the cafeteria and I have another surgery at one. I can’t wait to see you. Call me back and hang in there, babe.”
She grabbed a turkey sandwich and an apple in the cafeteria along with a small container of milk and a bottle of water. She’d just sat down at the table in the atrium to eat when her phone rang. She pushed the talk button.
“Hello?”
“Hey Sis, how’s it going?”
“Oh…Drake,” she said, apparently unable to conceal the disappointment from her voice.
He laughed. “I guess you were hoping to hear from Red.”
“Yeah, I was. Sorry little brother. I haven’t had a chance to speak to him all morning, and it’s killing me. He was so upset that someone could hate him enough to burn his place down, but since hearing a woman died in the fire, he’s really depressed. I need so badly to hear the sound of his voice.”
“I’ve got my man working on it whether he likes it or not.”
“Thanks Drake. Speaking of which, I had a little talk with Tanner and asked him if he had anything to do with it.”
“Well, hell, sis, even if he did he wouldn’t come out and admit to it, now would he?”
“No, but I’ve caught Tanner lying enough to know when he’s not. He didn’t have anything to do with it and neither did his father.”
“If you believe him, that’s good enough for me.”
Her phone beeped. “Drake I have to go, I have another call. Love you.” She hit the button, and answered, praying it was Red on the other line.
“I’m trying to reach Dr. Tiffany LeBlanc.”
“Yes, this is Dr. LeBlanc.”
“Dr. LeBlanc this is Detective Michael Harper from the Lafayette Police department.”
“Yes sir, Detective Harper, what can I do for you?”
“Are you aware of the investigation surrounding the burning of Mr. Scott McAllister’s club?”
“Yes sir, I am.”
“Mr. McAllister has said that you can provide him with an alibi for the day of the fire, is that correct?”
“Yes sir, Red…Scott was with me from a little before eleven-thirty on Sunday morning until he got the call around seven-thirty that evening.”
“We need you to come in and give a sworn statement establishing that as soon as you can.”
“How soon? I’m a surgeon, Detective Harper. I won’t be finished here at the hospital until at least five o’clock this evening, maybe even later. I couldn’t possibly get there until six thirty or so. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes ma’am, the sooner we can get his alibi established, th
e sooner we can eliminate him as a suspect.”
“Then I’ll be there tonight, detective. Ask anyone who knows Scott McAllister and they’ll tell you that he is simply not capable of anything like that.”
“I do know him, ma’am and I was hoping you’d have exactly that attitude.”
Tiffany could have cried with relief at the idea of Red having at least one supporter on the police force.
“Do you need directions here, ma’am?”
“I just need an address. What section of the city is it?”
“We’re east of Johnson Street by the university—the address is 555 College Avenue.”
“That’s all I need. Will you still be there, Detective?”
“If I know for sure that you’re coming, I’ll make it a point to be here.” He gave her the number to call when she was on her way.
“Is Red with you right now?”
“No ma’am, he left here about an hour ago to go speak with the fire marshal.”
“Is he okay?”
“He seemed upset and a little...,” his voice trailed off.
“Depressed?”
“Yes ma’am. He was okay this morning, but now that we’ve got an I.D. on the body, well I guess it’s just sunk in.”
“He doesn’t deserve something like this to happen to him.”
“In my line of work, I see bad things happen to good people every day. If it’s any consolation, I have great respect for him. A lot of us do in here,” the detective told her.
“Thank you, Detective. I’ll be leaving straight from the hospital, so I’ll be in my scrubs.”
“That’ll be fine, ma’am just bring some kind of picture ID for verification.”
“I will,” she told him before they disconnected. She tapped her phone on her teeth, hit redial and waited. Again she had to leave a message.
“Hey Red. I wanted to let you know that as soon as I get off of work I’m driving to the Lafayette PD to give a statement. I spoke to Detective Mike Harper—sounds like he’s in your corner, and that makes me feel better. I will definitely see you tonight. I should be leaving the hospital anywhere from five to six, depending on how my rounds go. I may not be back in town before nine o’clock tonight or later. I’ll call you, though. Keep trying to reach me. Everything will work out, but I need to hear your voice.”
Tiffany was about to walk through the doors to go scrub for surgery when she finally got the call she longed for. “It’s about time, stranger,” she said.
“Oh God, it’s good to hear your voice, I really needed it.”
“Me too, Red.”
“I got your message. I should get home an hour or so before you do. Can I go meet you?”
“I have a better idea. You go home and relax. When I get back into town I’ll go meet you at your place.”
“I’ll leave the door unlocked for you. I’ll see you later Doc.”
“Bye.” She disconnected and pushed through the door, feeling a tremendous sense of relief.
<><><>
Just before seven o’clock Detective Mike Harper sat at his desk and glanced at his watch one more time. Tiffany LeBlanc had called him when she was leaving Lake Coburn at five forty-five and he expected her to walk in any minute now. Seconds later the door swung open and a woman in green scrubs walked into the office area. As she got closer, it was easy to see why Red was so eaten up with her. He’d known him for several years and had never seen him lose his composure over a woman before. When Red had checked his phone and saw another missed call from Doc, his first reaction had been to cuss loud enough and long enough to make a roughneck proud. Once he’d regained his composure, Red had looked like he wanted to either kick something or cry. He’d felt sorry as hell for the poor bastard.
He stood and extended his hand. “I’m Mike Harper.”
Tiffany reached out for his hand as she stared up at him. “I’m Tiffany LeBlanc, Detective Harper. How tall are you, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“I’m six foot seven, ma’am. I know. I hear I’m somewhat of a rarity. I guess people around here don’t see many half-breed Native Americans my height. I have my grandfather from San Antonio to thank for that.”
“Sheesh! I thought Red was tall,” she said, grinning up at him.
He smiled at her. “So you’re the little lady that has Red all in a tailspin. I can see why.”
Tiffany blushed at the compliment and thanked him. “Oh, you need these.” She pulled her two I.D. badges from the hospital out of her purse. “I used to wear my hair like this until just a couple of days ago.” She showed him the badge with her straight blonde hair. “I figured I needed to take another one after I colored and quit straightening it.”
He looked at the blonde in the picture. “You look good as a blonde but the way you wear it now is much better.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Let’s get this over with, Dr. LeBlanc. You must be tired, and you still have to drive home.” Within ten minutes, he had his report printed out for Tiffany’s signature. He scanned her driver’s license, along with her two hospital badges and handed them back to her. “Thank you for your cooperation, Dr. LeBlanc. You’re free to go.”
“Thank you, Detective. That was quick. I hope you catch whoever’s behind all this.”
“We will.” He shook her hand and sat back in his chair, watching her walk quickly out of the office. “Going home to Red, no doubt, the lucky son of a bitch,” he murmured. Mike ran both hands through his coal black, straight as iron hair, cut slightly longer than the military style he’d grown accustomed to throughout his ten year stint in the Corp. “I wonder if she has a sister.”
<><><>
Tiffany got home around eight fifteen that night. She showered quickly using her favorite scented body wash, washed and blow dried her hair. After applying the tiniest bit of eyeliner to her lids to accent her eyes, she dressed in a comfortable pair of old jeans and a shirt. She threw some things she’d need for work the next day into a bag and headed for Red’s.
She entered the cozy, warm house as silently as she could and locked up behind herself. Treading silently down the carpeted hallway she heard the soft sounds of Red’s acoustical guitar playing Stairway to Heaven. She found him in his bedroom, slightly illuminated by the lamp on his nightstand, in bed, and leaning against the headboard with head back and eyes closed. His long legs stretched out forever on the bed, crossed at the ankles and covered by flannel sleep pants. The sight of his upper torso, gloriously bare, made her mouth water and her fingers itch to touch the sculpted mass of muscle and still tanned skin.
Tiffany approached silently…watching…listening…as the haunting melody drifted throughout the room, infusing her with a melancholy that made her want to cry. Better to speak before she did.
“Red,” she whispered, wanting so much to be a part of his life.
He opened his eyes slowly and focused on her, but continued to play.
She slipped off her shoes and unbuttoned her jeans, easing them down until she stepped out of them. Tiffany reached out and covered his hand, stilling his fingers on the strings of the guitar. The last chord reverberated on the air waves, soon replaced by a silence, dense and thick with emotion. She took his guitar, laying it gently aside and reached for his hand to help her up onto the massive bed. Straddling him, she allowed him to pull her into a tight embrace, then sat back to study him. Tiffany placed a gentle touch upon his brow, wishing she could remove the lines of worry from his face.
Red wove his fingers into her curls then pulled her close for the kiss she’d craved all day. Afterward, he buried his face in the crook of her neck and hugged her so tightly that she could barely breathe.
“Hey,” she whispered, urging him to loosen his grip. “It’s okay, Red. I’m not going anywhere.”
He shook his head slowly. “Maybe you should. Maybe you should run like hell.”
She curled her fingers into his thick hair and smiled down at him. “Not on your life buddy.”
“I’m telling you now, Doc, I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
“About you and me?” she asked, leaning forward to place a gentle kiss on his furrowed brow.
He shook his head. “About the fire and the rest of it. Someone out there…I don’t know who…is determined to see me ruined.”
She kissed the tip of his nose, then either cheek, ending with a soft caress of his lips. “We’ll have to stop them, won’t we?”
He held her gaze for a moment before letting his head fall forward. “People will start ugly rumors about me, and I don’t want you to feel trapped if you start believing them.
“Look at me, Red.” He lifted his chin, revealing a look of total despair. “I know you, and I know what a good man you are. I know that nobody who came from a family like yours could be capable of doing anything that could make me lose faith in you. I’m here for you, and so is Drake. That Detective I spoke to, Mike Harper believes in you too. You have friends in that department who respect you enough not to let you get railroaded into paying for something you didn’t do. That is what comes from being a good man. That is what comes from being the best man I know.” She prayed he found comfort in her words, hoped they soothed his wounded soul as balm to a burn.
He closed his eyes and let the weight of his head fall forward into her hands as she began to gently massage his scalp.
“They’ve identified the body as a woman from New Orleans…someone I’ve never seen or heard of,” he murmured.
“How do they know?”
“The dental records match with the ID found in a purse near her body. Poor girl was only twenty-five,” he said, his voice cracking as he pressed an open palm to his forehead. “God, this is a nightmare—I still can’t believe it happened.”
“I know, Red.”
He grabbed her shoulders, touching his forehead to hers. “I need you, Doc.”
“I’d be lost without you,” she said before his kiss clouded her mind completely. She pulled away, flushed with the heat of a soul-searing need. Their gazes locked…she nodded, and wordlessly, they slipped out of their remaining clothes.