Merrill appeared to relax a little, as well. Well, as long as Lindseys happy, Im glad to meet you, Alan-and Im Richard, by the way. He paused. Detective, you said? What kind?
Homicide.
Really? He did that little rearing back, startle thing again. Well, at least its not drugs or vice. Or gangs. Speaking of which-terrible thing that happened this past weekend, wasnt it?
Yes, sir, Alan said, it was.
Merrill appeared to be about to ask another question, but Lindsey interrupted. What are you doing here, Dad? Not that Im not glad to see you.
He pointed an accusing finger at his daughter. Now, I tried to call you. I did. You werent answering your cell phone.
Dad, you know I dont take it when I go running.
Merrill looked at Alan and raised both hands in a gesture of paternal helplessness. What am I gonna do with her? Youre a cop, tell her how nuts she is to go out alone like that without a cell phone!
Dad, its not like Im out in the wilderness. Where I run its on a busy street with houses on the other side, people all over the place, jogging, walking their dogs, playing with their kids. Its perfectly safe. And, she added in a wry aside to Alan, loud enough for her father to hear, Im forty years old, for Petes sake.
And youre never going to be too old for your dad to worry about you-dont you forget that. Merrill gave Alan a narrow look. You have children, son?
Yes sir, I do, Alan said. A daughter-shes almost ten.
Ah. Then you know-or if you dont now, you will. He took a set of keys out of his pocket and peeped open his car door locks, then turned back to them. I was in the neighborhood and thought Id stop by since I couldnt get you on the phone. Wanted to see if you feel like coming over on the weekend.
He smiled, but now Alan thought it seemed forcedawkward. And it struck him suddenly, with a flash of unwanted sympathy, what it must be like for a man married for more than forty years, suddenly finding himself without his wife. It was pretty obvious to him the man was lonely.
You know, thought I might warm up the old barbecue, invite some of the neighbors, be like old times. Before your mother He cleared his throat, then threw Alan a fierce look. I suppose shes told you-
Yes, Alan said. Im sorry. Must be tough. What else could he say?
Lindsey had opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, Richard Merrill said to Alan, Youre included in the invitation, of course.
Her head snapped toward Alan and her eyes widened, the look she gave him saying plainly, Oh, no! What now?
He was asking himself that same question. The invitation was a golden opportunity, the perfect chance for him to learn more about the elusive Merrills, but the timing couldnt have been worse. He said in a murmur meant only for Lindsey, I have Chelsea that weekend.
Naturally, Merrill overheard. Chelsea? That would be your daughter?
Yes, sir. I was supposed to have her last weekend, but after all hell broke loose in the hood, I had to cancel. I cant disappoint her again.
No, no-by all means, bring her along. I have a pool, some of the neighbors have kids, grandkids. Shell be more than welcome. Shell have fun. So, what do you say? Can I count on the three of you?
No, no-by all means, bring her along. I have a pool, some of the neighbors have kids, grandkids. Shell be more than welcome. Shell have fun. So, what do you say? Can I count on the three of you?
Lindsey popped open her mouth and threw Alan that Help-me-out-and-dont-you-dare-say-yes! look again.
Sure, he said. Wed love to come. Well be there.
He heard a little gasp, then a bright and artificially cheery, O-kay! So, Dad, I guess thats, um So, well see you next what, Saturday? What time? He could hear a note of desperation in her voice, and feel those ripples of tension cascading through her body again.
Interesting.
Merrill shrugged and divided a look between the two of them. Around two? It gets dark so early this time of year.
Twos fine with me, Alan said.
Two it is, Lindsey almost sang, and Alan snugged her a little closer still.
Then he had to let go of her momentarily as her father stepped forward to give her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. Thats great-just great. See you Saturday, then. Good to meet you, Alan. He clapped Alan on his upper arm, got into his car and backed out of the driveway.
Alan and Lindsey waved, then stood together and silently watched the big sedan roll through the automatic gate that had opened to let it pass, pause, taillights winking, then turn right and move off down the street. It was only then, with the quiet of the empty driveway and spotlighted landscaping shadows settling in around them, that he realized his arm was encircling her again. That somehow, for some reason, shed moved right back into the curve of his body, into the place shed vacated to accept her fathers farewell hug. He wondered if shed done it without thinking, because it felt natural and right, the way it had felt so natural and right to him he hadnt given it a thought, either.
They broke apart at what seemed like the same moment-impossible to tell who did it first.
Lindsey gave a little laugh, sounding half relieved, half embarrassed. Boy, you do that well.
What?
Lie.
That stopped him for a moment, making him do his own little mental rearing back, the word an unexpected jolt to his self-image. He lied on a daily basis, of course, dealing with suspects and witnesses alike, and never gave it a thought. Went with the territory. He did and said what was necessary to get the job done, and it wasnt always one hundred percent gospel truth. He sure didnt think it made him any less of a good guy.
His chuckle was self-deprecating. Think he bought it?
She hugged herself, rubbing her upper arms inside the sleeves of the warm-up jacket, although the evening wasnt that chilly. Why wouldnt he? Im forty years old-Im sure the notion that I might bring a man home with me occasionally isnt that shocking. Her voice sounded clipped, almost angry.
Do you?
Do I what?
Bring men home with youoccasionally?
She gave a little start, in a way that reminded him of her father. What earthly business is that of yours?
He held up his hands in mock surrender. Hey, if were supposed to be, uh, dating, I just figured I ought to know what Im getting into.
The fact that she was being teased sank in, and she made a small sound, a snort, and gave him a sideways glaring look to go with it. After a moment, she pulled off the sweatband and raked her fingers through her hair, then suddenly held her head between her hands and let go of an exasperated breath. But, why did you say wed go to the barbecue? You realize, were going to have to keep up the charade of us being a couple all afternoon. And what about your daughter? Whats she going to think?
About what?
Well, me, obviously. The fact that were supposedly uh, dating
Shes ten, Lindsey. Who I happen to be dating is no concern of hers.
Oh, she said, arching her eyebrows at him, so are you dating someone? Before he could answer, she gave an elaborate shrug and added, I just figured, you know, since were supposed to be dating, I ought to know what Im getting into.
He grinned to show his appreciation of the small gotcha, and she grinned back. And it occurred to him, as it did each time he was with her, that he was enjoying himself entirely too much, given the nature of their relationship.
He coughed and folded his arms and planted his feet, adopting a classic cop stance to remind himself again what that relationship was. Look, its the perfect opportunity dumped right in my lap. You bet Im going to take it. I need to talk to your father, you dont want me to talk to him-not like a cop, and I understand that. So, this is my chance to talk to him without arousing his suspicions. Casual conversation-you know. Im in a relationship with his daughter, what could be more natural than to want to know more about her family? Im sure hes going to want to know all about me, so, I tell him about growing up in Philly, and I ask him where he grew up. Its tit for tat. He smiled at her, not with amusement. Plus, its a great opportunity for you to show me those high school yearbooks you were telling me about.
She gazed at him, not saying anything, eyes fringed in darkness, reflecting the light. Then she nodded and murmured, Okay, youre right. Of course. He could hear the faint plink of her swallow.
Meanwhile, Ill keep looking, see if I come up with anything. Are you going to be seeing your mother this week?
Of course. I go almost every day after work.
Okay, then you keep trying to get her to remember things about her dreams. Let me know immediately if you get anything. Anything-no matter how small or insignificant it might seem to you. Call me.
She nodded, then gave a small laugh. So, I guess the snow thing wasnt much help, was it?
Dont say that. His voice had gone low and husky, entirely without his permission. You never know.
And then, because just saying good-night to her and walking away didnt seem like enough, he reached out and brushed the bridge of her nose with his thumb.
He heard a soft intake of breath, and that moment in the car, when hed leaned over and kissed her as part of a charade, came thundering back into his consciousness. A stampede of images, emotions, sensations, things he hadnt had time then to process, hurtled through his mind and for a few seconds, trampled out reason. He was left with a churned-up mess of sensory impressions-soft lips and warm, damp skin and the scent of a clean womans sweat, and the hint-just the hint-of what it would be like to have those mingling, merging, melding with his own amid the thumping, pulsing rhythms of joined bodies and dueling heartbeats.
He shook his head, shaking off the images and a hint of dizziness. So, he said in a voice still raspy with the residue of the stampede, Ill call you. And see you on Saturday. He left her standing there, walked to his car, got in and managed to get his car turned around and heading back through the automatic gate without clipping a shrub or running over the curb.
Entirely too much, he told himself as he bumped a right turn into the street. Considering the nature of our relationship.