Checkmate (Caitlin Calloway Mystery Book 2) (30 page)

Val’s knock on the door was answered. CC could barely see her
mother. The years hadn’t been kind. Her mother looked worn and
weary.

“Miss Gallagher?” Val kept her tone professional.

“Deputy.” She stepped aside to allow Val to enter. “Any news?
Please tell me you’ve caught him.”

“I’m afraid, not.” Val nodded for CC to follow. “We just have
a couple of questions.”

CC stood in the hallway with her feet firmly rooted. Finally,
she exhaled and followed Val into the apartment.

“Cattie?”

“Yeah,” she said in a clipped tone. She wanted to say more. To
ask a litany of questions that might help her understand why her
childhood had turned into a nightmare.

“My heavens.” Maria sobbed and reached for CC before
withdrawing her touch. “It’s really you. I saw you on television last
week. You look well.”

“I’m fine.” Finding her voice was a struggle. She couldn’t look
at her mother. Instead she looked around the simple setting that was
her mother’s home. The walls were bare, with the exception of an
oil painting of Jesus.
Mom found Jesus. I wonder if she’ll be pissed
if I ask if he was behind the sofa.
She shook the random thought
from her head. “I’m only here to be certain that you’re not helping
him.”

“I wouldn’t.” Maria sounded offended. “After I accepted the
truth, that was it. I filed for divorce and took off. I never want to see
that man again. He ruined everything.”

CC studied her for a moment. As far as she could tell, Maria
was indeed clueless about Bert’s whereabouts.

“No contact with him at all?”

“None. The only contact we had was through lawyers to
finalize the divorce. That’s it. You’re married?” Maria pointed to
CC’s wedding band.

“Yes, five years now.”

“And your husband?”

“Wife. My wife and I have been married for five years.”

“Oh, so you’re still that way?”

“Yes, Mother, I’m still a big lesbian.” CC rolled her neck at the
absurdity of the situation. “Always was.”

“Oh.” Maria’s gaze moved from her daughter’s face to the
carpeting. “I suppose that’s my fault as well.”

“I’m gay, not defective. Honestly, given what happened… You
know what? Never mind. Your shortsightedness isn’t the issue at the
moment. Have you felt like anyone was watching you? Anything
strange happen here or at work?”

“No, Caitlin, I…”

CC tried to be patient as her mother searched for the right thing
to say. It seemed like an eternity, just standing there waiting. Maria
opened and closed her mouth several times, still not speaking.

CC was unable to endure the agony for any longer. “If you hear
or see anything, contact Deputy Brown.”

“Wait! Stevie is she…”

“Stevie is happy and healthy,” CC said in a somber tone. Her
original plan had included telling her about their lives. Maybe
mentioning Emma, if she felt confident enough that Bert was truly
out of the picture.
She doesn’t deserve to know
, she silently
concluded. If Maria Gallagher wanted to know more, she’d have to
find out for herself. CC didn’t waste time with goodbyes; she just
walked out the door.

Deputy Brown could barely keep up with her as she charged
towards the elevator. She needed to get out of there, breathe the
fresh air, and forget everything. To her credit, Val kept silent. CC
stormed outside the building struggling to breathe. Again, the
deputy gave her space. CC paced around the sidewalk until she felt
the tension ebb. Without a word, she climbed into her car and
slammed the door.

Val had barely enough time to buckle her seatbelt when CC
threw the Subaru in gear and sped off. She navigated the streets of
Waltham until she found her way to Route 16. Back in what passed
for civilization, she pulled into one of the few Starbucks. Val stared
at her, almost as if she were waiting for instructions.

“Bring me back a spice pumpkin latte.” CC wasn’t really
surprised at the stunned look Val was sporting. “What? I can be
flexible.”

CC sat there with the engine running and reviewed the short
amount of time she had spent with her mother. She tried to be
analytical and search for some clue of deception. She had to focus
on catching Bert; her mother’s ignorant attitude wasn’t the issue.
From what little had transpired, she doubted that her mother knew
anything about Bert’s whereabouts. Then again, she could be lying.

She was still pondering the possibility of her mother’s deceit
when Val returned with the beverages. “Your surveillance on my
mother, did it turn up anything?”

“No.” Val handed over a very large latte. “She works, she stays
in her apartment, and every Sunday morning she attends mass at
Sacred Heart Church down the street from her apartment. Other than
that, she does nothing. Is it just me or did you feel like that painting
of Jesus was watching us?”

“Watching, judging, hard to say.” CC tried to shrug off the
hurtful feeling of betrayal. “I don’t know what I was expecting.
Every day I meet people and mention my wife, and almost none of
them think it’s a big deal. I mean I work with die-hard good old
boys, and they don’t even blink. Somehow, I thought she’d react
differently or at least have the good manners not to react. It’s not
like my sexuality is news to her.”

“Detective, is there any chance your sister was adopted?”

“Huh? Oh.” CC laughed. “I get what you’re saying. Trust me,
Stevie and I have asked ourselves that many times over the years.
For the life of me, I still can’t figure out how those two dingle
berries brought her into this world. Sadly, they’re her parents. I was
there when she was born.” Something didn’t feel right. It was the
same feeling she had been fighting since all this began. “I promised
Stevie the day she was born that I’d look out for her. I’m not doing
a very good job.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m not. There’s something I’m missing.”

“Catching Beaumont first is the right move. After we get that
scumbag off the streets, we can figure out who hates you enough to
pull this stunt.”

“Not a short list.”

“Given your stellar career, I’m not surprised.”

“I’ll tell you who tops the list.” Deep inside, CC felt that she
might be right. “But he’s locked up in one of Southern California’s
finest institutions for the criminally insane.”

“Fisher?” Val looked doubtful.

“His friends and family aren’t faring well these days. In fact,
they’re dropping like flies. I just can’t see how the little weasel
could accomplish it. Brooks pulled his visitor logs recently, and the
only people who have visited him from day one are his mother and
whoever has had the misfortune of being his lawyer.”

“Let’s find Beaumont. If someone is playing cat and mouse
with us, chances are he’ll be playing peek-a-boo again real soon.”

“I hope you’re right. Because if you’re not…”

“I’m not wrong.”

*   *  *

Jamie strode through the emergency room, trying her level best to remain calm. Everyone was surprised to see her there so early in the day. She tossed out several lame excuses. She had no desire to reveal the real reason she was there. All she wanted to do was focus on the task at hand. She needed to talk to Jack and get time off so she could be with her family. If for some reason he said no, Jamie was fully prepared to quit her job. She stopped briefly to have a word with Randy Schumacher. In a not so subtle way, she reminded him of the back-to-back doubles she pulled for him a few months ago so he could sneak off to Vegas for a bachelor party his wife didn’t want him to attend.

“A moment of your time, Dr. Temple?” she asked politely after she knocked on Jack’s door.

“I hate it when you get all formal,” he said and waved for her to come in. “It means I’m in for a boatload of trouble. Tierney not take her dismissal well?”

“Oh no, she was fine. In fact, she should have stopped by this morning to file an appeal with you. I told her you’d be here early this morning.”

“You seem surprised that the resident you canned for being tardy couldn’t drag her ass in here on time to appeal. I’m not surprised. Knowing that kid, she’ll show up after the weekend whining and wailing. How that one got this far is a mystery to me. So, if it isn’t our tardy resident or former resident, what brings you in here so early in the day?”

“I need to take some time off. I have a family emergency. I know you have plans with Joyce but…”

“You’re good. Take as much time as you need.”

“I thought you had plans?” Jamie had been prepared for some resistance. The last time she had spoken to Jack, he was eager to spend time with his wife.

“Joyce is out of town. She went on a cruise,” he said in an incredulous tone. “To Alaska. I mean why would she want to do that?”

Jamie wanted to inform him that there were a great many reasons why Joyce would want to go on an adventure. Instead, she just accepted her good fortune and kept her mouth shut.

“When do you need to start your leave of absence?”

“Now, if that’s possible. Schumacher is willing to fill in for me tonight and tomorrow night.”

“Ah, finally cashed in on his little trip to sin city. I’ll cover Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Call me if you need more time.”

“Thanks, Jack.”

The faux taxi was waiting to shuttle her back home. She felt bad that things weren’t working out for Jack. But she was relieved that she was able to be where she needed to be. When she arrived home, landscapers were busy, the roof was being fixed, and Stevie was busy working on her computer. Now that Jamie was home, she was at a loss as to what she should be doing. She went upstairs, changed her clothes, and failed to find anything else to do. She opted to bother Stevie.

“Working?”

“Ahead of schedule, but I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Any word from your sister?”

“No, which can’t be good.”

“Emma sounded happy.”

“Yeah.” Stevie smiled for the first time. She shut down her computer and turned towards Jamie. “She seems to like Ricky. Although she’s a little confused as to why, if he’s Daddy’s new boyfriend, why did he sleep on the sofa?”

“How’d you explain that? Or did you just change the subject?”

“I changed the subject.” She took Jamie by the arm. “Let’s go outside, almost time for the mail.”

“You could just ask Misty out. Or did last night change things?”

“Last night,” Stevie said and flinched. “I needed…” Her voice trailed off. “Well, you know.”

“Been there. It’s just that Val seems like a nice person.”

“I know.” Stevie groaned. “They’re back.”

“And Misty is here,” Jamie noted as Stevie raced outside. “This should be fun.”

She watched as Val immediately went to Stevie’s side, apparently much to Misty’s displeasure. “Oh, boy.” She turned her attention towards her wife who seemed to be sulking. CC held up her hand, a silent signal that informed her that she needed a moment. They’d talk later. In the meantime, she was curious about what was happening with Stevie and her not-so-secret admirers. She stepped outside to watch the show. Stevie looked terrified as she accepted the mail.

“Hi, I’m Val,” the deputy said to Misty.

“Oh, uh nice to meet you,” Misty stammered out before offering a fake smile. “Moving in?”

“No. Just visiting, for now.”

“Oh.” Misty shifted from one foot to the other. “Well, have a good day.”

“Not nearly as entertaining as I hoped,” Jamie said to herself before she went in search of her wife. “What smells so good?”

“I’m baking brownies,” CC muttered from her spot by the coffee maker. “I couldn’t figure out what to do with myself. Normally when I’m off I spend time with you or Emma. Or work on my honey-do list. Or fix something around the house.”

“Honey-do list? Well, you do manage to get most of the errands accomplished during your downtime. Thanks for the brownies. How did it go?”

“She doesn’t know anything.”

“And?”

“She hasn’t changed.” CC feigned indifference. “She was over the moon just to see me until I mentioned my wife. She actually said ‘You’re still that way.’ Like I have a sickness or something. She feels that somehow I’ve shamed her. Her marrying a sexual predator was nothing more than a minor lapse in judgment, but my being a lesbian is cause for scorn.”

“She’s an idiot.” Jamie wrapped her arms around CC’s slender waist. “You are an amazing woman, Caitlin Calloway. If she can’t see that, then she’s missing out.”

“Thanks.”

“What can I say? I’m crazy about you.” Jamie stole a kiss. “Plus, the brownies help. I’m covered at work, and I have no idea what to do with myself. Are we supposed to stay inside or in the yard?”

“We keep out of the way. I’m not the lead on this one. Hell, I’m not even part of the operation. I’m just here. I feel useless.”

“I can think of a way to make yourself useful,” Jamie said in a saucy tone as she raked her nails along CC’s arms. “Is the oven timer set?”

“Yes. You want a quickie while waiting for snacks?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.”

“You’re shameless.”

“I’m a woman in love.” She guided her wife upstairs. “And, I’m shameless. That’s what happens when you hit the brass ring. All your dreams come true.”

“I’m a dream come true?”

“Yes, you are. Now, if you’d be so kind as to take your clothes off, I’ll show you how much I appreciate everything you do for me. Hurry, before the brownies burn.”

Jamie’s invitation was just what CC needed to hear. She tripped up the staircase as she raced after her wife.

Chapter 30

Stevie felt better knowing that Emma was safe. It didn’t make her miss her any less.
Maybe I should have gone with her
. She instantly dismissed the idea. She refused to leave Caitlin and Jamie on their own. They needed her just as much as she needed them. Then there was Val. Stevie needed her in so many ways. But she wasn’t staying. Which begged the question, just what did she expect from the enigmatic federal agent?