Crossing Lines (Cops and Docs #2) (12 page)

“That’s what I thought.”

Nora stared.

Goddammit. She’d had enough. “Rader was murdered last night.”

Nora continued to stare, but she paled considerably. Her mouth fell open slightly, and Kelli wanted to kiss her even more. Nora stepped out of the way to let Kelli inside. Kelli waited as she locked the door. It was taking way too long to do such a simple thing. “Nora?”

Slowly, Nora turned around. Her gaze was unreadable, but Kelli knew she was shaken. “Coffee?”

It was way too late to follow the rules of etiquette and decorum. “Hell no. I’d say we both need something a shit ton stronger.”

Nora nodded jerkily.

“Sit. I’ll get it.” Kelli took that time to breathe. Nora’s anxiety radiated clear across the room. All Kelli wanted to do was soothe it.

She handed Nora one of the heavy tumblers that probably cost more than Kelli’s entire set of dinnerware. “I’m not a scotch drinker, but I’m sure this stuff goes down smooth as hell, so I’ll make an exception.” Kelli sat down a mile away from Nora at the other end of the couch.

“Am I a suspect?” Nora asked. Her voice was hesitant and low. She placed her glass on the table and turned to look a Kelli.

Kelli sipped at the scotch. It was just plain nasty no matter how warm it was going down. “Yeah. So you want to tell me where you were between ten o’clock last night and two this morning?” It was a stupid question to ask, considering Kelli knew who the guilty party was.

Nora picked up the tumbler. Her hand was shaking. “Home.”

“Alone?” She had to ask. She had to know if she’d been forgotten and replaced. Kelli held her breath and waited.

“Yes. My surveillance system should confirm it. You don’t really think—”

“No, I know you didn’t do this. I’m a possible suspect too, and I’m officially off the case.”

“But you’re not really.”

“Fuck no. I’m not. I can’t just sit around. My nose is definitely all up in this.”

“No, I know you can’t.” Nora lifted the glass to her lips, but she peered at Kelli over the rim.

Kelli reached for her drink and gulped at it. Shit burned like fire, but that flame helped to distract her from the other one. To top it off, she was getting whiplash. How the hell did they go from practically screaming at each other to this?

“Taylor Fuller?”

“Yeah, that’s what my gut tells me.” And Kelli was sure the evidence would speak for itself.

“And you think she might come after me next?”

Kelli nodded. “It crossed my mind.”

A look passed over Nora’s face. It was a combination of fear and anger.

“What?” Kelli asked.

“It could be nothing, but when I was leaving the hospital—”

“That was me. I went by Fuller’s place earlier. She wasn’t home, and I didn’t want to take the chance.”

Nora’s previous expression melted away, making way for vulnerability. “Why? I don’t understand.”

Did she really just ask that? “Because even if we’re not…together or whatever, I’m gonna look out for you.”

“Should I assume that you’re responsible for Mr. Travis’s antics today?”

“Yeah, I am.”

Nora looked so confused. “I’m not sure what to say.”

Perfect segue. Kelli would be stupid not to take it. “Fuller has to pretty much make a move on you before a protective detail will even be considered. You could learn how to defend yourself, or I could take the couch or one of the guest rooms. I’m sure you’d be more comfortable in your own space.”

The look on her face was priceless. Her expression screamed “What the fuck?”

“Pardon me?” Nora asked instead.

“You heard me, Nora.”

“No… I don’t think…no. I’m not ready for that. After everything that happened, no. It would be too much.”

Kelli sighed and rolled her eyes. She couldn’t help herself. “Look, let’s just clear the air. Would that make it easier? I’m sorry for what happened.”

Nora stood. “That didn’t seem sincere at all, and I’m not ready to discuss it.”

Kelli got up too. “So, let me get this straight. You’re putting yourself at risk just because I offended your sensibilities?” It was the wrong thing to say. Kelli knew it, but that didn’t stop her. She was, after all, still in asshole mode. Kelli closed the distance between them. “Let’s compare pain then. You left when I needed you the most. Nothing I did could have hurt you that bad.”

“Yes it did!” Nora backed away. “I’m sorry about your brother, but you wanted too much from me. There has to be a me left!”

Kelli was wrong before.
This
was the part with the yelling. She moved forward. “I gave you everything in me. Nothing felt right unless you were there. Don’t you think I deserve the same? Whatever lines that were still between us, I thought we stepped over them a while ago. You said you were with me in this. I know it’s scary.” Shut up. She needed to shut up. Her heart was already ripped open, putting what was left of it out there could vaporize it completely.

“That’s not me. I’m not that person.”

“Bullshit.” Despite what her head screamed, the rest of Kelli refused to listen. “You just haven’t figured it out yet.” With that one sentence, Kelli left herself flailing in the wind with absolutely nothing to catch her. The tough guy shit she’d been projecting was just that—shit. Seeing and talking with Nora was all it took to tear those phony-ass walls down. Kelli only had a tiny bit of self-preservation left, and she used it. She walked around Nora and out the door.

At least they’d talked. Sort of.

Regardless of what happened in there, Kelli wasn’t going to leave Nora unprotected. When she got in the car, her cell rang. It was Williams.

“Yeah?”

“Knowing you, you’ve been by Fuller’s house. She’s been here the past few hours being questioned. Just let her go. Hotheaded little thing. Rader was a big guy, but his blood alcohol level was way past the legal limit. She’s definitely a possibility. I’m waiting to get a full report from CSU about the crime scene. I thought you’d want to know.”

Kelli knew some of that already. “Yeah.”

“You talk to Nora?”

“Yeah.” What else could she say? It was hard as hell to think.

Williams paused. “See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” Kelli hung up and started the car. She backed out of the driveway and circled the block before parking a couple houses down from Nora’s. As she sat there, gravity decided to fuck with her too. Everything crashed onto her shoulders. Tony. Nora. Now this. Anger, sadness, and helplessness were a messed up combination. Kelli started punching the steering wheel again. It was either that or crying, and afterwards, she could shove all this shit back down and make it manageable again.

CHAPTER 8

Nora stood at the ICU nurses’ station, leafing through a chart. As she took out her pen to make a few notations, someone walked up beside her. Nora turned and glanced up briefly to see Susan.

“Hey. So, I’ve been trying to give you space, which is a very hard thing for me to do. I’m usually a I-want-it-now type of person, even with my grandchild. And that goes over so well, let me tell you.”

Nora waited for more. There had to be a point in there somewhere.

“The other night was awkward and exciting, right?” Susan asked.

She put her pen back in her pocket. “Yes, both those things.”

“And then you shot out of there like we were contagious. Did I do—”

“No, it had nothing to do with any of you. I…” Nora felt someone watching her. When she looked in that direction, she noticed a couple of nurses near the desk, leaning in and listening. “Can we walk and talk, please?”

Susan nodded and fell into step beside her.

“There’s so much… I just don’t have room for everything. I’m sorry,” Nora said. That was a gross understatement. Even though Rader’s murder happened just two days prior, there had been a thousand more eyes on her than usual, and the weight of all the extra scrutiny was becoming formidable. In fact, the only time she had felt almost normal were the heated moments with Kelli, which didn’t make sense given the fervor of their argument. Still, it felt good to find her voice in this mess and to finally communicate with Kelli about it.

“I get that. I do. I can’t imagine being you right now. I guess it’s kind of selfish of me to bring up our little outing at all.”

“No, it’s okay, and thank you for giving me space. I probably needed it.”

“I bet.” Susan paused. “We haven’t really known each other that long, but I know you like to keep things close to the vest. You just look like you’re carrying Mt. Everest on your back every damned day. I’m here if you want to unburden yourself. No judgment. Everything doesn’t have to be complicated, Nora.”

The use of her first name within the hospital did something to Nora. Her chest tightened, and the ache that was her constant companion bloomed inside her. She stopped walking abruptly. It was too hard to move and catch her breath at the same time.

“Nora?”

Why couldn’t she breathe? She knew the reason. For the moment, the weight on her shoulders was unbearable.

“Nora?” Susan grasped her by the elbow. “I’m going to get us to one of the on-call rooms up ahead. Just hold on.”

A few seconds later, Nora sat down on a couch as her breathing finally started to right itself.

Susan forced a plastic cup filled with water into her hands.

“Drink it or pour it down your scrubs. Whatever helps.”

Nora sipped at the water. Susan sat down beside her.

“Thanks.”

“No problem. I can stay for a while. No one will care.”

Habitual awkwardness took hold of Nora along with a healthy dose of embarrassment. “No, you don’t—”

“Nora, just shut up, okay?” Susan sounded exasperated.

Nora turned quickly, catching Susan’s gaze. The prickly feeling passed when she saw the sincerity in her eyes.

“I’m not going to go out there and tell everyone that cyborg Nora had a panic attack. You can trust me.”

She wanted to. Part of her already did. Otherwise, Nora would have never gone out for drinks.

“I’m a suspect in Rader’s murder.”

Susan shrugged. “I figured that. Did you do it?”

“No!”

“Good, you don’t seem like a bash-your-head-in type of person…ripping hearts out with scalpels though…” Susan raised her hand and tilted it from side to side. “Eh, maybe.” She smiled.

Nora glared but a chuckle escaped. She sobered quickly. “I’ve cleared my afternoon. I’ve decided to go to the police and volunteer for questioning. I just want the whole thing over with.”

“Makes sense.”

“Kelli…” Nora swallowed. It felt strange to say her name in conversation like this. “Thinks I could be in danger. If Fuller did this, it’s definitely a possibility.”

“Taylor Fuller? Crap. That makes sense. It’s creepy though, but who’s Kelli?”

Nora looked down in the plastic cup. “She’s…” Nora had no idea what to call her. They had been friends, lovers, and now, they were nothing? No. That didn’t fit. There was something boiling underneath. Nora still cared too much…wanted too much, and despite everything and all her efforts to the contrary, she didn’t want that to stop.

“Ah, she’s that complication you were talking about?” Susan asked.

“Yes.” Nora nodded.

“You screwed things up?”

Nora’s shoulders tensed. Well, she really didn’t hold anything back. “We…did that together.”

“I see. I’m assuming that’s the other thing that’s been eating at you?”

“Yes.”

“Is she just as stubborn as you?”

Nora glared again, but she nodded slightly.

“Figures. Those are always the most interesting ones.”

“I wouldn’t know. This was my first…relationship.” Nora was taken aback by her own ability to share. Once the avalanche started, there was no stopping it. Obviously, Susan was right. She needed to unburden herself, and every other person she knew socially was tied to Kelli somehow. This friendship that she was cultivating with Susan was hers and hers alone. Nora just realized how good that felt.

“Oh damn, and they always hurt the worst.”

“Yes, I’m realizing that now.”

Susan cleared her throat. “Is she hot?”

Nora’s lips twitched. “I suppose.”

Susan groaned. “That makes it even harder. So you guys are just going to float around in limbo until you just pitter out like some sad balloon?”

Odd. “I… I’m not sure how to answer that.”

“Perfect imagery I’d say, but I’m definitely not in the position to give relationship advice. I’ve been divorced three times. I do know it’s better to take stuff out of the box and look at it. Nothing stays locked up.”

Three loud beeps interrupted them.

“Well that certainly wasn’t me.” Susan patted Nora on the knee and stood.

“No.” Nora didn’t want her to go. “Let me…I know who this is.” Nora set her cup of water on the table and got up. She reached for the phone and punched in the extension for Mr. Travis’s room.

“Hello?”

“I’m alive and unharmed, Mr. Travis. Would it be okay if I present myself within thirty minutes for confirmation?”

Travis laughed. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

Nora hung up. She glanced at Susan who was looking at her rather strangely.

“It’s Kelli’s way of checking on me.”

“Oh that’s not controlling at all.” Susan’s tone was sarcastic.

“It’s in case Taylor shows up. Kelli’s a homicide detective. She’d be here herself, but I think she’s giving me space since we’re in…limbo.” Nora had to defend her. Kelli was many things, but she was no stalker.

“Aww, okay that’s actually sweet, but it sounds like she doesn’t want to let go either.”

Nora didn’t answer. She just didn’t know.

* * *

Kelli forgot how uncomfortable the chairs in interrogation were. Or perhaps it was because she wasn’t used to sitting on this side of the table. She leaned back and waited for Johns to get organized. He threw the Rader file on the table and sat down.

“You want a Coke or something?”

“Let’s just get this over with.”

Johns leaned forward. “Keep in mind this ain’t fun for me, McCabe.”

“Yeah, sorry.” All of this was just a formality. He had to do his job.

He nodded and opened the file. Johns lined up the pictures of Rader’s body for Kelli to see. “You knew him…James Rader?”