typea_all (10 page)

     She looked at me like I was nuts.

     "I just waxed the floor." It was an old lie, but a good one.

     She took off her shoes and slipped on the booties, and then I led her into the living room area. She looked at the place like a gourmet looks at fast food – with her nose up in the air but with a sensibility that some poor slobs have to eat that stuff.

     "What do you have to say?"

     Before I could stop her, she sat down on my sofa. My clean sofa, that bitch! Now I not only had to clean the floor where she walked, but the sofa as well. I stood in front of her so she wouldn't get up and wander around.

     "I know what's going on between you and my husband, and I want it to stop."

     "Going on? Nothing's going on!"

     "Don't play dumb with me. I know he wants you to fake that blood test so he can get insurance. You'll be very sorry if you do. I have some powerful friends, and they can do some ugly things to you."

     "This is all about insurance?"

     "As if you didn't know."

     "I didn't. What's so important about insurance?"

     "Just don't help him, that's all. Do we understand each other?" She got up and walked toward the door.

     "I don't understand anything! What's going on? What about insurance?"

     She walked half way toward the door and started to take off her booties.

     "Don't take them off until you get to the door."

     Didn't help. She took them off, walked the rest of the way to the door and put her shoes back on. Plain black pumps with a little gold trim around the toes. Very flattering on her. I think they were an expensive brand. Maybe Italian.

     "Just remember, you'll be very sorry if you help my husband."

     As she walked out, I yelled, "Can I count on you not to drop by again?" Then under my breath I called her a stupid gold-digging witch.

     I had a lot of questions when she left.

What the hell was she talking about?

What does insurance have to do with anything?

Why would a gold-digging wife not want her husband to get insurance?

Where do I start cleaning?

Where did she buy those shoes?

******

     Cleaning the floor from the door to the sofa, and cleaning the sofa, took about forty-five minutes. I threw away the booties Julie wore and took a fresh set out of the box so it would be ready for whenever I needed them. I was exhausted by the time I was done, and I just wanted to finish watching my soaps.

     I got a cold glass of water, went back upstairs, settled down on a sofa and pressed Play to finish my soaps. Then the doorbell rang.

     I pressed Pause and just sat there. Whoever it was would just go away, I figured. A few seconds went by and the bell rang again.

My curiosity got the better of me, so I pressed Stop, went downstairs, and looked out the peephole. Another tall blond, this time Jules. I owed her for the shoes, so I opened the door.

"Jules. What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I've been sitting in my car almost an hour trying to decide what to do."

"I don't understand."

"I followed my mother here. I saw her go into your house, and I watched her leave. I just have to know what's going on."

"Join the club. I have no idea what's going on."

We just stood there for a minute, looking at each other, not knowing what to do next. She was probably thinking, "What does my mother have to with Brooke Castle?" I was thinking, "If I ask her in, I'll have to clean all over again."

I really didn't want to clean again, but I felt sorry for Jules. She seemed really confused, as much as I was, and maybe she could think of something that would help.

"Listen, why don't you step inside?" I said. "Just if you don't mind, take off your shoes and put on these booties. I just cleaned the floor, and I have this sort of clean thing."

She seemed genuinely happy that I asked her in. She took off her sneakers, Reebok Classics, slipped on the booties and walked in.

"Your home is nice and cozy."

"Thanks. I just rent it. I can't really afford anything right now, and the price was right. I might have to move next year, though, if the owners decide to sell it."

"It looks like you're comfortable here. That would be a shame."

"That's life. Have isopropyl alcohol, will travel. I'm a little crazy clean."

"Do you mind if I sit down, just for a moment?"

Yeah, I do mind, but at least I can pick out the place. I pointed to one of the kitchen chairs, which are much easier to clean than the sofa.

"Not at all. Sit down over there."

"Can I get you anything? A cup of tea, maybe?"

"No thanks, I don't want to be a bother. I just don't know what's going on with my mother. Why she was here?"

"First, tell me why you're following her."

It looked like she didn't want to tell me, so I put on my most sincere expression, the one I use when I try to return sometime to the store when I didn't have a receipt. "I looked all over for the receipt but I just couldn't find it, with taking care of my poor sick granny and all..."

"I already told you how I feel about my mother. I hate her for marrying Jason for his money. We haven't been close since my father died."

"Oh?"

"Well, for months now I've had the feeling that something is going on. My mother goes out and lies to Jason about where she's going."

"How do you know she lies?"

"Oh, she once used me as an excuse, without telling me. Jason asked how our shopping trip went, and I hadn't seen my mother for a couple of days. I covered for her, although I wish I hadn't."

"What do you think is going on?"

"I don't know." She sounded disgusted. "At first I thought that she was having an affair, so I started to follow her sometimes. A few times she did meet a man, but he wasn't her type, too rough looking. My mother is usually attracted to refined men, with lots of money. This guy didn't look rich, just tough.

"Then there were the phone calls. I would hear her whispering on the phone at all hours. She usually sounded very upset, but sometimes she sounded very cool and in charge.

"When she left the house this evening, I decided to follow her again, and she came over here, to your house. What did she want?"

"I wish I knew, exactly. But I will tell you everything I do know."

I quickly summarized the situation, explaining about the aborted blood test at the lab and the visit from Bruno. I asked her if she knew anything about an insurance policy or why Reynolds would be acting strangely.

"I know that Jason has been ill these past two years. He applied for insurance about a year ago and was turned down. You'd think a man of his age and status would have had plenty of life insurance already. All of a sudden, though, he's been trying to get insurance."

"What's wrong with him?"

"He won't tell me. He was in the hospital a few times before my mother married him. I know he takes a lot of medicines, I see the bottles all over the place."

"Does he have any other family that you can ask about it?"

"No, he is really all alone, except for my mother and me, and Bruno. I don't think he has any other family at all."

"That's sad."

"It is. He's really not a bad guy, and he doesn't deserve being stuck with my mother. I think he married her for her looks, I can't blame him for that, but he does take care of her, and of me. Lately he's been nervous and spending more time with Bruno. If you find out anything, please let me know."

"I will. I mean honestly, I just want your father and Bruno out of my life, but if anything comes up I will certainly let you know. If you learn anything, will you tell me?"

"Certainly. I don't like them getting you involved in whatever is going on. I just don't know how much I can find out, with Jason being so secretive lately."

We both stood up. She put her arms around me and gave me warm hug. "I'm glad we talked," she said. "I feel better."

Her sincerity and concern were very touching.

When she left I started to clean up. I had just finished wiping the floor and the kitchen chairs, when the doorbell rang again. What is this open house!

"Whoever it is, just go away!" I yelled. "Nobody is home!"

The bell rang again.

"I said go away!"

The bell rang again. I stomped over to the door, yanked it open, and yelled, "Are you stupid? Didn't you hear me when I said go away?" before I noticed that it was Officer Luke.

"I didn't mean to call you stupid. But what are you doing here?"

"I've been patrolling, and I noticed that you've had a lot of visitors. Is everything all right? This is a very quiet street off season, hardly gets traffic this time of night."

This guy is either the most neurotic policeman there is, or he was just looking for an excuse to see me. I kind of melted inside, and a few thoughts flashed through my mind. All of sudden, I was a southern bell. "Oh, thank you officer. You are just so kind and gallant to be concerned for little old me. Would you care for a mint julep and a little romp in the hay loft?"

But instead, what actually came out of my mouth was "A lot of visitors? You call two people a lot of visitors? Is there absolutely no crime in this town?"

"Just looking out for the welfare of our citizens, that's all."

"I'm sorry, Luke. I really do appreciate your concern. Everything is fine, just a few lady friends who happened to stop by for recipes."

"That's good to hear. Just as a precaution, though, I'll take a look around the outside. If that is okay with you."

"That's fine."

He turned way, and I just couldn't help myself.

"Luke, you wouldn't want to come in for a cup of coffee or something?" The hell with the clean floor. "I have cookies." God, was that dumb.

"Thanks, but I'm on duty." Then he flashed a dazzling smile. "You know what they say, no pleasure on duty."

Pleasure. I melted all over again.

******

     Luke swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.

     "This is a dangerous assignment, and I may not return."

     "Oh, Luke, don't say that."

     "It’s just the truth."

     "No. Please, it can't be."

     "But we have tonight, each other, and the candles that reflect our love."

     He put her gently on the bed, and slowly unbuttoned her blouse. He kissed her neck, then the swell of her breasts.