Winds of Fortune (23 page)

“What have you got?” Bri eased the patrol car to a stop and squinted to see through the light rain that had begun falling just after midnight.

“There’s someone leaning against the piling and it looks like they’re about an inch from falling into the bay.”

“Better check it out.”

Allie stepped out of the car and flicked on her flashlight, then waited until Bri did the same before cautiously approaching the person, whose face was turned away. “You there, on the pier. Sheriff’s department. You want to slide back from the edge?”

When the person gave no indication of moving, Allie played her light over the figure, looking for anything that suggested a weapon or other sign of danger. Closer now, she recognized the broad shoulders beneath the soaked T-shirt and the familiar line of her jaw. “Deo?”

Bri approached from the opposite side, and she and Allie reached Deo at the same time. Allie made a motion for Bri to wait and then squatted down next to Deo. “Hey, baby. What are you doing out here?”

Slowly, Deo turned her head. “Chasing ghosts.”

“With what? Tequila?”

“Not for a few hours.”

“Did you drive?”

Deo shook her head. “Walked.”

“If you fall asleep you’re going to end up in the harbor,” Allie teased, studying Deo’s face carefully. She seemed dazed, almost disoriented. “Take my hand so I can help you up.”

“I’m okay.” Deo braced one hand against the huge wooden piling and tried to get her feet under her. She swayed dangerously out over the water ten feet below them, the surface nothing more than a shiny black slick in the moonlight.

“Whoa,” Allie said, yanking Deo’s T-shirt and nearly toppling forward herself. “Steady.”

Bri grabbed Deo from behind, hooked both hands under Deo’s armpits, and dragged her back from the edge. “Jesus, Camara, you want to take Allie into the water with you? What the fuck are you doing?”

“Easy, Bri,” Allie murmured, climbing to her feet.

“Sorry.” Deo blinked rapidly. “Sorry.”

“Get up.” Bri lifted and Deo pushed herself to her feet. She wavered for a few seconds, then got her balance.

“I’m not drunk,” Deo said, although her voice was thick, almost slurred.

“How much did you have to drink earlier?” Bri’s expression was stony.

“A few shots. Just tired.”

“Where’s your truck?”

“Home.”

“Come on, Deo,” Allie said gently. “Get in the cruiser. We’ll take you home.”

“I’ll walk. Clear my head.”

Allie glanced at Bri who shook her head. “It’s an ugly night and that’s a long walk. Besides, this will give us something to do.”

“I’ll be okay.”

Bri gripped Deo’s arm. “Get in the cruiser, Camara. We’re driving you.”

Deo hesitated, then followed along as Bri escorted her to the patrol car. Once in the back seat, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

“Deo,” Allie said softly five minutes later. “We’re here.”

“Thanks,” Deo said after Allie got out and opened the door for her.

“You okay, baby?” Allie said softly.

“Yeah.”

“You want me to come by later?” Allie ran her fingertips over Deo’s chest. “Maybe just to talk?”

Deo covered Allie’s hand with hers and squeezed gently. “Thanks. I’m just gonna crash.”

“Sure. Just remember, you can always call.”

Allie stepped back and then waited outside the cruiser until Deo unlocked the door and disappeared inside.

“We can swing by again,” Bri said when Allie settled back into the front seat, “if you’re worried about her. Make sure she doesn’t take the truck out anywhere.”

“She’s probably in for the night, but if you don’t mind—”

“Hell, Allie, I don’t mind. She looks fucked up tonight. Is there some kind of trouble between you two?”

“No,” Allie sighed. “I haven’t seen her for a couple of weeks. I mean I’ve
seen
her, but not that way. We’re really not an item.”

“You want to be?” Bri asked as she headed back down Bradford to the center of town.

Allie was quiet for a minute. “I think if we were still fucking, I’d want to be, because I like her, you know?” She shifted on the seat a little and grinned at Bri. “She’s like you. All dark and broody. I’m a sucker for that.”

Bri laughed and kept her eyes on the road. “Yeah, right. So why haven’t you gone after her?”

“She’s not all broody over
me
, and I think I’m gonna hold out for a girl who is.”

“I don’t get that,” Bri muttered.

Allie reached across the space between them and patted Bri’s thigh. “I know you don’t. But Caroline does.”

*

When the sunlight hit Deo in the eyes at six a.m, she rolled over with a groan and buried her face in the pillow. Cautiously, she took stock. Headache. Queasy stomach. Scratchy eyes. Not enough sleep. A little too much to drink. She hadn’t set out to get drunk and quit drinking when she realized she was on her way, but the whole night was something of a blur. She should not have talked to Nita about Gabe—every time she thought about that night the guilt fucked her up.

She flipped onto her back and guardedly opened her eyes. Other than the fact that it felt like someone was sticking hot needles into her eyeballs, she figured she’d live. For a long time after Gabe had died, she hadn’t really wanted to, but some part of her wouldn’t give up. Plus, Pia would have kicked her ass if she’d done something stupid. So she’d shut down the parts of her that hurt and tried not to look back.

Then, something as simple as a childhood memory had brought it all back with perfect clarity. That happened sometimes, and it was always bad. This time was different. Nita had listened and whispered,
It’s all right
. Deo knew that was a kind lie, but it felt good to have someone say it anyhow. Pia had tried, all those long years ago, but Deo had never believed her. She didn’t believe Nita either, but knowing that Nita believed it still eased some of the hurt inside.

So maybe the jackhammer tearing up the inside of her skull was worth it after all. With a groan, she rolled out of bed and headed for the shower. On her way, she remembered Bri and Allie bringing her home. She’d have to call Allie and thank her.

Allie. Allie was sweet and sexy. Why not Allie? Why couldn’t she be losing sleep over Allie? They were good together, and it would be simpler. Easier. She reached into the shower, twisted the faucet to cold, and stepped in. Gasping, she toughed it out until the cobwebs dissipated and her head felt clearer.

Not Allie—maybe because it
would
be easier. Easier maybe, but not as honest. And she liked Allie too much for that.

*

Nita looked at her watch for the third time in five minutes and told herself for the tenth time in the last fifteen that she was making a mistake. She should not be sitting in front of her new house at six-thirty in the morning waiting for Deo Camara to come to work. She should not have lain awake half the night worrying about her, either. And she
certainly
should not have called her at two in the morning. Thankfully, Deo hadn’t been home, and she hadn’t left a message. What would she have said?

Hi, I’m calling you in the middle of the night because I can’t sleep, and I can’t stop thinking about the pain in your eyes.

Oh yes, that would have been perfect. Of course, discovering that Deo wasn’t home only gave her an entirely new set of circumstances to lose sleep over. Who was holding her, consoling her—offering her pleasure to banish the pain? Imagining someone comforting Deo was every bit as difficult to tolerate as the visions of someone caressing her, making her cry out, making her come.

“This is crazy, and you’re going to make yourself crazy,” Nita muttered. She reached for the keys but before she could start the engine, Deo pulled in to the curb in front of her. Nita took a deep breath and watched Deo climb out of the truck. White T-shirt, khaki pants, work boots. Her hair still wet—her hair always seemed to be wet and every time Nita saw it, she wanted to drive her hands into it. Deo had circles under her eyes, and Nita didn’t doubt that the shadows extended all the way inside.

Before she could talk herself out of it, Nita opened the car door and stepped out. “Good morning.”

Deo walked cautiously forward. “Hi.”

“I…uh…thought I’d get a look at the place during the day.” Nita couldn’t bring herself to say
I wanted to see you. I hate how much you were hurting last night.
“I know you’re probably very busy right now and I won’t keep you—”

“No, that’s okay. The guys won’t be here for at least half an hour.” Deo came alongside Nita’s car and stopped a few inches from her. “Do you want to go inside?”

“Sure, I—” Nita halted as a patrol car stopped in the street beside them and an officer stepped out. She didn’t immediately recognize her, but it was clear that Deo did, judging by her surprised expression. When Nita looked closer, she realized who it was. Deo’s
not
girlfriend. “Maybe we’ll do this another time.”

When Nita opened her car door to leave, Deo grabbed the top edge and held on.

“No,” Deo said, “I won’t be a minute. Don’t go.”

Nita hesitated, aware that the officer was standing a few feet away, observing the exchange. Deo hadn’t taken her eyes from Nita’s face and Nita couldn’t look away from her. Her throat felt tight and dry. “Okay. I’ll wait on the porch.”

“Wait right here.” Deo turned toward Allie. “Hi. Just finishing your shift?”

“Yeah, we’re on our way in right now,” Allie said. “We saw your truck was gone from the condo. You’re here early.”

“The forecast is calling for rain again tomorrow,” Deo said. “You know how it is.”

“I know. Contractors have to work while the sun is shining.” Allie glanced up at Nita’s house, then nodded to Nita. “It’s looking good.”

“Yes, thanks,” Nita said.

“Thanks for the ride home last night,” Deo said.

“No thanks needed.” Allie slid back into the cruiser. As the cruiser pulled away she called out the window, “Be careful up on that roof today.”

“Always.” Deo waved after the cruiser, still holding Nita’s door open with the other arm. Then she turned in Nita’s direction. “Ready to go inside?”

“You sure it’s no trouble?”

“None at all,” Deo said, closing Nita’s door. She led the way up the flagstone walk and inside. “There’s something I want to show you in the master bedroom.”

Nita followed up the wide twisting staircase to the second level. A balcony ringed the foyer below. The center room was the master bedroom, and when she walked in, she had an image of a four poster bed, an antique armoire, and a rich oriental carpet covering the wide plank floors.

“It’s such a beautiful room.”

“It is,” Deo said. “The window seat on the back wall was designed to offer a view to the rear gardens.” Deo indicated the narrow, multi-paned windows above the wooden seat that had at one time been covered by plush pillows. “Unfortunately, these window casements are shot and need to be replaced. Too much water damage.”

“All right.”

Deo leaned against the wall next to the window seat. “I was wondering if you might like a balcony outside your bedroom. I can take out the window seat, replace the windows with French doors, and put a balcony across the rear to overlook the garden. Nothing too big, just enough for a small table and chairs. You’ve got a bit of a harbor view and the sunset should be spectacular from here.”

“Oh,” Nita whispered. “That would be wonderful.”

“Okay, then. I’ll bring by a catalog so you can pick out the doors.”

“You choose something. You know what suits the house.” Nita started to sit on the window seat, but Deo stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“Dusty. You’ll get your good clothes dirty. Hold on a second.” Deo pulled a navy blue bandanna from her back pocket and wiped off the window seat. “There.”

“Thank you.” Nita flushed at the attention. “The gardens are going to need work.”

“If you want a professional landscaper, I can suggest someone. Pia is really good too, if you just want ideas.”

“I’ll ask Pia when I get ready.”

“So…do you want to take a look at the roof?” Deo asked.

Nita tilted her head back against the wall. “Not really. Whatever you’re doing up there, I’m sure it’s what needs to be done.”

Deo grinned. “Trusting.”

“About some things.” Nita studied Deo’s face. “How are you doing?”

“I’m happy with the way things are coming along. No big surprises yet.”

“I didn’t mean the house.”

Deo shifted and looked out the window. “I’m fine.”

“You look tired.”

“I shouldn’t go out to play on work nights.”

Nita pushed aside the fleeting image of Deo in bed with a woman. “Did you get into trouble or do you always have a police escort home?”

“One drink too many. It’s a small town, and the police really do serve as well as protect.”

“I’m glad.” Nita knew she shouldn’t push, but from the way Deo’s hand was balled into a fist and the rigid way she held her body, she was more than tired. She was hurting. “Is it because you told me about your brother?”