Blurred Lines by KD Williamson (16 page)

“You okay?” Sean asked.

“I’m fine. Let’s go.”

“Okay. Do you need me to stop anywhere before I take you home?”

“Yeah.” Kelli fished the folded paper out of her pocket and read off the address to one of the swankier parts of the city.

Sean whistled. “That’s on West Mercer Island.”

“I know.” Kelli pushed away her nervousness. Nora might slam the door in her face. She was crossing a shit ton of boundaries with this visit. Kelli changed the subject. She needed to, even though the new topic was just as shitty. “Have you seen Antony?”

Sean sighed. “No, he’s been laying low the past couple days. Maybe he knows that he fucked things up coming to the hospital high as a kite.”

“Maybe. I just hope he doesn’t disappear on us.” Kelli did all she could for Travis at the moment, so Antony stayed at the top of her list. Then, there was Nora. “We need to talk to Mom as soon as possible before shit comes crashing in on us.”

“I agree, but I don’t think he’s just using. He’s making money somehow,” Sean said.

“You think he’s in bed with a dealer?” Kelli dreaded the answer.

“Nothing would surprise me at this point. I’ll check his hangouts to make sure he’s okay.”

“It makes sense. You’re probably right.” Kelli sighed. And the shit just kept on coming.

The radio crackled. Kelli missed that sound. When she heard it, it meant she had a chance of helping someone. These days, she wasn’t doing much of anything. Kelli looked out the window at Lake Washington as they crossed Murrow Memorial Bridge. There were boats all over the lake. She could barely see the water.

“So, who are you going to see?” Sean asked.

“Nora.” Kelli stared straight ahead and hoped her brother would let it go without giving her crap about it.

“Dr. Whitmore?” Sean glanced at her. “Why would you…ohhhh.” He smirked.

“It’s not like that.” Kelli pushed her attraction to Nora to the side. “She’s in trouble. I don’t know what’s going on, but I know she is.”

“Okay, so? Why would you care?”

“Because…she did. She cared…cares. About me.” Kelli had no idea what was going to happen, and that messed with her head a little. If this was the end of…whatever, maybe she would at least be able to say goodbye. Kelli didn’t like that option. It didn’t feel right. Too much had happened between them to just let it go.

They stopped at a red light. Sean looked confused.

“Just drive.” Kelli sighed.

“Does she know you’re coming?”

“No.”

“You’re kidding?”

“No.” Kelli’s voice went up an octave.

“Are you crazy?”

Kelli glared.

“So, what? I’m just supposed to wait in the car?”

“Yes,” Kelli said.

“Guess it’s a good thing. She might think you’re stalking her.”

“Would you please just shut up?”

“What? What did I say?” Sean grinned.

Kelli stared at him, but she was glad he was able to find humor in this…able to smile. She was glad somebody could because Kelli didn’t find it funny at all.

* * *

“Goddamn,” Sean mumbled as the turned into Nora’s neighborhood. “It’s like we drove onto a movie set. Everything’s all shiny and shit. I bet there’s no pot holes around here.” Sean shook his head. “I shoulda been a doctor.”

“Mmm, no shit,” Kelli said in agreement. She rubbed her suddenly sweaty, damp hands on her jeans. Obviously, Nora was from a completely different world than her. Her nervousness went up a notch, but she refused to let it hold her back. The connection they shared wasn’t about the way Nora lived or how much money she had. They were just two people who happened to find each other. Simple as pie.

Silently, she peered out the window at the perfectly groomed lawns and houses that ranged in size from small to “holy shit you’re kidding.” Sean slowed and pulled into the driveway. She hoped Nora’s car was in the garage. Otherwise this trip was for nothing.

“Okay, this is it. You sure about this? I feel kinda low rent.” Sean glanced at her, eyes were wide. Clearly, he was uncomfortable with the situation.

Kelli nodded. “We’re in a police cruiser. It should be fine.”

“Yeah, didn’t think about that. You need some help getting out?”

“I’ll be fine.” Slowly, she got out of the car and looked around. Nora’s lawn was as well kept as the others. Her hedges were trimmed into cubes and oblong shapes, and the flower beds looked like Crayola had thrown up on them. The house itself was moderate in size, and there was really nothing to make it stand out compared to all the other white houses around them.

Her leg started to throb, but she could take it for now. Kelli limped up the walkway. She felt tingly as she got closer to the door. It had been days since she’d seen Nora, and time had gone by way too fucking slowly. She stared at the doorbell and listened. The house seemed quiet. She couldn’t hear a damn thing. Kelli hit the button anyway and the chime echoed through the house. Minutes passed, but Nora didn’t answer. Disappointed, Kelli turned and glanced at Sean. He shrugged in return.

Then, Kelli heard a soft
snick-click
of the lock, and the door opened. Nora stood there, dressed in dark slacks and a cream-colored shirt. Kelli’s heart pounded so loud she could have sworn there was a drum circle in her head.

“What are you doing here?” Nora’s tone was cold, crisp. Her face was red and her eyes were huge. She didn’t look happy at all. A few seconds later, she was unreadable.

Well, fuck. What did she expect? Kelli licked her lips and said, “Hey.”

Nora blinked. “How did you—”

“I’m a cop, Nora.”

“Yes, well.” Nora cleared her throat and looked away. When she glanced back again, her eyes and voice were even colder than before. At least the blank expression was gone. “That doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

The way Nora looked at her definitely left Kelli feeling a little chilly. She didn’t know what to say so she went with the first thing to pop in her head. “Because.”

“Because? This is highly inappropriate. Not to mention, I never extended an invitation.”

Kelli leaned on her cane. The pain was getting worse, but she needed to figure out what the hell was going on. “Look, I know this is a shock, but everything you just said was bullshit.”

Nora gasped. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Kelli held Nora’s gaze. She was damn well going to get through to her.

“I think you should leave.” Nora looked mad as hell. Her face was red again and her lips were all mushed together. Nora glared, and if she were able to shoot lasers with her eyes, Kelli would be all kinds of melted. And not in a good way.

Kelli didn’t understand this at all. “Why are you angry at me? It can’t just be about me showing up here.”

“Why are you here?” Nora refused to give.

“Because I saw Rader.”

Nora shrank back. “He had no right to tell you anything.”

“He didn’t.” Kelli started to sweat, and her fucking leg screamed at her to sit her ass down. “I get that you’re angry, but can you yell at me inside? My leg is killing me. I need to stretch out.”

Nora continued to stare, but her face softened. Finally, she stepped away from the door. Kelli hobbled inside. Making it to the sectional was her priority. She ignored everything else. She’d worry about the penny tour later.

Kelli sat down and rubbed at her thigh. Nora paced the floor. She crossed her arms in front of her chest as if she was trying to hold something in or maybe keep it out.

“He didn’t tell me anything, Nora. He was gloating. Fucking rat bastard. That’s how I knew he had to be involved. And I had to be here. Okay?”

Nora stopped and turned. She relaxed her shoulders and let her arms fall to the side. But, her eyes looked haunted.

“Why?” Nora’s voice was thick with emotion.

“Because I know you don’t have anybody else.” Kelli wanted to say that she was there because Nora was important to her, and even if she had a thousand people to help her through whatever was going on, Kelli would still be here for her. Unfortunately something completely different came out.

“I don’t need your pity. You don’t know me!”

Clearly, Kelli said it the wrong way, and now Nora’s walls went back up, stronger than ever.

Nora started to pace again. Despite the pain in her thigh, Kelli reached out and grabbed Nora’s arm. Nora spun around. She stared at Kelli’s hand before wrenching away from it.

Kelli stood then. This time, she grasped Nora by the shoulders and shook her. “I wanna know you! I thought we established that. Don’t you get it?”

Nora stared at her. Kelli couldn’t look away.

Kelli had no idea why she was fighting so hard to hold onto Nora, but her gut told her that coming here was the right thing to do. “Nora, I…missed you.”

Nora started to tremble, and the sob that followed caught Kelli by surprise. As if she had done it a million times, she pulled Nora into a full body hug. Nora clung to her as she cried. Kelli held on tighter.

Tears dampened her neck, but Kelli ignored it. The pain in her leg forced her back onto the couch. Kelli sat down gracelessly and pulled Nora with her. She pressed her lips into Nora’s hair and whispered what she hoped were words of comfort.

Long minutes later, Nora slowly pulled back. She wiped at her eyes and looked away. Kelli wasn’t ready to put distance between them. She took Nora’s hand and squeezed lightly. “Don’t be embarrassed. It’s just me.”

“Kelli,” Nora whispered.

Warmth filled Kelli’s chest and trickled everywhere else. Kelli glommed onto that feeling. She let it push her. “Talk to me.”

“I…I don’t know where to start.”

Kelli shrugged. “Wherever you want to.”

“Isn’t your ride…”

“Oh.” Kelli had completely forgotten about Sean. She should call him, but her cell phone had been shot at and smashed all to hell along with Kelli. “Can I use your phone?”

Nora nodded and reached for the cordless on the table.

Kelli realized she hadn’t let go of Nora’s hand. And she didn’t plan to any time soon either. Sean’s phone rang.

“McCabe.”

“It’s me.”

“Forget about me?” Sean asked.

“Kinda.”

“Uh-huh.” He sounded amused.

Kelli ignored his tone. “I’m gonna get a cab or something later.”

“Or she could just take you.”

“Hanging up now, Sean.”

Kelli hit the end button and placed the phone between them. “Now, tell me.”

Nora hesitated at first, but once she started, the words just kept coming.

Kelli went from disbelief to fury and then back again. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from interrupting. Finally, Nora stopped speaking.

“I’m never wrong. I knew there was something shitty about that guy. Two million dollars for pain and suffering, my ass. Where did she get that figure? And what the hell is hindrance of the educational process?”

“Because of my sexual advances, I isolated her from the overall learning environment at the hospital,” Nora said sarcastically. “Her lawyer works quickly. I was served two days after my suspension, but my attorney was able to arrange the deposition already to keep them from dragging this on.”

“When does it start?”

“This Friday.”

“I’m coming with you,” Kelli said firmly.

Nora leaned back, distancing herself. “Kelli. I don’t think—”

“I’m going. I’ll be good.” She didn’t let Nora’s gesture bother her. Nora might not admit it but she needed Kelli. She recognized self-preservation when she saw it.

Nora gave her a knowing look. Kelli couldn’t help but grin at that. This woman was getting to know her pretty well.

“Promise.” Kelli wanted to nudge Nora with her shoulder, tease her a little, but Nora didn’t look like she was up for any more physical contact.

Nora sighed, but she curled her lips in a slight smile.

Despite everything that she learned the past week about Tony, Travis, and now this, Kelli was hopeful. She accomplished something today, so that was a start.

“So, do I get to meet this pig?”

“Kunekune.”

“Phineas,” Kelli said with her most charming smile.

Nora smiled wider.

That feeling in her stomach was back. She was starting to like the shit out of it.

CHAPTER 11

Kelli sat up in bed, and the covers pooled around her waist. The cool air felt good against her skin. She was sweating like she had been chasing a perp, and her heart thudded in her chest. Kelli wiped a trembling hand over her face and tried to forget the images of her nightmare. It didn’t help, but eventually she had to get used to it. Kelli threw the blankets to the side and scooted to the edge of the bed. She flexed the large muscle groups in her legs and winced as she studied the raised red scar. It was lovely…just fucking lovely.

Kelli leaned forward and pushed a hand through her damp hair. She groaned tiredly as she took stock of her body. Everything hurt in one form or another, and Kelli knew it had more to do with stress than the actual trauma her body had been through. Her shoulders hurt the most. Understandable since they carried the heaviest weight. Her own demons perched their asses there, along with the ones circling her family and Travis. And Nora. Kelli wondered how much she could hold safely before she cracked under the pressure. She dismissed the thought. She would take on whatever was needed as long as there was room. It’s what she did.

Slowly, she worked out the kinks in her neck. Kelli looked around her bedroom, hoping it would relax her further. It looked just as it always had—masculine and earthy, decorated in dark browns, black and green. Her walls were empty except for the mounted flat screen. The night stand held a digital clock and a lamp that matched the overall décor. The room was kind of bare except for the bed. She didn’t have a lot of pillows, but the ones she owned were the most comfortable ones Kelli could find. The fluffy down comforter and the sheets were a luxury she had actually splurged on. This bed was her sanctuary. She worked here if she needed to and at other times it was her refuge for whatever crappy thing she needed a break from. On any given night, this room had everything she needed—a game, beer, and on occasion, a woman. It was easier that way. After trying the relationship 
thing
 a couple of times, Kelli learned that some women wanted a level of devotion she didn’t think she was capable of.