Crossing Lines (Cops and Docs #2) (20 page)

* * *

Kelli waved as she spotted Nora and made her way toward the restaurant’s entrance. As she got closer, she nodded at Nora’s detail stationed at either side of the door. Kelli was relieved. Given what happened last time, they’d probably already swept the inside. Kelli smiled at Nora. “Sorry I’m late.”

“It’s okay. I’m just glad you could make it.” Nora reached out to brush her hand down Kelli’s arm.

The touch wasn’t very satisfying. Kelli pulled her closer and slid her arm around Nora’s waist. She leaned in and pressed her lips to Nora’s, who smiled the entire time. When Kelli stepped back, she glanced at one of the cops and rolled her eyes. He had a smirk firmly planted on his face.

Nora wiped at the corner of Kelli’s mouth with her thumb. “Lipstick.”

Why on earth did she find that sexy as hell? “Mmm, thanks.” Kelli could have sworn she heard a chuckle. “Odd place for a girls’ night.”

“It’s more sedate, and I believe they continue with this location because of me.”

“That’s nice of them.”

“I agree. I should warn you before you go in. They are a little invasive and crude.”

Kelli smirked. “Is that supposed to scare me or something?”

“I just want you to be prepared.”

“I’ll be fine. Sounds like every other cop I know.”

As she slid onto the seat beside Nora, the group of friends stared openly at her.

“So Nora…now that we’re seeing her up close, this is your version of ‘it’s complicated?’ I’m not a lesbian, but mind you, I’d uncomplicate things real quick,” Patricia said, her tone playful.

Nora reddened.

The rest of them laughed loudly.

Well, damn. This wasn’t gonna be boring. Not at all.

The woman across from Kelli held out her hand. “I’m Susan, and that rude one over there that kind of made a pass at you? That’s Patricia.” She pointed at the third lady and identified her as Mary. “Now, what are you drinking?”

“Nice to meet all of you.” Kelli shook Susan’s hand. “Whatever craft beer they have on tap is just fine.”

“Oh sweet God that voice. Nora, I’m letting you know beforehand, don’t leave me alone with her,” Patricia pleaded.

Kelli snorted as the other women chuckled. She glanced at Nora. Her smile was humongous.

“Yes, it does have an effect,” Nora said.

“Really?” Kelli asked.

“It’s true.”

“Good to know.”

“I’m sure we’ve discussed it before,” Nora said.

“Maybe a time or two.” Kelli’s stomach coiled. Yeah, she remembered. To make matters even more interesting, Nora’s hand slid over her thigh and rested there like it had been there a million times before. Kelli covered Nora’s hand with her own, entwining their fingers. Their gazes met, and Kelli forgot about everything else.

“If you two need time alone, I’m just letting you know everyone else can leave, but I’ll be staying. I don’t want to miss this.” Patricia winked and took a swig of her beer.

“Pat, I’m going to tell Mike on you!” Susan said, but she chuckled and smiled.

“Hell, I don’t care. Tell away. He’d probably stay too.”

“You’re giving her the wrong impression of us,” Mary said with a laugh.

Patricia tsked. “The hell I am.”

Susan glared at Patricia, then waved for the waitress. She leaned toward Kelli. “I’m sorry if this is bothering you.”

Fuck no. Kelli was in her element. Kelli smiled and brushed Susan’s concern away. “Don’t worry about it. This one,” she pointed at Patricia, “I like. None of you need to be shy on my account.”

Patricia grinned.

“Oh, good. I was about to sprain something,” Mary said.

It had been a long time since Kelli had laughed so hard. Her sides hurt, and there was no sign of things letting up. All the while, she watched Nora. She was relaxed, comfortable, and obviously enjoying herself. Her face was flushed, and she laughed just as loud. Kelli had never seen her this way.

There was a freedom to it.

Nora was fucking magnificent, and Kelli had been a couple steps from walking away from her. What the hell was wrong with her?

Nora excused herself to go to the bathroom. After a few minutes, Kelli went to go find her, just in case. As she rounded the corner, Nora was headed her way.

Nora smiled. “There was a line. I didn’t mean to—”

Kelli grabbed Nora’s hand and pulled her toward the darkest corner she could find.

“Kelli?” Nora’s voice cracked.

“Yeah.” Kelli’s eyes adjusted to the dimness. Nora looked back at her, waiting. Kelli closed the distance between them. Nora’s breathing hitched. She reached out and took hold of Kelli’s shirt, balling a section into her fist.

Gently, Kelli traced a fingertip down the side of Nora’s face to her lips. She couldn’t believe this woman was real. “Nora, I—” She had no words, and if she couldn’t find them, Kelli had to show her instead. She slid her hand behind Nora’s neck, tangling her fingers in the silky hairs at her nape. Nora’s breathing turned ragged, and she arched her body into Kelli’s.

Kelli brushed her mouth against Nora’s forehead and traveled down to her cheek. When their lips finally met, Nora shivered and whimpered. Kelli poured every clear and confounding emotion she felt for Nora into the kiss, and Nora accepted it freely.

CHAPTER 13

Kelli started on the report as soon as she sat down at her desk. Within five minutes, she decided that thinking about Nora was a hell of a lot more interesting. Things between them were smoothing out, which seemed to happen naturally. Nothing felt forced, and that had to be a good thing. There was a closeness between them that hadn’t existed before. Kelli imagined it helped that neither of them was holding back.

“Whatcha doing?” Williams asked.

Kelli glanced up and wondered how long he’d been standing there. “What?”

“I’ve been staring—”

“I’m not a science project. I already told you, studying me like one isn’t healthy. We need to find you a hobby,” Kelli said, as she looked at him.

Williams smirked. “Uh-huh, whatever.” His expression sobered a few seconds later. “I got some news, and you’re not going to like it.”

Kelli sat up in her chair and tried to swallow the feeling of dread snaking its way up her throat. “Just fucking say what you need to say.”

“Nora’s detail. We’re going to have to cut back. There doesn’t seem to be an active threat, and the department can’t afford to have someone on her 24/7. Starting tomorrow, there’s going to be a one man rotation during the day. You have the nights covered, so I’ve been told. I’m sorry about this, but maybe you can talk her into hiring her own security if you think it’s really needed.”

What he said made sense, but that didn’t make it any easier to swallow. “Fuck, the detail was more for my peace of mind than anything. Nora was shaken up at first, but now…” Kelli nodded. “Do what you have to do. I’ll talk to her about it tonight.”

“Thanks.” Williams clapped her on the back.

“If I’m interrupting, I can come back later.”

They both turned to see Sean standing a few feet away.

“Nope, just finishing up.” Williams squeezed Sean’s shoulder as he walked away.

Sean fidgeted from one foot to another, but he actually held her gaze. “Can we talk?”

“Yeah, but not here.” Kelli stood and led him toward the back. She found an empty interrogation room. Kelli sat down, waited, and tried to prepare herself for whatever he had to say.

Sean stared at her long and hard.

Kelli’s heart jumped to her throat. Damn, this wasn’t starting off too well.

“It was…really shitty what you did.”

“I know. I—”

Sean raised a hand, palm out, stopping her. “Just let me get this out. You’ve said your piece.”

Kelli pressed her lips together. He was running the show. She had to let him.

He took his hat off, and ran a hand through his hair. “I know you better than most, but all this…still hurt.”

Her stomach churned painfully. Kelli refused to look away, no matter how much this tore her up.

“But I guess I don’t know you well enough. I didn’t know you could freeze 
me
 out like that…make me feel like that.” Sean’s eyes glistened. “I know you were going through things, but you really know what buttons to push.”

Kelli waited for him to say more. She’d expected it. Hell, she’d expected a good punch to the gut, but Sean stayed quiet. She couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve any of this. You’re my baby brother. I—”

Sean took a step closer. “I know. I forgive you. We need to pull it together. I just wanted you to know how I felt. Let’s just—”

“No, you don’t know. I’m so proud of you. You have no idea how much. It was wrong of me not to tell you that.”

“Ye-ah?” His voice shook.

Kelli stood and in three steps she was close enough to pull him into a fierce hug. Sean sagged against her before returning the embrace.

Seconds later, she backed away. “Yeah.”

“But, I still haven’t found him. You don’t really have anything to be proud of.”

“Neither have I, but one of us will turn up something, eventually,” Kelli said. “And when I said I’m proud, I meant it period, whether this Tony crap was going on or not.”

“Yeah, okay.” Sean gave her a wobbly smile.

When Kelli entered the squad room a few minutes later, she glanced in Williams’s direction. He was looking right at her. Kelli nodded slightly.

He grinned.

* * *

Nora’s stop at Whole Foods on the way home was impromptu, but necessary. She could have had groceries delivered from a store closer to her residence, but this place was convenient because it was near the hospital. Furthermore, she enjoyed picking out Kelli’s beer du jour. Aware of the plainclothes policemen close by, Nora took her time browsing the aisle. She decided on a pick six and gathered random beers Kelli was sure to love.

Several minutes later, her cart was half full, and she was near her final stop, frozen desserts and ice cream. Nora pulled open the freezer door and reached for the Talenti gelato flavor that she enjoyed on occasion, coffee toffee. Leaving the cart behind, she moved two freezers over and scanned the Häagen-Dazs section for Kelli’s favorite, dulce de leche, but it wasn’t readily visible. Nora shifted a few containers to the side and found a pint in the back. It was just out of reach. Nora sighed, but she smiled as well. The list of things she did for Kelli was steadily growing, and she didn’t mind it at all.

“Need a hand?”

Startled, Nora turned quickly, nearly dislodging the entire row of ice cream. The man was tall and looked vaguely familiar. “No thank you.” She meant it as a polite dismissal, but she could feel him hovering.

“You don’t remember me, do you?”

“Pardon?”

“I helped paint your house.”

She stared for a few seconds. Maybe she needed to be more direct. “Thank you. The colors turned out exceptionally well. Now, if you don’t mind—”

“I was kinda hoping I would see you again. I had your number from work, but I’m not a stalker.”

Nora saw the continued interest in his eyes, despite her attempts to hinder it.

“I’m Hank, by the way.” He held out a hand.

She gave him a tight smile instead of accepting the gesture.

“Are you okay, Dr. Whitmore?” One of the policemen walked up next to her.

Hank was irritating, but obviously harmless. She didn’t need to be rescued. “Yes, I’m sure to survive this conversation,” Nora answered sarcastically.

Hank cleared his throat. “I can see you’re busy. Can I at least give you my number? Call if you want. If not, no harm, no foul.”

“No, I’m seeing someone.”

One of the men on her detail coughed.

“Oh, sorry. You have a nice night then.” Hank smiled and backed away.

Nora didn’t bother to watch him go. “There is something you can actually help with.” She gave the policeman closest to her a slight smile.

“What’s that?”

“Dulce de leche. It’s way in the back.”

He stared at her for a few seconds before opening the freezer.

Ice cream in hand, Nora went back to her cart. As she placed the newest item inside, Nora noticed a folded piece of paper on top of the other groceries. She reached for it. Maybe Hank couldn’t take no for an answer. More than a little exasperated, Nora unfolded the note.

Everything around her stopped, and the only thing she could hear was her heartbeat roaring in her ears. Prickles of apprehension and the heat that bloomed in her chest made it nearly impossible to breathe. At the same time, an icy chill trickled its way down Nora’s back.

Nora stared at the words.

I changed my mind. It’s not fair you being so happy. You’re the reason I’m not.

Each syllable was more powerful than the last, as if Taylor was next to her, whispering them in her ear with a knife pressed to Nora’s throat. She now understood what true terror was. She dropped the note and began looking around frantically.

“Dr. Whitmore?” One of the policemen asked.

She heard him, but the sound was so very far away. When he touched her, Nora shrieked in surprise. Both of them converged on her, and their presence made it even harder to breathe. Nora waved them away and pointed at her cart.

As they read the note, Nora started trembling.

This time when the policeman touched her, Nora wasn’t alarmed. With his help, they moved quickly through the store and outside.

Kelli had been right about Taylor all along.

* * *

Kelli stood and stretched, mentally preparing herself for another long night. She could have just bunked out on Nora’s couch. They’d had that discussion, but Kelli knew she would be too damn distracted to do her job. That didn’t keep them from chatting on and off during the night. She started to gather her things.

“McCabe!”

Kelli looked up at the sound of her name. She recognized the voice immediately. Williams was on the phone. He stood and waved her over. His expression was serious as fuck.

“Don’t let anybody leave until you’ve checked them all out. I don’t care how much they grumble, just do it!” Williams hung up the phone and looked at her.

“What the fuck is going on?” Kelli asked, but she wasn’t sure she wanted the answer.