“You looked good out there.”
She smiles. “I missed the water while we were gone.”
“We can always add one of those pools that creates drag, so you can swim at the ranch.”
“Maybe. I’ve never tried one of those.”
She pours hot water and steeps her tea. “Are you ready for this morning?” she asks.
“I guess as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“I thought I’d walk over with you to the lawyer’s and maybe to the federal building. I’ll meet up with Claire. We can work close by, and when you’re done, we’ll meet you again.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
Tinsley steps in. “I know.” She kisses me softly. “I want to.”
My heart soars.
“I’ve told you this several times, we’re going to manage this together.”
“I’m scared,” I whisper.
She pulls me in. “I know. I am, too.”
We’re quiet a few moments. “We should shower.”
I smile, hoping for a shower together, but she sees right through me.
She shakes her head. “You go wrap up your cast and shower in our room, and I’ll shower in the guest room.”
“But that’s not nearly as fun. Plus, you might need some help getting those hard-to-reach places.”
“I’ll never be ready on time if we take one together, and I want to look good today.”
“You always look good,” I assure her.
“I’ll be ready in an hour. See you right here.”
“If you’re late, can I spank you?”
She smiles. “Your wish will be my command.”
“Damn, woman. See what you do to me?” I reveal my erect penis beneath my shorts.
“I have big plans for that later,” Tinsley calls over her shoulder as she walks toward her room.
An hour later, I’m dressed in an altered suit that allows my cast. The collar is too tight, and I can’t get the cufflinks to work.
Tinsley walks in, and she’s beautiful in a dark green silk brocade Chinese jacket, with black pants and beautiful black strappy sandals.
I stop fiddling with my cufflink and admire her. “You look stunning.”
She blushes. “Thank you. Can I help you with those?”
“Please.”
In mere moments, she has my cufflinks done. She then stands behind me and fixes the collar, which loosens it up.
“That’s so much better. I was worried my neck was getting fat.”
She laughs, deep and hearty. It breaks the tension of what’s in front of us today.
Yolanda, Greg, and Jerome walk out of the security office.
“Jim will meet us at Marci Peterson’s office,” Yolanda says.
I nod. As I step into the elevator, I look back at my apartment and hope I’m able to come home tonight. A part of me worries everything Claire and I have accomplished over the last five years, and finding Tinsley, was all a dream.
We ride the elevator down to the garage, and a large Suburban is waiting for us. As we exit the garage, moisture engulfs the vehicle. We make our way across town, and I watch the people scurrying around in their raincoats. It never rains in September in San Francisco, but it is today. It’s one of those heavy mists that waivers between light rain and fog.
Miserable.
When we arrive. Jim is waiting with an umbrella, and Jerome remains in the Suburban, ready to take us to the federal building in a little bit.
“You ready?” Jim holds the door open so I can exit.
I grasp Tinsley’s hand. We walk into the building, and after an elevator ride to Marci’s offices, a receptionist greets us. We’re shown to a conference room.
After a moment Marci arrives, and she’s a whirlwind of activity. “Did anyone give further thought to the connections we were talking about last night?”
Jim picks at an imaginary string on his suit pants. “I think there are more instances, and we should sit down and talk. Many of the people who were there when Cecelia went missing have had strange things happen since. It would be great to figure out why, and if they’re related.”
“I wasn’t there,” Tinsley quietly reminds Jim.
He nods. “That’s true.”
“Okay,” Marci says. “I’ve spoken to Agent Gardner, and they’re going to meet us at nine. We’ll interview with him, a US Attorney Walker Clifton himself has chosen, and two other agents. Remember, this interview starts all over, and they only care that Heather McCoy is missing. They don’t care about her not being pregnant. After that, we’ll break for lunch. We can return here and have box lunches, if that works.” She looks at Tinsley. “That way you can join us, as can Claire.”
Tinsley nods. “That sounds good.”
“This is good news,” Marci assures us. “I need to find my earring. I’ll be ready in ten minutes. Tinsley, I have this conference room reserved all day. Would you like to work from here? We have internet and unlimited drinks and crappy snacks—just what I’m sure you’re used to with your startup background.”
She grins and Tinsley’s serious face cracks. “If it isn’t an imposition, that would be great.”
“Sure thing. I’ll be right back.” Marci runs out of the room.
Jim turns to us. “I know she seems a little flighty, but I think that’s how she is when she’s stressed. I promise you’re in good hands.”
I nod. “She’s got this. I saw that last night. No big deal.”
After one last hug, I follow Jim out, leaving Tinsley behind. Claire is waiting outside with a giant cup of coffee in a thermos. “You’re going to kick ass today,” she tells me. “Tinsley and I will be here waiting for you.”
I nod and wave at her through the window as the car pulls away. We drive the few blocks to the federal building and pull up in front.
Inside, Marci knows the receptionist, and they chat while she takes down our information. We walk through the
