“What’s gotten into you, Ryan,” she said.
He stared at her, his intentions barely concealed.
She moved farther away.
“This is so unexpected,” she said. “Perhaps it’s not such a good idea, your being here. After all, we are working together.”
“We’re playing lovers,” he said.
“That’s just it,” she said. “We’re playing lovers.”
“I like playing your lover.”
He stepped closer and kissed her again.
She stepped back again.
“Maybe I’m not making myself clear,” she said.
“Maybe I’m not making myself clear,” Ryan said, closing in on her.
He touched her hair. He took a handful of it and pressed it to his nose and lips.
“You smell wonderful,” he said.
She didn’t say anything.
He gently slid his hand along her cheek, stopping at her lips, which he traced with his fingertips.
She sighed.
He moved his hand down her neck. He lowered his head and brushed his lips against it.
She didn’t stop him.
He untied her bathrobe and reached inside. She shuddered.
He removed the robe, put his arms around her, and pulled her into him. He kissed her again, softly at first, then with more urgency. His hands roamed her back.
She leaned away for a moment and looked in his eyes.
Then she took his hand and led him into her bedroom.
By the time he returned to his own room early the next morning, they were bound to each other.
5
When Jesse arrived at the station, he found reporters from the
Jesse called to Molly as he headed for his office.
“Would you be so kind as to join me,” he said.
“You forgot the ‘Good morning’ part,” she said.
She stood up and followed him inside.
He was already seated at his desk, thumbing through his phone messages.
“Courtney Cassidy,” he said.
“You got that right,” Molly said. “Seems you busted Paradise’s most notable debutante.”
Jesse didn’t say anything.
“The DA’s office called. Marty Reagan is anxious to speak with you.”
“She’s been put in a cell?”
“And relishing every minute of it, too. For the last half-hour she’s been hollering, ‘Police brutality.’”
Jesse selected one of the messages, picked up the phone, and dialed the number.
“Jesse Stone for Mr. Reagan,” he said.
Marty Reagan picked up the call.
“What in hell have you done,” Reagan said.
“Who, me?”
“Yes, you. I’ve gotten calls from half the lawyers at Cone, Oakes. I gather she’s in custody.”
“‘She’ being . . . ?”
“Don’t fuck around, Jesse. The Cassidys are out for bear.”
“She ran a stop sign and nearly totaled two vehicles. She was texting at the time.”
“And that’s why you arrested her?”
“She did manage to break a few laws.”
“Her old man’s Richard Cassidy.”
“I don’t care if he’s Hopalong Cassidy. The driver of the car she hit still hasn’t regained consciousness.”
“So what do you suggest I do?”
“Make her the poster girl for a ‘No Texting While Driving’ campaign.”
“Which means?”
“Charge her to the full extent of the law. Alert the media. Request jail time and a hefty fine. Stir the pot. Seek the death penalty. You know, the usual.”
“You mean the usual for people you don’t particularly like.”
“Listen, Marty, we don’t even know whether the other driver is gonna survive. Things could turn out a whole lot worse for her if he doesn’t.”
“Don’t exaggerate. In the meantime, the girl’s seventeen. No priors. And she’s exceptionally well connected. Plus, I’m hearing that the guy’s condition isn’t that serious.”
“So?”
“So none of this is going to fly, Jesse. Richard Cassidy has enormous influence in this town.”
“You mean he throws his money around?”
“That, too. She’ll be out in less than an hour.”
Jesse sighed.
“Do the best you can, Marty,” he said.
“Don’t hold your breath on this one, Jesse. Arraignment’s at noon.”
“Fast.”
“Money talks.”
“You need me there?”
“You’d only make things worse.”
“Gee, thanks,” Jesse said.
“I’ll call you,” Reagan said.
6
Sarah Fine’s office,” the voice on the other end of the line said.
“Hi, Karen. It’s Marisol.”
“Hi, Ms. Hinton. Let me see if I have her.”
After several seconds, Karen came back on the line.
“You’re on with Sarah,” she said.
“Hi, honey,” Sarah said.
“I’ll do it,” Marisol said.
“I knew you would.”
“It’s a good script.”
“Eric’s still working on it. He’s doing a dialogue pass especially for you.”
“I was going to ask about that.”
“He’s already ahead of you. Oh, and they’re shooting digital.”
“Digital?”
“Not on film.”
“I hate digital. It makes everything look like the evening news.”
“It’s the new standard, however.”
