After Tracy and Aldon returned to the city, they unexpectedly had some free time. The meeting at the FBI offices had been postponed till the next morning. Surprised, they decided to take a walk along the East River. That part of the city was quiet and beautiful and Tracy was delighted to be there with Aldon, strolling along the promenade. She was relieved that they had a chance to sort things out.
As they walked along, boats drifted slowly by and Tracy could smell Aldon’s sweet, pungent cologne. Watching the boats made Tracy think of Ashley’s craving to be free. Tracy was thrilled to finally talk to Aldon about Ashley. She needed his help in getting her out of Ashton fast.
“I’m worried about Ashley, very worried,” Tracy started.
“Why?” asked Aldon asked as the cool breeze twirled around both of them.
“I need you to help me get Ashley out of Ashton Pillars, as soon as possible,” Tracy started.Aldon looked startled. “What are you talking about?”
“Ashley’s in tremendous danger,” said Tracy.
“Of course she’s in danger, they’re all in danger,” Aldon shot back.
“Especially Ashley!” said Tracy, feeling real urgency about it. “She’s stuck with Kaylna as a roommate. And she can’t get staff to change her room.”
“Why should they change her room? Kaylna’s not a suspect,” Aldon reminded Tracy.
“Kaylna’s driving Ashley crazy.” Tracy spoke louder as if to impress these facts upon him. “What’s so hard about giving her another room?”
“We’re not here to change hospital policy.” Aldon took a step back. “And we can’t take all the patients out of Ashton because they’re in danger. Why should Ashley get special treatment?”
Of course Aldon had a good point. “It’s more than that, though,” Tracy insisted. “Ashley’s not really sick, she doesn’t belong there locked up.”
“That’s not for us to say,” Aldon added.
“Plus, Ashley has information about Ashton that she’ll tell when she feels safe,” Tracy went on.
“What kind of information?” Now Aldon was put off. “She has an obligation to tell us what she knows now.”
“She won’t say a word until she feels safe,” Tracy repeated.
“That’s blackmail, pure and simple.” Aldon was upset.
“Ridiculous.” Tracy wouldn’t have any of that.
“Hold on a minute, Tracy.” Aldon slowed down his pace. “It sounds as though you’ve gotten way too involved with this particular patient.”
Tracy was offended and surprised. “Too involved?”
“And, Ashley broke the rules more than once, to come and talk to you,” he went on. “That doesn’t seem to bother you at all.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Tracy murmured, stunned by his response.
“And now you’re telling me it’s up to you to get Ashley out of the hospital?”
“I am.” Tracy felt defiant.
Aldon was amazed. “That’s crossing the line.”
“What line?” asked Tracy. “Who laid it down? No decent detective that I know lives their life inside the line. That’s not the way to track down a killer.”
Aldon shook his head. “Psychopaths are terrific at manipulating whoever turns up in their world. They prey on the kind-hearted. I’ve seen it again and again.”
Tracy took real exception to that. “First of all, Ashley is not a psychopath. She’s in the hospital for anxiety disorder. That’s different.”
“On paper,” Aldon mused. “But psychopaths can pretend to have any disorder that suits them, can’t they?”
“What have you got against Ashley?” Tracy couldn’t believe this.
“Absolutely nothing,” said Aldon. “In fact, I agree she’s charming and doesn’t seem like a mental patient. But she is. She’s there for a reason. The hospital needs the beds, wouldn’t keep her if it was not absolutely necessary.”
Tracy took a deep breath of the cold air. Aldon’s response was chilling, and surprising as well. It was not what she’d expected of him.
“Ashley gave me her family’s address and phone number and asked me to contact them,” Tracy went on, anyway.
Aldon shook his head vigorously. “Out of order, out of order,” he insisted. “You’re not considering doing it, are you?”
Tracy became quiet. She certainly didn’t have to answer to Aldon and wouldn’t say anything else to him about it if he was going to react this way. Suddenly a sense of deep loneliness gripped her. Aldon was here for her, but not fully. He wasn’t really someone she could talk to freely. Tracy felt disappointed and alone.
“I think I’m going to go back to my apartment now,” Tracy said then. “I definitely need some downtime.”
Aldon looked stunned. “I said something to offend you?” he murmured.
“I am offended, but that’s not it,” said Tracy.
“Then what is it?” He looked blindsided. “I didn’t mean to offend you. Let’s talk it out. I’m really enjoying our time together. I thought we were partners doing a good job of going over our case.”
Tracy didn’t know exactly how to respond, but to her distress, tears started lightly falling down her face.
“What’s wrong? You’re crying. What did I say?” Aldon looked disturbed.
“It’s okay, I’m just tired,” murmured Tracy. “You didn’t say anything to upset me like this. It’s everything all together. I’m upset about the killings, I’m worried about Ashley. I’m just going to go home for a while now to be alone and unwind.”
Tracy knew she was wrong to have become so upset by Aldon’s response. Tracy was truly concerned about Ashley, though, and thought Aldon would respond the same way. She liked Aldon, valued him, but his response was disarming. Once again Tracy realized that during a case partners became extremely close. But it was just an illusion, ultimately. These people were just working alongside you until things were solved.
“Let me come back to your place with you,” said Aldon, looking sad. “I’ve upset you and I didn’t mean to.”
“I appreciate the offer,” Tracy responded, “but for now I need to be alone.”
*
On the way back to her apartment, Tracy looked out the window of the cab at the people passing by. Many were talking happily to each other. When the day was over these people went home to a world with friends and family in it. Tracy’s job was different and she knew it. You had to learn how to be ultimately on your own.
Tracy reached into her pocket for her phone to put in a call to Wess. As she expected, he didn’t pick up.
“Hi, Wess,” she left a message. “Just wondering how things are going. The case has heated up. There’s been another killing. This is harder than I expected.”
Then she hung up. It had been a while since the two of them had connected and Tracy knew it was wrong to expect him to be there for her whenever she needed it. Things didn’t work that way. When Tracy was available to Wess, he returned the favor. When she jumped fully into a case, Wess pulled back as well. His life was very much run by quid pro quo.
Tracy sighed and put her head back on the seat of the taxi, eager to get to her apartment, change, and unwind.
*
To Tracy’s surprise the moment she walked into her apartment, she noticed a message waiting on her home phone. Tracy clicked it on quickly, hoping it might be from Wess. To her surprise, it was her friend Olivia, calling back.
“Tracy, it’s Olivia. I was so happy when you called. I’d love and adore catching up. Things are crazy here, though, so hectic. I’m sure it’s the same for you. Listen, I’m a little disturbed by something I saw. It has to do with you and I don’t want to leave a message about it. Call me right back. I’ll be waiting for your call and pick the phone right up.”
Tracy was taken aback. Olivia’s life and hers ran in such different directions, what could she possibly have seen? Tracy called her friend immediately and to her delight Olivia picked up.
“Oh my God, it feels so good to actually be speaking to you,” Olivia said right away. “Tracy, how are you? How’s life treating you?”
Tracy felt thrilled to be speaking to Olivia as well. “Busy,” said Tracy, “on a rough case now.”
“Wow,” Olivia whispered. “You’re really moving up, aren’t you? I read about you in the papers sometimes. You’re teaching, lecturing, and on really high-profile cases.”
Tracy felt strange. “I don’t know if I’m moving up,” she answered, “but I do get called in to consult and profile more cases these days.”
“Do you like doing it, Tracy?” Olivia seemed enthralled.
Tracy paused a second. “I love it,” she responded wholeheartedly, realizing it was so. “It’s fascinating, important, amazing work.”
“Wow, I’m thrilled to hear that,” said Olivia.
“How about you?” asked Tracy.
“Well, my work isn’t exactly as important as yours,” Olivia went on. “But I love it too. It’s perfect for me. I’m a buyer for a huge chain of fabulous stores.”
“Great,” said Tracy, pleased. “And how’s your relationship with Andy going?”
“We’re better than good,” said Olivia in a mellow tone. “Guess what? I think we’re getting engaged soon.”
“Engaged?” Tracy was stunned. “Really?”
“It’s working, we’re in love, and it keeps getting better and better,” Olivia said softly.
“My God, I’m so very happy for you,” Tracy said, and meant it, even though she felt a bit queasy about her own life. How amazing for a relationship to get better and better. Tracy herself hadn’t ever had that experience and wondered if she ever would. In her relationships, after a wonderful beginning, something always seemed to go wrong.
“What’s going on with you and Wess?” Olivia asked quickly then. “Weren’t you guys supposed to get engaged, too?”
“We were,” said Tracy, “but then we decided to take more time, to be sure. My work can be hard for Wess to deal with.”
“I can understand that,” said Olivia. “Can you?”
“Sure.” Tracy paused. “It takes a special kind of guy to deal with it.”
“Absolutely,” Olivia agreed, “I’m glad you realize that.”
“Glad I realize? Why?” asked Tracy.
“Tracy,” Olivia burst out then, sounding upset.
“What?” Tracy felt nervous.
“I saw Wess out on the town last night with another woman,” Olivia finally spit out.
A strange silence filled the air. “Out on the town?” Tracy felt confused. “You must have seen him at a business dinner. He has lots of them.”
“It wasn’t a business dinner, Tracy.” Olivia was having a hard time going on. “That’s why I had to speak to you. I was shocked to see them. I thought the two of you were going strong.”
“What was so shocking?” Tracy’s voice got thin.
“It was romantic, Tracy.” Olivia could barely speak. “He seemed completely into her in every way. And was it ever mutual!”
Tracy felt as though she’d been punched in the heart. “Really? You’re sure it was Wess?”
“I’m sure,” said Olivia softly. “Look, I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but I figure I saw the two of them for a reason. I don’t want this going on behind your back. I don’t want anyone to lead you on, either. It’s not right.”
“No, it isn’t,” said Tracy.
“I can hear by your voice that you knew nothing about it,” Olivia continued.
“I didn’t know Wess was involved with another woman,” Tracy said softly. “But I did know things weren’t right for a while.”
“Then I’m glad I told you,” Olivia said strongly. “Get rid of him! Move on. You deserve someone wonderful, Tracy. You deserve someone who loves everything about you.”
Tracy wondered if that was possible.
“Especially because of this rough work you do,” Olivia continued. “How can you do it alone?”
Tracy felt her heart start pounding. “You’re right, Olivia,” she murmured.
“Please keep in touch,” Olivia insisted. “Let me know how you’re doing.”
“I promise, I will,” Tracy agreed, before they hung up the phone.
*
Tracy sat there staring at the phone for a few minutes, her heart pounding harder as time passed by. She’d never thought Wess would go behind her back like that. This must have been going on for a while. It would have been different if they’d broken up cleanly, that she could have understood. It was the way she found out that hurt. Being deceived like this made Tracy feel like a fool. Why had Wess kept dragging her along? Was this his way of getting his revenge because she worked with other men? Was he taking back control? Ultimately, the reasons didn’t really matter. It was his actions that counted. He’d done what he’d done and it was definitely over now.
Tracy got up and went to the kitchen to make some coffee when her phone rang swiftly again. She had no intention of answering, but soon the message machine came on.
“Tracy, it’s Aldon,” his voice spoke clearly. “I’m really sorry I offended you. I’m hoping by now you’re all over it.”
Tracy couldn’t help but smile. Aldon had a boyish quality about him that touched her every time.
“Look,” he continued, “I know you need company. Who doesn’t need company when they’re working on a case like this? It’s getting to all of us, me included.”
Tracy was grateful that he included himself. It made her feel better, not so alone with her racing emotions.
“I’d really like to come over and bring a bottle of wine,” Aldon continued. “And if you say no it will be my turn to be offended.”
Despite herself, Tracy laughed. Aldon was right, she certainly could use some company now.
“Come on now, pick up the phone,” he continued, “tell me it’s okay.”
Tracy went over to the phone and picked it up.
“It’s definitely okay,” Tracy responded. “Thanks for calling, Aldon.”
“Thanks for picking up,” he replied. “That’s good of you, very good. Can I come over?”
“Yes, you can,” Tracy answered lightly, “and while you’re at it, make it a bottle of red wine.”