thirteen

Activity at Harbor House started to wind down. The investigators had tagged and recorded each and every scrap of Teddy’s garbage. Lamendola entered the information into an evidence database. Cheski handled background checks on the labs’ employees both past and present. Coming up on the two-week anniversary of Teddy’s death, I felt as if the investigation had stalled.

“Hey guys. When do you knock off for the day?” I pulled a chair up to the table and grabbed a handful of homemade chips.

“We’ll probably put in another hour or so,” Cheski said. “We want to make sure Frank has a preliminary report tonight, and then we’ll meet bright and early tomorrow.”

“I’m in,” I said to show support.

“We’re glad to have you, CeCe. It’s actually pretty nice working here.”

“Yeah, Becky brought us a great lunch,” Lamendola added. “All this healthy stuff from your farm. Cheski might even drop a few.”

Cheski patted his midsection in agreement. “You know, CeCe,” he said, “your friend Charlie has turned out to be a real asset. We were having trouble accessing the national crime data, and he hacked through a police-grade firewall within minutes.”

“Thank god he’s not a terrorist,” I said.

Lamendola’s face lit up like a hazard flare.

“I’m kidding.” I grabbed another chip. “Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you.”

I headed up to my studio and found Charlie spread out on my futon, barefoot, bare chested, and sporting a pair of cargo pants that had seen better days.

“What are you reading?” I asked.

“An outdated Maxim from Teddy’s garbage.”

“Charlie, you stole evidence?”

“It’s mine. I left it at Teddy’s about six months ago. Like he’d ever read crap like this.” Charlie spread the pages of the magazine to reveal an alluring photo of Jessica Alba looking like she had crawled out of a vat of grease.

“Is that supposed to turn me on?” I said.

“So you’re turned on?”

“Let’s see.” I used my fingers for a countdown. “I’ve been poisoned, shot at, and rolled down a hill in a two-ton car. If I was into sadomasochism, I’d be on the verge of ecstasy.” I closed the magazine and slid it across the floor.

“See, I knew you were turned on,” Charlie said.

I pretended to bang my head on the futon in utter frustration. “How is it possible you are still single?”

“I’m holding out for you, CeCe.”

Against my better judgment, I reached out for Charlie, who was more than willing to scoop me up from the chaos of my life. I wanted to feel safe, even if it was fleeting.

“I’m exhausted, Charlie, and you are about to take advantage of me.”

“Maybe it’s me who needs the attention,” Charlie whispered as his lips brushed past mine.

Charlie’s stubble was rough against my cheek. The harder I kissed him, the deeper it dug into my skin. It was painful and cleansing at the same time, as if we could scrub off the anger and hurt that had accumulated since Teddy’s death. Charlie lifted my hips with ease, and I followed his lead like a well-trained puppy.

This is better than last time, much better, I thought. The taboo had been broken, so we offered each other the patience and time we deserved. I fell asleep with Charlie’s arm snug under my head. As I drifted off, I thought how bittersweet it was that Teddy’s death had caused me to welcome Charlie and my mother back in my life.