“Did everyone have a good time, do you think?” Kathleen had finished her nightly routine and was already in bed.
Whit spit out her toothpaste and wiped her face with a hand towel before turning off the bathroom light. Kat wouldn’t mind the delay. She asked this when every gathering was over, so Whit knew it wasn’t an urgent question. “Sure.” She grinned at Kat as she slid in beside her. “Well, maybe not Boudreaux, since Gale whipped her ass at cutting cards.”
Kathleen grimaced, remembering the money that Boudreaux had practically stolen. “I know you like Miriam, but I’d rather she not come to our next get-together. She’s just so…uncouth.” Disgusting was more like it, but if she said so, Whit might feel obliged to defend her friend.
Whit took Kat’s hand and kissed it. “Whatever you say, babe. But we’ll need to be sure she doesn’t hear of it or she might show up anyway.”
Kat sighed. Miriam Boudreaux was exactly the type who would do that. As opposed to someone with proper upbringing like Bett. Or someone who wouldn’t dream of imposing, like Rains with her dignified formality. She turned to face Whit. “I thought Bett and Gale hit it off nicely with Sophie and Patrice.”
Whit laughed. “I think Gale hit it off with Lilly, and Bett preferred the adults in the room.” She rested her fingertips on Kat’s cheek. “I told you we’d get Rains here sooner or later. Did you get all the scoop you wanted?”
Kat smiled, considering how little Rains had volunteered prior to the gesture of encouragement she’d gotten from Bett Smythe. “I doubt if even Bett has all the scoop on Gale. I’ve never met anyone as unwilling to talk about themselves. I’m not sure if she’s genuinely modest or just terribly reserved.”
“Not all of us grew up as social butterflies like you, Kitty.” Whit let her fingers trace down Kat’s neck, teasing along the hollow of Kat’s collarbone. “And did you have a good time?”
“Mmm.” It was often like this after their events. They’d both be wound up, so Whit would invent a story—often about one of their guests—that would lead to sex…and then sleep.
“Did you notice Sophie making eyes at Bett?” Whit asked, putting her hand on Kat’s hip and rolling her onto her back.
Kat knew this wasn’t at all the case. A soft, involuntary groan escaped her lips as she tried to determine whether she was relieved or disappointed that the story wasn’t about Rains. Clearly taking the sound as encouragement, Whit went on.
“When Rains was in with Lilly and Patrice was talking with you in the kitchen, I saw the two of them go into the back bathroom. Sophie was asking Bett to help with her bra, saying it was coming unfastened. But based on the way they’d been sneaking glances at each other all night, I knew something else would come of it, so I followed them, standing in the hallway just outside the door. It was open a bit and I could see through the crack.
“‘Bad news,’ Bett tells her. ‘One hook has ripped out and the other is about to go. You might as well take it off.’
“Sophie turns her back. ‘Could you help me with these buttons?’
“Bett starts opening the back of Sophie’s dress, her fingers lightly caressing the newly revealed skin as she works. Sophie squirms a little, arching her back as her breathing gets a little quicker. When the dress is unbuttoned to Sophie’s waist, Bett slips it off her arms, letting it fall loosely down her front. Then she slides her hands up Sophie’s back and flicks open the remaining hook. Sophie gives a little sigh as her breasts pop free of their bonds, and she shrugs the bra off. When she turns to face Bett, I can see her nipples are hard. Clearly, Bett notices too because she licks her lips and says, ‘You have beautiful breasts.’”
This was true. In fact, they’d both commented before how Sophie often wore lower-cut dresses to show them off. Kat was aware that Whit’s hand had slipped under her nightgown and was making its way toward her breast. She felt her nipples tighten in anticipation. Whit probably felt it too, because her voice was a little breathless when she spoke again.
“‘Thank you,’ Sophie says. Then she sighs. ‘Patrice has been busy with a big case she’s working on that she hasn’t paid much attention to them lately.’
“‘Oh, that’s a shame,’ Bett says. She moves a little closer. ‘Would you mind if I…’ She hesitates and I see Sophie’s lips part slightly, as if she is about to beg for Bett to go on. ‘It’s just that Gale’s breasts are much smaller, and yours are so wonderfully full and round and I—’”
This was also true, Kat had to admit, even though she didn’t like that pretend Bett spoke disparagingly of Gale’s breasts. Whit went on quickly enough that she could let it go.
“Sophie takes Bett’s face in her hands. ‘I’ve been watching your hot mouth all night, imagining how it would feel on my skin. If you would, just this once.’ She lowers her voice. ‘And no one would know, I promise.’”
It was always this way in Whit’s stories. A one-time thing, no one hurt, no one the wiser. Strictly fantasy, Kat knew. Real life wouldn’t be like that; there were always consequences.
“Bett moves in, watching Sophie’s face until her lips close gently on a nipple. Sophie lets out a little cry of pleasure and Bett’s mouth moves quickly to her ear. I’m not sure what she says, but she probably cautions Sophie to be quiet. Sophie nods and Bett lowers her mouth to the other breast, sucking a little harder this time.”
Kat cried out as Whit’s fingers squeezed her nipple. “Shh,” Whit cautioned, as if they were both players in her pretend scenario. She pushed Kat’s nightgown up until it bunched around her shoulders and sucked lightly on the other breast before continuing.
“Watching Sophie thrust herself into Bett’s mouth is making me incredibly hot. Almost without thinking about it, I push my hand inside the front of my pants. I am wet already, but I want to keep watching, to take my time, so I let my fingers rest there, not moving.”
Caught up in the vision, Kathleen’s hand found the vee between Whit’s legs, silencing another moan at the warmth radiating from her. Whit squeezed her other breast as she took a few shaky breaths. Kat could practically feel her holding herself back from moving.
“So now,” she went on after a few seconds, “Bett gets her thigh between Sophie’s legs, and Sophie hunches a little faster each time Bett switches to the other breast. Suddenly, Bett pulls away and says, ‘I want to put my mouth somewhere else on you.’
“‘God, yes,’ Sophie breathes. ‘I think I might die if you don’t.’”
Kat rolled her hips in anticipation, a pulse growing at her center. One time on her honeymoon when her husband had kissed her there, she’d pushed him away, horrified. But after she’d been with Whit for a little while, she’d been talked into trying it again. Whit had taken her time, starting slowly, teasing her way around Kat’s folds and pausing now and then to tell her how sweet she tasted and how she loved the feel of her in her mouth. Kat was almost breathless by the time Whit had focused her tongue on the one spot that Kat had barely been aware of before they’d met, and she’d come so hard she’d almost blacked out.
“They move over to the toilet. Now I’m watching them in the mirror and I get a clear look. Sophie puts the lid down and sits. ‘Hurry,’ she whispers. ‘Someone might come soon.’
“Bett kneels on the mat in front of her and lifts Sophie’s legs onto her shoulders. ‘Yes,’ she says. ‘And it’s going to be you.’
“She dives in and Sophie’s got one hand in her hair, tugging her in closer, and with the other hand she’s holding on to the seat. Bett’s got both hands around the full base of Sophie’s tits, pushing them, pulling them, rolling them side to side, matching the movements of her mouth. At this point, I can’t wait any more either. I start rubbing myself, knowing I’m gonna get off any minute.”
Kat took her cue, slipping her fingers into Whit’s wetness. As much as she wished that Whit could talk and pleasure her at the same time, she never felt more powerful than when she took control of Whit’s body this way, letting Whit thrust against her a few times before she pulled away, waiting. She suppressed a smile as Whit grunted in frustration before she returned to the story.
“Uh, so then I hear Sophie start hissing, ‘Yes, Bett. Right there. Right there. Oh God, yes,’ and Bett makes this little growling sound and starts pinching Sophie’s nipples again. ‘Yes,’ Sophie’s voice turns into a breathy wail. ‘Yessss.’ I see her head go back and every part of her body stiffen. Then I have to slump against the wall, because I’m coming too, and my legs won’t hold me up any more.”
Kathleen took her quickly, because she could tell how badly Whit needed it, and making her wait any more would be cruel. At these times she could admit the story was never the point. It was entirely a means to an end. Still, a few moments after the last shudder passed through Whit’s body, she asked, “What happened then?”
Whit’s voice was almost sluggish at first. “Bett was closing the last button on Sophie’s dress when Lilly started crying. Sophie turned and put her hand between Bett’s legs. ‘I’m sorry we don’t have time for you.’
“Bett took hold of Sophie’s hand and gave it a little squeeze before she let go. ‘That’s okay,’ she said. ‘I’ll get it taken care of at home.’” Whit smiled and raised onto one elbow. “Just like you will, my pretty kitty.”
This was another common element to Whit’s stories. Single characters went on searching for their true love, but partners always came back together. Whit had a deeply romantic heart, Kat realized, almost disconcerted that she hadn’t thought of her that way before. Then the warmth of Whit’s mouth closed on her, licking through her slick excitement before swirling lightly on the rigid prominence. Her last thought before she began calling Whit’s name was to wonder about her own heart. Was she right to fear some faithlessness might be growing there?
* * *
The evening of her first shift back on nights, Lieutenant Whitman would practically have to drag herself across the base. After parking her jeep in the growing darkness, she was surprised to see Miriam Boudreaux walking toward her. Even more disquieting, she didn’t think she’d ever seen Miriam Boudreaux so angry…and that was saying something. Boudreaux routinely griped about regulations and often bitterly criticized other officers, but Whit had never heard anything like the fury her friend directed at Gale Rains.
“That tight-assed redskin is trying to get with Sara. I can tell about that, believe me. I got the sixth sense, you know.”
Whit wasn’t sure about either of her friend’s claims, but she knew to keep quiet and let Miriam go on for a bit before offering any comments.
“She tried to cheat me at cards. But I got the last laugh on her.” Boudreaux sneered as she pulled two five-dollar bills from her pocket and waved them victoriously. “So then I see her talking with Sara over by the fireplace. She’s trying to get even with me by taking my woman. But it’s a sure bet that’s not going to happen. I’ll take that bitch down if it’s the last thing I do.”
Boudreaux’s voice carried even when she whispered, and at this volume she was practically a one-woman PA system. “Let’s take a walk.” Whit was glad she’d given herself extra time to get to work. Perhaps as a moving target, her friend would be harder to overhear. She guided Miriam toward the grove, hoping it wouldn’t already be occupied at this hour. The thickset woman didn’t comment further as she struggled slightly to keep up with Whit’s pace. Whit absently speculated on how to make Lieutenant Boudreaux realize that if she took better care of Sara, she wouldn’t have to worry about her interest in someone else. Wasn’t that how it was supposed to work? Once they had outpaced the other evening walkers, Whit asked, “So how do you know that Rains is interested in Sara romantically? Maybe they just had a friendly chat.”
Boudreaux snorted. “You think I can’t tell when my woman has someone else on her mind? Sara’s acting all cool, but she’s got some kind of secret going on. And if she don’t wise up, I might have to take her out along with that Indian bitch.”
Whit knew nothing would be gained by pointing out that Rains was obviously in love with Bett Smythe, and it was highly unlikely that mousy little Sara Vernon would turn her head. Once Miriam was convinced of an idea, it was very hard to change her mind. “What are you going to do?” she asked, wondering how worried she should be. Frequently her friend was all talk and no action.
Boudreaux’s sneer returned. “Wouldn’t take nothing for me to blow her ass to the happy hunting ground, or wherever it is her kind goes.”
That wasn’t good. When Miriam started talking ballistics, she was serious. “Hold on now, buddy.” Whit tried for calm. “You’ve got to be careful, thinking like that. No matter what Rains deserves, you don’t want innocent bystanders to get hurt.” When Boudreaux snorted, Whit added, “Plus, anything like that will lead straight back to you. You’ll need a fall guy.” She clapped her hand on Boudreaux’s shoulder. “Promise me you won’t make a move until we have time to plan this out. I’ve got to get to my shift and I can’t spend any more time on this right now. But I’m working nights all this week, so I’ll have some time to think about it soon. Let’s talk again tomorrow or the next day.”
Miriam Boudreaux narrowed her eyes. “You not gonna turn on me, are you, Whit? ’Cause we need to stick together. Your woman could be next, you know? I saw her giving that half-breed the eye more than once at your house the other night. Might be your dolly wants a little taste of a different flavor, eh?”
Whit dropped her hand from Miriam’s shoulder, taking in a breath as she tried to control the rush of anxiety. Surely that couldn’t be true? But she’d been around Boudreaux enough to appreciate that every now and then, there was surprising validity in Miriam’s observations.
Watching her friend closely, Miriam Boudreaux saw exactly what she’d hoped to see. Whit was agitated by her suggestion, which meant she could count on her loyalty in getting rid of Gale Rains. It was too bad, she thought—not for the first time—that Whit wasn’t her type. Someone with that kind of passion would be a fun tumble. She met her friend’s eyes, nodding. “Don’t you worry, pal. We’re gonna make sure this all goes our way. You come by ordnance tomorrow morning when you get off and we’ll make a plan, okay?”
Whit merely nodded and Boudreaux walked away, trying to set her mind back to getting even with Rains. But a familiar itch at the back of her thoughts wouldn’t let her go. Without a doubt, she knew exactly what it was…sex. Boudreaux had always known she was different, and not solely because she liked women. She liked sex. More than liked, she craved it. Nothing else in her life compared to the feeling of power she got in taking another woman, not even the bullets and explosives she monitored every day. Sometimes her conquests acted afraid, but she knew that once she touched them in the right way, they’d come to feel about it like she did. Once they gave up trying to be in control, she could free them from their fears. Sometimes she pictured what it would be like to get back in touch with some of her earlier seductions, imagining the words of appreciation and gratitude she’d receive. But no, she didn’t want to worry about detaching herself from their affection, since most of them would have come to realize there weren’t better lovers to be found. Because she knew, despite her promises and, sometimes, even her best intentions, that she wasn’t made to be monogamous. Her tastes were too wide-ranging, her interests too varied, to be satisfied by a single woman. Although there was one in particular she’d give almost anything to try.
She used to think Kathleen Hartley was the hottest piece going, and if Whit’s woman had ever given her the slightest indication of interest, she’d have gladly have overlooked that friendship to play a little grab-ass. But when she first laid eyes on Private Elizabeth Smythe, her opinion changed. From the moment Miriam had seen her sitting out in the classroom during her lecture on munitions and armaments, she’d hadn’t been able to get the blonde out of her mind. Normally she rushed through the talk with barely a pause, but Bett’s rapt expression had made her want to do her best. She’d put everything she had into her words, drawn back to those stunning eyes over and over. She’d gone out of her way to find out the new recruit’s name and had even tried to joke with Rains about what good luck she had, getting the best-looking woman in the whole WAC in her squad. As usual, the stone-faced sergeant acted all official and refused to engage with her in anything resembling conversation. But then, Boudreaux knew why.
Since she’d been in charge of ordnance, there might have been some other officers who suspected she had more than gunpowder on her mind, but at least they had the good sense to mind their own business. Then, about a year ago, she’d gotten a little action from a girl in Rains’s squad. Somehow the drill instructor had gotten wind of it, and she’d acted like some kind of avenging angel, calling Boudreaux out in front of the others and even suggesting combat between the two of them to settle the issue. She might have considered it, but there were stories about Rains, about the knife she carried, and it only took one look at Rains’s body to know that the fitness drills she did with the recruits kept her in top condition physically. So she’d backed off with her tail between her legs, aware that when Donna, her current squeeze, caught wind of what had happened—and she would—it’d be over between them…and it had been. Plus, almost everyone except Whit started treating her like she had cooties or something, and there hadn’t been even a hint of further promotions. But what that Indian bitch didn’t realize was Miriam Boudreaux had her own style of fighting, and when she was ready, Gale Rains wouldn’t know what hit her. And she was ready now, especially after having her suspicions confirmed. Rains had somehow managed to get the choicest morsel for herself, and it was time for her to pay.
Speaking of pay, Lieutenant Boudreaux reminded herself to go by the PX and mail the extra scratch she’d gotten off Rains to her uncle Lucien. She’d gotten a little behind on her payments to the local bokor and there was no telling what kind of curse he’d come up with if she spent that five dollars elsewhere. But first, she went back by the ordnance building, needing to check the schedule for the week. A smile crept across her lips when she saw new recruits were scheduled for a tour tomorrow. By habit, she looked for the drill instructor before she remembered Rains wasn’t a problem in that area any longer. There was a name she didn’t recognize—probably one of the new ones. Perfect. She’d get that itch scratched sooner rather than later, and then she’d get on to the real business at hand.
* * *
“After dinner, I want to talk to you about going over to help Whit this weekend.” Bett stood behind Rain at the stove where she was putting the finishing touches on dinner. They had both changed out of their uniforms, and it seemed like as good a time as any to bring up the subject.
Rain turned to her, a slightly puzzled expression on her face. “All right.”
They ate as a blaze burned brightly, spreading its warmth across the room. Bett reached across the little table to touch Rain’s cheek. “Have I told you how much I love having a fire? It makes the room feel wonderfully homey and intimate.”
Rain smiled but said nothing. Once they’d put the dishes in the sink, Bett took her hand and led her to the couch. She took a breath, having decided to dive right in. Rain had never been one for veiled conversation.
“Do you remember back in basic when I told you Kathleen Hartley was attracted to you?”
Rain blinked. “Yes. When we had our picnic in the grove, and I first showed you my knife. That was same night you pressed yourself against me and said you knew that was how you wanted to be with someone.”
Bett couldn’t hide her pleasure that Rain had added that memory. Nodding, she said, “And here we are. And this is so much more than I imagined at that moment.”
Rain leaned in and kissed her softly. “I’m eternally grateful for your persistence.”
Bett was tempted to kiss Rain back, to let the discussion go to their memories of coming together until they’d be in bed, making love. But there was something very different she needed to say. “Kathleen Hartley is still attracted to you. I could see it at the dinner.”
Rain made a sound somewhere between a chuckle and a snort of disbelief. “Bett, that can’t be right. Kathleen is with Whit. They seem very happy together.”
“Beloved, you wouldn’t see this because you have a kind of tunnel vision when it comes to love. You think everyone who is with someone is as committed as we are.”
“I disagree. I didn’t sense that with Miriam Boudreaux and Sara Vernon. I didn’t see any such feeling between them.”
“Right, okay, perhaps I’m speaking too broadly. But I’m telling you it is possible to be with someone, to be happy with them, even, but meet someone else to whom you are powerfully attracted. And I believe that’s what’s happening with Kathleen. And you don’t see it because you like her.” Before Rain could protest, Bett added, “I understand you like her as a friend, but that’s very different from how she feels about you.”
Rain began rocking slightly, quiet for a long moment. Finally, Bett took her hand, relieved when Rain entwined their fingers and squeezed lightly. “I don’t know much about matters of the heart, other than what I’ve learned from you.” Rain’s voice was earnest. “And I find it very hard to imagine a situation in which I could feel the way I do about you while also feeling an attraction to someone else. In the times I’ve spoken with Kathleen on base and even at her home the other night, I had no sense of anything beyond friendship between us.”
Bett smiled sadly, loving Rain’s innocence even as she feared that was exactly what made her susceptible to an expertly calculated approach like Kathleen Hartley’s. This was not what she’d expected when she thought of forming friendships. Would there always be some attraction—even if unacknowledged—between particular members of a lesbian group? Could couples remain friends, even if such interest existed between them? “When you are over there this weekend, will you be mindful of what I’ve said?” She didn’t have to ask for a promise. Rain’s word was all she needed.
Nodding, Rain reminded her, “I’m going to be working with Whit. I might not even see Kathleen.”
“You will,” Bett said quietly. “I guarantee you will. Then or even sooner.”
* * *
Years of practice during her mother’s constant lecturing had made Kat capable of keeping her expression pleasant, even when she wanted to scream. So it took very little effort for her to listen calmly to Whit’s story of Miriam Boudreaux’s desire for revenge on Gale Rains. Then Whit had added, in a casually offhand way, Miriam’s accusation that she’d noticed Kat having some inappropriate interest in Rains. They’d both laughed, and then Kathleen had turned serious. “I really think that’s the last straw, Vic. Surely you can see she’s only saying that to make sure you stay on her side in this.” The bitter taste of omission turned her stomach, and she spoke even more sharply. “What has Boudreaux ever done for you, other than claim to be your friend? All she’s ever done is take. She’s been here a half dozen times at least and never once contributed anything to our party, other than drunken tirades. Bett brought a very nice bottle of wine on her first visit. And I’m quite sure she’s never offered to help you with chores, like Rains did.” Whit inclined with her head in the way Kat knew meant she agreed, even though she wasn’t pleased about it. She softened her tone. “You can’t pretend this is okay, Miriam’s intention to hurt Gale somehow.”
“No, but I’ve got a feeling Gale can take care of herself,” Whit murmured, obviously trying to stay neutral.
“Not if she doesn’t know what’s coming. Look, if you can’t stall Miriam until Saturday when you’ll see Gale and can warn her, I’ll tell her tomorrow.” When Whit’s face showed a flash of misgiving, Kathleen added, “We already agreed to meet to discuss the dining experience from the party. I’ll find a way to work it into the conversation.” She rose from her seat at the table and went to stand behind Whit, putting her hands on her shoulders. “Unless you’d rather I didn’t see her. If there’s anything about my acquaintance with Gale that makes you uncomfortable, I won’t go. How you feel is a thousand times more important to me.” She bent and kissed the top of Whit’s head, hating that she was misrepresenting her feelings this way, even as she tried not to hold her breath.
“Maybe it would be best for you to talk to her,” Whit said slowly. “Then I’m not betraying a confidence and you’ll rest easier.”
Kathleen nodded. “And what will you say to Miriam?”
“I’ll try to keep her calm. You know how she blows hot and cold. In another day or two she may be on to something else.” Whit shifted, sighing. “I’ve got to get ready for work.”
Kat eased her arms down to Whit’s chest and bent to kiss the back of her neck. “Thank you for dinner. I’ll see if I can leave a little bit late tomorrow. Maybe you’ll come home with another good story for me?”
Whit grinned. “Maybe I will, little Kitty.”
* * *
Despite her best intentions, Kathleen couldn’t make herself wait for Whit to get home the next morning. Instead, she wrote a sweet note, thanking her lover for being such a wonderful person. She’d had to rewrite the message after realizing her last sentence about not deserving Whit’s love made her sound guilty or at least remorseful, attitudes that were unlike her as a rule, and exactly the type of sentiments that were likely to make Whit suspicious.
All the way to the base, she practiced various ways of telling Rains she might be in danger from Miriam Boudreaux, and by the time she arrived at the motor pool, she’d just about convinced herself that this warning was her sole purpose for being there. She arrived just as Lieutenant Rains was completing the morning assignments with her drivers, and seeing the line of enlisted women so attentive and respectful of their officer made her feel a swell of pride, as if she had some stake in Gale Rains’s accomplishments.
The secretary noticed her first, motioning her to a chair near her desk. “If you can wait, the lieutenant will be with you in a moment, Captain.”
“That will be fine. There’s no need for me to interrupt,” Kathleen assured the woman.
Rains dismissed the drivers, and the roar of engines blocked out any other sound for a few moments. Moving toward one of the bays where a dark-haired PFC in coveralls was lifting the hood of a jeep, Rains felt eyes upon her and turned back suddenly, finding Kathleen Hartley smiling in her direction. She started to smile back but stopped herself as she remembered Bett’s words of warning. Captain Hartley rose and extended her hand. Rains took it, because it would have looked strange if she hadn’t. In that quick moment of touching, though, she felt nothing other than what she’d always felt with Kathleen—the warmth of an unusual friendship that had formed between them. Unusual, partly because Rains had never made friends easily and, before Bett, had been content in her solitude. She’d given it some thought last evening as Bett had gotten ready for bed, remembering the first time she and Kathleen had spoken, after their initial meeting. Why had she been willing to talk to the captain about the big moon that day? Whites generally didn’t care about natural events of that kind, but she could tell she had Hartley’s full attention, and that was…what? Exceptional? Gratifying? Flattering?
“Forgive me for intruding, Lieutenant, but could I speak with you for a moment?” Before Rains could answer, she added, “If this isn’t a good time, perhaps we could schedule a lunch.”
Rains considered the options. If they met during lunch, there would be others around, and their presence might make it harder for her to read Kathleen’s true intentions, as she’d told Bett she would. But thinking of Bett’s worries settled her mind. “Early lunchtime would be best,” she said and Hartley nodded.
“The mess hall at 11:15?”
“Yes,” Rains agreed. “Let me walk you out.”
Kathleen nodded and her expression remained serious as they walked toward the parking lot. Rains tried to hide her concern with a tease—something she’d only recently learned to do. “If this is about the ice cream fork—” she said, relieved when Kathleen laughed.
“No, I’m afraid it’s more problematic than that,” Kathleen answered, her expression sobering quickly. “But I don’t want you to worry.” She touched Rains’s arm briefly and Rains wondered if Kathleen made the gesture so frequently that she’d stopped noticing. Was that because it truly didn’t matter or because in some part of her, she liked it? “Just don’t open any packages that might come in this week,” Hartley went on. “Not until we talk, all right?”
“Packages?” Rains asked, her mind unprepared for this new topic.
“Yes. I’ll explain at lunch.” She turned and walked toward her car, the sleek Alfa Romeo that Rains remembered first seeing when they’d had one of their utensil practices. There was something about the automobile that fit Kathleen Hartley perfectly, and Rains smiled to herself as Hartley’s hand flitted a quick goodbye wave out the window. Looking beyond the base in the direction of Bett’s building, Rains wondered if that was the kind of thing friends noticed about each other, or if her lover was right to be worried. Perhaps this was the danger she’d been warned of in her dream?