Sandra Brown - Smoke Screen

With the entire PD in this state of upheaval, Raley couldn’t really fault Jay for not responding immediately to his request to see the paperwork on Cleveland Jones, but he was becoming impatient to finish his investigation. Brunner had assigned him this aspect of it, and he wanted to come through, not just to satisfy but to impress the older man.

Mainly, he wanted the nightmares to stop.

Hallie had noticed his preoccupation more than anyone, and he knew it worried her. He could hear the relief in her voice when he called to tell her that Jay had persuaded him to attend his party. “Good,” she said.

“Not really, but he wouldn’t let me back out.”

“Why don’t you want to go?”

“Because you’re not here to go with me.”

“I’m flattered, but is that the only reason?”

He couldn’t hide much from her. “I hate to give up a night. I’m really into this investigation and don’t want to lose momentum.”

In a quieter voice, she asked, “How are you?”

“Missing you.”

“Besides that.”

“I’m fine.”

“You sound tired.”

“I am. But I’m okay.”

She didn’t dispute him, but he could imagine her doubtful frown. She had an endearing way of pursing her lips when she was mulling something over. She’d been wearing that frown the first time he saw her, two years ago on New Year’s Eve, at a party hosted by mutual friends. She was at the buffet table, considering the raw oysters lying on a mound of ice. He moved up beside her and said, “I don’t think they bite.” And she laughed, saying, “I don’t think I will, either.”

That thoughtful pout made her lips infinitely kissable. He especially liked kissing that pout away when she was wearing her glasses. She didn’t believe him when he told her he preferred her glasses to contacts. But it was the truth.

Switching subjects now, he asked, “How are your meetings going?”

She was a loan officer at the local branch of a banking chain. An advancement had brought her to Charleston only weeks before that New Year’s Eve when they met. Since then, she’d had VP added after her name. She’d been in Boston all week at the bank’s national headquarters.

“Long, but informative.”

“So the trip was worthwhile.”

“Um-huh.” Then, “Oh! I talked to my mother today. The church is available on Saturday the twelfth.”

“Great.” That was the April date they’d discussed for their wedding. Spring flowers in bloom. Not too hot or humid yet. “I’ll call my mom and tell her.”

“My mom already spoke to her.”

“Even better.”

They laughed, because he had ceded all wedding planning to the three women, telling Hallie to be sure he knew what time to show up with the ring. He felt that was all he needed to know.

“It’s good to hear you laugh,” she said. “And I think going to Jay’s party is an excellent idea. You need a break from the investigation.”

“I’ve been lousy company lately, haven’t I?”

“You’ve taken the job to heart.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize for your commitment, Raley. The fire was a tragedy. I couldn’t love you if you hadn’t taken this investigation to heart.”

Her soft voice and the understanding behind it made him yearn to touch her. Boston might just as well have been in another galaxy. “Why aren’t you here so I can make love to you?”

“Tomorrow,” she said. “Don’t make plans for tomorrow night. I’m bringing back a new nightie from Victoria ’s Secret. I intend to distract you from work, from everything.”

His imagination went into overdrive. “How about some hot phone sex right now?”

“I would,” she said, “but I’ve got a meeting in five minutes.”

“It won’t take me anywhere near five minutes.”

“It would the way I’d do it,” she purred, then laughed at his groan. “Besides, I don’t want to make you late for Jay’s party.”

“He promises it will be one of his orgiastic bacchanals.”

“I wouldn’t expect it to be anything else. Should I be worried? Or are you just trying to talk me into the hot phone sex?”

“No, you shouldn’t be worried. And yes, I’m trying to talk you into the phone sex. If you help me get my rocks off now, I’ll be too sated to stray.”

“How can I possibly resist such a romantic lead-in?”

He laughed. “No sale?”

“Sorry.”

“Okay,” he sighed. “But how am I going to explain this boner to Candy?”

“Candy? Did I miss something?”

“Jay rooked me into being her date tonight.”

“Who’s the designated driver?”

“I am. I’ll have one beer. Candy can find her own way home, or stay over at Jay’s, or whatever. I’m coming home early and spending the rest of tonight and tomorrow planning all the dirty things I’m going to do to you when you get home.”

“I can’t wait.” She gave him her flight number and time of arrival.

“See you in baggage claim. And in the meantime, I love you.”

Candy paused in the open doorway to scan Jay’s living room. “The usual suspects.”

Raley, looking over her shoulder, took in the riotous scene. “I don’t recognize half the people here.”

“That’s what I meant,” she shouted back at him. “It’s one of Jay’s typical free-for-alls.”

His apartment was jam-packed with people, all trying to talk above the loud music, creating a cacophony of laughter, chatter, and Bon Jovi. Having delivered Candy as promised, Raley was tempted to make an about-face and leave. But it was too late. Jay had spotted them. Holding aloft his margarita glass, he threaded his way through the crowd until he reached them. He kissed Candy on the cheek.

“You look sensational!”

“Thanks. It’s new.” She held out the skirt of the halter dress and executed a curtsy. “I treated myself. I may not be able to pay the rent this month, but what the hell. Does the full skirt make my butt look big?”

Dutifully he and Jay chorused, “No.”

“Liars. But thanks.”

Soon after she’d passed the bar exam, a job for an ADA had come open in the district attorney’s office. Candy had applied for it and had hung on with bulldog tenacity until she was hired. At first, she was little more than a gofer, but it hadn’t taken her long to distinguish herself. She was ambitious and self-confident, and didn’t take any crap from her male counterparts. She didn’t acknowledge a glass ceiling for women in the judicial system-except to say that she planned to shatter the goddamn thing.

She wasn’t a natural beauty, but when she took the time and trouble, as she obviously had tonight, she could be moderately attractive.

“Hey, buddy, I’m glad you’re here.” Jay reached past Candy to shake Raley’s hand, then threw one arm around his shoulders and gave him a hug, thumping him on the back. Raley, who was several inches taller than Jay, awkwardly leaned into the hug.

But he found himself moved by Jay’s demonstration of affection and, remembering the reason for the party, said thickly, “No, I’m glad you’re here.”

They released each other quickly but maintained eye contact and fond smiles.

Candy regarded them suspiciously. “You two aren’t going to swap spit, I hope.”

They laughed. Jay said, “When Hell freezes over,” then motioned with his head. “Bar’s this way.”

It took them ten minutes to navigate the living room. As soon as he’d thrust a plastic cup of beer at Raley, and seen to it that Candy had a margarita, Jay deserted them to welcome arriving guests, and to meet the tagalongs they’d brought with them.

Candy spotted another lawyer from the DA’s office across the room. He was standing with his back against the wall, looking like he was facing a firing squad. “He’s married,” she told Raley, “but I understand he and the missus are separated. I don’t see her, do you?” Obviously it was a rhetorical question because Candy didn’t wait for an answer. “He’s kinda cute, in a nerdy sort of way, don’t you think?”