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“Affirmative, an evening and overnight shift. Lambchop and Michaela are hosting a turkey dinner at fifteen hundred I’ve been invited to and then he and I are on in Ops.”
“Don’t eat too much turkey. Don’t want that tryptophan making you sleepy.”
Yvette laughed. “I can see us both nodding off.”
He ended the call and then he and Laura Lee got out of the car. Michelle’s mom stood at the open door into the house.
“Hello, Missus Keslar,” Laura Lee greeted. “This is my associate, Brad Dupont.”
“Ma’am,” he said, shaking her hand.
She invited them in. Michelle came into the entry from the back of the house. “Please tell me two of the people killed at Mary Washington were Professors West and Liu.”
Laura Lee nodded. “Yes, both of them and a third man in league with them.”
Tears of relief filled Michelle’s eyes. “I just knew it when I saw the news.” Her mom hugged her. “So, it’s really over and I won’t have to testify.”
“Yes, it’s over,” Laura Lee said. “The FBI has been given your contact information and they may want to take a statement from you, but you would not have to testify in court.”
Michelle Keslar broke into sobs. She embraced Laura Lee. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad it’s over.” She watched Michelle wipe her eyes. “Make sure you get counseling for as long as you need it. A good therapist will help get you through this, so it doesn’t negatively impact the rest of your life. You’re young and have a lot of good things ahead of you.”
Michelle nodded. “I want to finish my degree and still go to law school. I want to work to help victims of crimes, make sure their perpetrators are locked up for as long as they can be. And when they’re released, I want to make sure the victims know it.”
“I think that is a noble career to want,” Laura Lee said. “Good luck to you, Michelle.”
Laura Lee and Dupont left and drove in silence to the hotel he’d booked for them near the on-ramp to the expressway they’d take the next morning to Richmond. Once behind their closed room door, he embraced her and kissed her. When their lips separated, he smiled. “How you handled that meeting with Michelle Keslar impressed me. You always impress me.”
She felt her cheeks heat at his praise. “Nah, doing the right thing isn’t impressive. That poor girl has been through a lot. I hope her mom makes sure she’s getting the best therapy she can.”
Dupont kissed her again, and he didn’t stop. She took the lead in removing their clothes again, with the hope that eventually, she’d be able to let him take hers off. Not yet though. That would require more talking with Lassiter, she was sure. And she knew she wasn’t ready to be beneath him yet. As long as she was on top and in control, her mind was clear, and no triggers of horrible memories invaded her thoughts. She could enjoy the phenomenal physical intimacy they shared.
They drifted into an exhausted and physically sated slumber in each other’s arms and woke the same way the next morning to the alarm they’d set to ensure they woke in time to get on the road by seven thirty. They had dinner for eight to cook. They had left half an hour in the schedule to again make love when they woke before a shower where they would use soapy hands to clean each other off.
It was with excitement and anticipation that Laura Lee got out of the car in front of her mother’s house, her childhood home. She could see her mom sitting on the living room couch looking out the front window, waiting for their arrival. Her mom met them at the door, her eyes glued to the man who was her daughter’s boyfriend.
After Laura Lee embraced her, she motioned to Brad. “Mom, this is Brad Dupont. I know him from work.”
“Hello, Missus Saxton.” Dupont offered his hand but was engulfed in a hug.
“Hi Brad, it is nice to meet you,” Dorthea Saxton said. “Welcome.” She ushered them both inside. She was all smiles. “The groceries you ordered came yesterday. I made sure the pans were clean and ready.”
“Mom, you didn’t need to do that. I would have washed them,” Laura Lee said.
Dorthea Saxton waved her hands. “I really feel better. I had the energy, so I took care of a few things.” She led them back to the kitchen. She had appetizers made, all the pots and dishes washed, and even had table linens out for when they set the table.
“Wow, Mom, you did all this?”
“Over the course of a few days. But as I told you on the phone, I do feel better. I think this new drug they have me on is making a huge difference.”
Laura Lee gave her a hug. “I hope it works.”
“That clinic in Florida that you arranged for me to stay at is running several new drug trials. The one I’m on is in its third phase of trials and is showing great promise. I can’t thank you enough for arranging that visit, though I know there was a lot more going on than you told me. I’ll never believe you arranged it, paid for it, and then also footed the bill for Donna and the kids to be near me, giving her a beach vacation. Will you ever be able to tell me what was really going on?” she asked.
Dupont had to smile. Laura Lee’s mother was sharper than anyone gave her credit for.
“I can tell you some now, and in time, perhaps the rest. After it’s declassified.”