Blurred Lines by KD Williamson (29 page)

* * *

Kelli sat down in front of the video camera to be sworn in. She smiled winningly at Angela Perkins, who stared at her like she’d grown another head.

“Can you state your name and occupation for the record, please?” Angela asked.

“Kelli McCabe. Homicide Detective, SPD.”

“Thank you, Ms. McCabe. While this witness is for the plaintiff, I would like her entered as hostile.”

Tom nodded. “No objection.”

Angela paused. Her eyes narrowed before she trudged on. “Ms. McCabe, what is your relationship with Dr. Nora Whitmore?”

“We’re friends,” Kelli said simply.

“Did that happen after your discharge from the hospital?”

“No. It started while I was still a patient.” Kelli leaned back in the chair, getting comfortable and looking like she didn’t give a shit.

“Are you lovers?” Angela barked out the question. So much for finesse.

“No.” Kelli didn’t even blink.

“Are you aware that Dr. Whitmore is sexual with both men and women?”

“I am.” Kelli shrugged. It was no big deal despite what this lawyer wanted her to think.

“Are you aware of the situation involving this case?”

“I am.”

“Dr. Whitmore comes from a wealthy family. She’s more than likely used to getting what she wants. Does she seem like the type?” Angela continued to hammer ineffectively at Nora’s character. Obviously, this woman didn’t know Nora at all.

Kelli chuckled. “You mean a spoiled little rich girl? No, she’s not.”

“I see, and would it surprise you to learn that she has engaged in sexual relationships with several residents at the hospital?”

“No, it would not.”

“A woman who changes lovers like she changes clothes? That doesn’t sound spoiled or entitled to you?”

Kelli shrugged. “Sounds like somebody who enjoys sex.”

Angela cleared her throat and grinned as if she had a secret. “You are a lesbian. Is that correct, Ms. McCabe?”

“It is common knowledge.”

“Dr. Whitmore is a beautiful woman. I’m sure individuals of either sex would say or do anything if it led to some kind of favorable involvement with her. Are you one of those people?”

“Nope.”

“And how do we know this?”

Kelli grinned. “I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it.” The lawyer’s questions jumped randomly from subject to subject. Kelli knew that she was trying to throw her off balance. It was a tactic she was more than familiar with.

“Remember, you are under oath.”

“This isn’t my first trip to the movies lady,” Kelli added irritably, but it was more than enough to make the lawyer smile.

“You are familiar with my client, Taylor Fuller?”

“Not really. I know who she is, but we never had a conversation while I was a patient. She usually just stood there, hanging off Rader’s arm.”

Angela sighed. “I’m instructing the witness to save her commentary unless she’s asked for it.”

Kelli resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

“So, you have no opinion on Taylor Fuller?”

“Do you mean before or after this mess?” Kelli wanted to make sure she answered the right question, especially considering how vastly different the before and after opinions were.

“Before.”

“No, I did not.”

“So, on the morning of April seventeenth, Dr. Fuller was making her rounds with Dr. Rader, and they entered your room. Is that correct?” Angela asked.

“I don’t remember the exact date, but okay.”

“Do you recall what transpired?”

“Are you asking for commentary now?” Kelli smiled.

Angela’s lips thinned. “Yes, I am.”

“They came in. I wasn’t in the best of moods, and I didn’t really feel like talking. Dr. Fuller kind of insulted me, but I ignored it.”

“What do you mean by insulted?”

“She asked if I was lucid because I didn’t respond to them,” Kelli said.

“How is that an insult?”

“She had a snide tone,” Kelli emphasized.

“Continue, Ms. McCabe.”

“Dr. Whitmore came to see me. They looked shocked by that fact. Dr. Rader seemed angry. Dr. Whitmore made a comment about Dr. Fuller still being on Rader’s service, and she stormed out. Dr. Rader left not long after that.” Kelli offered the bare-bones summary of events.

“Since you were gracious enough, Ms. McCabe, to bring up tone of voice, how was Dr. Whitmore’s when she addressed Dr. Fuller?”

Kelli blinked. This woman was going to have to do much better than that. “She sounded aggravated and disappointed, like she usually did around residents.”

Angela Perkins’s head jerked up from her notes. She stared at Kelli with obvious irritation.

Kelli grinned. “You asked for commentary.”

The lawyer licked her lips and flicked through the collection of papers for several seconds. She cleared her throat. “So, you wouldn’t categorize Dr. Whitmore’s tone, as envious and malicious?”

“No, not at all.”

“You are aware that Dr. Whitmore and Dr. Rader used to have sex on occasion?”

“I am, and she thought the whole thing was a mistake.”

“I want that stricken. It’s hearsay. There was no one else to witness this conversation,” Angela stressed vehemently.

“Objection. Dr. Whitmore stipulated in her deposition that she ended that relationship. The stenographer can read it back if you like. Your request doesn’t make sense, neither does this line of questioning, but she’s your witness.” Tom’s smile was apparent in his tone even if it didn’t show on his face.

“Yes, she is.” Angela hissed.

“Using your own judgment, do you believe that Dr. Whitmore had an alternate meaning to her statement?”

“Yeah, she was implying that they were sleeping together,” Kelli said.

“So, this implication made Dr. Fuller flee the room?”

“Yes, I’d say that,” Kelli agreed.

“So, Dr. Whitmore’s words embarrassed her?”

“Yes. No different than most of those kids. None of them look comfortable around her. Dr. Whitmore, I mean.”

Angela glared, but then, she smiled slowly. “Why do you think that is?”

Kelli returned the grin. “She pushes them to be better, and from what I’ve seen, she’s not afraid to call them out if they’re wrong.”

An hour and half later, Kelli was still being asked the same set of questions in different ways. Finally, Angela Perkins stood and began placing the stack of folders back into her bag.

“Are you done with this witness, Ms. Perkins?” Tom asked.

“I am.” She looked up at them. “Thank you, Ms. McCabe.” She gave Kelli a tight smile.

Kelli nodded and gave her a huge grin in return. She had to rub it in just a little bit. Angela Perkins hadn’t planned on her. She was no help to them at all.

Tom stood as well. “I’m reserving the right to recall Ms. McCabe if I deem it necessary later in the proceedings. We’ll continue in an hour.”

“Agreed,” Angela mumbled.

* * *

Nora stared at the cup of espresso in her hand. She was sure it was impressive, but her interest in being even more caffeinated had waned. She scanned the private waiting area. It was clean, colorless, and screamed affluence. The furniture looked familiar. She recognized it as top of the line, pleasing to the eye, but far from comfortable. She sat anyway. The deposition was just starting, and she was sure it would take a while.

After smoothing the wrinkles in her skirt, Nora crossed her legs and maintained her posture even though she was the only one present. She spied a wide range of magazines that included well-known medical journals like the
American Journal of Surgical Pathology
. It almost made her smile that they would go to such lengths to make her comfortable. There was nothing left to do but wait. For Nora, inactivity almost always led to introspection, but she fought against it. Over the past couple of days, she had been drowning in her thoughts in an effort to come up with a plausible way to keep her churning emotions at bay. Nothing came of it. She was being pulled in two directions—both toward Kelli and away from her at the same time. Self-preservation seemed to be her only recourse. Her instincts screamed for Nora to save herself in any way possible, regardless of the fallout. As a result, when Kelli had brought up their relationship, Nora was painfully blunt in her reply. Words can hurt. Nora knew that now more than ever. Kelli deserved honesty, but not the heartache that came with it.

Closing her eyes, Nora took a long cleansing breath in hopes it would somehow provide even a few seconds of clarity. Kelli seemed so clear on what she wanted: Nora, plain and simple. She was awed by Kelli’s determination and patience and found herself drawn to her even more. If this were surgery, there would be no question as to Nora’s abilities and the path she needed to take for the best outcome. However, it was not, and her aptitude in the emotions department was sorely lacking. Kelli’s willingness to endure pain for a chance with her should have inspired confidence. It did not.

Nora mentally traced the evolution of their relationship. There seemed to always be a pattern of resistance that was followed by an awakening. The harder she fought against Kelli’s intrusion, the more she learned about herself. Nora centered her thoughts on the intimacies they shared. Each kiss increased in intensity, ripping her open even more. She knew what it was to be a woman in charge of her own body, her own pleasure, but with Kelli, her body screamed its needs on a constant basis. As a lover, Nora had no doubt that Kelli would be passionate and commanding, requiring everything that Nora had to give and more. In a few kisses, Nora had immersed herself in pleasure instead of trying to regulate it like she had done with others. That kind of loss of control was unprecedented.

Frightened by what she was feeling, Nora was also lured by it. As she recalled each special moment with Kelli, her body responded viscerally. Her breathing hitched, her stomach twisted, and the hard pull between her legs was synonymous with a powerful rush of arousal. Yet, Kelli McCabe wasn’t even in the vicinity. Nora reached for the espresso. Her hand shook slightly. If it was only attraction, if it was only awareness, the entire situation would be simpler, but there was tenderness. There was respect, and so much more.

I’m a big girl, Nora.
Kelli’s words echoed in her head, and Nora wondered if she had the ability to be a
big girl
too. When Nora was sure an eternity had passed, the office door opened. Kelli filled the room. Her gaze was steady, but her smile and her steps forward were hesitant. Nora felt a stab of guilt. With just a few words, she put distance between them, and Nora had no idea how to fix it. That was certainly a tragedy.

“Hey,” Kelli greeted her.

Nora returned the smile with one of her own. For right now, it would have to do.

Kelli’s grin reverted to her customary smirk. “I think they’re gonna regret serving that subpoena.”

It was good news, and she was grateful to hear it.

* * *

Nora was aware of Kelli’s attention on her as the elevator descended. It dinged loudly as they reached the parking garage.

“Ask me.” Nora had created this space between them with words, and she decided that she would try to fix it with them as well. Nora caught her gaze and waited.

For a few seconds, Kelli said nothing. “Ask you what?”

“You seem like you have a question.”

Kelli smirked lazily. “It should bug me that you know me like that, but it doesn’t. It’s all kinds of sexy.”

Nora faltered for a moment and enjoyed the warmth that infused her at the compliment. She was relieved. This was an improvement on their earlier interactions, but it wasn’t the same. She waited for more instead of responding right away.

“You didn’t want to stay? See how things with Rader went?”

“I pay this firm enough for them to handle it, and at this point, I’m certain that all this will work out,” Nora answered.

“Yeah, but it’s your career.”

“It is.” Nora hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “I think I would be more worried if you weren’t here.”

Kelli smiled as they got into the car.

Guitars and drums serenaded them from the stereo speakers as they left the parking garage. They passed an ambulance a block away. Its cacophonous wail drowned out the music.

Nora glanced at Kelli several times before her gaze stayed on her. The guilt she felt earlier reared its head. After stopping at a red light, Kelli turned to look at her.

“Ask me.”

Despite the heaviness around them, Nora smiled, but the momentary lightness she felt didn’t last. “It’s more of an observation. I hurt you with what I said.”

A muscle ticked in Kelli’s jaw. “Was it the truth?”

“Yes.”

“Then it had to be said.” Kelli paused. “I care about you, and that’s not going away. I sure as hell don’t wanna send you running in the other direction or go backwards. Even with what you said, I don’t think you do either. So, I guess we find a happy medium.”

That sounded…interesting. Intrigued by the prospect, Nora asked, “And that is?”

Kelli chuckled. “Don’t know, but if it ends up anything like Friday before my family interrupted us, I’m gonna enjoy the hell out of it.”

CHAPTER 18

Kelli’s yawn was wide enough to swallow her entire head. She brought the cup of coffee to her lips as she padded her way back to the bedroom.

The doorbell rang.

Kelli stared at the door. She hadn’t had good luck with visitors as of late. She sure as hell didn’t want to tempt fate. She definitely wouldn’t come out on top.

“I saw your car, and I know your ass isn’t asleep.”

Kelli rolled her eyes and smirked. She opened the door, and Williams grinned back at her.

“They have these things now called cell phones.” Kelli moved to the side to let him in.

“Cancer sticks, all of them.” He waved dismissively.

Kelli chuckled and walked back toward the kitchen. Glancing over her shoulder, she asked, “Coffee?”

He crinkled his nose. “I’ve tasted your coffee.”

Kelli opened the cabinet to get another mug. “My coffee has changed.” She nearly laughed at the understatement. Everything, including her coffee, had changed.