The Common Thread (18 page)

“I’ve heard of it,” he said, raising his eyebrow at the mention of the pricey restaurant. “Good?”

Nic thought about the poor service and the unremarkable main course. “Actually, just okay. But maybe I was just tired. I worked all day, hopped in my car and drove two hours, then was stuck in traffic. By the time we ate last night I’d have been happy with a McDonald’s cheeseburger.”

The detective laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with Mickey D’s.”

Never having been permitted to eat fast food during her formative years, Nic had developed an addiction to McDonald’s when she lived away at college. Although she’d learned to control her cravings, they were ever-present. At times of stress, a fry dipped in a coating of milkshake could be quite a comfort. “There certainly isn’t. But I was expecting something a little different.”

“My daughter goes to college in Wilkes-Barre.”

Nic smiled at the sudden change of topic. What was he up to? Was he trying to trick her? Was the mention of her hometown meant to throw her off balance? “Oh, really? Which school?”

“Misericordia.”

“Oh, that’s a great school. It’s actually in Dallas, though.” She looked at him suspiciously. “You know that though, don’t you?”

He shrugged in response.

“Was that a test, Detective?” She was irked that she’d walked right into the trap he’d set and never even saw it coming. She’d been suspicious, and he’d still pulled that one, yet she felt a small measure of comfort that she had nothing to hide.

“Maybe.”

She took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. Why not challenge him? It would pass the time, anyway. “Okay, then test away. The sooner you believe me, the sooner I’ll be out of here.”

Instead of asking, he told her about the mountains, about the house he and his wife had built next to a stream stocked with an ample supply of trout. Nic, in turn, told him her own fish tales. She’d spent much of her childhood on the lake, and one of her father’s favorite pastimes was fishing.

“Do you really think fish lower your cholesterol?”

“That’s what they say. Probably better to take fish-oil tablets, though. Too many contaminants in real fish.”

“Tell me about cholesterol. Mine’s too high.”

“What does this look like? A free medical clinic?” Nic hated when people asked for medical advice. Why did they have doctors if they didn’t talk to them?

“No, just making conversation. Since you
exercised
your right to call a lawyer, I can’t talk to you about the case. So I’m just keeping you company, making conversation.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t know much about cholesterol. I just manage the aftereffects—heart attacks and strokes.”

“I’ve already outlived both my parents. They didn’t reach fifty.”

Nic shook her head, frowning. “Choosing the right parents is very important, Detective.”

“How do you do that?”

She slapped her hand to the table to emphasize her point. “Exactly! It’s all luck. If you get the right parents, you’ve got it made. You inherit good looks, good health, and a good fortune.”

It didn’t hurt to be adopted by the right ones, either. Nic had the fortune, she didn’t scare small children when she looked their way, and she was fairly intelligent. She could have used another inch or two on the yardstick, but other than that, she’d been blessed. The health risks coded into her DNA, though, were a big concern. All she knew about her biological mother was that she’d been a healthy college student. She knew nothing of her grandparents, and her biological father was a complete mystery as well. She’d had DNA testing, but the information it gave was limited and its meaning subject to interpretation.

He laughed and shook his head. “You aren’t Katie Finan, are you?”

Nic blew him a kiss with both hands. “No! I’m not.” Relief washed over her, and she realized how, under duress, she’d forgotten all the rules her parents had taught her. She’d lost her temper and used foul language. And she really didn’t care.

For the first time since he’d entered the room, the detective smiled. “Well, Doctor, as soon as your lawyer gets here or you can show me an ID, I’ll let you get outta here. And I’m sorry about this misunderstanding.” He shook his head and reached into the file sitting before him on the table. After retrieving a picture from the inside cover, he handed it to her. “But you have to forgive us. There is a strong resemblance between you and Ms. Finan.”

“Whoa!” Nic sucked in a breath of surprise as she studied the photo. The woman staring back at her was younger, with hair dyed a curious shade of pink, a large ring violating her nose, and a hardened look in her eyes that suggested to Nic that her life wasn’t an easy one. But beneath all that were the green eyes that seemed familiar, the long nose, the high cheekbones, and the heart-shaped face that Nic had seen in the mirror a million times. “Yeah, you’re right, Detective. She could be my twin.”

He shook his head and frowned. “Be thankful this girl’s not related,” he said. “She’s been in trouble her whole life, and now it seems the saga continues.”

“What’d she do?”

“We’re looking at her for murder. She shot the boyfriend while her two kids were asleep in the next room. Then she fled the scene so they could find his bloody body.”

“How awful,” Nic replied, before she fell into a stunned silence, staring at the photo and marveling at the resemblance.

A loud knock interrupted their conversation, and before either of them could respond the door opened and Rachael Rhodes walked through. Nic sucked in a breath and was grateful she was sitting, for the sight sent her head spinning. This was not the woman she’d met the night before.

The black hair that had been spiked was now worn down, falling softly across her forehead and framing her oval face. Her dark, almond-shaped eyes were sparkling with intensity. She wore a black suit tailored to hug her trim, lean body, with a pale-blue silk T-shirt beneath. The look of concern on her face was the only unattractive thing about her. She was absolutely stunning.

What the hell? Where had that reaction come from? The evening before, Nic couldn’t think of a single thing she liked about Rae. Now, she was practically undressing her with her eyes. Shaking her head, she told herself she was just relieved to have Rae here. Not the woman, but the lawyer who’d hopefully put an end to this mess. But she suddenly forgot what it was about Rae that had irritated her so much. She couldn’t, however, forget the rude way she’d treated her. Nic owed Rae an apology.

“Hey, are you okay?” Rae quickly asked, her eyes burrowing into Nicole’s, their intensity once again a shock. As soon as Nic nodded, Rae handed her the much-needed wallet, which Nic accepted with relief. Although she’d always known this encounter with the police was a case of mistaken identity, she was still relieved to have it drawing to a close.

Rae patted Nic’s back reassuringly as she walked to an empty place at the table. Placing her briefcase deliberately, as if it were a priceless piece of art rather than a sturdy bag of leather, she looked at the detective. “Do I need to open this? Or are we good here?”

“That depends on what her ID says.”

Nic looked up, her driver’s license in hand, and noticed the change in the detective’s posture. He wore a hard, aggressive look once again, sitting erect, hands on the table and fingers flexing as if preparing to attack. He’d been relaxed, talking to her about McDonald’s, and fishing, and College Misericordia, and now the two were facing off, ready to head into battle. Rae was a wall of steel, standing erect, unwavering, not intimidated by her surroundings and the man who danced in the opposite corner, awaiting the opening bell.

Nic suppressed a smile of amusement at their posturing. Such big egos at stake, she realized. But she was truly flattered that Rae would come to her rescue and felt a twinge of pride and some unfamiliar element fill her chest. She didn’t question what it was. She also felt the need to step between them before one of the boxers drew blood.

She smiled at Rae and winked, silently telling her to stand down. Handing the ID across the table, she held Rae’s gaze for a second and felt an explosion of heat in her belly. That annoying neighbor was suddenly sexy as hell as she played the role of lawyer.

Her thoughts interrupted by the detective’s voice, Nic broke the eye contact and turned slightly to face him. “Well, are you satisfied?” she asked.

“I am, Dr. Coussart. Let me just make a copy of this and type up a statement for you to sign, and you can go.”

“Can you make it snappy? I have to shower.” Nic winced at her tone, not just because he had the power to hold her longer if he chose, but because she’d enjoyed their conversation. He’d actually been quite professional, even friendly toward her. And, in the end, he was only doing his job. Lord knows how often she was yelled at in the ER by irate patients and family members taking their frustrations out on her. Nic could empathize with the detective, yet she was behaving just as her patients often did. Shamefully. She tried belatedly to soften her remarks. “Please? This is an important event for me, and I don’t want to be late.”

He nodded slightly, accepting her unspoken apology. “I’ll just be a few minutes.”

“Thank you, Detective.” Rae answered for them both and watched as the door opened and closed behind him. She finally sat down.

“So, what’s new?” she asked, her expression blank but her dark eyes twinkling.

Laughing, Nic shook her head. “This is so bizarre.” She quickly filled Rae in on the few details she knew about her involuntary trip to the police station.

“I heard about the shooting on the news,” Rae said. “And I saw the girl’s picture on the television. I didn’t notice a resemblance. She had freaky pink hair.”

Nic realized that aged photo must have been the only one the police had. “He showed me her mug shot, and aside from the hair, I do think there is one.”

“Still, why would they bring in a jogger for questioning? Would you murder your boyfriend and then go for a jog along the Schuylkill?”

Nic couldn’t help teasing Rae. She was so serious this morning. “I don’t have boyfriends, remember?”

Rae blushed, a shade of pink that suddenly spread from the dark bangs covering her forehead all the way to her long, graceful neck.

“What? Shy now, are you?” The woman she’d met last night wasn’t, and the one who’d walked into the room a few minutes earlier wasn’t either.

“I don’t know why, Nicole, but I like you.” Rae leaned back into the stiff metal chair and crossed her arms.

Her remarks reminded Nicole of the less-than-delightful evening they’d spent together just a few hours before, erasing the playful mood Rae’s teasing had created. “Well, I’ll be happy to put this behind me. Thank you for coming so quickly.”

“You’re welcome.”

Rae said it so quickly, Nic suspected it was an automatic reply. She wanted Rae to know she was sincere. “No, really, I appreciate it.”

Rae met her eyes, and their coolness startled Nic. “I didn’t come for you, Nic. I did it for Louis. He cares about you, and I care about him.”

Nic nodded, understanding. She deserved the slap. And Rae deserved an apology. “I’m sorry I was such a bitch last night. There are many reasons I behaved the way I did, but there’s no excuse.”

Rae seemed to weigh Nic’s words, deciding if she should accept the apology. After a moment, she said, “It’s okay. No problem.”

“Is there anything I can do to thank you for coming down here? Oh, you can bill me, you know.”

“Not necessary.”

“Free medical advice? Anything you want to know about? High blood pressure? Diabetes? Anything?” Nic couldn’t believe she was stooping to this level, but something was pushing her to set things right with Rae.

Rae cocked her head and smiled, and the whole room seemed brighter. “You could have dinner with me.”

Nic bit her lip and stifled a gasp. She’d planned on dinner with her godmother. But couldn’t she take Rae along? Jeannie would most probably bring her partner. The idea of dinner with the stunning lawyer suddenly wasn’t as repulsive as she would have previously thought, and she suspected this time would be much better than the last. It couldn’t be worse! Jeannie wouldn’t mind. Unlike Nic, she was the ultimate people-person.

Nic explained the situation, and Rae tried to back out when she heard about Nic’s plans. “I don’t want to intrude. Maybe another time.”

Nic shook her head. Did she have to beg? She tried to keep her tone light, teasing, hoping to conceal her desire, for suddenly she was filled with an anxious anticipation that Rae would agree to the dinner plans. “Listen, hotshot. I’m in town for like fifty more hours. My apartment is on the market, and when it sells, you’ll never see me again. If you want that date you were casing me for last night, let’s get a move on. The clock’s ticking.”

Rae didn’t have a chance to answer before Detective Young reappeared. He carried the large case-file folder tucked against the stain of his armpit and, in the other hand, a piece of plain white paper. “Here’s your license,” he said as he handed it to her. “And a statement. If you agree with it, sign it. You can cross out anything you don’t like and add anything you want at the bottom.”

Nic quickly read the synopsis of the morning’s events, debated adding a few comments, and decided in the end it wasn’t worth it. She was free, and she was going to put this morning behind her and get on with her day, and her life. She signed the paper on the indicated line and pushed it across the table to him.

She rose to her feet and smiled. “I wish I could say it’s been a pleasure, Detective.”

Dr. Jeannie Bennett’s gaze followed the line of cars down Broad Street as she slid open the balcony door and stepped outside. The previous day’s rain had moved on, and a hint of sun brightened the cloud-filled sky. Aircraft on approach to Philadelphia International Airport fell into formation, following the Delaware River, and she watched as they dropped below the clouds and flew over Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field, the respective homes of the Phillies and Eagles. Below her, twenty stories down, the street was already crowded with cars and pedestrians hurrying to catch the early morning trains that ran directly below her building.