NIP 20

“HA!” My laughter thrusts me forward onto his beautiful and rare Blanco Romano granite countertop. Brad’s elbows join mine on his counter. We gasp for air. We are in stitches. “That feels good.”

“Laughing?” His hazel eyes are so kind. I never notice how they have a gold ring in the center.

“Yeah. I probably shouldn’t be. Huh?” I hang my head.

“You should be Sari. You need to be.” Brad rests his hand on the small of my back. I arch my back into the weight of his hand. I can feel every golf ball sized knot. Ahhh…

“I need a hot shower.” I moan.

“Follow me.” In one motion Brad sets his drink down and meanders towards a dark hallway. I do as I am told and blindly follow.

I trail Brad threw his ‘hidden staircase.’ The 2 story staircase is narrow and ornate. The steps squeak and the railing wobbles. I wonder if we are going to come out of a book shelf into a 1920’s study. Sherlock Holmes smoking a cigar and all. Oh so fitting for a detective.

We don’t. Instead we enter a lavish hallway filled with fresh flowers and breathtaking paintings. This place is unreal.

“An art collector as well.?.” I say this under my breath a little louder than expected.

“Yup.” He responds nonchalantly. “What? Don’t look so surprised. Didn’t we just have this same conversation in the kitchen.”

“We did.” I nod. “How is it possible I knew nothing about you? Why didn’t you ever mention any of this?”

“We talk shop over drinks. It’s standard.” He shrugs. Right, I think, shop talk…police work, investigating, the murders of Ainslie and Aunt Clara. Remembering why I am in Brad’s gorgeous house literally knocks the wind out of me.

He pushes open the bathroom door. It is heavenly. I sigh in relief. A chance to relax.

“Thank you Brad.” I softly say with immense gratitude. “Thank you so much for your hospitality and your faith in me today.”

“Sari…just enjoy the next few minutes in peace.” Brad’s eyes are so kind that a sense of peace does overcome me.

Brad leaves me on my own and I eagerly step into his steamy shower. The heat of the water beating down on my shoulders instantly loosens my tense muscles. I roll my neck with an ‘ahhh.’ I stand completely still repeatedly inhaling and exhaling. Relax. Meditate. I sense of rejuvenation tingles through my bones. I will have enough strength to continue on my quest for the truth. And with Brad by my side I am confident I will uncover just what I am looking for.

I position myself so the water pelts my lower back. I groan in release. I am actually relaxed. I successfully shutdown my brain.

**************************************************************************

“How ya feelin’?” asks Brad as I enter his snug living room. He has comfortably taken up residence on his cushy, crème colored couch in front of the warmth of his fireplace.

“Wonderful.” I glow. The crackling fireplace draws me in. Brad’s soft, chenille, white robe is draped around me. I crawl towards the flames. “This is divine.”

“Good work. I’m happy you are relaxed.” Brad joins me on his brown shag rug in front of his built out brick fireplace. He compassionately hands me a glass of red wine.

“I am so loose. Like a noodle.” I hazily concur as I take a sip of wine. “Again thank…”

“No more thanks. This is what friends are for.” He raises his glass for a toast. “Moving forward.”

“Moving forward.” I muttered. I have another sip and pause deliberately. I tap my finger on my glass as I silently work on the proper sentence. “Brad, I want to go to Aunt Clara’s house and peek around. Can you come with me or is that a conflict of interest?”

“No conflict.” He smirks. “Yours truly is suspended.”

“What!” My eyes widen in shock. “But why?”

“Well, running around town with you and letting you go on the air is not exactly protocol. So Hughes gave me the temporary axe.”

“Oh god. I am so sorry…”

“No apologies necessaries. Hughes is set to retire in a few weeks. He needs this investigation to run smooth and quickly. He wants to take his pension and run. I am incidental. I annoyed him.”

“Politics.” I sigh and click my tongue. “I get it. Well I have a key to Aunt Clara’s. house.”

“Why do you want to go there?” The sincerity in Brad’s voice is magnified by the glow cast on his rustic yet boyish face from the light of fire.

“I need to find out what she knew. She was obviously hiding my biological father from me and the true cause of my parent’s death. I need to know why and if there is anything else.” I hold the gaze of his eyes for a moment too long. “No more surprises.”

“I understand. I do. But you are in danger. Maybe this can wait until…”

“It can’t!” I forcefully sit straight up. “My DNA is filled with the worst kind of evil. What if it’s in me? What if…”

“Sari, no!” Brad jumps on his knees and approaches me. He wraps his arms around me and holds me still. My heart rate decreases. “You are nothing like Ed Hayes. You are the most loving, caring, kindhearted, adorable, funny and smart woman I know. I mean this. You did not get Ed Hayes’ homicidal gene. I promise you.”

“How can you be so sure?” I whimper into his shoulder.

“Because your eyes are the window to your soul.” He whispers in my ear. I gasp in involuntary belief in what he has said. I follow the instructions of my heart.

I slowly pull back from Brad’s embrace. I lift my face to his. I take in every color of his hazel eyes. I stare deep into his soul. I take his face in my hands. He blinks once and I watch as his pupils dilate. I lean in closer…still slowly...to savor every single second of this moment. I lay my lips on his. Our eyelashes touch as we blink together. His hands dig into my back as he pulls me into him. His kiss is sweet and profound. I throw my arms around his neck and cling to him to illustrate my fervor. His hands drift to my waist. He pushes back. I swallow flabbergasted and slightly embarrassed.

“Sari, you are amazing. Are you sure?” His question is intense but his eyes do not blink.

“Yes.” My answer is truthful. My eyes do not blink. I fall back into him. He catches me. Each kiss is more passionate than the one before. Our bodies get closer as our hands explore each other. Our hearts beat are now in unison.

“Bad boys bad boys whatcha gonna do when they come for you…”

“Is that your phone?” I giggle. Our lips still touching.

“Yeah. It’s the precinct. I better get it.” He darts over to answer his phone. A delicious shiver works its way through me as we let go of our embrace.

“Detective Callahan.” His tone is commanding and professional. “Oh shit. Do you know anything else?? Alright. Keep me in the loop. Thanks man.”

“What is it?” I can hardly breathe.

“Marcy Dothery was found dead.” He presses his lips together in contemplation.

“Mark’s assistant. Oh my god.” I deflate and with my head in my hands I fall into the rug.