ABSOLUTION (A Frank Renzi novel) (49 page)

“
There’s another sad case. She didn’t have much of a chance either, but at least her father stood by her. He dropped out of the movie, said he needed to help the lawyer prepare her defense.”

“
What are the charges?”

“
Attempted murder of a police officer, failure to stop for a police roadblock, a few others. I think Tim bamboozled her, like he did the other victims. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t charge her, but it’s not up to me.”

_____

When they got to his apartment, Frank felt nervous and edgy. He unlocked the door and led Dana into his living room. She looked around and went straight to his bookshelves. He set her suitcase on the rug and watched her study the photos of Maureen. He got the feeling Dana was nervous too, stalling for time.

At last, she turned and came to him, her lips forming a lopsided grin.

His cellphone chimed and Dana laughed. “Better yours than mine,” she said. “Go ahead and take the call. I’ll get us something to drink.”

“
Great idea,” he said, waving in the direction of his kitchen. “There’s beer in the refrigerator, or wine, if you’d prefer.”

He sank onto the couch, set his bum leg on the coffee table and answered his cellphone. And Rona Jefferson said, “How you doing, Frank? Sorry I didn’t call sooner, but I’ve been busy.”

“
I noticed. I’ve been reading your columns.”

“
What? Too edgy for you?”

“
Just keep my name out of them is all I ask.”

“
Not even a whisper, Frank. Not one.” Rona chuckled. “Just about killed me though, after Norris did his weasel act at the press conference. He wouldn’t even admit you were the one who cracked the case. ‘
Helpful
in apprehending the killer,’ the man said, words oozing out of his mouth like shit through a candy press.”

“
We stopped the killings, Rona. That’s the important thing.”

“
Folks are resting easier, for sure. Everybody, not just the women.” She paused and he waited for her to go off on the race thing, got a surprise when she said, “I called to thank you, Frank. Hadn’t been for you, I’d have been asleep in my bed when that bastard torched my house.”

He laughed aloud. “Where were you? I’ve been dying to know.”

“
Aunt Emma’s Bed and Breakfast,” she said, laughing along with him. “Not my aunt, someone else’s. Listen, I gotta go finish my column. You take care and keep in touch.”

He said he would and punched off. Dana returned from the kitchen with two bottles of Heineken, handed him one, and sat beside him on the couch. “One of your many fans?” she asked with a wry smile.

He burst out laughing. “Fan? No. But at this point I think we might be friends. That was Rona Jefferson, the columnist I told you about. Tim torched her house but she wasn’t home.”

“
Thank goodness for that.” Dana set her beer on the coffee table and turned to him, a clear look of invitation in her eyes.

His cellphone chimed.

“
Damn!” he said.

“
Nice to know you’re so popular.”

He checked the caller-ID. “Sorry. I’ve got to take this.”

“
No problem. I’m not going anywhere.”

He punched on and Maureen’s voice chirped, “Hi Dad. I’m on duty so I haven’t got much time, but I wanted to call and see how you’re doing.”

“
Doing great, Mo.” He glanced at Dana, who smiled. “I ditched my crutches yesterday.”

“
Daaaaaad! You have to give the muscles time to heal.”

“
Yeah, yeah,” he said, enjoying her concern. “I’m being careful.”

“
You better. I worry about you, Dad. How much time off did they give you?”

“
Three weeks medical leave. Nowhere near enough.” He winked at Dana, and she grinned, eyes crinkling at the corners.

“
I agree,” Maureen said. “You should take six weeks at least.”

“
Six weeks,” he echoed, and watched Dana’s grin broaden. “Well, I’ll ask, but I doubt they’ll give it to me.”

He heard Maureen’s beeper go off.

“
Sorry Dad, gotta go. Call you tomorrow, okay?”

He powered off his cellphone and put it on the coffee table. “If it rings again, I’m not answering.”

He pulled Dana closer and brushed her lips with a kiss. Without a word, she climbed into his lap and he kissed her again, deeply this time, holding her face with his hands, enjoying the sweet pliancy of her lips.

After a while she pulled away and murmured, “I missed you.”

“
Not half as much as I missed you.”

“
This long-distance thing will be a challenge.”

His heart thrummed in his chest. “We can handle it.”

She gazed at him, her sable-brown eyes intent on his. He waited for what seemed like an eternity, willing her to agree. At last, she smiled and her eyes were warm and liquid brown. He loved her eyes.

With a decisive nod she said, “Yes, Frank, I think we can.”