Provoked (19 page)

              “Detective, are you making house calls now?”

Lynette leaned her head against the door with a flirtatious smile. Riley moved to his left a few inches to allow Basia into Lynette’s view. The corners of her mouth dropped. 

              “Basia? What are you...what is Riley...?”

Lynette shook her head and opened the door further to allow her guests to enter her home. She began to close the door when Riley announced Kennedy had come too. Lynette turned to Kennedy’s hello. She then closed the door and stood with a surprised look on her face. 

              “So, is someone going to speak up as to why you’re all here?” Lynette then added, “Together?”

              Riley turned to Basia. Her expression told him she wanted to take the lead on this one. She turned her focus to Lynette. 

              “I’m going to cut to the chase here, Lynette. Why did you help Darek obtain thallium?”

              “What?” 

              Lynette’s jaw dropped. “What the hell are you talking about, Basia? What thallium?”

Lynette turned to Riley with a questionable look. 

              “Does this have to do with the poisoned dead woman that landed on my table?” 

She looked back and forth at Basia and Riley. “I didn’t know her, but you both seemed quite interested in her. Someone want to tell me why the hell you think I had something to do with this?” Lynette threw her arms in the air and sighed heavily. 

              Basia continued, “We traced a large sum of money deposited into an offshore account in your name. You met Darek at my parents’ funeral. He told me a friend of mine from college was his accomplice to get the thallium.” 

              “What on earth are you talking about Basia? I never conspired with Darek on anything! And I don’t have an offshore account or a large sum of money.” 

              “Who’s this, Lynette?” Riley interrupted. He’d picked up a framed picture. “Is this—” The front door opened and stopped him mid-sentence. The woman who entered allowed him to finish his sentence.

              “Dr. Richards?”

              “Someone planned a dinner party and didn’t inform me?”

Dr. Richards looked to Lynette for her answer.

              Lynette sarcastically snapped, “Not a dinner party, Nicky. They think I’m part of a murder conspiracy.”

              “What? You?” Dr. Richards laughed and then looked at Riley. 

              “Detective, it’s nice to see you again.” She then turned to Basia. “And Basia, it’s been awhile.”

Kennedy cleared his throat. Riley figured he had no idea who the woman was. Nicky turned in Kennedy’s direction. Riley made the introduction, “Detective Kennedy, meet Dr. Nicole Richards, or Nicky, her friends seem to call her.”

Riley leaned into Basia and whispered, “You know Dr. Richards?”

Basia kept her focus toward the doctor. “I haven’t seen her since college and for good reason.” 

              Those few words triggered a thought in Riley’s mind. His arm nudged Basia and took her focus to the framed picture he held. Her shocked look travelled to Lynette. 

              “You and Nicky? When did this happen?”

Lynette seemed uncomfortable. 

              “Last year. I didn’t say anything to you, Basia. I know you two aren’t the best of friends.” 

              Nicky interrupted, “She’s right, Basia. My love life is none of your business. Though you seem to enjoy first dibs on whom I want.” 

              Basia turned to Nicky. “Lynette and I had one drunken crazy night together in college. I didn’t know you had feelings for her. But you didn’t have to go sleep with my boyfriend.” 

              “I didn’t,” Nicky announced defensively and then added rather sarcastically.

“Yet what goes around comes around, darling. Darek was a nice piece of ass for payback.” 

              Kennedy cleared his throat. “Is there anyone in this room that hasn’t slept together?”

Riley laughed, “You and me but that will never happen.”

              Kennedy nodded in agreement with that remark. Riley set the framed picture back on the shelf and turned. He paced the floor. 

              “So, Basia, you slept with Lynette in college. Nicky and Lynette are now sleeping together, but Nicky slept with Darek last year? Do I have it right so far?”

              Lynette eagerly added, “And again this summer.” Then Lynette looked at Basia.

              “I didn’t know it was Darek. I knew she’d met up with a man on her European vacation, just before we moved in together, but she never told me it was your husband. Then she’d confessed this summer he visited and she’d cheated on me.” Lynette looked at Riley.

              “Sorry. You were payback. Didn’t think you’d mind. Everyone knows you only do one-night stands.” Lynette shrugged her shoulders and then smiled at Riley.

He chuckled and then Basia grabbed his arm. 

              “You slept with Lynette?”

              Her eyes travelled between the two. 

Riley nodded. “But it was before we met.” 

              Nicky walked over and stood in front of Basia and Riley. Her angered tone made the hair stand on his arms. 

              “You two are sleeping together? Seriously, Basia, why must you always have first pick? You selfish, spoiled, rich bitch!” 

Kennedy interrupted with humor and snickered, “Sounds like an episode of
The Young and The Restless
. I’m so glad I’m happily married and love my wife.” 

              Riley glared at Kennedy. He stopped laughing and then cleared his throat. Riley inched over to stand between Nicky and Basia.

              “Right now, I’d just like to know about your affair with Darek Bernard. I think you need to open up a little,
Doctor
.” He stressed her title. Riley dished a little of her own therapy back at her. Nicky laughed. 

              “Attempting a counseling session,
Detective
?” She stressed his title, as he’d done with hers. “That’s my job.”

              “It won’t be after I arrest you for conspiracy to commit murder.”

The corners of her mouth dropped and her smile disappeared. 

              Kennedy cuffed Nicky after her confession. He informed Riley he’d take her to Homicide for booking. Kennedy then suggested Riley take Basia home. Riley thanked him. 

              “I hope you strongly consider coming to my precinct tomorrow morning. I’m in need of a partner. One I know that has my back at all times.” 

              Kennedy smiled. “That’s what partners are for. See you in the morning.” 

Riley patted Kennedy on his arm. “Good to hear.” He then added, “Partner.” Riley turned to find Basia and Lynette in a hug. He walked toward them. 

              “I’d join in on a group hug but that might be awkward.” 

Lynette laughed. She stood back from Basia’s embrace. 

              “Not at all, Riley; I hope we can still be friends. I don’t have any feelings for you. You were simply payback for Nicky’s indiscretions. But I guess she wasn’t done with that either.” 

              Riley got that impression too. It appeared Dr. Richards had alternative therapy planned for him.

              “Of course, Lynette; who else would put up with me at the morgue?”

She laughed and then wrapped her arms around both Basia and Riley. 

              “It’s good to have friends you can trust.” 

Basia agreed and then genuinely asked Lynette if she was going to be okay. 

              “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Nicky was a mistake—a big one. I can’t believe she used me just to use my name and credentials to cover her own ass. And for what—an offshore bank account?”

              Lynette sighed heavily. Riley smiled. “Don’t worry, Lynette, the right man will come along.” 

              “Or woman,” Basia added. Her remark made them laugh. 

              “Well, at least we can laugh about this screwed up mess.” 

Riley shook his head. “Women confuse me; no wonder I like one-night stands.” 

              “Not anymore,” Basia replied with a grin. 

              Riley placed both hands on Basia’s face and moved in for the kiss he so desired. 

              “Okay, lovebirds. Get out of my house and take this to your own home.” 

Lynette gave them a gentle shove toward the front door. Riley’s eyes met those Mediterranean blues he loved. Now he could read them perfectly. 

              “I have scotch at my place.” He winked. 

                                                                                    ****

              Riley offered that drink when they arrived at his place. He helped her sit down on the sofa. Her body still trembled. She watched him pour the scotch. It took her memory back to the first night she’d met him at the bar. He had looked so lost and lonely. Her heart went out to him. Then she remembered her request for first-names-only. She laughed at the thought.

Riley handed her a glass. “What’s so funny?”

              “I was just remembered the first night we met. Our first scotch together. I believe I requested a first-name-only.”

              Riley laughed and cheered her glass.

              “I believe we both messed up on a planned one-night stand.”

              The liquid met her lips and warmed her. She began to feel relaxed. The nightmare had ended. She could now live in peace, knowing she had not killed anyone. She only wished it hadn’t taken the lives of her friends. She knew she would always wonder if she’d just divorced Darek, if this nightmare would have ever taken place. But then again, she wouldn’t have met Riley. She remembered her mother always told her everything happened for a reason. Basia knew she would have to live with the consequences that took place and the lives that were lost. She hoped at least she would never have to say goodbye to Riley.

              “And you are okay with that, Detective? Okay that we messed up the one-night stand?”

              “I’m more than okay with that, Lieutenant. As I said at the airport, you will never have to say goodbye unless you want to.”

              His eyes told her he meant what he said. She reached out to his hand and pulled him down beside her on the sofa.

              “That will never happen. You know, I am sorry to have tainted your sworn bachelorhood status,” she chuckled. He took their glasses and set them aside. He placed his hands gently against her face.

              “From now on, Basia; I’m only sworn to love you.”

His lips found their way to the only place they wanted to be—against hers. She reached for his pulse. Basia whispered through the kiss, “You do look great in jeans.”

              Riley’s lips left hers. “And you look great in my bed.”

              Basia raised an eyebrow. “Is that an offer, Detective?”

              He nodded. “A lifetime offer.”