a woman never knows when to say it.
– Helen Rowland
Home Alone
I've been taking a brief sabbatical from culture wars based on the threat assessment conducted by my detectives and since they're also responsible for my personal security, I should really heed their advice.
They have more insight into this matter than I do because the attacks have diminished since I've been staying clear of Washington. The only problem is that's where my job is and there's only so much I can do working remotely from home.
But that was the point of the attacks to begin with―to get me out of the way and now that my attackers have succeeded, they're lying low, but the threat is by no means over.
And I'm getting antsy cooling my heels, impatient for this nightmare to be done.
It's the second day I haven't heard from Carly and it exacerbates things, making me irritable and testy as well.
It seems incredibly ironic that Carly thinks my women problems stem from being a player―but nothing could be further from the truth.
Fact is, when it comes to women I struggle with rejection issues and that's why I never know where I stand.
Last thing I need right now when I'm isolated from work and vulnerable from ending my romantic relationship with Anna, is for Carly to ghost me.
Maybe 'ghosting' is too strong a term. She might have a good reason for her absence, but the lack of communication is killing me. I need to hear from her soon or I'll go into a tailspin and do something rash.
And the problem is, that could get me killed.
I want so badly to go for a jog, but that nearly proved fatal last time. I decide to pass on that idea but I’m itching to at least get out of the house, but am afraid to even drive to get takeout at Tim Hortons.
Arghh! I have no idea what to do, so I end up back on the couch, staring out the window.
At least it’s not raining, but that doesn’t cheer me up because I’m wasting a beautiful sunny day doing nothing.
The antique doorbell make a soft burring sound and even that startles me. My nerves are definitely raw.
I open the door to Carly waiting with Tim Hortons takeout and a big smile on her face.
“Did you miss me?”
I crush her in a bear hug.
“Guess you did,” she smirks, “but don’t make me spill the coffee. I haven’t had a good cup of Joe in two days.”
“Where have you been? I was worried about you.”
She puts two fingers on my lips to silence me. “Give us a minute to scan for bugs and then we’ll talk.”
I nod and she waveds in two technicians who were waiting in a dark van and they quickly get to work and scan the premises.
Within minutes they give an all clear sign and pack up their gear and are gone.
As soon as we're alone she crushes my lips with a hard kiss that leaves me breathless.
“We were running clues on your sniper and found out we had a mole inside the department. That’s why I had to maintain radio silence until we identified him. We also had to make sure your house wasn’t bugged or your cell compromised. But everything checks out.”
“Good to know, I guess, but sorry to hear you have a leaker.”
“There’s nothing cops despise more, but he’s being processed now and maybe he might sing and give up the names of whoever hired him.”
“This is incredible,” I hiss, “you hardly know who to trust.”
She shrugs, “It happens, but on the plus side, we got your sniper. But again, he was hired on the dark web and paid in crypto like we figured, so he knows nothing. But we’re still following breadcrumbs that could lead back to whoever hired him.”
“I’m so glad you’re here. I knew there must have been a good reason why I didn’t hear from you.”
She looks at me sadly, “I know how you feel—I felt the same way. I may not have been able to talk to you every day but it didn’t stop me from talking about you. Ask poor Tom—I exhausted him so much he’s gone home to sleep for the day.”
“Can you stay here for the day?”
She smiles. “I booked off the time as soon as we got back to headquarters. There was no way it would be business as usual. I needed to be here with you and cuddle close when it rains.”
“It has rained a lot lately, hasn’t it?”
“We like being in storms,” she laughs, “it suits our temperaments and there's rain forecasted for tonight, so we're back in our element.”
I found myself longing not just for rain, but for her and the beauty of storms that makes us cling to each other.