Quarles nodded. “It’s a pleasure.” They shook hands and then Quarles excused himself.
Motioning for her to sit down, Brit dropped into his own chair. He sought the right words, but none came. “I’m sorry.” Guilt fluttered in his chest like a trapped bird. “I’ve been a piece of shit. I thought about you. I picked up the phone to call you a dozen times.”
“But you didn’t know what to say.” She leaned forward. “It’s okay. Really.” She found a paperclip on his desk and started twisting it. “I should’ve come here earlier, but I was hurting so much that I didn’t think I could handle seeing your pain.”
A deep gush of air left Brit’s lungs. “I miss him.”
She smiled and twisted the clip, “I accused Keith once a week of having an affair with you. You two acted more like a married couple than Keith and I.”
Brit chuckled, but his eyes stung with emotion. “He was a hell of a guy.”
“I know. But Keith would be furious if either of us didn’t pick ourselves up by our bootstraps. Remember him saying, ‘Whine and I’ll whack you?’”
Brit stared at the ceiling until his emotions got under control. “If I could just catch the bastard, Laura.”
“I want that, too. But it isn’t going to bring Keith back. Even if we never know, we still have to move on.” She dropped the mangled paperclip on his desk.
“I’m trying.” Brit thought about Cali. “How are you?”
A touch of courage filled her eyes. “It will take a while, but I’ll be okay. I have a son to take care of.”
She stood, and Brit followed suit. She stepped around the desk and hugged him. When she backed up, Brit saw something in Laura, a sweetness, a gentle quality that reminded him of Cali. For the first time, he understood what drove Keith home every night. Laura had been Keith’s magic, just like Cali was his.
“How’s Keith Junior?” It was amazing how seeing Laura had brought something akin to relief.
“He’s great. He’s into climbing now. Yesterday, I found him on top of the refrigerator eating the cookies I’d hidden up there. He’s with my mother now, so I’d better get back.”
Brit smiled. “I’ll walk you to your car.” As they walked out, Brit thought he heard his cell phone. Whoever it was would leave a message.
~
“Ready? We need to get to Garland.” Quarles popped his head into Brit’s office as soon as he returned.
“Yeah.” Brit picked up his cell phone. “Give me a sec. I missed a call from Cali.” He punched in the number. The line rang once and then clicked over to her message machine. He glanced at the time. During class hours, the answering machine automatically picked up.
He left a message, apologizing for missing her call. Then just to assure himself, he found the cell number of Garcia, the security guard.
Brit had spent time this morning with the man, cautioning him about Humphrey and convincing himself that the man would be able to protect Cali. Something about making love to her had made her more his responsibility. Or maybe just plain “his.” While it sounded caveman-like, Brit had wanted to toss her over his shoulder, thump his chest and scream out to the world that Cali McKay was his woman.
Garcia picked up. “Hey.” Brit told him about the call.
“I haven’t seen a thing,” the man assured him.
“Do me a favor,” Brit said. “Walk to her class, peek in, and tell me she’s in her room.”
“You got it bad for this girl, don’t you?” Garcia chuckled. “Not that I blame you. If I was younger, I’d be chasing you off with a big stick.”
“Yeah, I’ve got it bad.” Brit glanced up at Quarles, who looked at the clock and walked out. “You on your way now?” Brit asked Garcia as he started to the door.
They made it to Brit’s car before Garcia spoke again. “I’m looking at her now.
She’s talking to a student, Sara something. I heard her mom had cancer. Just like Cali to care. You want to talk to her?”
“No,” Brit said. “But when class changes, pop in and tell her I called to check on her.”
“She’d probably prefer flowers to an old security guard checking in.”
Brit smiled. “You’re right. I’ll have some sent over, too. Thanks.”
He followed Quarles to his car and decided to let him drive. After hanging up, Brit called Directory Assistance and got a number for a florist and had a dozen red roses sent to Cali at Height’s High School. On the card he had them write, “Just thinking of you.”
“Do you know what red roses mean?” Quarles asked, driving toward the hospital.
“Butt out,” Brit said and started humming again.
~
Trooper Garland lay in the ICU, only a shade darker than the white sheets.
Garland opened his eyes. A heart monitor sat on a shelf above him, beeping as if marking time. “You the homicide detectives?” the trooper managed to ask, and he moistened his cracked lips with the edge of his tongue.
Brit stepped forward. “Yeah, Brit Lowell and John Quarles.”