Page 24 of A Hidden Past

“Well, she was a very attractive girl,” Clara said. “And she knew it. And she loved the way the boys looked at her. She was always wearing clothing to attract their attention, and when boys would be over to the house, she would ‘accidentally’ get caught naked.”

“Clara!” Julian barked. “For God’s sake! You’re talking about this now?”

“I’m just saying! If that boy hurt her, then we need to know!”

“How could he have hurt her? He wasn’t even here!”

Lena's training kept her from reacting to that. Neither parent looked at her, waiting for her to contradict them.

They would have to be told eventually. That wasn't information Lena could expect to keep for long. But she decided to keep it now. All three of them—Kensingtons and Pool Boy—were hiding something. She wanted more time to find out what before she started putting on the heat.

Harris returned to the room. “Alibi checks out,” he said. “Barry Feingold is sending pictures that can prove they were there.”

Lena nodded. She stood and said, “Thank you for your time. We may call with further questions, but for now, I encourage you to focus on final arrangements for Lila and let us do our job.”

Clara sniffled. “Thank you, Detective.”

Julian nodded and offered a perfect facsimile of a half-smile. “Thank you.”

As soon as Lena and Harris were in Lena’s car, Harris asked. “Do you believe them?”

“Not for a second. But… I don’t know if that means they’re the killers, or if they just don’t want Julian’s political career ruined by scandal.”

“I mean, it’s going to look bad no matter what.”

“Yes,” Lena agreed. “But some things look worse.”

“Like what?”

“Hell if I know. But we’re going to find out.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I can’t remember the last time I smiled. Like, really smiled. Obviously, I can move the corners of my mouth up, but I can’t remember the last time an actually joyful smile came to my face for no reason.

Well, not no reason. Obviously, there's a reason.

I leave that reason's house at one in the morning. She and I spend the entire time, from when she walks into the shower to right before I leave naked.

I’m not an idiot. I know I’m not in love. I just had very satisfying sex with a very beautiful woman. Even though I’m young, I’m smart enough to know that’s all it is. I’m also smart enough to know that whatever is between us is temporary. She’s twenty years older than me, and I’m only going to have this job long enough to get out of my current living situation. Realistically, she and I can enjoy each other for the summer. Then we have to move on.

But last night was a good night. A truly good night, unmarred by memories of death, fears for the future or hatred for the present. Good enough that when I get home and my mother gives me shit about being late, I don’t feel any anger. She can’t touch me right now, and that’s a beautiful feeling.

I fall asleep, and my dreams are filled with Vivian. Her soft skin, her cool lips, her warm body, her eyes, her smile, everything. I might not be in love, but whatever I’m feeling has to be the next best thing.

It’s not even just the sex that’s so wonderful. She seems to actually care about me. Obviously, she knows as well as I do that this is just temporary, and both of us are going to have to move on to our real lives when this is over, but she still truly cares about me. Honestly, the moments we spend lying in bed together and talking are just as good as the moments we spend… um, not talking.

When I leave, I stammer around the question of if I can see her again. She lets me make an idiot of myself for a few seconds, then kisses me just under my ear and whispers that I should come see her tomorrow night.

Needless to say, I am up bright and early the next morning. The heatwave peaks today, one hundred twenty-one degrees, but I bring a change of clothes to take to Vivian’s, and if showering at her place is going to be as exciting every day, then I don’t mind the heat.

I reach Autumn Downs, and Danny looks me up and down. “What’s got into you? Your mom buy you a puppy or something?”

“Something, my man,” I reply. “Definitely something.”

He gives me a knowing look, then says, “Ah-ha. What’s something’s name?”

I’m so happy right now that I don’t even care that he’s being nosy. “Sorry, man. Can’t kiss and tell, right?”

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