Page 98 of Between the Lines

She looks up at me, and a slow smile spreads across her face. “I know. But maybe I’ll give you a chance to.” She takes the glass of mimosa out of my hand. She takes a step back, and then another, while sipping it. The smile on her lips is teasing. “We’ve just begun to play, Hartman.”

CHAPTER 36

CHARLOTTE

LA is hot.

I’m compensating by lounging in my bikini on one of the large deck chairs by the infinity pool. I’ve gone swimming twice already. Now, I’m fascinated by a little lizard that has been braving the afternoon sun by darting out to drink the pool water, and I’ve watched him make the trek almost half a dozen times since lunch.

What would it be like to live here?

Not this house. I’m now familiar with that, and I know it’s most definitely temporary. I’m also trying very hard not to get too used to the fabulous water pressure, the large marble slabs in the kitchen, and the expensive art on the walls.

But to be in one place permanently. To have a garden, maybe. I’ve never planted anything in my life, but I’d like to try. To drive down to the ocean on the weekends. Maybe find a place to work out. I rarely do that during my assignments. That’s why running has become such a good form of exercise for me. But I used to love doing Pilates in college. And it has been years since I attended a class.

Maybe I could even make a few friends.Newfriends. Not friends for a season, but for years. Lifelong friends.

Find a farmers market to frequent every weekend, and have a garage that slowly accumulates a bunch of the junk that a life lived well inevitably seems to produce.

Sprout roots.

The lizard darts out again, and I watch his feet move at an inhumane speed to the water’s edge. I run a hand through my still-damp hair and push my laptop back into the shade.

I’ve got plenty of core chapters done for Aiden’s memoir, even though I had to craftily fill in the blanks on more occasions than I like. The books I bought on corporate fraud have helped with the more challenging passages. I’ve added some excerpts from the news articles, too, something I’m certain Aiden will want to cut out of the draft. But I will insist they should remain.

Now I’m tapping my pen against the notepad in front of me. Aiden had asked for pitches for my own book. Vera had, too, and she’s the one I actually need to impress.

Something from my conversation with Nora Stone over dinner stayed with me. She had said my story idea would make a good documentary series.

It was an unexpected vote of confidence. Maybe… maybe it will work. My idea. It’s the first time my work hasn’t centered on someone else’s life in years.

Fifteen minutes of fame.

The masses forget, but for the person who has experienced it, everything changes.

I scribble down a few notes.What happens when the camera goes away? Did they get any help with the sudden media attention?There are plenty of people who experienced momentary global notoriety that I could talk to. I’ve already compiled a short list.

I tap my pen against the paper.Do they keep getting recognized? Can they keep working their normal jobs?

The sound of an engine close by cuts through my thinking. I drop my pen and carefully rise. Shoving my feet into my slides, I circle the pool, heading toward the driveway.

Toward the voices I hear.

Aiden isn’t due home until late tonight. No cleaners are scheduled for today, either.Fuck.I’ve heard about these fancy houses getting robbed. And, I left my phone inside, charging.

I look around. There’s nothing, the place so painfully minimalistic. Aiden doesn’t just leave baseball bats lying around. No clutter. Just large lounge chairs and a grill that’s a centerpiece of an outdoor kitchen area finished in natural stone.

But on the patio table lies a large driftwood sculpture. It’s probably very expensive.

I grip it tight and hold it up like a club.

Voices get closer. I creep to the perimeter wall and slowly stick my head out. A man I don’t recognize walks up to the open car gate. He’s medium built, sandy-haired, and is wearing a white polo shirt.

But he had been talking to someone. He’s not alone.

I creep around the corner and take a careful step forward…

Aiden stands by a new silver car on the driveaway.

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