Page 12 of Very Special Forces

"I'mglad we ran into you," said Jas softly. "Have you had a chance tothink?"

I cast aquick glance to Julia. "Still thinking," I replied just as softly.I hadn't had much of a chance to observe Julia during the classsince it was loud, fast-paced, hard work, and some of it we spentupside-down, or at least, tried to. What I did notice was Juliaseemed to be having fun, the look of concentration on her faceinterspersed with high-fives, laughter, and some light-heartedmoaning about screaming muscles. Nothing about her persona said shewas in trouble, afraid of anyone or anything. She didn't appear tobe bruised or injured in any way either. Her workout clothes werenice and neat, definitely not of the stripper variety but a smartpair of hotpants in a thick, stretchy fabric and a sleeveless tank.Her hair was just long enough that she needed to wear a headband topush it back although several strands had escaped to frame herpretty, makeup-free face. Yet, every so often I caught her with ablank expression, like she was deep in thought.

Now Ihad the opportunity to assess her again. Flushed cheeks after theclass, a towel slung around her neck and happily sipping on herunicorn smoothie while talking to Lily about cocktails. Thedecision of whether they should have tapas dishes spread acrosstables or waiters circulating with canapes was yet to be made, andwhat did Lily think of the idea of bringing in their own DJ sincethey had already booked him and Bryce "just loved his style!"? Shelooked happy, animated, and entirely carefree.

So, whywas I concerned about those blank moments?

"Sheisn't always like this," said Jas softly. "He's been away on abusiness trip for two days. She'll make decisions and then he'llconvince her to change them. She wanted a small wedding, he wantstwo hundred guests. She wanted wildflowers in her bouquet, nowshe's getting red roses. She's right that he wants Lily's bar forthe party but whatever decision she makes about the decor or thefood won't meet with his approval."

"That'snot exactly indicative of something wrong," I pointed out. "Lots ofcouples like different things and later compromise."

"I knowbut do all the compromises have to go his way?"

"Let methink about it some more."

"Whatare you two talking about?" asked Lily. "You lookserious."

"Justsome work stuff I thought Jas could help with," I saiddismissively, knowing I had to change the topic quickly before Lilyor Julia asked exactly what it was. "Not nearly as interesting aswhat you're talking about. Is it settled? Are you having the partyat Lily's?"

"Yes!"beamed Julia. "I texted Bryce right after class finished and hejust texted back to say 'Book it!', and we have. I am so excited!I'm going to tell all our guests tonight that there's a change invenue and the party is going ahead after all."

"That'sterrific news."

"Drinkyour smoothie," said Lily. She reached across the table and nudgedit towards me. "Don't worry, you won't turn green."

"I hopenot," I said, staring at it. Something about it triggered somethingin my mind, I thought I couldn't quite grasp. What was it? Iglanced at Jas then Julia. Nothing about them. Something earliertoday.

That was it!Faye Wendell!In a sudden burst of mental clarity, I knew thatall the clues had been there. I just hadn't connected them untilnow.

"Excuseme, I have to make a phone call," I said, wincing in pain as Istood and grabbed my cell phone from my jacket pocket. "I'll beright back."

Ihurried outside through the rear exit that led to a small areawhere outdoor boot camps were held. Fortunately, no one was outthere. I dialed Faye's number and she answered. I asked her thequestion that suddenly popped into my head and after a long pause,she confirmed my suspicions.

"I'llset up a meeting," I said. "Please don't worry about athing."

After Ihung up, I went back inside but instead of our full table, onlyLily remained. "Where did everyone go?" I asked.

"Juliawanted to get started on the last-minute preparations for the partyand your friend said she had to head home and would catch up withyou soon. How do you know each other anyway? I'm not sure I believeyou when you said you were talking about work."

"We weretalking about work. Jas came to see me earlier about acase."

"Really?Why didn't she say anything? Is it super confidential?" Lilyasked.

"All mycases are confidential."

Lilyleaned her elbow on the table and propped her chin in her hand. Shetook a long suck on the straw in her smoothie andwaited.

"I can'ttell you!"

Lilyshrugged one shoulder. "I can wait."

"Ireally can't! I don't even know if I'm going to take the case." Whywould I? There didn't appear to be anything there except thatniggling feeling about Jas's concerns and those moments whenJulia's face had been so devoid of anything.

"Julianever mentioned it. Oh, is it because she doesn't know? It must bevery important then to not tell your best friend about unlessit's... oh! Oh! That's it, isn't it? It's about Julia." Lily's eyeswidened. "I knew it! What did she do? Should I not have taken herbooking? She already paid the deposit by bank transfer from hercell phone. Should I cancel? I'll feel bad about it unless... isshe psycho? Does she steal stuff? Set fire to things? Is that whyJewel's had that fire?"

"No,nothing like that." I restrained the urge to roll my eyes, whichwas a shame because my eye muscles didn't hurt and it wouldprobably have been a really satisfying eye roll.

"So itis about her!"

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