Tangled Web
By Sarah & Lanie
Chapter 9
1501 Oakdale Court
David Halliday's Townhouse
Cindy surveyed her work from the center of the living room. She smiled in satisfaction trying to picture David's reaction to her impulse to decorate. Cindy jumped when she heard the front door close. She spun around tugging at her sleeveless, chocolate brown tunic, pulling it down over the waist of her flowing leopard skin pants. She ran her hands over her outfit self consciously, wanting to look her best for David. Her heart beat faster as his footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor in the foyer.
David strode into the living room with his briefcase in hand. He started to say something when he noticed the change in his abode. He looked around in wonder, then a slow smile spread across his face.
"It appears that you found something to keep you busy while I was away. It's good to know that hiring you is not a waste of my money."
Cindy shifted uneasily. "I thought you might like it…I thought I should make myself decorative as well as useful while you were gone." she said. Her eyes moved quickly across his face trying to read his expression.
He inspected the room once again. He had to admit to himself that Cindy had certainly created a comfortable atmosphere. It was not glitzy or glamorous, but projected a reserved image. She knew him better than he liked to admit. Swallowing hard he said, "Cindy, this is simply a place to sleep and work. As long as it's functional for both of those things, the aesthetics of the place matter little to me."
He winced slightly when the smile died on her face and her shoulders slumped.
"But don't you want to present a certain image? Don't you want the house to reflect the strength of the man?" she asked, hoping to provoke a more positive response from him.
David shook his head. "Practicality, Cindy. That's all I'm interested in. Nothing more. If decorating the townhouse amuses you, then you are welcome to it. Just remember to keep a rein on it."
Cindy's eyes sparkled. "Of course, I wouldn't do anything to ruin your image."
David laughed. "Right."
"How was the shareholders' meeting at Cory?"
David's smile died on his face for a moment, and then he grinned. "Let's just say Mrs. Sinclair was not amused by my presence. In fact, I'm expecting that hoodlum she calls a husband to come banging on the door at any moment."
"Did she try to throw you out?"
"No, I made it very clear to her that I intend to protect my investment."
David turned as the butler walked in the room with some suitcases.
"Here are your bags, Mr. Halliday. Shall I put them in the car?"
David nodded. "Yes, do it quickly, will you, Winston? I want to be long gone before that buffoon arrives."
"Where are you going?" Cindy asked as Winston carried David's bags to the foyer.
"I'm going on a little fact finding mission."
Cindy perked up. "Can I go?"
"I'm sorry, Cindy, but this is something I have to do solo. Maybe next time."
Cindy's face fell as she looked toward the floor. David hesitated for a moment before he walked to Cindy. He lifted her chin with his forefinger.
"Hold the fort down for me. I'll be checking in. Miss me," he said. On impulse, he leaned forward and brushed his lips against her cheek.
Cindy bit her lip as he leaned away. She would miss him. Her stomach ached with the emotions bubbling within. Pushing her feelings aside, she pasted on a wide smile and said. "I'll be right here waiting on you, boss."
David smiled. "I have every confidence that you will."
With a lingering gaze, David turned and rushed out the front door. Cindy waited until he left then fell onto the couch. She propped her feet up on the oak table and leaned back.
"Yes sir, I'll be right here."
Winston walked back into the living room and looked at Cindy. His face remained expressionless. Cindy smiled.
"It's just you and me, Winnie."
A diminutive lift of his right eyebrow was the butler's only response.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cory Mansion
From the shouts and growls of frustration heard in the family room, one would think that they were entering a war zone. Inside the family room there was a war going on. Cameron's face was a mask of concentration. His eyes were narrowed. His brow was furrowed and his mouth was pursed in harsh line. Alli sat beside him equally engaged. Her shoulders were tense and her eyes never left her target.
"Ha! Take that!" Alli cried out.
Cameron never uttered a word or removed his eyes from the television screen as his fingers and thumbs expertly punch the game controller. In a matter of seconds the screen flashed "game over" and the victory music began to play.
Alli snorted in disbelief and frustration. It was only then that Cameron removed his eyes from the screen and placed his controller beside him. He grinned at Alli.
"No fair!" Alli yelled.
"I beat you fair and square."
Alli pouted. "Haven't you ever heard that you're supposed to let the kid win?"
Cameron raised his eyebrows. "Oh, so you're a kid now. After all this talk about how grown up you are and how you don't want to be treated like a little kid……"
"That's not what I meant."
"Then you admit that I am the master of this game, right? I'm the king. Go ahead I can take it."
Alli rolled her eyes then threw a pillow at him. "You're unbelievable!"
Cameron smiled. "Ah, come on, Alli, you're not going to pout, are you? I'll let you win the next time."
Alli's eyes shot to his. Her eyes danced with irritation. "No way! If I win, it will be fair and square because I'm the best!"
Cameron laughed seeing Amanda in Alli. That's what he liked about her the most. Watching Alli was like having a window to Amanda's own childhood.
"You're a glutton for punishment, but who am I to deny the wishes of a kid?"
Alli growled softly as Cameron laughed at
her, then tossed the pillow back at her.
"Okay, speaking of wishes…when are you going to start
my driving lessons? School starts in less than a month and we
haven't been in the car yet."
Cameron's eyes widened as a look of fear flashed across his face. "Well, uh, I have been trying to make sure my life insurance policies are up to date and…"
Alli cried out as she hit him on the head with the pillow. That's when all hell broke loose. Cameron picked up another pillow as they battled around the room. Alli tripped Cameron causing him to fall to the floor. As she loomed over him with the pillow, she smiled triumphantly.
"Do you give up?" she asked.
Cameron grinned. "Never!" he vowed as he pushed her away and the fight began anew.
Neither showed signs of giving in until the front door slammed loudly. Cameron and Alli looked at each other. The pillow fight was forgotten as they went to see who had arrived home. As they entered the living room, Amanda threw her purse on the couch out of frustration, then fell onto the pink chair.
Alli and Cameron exchanged a look before Cameron walked to the table and sat down directly in front of Amanda. As he dipped his head to catch her eye, he said, "I take it the meeting did not go well."
Amanda's eyes shot to his. "That is the understatement of the century!"
Alli walked around to sit on the couch listening and watching everything. "What happened?" she asked.
Amanda took a deep breath, then said, "You won't believe who was at the shareholders' meeting…..No, don't even guess. I'll tell you whom. David Halliday."
"Halliday!" Cameron exclaimed as his face filled with anger. "What the hell was he doing there?"
"Exercising his rights as an investor and a shareholder in Cory," Amanda stated.
"I thought he was going to back off."
Amanda leveled her stare on Cameron. "Well, apparently, Mr. Halliday isn't keeping his word. From every appearance, he plans on sticking around Bay City for a while."
Alli's brow furrowed with concern. "What do you mean? He has no reason to stay here."
"Apparently, he feels that he does," Amanda told them then shoved a business card at Cameron. Cameron read the address written there. "What is this?"
"David Halliday's new address."
Cameron closed his eyes as he seethed silently.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cindy leaned back against the soft-brushed leather of the overstuffed couch. She was wearing a short black satin nightgown with a gold metallic fleur-de-lis pattern and matching robe. She took a sip from her glass before she leaned forward and applied another coat of "Ruthless Red" polish to her toenails. She had a fluffy piece of cotton stuffed between each toe.
It was early evening, but Cindy had already taken a long bath, planning on making the most of her time alone in the townhouse. David would not mind her keeping her eye on things while he was away. Besides this place was a much better alternative than her tiny little apartment at the Piano Factory. She was going to watch a movie and pamper herself. She deserved that much for a job well done. Cindy took another sip of raspberry lemonade, snuggling into the comfort of the couch, then placed very thin slices of cucumbers over her eyes. Laying her head on the back of the couch, she sighed before drifting asleep.
Cindy was startled awake by loud banging. It took a moment for her to orient herself to her surroundings. The banging continued and Cindy looked around in confusion.
"Winnie! Winnie, get the door, will you?" she yelled. Realizing that Winston had left for the evening, Cindy stood. "Why do I have to do everything myself?" she spat in a disgusted voice as she waddled and hopped her way toward the front door never bothering to remove the cotton from between her toes.
Cindy jerked the door open and her eyes widened. "What do you want?" she demanded.
Cameron barged past her.
"Sure, Cam, come on in!" she said sarcastically as she slammed the door closed behind him.
Cameron turned toward her. "Where is Halliday?"
"Not here."
"You expect me to believe that?" he asked as he moved toward her. He looked at her from head to toe, then smirked.
Cindy narrowed her eyes. "What's so funny?"
"What are you supposed to be? Some mutation between a pickle and a penguin?"
Cindy looked at Cameron as if he had lost his mind. "What the hell have you been…"
Cindy leaned away as Cameron reached up and removed the cucumber slice from her cheek and held it out in front of her face. Cindy grabbed the slice away from him. Cameron smiled.
"I'm not leaving here until I see him so you might us well tell me where he is now."
"What makes you think that I would tell you where he is anyway?"
"Because you know that I'll find him whether you tell me or not."
"Why don't you just get out? I was having a pleasant evening here by myself until you decided to play Prince Valiant or Sir Galahad or whoever the hell you're attempting to emulate."
"I've had enough of your games, Cindy," Cameron spat and walked into the living room. "Halliday! Halliday, I know you're here. You might us well come out now."
Cindy waddled so that she was standing in front of him as Cameron bolted toward the stairs.
"He's not here. Why can't you get that through your thick head?"
"You expect me to believe you? You wouldn't know the truth if it slapped you in the face otherwise you wouldn't have lived with that scum, Harrison, for so long."
"Well, there you go! You can become part of one of the wealthiest, most influential families in Bay City and all is forgiven but not me. Nope, not me! I have to walk around having my past thrown in my face daily!"
"Am I supposed to feel some sort of sympathy for you, Cindy? You're talking to the wrong guy, remember?"
"Oh, no, Cam. I wouldn't expect an upstanding guy like you who knocked up his sister-in-law, then lied to everyone in town to understand."
Cameron moved so that he was in her face. "You and I are not the same. The things I did were to protect people. The things you did were out of pure selfishness to destroy lives and hurt people."
Cindy pulled away from Cameron. "I did what I had to do to survive. Don't tell me that you won't do whatever it takes to survive. I think we are far more alike than you want to admit."
Cameron's gaze never wavered from hers. The only indication that he heard her was the narrowing of his eyes.
"I'll ask you one more time. Where is Halliday?"
"He's not here," she replied softly. "He came home after the shareholders' meeting, picked up some suitcases, and left."
Cameron studied her face. "You won't mind if I take a look around, then."
Cindy threw her hand out toward the stairs. "Be my guest. It's not like I could do anything to stop you anyway."
Cameron nodded, then ran up the stairs. In a few minutes, he returned. Cindy was waiting for him in the hall. Gone were the cucumbers and the cotton.
"Satisfied?" she asked.
"No."
"That sounds like a personal problem to me. The wife not giving you what you need?"
Cameron ignored her barb. "Don't get too comfortable, Cindy. I will be back."
Cameron walked to the door.
Cindy snapped her fingers. "Ain't I the lucky one?" she said with sarcasm.
Cameron stared at her for a minute. "Tell Halliday I stopped by," he told her as he opened then closed the door.
Cindy leaned against the closed door. "You have no idea who you're messing with, Cameron. No idea at all."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
9:00 P.M.
Tess's Apartment
Tess had changed into a baggy pair of gray sweatpants and a New York Yankees tee shirt. Her hair was pinned up in a knot at the base of her neck and she was barefoot. She was totally absorbed in the article she was reading in The Herald as she absently sipped a glass of iced tea. The article was a small one in the business section announcing the grand opening of a new nightclub in Bay City called Chi Town. The entrance of a new spot into the ever-expanding club scene was not particularly of interest, unless the owner of that club was Emmanuel Logan. Tess studied the picture of Logan, which had been taken outside the new nightclub. His face was very somber. There was no sign of a smile. In this pose, he looked every bit the crime boss that he was.
"What do you know?" she asked the man in the photograph. Somehow, some way, she had to interview the man face-to-face.
Tess laid the newspaper on the table and walked to her laptop computer. She folded her leg beneath her as she sat down and waited for the computer to boot. With one click, she was connected to the Internet. For some reason, she could not get the name, The Polaris Group, out of her head. So far she had found out nothing.
Clicking through a series of icons, Tess typed the name of the company into a search engine. She waited for a moment and was somewhat surprised when she saw an address for their website. This is something new. She clicked on the hyperlink and waited for the page to load. The first page was their logo. She traced the outline with the pointer before clicking through to the main page. Even their logo looked familiar to her. Maybe she had run across the company while working on a case.
"I've wasted enough time taking the normal routes," Tess said as she reached for her cellular phone and punched in a number. She continued to browse through the information on the website as she waited for her call to ring through.
She sat up straight as the other party answered. "Yeah, it's me. Tell me what you know about a company called The Polaris Group…..They've been buying up huge amounts of Cory stock and raised some suspicions…..Sure. Can you meet me now?…..Where?…..Okay, I'll meet you there in 15 minutes…."
Tess ended the call and slipped on a pair of shoes. She glanced back at the picture of Logan in the newspaper as she picked up her keys. Tapping her forefinger on Emmanuel Logan's picture she said, "You're next, Mr. Logan."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
August 8, 1999
Foster Park
Ryan sat on a bench near the steps in the park. He was in full disguise right down to the dark sunglasses and full beard. Ostensibly, he was absorbed in a book, but his full attention was on a group of people just a few feet away.
Sean McKinnon helped Vicky spread the blanket on the ground, then placed the large picnic basket full of food on it. Steven and Kirkland had run to the playground as soon as they entered the park.
"Do you need anything else?" Sean asked.
Vicky smiled, then patted his cheek. "Run along with that camera of yours. Everyone else will be here soon."
"Are you sure? 'Cause I can stick around if you need me to."
"Go on. I'll be fine."
Sean rushed away. Vicky looked down at the basket contemplating how she was going to sit down easily and gracefully. Finally giving up on any graceful movements, she lowered herself to the ground. As she took things out of the basket, she paused sensing that someone was watching her. It was a strangely familiar, calming feeling. She could not quite put her finger on it so she looked around at the other people in the area. She did not notice anyone familiar or anyone who was openly interested in her so she went back to her task.
Ryan lowered his book, watching Vicky again. She was glowing. Beyond a doubt, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He wanted to reach out and touch her…..to feel her arms around him and her lips against his. Being near her like this was the hardest thing he had ever had to do. That was not exactly true. The hardest thing he had ever done was walk away from her knowing that he might never be able to come back.
Rachel and Carl walked through the park. Carl held a picnic basket in one hand and Cory's hand in the other. Rachel held Elizabeth as they walked toward Vicky. Vicky smiled when she saw them motioning them to her.
"Carl! Rachel! I'm so glad you could come!" she told them reaching out for Carl. Carl hugged her tightly.
"We wouldn't have missed it for the world," Carl told her as he sat on the blanket beside her.
"What a lovely idea, Vicky. The children have been begging to get out of the house all day long," Rachel told her.
"I can't believe how big they are getting."
"Can we swing?" Cory asked, tugging at Rachel.
"Of course you can," she told him. "Will you please excuse us?" Rachel asked as she led the twins toward the swings.
"How are you, Carl? I've missed you so much."
Carl smiled. "I've missed you, Victoria. Of all the gaps and missing pieces of my memory, I'm extremely grateful that I remember you."
Vicky's smile widened. "Me too."
"I can't believe that you're going to have twins. You are going to be so exhausted keeping up with five children."
"I know, but I wouldn't trade a moment."
Carl looked off as if he were a million miles away. "Children are the most precious gifts."
Vicky knew that Carl meant the phrase to apply to all children. Watching him with such a wistful look on his face, she knew that he was thinking of one child in particular…. Ryan.
"Jake is so excited about these babies."
"Yes, that chest of his balloons with pride every time he speaks of the twins. Where is Jake today?"
"Don't worry. He'll be along any time now. You know him, he finds it hard to leave The Herald in anyone else's hands."
Steven and Kirkland came back to the spot where Vicky and Carl were talking. They grabbed their baseball gloves and began throwing the ball back and forth.
"Hey!" Kirkland yelled as Steven threw the ball too hard and it glanced off Kirkland's glove.
Both boys ran for the ball as it rolled. They stopped in front of the man sitting on the bench beside the steps.
"Looking for this?" he asked with a smile.
"Yeah, thanks, mister," Steven said as Ryan dropped the ball into Kirkland's glove.
"So which one of you is Sammy Sosa and which one is Mark McGwire?" Ryan asked.
Steven smiled. "I'm Mark McGwire!"
"What about you? Are you going to play for the Cubs when you get bigger?" Ryan asked Kirkland.
"You betcha I am!" he said with conviction before he turned and ran back toward Vicky and Carl.
Ryan smiled unable to hide his happiness at not only seeing the people he loved, but actually talking to Steven and Kirkland. There had been no recognition, but he had not expected any from them. They were too young to remember him. He looked up directly into Carl's eyes. Their gazes held for a moment.
"Come play with us, Grandpa Carl," Kirkland pleaded as he threw himself into Carl's arms.
Carl smiled, "Of course, I will," he told him then looked back toward the man he had just been looking at. The man was gone.
Vicky tugged at his arm when she noticed the intense look in Carl's eyes.
"Carl, what is it? What did you see?" she asked with concern.
"I could have sworn….a ghost, Victoria…..just a ghost."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cameron jogged leisurely through the park. It was early evening and few people were milling around. He enjoyed the cooler air as the sun began to disappear from the sky. He sometimes missed being able to run along the pathways of Central Park in New York City. New York had been his home base for so many of those years with the FBI. But that was then. Now, Bay City held everything he had never dared to dream about. He had family, love, and a home. Bay City was home.
Cameron jumped down the stairs, then started jogging toward the stone archways.
"What was that?"
Cameron spun around, startled by the statement, which was filled with causticity. He shook his head.
"Now that is a picture," he stated with raised eyebrows.
"What?" Tess asked as she took a step toward him. She was dressed in a sleeveless, black and white spandex crop top and matching black spandex shorts. Her hair was bouncing on top of her head in a ponytail holder.
"What gives? Since when did you start jogging?"
Tess's mouth drew into a straight line. "I had a little excess energy and wanted to run it off. Is that acceptable to you, Mav?" she asked in irritation and started walking away.
Cameron grabbed her wrist. "I suppose it is. So tell me when do you have time to work on that tan of yours?" he asked with an impish grin.
Tess sputtered. "Wh…wh…what do you mean? You know exactly where I’ve been and this tan has nothing to do with me lying on the beach in some leisurely activity. You know damned well that I was in Panama before I came here!"
Cameron laughed. "Calm down. I know where you were. You called me. Remember? You and Hawk must have had some time for a break while you were there."
Tess shook her head slowly. "The leader of the drug ring was on the move constantly. We barely had time to take a nap. I loved it."
"Figures," Cameron responded with a smirk. "So how are you and Matt getting along?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
Tess’s eyes met his. "Are you purposely trying to irritate me?"
Cameron smiled. "Now would I do that?"
Tess rolled her eyes. "Yes, you would. You have made it your life’s work to annoy me at every opportunity."
"It’s just so easy."
Tess laughed. "You’re as impossible as ever."
Cameron laughed lowly as Tess pushed him and they walked to the other side of the stone arches.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gary was hurrying through the park, taking a short cut to Carlino’s. Josie was almost through with her shift and he promised to meet her for dinner at Carlino's as soon as her shift was over. He heard laughter as he rushed along. Gary stopped and blinked his eyes a couple of times as the familiar laughter floated to him. He watched as the couple disappeared through the stone arches.
"Cameron?" Gary asked out loud in a low whisper.
Gary forgot about his reason for going through the park and walked toward the arches.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So you didn’t answer my question about Matt?"
"What’s there to answer? He infuriates me," Tess responded grinding the word "infuriates" through her lips.
"Who doesn’t? Huh?" Cameron baited as he began pushing and shoving her on purpose.
"Stop it!" she insisted as he began tickling her. Tess’s laughter filled the air as Cameron continued to torture her mercilessly.
As quickly as he had started, he stopped. Cameron stood before her with a triumphant grin and a twinkle in his eyes. Tess was grinning. Her cold mask had disappeared.
"Now there’s the woman I love," he told her as he touched his thumb to her chin.
Gary leaned back against the cold stone as Cameron’s words echoed in his head. I haven't been imagining things. Cameron is having an affair! Was everything a lie? Was this what Cameron had been hiding from all of them? A dull ache filled Gary's body. His mind was filled with confusion as he walked away.
"I’ll remind you that you said that when this case starts to heat up," Tess responded as her smile faded. Her eyes met Cameron’s.
Cameron dropped his hand to his side. "It’s still hard for you, isn’t it?"
Tess blinked. "I don’t want to talk about it."
Cameron nodded. "Okay."
"I know what you're having Hawk do for you," she told him effectively changing the subject.
Cameron gave her a confused look. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."
"It's me you're talking to. I know, Cameron."
Cameron turned away from her and looked into the distance. "It's what I have to do. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't."
Tess grabbed Cameron’s hand intertwining her fingers with his. Seeing that he did not want to talk about the subject any further, Tess said, "So how is it that you escape from your wife on a weekend like this?"
Cameron shrugged. "She was taking a nap when I left. She's had to deal with a lot in the last few months. She doesn't always sleep peacefully so when she does, I don't disturb her."
"What about you, Cameron? When do you sleep?" Tess asked.
"You know me. I always sleep with one eye open. I wish I could sleep like normal people do but they haven’t had to do the things I’ve done. The things that make you not want to close your eyes…"
"…and being so used to watching your back that you’re afraid to close your eyes."
"Yeah, you understand better than anyone."
"I wish I didn’t sometimes. Sometimes I wish I could close my eyes and dream normal things not about darkened pits and sweltering jungles or being chased or watching you being beaten," Tess said shuddering at the memories that filled her head.
Cameron hugged her to him. He closed his eyes as he pressed his cheek against hers. They had been through so much together. Only Tess knew. She had listened to him when he needed to talk. She had wrapped her arms around him and held him like a child sometimes. Tess was the one person in his life who understood him. She knew what motivated him….what was important to him. All the fighting and needling was a smoke screen. Deep down each knew that they would lay down their life to save the other one’s. Cameron leaned back slightly, looking into Tess’s eyes. He thought he saw a tear in the corner of her eye, but with a blink it was gone.
Tess smiled wickedly. She pushed hard against his chest, then started running. Over her shoulder she said, "Race ya!"
Cameron looked after her for a minute, then took off after her. Their laughter filled the air.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Carlino’s
Gary slowly walked through the restaurant toward Josie. He was distracted as thoughts about Cameron reeled in his mind. Josie watched in with concern.
"Hey, Slugger," she said hoping to draw him out with little effort.
Gary fell into the booth and barely grunted at Josie as he continued to think about what he had seen.
"Gary, what’s wrong?" she asked trying to catch his eye. She placed her hands on top of his and drew them to her.
Gary glared at her when he looked up. He shook his head slowly. "I think Cameron is having an affair."
Josie stared at him for several seconds. She thought about his words carefully. "No, Gary, Cameron wouldn’t do that. He loves Amanda. He’s committed to Amanda."
Gary narrowed his eyes. "This wouldn’t be the first time he’s cheated on her."
Josie sat back in the booth as if he had slapped her across the face. Her eyes filled with pain at Gary’s blunt observance. She bit her bottom lip, then leaned forward. "I thought we were past all of that. Why are you throwing it in my face?"
Gary stared at Josie for a moment. He shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry, J. I wasn't…..I didn't mean to…..I'm sorry. Cameron has been so secretive and I wonder who he really is sometimes. I don't think I know my brother at all."
Josie leaned toward Gary. "Why do you think he's having an affair?"
"Maybe I should just let it go."
Josie smiled. "As long as I've known you, I've never known you to ever let anything go."
Gary sighed deeply. "No, I usually don't."
"So what's got you so suspicious?" Josie asked again.
Gary looked around to see if anyone was listening to their conversation. It was still early for the dinner and fortunately the restaurant was not over run with patrons yet. Reassured that no one was eavesdropping Gary leaned forward and began speaking in a low voice. "I was walking through the park, taking a shortcut. I thought I heard Cameron laughing. I thought that maybe he and Amanda were out jogging together. I followed the sounds and found him talking to Tess."
"Tess?" Josie asked with confusion knitting her brow. "Tess….but…"
"I don't know. I've seen them together before, and I just pushed away what my instincts told me."
"Which was?"
"That they had some sort of connection."
"A connection. What kind of connection?"
"See. There's what I don't know. Was it just me picking up on some attraction between the two of them or was there more? I pushed it aside more than once."
"What did you see today that made you question it?"
"I couldn't hear everything they were saying, but you could tell that they were very comfortable together. You know, Cameron, he's uptight with everyone, but not with this chick. They were having this intense conversation, then suddenly he's tickling her and she's laughing. Next thing I know he says, Now there's the woman I love."
Josie and Gary looked at each other without blinking. "Are you sure that's what he said, Gary? Could he have said something else? This is a serious accusation."
"I'm positive. I wish I weren't. What do I do, Josie?"
Josie leaned back and looked toward the entrance of the restaurant as the door swung open. Amanda smiled when she saw them and walked toward their table.