"Another reason to change careers," Rebecca said. "Michael can get you on with his company, can't you, sweetheart?"

"Yeah, we always have receptionist jobs open."

Leslie stared, dumbfounded. "Receptionist?"

"Nice eight to five job," Rebecca said with a smile, as if this would entice her.

"Rebecca, Michael, no offense, but I chose my career long before I met you. I've worked hard to get where I am. And I feel very lucky I was able to transfer to Homicide here in Dallas after only being with the department such a short time. So no, I won't be changing careers to that of receptionist at your company." She stood with a curt nod. "If you'll excuse me."

"Leslie, I didn't mean to upset you, dear," Rebecca said quickly. "It's just-"

"You haven't upset me. But I have some work to do."

She closed the door to their bedroom, then leaned against it, staring at the far wall. A part of her just wanted to get it over with, even if it meant a quick wedding in front of a judge. But another part of her couldn't shake the nagging feeling that she was making a mistake. Was she really happy? Was this what she wanted for the rest of her 25*life? A mother-in-law who interfered in everything? A husband who was more interested in his games than in her?

Is that what she wanted out of life?

Chapter Eight.

"So, they're ready for you to set a date, huh?" Casey drove slowly down the street, her black SUV blending in well. Like Tori, she preferred to drive her own vehicle. The fleet of cars that were at their disposal were fine in a pinch, but they were dirty and smelled of takeout food and coffee.

Leslie rolled her head against the seat, watching her. "They've been ready. Or at least Rebecca has. Michael hasn't pushed too much."

Casey stopped along the curb, their view of the grassy area behind the apartment impeded only by passing cars. "Why aren't you ready?"

"Honestly, I don't know. We've dated for years, have been engaged for almost two, have lived together for one." Leslie adjusted her seatbelt, pulling it away from her chest. "It was one of those situations where you don't know why you're dating, but you are. And before long, a year has passed and it's become familiar, so you ignore the fact that you don't really have anything in common and you continue dating. And after several years, it's only natural to take the next step."

"He's a computer guy?"

She nodded. "He's a gamer. The company he works for does the graphics and special effects on computer games, video games. That's what he does. They design it, then play it, then tinker with it, then play it again."

"So he's like a programmer?"

"Yeah. I guess." She hesitated. "He likes to play. Our spare bedroom is his game room. The TV is a huge monster. Not only for his video games but for sports. His buddies live in the same complex. They're sports fanatics. They live and breathe for the next game. Michael is as addicted as the rest of them." She laughed. "And I'm making him out to be a big ogre. He's not really. It's just sometimes I feel like I'm an afterthought to him. If someone offered him tickets to a game, I'm convinced he'd forget all about whatever plans we had." She shifted in her seat. "What about you?

You've not mentioned a single thing about your personal life."

Casey shrugged. "Don't really have one to mention."

"You're not dating anyone? In a relationship with someone?" Casey hesitated and was surprised when Leslie reached over and touched her arm briefly. "I know you're gay.

You don't have to avoid that subject with me."

"You do, huh?"

26.

*"It's common knowledge."

"Yes, I suppose it is."

"So?"

Casey laughed. "So there's still nothing to tell. I date some. Not as much as I used to when I was younger, that's for sure."

"Someone broke your heart?"

"No, nothing like that. Just haven't met the right one yet. I had kinda given up hope, but being around Tori and Sam made me realize it's still a possibility."

"I've heard stories about them. Rumors, really. She was dating an attorney when they met, right?"

"Yeah. I just met him for the first time the other day. He didn't take the breakup very well, apparently. Still quite bitter. But you should see Tori and Sam together. They're so much in love. You just look at them and you know." Casey glanced at Leslie. "I've never had that with anybody. That I'm so in love I can't stand it feeling, you know.

They've got it. Tori turns into a big mush ball when she's around Sam." She laughed.

"And don't you dare tell Tori I said that."

They sat quietly, both watching the apartment in silence. There were a few people milling about but none that looked suspicious. Casey started up the engine again.

"Let's try another." Two blocks away, they pulled into the parking lot of another complex, driving slowly. The common area was dark, quiet. Casey parked and killed the lights. "It would be easy to watch someone from here," she said. "Lots of shadows to hide in."

"Like looking for a needle in a haystack though."

"Yeah, it is." Casey leaned back, trying to curb her curiosity, but it got the better of her. Like Tori said, she always had to ask a hundred questions when she met someone new. "You mention Michael's mother, but not your own. Does she not live here?"

Leslie turned, smiling. "I'd heard that about you, you know."

"Heard what?"

Leslie laughed. "That you talk too much and you're full of questions."

"Oh, I see. Markie had to fill you in, didn't he?"

"Yeah, he did. He also said no matter what people tried to hide from you, you could dig it out. I'm pretty sure that was a compliment."

"I haven't seen Markie in a while. I swear, talking to him was like talking to a rock."

27.

*"Maybe that's why he thought you talked too much. He doesn't talk at all."

"I'm inquisitive."

"So I see."

"Yeah. And is your mother pushing you to get married like Michael's mother is?"

"Oh, same question, different wording. Do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"Keep asking until you get an answer."

Casey shrugged. "I'm a detective."

"A curious one at that."

Casey waited what she thought was an appropriate amount of time, then turned. "Your mother doesn't like Michael, does she?"

Laughing, Leslie held up her hands. "Okay, you win. I'll talk."

"Mother?"

"She doesn't know I'm engaged."

"Why the hell not?"

"We're not close."

"That's not an excuse. Half of every mother-daughter relationship could be explained the same way. Try again."

Leslie leaned her head back with a sigh. "My mother is...well, she's different. When I was in high school, my father took up with his secretary. He left us. And my mother went off the deep end. After their divorce, she started dating younger men. Much younger. Parties, drugs, she did it all, as if she was reliving college or something.

She's been married four times since then. Currently, she's living with a guy six years younger than me. So we don't really have a relationship anymore." She turned in her seat. "And Michael's mother is just the opposite. She was widowed at an early age, yet never remarried. She still wears her wedding ring. She's very conservative and reserved. A normal mother. I would be embarrassed for the two of them to meet."

"And your dad?"

"It's strained. Always has been. He's still with the same woman though, I'll give him that."

"But you're not close with him either?"

28.

*"Not really, no. I mean, I see him more than my mother, but it's just very forced. And he still calls me on my birthday, things like that." She paused. "He has two kids with this woman, so I think he just calls me out of obligation, you know."

"Does he know you're getting married?"

"He knows I'm engaged, yes."

"So he's-"

"Enough." Leslie turned in her seat, tucking her dark hair behind her ears in a gesture Casey noticed she did before speaking. "My turn."

"Your turn?" Casey tapped her leg nervously. She'd always been curious about other people and their lives. She'd always been full of questions. But when others wanted to reciprocate, she clammed up. She didn't have a happy childhood, she didn't have memorable teenage years, she never had the typical American family. Dysfunctional was even too mild a word to use to describe her family. And as she'd grown into adulthood, not a lot had changed.

"You said you're not dating anyone, so let's back up. Mother?"

Casey nodded. "Yes."

"Yes? That's all I get?"

"She's in California now. I don't see her."

"Okay. Father?"

Casey shook her head. "No. Deceased."

"I'm sorry."

"No, no. He wasn't a part of my life. They divorced when I was a child. Nasty divorce. And anyway, he died years ago."

"Okay, so siblings?"

"Not really."

"That's more of a yes or no question. Either you do or you don't."

Casey smiled. "Okay, I'll go with no then."

Leslie stared at her. "I just told you about my crazy mother. I doubt you can top that."

"No. But it's...it's painful. I don't think about it much. I talk about it even less," she admitted.

29.