"Good morning," Rae said nicely enough as she sidestepped to let the customer leave the store. "Nice little place," she offered as she stepped up to the counter.

"It's a living, barely," Pam countered, concentrating on what looked like a shipment of books. "Heard anything from the police?"

Rae shook her head. "No. I think I may take a ride to Northwestern and have a chat with Molly Eastman. I have a hunch."

Pam looked up. "What kind of a hunch?"

Rae shrugged and leafed through a book. "I don't know. I think she knows something. As a matter of fact, I think you all know something." She closed the book and looked at Pam. From the look on her face, Rae knew she was right.

"Just what is that supposed to mean?" Pam asked angrily.

Just then, the bell chimed, and a couple of customers walked in. Pam leaned back and smiled at them.

"It means just what it means." Rae put the book down. "I'll let you know what I find out from Molly Eastman."

She then turned and walked out of the bookstore before Pam could say another word.

Well, now that she p.i.s.sed off Pam again, Rae was on a roll, so she took a drive to theTwelfth Precinct to talk to McGrath. "Maybe I'll p.i.s.s him off, too," she said as her cell phone went off. She looked at it first. "Hey, Delia. What do you have for me?"

"Well, first, I'm buried in paperwork, but I called my buddy at the Twelfth Precinct, and he gave me the news. Ready?"

"Delia..."

"Sorry. Okay. Amy Davis died Thursday, last week. Considered an accident. There was slight trauma to the head, but they determined she stumbled and fell headlong into the river. She also had a high blood alcohol level, which the coroner deduced was the reason for the accident. They're still running more tests, blood gases and that, but he thinks it's a closed case."

Rae was silent for a moment as she watched the road.

"Well, at least you're not a murder suspect," Delia said. "What's on your mind?"

"I don't know. I feel like there's something missing. d.a.m.n it. My instincts are s.h.i.t. It's nothing. Hey, how about dinner? I'll call the girls and Sarah."

"Sounds good. Just let me know the coordinates, Commander."

"Stop calling me-"

Delia laughed and disconnected the call.

Rae stopped in at the Twelfth Precinct to talk to McGrath. He sat in his office and looked up as she stood in the doorway. "C'mon in, I figured you'd show up."

He watched her as she sat in front of his desk, "Coffee?" he offered, and Rae let out a deep breath and shook her head.

"An accident, huh?" she said, looking into his eyes.

McGrath smiled fatherly and nodded. "Yep, no marks at all, Commander. No fingerprints, no cuts, bruises."

"No hits, no runs, no errors," Rae finished absently. "Do you think it was an accident?"

He winced and tossed down his pen. "Miss Jefferson, the coroner's office has made a decision. I was informed that the case was officially closed. I couldn't get it opened again. Believe me, I spoke with the captain. No luck." He rubbed his eyes. "He thinks we have enough real murders to solve. So what's on your mind?"

Rae shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Her apartment, for one."

"Coincidence, robbery happens all the time."

"I get my brain rattled."

"Mugging. Happens all the time."

"The three students," she started, and he interrupted her.

"Could have been talking about anything," he reminded her.

She stopped and rubbed her forehead.

"I'll tell you what I did."

Rae said nothing as McGrath put his gla.s.ses on and read from a sheet of paper. "Did some research on one Commander Rae Jefferson. Got her military records. She was a good sailor and advanced quickly through the ranks. Attached to the 101st Airborne for six months, then sent to Washington. And that's where the trail ended. No further records of her military history." He looked up over his gla.s.ses. "Seems odd."

He leaned forward, and Rae looked at him. "Miss Jefferson, it's officially determined that the death of Amy Davis was an accident. The police department can do nothing more. I can't spare the manpower to check out the apartment again or to watch those three students. I can't authorize my people to do that. Now if a concerned citizen happened to stumble on some evidence that may prove otherwise, then we'd be grateful. But this citizen would unfortunately be on her, or his, own. Perhaps if this person had contacts, it would help."

Rae listened and knew exactly what he was saying. She smiled and nodded. "I've got great experience at being alone and on my own, Lieutenant. Well, perhaps something will turn up."

They shook hands, but he held on to her hand for an instant longer. "I have no children, but if I had a daughter, I imagine she'd be like you. You be careful. I know you've got some kind of experience with this sort of thing. If there is something going on, remember there's someone behind it. Watch your back," he said firmly and let go of her hand. He then handed her his card and smiled.

Rae took it. "Thanks, really. I'll keep in touch. I'm probably way off base. My instincts aren't..." She abruptly stopped. "I'll keep in touch," she said and walked out.

He watched her as she gracefully and confidently walked through the precinct and out the door. He sat down, hoping he had done the right thing. He agreed with Rae Jefferson. Amy Davis was murdered as sure as he sat there wondering why.

Chapter 14.

"I don't see why we have to go to dinner," Pam said defensively. Jane groaned as she brushed her hair.

"Because Rae said she wanted to talk to us. Her police friend will be there."

"Is that why you want to go?" Pam asked angrily.

Jane shot her an incredulous look. "What does that mean?"

"I saw the way she looked at you the other night, and I saw the look in your eyes," she said as she faced her.

Jane felt the color rise in her face, not sure if it was embarra.s.sment or anger. "You're ridiculous. Why must you do this with every woman who talks to me? If anything, I should have the trust issue with you," she said. Pam glared at her and took a step toward her. "Don't get macho with me, Pam. I know all about you and the woman in the bookstore. And we both know about Amy."

Pam stopped and just stared at her, knowing she was right, but unwilling to admit it. She let out a disgusted grunt. "Amy was with everybody."

Jane gave her a sad look. "And now she's dead. Please, let's let it lie. I'm sorry I brought it up. I'm not looking at any other women." She took a step toward her and reached up to touch her cheek.

Pam's eye twitched for a second. She took hold of Jane's wrist and pulled it away from her face. Jane winced at the firm grasp she had. She then pulled Jane roughly to her, pinning her arm behind her. "You're mine, Jane," she said and kissed her.

Jane tried to pull away, but Pam pulled her back. Jane wrenched her mouth free, gasping for air. "Pam, don't," she said breathlessly as Pam released her. "Why must you make me feel..." She stopped and ran her fingers through her hair and turned from her.

Pam walked up behind her and kissed her neck. "G.o.d. I'm sorry, baby," she whispered in her ear.

Jane softened and turned to her, putting her arms around her neck. "We need to talk about this. But for now, we need to get ready," she said softly and kissed her.

"Okay. Let's eat." She touched Jane's cheek, then walked into the bathroom.

Jane stood there for an instant staring at the bathroom door. She was getting tired of these mood swings. Then for some inexplicable reason, her stomach lurched, and she shivered violently.

Rae pulled up in front of Sarah's house. As she got out of the jeep, Sarah came down the walk. "Hey. Are we driving in that?"

Rae laughed at the serious look on her face. "No, we can walk if you like. It's a nice Indian summer night."

It was true. The fall colors were abundant, and the weather was warm as the sun faded behind the brownstones.

"Good idea," Sarah said as they walked down the street.

They were quiet for a moment as Sarah stole a glance at Rae. She was frowning, staring at the ground as they walked.

"A penny for your thoughts," she said.

"You'll get change. I went to see McGrath today." She explained her conversation with him. Sarah listened intently, saying nothing. Then she stopped and looked at Rae.

"If it's an accident, why must you go further?" Sarah asked in a worried voice. "You don't think it was an accident, do you?"

Rae shook her head and painfully pinched the bridge of her nose. Sarah noticed the tiny circles under her eyes. She looked tired and worn. "No. I don't, and I don't know how to explain it to you." She gave her a helpless look. For an instant, she looked lost and alone. Sarah's heart lurched as she watched her.

"Look, I don't know what's going on, but I can't get it out of my mind. I feel responsible," Rae said tiredly.

Sarah reached up to cup her face in her hands. Rae seemed shocked as she looked down into Sarah's eyes. "Rae, you can't bear the weight of the world forever. You've got to put down that bag of bricks sometime."

Rae frowned for an instant. She tried to pull away, but Sarah held her fast; her hands felt warm and soft against Rae's face. Rae took a deep quivering breath, turned her face, and kissed the palm of Sarah's hand.

"I don't deserve this," she whispered.

"We'll see about that." Sarah smiled and let go.

As they walked down the block, Rae quite naturally reached over and took Sarah's hand in her own. Both smiling, they walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence.

Delia was sitting at the bar flirting with the bartender. Rae and Sarah quietly walked up to her. Rae chuckled.

"Ensign Grainger!" she barked, and Delia jumped and spilled her drink.

"d.a.m.n it, Commander," she cursed and wiped her shirt. Sarah watched them as Rae laughed and slapped her back.

"Flirting? Are you off-duty?" Rae asked. "Let's get a table."

Delia grabbed her drink and smiled at Sarah. "Professor, still with this two-headed officer? And you struck me as a smart woman," she said sadly as Rae pulled her off the barstool.

"So you had a visit with McGrath?" Delia asked as she b.u.t.tered a roll. "What'd he say?"

As Rae explained, a woman-a very attractive woman-came up to Sarah.

"My G.o.d, Sarah Connelly!" she exclaimed, and Sarah looked up and blinked, then smiled broadly.

"Sharon...Good grief, what are you doing in Chicago?" She started to get up, but Sharon put a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't, I'll come down," she said and raised her eyebrows up and down. Sarah blushed horribly as Sharon kissed her. Rae immediately frowned and looked back and forth between them.

Delia raised a mischievous eyebrow and pushed the basket under Rae's nose. "A hot, steamy roll?" she offered. Rae glared at her and s.n.a.t.c.hed a roll out of the basket.

"I'm sorry, Sharon. This is Rae Jefferson and Delia Grainger. Sharon is an old...friend."

With handshakes all around, Delia seized the opportunity. "Well, would you like to join us?"

"Oh, no. Thanks, I was just leaving. I have plans for the evening. Look, are you still at Northwestern?"

"Yes, I suppose I'll die there," Sarah said dryly and drank her wine. Sharon laughed aloud and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I miss that sense of humor. Well, I've got the number. I'll call you next week. We'll go out and catch up," she said, then kissed her again. "I can't believe I ran into you." She excused herself and walked away.

Sarah smiled as she watched her walk out of the restaurant. She gave her attention back to the table. Rae was frowning, eating another roll. Delia was sipping her drink and grinning wildly.

"So. She's gorgeous. Tell all," Delia said; Rae grunted.

"Good grief, it's none of our business," Rae said and drank her wine.

"Oh, I don't mind," Sarah said, hearing Rae mumble something. "We met four years ago at a teacher's conference in Milwaukee. At the time, she taught at Marquette University. I don't know what she's doing in Chicago," she said thoughtfully and shrugged.

"So. Were you two...?" Delia prodded eagerly.

"Hey, what kind of question...?" Rae said.

"Yes, we were." Sarah avoided Rae's face. "Off and on for a year. She then got her doctorate and moved to California. A relationship from Milwaukee to Chicago is one thing, but California? No, we both agreed."

"Hmm. So now she's back," Delia said thoughtfully and stole a glance at the sullen Rae.