“Once again Ms. Sinclaire I would like to thank you for your generous donation.” Maxine Kernel said with a huge smile as she accepted the check from the SSC’s CEO who was sitting across from her.

“No problem.” Leigh responded easily with a smile of her own. “It’s the least I can do you know.” And then tapped her desk thoughtfully with her pen. “I bet you guys were glad too see that big shipment of clothes that the museum collected at the fundraiser last week.”

“Actually we haven’t received the donation yet. As you know there was a robbery that night.” The woman laughed. “Of course you would…word around town Ms. Sinclaire is that you are quite the hero.”

Leigh smiled diminished slightly as she started to digest what the woman had just told her. “Please call me Leigh.” It came out a little strained. “Now what’s this about you not getting the donation of clothes.” Dark brows furrowed slightly.

“Well since the robbery…” Maxine started to explain and noted the sudden change in Leigh’s attitude. “The police haven’t allowed anything to go in or out of the building. For whatever possible reason I can’t understand why they won’t let a donation of clothes through. Surely they can’t have anything to do with the robbery.”

“Hmmm.” Leigh nodded but in truth she felt like screaming. She had planned so carefully. She had covered all her tracks and now this…

“Well I talked to Mr. Hensley and he assured me himself that the clothes would be delivered by the end of this week.  A few more days won’t hurt I suppose.”

“Are you sure? Because I know John Hensley and I could speed things up a bit for you it you’d like. ”And it wouldn’t just be for you…

“Anything you could do would be very much appreciated Ms. Sinclaire… I mean Leigh.  But please don’t go out of your way.  I’m sure things will blow over and the clothes will be delivered.”

“Ok.” Leigh then looked impatiently at her watch.  “Umm I don’t mean to be rude…but I do have another appointment that I need to prepare for.”

Quickly Maxine jumped to her feet.  “Of course. Surely you are a busy woman.”

“More than I like I’d like to be” Leigh rose up herself to walk Maxine out.

“Well thanks for again for the donation.”

“You’re welcome.”  Then Maxine left and Leigh shut her office door behind. Leigh turned and pressed her back against the door and closed her eyes.  “Shit!” She said to herself and then shook her head.

Normally Leigh Sinclaire didn’t curse after writing a check to a charity.  Although Maxine Kernel didn’t know it, she had just tipped Leigh off that she could be going to jail.

It had seemed like a good idea at the time. But perhaps Leigh had been wrong.  Weeks ago, while Leigh had been planning the caper of stealing the Rhine Ruby, she’d had to figure out how she would change clothes.  Although she considered herself a capable woman, it just seemed rather far-fetched to scoop through air vents in an evening gown.  So she’d decided to be dramatic and dress like most thieves…in all black.  But she couldn’t show up to the party in a black turtleneck, pants, boots, and a ski mask.  Even though often on the high end of fashion, Leigh couldn’t have pulled that off.  So she’s decided that she would have to change…which posed the problem of stashing the clothes and disposing of them.  True enough, she visited the museum enough times, that she could have stored them there and then retrieved them the night of the robbery.  But she didn’t want to chance it that someone would find them before the night of the robbery…which would have totally fouled up her plan.

Then it had clicked, when she’d been talking to Hensley.  Leigh smiled, the little man had no idea how much of an inspiration he had been to her through out this whole adventure.  About a week before her “deadline”, Leigh had gone to the museum again, and like always Hensley had been at her side.  hey had been talking about the party to take place that weekend and he’d mentioned how the committee had not only decided to take up funds for various charities, but they would also do a clothing drive as well.  In the lobby before the party, there would be a bin for clothing donations.  Leigh hadn’t thought anything about it, until Hensley said that he would be transferring the clothing bin to another room after the party was in full swing… because it would clutter the lobby.  When he’d made the comment… a light went off in Leigh’s head and then she had the final part to her plan.

The night of the heist, Leigh had shown up with a bag full of clothes… including a black turtleneck and pants, boots, ski mask, stashed among other clothes that she was donating.  By the time Leigh had excused herself from the party, the clothes had already been moved to a room near the stairwell.  She’d changed, with lightning speed of course… stole the Ruby… and then changed back. The good part was that the clothes would be taken to the homeless shelter the next day and then off to people and parts unknown.

And there is where the hitch came…the damn clothes had never been taken out of the museum.  Like everyone else… especially since that damn OJ trial, Leigh knew about DNA testing.  If they even found a hair fiber on those clothes… Leigh was up the creek without a paddle.

It took every ounce of strength in Leigh not to frown, when Maxine Kernel had informed her that the clothing donation at the museum hadn’t been picked up.   True, it didn’t seem likely that the police would even search the bin of clothes.  But then again it hadn’t seemed likely that the police would have considered her a suspect either. Leigh walked over to her desk and ungraciously fell down into her chair. I have to get those clothes out of the museum before Kansas somehow has another stroke of genius…which could be any second now.  I don’t know how she knows everything…but damn it she does. And it’s just a matter of time before…Think Leigh…think…

Then she decided to buzz her secretary. “Anne?”

“Yes boss.”

“How does my schedule look like this afternoon.”

Leigh heard her secretary sigh. “Let’s just say that things would be a lot easier if there were two of you.”

“Well…I need to do some rearranging.”

“How did I know you were about to say that.”

“Because you know me so well.”  Leigh clicked on her computer and brought up her calendar for the day and smirked.  Every minute of the day was taken…theoretically. “Alright let’s see…tell Fred he’s on his own in the 11:00 meeting with legal.  Tell Lindsey that I can’t meet with her about the budget at 12:00 but to still send the figures to me.  I’ll look at them on my laptop.  Move my 1:00 to 2:00 and cancel the design session I’d had planned for 2:00.Get in contact with the technical lead for that session and reschedule for a later time in the week.”

“Well I don’t think that will work.  See your 1:00 was with Jay Rowe from Sinote Electronics and his schedule only allowed for you to meet at one.”

Leigh tapped her finger on the desk and thought for a second.  “Ok fine.  Call Jay’s secretary and set up a dinner meeting at Ambrosia’s tonight for 7:00 pm.  If there is one thing I know about Jay is that he can’t stand turning down a good business opportunity or a good meal.”  Actually this option wasn’t very appealing to Leigh.  She’d wanted to call Erin Bradshaw in hopes of having dinner with her.  Ever since she’d dropped Erin off two days before at her apartment, Leigh had been unable to think of anything else.  By now she’d become accustomed to thinking about Erin…while a little unsettling…Leigh had accepted it.  She knew full well what that implied…but right now she couldn’t think about that…she had to cover her ass.

“Okay…I’m on it.  Also Ken Morrow wanted to talk to you about the SSC’s technical imperative guidelines that are suppose to be finalized this week.”

“Cool…when he calls back…patch him through to the phone in my limo…and we’ll just turn it into a conference call. Anything else…I mean I should be back in the office by 2:00 at the latest.”;

“No…I think everything will work itself out.” Anne answered wearily.

“I hope so.” Leigh said back rather hopefully.  Because if it doesn’t…I’m in deep shit….

“You know…you can look at that tape a million times Bradshaw and you’ll still see the same thing.” McNeil said as he walked into the room to find Erin looking at the surveillance footage from the night of the Rhine Ruby robbery.

 Erin hit “pause” on the VCR and looked up. She removed the pencil between her teeth and sighed. “I hope not…or I’ve really been wasting my time.”

“What time is this anyway… fifteen”

“More like twenty.”  She took a sip of her coffee.  Erin just knew if she watched the tape enough times, that something new would jump out at her.  It just hadn’t happened yet.

“I admit Leigh Sinclaire’s a babe… but there are only so many times I want to see her kick those robbers’ asses.” Then McNeil grinned and sat down. “Actually one more time won’t hurt.” He began rolling up the sleeves of this gray dress shirt.

“McNeil.” Erin grumbled.

He grinned.  “I don’t know it’s just something about a chick that can throw a mean punch.”

“Really…” Erin said dryly.

“Yeap.”

Erin ignored him. “So have you guys got anymore information out of the thieves that were actually caught that night.”

“Nothing except they are going to plead guilty to armed robbery…I mean they were caught red handed. I don’t even think that Johnny Cochran could get them acquitted of that charge.” The comment made Erin smile slightly.  “But they still say that they were only four of them involved and they don’t know anything about this mysterious fifth person. Basically they’re saying that they don’t know shit about the Rhine Ruby being stolen.”

“And they have no idea who was contracted to do this robbery?”

“Nope.They were contracted by phone and the person spoke German.”

“Was it a woman they spoke to?” Erin hadn’t thought to ask the question before.

“Could have been either.  From what I gather… the person must have used some type of voice synthesizer.”

Which makes sense…she wouldn’t have wanted to call too much attention to the fact that she was a woman.  “I’m sure Leigh could easily obtain such a device.  Hell anybody these days could.”

“True.” McNeil conceded and then looked at Erin curiously.  “Leigh?” He questioned.  “So you’re on a first name basis with the woman now.”

“Well…” Erin stammered and McNeil waited for an answer.  “I guess so.  I mean I can’t continue to call her Ms. Sinclaire now can I?” She asked and felt a bit embarrassed at her slip of just calling Leigh by her first name.  But somehow it seemed appropriate.

“Suppose not.” McNeil answered thoughtfully.  “Considering how much time you’ve spent with the woman the use of Ms. Sinclaire could get pretty annoying.”

Erin quickly changed the subject. “So are there any leads in tracking down who created that forgery of the Rhine Ruby.”

“Not yet.  I’ve got a couple of my guys looking into it and so far no one is really talking.  Maybe she had it made out of town… maybe some foreign guy like from the James Bond movies.”

“No…they would have taken too long.  I suspect that she had the cubic zirconium piece of crap made after she knew that we were on to her.  That means by that time she already had the ruby in the possession.  Also the fake ruby was so good that, the person who made it had to have used the real ruby as a guide.  So it had to be someone in town, so she could have it made up pretty quickly.”

“Sounds good to me.  There’s a guy I know that could possibly have some answers.  I’ll set up a time to go talk to him.

“Great.” Erin jotted down some notes on the pad in front of her.  “Also did you talk to Lenny about coming in for further questioning.”  Erin hoped he could identify the perfume sample that Leigh had graciously given as the one he’d smelled the night of the robbery.

“He’s in Vegas.”

“Vegas?I thought you told him to stay in town just in case we needed to talk to him again.” She snapped a bit harshly.

McNeil raised his hands as if to defend himself. “Relax Ok…He’ll be back in three days.”

“Sorry.” Erin said apologetically.  “This case is just getting me to is all.”  More like this woman is getting me.  I like her…hell I really like her. She briefly remembered how much fun she’s had at Leigh’s house two days before. But I can’t forget that I would like to prove she’s the thief more.

“It’s getting to me too.” McNeil offered.  “Guess who I got a call from today?”

“Minton.” Erin knew the DA was still upset that they were pursuing Leigh, but had agreed to let them proceed.

“Yeap… and he wanted to know how the case was coming along.”

“And you told him…”

“That is was coming.” McNeil hunched and then smiled.   “Don’t worry…I didn’t tell him about the body shots.”

“Thanks.” Erin smirked and then reached for the remote.

They turned back on the tape and watched.  Erin rolled her eyes everything time McNeil made a comment about how sexy it was to watch Leigh kick ass.  Begrudgingly and surprisingly she secretly agreed with him. There was something about watching Leigh fight. Damn it its just something about watching Leigh in general…

They came to the part of the tape where Leigh was talking to the cops.

“I betcha she had the ruby in her purse while she was talking to that officer.”  On camera Leigh looked so calm and composed. I wonder how much energy it took to keep a grin off her face…after all she had just pulled off the perfect crime.

“Hell she could have had the damn thing pasted to her forehead.” McNeil pointed to the screen.  “I don’t think the officer she was talking to ever took his eyes off her cleavage.” He laughed.

Ignoring yet another of McNeil’s comments Erin watched the footage of Leigh walking out of through the lobby. Like the other guests she saw her pick up her coat and leave. When Leigh was passing through the door, Erin hit “pause” again.

“See something interesting.” McNeil asked.

“Actually its what I don’t see that’s interesting.” Erin answered not taking her eyes off the screen.  “All she took with her is her coat and purse.”

“And?”

“Well.The theory we’re toying with is that she left the party, changed clothes, took the ruby, changed clothes, and then came back to the party in time to stop the attempted robbery.”

“A tad bit ambitious I admit….”McNeil was trying to follow wherever Erin seemed to be heading.

“So where are the clothes she wore during the robbery.”

“Beats me…” McNeil said.  “If we did find them, maybe we could do some type of DNA analysis. We searched the museum room under the Rhine Ruby display and we didn’t turn up any clothes. Which makes sense…”

“Why is that?”

“Well we caught footage of the fifth thief on stairwell which means that she dressed before she got to the storage room.  Because from the storage room she went through the air vent right.  So wherever she changed it was before the storage room.”

Hearing McNeil’s response made Erin sit up even straighter.  “That’s right.  So where did she change?  And what did she do with those clothes.”

“I guess technically she could have discarded them anywhere.  But they would have to be somewhere inside…I mean the guys checked all the trash bins and dumpsters and turned up nothing.”

“So maybe the clothes are inside.  Maybe we should trace this back to the beginning.” Erin rewound the tape.  “Ok we know she didn’t take them with her…so we know they must still be inside the building.  Now the next question is how did she get them in the museum in the first place and when.”

“Anytime I suppose.  I mean everyone knows that she spends a lot of time there.”

“True.But where would she have put them.  I mean it would have to have been stored somewhere in route between the lobby and the storage room.”

While they were both in deep thought trying to solve this new problem, Erin’s attention was pulled back to the videotape that was showing footage of the guests arriving in the lobby.  One of the people entering was Leigh Sinclaire and then suddenly something clicked in her thought process.  She leaned forward a little and green eyes narrowed.  “I’ll be damned.” Erin muttered and half-smiled.

“What?” McNeil asked.

“Looks like we need to call the museum and ask about a certain donation to the homeless.” Was all Erin explained as she reached for the telephone.

“Ms. Sinclaire it’s so nice to see you again.” John Hensley said as he walked across the museum lobby to greet her only a few seconds after she walked through the door.  Leigh half wondered if the museum curator had a radar that picked up her signal.  Because it always seemed that she could not set foot in the museum without John Hensley at her side.

“Nice to see you too John.” Leigh said with one of her most enduring smiles and she watched Hensley blush slightly.

His gazed dropped from her own to see the gym bag over her left shoulder and he smiled knowingly.  “Ah so you’ve come to take a look around the museum before heading to the gym.”

“Guilty as charged.” She joked as they both began walking and making small talk. Leigh’s blue eyes immediately began to analyze the situation.  She made note of every security guard’s position and placement of cameras.  Actually she had this data stored into memory from planning the Rhine Ruby heist.  But you never know things could change.  And to Leigh’s relief, the format seemed to be the same.

Then Leigh figured she needed to test the waters to see if she indeed still needed to take some covert action.  “I had a meeting with Maxine Kernel this morning.” She offered as a way to see what Hensley intentions were as far as getting the clothing donation to the homeless shelter.

Hensley nodded.  “Maxine Kernel…the woman that runs Reynolds Homeless Shelter?”

“Yes.And during our meeting, she mentioned that they’ve still not received the clothing donation from the charity event last week.”

Hensley’s smiled vanished.  “I spoke to Ms. Kernel yesterday.   Actually I had every intention of sending the clothes over today but then Detective McNeil and Ms. Bradshaw called and said that they wanted to examine them…which I found rather odd.”

Oh shit…It was a slow chant that slowly started to pound loudly in Leigh’s ear and felt like she was one second from losing it.  But instead she casually folded her arms and raised a brow.  “Yeah that does sound kind of strange. ”

“They should be here anytime I suppose. I bet you, it was that Ms. Bradshaw’s idea.”

No kidding.  The woman has ideas galore. Leigh inwardly thought.

“I’m sure you’ve had the pleasure of meeting the woman.  You being the hero in what happened last week.”

“Yes, I’ve met her.” Leigh offered.  I’ve guess I’ve done more than just meeting her…Yeah a lot more.  To tell the truth I’ve been waiting for her to call, or thinking of calling her since I dropped her off the other night. HEY LEIGH!!!!Yeah….

Didn’t you just hear the man…Erin Bradshaw asked about the clothes…she knows Leigh. Damn it she knows.  Now you can sit here and dwell about how much fun you’ve had with the woman or you can make sure that same woman doesn’t send you to jail.

“Quite an intelligent woman I’m sure…her methods just seem a little unorthodox for an insurance investigator.” Hensley continued.

Man you have no idea. Leigh thought.  But enough of this small talk. Leigh reached for her cell phone clipped to the waste of her black dress pants.  “John I just remembered I have an important phone call to make. If you’ll excuse me for a minute.”

“Of course.” Hensley stepped back and turned around.

Leigh dialed a number and immediately began talking.  “Hello Donald. Do you have those figures for me?”  She asked loud enough for anyone around her to hear.  Little did anyone know that no one was on the other end of the phone.  As a matter of fact, Leigh hadn’t made a call at all.  Instead she was sending a signal that was to jam the camera frequencies.  A little device that had not been ready the night of the robbery or else she would have surely have used it… then she wouldn’t have been caught on camera.  “Does that take into account the performance enhancements that were made to the rendering algorithms.” She continued her fake conversation.  She was waiting for the security to come and inform Hensley that the security system was on the brink.  She only had to wait a few more seconds…because soon a security guard came over and tapped Hensley on his shoulder.

While continuing to talk to her imaginary phone buddy, Leigh watched Hensley disappear into the back.  Quickly but trying not to draw attention, she headed back through the lobby towards the back stairwell that was located by the restroom.  A smile played on her lips when she heard the lobby posted security guard cursing about the crappy security system.  He was so busy on the phone trying to figure out what went wrong, he didn’t even notice when Leigh by-passed the restroom and slipped into the storage room by the stairwell.

When John Hensley returned to the lobby five minutes later, he found Leigh Sinclaire right where he’d left her…on the phone.

For a few seconds he didn’t make himself known, he simply listened to her throw out technical terms…that didn’t ring a bell with him at all.

Leigh knew the moment, John Hensley had returned.  But continued her “phone conversation” a little while longer.  “Well thanks Donald.  I’ll be waiting on that email.” She said before hanging up.   Leigh turned around to see Hensley waiting and she shrugged.  “Seems there is always some business to take care of.”

“True.” Hensley nodded and looked at the dark-haired woman curiously.  “Are you OK?”

“Why?” Leigh responded curiously as she replaced her phone back in its clip.

“You just look a little flushed.”

You try running around in a pantsuit, heels, and frantically searching through clothes….then trying to get back before you’ve noticed.  Hell John you would be flushed too!” Leigh simply smiled.  “Well the conversation got a little heated.” She explained with a hushed tone, as if letting Hensley in on a secret.

“No need to explain.” His gaze moved passed Leigh, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her until she heard two words.

“Ms. Bradshaw.”

Slowly she turned around to see Erin and McNeil walking towards her.  Hold it together Leigh…you’re almost out….

Needless to say Erin and McNeil were shocked to see their prime suspect standing in the museum.   McNeil…probably more than Erin and both eyed the smiling CEO wearily.

“Detective McNeil and Ms. Bradshaw…how nice to see you again.” Leigh cooed without missing a beat. Which was turning out to be quite an effort considering how hard her heart was beating.

“Ms. Sinclaire.” McNeil said with more than a little sarcasm and a nod.

Just for a moment, she had expected for Leigh to call her Kansas.  But they both knew that they had to appear totally professional around each other. Then why are you so disappointed…I’m not!  I just think its kind of cool when she calls me that.

 “Hello” Erin said slowly and gave Leigh’s appearance a quick once over.  The tailored black suit fit the contours of Leigh’s boldly and professionally.  Accented by a light blue shirt, bringing out the color in her eyes. But to Erin anything brought out the color in Leigh’s eyes. And the next revelation nearly knocked her off her feet.  She had missed Leigh.  It had been two days since she’s seen or heard from the woman and even though Leigh being at the museum was more than a little suspicious, it was good to see her.  Erin you’re working a case here remember that. “What brings you here to the museum?” Erin asked as she stepped closer to Leigh.

She looks good…Peach is a nice color on her. Leigh thought.“ I could ask the same of you…but I guess I already know the answer to that one. The robbery right?”  There was mischievous glint her eyes that Erin had learned to become weary of. But there was something else there as well…something that Erin couldn’t quite put her finger on.

“Yes.” Was Erin’s short response.  She stole a quick glance at Hensley.  Leigh’s attorney had threatened to sue any and everyone associated with the Miami Police Department, if they so much as breathe a word to anyone about Leigh being a suspect.

“Well even though I think I’ve told you everything I know, please don’t hesitate to call me if you need me for anything.” Leigh smiled and winked at Erin and McNeil.  Hensley hadn’t seen that, he was too busy adoring the seemingly good-hearted CEO.

Is the whole world in love this woman?  Erin asked herself as she noticed the puppy dog look on Hensley’s face.  “Now that I think of it we may need to be speaking to you again.”

“Yeah like real soon.” McNeil interjected irritably.

No kidding…I’m sure you two would love to do more than just speak to me…time to make my get away. Tearing her gaze away from Erin’s, she glanced at her watch.  “Well I have to be going.” Leigh said in a tone that would lead anyone to believe that she was more than content to stay right where she was.  “So if you’ll excuse me.  Nice seeing you again Detective and you too Ms. Bradshaw.” In her farewell to Erin, there was a little something extra in her voice and look that was just for the blonde.  She hoped that Erin had noticed.  Leigh turned to Hensley.  “A pleasure as always John.” She laid a hand on his arm. “I’ll be in touch.” And then she turned to leave.

“Going to the gym?” Erin asked.

“Excuse me?” Leigh turned around abruptly.

Erin smiled a bit.  “Well I know that you’re a trend setter… but that gym bag doesn’t exactly go with your outfit.”

Leigh look down at the bag and chuckled a bit. “Well my gym is only a block away and I thought I would walk.  It being such a lovely day and all.” She added but was nervous as hell that the subject of her gym bag was coming up at all.  Leigh wanted to clutch and hide the bag behind her back… But she resisted the urge.

“I see.” Erin nodded. But Leigh could tell that she didn’t exactly believe her.  “Well don’t let me keep you.” She added casually, but her eyes were saying You’re up to something Leigh Sinclaire.  And Leigh was hearing it loud and clear.

“Yeah I should be going….”Leigh said as she slowly backed away and then turned around.  “Have a good day.” She called over her shoulder.

Erin watched Leigh walk away and immediately began playing the whole conversation back over in her head.  She was nervous… She thought.  I mean… as usual she was calm, cool, and collected…but something was off.  Her eyes didn’t leave the smooth slender backside of the Leigh Sinclaire until she walked out of the library.  And even then she stared a few seconds at the last spot the dark-haired woman had been.  She was definitely up to something…I don’t buy that whole gym story…

“Fancy meeting her here.” McNeil muttered under his breathe just loud enough for Erin to hear.

“I know.” She replied back before both turned their attention to Hensley.

“So you want to see the clothes?” He asked curiously and then straightened his tie a bit.  “Just let me make sure that security system is truly back up and working properly and I will to take you to them.”

“Was something wrong with the security system earlier.” McNeil asked.

Hensley sighed a bit.  “Unfortunately yes.  For a few minutes all cameras in the museum were temporarily down.”

“Really?” Erin asked.  “All of them.”

“Yes…but for only a few minutes.  Everything in it seems to be fine now.” He assured them.  “I’ll be right back.” Hensley said before leaving to talk to a nearby security guard.

“Sounds suspicious as hell to me.” McNeil said to Erin.  “First we have Leigh Sinclaire walking around here smiling and wooing everyone with that charm of hers… and now Hensley says the security system went down while she was here.  I mean it could be a coincidence…but come on.”

Erin totally agreed and her thought process began to race.  Why would she be here?  Why would she come back to the scene of the crime?  She did it before just to taunt me on our first meeting…but this time she hadn’t even let me know she was coming.  Leigh has to know that her coming her…would send off alarm bells with McNeil and I. And for once she didn’t seem to have the time to talk to me. She was in a hurry…it was like she couldn’t get out of here fast enough…suppose she did pull that stunt with the security cameras…what was trying to hide.  What did she not want anyone to see? Think Erin think…Then a light went on again…Erin knew why she and McNeil were there.  What if Leigh was there for the same reason?

Hensley returned, he found McNeil alone and caught a glimpse of Erin Bradshaw running for the door.

“Leigh…” Erin yelled and finally the dark-haired woman turned around and immediately started smiling when she caught sight of a short-winded Erin Bradshaw.

“Well… Kansas I knew you were chasing me and all…but I didn’t think you would be doing it literally.” She placed her arm on Erin’s and guided the shorter woman out of the way of pedestrian traffic.  “So what do I owe the honor?” Leigh asked.

“Open your bag.” Erin demanded and now looked a little more composed and less flushed from her running.

“Excuse me?”  She knows…

Erin pointed to the gym bag casually hanging off Leigh’s shoulder.  “Open your bag.”

“Why?” Damn she’s good…. I can’t believe she knows.

“You know why. Now open it so we can get this over with OK.” Erin folded her arms and waited for Leigh to oblige her request, instead the taller woman simply stood there.  “So you’re not going to open your bag?”

“And apparently you’re not going to tell me why you want me to do it.  It appears we have ourselves a stand off.” Leigh countered.

With great frustration Erin moaned.  “For once couldn’t you just be cooperative from the start?”

“Cooperative?You come chasing after me and demanding to search my gym bag on a public street.  Is it so unreasonable of me to ask for a reason why?  I mean I could be asking for a warrant but I’m not.  Just a few words Kansas that’s all.” Leigh reasoned.

Erin decided to give in.  She knew that if she didn’t she and Leigh could exchange smart remarks all day and they wouldn’t get anywhere.  And she didn’t want to get a warrant anymore that Leigh did. “Fine… I know that you have in that bag the clothes you wore the night of the heist.”

Leigh laughed. “Well I hardly think I would be going to the gym with an evening gown in my bag. For some strange reason I don’t think it would be too comfortable to work out in.  Trying to do leg lifts would be a bitch.”

“Not those clothes….” Erin wanted to shake the woman in front of her.  And she was just that close.  Usually people didn’t make Erin go crazy.  After all she was a nice girl and a goodie two shoes. But when it came to this woman…“I’m talking about the all black assemble you were wearing when you stole the ruby.”

“You mean what the robber was wearing?”

“What you were wearing…”

“And you think that’s what is in this bag.”  Very smart girl… if she keeps this up I may actually have to buy Cuba to make sure I can give her all the cigars I owe her by now.

“I know so.  You stashed the clothes in the pile of the clothes that the museum was collecting that night for the homeless shelter.  Which was a rather good idea.” She half expected for Leigh to say “Thank You” just then…but it didn’t happen. So she continued.  “Because the next day the clothes would be taken to the shelter and there would have been no trace of their whereabouts there after.  But what you didn’t count on was the donation not actually being delivered that next day. “

 No kidding…Leigh mused.  “And you think these clothes are in this bag?”

“Yeap.   You took them today when there was a mysterious black out in the museum’s camera surveillance.”

“Interesting theory….” Leigh conceded with a nod of head as she reached and pushed a lock of dark hair in place.

“Its not a theory Leigh…we both know its fact. I mean its no coincidence that you happen to be in the museum at the time and carrying a gym bag.  Come on who are you trying to fool with whole “I thought I would come to the museum and then walk to the gym” act.”

“Its no act…I’ve done it dozen’s of times.” Which was true.

“Open the bag.” Erin demanded again.

“Fine.” Leigh handed her the bag and shrugged.  “Its all yours.” Erin reached for the bag and then hesitated.  “What’s wrong” Leigh asked curiously.

“You’re just going to let me look in the bag.  Even after I told you why I want to...”  Something’s not right here.

“Yeah…that was the deal right.  You tell me why…and I let you take a little peek at what’s in my bag.” Leigh casually answered.

“Either those damn clothes aren’t in this bag or…”

“Or?”

“You’re playing real hard at being brave because when I open this bag you’re caught.  And you’re trying to bluff me by pretending there’s nothing in there.  So then I won’t even bother looking in there. ”

Leigh said nothing, but then Erin saw it…a slight smile playing on those full lips.  Leigh held the bag out for Erin to take.

Tired of their little game, Erin snatched the bag from Leigh’s grasp and opened it.  “Damn it… how the hell did you pull that off?” Erin screamed after she disappointingly discovered that the bag only held a set of workout clothes, a towel, deodorant, lotion, and pair of orange and white Nikes.  When Erin raised her voice, a number of people stopped to look.

Leigh folded her arms and laughed.  “And they say I crave attention.”

Erin looked around and not only did she feel embarrassed as hell for her outburst, she fell like strangling Leigh.  Just when she thought she finally had the CEO where she wanted her, she pulls another fast one out of her ass.  “Fine.You may have won this round.” She threw the bag at Leigh.  “But be careful champ because when the bell rings again I’m going to come out swinging.” Then before Leigh could respond with a snappy comeback, Erin Bradshaw turned around and stomped off.  And on her face was a satisfied grin because she knew that Leigh couldn’t do anything but watch her go.

“Did you find anything?” Erin asked as she walked into the storage room where McNeil was still searching through the bin of donated clothes.

“Couple of Armani suits that I wouldn’t mind laying claim to….but nothing matching what the thief was wearing that night.” He stood to his full height.  “Any luck with Ms. Sinclaire?”

“Nope I searched her gym bag and got nothing.  So I figured the stuff should still be here.  Unless she somehow discarded it before I caught up with her…but how and where I don’t know.”  Erin had kept a close eye on Leigh as she ran behind her.  She hadn’t stopped anywhere along way before she’s caught up with her. She’d even called Bert and Mac on their radio’s to see if they’d seen anything suspicious when Leigh had entered or left the museum that day.  They’d said no… well actually Bert had mentioned something.  He told Erin that when Leigh had walked out the museum, a man walking by had bumped into her.

“So you really think she was behind the whole camera black out.”

“I wouldn’t put it pass her.” The small room was extremely hot, so Erin took off her suit jacket and tossed it onto a nearby chair.  She also discarded her shoes as well and saw that McNeil was looking at her with amusement. “Hey you try running after a woman on a crowed street in heels.”

He merely chuckled. Hensley walked into the room, smoothing down his thinning hair.  Again Erin was struck with how short he was.  “Ah Ms. Bradshaw I see you’ve returned.  Is everything alright you left in such a hurry?”

“Everything is just fine.” She walked closer.  “Did you ever find out what happened to your security system?”

“No… we didn’t.  We ran a few tests and everything seems to be working perfectly fine now.I guess we’ll just have to chalk it up to a computer glitch or something.”

“I would really make sure that’s all it was.” McNeil said. “After the robbery, I would think you guys would want to make sure your security equipment is in top working order.  God knows I don’t want to have to investigate anything else having to do with this place.”

“Like I said Detective McNeil everything is working fine now.” Hensley replied tersely.  Erin gave McNeil a weary look before turning her attention back to Hensley.

“You said you were talking to Leigh Sinclaire earlier when you were interrupted by the problem with the security cameras right.”

“Yes that’s correct.  We were discussing the sculpture she’d donated.  You know for a woman involved in such a technical field…she really does have an eye for art.  My goodness I swear I could just talk to her for hours.” Hensley was beaming.

“I know what you mean…she sure is a looker.” McNeil commented.

Hensley looked offended by the comment. “Yes.She is quite beautiful, but Detective I was referring to her mind.”

“Sure sure, but admit it Hensley it doesn’t hurt that she had those baby blues to stare into when she’s captivating you with her brilliant mind.” McNeil continued. He wanted for Hensley to admit what everyone knew, that he hand a serious crush on Leigh Sinclaire.

“Well…” Hensley stammered and Erin watched the man turn beet red.

“But I’m thinking she’s a little too tall for you.” McNeil added thoughtfully and rubbed his chin.

“Enough about what she looks like Okay.” Erin interjected.  “Where was she when this mysterious blackout took place.”

“She was in the lobby.” Hensley answered.

“The whole time.”

“Yes…I don’t see what this has to do with anything.” He looked uneasily between Erin and McNeil.  “Why are you two so interested in Ms. Sinclaire?”

“It’s a police matter.” McNeil said.

“A police matter…may I ask what it pertains to.”

“You can ask all you want…but all you’re going to get is that it’s a police matter.  Now was Ms. Sinclaire acting strange at all?”

McNeil continued.

“No…”

“No?”

“I said No.”

“Has she ever come in here before with a gym bag and on her way to the gym down the street?”  Erin asked.

“Yes.She’s done that many times before.”

So she was telling the truth about that one. So what…the best lie always has a little truth in it. That’s what makes it believable. “Did she ask you any questions about these clothes?” Erin pointed to the bin of clothes that McNeil had left in total disarray.

Hensley thought for a moment.  “As a matter of fact she did.” He admitted slowly.

Erin and McNeil exchanged glances.  “What did she want to know?”

Hensley put up his hands.  “I’m sorry I don’t feel comfortable discussing Ms. Sinclaire with you in this manner.” And then he took a step back.  “And what is your interest in these clothes anyway.  I’m having them transferred to the homeless shelter this afternoon.”

“I don’t think so.” McNeil responded. “We’re going to need to examine these clothes and this room.  So the shelter is just going to have to wait another day or so.”

An hour and half after her "heated" encounter with Erin Bradshaw and working out, Leigh impatiently waited in front of her gym.  She looked down at her Rolex and noted that her limo should have been there twenty minutes ago.  Just when she was going to reach for her cell phone, she spotted the limo coming down the street.  “Its about time?” She muttered as the sleek black vehicle pulled to a slow stop in front of her.

Leigh opened the door and got in to find Aidan Prescott sitting comfortably inside.  He was dressed in a jeans and a gray T-shirt.  As always his handsome face was framed by dark brown hair that was always in curly disarray.  His dark eyes were shining as he winked when Leigh she got in.

“You’re a late.” She told him as she shut the door.

“I’m nothing if not consistent.” He said casually as he offered her a glass of champagne.  Which she took and immediately took a sip. “I believe this belongs to you.”  He placed a gym bag that had been sitting beside him into her Leigh’s lap.

“Thanks.” She unzipped it and saw the clothes she taken from the museum. At the last minute before heading over to the museum, Leigh had decided that she needed an extra person to help her pull off her new “caper.”  She’d called Aidan and he agreed to be her partner in crime for the day.  He was one of the few people who knew about her newfound skill of being a jewelry thief. Which proved how much she trusted him.  And because of that privileged the man sitting across from her part of a small crowd.

“You know you almost bruised me when you accidentally bumped into me.”  Leigh had arranged for Aidan to conveniently bump into her when she was leaving the museum.  Leigh knew she was being watched, and as she hoped Bert and Mac hadn’t even noticed how Leigh and Aidan had switched bags.

Shocked had not been enough of a description for what Leigh felt when saw Erin and Detective McNeil at the museum.  At any other moment Leigh would have been happy to see Erin.  But not when she was trying to make her getaway with a bag full of evidence that could land her in jail.  But she had remained calm and tried to behave as if nothing was wrong.  But when she saw the curious look in those beautiful green eyes, Leigh knew that Erin could tell that something was up.  So she had quickly said her good-bye and tried to casually walk out of the museum.  Once outside she’d quickly switched bags with a waiting Aidan. Which was no soon enough because seconds later Erin had come running after her asking to search her bag.

“That was a close one Leigh.  Please don’t tell me you’re starting to slip.”

“Of course not…in fact I think I’m at the top of my game.”

“Really?It seems that Ms. Bradshaw is as well.”

“So it seems.” Leigh said with a grin on her face. It was amazing she was that close to being caught, and Leigh felt twinge of adrenaline and excitement.  She was happy that she hadn’t underestimated Erin.  The woman was definitely keeping her on her toes. “Yeap around her… I have to definitely cross all my t’s and dot all my i’s”.

“You never could turn down a challenge.  I glad that she’s giving you one.”

“So am I Aidan…so am I”. Leigh zipped the bag back up and threw it to the floor.  She would have to dispose of them as soon as possible.  I guess I could burn them…well maybe not something so dramatic…I’ll think of something.

Aidan shook his head and filled his glass back up.  “Leigh why can’t you have fun like normal people?  I mean did you really have to go out and steal that damn ruby?”

“I guess I didn’t have to… but hey its done.” Leigh shrugged.

“And now you have one little hot blonde on your tale.” He leaned in closer.  “Speaking of which…do you think you could introduce me to her.”

Leigh raised one dark brow.  “Why?”

“Why?The woman is smart, beautiful, and sexy as hell.  Damn I’ve always had a thing for blondes.”

“Really?”

“Except for you of course. You’ve ruined me for all other dark-haired beauties.” Aidan smiled.“But since you won’t give me the time of day here lately.” He watched Leigh roll her eyes.“I figure Ms. Bradshaw could use the company of a man with charm and charisma.”

“But I thought you wanted to go out with her…why would you want her spending time with someone else.” Leigh chuckled.

“Real funny.”

“Believe me Aidan she’s not your type.” Leigh added before taking another sip of champagne. And tried to ignore the fact that she truly didn’t want Aidan coming anywhere near Erin Bradshaw…any shape, form, or fashion.

“Leigh every woman is my type.” He replied arrogantly. “Even you…” He laid a hand on her thigh and caressed it slightly.

“But not this one.  See Kansas is a different breed from you and I.  She believes in love and happily ever after.”

“Kansas?”

“Yeah…I mean Erin Bradshaw.”

“You call her Kansas?”

“Well yeah…that’s where she’s from.  But that is beside the point…she’s not your type.”

“Kansas huh?  That’s rather adorable.  Does she know that you call her that?” Aidan continued ignoring the last part of Leigh’s statement.

“Yeah… so.”

“Does she call you Texas?”

“Of course not.” Leigh snapped.

“You think she’d mine if I called her Kansas too.” Aidan asked and wiggled his dark brows.

“Stay away from her Aidan.  Erin Bradshaw is strictly off limits. OK?” Leigh said evenly and reached to fill her glass again.  What the hell is wrong with you Leigh?

“Fine.” Aidan shot back.

“I’m glad we understand each other.”

Aidan put down his glass and pressed his arms along the back of the seat.  “Yeah… I understand alright… someone is this car is jealous.”

“Please.” Leigh said quickly as if it was the most absurd idea she had ever heard.  “Aidan… you are free to date anyone you want to… it doesn’t matter to me.”

“But just not Erin Bradshaw.”

“Yes…do I really need to explain?” She asked as she leaned in a little.  “If you so much as flirt with her… do you know all I could lose from that.”

Aidan just looked at her for a moment and then nodded.  “I suppose so.”

“Good.” Leigh inwardly let out a sigh of relief.  For the next few minutes, the two rode in silence.  Soon the limo pulled up in front of SSC.

“Off to the grind again huh?” Aidan said.

“Yes…some of us have to work in this world Aidan.”

“And some of us don’t Leigh. So what’s your point?” He hunched and Leigh smiled.

“I think I’ve spoiled you.” She reached over and gave him a kiss on the lips.  “Thanks for your help today”.

“No problem.”

“Let’s do dinner one night this week?” Leigh offered as she got out of the limo.

“Sure…which means in Leigh Sinclaire’s world some time next month.”

“Come on I’m not that bad…and Aidan you know I’ll always make time for you.” Leigh smiled.

“I know.” He smiled back shyly.  “I mean I am the love of your life after all.”

“You wish.” Leigh laughed it off.

“Hey you told me that once.”

“I was drunk.”

“But you still said it.”

“Fine…I said it.  Sue me.”

“Don’t temp me woman…you’re worth an ass load of money.”

Leigh shut the door and Aidan rolled down the window. “Yes…” Leigh asked.

“Well just wanted you know that when I said that you were jealous…”

“Aidan…” Leigh didn’t want to rehash the subject.

“It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know that it wasn’t about me….”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me Leigh… maybe you should think about that before you continue in this dangerous game you’re playing.”

“Ms. Bradshaw it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Mary Reynolds said as she let Erin into Leigh’s house.

Finally? “Its nice to meet you as well.” Erin replied back and her facial expression must have revealed her thoughts because the older woman smiled knowingly.

“Leigh has told me all about you.” She explained and shut the front door.  “Seems you made quite an impression on her.”

“Really?” Erin hoped she wasn’t blushing.

“Yes.” And then Mary frowned.  “You and the police department really don’t think that she stole that ruby do you.”

“She told you about that?” Erin asked. “Oh that’s right you were here the day they tried to come and search the house.”

“Yes I was.”

“We didn’t want to upset anyone…it was just a routine police procedure.”  Why are you apologizing…the police AND you were just doing your job.  You shouldn’t feel guilty for ticking off the housekeeper. But for some strange reason I do.

“And visiting major suspects at this late hour…is that a routine procedure as well.” The older woman asked. Mary thought that Erin was dressed rather casually for an insurance investigator.  She had on a jeans, sneakers, and a jean jacket.  To Mary she looked like she was no more that twenty at the most.

Erin looked down at her watch. It was only 10:00pm.“Well…I didn’t think that it was that late.  I’ve come at this time before…” And you usually aren’t here…

“I know.” Mary said and just then Bernie came trotting down the hall.   The older woman had expected for him to stop at her feet, but instead he went straight to Erin and began licking her hand.  Without thinking the blonde scooted down to her knees and began petting the dog.  “Seems the dog is quite taken with you as well.”

Erin looked up a bit embarrassed.  “We’ve met before...guess he just remembers me.” She hunched.

“Ah huh.” Mary crossed her arms.

For the next few seconds Erin and Mary just stared at each other.  Erin felt like she was being appraised and to see if she passed some kind of test.

“So where is Leigh?”

“In the playroom laying down on the couch…she’s not feeling too good.”

“Is she alright?” Erin asked quickly.

“Yes…she’s just resting.  Seems tonight during a business dinner, she was served some bad oysters and I guess you can fill in the rest.”

“And she’s fine now.”

“Yeap…she went to the emergency room and then they sent her home to get some rest.  But I don’t think that girl knows the meaning of rest.”

“Mary who is it?” Someone yelled from down the hall.  Erin immediately recognized it as Leigh’s voice.

“It’s Erin Bradshaw!” Mary yelled back.

“Well send her on in!” Was the reply.

“I guess your royal highness wants to see you.” Mary half joked.  “Follow me.”

They found Leigh sprawled out on the couch with a laptop laying on her chest, and two more on the table.  She was wearing red and white polka dot pajamas bottoms with a red tank top.  Her dark hair was slightly mussed and to Erin her usually tanned face looked a little pale.

“I hope you didn’t jog all the way over here.” Was Leigh’s greeting when Erin stepped through the doorway.

“You don’t look so hot.” Erin said instead of replying to Leigh’s smart remark.

“If that’s your polite way of saying that I look like shit…thanks.” She waved for Erin to come closer.  And then playfully patted the spot on the sofa next to her.

“Well Leigh I’m going to be going…that is if you’re feeling better and you don’t need me.” Mary glanced at Erin.

“Mary I’ll be fine.  Plus Ms. Bradshaw is here now.  And she’s already proven how good she is at keeping an eye on me.”

Leigh winked.

“I see.” Mary looked between the to woman curiously and then decided to just catalog the thought she’s had for later perusal.

“Well I’ll be going then.  I’ll be back in the morning.”

They watched the older woman leave the room before Leigh turned her attention back to Erin.

“I don’t think she likes me.” Erin muttered.

“What?Just because she thinks that you’re trying to help the police put me in jail…you think she doesn’t like you?I don’t get it.” Leigh smiled.

“What exactly did you tell her about me.”

“Nothing except that I think you’re an insurance investigator working with the police, you’re intelligent, creative, and cute as a button.”

Erin wrinkled her nose at the comment and that little gesture always made Leigh grin.  Then a look of concern crossed the blondes face. “Are you sure you’re OK…she told me about the oyster incident.”

Worried about me are you?  I’m touched…And truth was that Leigh was.  “Ah yeah sure.  Nothing a trip the emergency room and a good stomach pump won’t cure.  But I’ll tell you this thought…when I get my hands on the son-of-a-bitch that prepared that oyster catastrophe the bastards going to wish I died at that table instead of puking my guts out.” Leigh groaned.  “Damn I know it’s going to be a picture of that in the society slash gossip section tomorrow.”

“It’ll blow over…it happens to the best of us.” Erin said remembering her own embarrassing moment in Leigh’s car a few days before.

“So tell me what brings you here to my house this evening.  I mean two visits in one day…how did I get so lucky.”

“The case of course.”

Leigh rolled her eyes and sighed.  “Come on Kansas I know you can do better than that.”

“What?”

“Why don’t you just admit it?”

“Admit what.”

“Admit that while you came here to interrogate me so more about that damn ruby…the real reason you’re here is to see me.”

“What?”

“Don’t what me Kansas.  Admit it…you like me.”

“What?”

“You enjoy my company.  You want to hang out with this here Texan.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Erin snapped.

“Don’t be ridiculous huh? So why are you here again?”

“The case damn it!” Erin growled.

“Ok… don’t get grouchy.” Leigh laughed.  “Ok ask me something about the case if it will make you happy.”

“What did you do with the clothes?”

“You mean the ones I supposedly took this afternoon?”

“Those would be the ones.”

“Now come on, even if I did what you’re accusing me of…do you really think I would answer that question?”

“I suppose not.” Erin admitted, and realized that she was being drawn into a corner.

“Which only proves my theory more… that you didn’t come over here to talk about this case.”  Erin was going to deny it, but instead she closed her eyes and just sighed.   But her eyes quickly opened when she felt Leigh’s hand on her own.   “Don’t feel bad about it.  I came to the conclusion a long time ago that I like spending time with you.  It’s not a crime.”

“It’s not professional either.”

“I suppose not…but who cares.”

“I do.” Erin answered quickly.

Leigh raised a dark brow and noticed she hadn’t removed her hand from Erin’s.  “Why?”

“Isn’t it obvious… Leigh I have a job to do.”

“I know that… but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun along the way.  Now does it?”  Leigh voice had dropped a little lower and she had leaned in a bit towards Erin.

“You are absolutely incorrigible. Do you know that?”

“I have some type of an inkling yes…” Leigh said and finally removed her hand, Erin instantly missed the comfort.  But to them both that gesture seemed for the best….At least for right now.

“So what are you working on?” Erin pointed to the three laptops open in front of Leigh.

“Prototyping some design sequences for a couple of new software products.  Busy work really until one of my favorite shows came on.”

“And what show would that be.”

“Trading Spaces on TLC.”

“I love that show!” Erin exclaimed and took that opportunity to the kick off her tennis shoes.  And molded her position so that she was sitting Indian style of the couch.

 Leigh smiled at the blonde’s enthusiasm.  “Yeah they’re running a marathon tonight.”

“Cool.”Erin peered at the television.  “Oh I know that episode.  Each couple absolutely hated what the other did to their bedroom.”

“I know.” Leigh added.  “I suspect it was the each woman’s way of getting back at each other.” Leigh grimaced a bit.

“Are you alright?” Erin moved a little closer to Leigh.

“Ever since the whole “oyster” incident… I’ve had this pounding headache.”

Erin unfolded her legs and placed a pillow in her lap.  “Lay down.” She said.

“What?”

“Now who’s acting shy now.”

The gazes locked, and Leigh felt her stomach clench.  But it was a good clench… having nothing to do with what had happened earlier in the restaurant.  Without another word, Leigh maneuvered herself until her long legs were stretched out the length of the couch, and her head was lying securely in Erin Bradshaw’s lap.  Next she felt gentle hands on her temples, and they slowly started to move.  The sensation it caused, made Leigh’s eyes close with pleasure. “Hmmmm that feels great.” She murmured.

Erin smiled and continued with her massage.  And with the dark-haired woman’s eyes closed, Erin took the opportunity to study her face… and once again she couldn’t help having her breath taken away.  Those high cheekbones, aquiline nose, full lips, smooth tanned skin, and sleek dark brows.  She has to know how gorgeous she is…everyone else does.  But it seems like she doesn’t even care.  Without thinking, Erin took one hand and touched Leigh’s hair.

“You have really great hair you know.”

“Really?” Leigh opened her eyes. “I’ve been thinking of cutting it.  It's such a hassle to comb through when it’s wet.”

“No.” Erin responded.  “Don’t cut it.  It’s way to beautiful to cut.”  She was still twirling a dark tress around her finger when she was saying this.

“So do as I say not as I do?” Leigh said, “You cut yours…”

“Yeah… but that was to make me look older.  I got tired of being carded at the movies… let alone the clubs.”

“So you cut it and gained what maybe three years on your age.” Leigh chuckled.

Erin laughed as well.  “Hey I’ll take all I can get you know?” And then Erin saw those blue eyes again studying her intently, and she felt that familiar tingle in her skin.  “What is it?”  She let the dark lock of hair slip through her fingers.

“I was just wondering… well you’re rich right?”

“Not as rich as you… but relatively I guess.”

“So where is it?  I mean don’t get me wrong I loved your apartment… but hardly the typical residence of a millionaire.”

Erin smirked a bit.  “So I should have a place more like yours… and then maybe I’ll get a call to be on MTV cribs.” 

“I didn’t say that.” Leigh smiled and arched a brow.  Erin resisted the urge to take her thumb, and gently smooth it across that inquisitive raven-colored eyebrow.

“Well I have an apartment here, in New York, LA, London, and Paris.  All of which P&W pay for.  I own a farm in Kansas not to far from my folks and I’ve hired a few people to keep it up and running in the many months that I’m away.   I paid off my college loans, my sister’s collage loans, not to mention the checks I send my family and charity foundations every month.  And everything else is invested.  I mean I don’t plan on being an insurance investigator the rest of my life…so I’m saving up quite a little…” Erin explained.  The truth of the matter was that Erin had grown up without extravagant things…and really had no desire for them.  But she felt a little secure knowing that she could spoil herself if she wanted.  Which she did on occasion.

“I see… so what’s in store for the rest of your life after being the best damn insurance investigator of all time.”

Erin smiled at the crazy compliment. “I want to write…” Erin said simply.

“Why doesn’t it surprise me that the all American girl from Kansas wants to make good and write the great American novel?” She folded her arms up over her chest.   “I mean you’ve proven to be quite creative the last week and a half.”

“Not half as creative as you.”

“You don’t think so.”

“I mean look at us, you’re a major suspect in a case I’m working on, but here we are sitting on your couch.  You’ve got your head in my lap.  I just gave you a massage and we’re talking about anything but the Rhine Ruby.  I call that pretty creative.” Erin smirked a little.  “Damn creative if you ask me.”

“All I do is what comes natural Kansas… that’s all.”

“And this is natural?”

“Doesn’t it feel that way?” Leigh asked with a lop-sided grin that vanished when she looked into unsure green eyes.  Each woman swallowed hard at the sensation that was beginning to pulse through them.

“It feels…” Erin started to say and saw Leigh blue eyes edge her on.“…dangerous.”

“Oh…I totally agree.” Without any effort at all Leigh voice had changed to a suggestive tone.” It’s a force of habit…she offered as an explanation to herself.  “Almost addictive. So much in fact that I think I may even miss you if I somehow end up in jail.”

“I can’t believe I’m admitting this… but I kinda think I would miss you a little then myself.” Erin said with a giggle to cover up her nervousness.  Having Leigh that close always made her nervous.

“Then it’s settled.”

“What’s settled?”

“That neither one of us wants me to go to jail…so I guess we can drop this whole thing about that silly investigation then.”

“No way.”

“Ok…I had to try.” Leigh smiled.  “So here’s another idea.”

“I’m listening….”

“Why don’t we forget about the Rhine Ruby case….” Leigh saw that Erin was about to interrupt but stopped her.  “I meant just to forget about it tonight and just have fun.  You know just be us…I don’t know just be two gals hanging out and having fun.  How does that sound?”

Erin contemplated it and came to the realization that at the moment there was nothing that she wanted more.  She just wanted to be with Leigh, and right then she didn’t want to think about the implications of that.  She didn’t want to think about what that mean as far as the case, as far as her growing feelings for the woman.  Erin just wanted to be…at least for tonight. So she nodded in agreement and smiled a little.  “Ok… I think I can do that.  Tonight we’re just two people spending time.”

“Exactly.” Leigh agreed and let out a sigh of relief.  She didn’t know why but she had been almost holding her breath waiting on Erin to answer.  She didn’t know if the blonde was going to walk out on her or what.  She’s hoped that like her, the case was slowly beginning to not seem as important as something else that was progressing as well.  But before she could truly enjoy the silent agreement she and Erin had just made she grimaced slightly.

“Does your head still hurt?” Erin asked.

“Just a little.”

“Well…let’s see what this here gal can do about that.” Once again she began to massage Leigh’s temples.

As the smaller woman’s fingers worked their magic, Leigh smiled slightly.  And right before she surrendered to the pleasure of Erin’s touch, Leigh thought perhaps she had gotten more than she’d bargained for when she stole that ruby.  A whole hell of a lot more…

Mary had to admit, she never knew what to expect when she walked into Leigh Sinclaire’s house every day that she worked there.  I could be the remains of what seemed to be a hell of a party.  Or possibly a scantily clad lovesick over-night male guest trying to make Leigh breakfast…which meant they were making a mess in the kitchen.  Every now and then she was greeted by Leigh before taking a morning jog. On occasion she had found her boss right where she had left her…in front of her computer doing business that had wound up being an all-nighter.

But what she saw when she walked in the Leigh’s “playroom” was totally unexpected.  There lying on the couch was the CEO and the blonde insurance investigator asleep.  Mary closed her eyes, she wanted to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.  And sure enough when she opened them again, the two women were still in their same position asleep.

“Well well.” She murmured as she cocked her head to the side to further investigate the situation.

Leigh was curled up on the couch, with her head in the blonde’s lap and her face nestled against the other woman’s stomach.  The insurance investigator was half sitting and half lying on the couch with one arm tucked between her head and the arm of the chair.  Her other hand was resting on Leigh’s shoulder.

“Must have been some interrogation.” Mary said as she walked closer and saw that Bernie was lying on the floor in front of the couch.   “And what kind of chaperone are you…” She half-smiled and continued to stare at the two women.  Though their positions didn’t look very comfortable… both women looked like they were sleeping like babies.  And somehow, Mary couldn’t put her finger one it… but it seemed almost right.  The idea seemed preposterous to her, but she couldn’t dismiss it.  Here was her boss, sleeping on the couch peacefully with a woman that was trying to prove her guilty of a crime.

“Should we wake them up?” She whispered to Bernie.

As if taking cue from the housekeeper, Bernie barked and gently nudged Leigh’s arm that was dangling off the couch.

Mary watched Leigh’s face twitch slightly.  “Bernie come on…” Leigh said sleepily.  “I’ll be up to walk yah… just give me five more minutes.” Then a few seconds later she seemed to be sleeping soundly again.

Mary smiled and Bernie barked again.  And then this time it was Erin’s turn to wake up.  Without opening her eyes she spoke.  “Damn it Sinclaire will you tell that dog of yours to quit barking.” She managed to say while yawning.

“Bernie quit barking…” Leigh commanded softly… still on the verge of falling back to sleep.

Mary wondered when it was going to dawn on them.  And a second later it did.  Hearing each other’s voice must have sent off alarm bells. Both set of eyes flew open simultaneously and Leigh sat up abruptly.  “Kansas?”

“Leigh?” Erin asked as she too sat up.

“Don’t forget about Bernie and me.” Mary added and waved playfully as the two woman looked up at her.

Almost with the speed of lightening Erin Bradshaw was to her feet.  “Good Morning.” She managed to say as she raked a hand through her tousled blonde hair.  Immediately she began looking for her discarded shoes.

“Late night?” Mary asked.

“Yeap.” Leigh said a bit embarrassed as she stood up.  “We must have fallen asleep watching TV.” She motioned towards the wide screen television that was still turned on.

“I see.” Mary said slowly and looked at them both suspiciously.

Erin picked up her shoes an almost stumbled to put distance between she and Leigh.  “Umm, I have to go.” She said abruptly and almost practically ran out of the room.

Leigh sighed and walked after her.  When she caught up with Erin she was standing in front of the door and fumbling to try to get her shoes on.

“Kansas…you didn’t do anything wrong.” Leigh said as she walked closer and pushed a mass of unruly dark hair out of her face.

“Really?You could have fooled me. ” Erin put her hands over her face.  “My goodness what must you housekeeper think? I’ve probably lost all credibility here.”

“Calm down…all we did was sleep together.” Leigh chuckled nervously.

Erin went completely still and then rolled her eyes. “I’m so glad this place isn’t wired after all, the boys at the station would have a field day with what you just said.”

“Look…”

“No Leigh you look.” Erin snapped.  “Tonight was last night and you got what you wanted.  We pretended to be friends…”

“Pretended?”

“Well you know what I mean.”

“No I don’t.”

“I can’t talk about this now…I have a conference call with P&W in about an hour so…”

“So?”

“So?Leigh I have a job to do.  That’s not going to disappear OK?  No matter how much I like you…” Erin said with the end of her sentence trailing off.  She opened the door and then quickly shut it.  “Shit… Bert and Mac are already out there.”

“Don’t worry they won’t tell.”

“What?”

“They won’t tell.  Did they tell when you practically spent the whole weekend?” Leigh asked with a raised brow and then she yawned casually.

“Did you say something to them?”

“Does it matter?” Leigh hunched.  “Kansas just relax OK.”

“I have to go.” Erin said.

But as usual, Leigh didn’t want her to leave.  Leigh was as shook up as her.  For the first time in weeks, she’d slept like a baby last night…had it been because Erin Bradshaw had been beside her?  She didn’t know.  If the truth were told, she didn’t know much about anything right then.  So all she could manage to say was.  “Well if you have to go… then you have to go.”

Erin who had been avoiding eye contact up until this point, finally looked into blue eyes. “I have to remain impartial… you know that.”

“I know.” Leigh said softly and then laid a hand on Erin’s arm.  “I know.”

Erin opened the door and with one more final glance at Leigh before she walked out.  For a few seconds Leigh stared at the door and then down at her dog.  “Yeap… I didn’t want her to go either.” Leigh said thinking she was reading Bernie’s mind.

“Really?” Mary said from behind Leigh, and caused the CEO to whirl around.

“Ummm….” Leigh hunched and looked a bit embarrassed.  “I have to be getting to work.” She said quickly and then headed for the stairs.

Then Mary looked down at Bernie.  “Are you going to tell me what’s going on or what?”

 Part VII

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