Chapter Twelve
At the restaurant, Roxanne began by telling Lucy about her daughter's medical condition, and how it was driving her and Chandler crazy; so much so that it was affecting their sex life. She told Lucy that, in an attempt to both help their child and save their marriage, they were considering a move away from Glen Oak to make a fresh start
Roxanne then put down her cup of Hawaiian coffee, and faced the woman who was her mentor, friend, and longtime rival. This was going to be the most difficult confession she ever had to make, but she knew she was the only one who could make things right.
"Just before Ruthie and Peter got married," said Roxie, "Kevin and I were on a stakeout on the 'po side of town. You know, where the free trade zone is – all the abandoned warehouses that were converted to value added plants, finishing goods up before they're shipped off elsewhere?"
"Yeah, of course," said Lucy.
"Kevin and I got a tip that one of those warehouses was not the chocolate factory that it claimed to be; that after hours, the plant owners were processing poppies smuggled out of places like ... well, you know what part of the world they mostly come from."
"It really doesn't matter, because I know what they're turned into: Opium," said Lucy.
"That's right," replied Roxie. "Well, let me back up. A few days before we started the stakeout, actually a week, someone who was doing an unscheduled late shift at the computer components plant next door noticed something was funny. He saw a lot of unmarked trucks from his office window two floors above. Irregular times coming in and out, people moving almost too quietly. He knew it wasn't right, so he quietly called the cops. After checking the tipster out and believing he didn't have an axe to grind, we took over that guy's office space, turned out the lights, and using night vision goggles started taking notes of our own.
"Finally, we decided we had enough probable cause. With help from the DEA, we busted the place. Turns out we hit the jackpot. Boxes and boxes of raw poppies, work in progress, and opium ready to ship to the street. By our count, about 1800 metric tons – roughly equal to the entire crop from Afghanistan for about six months. If they all came from that one country, of course – we found the source seeds trace back to some other countries, too, including right here in the States. Amazing what you can do with hydroponics and stolen electricity.
"We're going to break the story tomorrow morning, because the place was under seal and we needed time to round up all the ringleaders and get indictments from the grand jury. But it's what happened right after the raid, and Kevin and I returned to the station, that I have to tell you about."
Lucy had a gut feeling what it was going to be, but she decided if she was right she wouldn't lash out at either Roxie or Kevin – the fact she might be pregnant weighed against that.
"He and I were doing the paperwork," continued Roxie, "and were writing report after report. About four in the morning, we decided we needed to take a break, and went to the all night coffee shop. Yeah, I know, I know, the stereotype, but it's the only thing open that time of night. Well, when we got back to the station, I accidentally spilled some of my brew on his lap. I got one of my facial tissues to try to dry it up. Somehow, I had one of my hands on his leg while I dabbed off the coffee.
"I looked up at him and apologized, but – I don't know, our eyes locked and it just, let out. Maybe it was the excitement of pulling off the biggest bust in years, or just the tension we've had all this time working the same beat. Or maybe it was just the fact Chandler and I haven't had sex for almost six months and I needed someone to cling to. Or maybe Kevin has something with you to pick over. Any way you cut it, I couldn't stand it anymore.
"We looked around, saw no one else was on duty, so I switched our phone to the 911 dispatch. He grabbed my arm, we headed to the woman's bathroom, and we started kissing like crazy. Our tongues must have been wrestling like ... well, I'm sure you get the idea. He then reached under my skirt, while I unzipped his trousers. It may have taken us about two minutes to undress and we had sex right then and there. Ten minutes later, we returned to our desks with our clothes back on, as if nothing happened.
"Luce, I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. This was totally out of character for me. I just lost it and so did your husband."
A pause ensued. Lucy sipped her pineapple juice, and then faced Roxanne.
"Forget it," the minister said.
"What?"
"Forget it," repeated Lucy. "We all make mistakes. Besides, it's my turn, and you're not going to like this."
Lucy proceeded to repeat what she had told Ruthie. She then added that Kevin had been distant from her for some time, too, and that she had overcompensated for her transgression with Chandler by what she was trying to do with her husband.
"That's me, too," said Roxanne. "If there was any chance I might be pregnant, I want it to be Chandler's and not your husband's. And vice versa as far as you're concerned."
"So you're not mad at me?" asked Lucy.
"What's the point?" replied Roxie. "If anyone should be mad, it's our husbands; except they worked behind both our backs, too. I don't know, maybe we should just tell them the truth, and try to work it out with our respective spouses."
"They'll have to work it out between them, too," added Lucy. "After all, from now on they'll be the 'other man.'"
An undercover officer walked up to Roxanne and handed her a note detailing what had happened, and that Ruthie and Peter were due back in Honolulu within the hour. Nervously, she handed the note to Lucy.
Lucy was shocked when she read it, and burst into tears. The news that George and Patty Mary had eloped and managed to keep their marriage a secret all this time was beyond weird; in fact, this was the first time a secret with the Camden-Kinkirk circle managed to stay a secret. She instinctively knew that there was no way either Kevin or Ben knew about it. Nor could Eric or Julie have known; and they'd be really shocked when they got this piece of news. Lucy, at least, could handle that – as a minister, she helped quite a few couples elope, conducting civil ceremonies after hours and in secret locations; which she was entitled to do.
But the news about Tyler and Lynn was too much. Lynn, for a number of years Ruthie's best friend, was full of the same energy and mischief that had marked Ruthie during her pre-pubescent years. But Tyler, a guy whose family got a second chance when the IRS cut them some slack? That was a murder that had absolutely no motive, no cause, and no reason. Who'd want to kill a guy who had had almost no contact with the family in nearly nine years – seven actually (if one counted the fact he showed up for Eric's surprise fiftieth birthday party, along with nearly 500 other people), and why?
Lucy was comforted by the "other woman." Even if this was a serial murder she and the other cops were contending with, these were individuals after all, men and women who had lives beyond their marriages and their jobs. They were defined not by their couplings but by their individual characters. It could very well be her at the morgue, Roxanne told herself. This was now beyond the pale of insanity. Now, it was personal.
Lucy's cell phone rang. She picked it up. It was Deena. It was just past midnight in Chicago, but only seven in the evening in Hawaii. Deena seemed breathless as she expounded her theory about the killings. Just as she was about to name a name, Lucy heard a beep.
"Just a minute, Deena," said Lucy. "I've got a call on the other line."
Lucy took the other call. It was Robbie Palmer, from his' and his wife Mary's home in Fort Lauderdale.
"Luce," said Robbie, "I've got to talk to you. It's about the serial killings."
"Just a minute, Robbie," said Lucy, "I've got a call on the other line. Let me call you back in a few minutes. Wait, it's only one a.m. where you are."
"You can call back when it's convenient for you," said Robbie. "Our son, Martin started having a crying fit right after ..."
"No, wait, hold the line," said Lucy. She had a hunch about something. She clicked the button to go back to the first call. "Sorry to keep you holding, Deena; it's Robbie."
"That's okay," said Deena. "By the way, how is he?"
"I'm going to find out, just as soon as you finish telling me what you have to tell me. Who do you think is behind this?"
Deena gave her a name.
"Okay, hold on, while I write this down." Lucy wrote the name down on a slip of paper, and waived it at the cop who had just broken the news about the last two couples attacked.
"Run a background check on this guy," said Lucy to the officer. "I can't believe it's him, but if it is, we need to check his credit records."
"You're thinking like a cop, Reverend," said the detective. "I'll check it out."
"Okay Deena," said Lucy. "By the way, how did you come up with that name?"
"I know it's going to sound crazy, but it occurred to me while Simon and I were having sex tonight. We're going to have another baby!"
"You came up with that name – how? Deena, um, do you mind holding on a little while longer?"
"Sure," said Deena.
Lucy had not paid the scantest attention to the news she was going to be an aunt again. All she could think about was ... no, this was too nuts. How could Deena know ...? Lucy switched to the other line.
"Robbie. I'm sorry to keep you holding. What's your theory?"
Robbie gave her a name. Incredibly, almost uncannily, it was the exact same name Deena had come up with. Lucy thought this was too weird, but she had to ask.
"Robbie, is Mary pregnant again?"
"How did you know that?"
"And were you guys celebrating that by having sex, and you came up with that name while ..."
"No, Mary did," said Robbie. "I know it's nuts, but that's what happened. She screamed, pushed me off of her, looked at me, and then said that guy's name out loud and said, 'he wants Peter.' Then our son woke up and started crying. Mary's feeding him right now and trying to calm him down."
"Robbie," said Lucy, "tell Mary thank you very much and congratulations. If she's right, I'll owe her forever. Good night."
She switched back to the first line.
"Deena, by any chance, have you talked to Mary lately?"
"No," said Deena. "She's just our sister-in-law. It's Simon who talks to her mostly. Why?"
"I'll tell you first thing in the morning," replied Lucy. "Give Catherine an extra hug, congratulations on your new bundle of joy, and, um ... French kiss Simon one more time, just for me, okay? Bye." She hung up the phone abruptly.
Roxanne was flustered. She had no idea what on earth was going on. Lucy leaned over and whispered the name of the new suspect in her right ear. Roxie gasped. Then she added, "Oh, by the way, Luce, Deena's daughter's name is Annie, not Catherine."
"Yeah, you're right. Even I'm going crazy now." Lucy shook her head.
The detective returned. "Good news, ladies. Our suspect is on this island right now. He has been since the day before the attacks commenced. In fact, he took a side trip this morning. First to Molokai, then to ..."
"Maui?" asked Roxie.
"Precisely," said the cop. "He returned not an hour ago, and charged an expensive dinner next to the marina where the opening sequence for 'Gilligan's Island' was shot. So we know he's back here."
"We have to tell Ruthie and Peter!" gasped Lucy.
"No, you won't," said the detective. "They received a death threat in Maui this morning, and are being debriefed by the 5-0. They'll be there all night. But we'll be happy to tell them we've on the lookout for a suspect. But no names until we nail the guy – we need more than just circumstantial evidence."
The detective left. Roxanne and Lucy paid their tab, and headed back for the hotel room they were sharing. They undressed in full view of each other, and slipped on their respective nightgowns. They said good night to each other and apologized once more for betraying each other's trust. The two women turned out their bed lights. A moment later, Lucy turned hers back on, sat up, reached for the bed stand, and pulled out the Bible.
"I hope you don't mind," said Lucy. "Kevin and I read a few chapters before I go to bed every night – at least, since I was ordained."
"Not without me you won't," said Roxanne. "So do Chandler and I."
Lucy flipped the pages to the middle of the Book of Job, the last place where she had left off, and handed it to Roxanne. Roxie read aloud, starting from 19:25: "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."
At the restaurant, Roxanne began by telling Lucy about her daughter's medical condition, and how it was driving her and Chandler crazy; so much so that it was affecting their sex life. She told Lucy that, in an attempt to both help their child and save their marriage, they were considering a move away from Glen Oak to make a fresh start
Roxanne then put down her cup of Hawaiian coffee, and faced the woman who was her mentor, friend, and longtime rival. This was going to be the most difficult confession she ever had to make, but she knew she was the only one who could make things right.
"Just before Ruthie and Peter got married," said Roxie, "Kevin and I were on a stakeout on the 'po side of town. You know, where the free trade zone is – all the abandoned warehouses that were converted to value added plants, finishing goods up before they're shipped off elsewhere?"
"Yeah, of course," said Lucy.
"Kevin and I got a tip that one of those warehouses was not the chocolate factory that it claimed to be; that after hours, the plant owners were processing poppies smuggled out of places like ... well, you know what part of the world they mostly come from."
"It really doesn't matter, because I know what they're turned into: Opium," said Lucy.
"That's right," replied Roxie. "Well, let me back up. A few days before we started the stakeout, actually a week, someone who was doing an unscheduled late shift at the computer components plant next door noticed something was funny. He saw a lot of unmarked trucks from his office window two floors above. Irregular times coming in and out, people moving almost too quietly. He knew it wasn't right, so he quietly called the cops. After checking the tipster out and believing he didn't have an axe to grind, we took over that guy's office space, turned out the lights, and using night vision goggles started taking notes of our own.
"Finally, we decided we had enough probable cause. With help from the DEA, we busted the place. Turns out we hit the jackpot. Boxes and boxes of raw poppies, work in progress, and opium ready to ship to the street. By our count, about 1800 metric tons – roughly equal to the entire crop from Afghanistan for about six months. If they all came from that one country, of course – we found the source seeds trace back to some other countries, too, including right here in the States. Amazing what you can do with hydroponics and stolen electricity.
"We're going to break the story tomorrow morning, because the place was under seal and we needed time to round up all the ringleaders and get indictments from the grand jury. But it's what happened right after the raid, and Kevin and I returned to the station, that I have to tell you about."
Lucy had a gut feeling what it was going to be, but she decided if she was right she wouldn't lash out at either Roxie or Kevin – the fact she might be pregnant weighed against that.
"He and I were doing the paperwork," continued Roxie, "and were writing report after report. About four in the morning, we decided we needed to take a break, and went to the all night coffee shop. Yeah, I know, I know, the stereotype, but it's the only thing open that time of night. Well, when we got back to the station, I accidentally spilled some of my brew on his lap. I got one of my facial tissues to try to dry it up. Somehow, I had one of my hands on his leg while I dabbed off the coffee.
"I looked up at him and apologized, but – I don't know, our eyes locked and it just, let out. Maybe it was the excitement of pulling off the biggest bust in years, or just the tension we've had all this time working the same beat. Or maybe it was just the fact Chandler and I haven't had sex for almost six months and I needed someone to cling to. Or maybe Kevin has something with you to pick over. Any way you cut it, I couldn't stand it anymore.
"We looked around, saw no one else was on duty, so I switched our phone to the 911 dispatch. He grabbed my arm, we headed to the woman's bathroom, and we started kissing like crazy. Our tongues must have been wrestling like ... well, I'm sure you get the idea. He then reached under my skirt, while I unzipped his trousers. It may have taken us about two minutes to undress and we had sex right then and there. Ten minutes later, we returned to our desks with our clothes back on, as if nothing happened.
"Luce, I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. This was totally out of character for me. I just lost it and so did your husband."
A pause ensued. Lucy sipped her pineapple juice, and then faced Roxanne.
"Forget it," the minister said.
"What?"
"Forget it," repeated Lucy. "We all make mistakes. Besides, it's my turn, and you're not going to like this."
Lucy proceeded to repeat what she had told Ruthie. She then added that Kevin had been distant from her for some time, too, and that she had overcompensated for her transgression with Chandler by what she was trying to do with her husband.
"That's me, too," said Roxanne. "If there was any chance I might be pregnant, I want it to be Chandler's and not your husband's. And vice versa as far as you're concerned."
"So you're not mad at me?" asked Lucy.
"What's the point?" replied Roxie. "If anyone should be mad, it's our husbands; except they worked behind both our backs, too. I don't know, maybe we should just tell them the truth, and try to work it out with our respective spouses."
"They'll have to work it out between them, too," added Lucy. "After all, from now on they'll be the 'other man.'"
An undercover officer walked up to Roxanne and handed her a note detailing what had happened, and that Ruthie and Peter were due back in Honolulu within the hour. Nervously, she handed the note to Lucy.
Lucy was shocked when she read it, and burst into tears. The news that George and Patty Mary had eloped and managed to keep their marriage a secret all this time was beyond weird; in fact, this was the first time a secret with the Camden-Kinkirk circle managed to stay a secret. She instinctively knew that there was no way either Kevin or Ben knew about it. Nor could Eric or Julie have known; and they'd be really shocked when they got this piece of news. Lucy, at least, could handle that – as a minister, she helped quite a few couples elope, conducting civil ceremonies after hours and in secret locations; which she was entitled to do.
But the news about Tyler and Lynn was too much. Lynn, for a number of years Ruthie's best friend, was full of the same energy and mischief that had marked Ruthie during her pre-pubescent years. But Tyler, a guy whose family got a second chance when the IRS cut them some slack? That was a murder that had absolutely no motive, no cause, and no reason. Who'd want to kill a guy who had had almost no contact with the family in nearly nine years – seven actually (if one counted the fact he showed up for Eric's surprise fiftieth birthday party, along with nearly 500 other people), and why?
Lucy was comforted by the "other woman." Even if this was a serial murder she and the other cops were contending with, these were individuals after all, men and women who had lives beyond their marriages and their jobs. They were defined not by their couplings but by their individual characters. It could very well be her at the morgue, Roxanne told herself. This was now beyond the pale of insanity. Now, it was personal.
Lucy's cell phone rang. She picked it up. It was Deena. It was just past midnight in Chicago, but only seven in the evening in Hawaii. Deena seemed breathless as she expounded her theory about the killings. Just as she was about to name a name, Lucy heard a beep.
"Just a minute, Deena," said Lucy. "I've got a call on the other line."
Lucy took the other call. It was Robbie Palmer, from his' and his wife Mary's home in Fort Lauderdale.
"Luce," said Robbie, "I've got to talk to you. It's about the serial killings."
"Just a minute, Robbie," said Lucy, "I've got a call on the other line. Let me call you back in a few minutes. Wait, it's only one a.m. where you are."
"You can call back when it's convenient for you," said Robbie. "Our son, Martin started having a crying fit right after ..."
"No, wait, hold the line," said Lucy. She had a hunch about something. She clicked the button to go back to the first call. "Sorry to keep you holding, Deena; it's Robbie."
"That's okay," said Deena. "By the way, how is he?"
"I'm going to find out, just as soon as you finish telling me what you have to tell me. Who do you think is behind this?"
Deena gave her a name.
"Okay, hold on, while I write this down." Lucy wrote the name down on a slip of paper, and waived it at the cop who had just broken the news about the last two couples attacked.
"Run a background check on this guy," said Lucy to the officer. "I can't believe it's him, but if it is, we need to check his credit records."
"You're thinking like a cop, Reverend," said the detective. "I'll check it out."
"Okay Deena," said Lucy. "By the way, how did you come up with that name?"
"I know it's going to sound crazy, but it occurred to me while Simon and I were having sex tonight. We're going to have another baby!"
"You came up with that name – how? Deena, um, do you mind holding on a little while longer?"
"Sure," said Deena.
Lucy had not paid the scantest attention to the news she was going to be an aunt again. All she could think about was ... no, this was too nuts. How could Deena know ...? Lucy switched to the other line.
"Robbie. I'm sorry to keep you holding. What's your theory?"
Robbie gave her a name. Incredibly, almost uncannily, it was the exact same name Deena had come up with. Lucy thought this was too weird, but she had to ask.
"Robbie, is Mary pregnant again?"
"How did you know that?"
"And were you guys celebrating that by having sex, and you came up with that name while ..."
"No, Mary did," said Robbie. "I know it's nuts, but that's what happened. She screamed, pushed me off of her, looked at me, and then said that guy's name out loud and said, 'he wants Peter.' Then our son woke up and started crying. Mary's feeding him right now and trying to calm him down."
"Robbie," said Lucy, "tell Mary thank you very much and congratulations. If she's right, I'll owe her forever. Good night."
She switched back to the first line.
"Deena, by any chance, have you talked to Mary lately?"
"No," said Deena. "She's just our sister-in-law. It's Simon who talks to her mostly. Why?"
"I'll tell you first thing in the morning," replied Lucy. "Give Catherine an extra hug, congratulations on your new bundle of joy, and, um ... French kiss Simon one more time, just for me, okay? Bye." She hung up the phone abruptly.
Roxanne was flustered. She had no idea what on earth was going on. Lucy leaned over and whispered the name of the new suspect in her right ear. Roxie gasped. Then she added, "Oh, by the way, Luce, Deena's daughter's name is Annie, not Catherine."
"Yeah, you're right. Even I'm going crazy now." Lucy shook her head.
The detective returned. "Good news, ladies. Our suspect is on this island right now. He has been since the day before the attacks commenced. In fact, he took a side trip this morning. First to Molokai, then to ..."
"Maui?" asked Roxie.
"Precisely," said the cop. "He returned not an hour ago, and charged an expensive dinner next to the marina where the opening sequence for 'Gilligan's Island' was shot. So we know he's back here."
"We have to tell Ruthie and Peter!" gasped Lucy.
"No, you won't," said the detective. "They received a death threat in Maui this morning, and are being debriefed by the 5-0. They'll be there all night. But we'll be happy to tell them we've on the lookout for a suspect. But no names until we nail the guy – we need more than just circumstantial evidence."
The detective left. Roxanne and Lucy paid their tab, and headed back for the hotel room they were sharing. They undressed in full view of each other, and slipped on their respective nightgowns. They said good night to each other and apologized once more for betraying each other's trust. The two women turned out their bed lights. A moment later, Lucy turned hers back on, sat up, reached for the bed stand, and pulled out the Bible.
"I hope you don't mind," said Lucy. "Kevin and I read a few chapters before I go to bed every night – at least, since I was ordained."
"Not without me you won't," said Roxanne. "So do Chandler and I."
Lucy flipped the pages to the middle of the Book of Job, the last place where she had left off, and handed it to Roxanne. Roxie read aloud, starting from 19:25: "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."