Chapter 37 - An Unexpected Turn

Lee showered and changed after assurances from the master-at-arms that he would not leave without letting Lee know first. Lee was pleased to see that Rachael had not tried to take advantage of the opportunity to flee. Roger returned an hour later with clothes that suited his gal pal well. Rachael went off to clean up and change, leaving the men alone.

"I think I could use you as my personal shopper too."

"You might not like what I attract for you so much, pal!"

"Hey, you're the one who always seems to have a beautiful girl nearby. Me, I only have the gray lady. She's beautiful in her own way, I suppose."

"When do you sail again?"

"I don't know. What day is today?"

"Just been one long one, it feels."

"Next Tuesday, if all is on schedule."

"Some great leave you've had!"

"It all worked out. Got to spend quality time with you sifting through phone records and receipts."

"Quality time with Rachael too. Think you two will stay in touch?"

"Why wouldn't we?"

"I'm sure you'll come up with something."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's not a personal attack, just an observation. You have trouble maintaining relationships with women. It's inevitable given what you do. What sane woman would wait around for you to visit every two to six weeks and give her a few precious minutes of your time?"

"Rachael's not sane. That could work in my favor."

"Lee, be a pal. Don't even think about stringing this along."

"Excuse me?"

"For her sake. She really needs some stability in her life. I love you buddy, but I don't think you're it."

"I feel a little hurt at that. Besides stability is not my problem, availability is."

"Forgive my poor word choice, then. Listen to my content."

"Am I supposed to just disappear, no contact at all?"

"No, I'm not saying that. You know what I mean."

"Well, maybe I don't like it then!" Lee threw a pillow across the room.

Rachael emerged dressed and sassy. "What the hell were you two shouting about?"

"We're fighting over you, darlin'. I get dibs tonight." Roger glared at Lee.

Rachael glared too, puzzled.

Lee had no comment. Roger went to put some music on the radio to distract them all. Classical music.

"May I have this dance, milady?" Roger took Rachael in his arms. It was obviously a well rehearsed routine between the two.

"May I cut in?" Lee interrupted after thirty seconds. Roger glared but yielded when Rachael nodded.

She pulled in tight to Lee. "What's going on between you two?"

Lee whispered back. "He's afraid I'm going to disappoint you. He may be right."

"Don't worry about my big brother over there, Curly. I have no expectations of you. Not beyond tonight at least," she winked.

Lee felt himself relaxing suddenly. Saul came to the door just before the dance ended. "I see I missed the beginning of the party. Hope you saved one for me."

"Of course."

"Later, I meant. We have reservations."

"Could we hold up a minute, Saul? I think I speak for us all that I'd like tonight not to be about Mel's murder, but I did want to follow up on something."

"Sure thing, Lee. What's on your mind?"

"Mel's car, the flat. Did Randall or Oliver do that?"

"No, Lee it was pure dumb luck - bad luck - on your part."

"Assisted by Mel, no doubt," Roger nodded. "She was brutal on sidewalls."

"Actually, I have one last question for you, Roger, if you want to answer it," Saul said. "If Melanie had told you about losing the baby, would you have, you know, donated your sperm or whatever?"

Roger looked pensive. "You mean impregnate her the old fashioned way? No, I doubt I could have physically. I just don't roll that way, and if I'm being completely honest, even though I felt hurt by Mel's deceit, I can't swear we'd have gone forward with any of it, baby making or wedding if I'd known she lost the baby. I liked Mel, I really did, and I wanted to help her, but without the situation existing, I . . . I don't know . . . so I guess I understand her desperation a little."

"It was a sad situation all around," Saul said, "but now it's time to move forward. Come on, we're due at the restaurant in fifteen minutes."

Except for Saul, they all dug heartily into steak dinners. Afterward, Roger directed them to a hotel bar with soft jazz. They took turns dancing with Rachael. Lee couldn't have imagined such a pleasant evening after all that had happened during the week. As they waited for Rachael to return from the powder room, Lee thought ahead to how he might enjoy the end of the evening. Only the minutes stretched and Rachael didn't return. Saul asked a waitress to check on Rachael. "She's gone."

"Damn. How could we let our guard down like that?" Lee asked.

"She helped us do it. Set it up like the pro she is," Roger said.

"Where do you think she went?" Saul asked.

"Not a clue," Roger said. Lee nodded in agreement.

"Do you think she had something planned?"

"Yes," Lee admitted with embarrassment.

"What are the odds of us finding her if that's the case?"

"Zero," Roger said.

"Saul, we hadn't had a chance to bring it up, but what exactly is Rachael's legal status now?"

"After our discussion with Ducky, I'd be more worried about her medical status. She needs to be weaned off the drugs. She'll be highly unstable if she isn't."

Lee and Roger looked knowingly at each other. "She hasn't exactly been stable on them, Saul," Roger said.

"I know that. It could get worse, however."

"What can we do?"

"Bulletins to airports, bus and train terminals. Not much else."

"She doesn't even have an i.d. or any cash."

"Which means she's got to steal something . . ."

"Or this is prearranged," Lee said. "Johnson. We should have expected him to make a play."

"This fast?" Roger said halfheartedly. "This fast," he sighed in acknowledgment.