The long and the short of it; Simone agreed to go with me to Linda's wedding. I prepped her on who would probably be there and what to expect before she left with two baguettes and a look of trepidation.

Couldn't blame her, actually. Knowing Linda she'd probably invited a couple of our former neighbors, and her side of the family, which meant I'd be getting everything from sympathetic pats on the back to outright hostile looks, especially from my sister-in-law Leslie. She'd always thought Linda was too good for me and was never shy of saying so.

But I knew my duty here and in a bittersweet way it would be the final break between us, which was overdue I suppose. Life has a way of moving on even if we're not always particularly happy about the direction it takes. And in my case things were looking up with Simone having my back.

Things had quieted down, work-wise and I sent LaSalle to a training refresher along with Gregorio while Percy and I manned the fort. Most of that was catching up on files, going out to the range and cleaning, which was about as much fun as it sounds like. I was already planning out Thanksgiving and Sonja was debating on whether to bring dirty rice or cornbread when she shot me a knowing look.

"So . . . is Ms Hiver on the guest list?"

"Most likely," I replied, doing my best to keep casual "why?"

"I hear she doesn't cook," Sonja replied. "Is that true?"

"It is, alas, true," I admitted. "These character flaws happen."

"So what's she gonna bring?" Sonja wanted to know. "I hear the host is damned picky about good food and I'd hate to think she's getting a pass because she's pretty." She grinned at me and I rolled my eyes.

"Wine," I told Sonja. "And nobody gets a seat at my table just for being pretty. I'd be out of chairs in a heartbeat."

"I'm gonna tell LaSalle you said that," she replied, flicking a dust rag at me.

"Why? Hoping to make him jealous, or just building up his ego?" I snickered.

Percy laughed. "Knowing him, both. He is kinda fond of his reflection in his rearview mirror."

"Well we'll see if his collard greens match his looks this year, but I'm betting they both come in second . . . again."

And at that Percy laughed so hard she nearly dropped the dustrag.

-oo00oo—

There were clouds, and a threat of rain but I managed to get us to St. Mary's before putting the top up on the car. Simone looked damned pretty in a lilac dress and white gloves; that particular touch reminded me of my mother, heading to church on a Sunday and I told Simone so.

She gave a shrug. "Very Catholic, very French. I'd have a lace shawl too but I don't want to be mistaken for the bride."

"So you're Catholic?" I asked, curious.

Simone shrugged. "Nominally. Enough so to appreciate the churches here in New Orleans. You?"

"Non-practicing," I told her. "I believe in God; I just don't visit his house that often."

There were other folks heading into the church and I turned to Simone. She was looking at me solemnly and stepped closer, her voice low. "I'm here for you, mon cher. Just tell me what you need."

Her kindness touched me deeply, and I took in a deep breath. "Just standing with me helps. Maybe a distraction or two if I get a little melancholy at the reception. We won't stay long, I promise."

She nodded, and took the arm I offered her as we headed into the church.

Bride's side of course; I slipped into one of the pews near the back, well away from Linda's family, who were all clustered up front. Simone pulled down a kneeler and began to pray while I sat and tried to figure out how I felt.

By rights I should have felt a little sad, maybe a little angry and resigned. I'd kinda earned the right to feel those emotions given how the last three years had gone. I'd been faithful to Linda in our marriage; I'd tried to make her happy and treated her with the respect and love she deserved, but it hadn't been enough, apparently. I couldn't understand how she could tolerate my job for over twenty years and then just as Laurel left for college, decide my work was too dangerous for her to accept.

But the separation had done me good, too. I'd gotten to see that Linda and I had grown apart, and come to accept that both of us had different priorities now. We'd always share Laurel and we'd both appreciate what we'd had, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit there was some relief in me now too. Linda had chosen to start out on a new life and I was glad of it.

Simone finished and moved to sit next to me in the pew, looking around with interest at the church. I noted there were lots of folks on the groom's side, most of them civic leader types. Laurel showed up, giving Simone the curious once-over as I introduced them, and she sat on the other side of me, which was comforting too.

And the ceremony got underway. Linda looked beautiful of course and the whole service was pared down from what we'd gone through years ago. I put an arm around Laurel and held Simone's hand during the last part of it. Even made it a point to smile when the new Mr. and Mrs. LeBeau came back down the aisle.

And it was good. I found I didn't have any regrets; Linda was happy and I was too.

-oo00oo—

The reception hall was crowded and I promised Simone we wouldn't stay more than an hour. She agreed and we found a table in one of the corners, out of the way but near the music. Laurel made her way over to us and I could tell she had a thousand questions but Simone was good about deflecting them and got my daughter talking about herself, which was smart.

I excused myself and went to go congratulate Linda, getting the duty part out of the way. She saw me and hugged me close, both of us in that bittersweet moment before she looked over at Laurel and Simone.

"I thought you'd bring Loretta?" Linda wanted to know, looking curious and maybe a tad uncertain.

"She sends her regrets; couldn't make it," I murmured. "That's the assistant coroner, Doctor Hiver."

"Ah," Linda replied, still looking confused. "Seems . . . nice."

I didn't want to get into exactly how nice Simone was so I just nodded. "Yep. So . . . make sure Tim treats you good, all right?"

She stopped staring and looked at me, chuckling. "Yep, he will. And thank you for being here, Dwayne. Means a lot to me and Laurel."

I got a kiss on the cheek and that was that. I made a detour, picked up some champagne on the way back and handed a glass each to Simone and Laurel. My daughter gave me a grin and I knew I'd be teased a bit but I waved her off and she headed out across the hall, leaving us to our bubbly.

"Your daughter is a lively one," Simone noted, taking a sip.

"Stubborn," I admitted. "Headstrong. That's mostly from me."

"She asked me if I was your girlfriend," Simone went on, looking serene. "I told her we have a different sort of relationship that didn't fit that particular paradigm."

"And what did she say to that?" I wanted to know. Under the table I felt Simone's hand drop lightly on my thigh and stroke it, sending tingles through me much like the champagne.

"She said that was obfuscation on my part and smirked at me. Your child is too smart by half, Mr. Pride." Those fingers of her stroked upwards and along the inside of my thigh, the heat seeping through my slacks.

"Playing with fire there, Doctor Hiver," I kept my voice low.

She laughed. With her other hand she held out something, urging me to take it from her. I felt something warm and silky drop into my palm and realized what it was just as my former sister-in-law wobbled over, already into her fourth glass of champagne.

Shit.

Quickly I shoved Simone's panties into my pocket, trying not to get caught and feeling a surge of amused lust for the woman next to me; the one looking completely innocent. Part of my brain realized Simone had no underwear on while the other part warned me that Leslie was glaring at me.

"You showed up. Color me surprised," Leslie slurred. "What Linda ever saw in you I don't know."

"Good to see you too, Leslie," I managed, caught between annoyance and arousal. "I'm here because I was invited."

"Told Linda it was a mistake. And with a guest too," she sneered. "Didn't take you long, did it?"

"For what?" Simone asked sweetly. "I'm standing in for the coroner."

I wanted to laugh at how Leslie blinked. "Er, really?"

"Yes. Annnd if your sister got married today, then technically she moved on first, yes?"

Leslie scowled. "That's not the point. The point is, Dwayne's not welcome here."

Double shit; this was shaping up to be a fight—the last thing Linda needed today. I rose up and looked at Simone. "It's all right; we probably should go."

"Certainly," Simone murmured and rose up too. She slipped out from behind the table and looked at Leslie, eyeing her from top to bottom and back again. "Please give your sister my best wishes, and personally? If I ever hear you say another rude thing to this man I will drop you like the ugly slab of concrete you are, chienne."

"Whaa?" Leslie stared and I stood there, not sure whether to laugh or drag Simone away; she looked wonderfully fierce with her hard stare and sweet smile. I had the beginnings of an erection sure enough.

I tried to herd Simone out, but Leslie reached over and caught the sleeve of her dress, tugging. "Hey! What did you say, bitch?"

The fabric ripped, and for a second all three of us froze.

Then Simone turned, and I watched her jab a low punch deep into my former sister-in-law's gut in a one-two action worth of a prizefighter. She pulled back just as Leslie bent forward, and threw up all the champagne, half-chewed shrimp puffs and wet Caesar salad strands in a cascade all over the reception hall floor.

Everyone backed up while Leslie staggered and fell on our table, tipping it over in a crash of glass. I reached for Leslie as Simone called out, "Oh, she's sick! Is there anyone who can get a doctor? Or call an ambulance?"

A few people rushed over and in the confusion, I tugged Simone with me out of the reception all and into the heavy rain outside. I had her by the wrist and nearly dragged her to the car even though she was trying to keep up, and when I dug the keys out of my pocket Simone's underwear fell to the gravel.

"Damn it!" I huffed, caught again between laughing and cursing as I picked it up, "What the hell did you DO?"

"Jab," Simone told me. "A boxer showed me. Low blow, just under the stomach; hit it right and everything comes up. She deserved it Dwayne. You know she did!"

I got her into the car and climbed in myself, slamming the door. Both of us wet and spluttering with laughter. Simone looked gorgeous with her curls all wet and her eyes bright as she fiddled with her torn sleeve.

"You can't just punch people who don't like me, minou," I tried to tell her. "For one thing, there are too many of them. Nearly all of the criminals in New Orleans for one, let alone Leslie."

"I will punch them all then. Good thing I started with her. Nobody should ever speak to you like that, Dwayne. You are . . ."

She didn't get to finish because I kissed her.