Chapter 9

"Lee, do you know if the police dusted for fingerprints?" Amanda called out as Lee and Francine descended the steps.

"I don't think so. Why do you ask?" Lee studied Amanda's face as she lined up several photographs on the table.

"Well, I'm not sure if it's just me, but it looks like someone leaned against the table here," Amanda stated as she tapped one of the images.

Lee narrowed his eyes and leaned over to get a better angle, trying to see what Amanda did. "I don't know. What makes you think that?"

Amanda stared up at her husband with a disbelieving expression. "You, of all people, should see it."

Lee's mouth dropped open as he sputtered, "See what?" Beside him, Francine giggled softly.

"Lee, you lean against the edge of tables and desks all the time and you can't see the telltale signs?" Amanda gasped. When Lee didn't immediately reply she pointed to a section of books which appeared to be pushed closer to the wall than the others in the row. "See… right there."

Lee groaned and rolled his eyes. "Amanda, how can you look at that and say someone leaned against it? Maybe Jonathan did it when he was cleaning or something."

Francine nodded as she said, "I think I agree with Amanda on this one. Jonathan was many things but a housekeeper he was not. He hired people to clean and I'm sure they wouldn't have left the books like that."

"Fine. How do you know the cleaning lady didn't do it?" Lee jerked his hand out toward the photo and the muscle in his cheek began to twitch.

Amanda folded her arms defiantly and eyed her husband. "I don't, but I also don't think anyone would leave the books pushed in like that on purpose."

Francine raised her hands. "I surrender. Enough of this. If the most Amanda could find was some books pushed out of line, then I think his office is a dead end." When Lee and Amanda's heads snapped in her direction, she quickly added, "Maybe tomorrow, after we've all had a good night's sleep, we can take another once over on all of this. But for tonight, I'm going to head home and try to get some sleep."

She started toward the stairs when she felt Lee's hand on her shoulder. "Francine, if you'd rather not be alone tonight, you're more than welcome to stay here."

Francine laughed lightly and assured him, "I think it's better if I go home. You and Amanda can hash out…" She paused for a second. "Whatever this is right now." She stopped one more time and added, "I'm fine. Really."

Amanda sighed softly. "Let me walk you out."

Thirty minutes later, Francine pulled into the parking lot of her condo complex. She groaned inwardly when she spotted a familiar body leaning against the staircase near the entrance. "Why?" she whispered aloud before climbing out of her car. "What are you doing here?"

Leatherneck turned toward her, a toothpick dangling from the corner of his mouth. "I was worried?"

"Not likely," Francine snapped as she got closer. "What are you really doing here?"

Leatherneck pinched the toothpick and flicked it into the bushes. "I'm serious, Francine. I'm worried about you."

Francine squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. "You don't need to be. I told you earlier, I'm fine."

Leatherneck's hand shot out and cradled her jaw with the lightest of touches. "And I know you, Frannie. You're not fine. You are so far from fine."

Unconsciously, Francine leaned into his hand as her eyes began to fill with tears. "I told you not to call me that," she chastised him softly.

Leatherneck's hand slid to the back of her neck and he gently pulled her into his arms. "You only said not to call you that at work. Right now we are not at work. We are here in front of your condo. I'm here, with you, whether you like it or not." He held her close as he added, "I know you're hurting and it's okay. I know what Stone meant to you. And I also know what you mean to me."

Francine inhaled and exhaled several times heavily. She lifted her head, wiped the corner of her eyes carefully, and with an apologetic look, she said, "I must be a mess. Like some crazy-eyed raccoon or something."

Leatherneck gave her a lopsided smile. "You look beautiful as always. I say we head inside, have a glass of wine and just deal with whatever is bothering you the most. Is it because he's dead? Or something else?"

"You mean, you just want to listen to me moan and groan about it too?" Francine's bottom lip quivered ever so slightly.

"Nope. I'm sure you did enough of that with Scarecrow and Mrs. Stetson." Leatherneck smiled. "No, I want you to tell me exactly why this is upsetting you as much as it is. I mean, you told me the guy was a ghost in your eyes, so what's causing all these tears?" Leatherneck draped his arm over her shoulders and slowly began to guide her toward the door.

"I guess it's because it's a part of my past I never truly closed the door on, even though we both knew it would never work. For whatever reason, I let him back into my life and I don't know…" Francine shook her head slightly.

Leatherneck reached out and opened the exterior door for her as he assured her, "We'll figure it out."

In silence, with his arm still tucked around her shoulders, they rode the elevator to Francine's floor. As they approached her door, Leatherneck froze. The door was open slightly; the molding splintered. He protectively turned Francine against the wall and instructed, "Stay here."

Francine reached into her purse and pulled out her gun. She wrapped her fingers around the handle and released the safety. "No." She rushed forward into the room only to stop in her tracks. Leatherneck stepped in behind her and released a low whistle as he surveyed the room.

Furniture was tossed about, drawers pulled open, their contents dumped onto the floor. Francine moved slowly, deeper into her condo. She scanned the area before moving toward her bedroom. She found it in the same condition. "I don't understand," she breathed. "Jonathan, what did you get yourself into this time?"

Leatherneck picked his way around a pile of clothes on the floor to reach the phone by her bedside. "Doesn't matter what he got himself into because we're gonna figure out how to get you out of it."

"Who are you calling?" Francine's eyes met his across the room.

"Melrose."