Murder on the Mainline: another Mike Claymore Mystery Chapter 06

CHAPTER SIX
2ND SATURDAY

The kids have them up by eight thirty and Mike sees Nina out by the car in her drive. He waves as he picks up his paper and she wanders over. She says, “What a hang over! Jeff is miserable, too. How do you feel this morning?”

“Like I need an hour in the hot tub with you.”

He grins and she says, “How could you? Jeff is whipped. Poor Marlene won’t get any for two weeks and I plan to keep you busy that long at least.” She leers at him.

“Be careful, woman. You might get what you wish for.”

“Oh, I couldn’t. I didn’t think I would ever say that but that was before yesterday. Whew! I’ll see you later.”

She takes off and leaves in her car.

Mike goes back into the house and Marlene meets him in the living room. “Making a date for this afternoon?” There is definite ice in her tone.

“Any breakfast yet?”

“She’ll wear you out then look for someone else, you know.”

“Hey, take it easy. Jeff’s the one who looks worn out and he has for months. How about some breakfast or do I have to go and find that somewhere else, too.”

“Go! See if I care! Just get out of my sight!”

Mike gets dressed and leaves the house. He drives around to a local restaurant and orders breakfast. He tries to chat up the waitress but gets the cold shoulder. As he’s eating he looks out the window and notices Nina’s car pulled in by his. She’s looking the convertible over and Mike waves as she glances his way. She waves back and comes in, sitting down beside him.

“Wife won’t feed you this morning?”

“Yeah, she accused me of setting up a date with you this morning when we were chatting on the door step. She said for me to get out, so here I am.”

“I know how you feel. Jeff was so crabby I had to leave for a while. Why are they mad at us? We haven’t been having an affair for, he says, at least six months.”

“I guess they’re feeling guilty at getting caught. That’s all I can figure. You want coffee or anything?”

“I could use some anything, but coffee will do for now.” They grin and their lips graze each other. “Mmmmm. Your sweet in the morning.”

Mike calls for coffee and the waitress delivers it right away. Meanwhile Nina licks the edge of his cup and takes a drink. Mike laughs and does the same.

“Aren’t you afraid someone will see us?” He asks her the question and she just shakes her head.

“I don’t care anymore. I love Jeff, but I’m shocked by his betrayal of me. I think I felt he was being untrue and that’s why I yearned to be with you.”

“So it’s his fault you had sex with me, is that it?”

“Well, it’s your fault, too. You seduced me. What an old fashioned word. Seduced. Did you set out to seduce me?”

“I sure did. I plotted and schemed to get you alone and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Remember how hard you fought me?”

She grins and says, “That would be rape and that’s almost what I did to you.” They chuckle together. He takes her coffee and licks the edge then drinks. She does the same and finishes it.

She sighs and says, “Well, I better get on home. What are you doing today?”

“An insurance fraud investigation.”

“Be careful. I don’t want you getting yourself killed when I’ve finally found you.”

“I can take care of myself. Don’t worry.”

“I’m serious. Please be careful. Promise?”

“I will be careful.”

“I’ll worry about you now, you know. When you’re on the road with the truck or out fighting crime, I’ll always be worrying about you. Remember that.”

“I will, my itty bitty pretty one.”

They drive off in different directions and as Mike cruises down the freeway towards Chilliwack with the top down he thinks that it’s a crazy, crazy world. He’s going to visit Trudy and feels guilty about it because of Nina more than he does because of Marlene. He figures it’s because he thinks Marlene is tougher, Nina more vulnerable. He turns up the radio and sings along with JR Country.

He pulls in by the bungalow and she comes out to meet him.