A Touch of Murder Read online

  “Oh, no, not here,” Jennifer laughed. “Let’s go someplace where the food is better.”

  “Works for me.” Sara grinned.

  “Do you mind if we run by my office and pick up my purse and shed this?” Jennifer held open her lab coat.

  ##

  “I think you’ll like this.” Jennifer led Sara into a marvelous Greek restaurant. The music was playing softly, and the lights were low, giving the place a pleasant mystique.

  “This is lovely.” Sara smiled as she looked around the restaurant. Each table was surrounded by botany interspersed with exotic statues. The decor gave the place the impression that they were the only ones in the restaurant. Each table was very private.

  “I hope you like Greek food.” Jennifer suddenly felt a need to please the other woman.

  “Oh, I do!” Sara exclaimed. “I have never been here. Thank you for introducing it to me.”

  “So,” Jennifer said nervously, “what did you think of our genetic research center?”

  Sara bowed her head. “It’s good.” She smiled slightly.

  “But not great.” Jennifer nodded as she reached for her phone that was vibrating hysterically in her pocket. Seeing it was the hospital, she answered it.

  “Dr. Jordon,” she said in her most professional tone. “Yes. Yes. I see.” She never changed tones or expressions. “No. I won’t do that. I don’t care. Goodbye. I must go. This is me hanging up on you.” She touched the screen, silencing her phone.

  “Is everything okay?” The look of genuine concern on Sara’s beautiful face made Jennifer smile.

  “The hospital. They are really courting you, aren’t they?” Jennifer asked as the waitress placed menus in front of them.

  “Yes,” Sara said simply. “What do you recommend?” She opened her menu.

  They placed their orders and sat in silence for a moment. “I have had some staggering offers,” Sara finally acknowledged.

  “Do you know why?” Jennifer asked.

  “Yes, I come with a tremendous endowment. A corporate benefactor has committed a billion dollars to the research department that hires me.” Sara shrugged.

  “Yes, that is what I was just told.” Jennifer grinned as if they shared a secret. “We won’t discuss it again. I don’t want to influence your decision.”

  “Oh, no,” Sara exclaimed, “please do discuss it with me. I need someone to talk to.”

  Jennifer placed her soft hand on top of Sara’s. “As you wish, Dr. Cross.” Her smile was genuine. She truly wanted what was best for the young doctor.

  The next two hours were spent discussing the pros and cons of Jennifer’s hospital and other hospitals that had offered Sara lucrative positions.

  “Money doesn’t matter,” Sara said finally. “I just want to be in a department that will allow me to be in complete control of my own research. I want a staff that is as deeply committed to what I am doing as I. I want to go where my research leads me. I don’t want to be redirected because someone decides a different avenue will be more financially beneficial to them or their establishment. I also want to be able to destroy it, if it turns into the monster it has the potential to be.”

  Jennifer stared at the young doctor for several minutes. Even silence was comfortable with Sara Cross. Jennifer was amazed at how adamant the woman was about what she wanted. Her last comment about her research had caught the heart surgeon off guard.

  “Why would you ever want to destroy your own research?” Jennifer stared into the glacial blue eyes of the incredibly beautiful woman.

  “Because it comes too close to playing God,” Sara whispered.

  “What is your research?” Jennifer frowned as she searched the face of the younger doctor for answers.

  “Eternal life,” Sara said softly.

  A frown crept across Jennifer’s lovely face. “That is a little like playing God.” She smiled. “Surely you don’t think you can do that?”

  “I have already come close.” Sara grimaced.

  “You’re the child prodigy. You’re the doctor the Methuselah Foundation is after. You won their grant when you were only fifteen.” Jennifer exhaled loudly as she realized with whom she was dining. “You’re the doctor that has genetically engineered mice to live longer.”

  Sara nodded. “When I was fifteen, I discovered ways of manipulating the genome of mice. Mice normally live only a couple of years. My oldest mice are now ten. They are healthy, alert, reproducing, and are thriving. I have tenth-generation mice, and the oldest ones are still just as young and healthy as they were ten years ago.”

  “So you have quintupled the life span of mice,” Jennifer walked herself through what Sara was saying. “If you quintupled the average life span of man—which is eighty years—people would live to be four hundred years old or older.”

  Sara nodded, her blue eyes shining as she became more excited about the topic they were discussing.

  “Wow, that is deep stuff,” Jennifer agreed. “If you lost control of your own research after you perfected it in regard to mankind…” She stopped. Her mind didn’t even want to go where her thoughts were leading her. “Wow!”

  Dr. Jordon suddenly realized what a burden the younger doctor was carrying. “This is heavy stuff, and I thought heart surgery was mind boggling.”

  “Deep stuff,” Sara agreed, smiling sadly.

  “Hey, I know you love to dance.” Jennifer decided to lighten the mood. “I know a nice club where two women dancing together aren’t even noticed. Want to join me?”

  “I…” Sara hesitated, looking at her watch. They had talked into early evening. “Yes. That sounds like fun, but what about Carlie?”

  “We are no longer together.” Jennifer shrugged. “I can’t compete with her ideal woman.”

  Sara didn’t say anything. She knew Detective Carlyle’s ideal woman was her mother.

  ##

  Mika smiled when Leah’s beautiful face appeared on her cellphone. “Hello, darling.” Mika knew her husky voice betrayed her need for Leah. She hadn't made love to her wife in four days, and Mika’s world was unraveling.

  Leah smiled when she heard the desire in Mika’s voice. Leah knew her so well. “I just called to let you know the curse has passed.” Leah laughed softly.

  Mika exhaled loudly as if she had been holding her breath for days. “Oh, thank heaven,” she gasped.

  “Want to meet me at our apartment for a little lunch?” Leah suggested. Her deep, sultry voice sent shockwaves through Mika.

  “Wild horses couldn't keep me away.” Mika laughed softly. “I’m dying.”

  “Um,” Leah purred. “Queen Mommy can fix that.”

  “I love you with all my heart.” Mika’s voice was filled with the hunger only longtime lovers shared.

  “And I adore you, my love,” Leah assured her. “Gotta go. They’re calling for me. See you at noon.”

  Bishop Cantrell knocked on Mika’s open door before entering. The man looked like he had been dragged through hell. Mika recognized that look. She had worn it a couple of times.

  Mika knew the bishop was desperately struggling with the loss of his wife. There was no doubt in her mind that Cantrell had adored Janet. Mika was glad Carlie had agreed to keep the information about Janet's pregnancy quiet.

  “Priest Mika, please have lunch with me today.” Bishop Cantrell smiled tiredly. “I seriously need to talk to someone.”

  Mika nodded and smiled. Inside, she was screaming. The man had no idea what he was asking of her.

  “Is eleven okay?” the bishop asked.

  Mika nodded again. She briefly wondered who had stuffed her mouth with cotton. As the bishop left her office, Mika closed her door and materialized in Leah's dressing room. She slipped out the door and quietly moved to her place among the props to watch Leah.

  Leah knew Mika was in the room. She could feel the energy emanating from her body. The air crackled with it. Her eyes found Mika among the props. A smile stole across Leah’s lovely face. Mika wa
s early. Leah loved it when she was impatient, wanting her.

  “Cut,” Stiles screamed. “Leah, where is your head? You aren't supposed to be singing Kumbaya around a campfire. You are furious. He has just put someone else over you. Pushed aside your feelings for theirs. You want to slap him.”

  Ignoring Stiles, Leah ran to her wife. She practically leaped into Mika’s arms and held her tightly. “You’re early,” she whispered, clearly pleased that Mika was there.

  “I had to see you.” Mika’s eyes were bright, almost shiny. “I wanted to tell you in person I won't be able to make lunch.”

  Leah’s dark eyes turned darker as Mika talked. She tried to suppress her anger, but it seethed out of her like a dark cloud. She needed Mika so badly and Mika was putting her aside for Bishop Cantrell. She knew she was being unreasonable, but she couldn't stop the disappointment that surged through her.

  “Miss Redman,” Stiles said sarcastically, “if you could see fit to finish this scene, the rest of us could take a break.”

  Leah stomped to her spot on the set and waited for Stiles to yell “take two.”

  Trey's character said his lines. Leah whirled and slapped him hard. “I am sick of your stupid rules and excuses. Don’t talk to me. Don't ever touch me again. You are a consultant for the police department, and that is all you will ever be to me.” Trey's character reacted beautifully to her fury, although his face was burning. The slap hadn't been in the script.

  “Cut,” Stiles screamed. “That was awesome. Absolutely awesome.” He knew the scene was as good as the kiss scene. It had the same electricity, the same fiery passion.

  With all eyes on the actors, no one noticed when Mika disappeared.

  ##

  “Lawrence.” Mika burst into Cantrell's office, “I hope you won't be offended, but I can't meet you for lunch until two. I always have lunch with Leah from noon until two. I can’t put anyone else before my wife.”

  “Believe me, I understand,” the bishop said sadly. “I always put everything ahead of Janet: church, social engagements, meetings. I ignored her needs to minister to some whiny, self-indulgent member of our congregation. If I had the chance to do it over again, she would always come first.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Mika smiled. “I will see you at two.”

  Mika materialized in Leah’s dressing room. She was sitting on her sofa, crying softly. Mika kneeled before her and wrapped her arms around Leah. “I am so sorry, darling. The bishop caught me off guard. He’s in such misery over the loss of his wife. My heart went out to him.”

  “Oh, Mika.” Leah threw her arms around her wife’s neck. “I am such a baby.”

  “Um, but you’re my baby.” Mika kissed her softly and transported them to their bedroom.

  Mika stretched out on the bed, pulling Leah in close to her. “I love you so much,” she said hoarsely. “I would never choose anyone else over you.”

  “In my heart I know that. I was just mad about not getting my way. The good news is Stiles thinks you infuriated me enough to win the show another round of Emmy Awards.” She half laughed, half sobbed as she burrowed into her wife’s arms.

  “I’m so sorry I behaved like a brat. I am very ashamed. You should go to the bishop.” Leah kissed her softly. “I can wait.”

  “Maybe you can wait,” Mika said as she kissed her demandingly, “but I can’t.”

  ##

  Mika found the bishop in the sanctuary. He was walking around aimlessly, straightening songbooks and offering envelopes.

  “Excellency,” Mika said, loud enough for him to hear her. She didn’t want to surprise the man with her presence.

  “Priest Mika,” the bishop welcomed her, “thank you for visiting with me.”

  “Would you like to go somewhere for lunch?” Mika asked. “Maybe somewhere to talk.”

  “I would like that, but haven’t you just eaten?” The bishop was always considerate of the younger priest.

  Mika blushed. “No, sir, I didn’t eat.” Mika bowed her head slightly.

  Bishop Cantrell chuckled. “Then by all means let’s find a quiet restaurant and talk.”

  ##

  “I’ll have a Dr. Pepper,” Mika told the waitress as she handed them their menus.

  “Same here.” The bishop nodded.

  “I have needed to talk with you for some time,” Cantrell said, looking at his menu as he spoke. “I should have visited with you right after I returned from the Vatican, but Janet…” His voice trailed off.

  Mika waited silently as the bishop struggled for control of his emotions.

  “I have been offered the position of archbishop,” Cantrell finally blurted out.

  “Congratulations.” Mika’s smile was genuine. She could think of no one who deserved the position more. Cantrell was a good man. “You’ll make a wonderful spiritual leader for the Archdiocese.”

  “Thank you, Mika,” the bishop said. “I have suggested you for bishop and the Pope himself has approved it.”

  “I’m tremendously flattered, Excellency,” Mika said as she looked the man in the eyes, “but I cannot accept the honor.”

  Bishop Cantrell frowned as he listened to the younger priest. The look of honest serenity on Mika’s face told Cantrell no amount of reasoning would change the woman’s mind.

  “Don’t you want to discuss this with your wife?” Cantrell truly wanted Mika to serve with him as bishop.

  “She and I have discussed this possibility many times.” Mika smiled. “We both believe I can serve the Lord better as a priest. I have effectively done the Lord’s work for many years. I have always been a priest. I’m certain God wants me in this position.”

  “But it is a lowly position,” Cantrell pointed out. “Surely you would be more effective in a more authoritative position.”

  “No,” Mika said emphatically. “As a priest, I am very accessible. People come to me without reservation. The younger priests share their problems, their fears, their dreams with me. This is where I need to be, Your Excellency.”

  Cantrell nodded. He knew the young priest was correct.

  “Father Darius would make a wonderful bishop,” Mika advised. “He is truly a man of God.”

  “I will certainly take him into consideration,” the bishop said.

  “How are you doing, Lawrence?” Mika addressed Cantrell as one friend to another.

  “Not so good,” the bishop mumbled. “I keep thinking that I should have driven her to the Hamptons to get her phone. I should have…”

  “God moves in mysterious ways.” Mika consoled the older man. “I know he has plans for you. You will be a great leader and be instrumental in bringing many to Christ.”

  “I…” Overcome with emotion, Cantrell bowed his head. “It just hurts so badly, more than anyone could ever imagine. I loved her so much.”

  Mika placed her hand on the man’s arm. She couldn’t stand to see her friend suffer. Bishop Lawrence Cantrell looked into the sky-blue eyes of Priest Mika Cross. A warmth emanated from the young priest’s hand and spread throughout the bishop’s body. A feeling of peace and happiness enveloped the older man. His memories of his wife were happy ones. They made him smile, but for the first time since her death, he was looking forward to what the Lord needed him to do. He looked at Mika questioningly, then smiled and stood.

  “It looks like we have talked away the entire afternoon.” Cantrell laughed for the first time since his wife’s death. “I have work to do, and I know you want to get home to your lovely wife.” He chuckled. “You know the Pope is not going to like the news of your refusal.”

  “I think he will be just fine with it.” Mika smiled.##

  Dr. Jennifer Jordon made her rounds just as she did every day. Her six a.m. surgery had been more complicated than she had anticipated, and she was thankful the patient was doing well. She walked into the intensive care unit to check on the woman. Great, all the bells and whistles are working normally. Jennifer smiled to herself as she checked the machines connected
to her patient.

  Exhausted, she headed for the cafeteria and a jolt of caffeine. She realized she hadn’t eaten anything since last night’s dinner with Sara. She smiled as her cellphone dinged with a message from Sara. She had spent a lot of time with the young geneticist lately and found she truly missed her when they were apart. “Meet me for coffee? I’m in the cafeteria.”

  Sara’s text made her smile. “On my way,” Jennifer answered.

  Sara waved her over to the table in the far corner of the room and held up two cups of coffee, indicating she had already gotten Jennifer’s too. Sara is so thoughtful. It just seems to be her nature, Jennifer thought as she walked toward the other doctor.

  “Hey, pretty, lady.” Jennifer smiled at her friend. “You must be a mind reader. I was headed this way when you texted me.”

  “You look tired.” Sara frowned.

  “Emergency surgery this morning at six.” Jennifer nodded.

  “Oh, then you probably need to go to bed early tonight.” Disappointment was obvious in the younger doctor’s voice.

  I would go to bed with you right now, Jennifer thought. She inhaled softly as she realized the thought that had jumped from the back of her mind and almost gone to her lips. God, I really am tired.

  “What did you have in mind?” Jennifer grinned. “I’m never too tired to share time with you.”

  “I am at a crossroads in my research and I really need someone who will give me honest feedback.” Sara smiled. “I’ll fix dinner for us and we can stay at my place and talk shop?”

  “Don’t tell me you cook too!” Jennifer smiled broadly as she clutched her chest. “I swear you’re going to steal my heart.”

  “One can only hope.” Sara smiled.

  Is she flirting with me? Jennifer thought. No, staunch Catholic. Mika’s a priest. She’s just sweet.

  “I need to go home and shower. I want to get out of these scrubs.” Jennifer ignored Sara’s comment. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

  “That is one of the things I want to discuss with you. Just come home with me,” Sara insisted. “You can shower and change into some of my clothes. We’re the same size. I promise you a better cup of coffee than this.”