No Looking Back

  ********

  It hadn’t escaped his notice that Marla was cold and aloof to him the minute she saw him, stiffly answering his questions and only speaking when absolutely necessary. His heart sank in regret. This was going to be harder to fix than he had originally thought. Lost in his own thoughts he didn’t speak until they were both settled back at the house. Besides, they had things that needed to be discussed besides the kiss.

  “We had some very interesting developments at the station today on your case. Captain Perkins talked to a man named Brett Noble. He came in claiming to be your husband and produced a marriage license and everything. Is there anything you can tell me about him?” Pete tried to keep an open mind, not wanting to jump to any conclusions.

  “It’s not possible. I’m sure I’ve never been married,” Marla pushed a slightly trembling hand through her hair as she spoke.

  “Funny, that’s the same thing Captain Perkins said when she heard about it too. When I asked how she was so sure she said that was for you to tell me. What are you two keeping from me?” Pete accused.

  “There are three things that I’m certain I never did in my present or previous life. I’ve never been married, never had children, and never been a prostitute.” Marla just couldn’t bring herself to just come out and say it, so she let him think about it for a minute. To his credit it didn’t take long at all.

  “You’re a virgin?” Pete was incredulous.

  “You say that like it’s a sin. Sorry, I didn’t think it had anything to do with my case.” She moved to the stove and put the kettle on to boil.

  “I thought you weren’t very experienced but I had no idea…” He trailed off the sentence before he said something stupid. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence Marla took a deep breath and turned to face Pete. She had crossed her arms over her chest like armor.

  “What did Captain Perkins do with this guy?” Marla asked coolly.

  “She told him to take a hike after she got out of him that someone was paying him to make-up the story and forge the documents. Unfortunately, he didn’t know who paid him because it was all arranged through the mail or by phone. He didn’t keep the envelopes the guy mailed his payment in. We detained him while we searched his apartment, car, and hotel room. We also compared his fingerprints with the ones lifted from the house but there was no match. Apparently he’s just some lowlife idiot who got mixed-up in the whole thing. Hell, he even used the name you go by here instead of knowing your real name. Yet again, just another tip-off that it was forged.”

  “Where is he now?” Marla asked calmly.

  “We’re keeping him overnight at the jail. When he gets out tomorrow we’ll have someone tail him, see if he makes any calls and to whom. We might be able to shake something out of him yet.” Pete sat down as his mind went back to the whole virgin thing.

  “Would you like grilled tuna melt sandwiches and soup for dinner or do you want to have the left over roast?” Marla asked flatly.

  “Whatever, it doesn’t matter to me.” Pete said absently, waving his hand in the air.

  “Good. Whenever you’re ready you can microwave the leftovers. I’m going to take a nap.”