Cordy was standing on the small island, her back to Lasco, as she and a blonde woman held up a beach towel. The blonde had her back to the towel, behind which black curls bobbed.

  Another blonde woman, a brunette, a sandy-haired man, and a toe-headed man, stood off to the side, their eyes staring out at the water. There were two other people, that Lasco couldn’t see clearly, making their way to the island.

  Well, shit, Lasco thought, I guess it’s department swim day.

  Lasco waited until Cordy and the blonde lowered the towel, revealing a now-dressed Jenica Weston, before stepping into the water and swimming toward the others.

  ***

  “Glad you could make it, Cap,” Cordy said, once Jenica was covered, “And you brought your lovely wife, too. This day just keeps getting better,” she added, offering Jasmine Brandon a flirtatious wink.

  “Eyes on your own wife, Weston,” Rick Brandon said, wrapping his arm around Jasmine.

  Cordy shrugged and kissed Jenica on the cheek. “You better keep your arm around her, Cap. I hear lesbianism is contagious.”

  Jasmine barked out a laugh and shook her head. She adored Cordy Weston, and her husband knew it. Jasmine wasn’t attracted to women, but she did enjoy the playful teasing of her husband.

  “Well, hell,” Murphy said, glancing around at the other swimmers in the water and along the river bank, “looks like most of the department is out here today.”

  Gibson stepped into the water and turned back to his friends. “Come on, Murph, I’ll race you to the rock,” he said, pointing across the water.

  “I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of all these pretty ladies,” Murphy replied, stripping off his shirt. Devon Murphy was in incredible shape, and his muscles rippled as he moved.

  Nora and Jasmine gawked openly at the man.

  “Hey!” Gibson and Rick said in unison.

  “Gross, Murphy,” Lasco said, stepping onto the island, “Holster those meat guns, before the women folk faint.”

  Rick, Devon, and Gibson all laughed. The women, however, all turned disapproving eyes on the newcomer.

  “Pao!” Jenica said, hiding her face in Cordy’s shoulder, “Lasco, you’re blinding me with those legs.”

  Cordy snickered. Jenica’s utterance translated to holy fuck, which Cordy found appropriate, considering the reflection of the sun off Lasco’s legs made them nearly fluorescent.

  “Look, honey,” Stormie said, her hand snaking around Oakley’s waist, “I wonder if the paint store can match that level of brightness. It would look great on the living room walls.”

  Jasmine and Nora laughed harder.

  “Laugh it up, ladies,” Lasco said, the bright sun lifting his spirits, despite the presence of the woman he suspected was a killer, “my legs might be blinding, but they’re strong enough to propel me through this water like a fish.”

  “Care to put your money where your mouth is?” Murphy asked, joining Gibson in the water.

  “First one to the ledge and back?” Lasco asked.

  “Loser goes on a beer run,” Rick said, joining the other guys.

  “Oh, goodie,” Cordy rolled her eyes and plopped into her chair, “a testosterone battle.”

  “Blow me, Weston,” Lasco said, stepping into line with the others, “you gonna join us, or what?”

  The other women claimed chairs and stayed silent as the detectives bantered.

  “Nope,” Cordy replied, “I don’t need to defend my masculinity. Everyone knows I have bigger balls than the rest of you. I’ll buy the beer though,” she offered.

  Lasco shook off the insult, good naturedly. “Suit yourself,” he said, “someone count us off.”

  Oakley stood and walked to the edge of the island. “Three… two… one… Go!” she counted.

  Nora and Jasmine cheered for their husbands, while Stormie, Oakley, and Jenica urged Murphy on. Cordy sat back and grinned, folding her hands behind her head. Despite Lasco’s intrusion, she was enjoying herself.

  A few moments later, Lasco returned to the island, his fists raised above his head in victory.

  “Congratulations, Lasco,” everyone shouted.

  Lasco grinned and took a bow, eliciting a laugh from the others. Murphy, who’d intentionally slowed his pace, so their Captain wouldn’t be last, stepped out of the water and hung his head.

  “Looks like I’m making the beer run,” he grumbled with a smile.

  Cordy shook her head and reached for her beach bag. She pulled a few twenties from her wallet and handed them to Murphy.

  “Good move,” she whispered, so the others wouldn’t hear, “Cap hates losing.”

  Murphy grinned and accepted the money. “I’ll be back,” he announced, grabbing his shoes before crossing over to the river bank.

  While the others dried off, Lasco plopped down onto a grassy patch. He hadn’t intended on intruding on the group’s fun, but since they hadn’t run him off, he figured he’d at least share a beer with them.

  Besides, he thought, it’ll give me a chance to observe, without being conspicuous.

  “Frost,” Lasco said, keeping his tone light and conversational, “is this your girlfriend?”

  He knew who the woman was, but no one else knew that. As far as anyone knew, Lasco had yet to encounter the blonde bombshell.

  Oakley smiled affectionately at Stormie, and leaned in to press a kiss to her cheek. “No, she’s not my girlfriend. Arnold Lasco, Stormie Carter,” she introduced the pair, “Stormie is my wife. Babe, Detective Lasco is one of the members of the task force.”

  Stormie reached out and shook Lasco’s hand. She could see his eyes assessing her, and her skin crawled. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, forcing her voice to remain friendly.

  Lasco responded in kind, and the group chatted amicably while they waited for Murphy to return. The only store in town was only a five-minute walk away, and it wasn’t long before Murphy trudged back to the island, his shoes resting atop two cases of beer.

  “To friendly competition and good company,” Rick said, raising his can in toast.

  “And to Lasco’s apparent personality replacement,” Cordy said playfully.

  “Here, here,” the others cheered. Lasco laughed along, despite the hateful thoughts his mind was directing toward the redhead.

  ***

  “So, Weston, how’s the vetting? Any luck ruling out Frost’s missus?” Lasco asked, popping the top on another beer.

  The group had spent the majority of the afternoon in the water. Cordy, Lasco, and Brandon were the first to tap out, and were now sunning themselves in chairs on the island. The others were still in the water, swimming and floating lazily several yards away.

  “Lasco,” Brandon warned, cutting his eyes at the man, “Do you really think this is the time to talk shop?” His eyes darted around, to be certain no one could hear their conversation.

  Cordy took the last swallow of her beer, and tossed the can into the plastic bag the group was using for trash. “It’s alright, Cap,” she said, patting Brandon on the arm, “As long as you aren’t trying to start shit,” she added, returning her attention to Lasco. “Today has been fun, don’t ruin it by turning into your old self.”

  Lasco raised a hand. “I swear,” he said, “I’m just trying to be conversational. Other than our appreciation for beautiful women, I don’t know much about you. I figured work was the safest topic.”

  Cordy eyed the man with skepticism. She hoped he was being honest, because she wasn’t sure Gibson could get to them quickly enough to restrain her, should Lasco become offensive. She wasn’t entirely sure Brandon would even try to stop her.

  “I’m combing through everything I can. Honestly, I’m working harder to eliminate her than I did anyone else.”

  Lasco nodded. He assumed she would, considering how friendly she and her wife were with Frost and Stormie.

  “Why is that?” he asked, “Is it because you don’t want to arrest your friend?”

  Cordy narrowed her eyes at him. His tone was casual, but she thought she heard a hint of accusation. “No,” she responded carefully, “It’s because she is married to an FBI agent. My relationship with Stormie and Oakley doesn’t have any bearing on this.”

  “I probably won’t like your answer,” she said, “but, how would you handle it, if Oakley was your friend, and you were the one tasked with eliminating her wife as a suspect? If we were to arrest Stormie Carter for these killings, it would have a serious impact on Oakley, both personally, and professionally. Her superiors at the FBI would put her on administrative leave, and investigate every little detail of her life, even if Stormie turns out to be innocent.”

  “Her whole life would be scrutinized. If there is even a hint that she may have had knowledge, whether directly or indirectly, of Stormie’s alleged activities, she’d be charged as an accomplice. It would be the same if it was one of our spouses. We’d be under suspicion, just as she’d be. I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t do that to any of my colleagues. I would work just as hard as I am now, to eliminate your wife, despite our differences.”

  Lasco listened as Cordy explained herself. He could understand her reasonings, and even though he wasn’t married, he appreciated her dedication. As much as he loathed the woman, Lasco could not deny that she was a respectable colleague.

  He knew she would bend over backward to go to bat for any one of her fellow officers, despite the verbal objections he’d given to the contrary over the years. He also knew that, should one of her colleagues be a criminal, Cordelia Weston would work tirelessly to bring that person to justice.

  If Oakley Frost was The Confessor, as Lasco suspected, Cordy would push herself to every limit to put the woman away.

  Not this time, Lasco thought, this time, it will be me making headlines, when I arrest your dear Oakley for murder.

  “Are you three just going to laze about?” Jenica asked, startling the trio a she came up behind them. None of them had seen her swim around to the back side of the small island.

  “Damn, baby,” Cordy replied with a smile, reaching up to pull Jenica into her lap, “you just like to wear me out, don’t you?”

  “Whatever do you mean?” Jenica asked innocently, eliciting a chuckle from Lasco and Brandon.

  Cordy rolled her eyes and kissed her wife. “I’m not as young as I used to be. I’ve begun to tire easily in my old age.”

  Brandon snorted. “Old age?” he asked incredulously, “I’m fifteen years older than you, Weston!”

  Cordy glanced at Lasco, who was the youngest of the quartet. The man had a smug, amused smile on his face, and she could see he was enjoying himself.

  “I know,” she replied, flashing her boss a winning grin, “I’m old, at thirty-six. That makes you ancient.”

  Brandon affixed a look of shock onto his face. “Jenica is the same age as you,” he sneered playfully, “You just called your wife old. I’ll make sure you get a proper funeral.”

  Cordy’s grin faltered and she winced when she turned to look into Jenica’s unamused, stony face.

  “I want a divorce,” Jenica said flatly. “Our vows said nothing about staying by your side through insults.”

  Lasco and Brandon lost their composure. While Cordy tried to gauge if her wife was genuinely hurt by her statement, the two men held their sides and howled with laughter. Cordy’s deer-in-the-headlights expression was an unusual, frankly amusing, sight.

  Cordy studied Jenica’s face. Just when she had resigned herself to sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future, she noticed a muscle in Jenica’s jaw twitch.

  She’s fucking with me! Oh, two can play that game.

  “Oh, thank God you’re the one who asked. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to be the one to draw up the papers,” she teased, willing her face not to betray her, “I didn’t know how to tell you I’m trading you in for Arroyo.”

  Jenica’s façade withered, and her jaw dropped in shock. She didn’t know Detective Arroyo, but Cordy had explained about the conversation about Lita.

  Cordy grinned triumphantly and kissed her quickly, before wrapping her arms around Jenica as she stood.

  Instinctively, Jenica’s arms shot around Cordy’s shoulders, and she let out a squeal when she realized what Cordy was about to do.

  “Alright!” she shouted, “I give up. I don’t want a divorce. I love you, Cordy, but put me down!”

  Cordy laughed as Jenica kicked her feet. Lasco and Brandon were laughing so hard that no sound came out of their mouths. Cordy shook her head and kept a tight grip on her wife, as she walked into the water and out toward the drop-off.

  “I’m sorry to break it to you like this, Jenica,” she said, meeting Jenica’s eyes with affection, “I’m dumping you.”

  With that, Cordy let go of Jenica, dropping her with a splash into the water. Jenica surfaced quickly, her head bobbing at knee-height. She looked up at Cordy with mischief in her eyes.

  “No woman has ever dumped me before,” she said, allowing her lip to tremble as she spoke, “That’s it. I’m done with women. Hey, Lasco,” Jenica called over to the still howling detective, “How would you like to take me out for dinner? I’ll be divorced soon, and will need someone to comfort me.”

  Stunned, Cordy’s face flushed. She hadn’t expected Jenica to play so dirty. She suddenly noticed that the rest of their group had gotten quiet. A quick glance at her six friends, and she could see that they were staring at her.

  “Hey!” Cordy said loudly, smiling reassuringly at her friends, “Jenica is leaving me for Lasco. Murphy,” she called, pointing at Lasco’s muscular partner, “We’re dating now.”

  Laughter bubbled from the others, Murphy and Jenica included. Murphy swam over to bob near Jenica, and smiled up at Cordy.

  “Alright, but I don’t look near as good as she does in a dress,” he said, batting his lashes as he tilted his head at Jenica.

  Cordy let out a bark of laughter. Lasco, who had been stunned into silence at Jenica’s facetious offer, walked out to stand next to Cordy. With a genuine playfulness, he clapped Cordy on the shoulder and schooled his features.

  “I don’t want this to ruin our friendship,” he said with a cheeky grin, “But, I’m going to need advice from my new girlfriend’s ex. How does a guy like me, make a woman like her happy?”

  “Grow a set of tits,” Gibson tossed out. He and the others had joined Murphy and Jenica in the deeper water, and were enjoying the show. Rick had returned to the water, and floated on his back next to Jasmine.

  “Lose the third leg,” Stormie offered.

  Cordy laughed as her friends tossed out their suggestions, and met Jenica’s humor-filled gaze. I love you, she mouthed, receiving the same sentiment in return.

  Cordy tossed an arm over Lasco’s shoulders and brought two to fingers to her lips, spreading them into a V.

  “Learn what to do with your tongue,” she said, making a lewd gesture with her own tongue.

  Lasco flushed crimson. He hadn’t expected their game to get so personal. The others saw the blush and broke out into another riotous fit of laughter.

  Jenica met his embarrassed gaze and tilted her head toward Cordy. Cordy, laughing too hard at her colleague’s embarrassment, didn’t notice the gesture. Lasco nodded slightly, and a grin spread across his face.

  Jenica reached out and grabbed Cordy’s legs, tugging on them as Lasco gave the redhead a light shove. Cordy toppled forward into the water, splashing the others as she hit.

  She surfaced with a sputter, and splashed her wife. Jenica blocked most of the water with her hands, and tugged Cordy to her.

  “As grateful as I am that Lasco is willing to give me a go,” she chuckled, encircling Cordy with her arms, “I think I’ll stick with you. You might be getting old, but I don’t have to look at you to enjoy the things you can do with that tongue.”

  ***

  “Thanks for today,” Cordy said, as the four of us headed back to their house, “I had a lot of fun.”

  “So did we,” my wife says, stifling a yawn. We’d spent nearly six hours at Rock Ledge, and I’ll admit, the company had been wonderful. Even Detective Lasco was well behaved, which I hadn’t expected.

  Through conversations with colleagues, as well as those with Cordy and Jenica, I’ve been told the man was an outright prick. I wonder why he was so friendly. I remember him as a smug teen, content to let his daddy fix his problems.

  “We’re meeting Amelia and Lita for dinner,” Jenica said, when we reach their porch, “would you like to join us?”

  “I think it’s time for us to go home,” I say, noting the fatigue in my wife’s posture, “I’ve got a few things to finish up, and I think this one’s ready to pass out.”

  I smile lovingly at my wife, pulling her close. It had been years since we’d had such an active, but relaxing day. My heart flutters when she smiles.

  “Alright then,” Cordy smiles at us, “Would you care to join us for lunch tomorrow? Gibson and Nora are coming over.”

  I look at my sleepy wife, and raise my eyebrow in question. She nods, and I beam at our friends. “It’s a date. We’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, ladies.”

  Jenica and Cordy wave to us as we climb into our car. I roll down the windows; as much to let out the sweltering, stale air, as to give us room to wave at the Westons.

  As we make our way back toward home, I look over to see my wife, fast asleep. Her head is resting against the window, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. I love watching her sleep. I don’t want to disturb her, so I keep the radio off. As we drive, I notice a car in my rearview mirror.

  I think nothing of it, assuming it’s just another tired visitor from the river on their way home. Until, that is, the car gets a little closer. The sun is still bright, it’s only a bit after seven, and when my eyes drift to the mirror again, I can clearly see Detective Lasco behind the wheel.

  Why on Earth would he have rushed to get behind me, if he wasn’t going to pass my car? Lasco hadn’t been behind me a few moments ago, and the only road out of Falls City is only two lanes.