Cecilia laughed harder. “He didn’t.”

“Oh yeah. And he had one of those rainbow key chains, too,” Kerry cheerfully told her. “It was such a…” She paused, becoming more serious. “It was such a wonderful relief to just have him accept us, accept me, the way he did. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

Ceci took her arm and they continued walking. “I think I do,” she murmured. “He’s such an unsophisticated person, really. But he’s good at everything he does. He was a good soldier, he’s a good husband, and he’s a very good father.” She turned to look at Kerry’s profile. “I’m glad he’s become a father to you, Kerry.”

Kerry didn’t answer, waiting for the lump to go down in her throat.

She bit her lip and swallowed, fighting the tears that stung her eyes. She kept walking, with Ceci strolling along next to her accepting the silence with quiet sympathy.

They crossed out into an open area, lit by halogen lights that turned the grassy shadows to sharp slivers of black and silver. Kerry heard a soft crunching behind her and she glanced back, surprised to see three tall forms walking slowly behind them.

Coincidence? The three had leather vests over their white T-shirts and she could just barely see the mottled darkness of tattoos across their arms. All three had shaven heads and were talking in loud…overly loud voices.

Ceci followed her gaze, then returned her eyes forward. “Into every life a few assholes must fall.” She sighed, drawing a startled look from Kerry. “C’mon, Kerry. You’re not one of those people who believe parents don’t curse or have sex, are you?”

“Uh.” She bit her lower lip and steered Ceci a little more towards the lit areas. “Well…”

The voices behind them got louder and coarser and the subject matter switched from fighting to something far less savory.

“See all them niggers over there?”

“Must be giving something out for free, lookit them gathering around for handouts.”

“City’s too full of fucking niggers and fags.”

“They oughta nuke it.” Ribald laughter. “Send fag and nigger bits up like confetti.”

“Excuse me.” Cecilia took three steps to her right and faced them, forcing them to stop walking. “About the only nukeable thing I see here 322 Melissa Good are a couple of pieces of very white trash who need to shut their ignorant mouths.”

They stared at the diminutive, silver blonde woman in shock for a long instant, one shared by Kerry who never expected her older companion to turn into an activist so suddenly.

“Hey. You talkin’ to me, bitch?” The first one pointed at his chest, puffing it out.

“No,” Ceci replied. “I’m talking at you. Talking to you would require some intelligence on your part, and we’re just not going to go there.” She put her hands on her hips. “Scram. You’re polluting the ozone.” She gestured with a thumb over her shoulder. “Move it.”

They edged around her and ambled down the path, looking behind them as though expecting her to grow a second head. “Bitch!” One shook his head. “Fucking crazy ass bitch.”

Ceci watched them go. “Morons.” She sighed in disgust. “What in the hell are their parents thinking? What are they teaching kids these days, anyway?”

Kerry blinked at her, then smiled. “Um…”

Ceci brushed her sleeve off then continued walking. They turned a corner in the large park, then paused, watching a larger group of people just ahead of them. One man was wrapped in a Confederate Flag and they could see flasks being passed around. “I don’t think that little trick’s going to work twice.”

“No,” Kerry agreed, turning around. “C’mon. Let’s start back. This is giving me the creeps.”

They headed back the way they came, turning the corner again and almost running into a half dozen men going the other direction. “Excuse me.” Kerry tried to edge around them, but found her sleeve grabbed.

“Hey, cute stuff. Where are ya going? Come party with us.”

“No thank you.” Kerry gently tried to pull away. “I’m not much of a party person.”

The man who had her arm was a tall, handsome blond, with a mostly cropped head and a necklace of silver barbed wire. “We could change that. Right guys?” His companions laughed. “Get lost, mama, we’re going to show little blondie here a good time.” He pulled Kerry towards him, grinning when she stopped resisting. “That’s a gi—”

Kerry went with the motion and stepped in, then threw her weight upwards and slammed a knee squarely into his groin. He coughed, and she whirled, grasping his arm and pulling him over her head to land on the ground with a thump.

She backed off and stood in a balanced stance, her hands at shoulder level lightly curled into fists, and waited.

“Hey, you can’t do that you little—” One of the others reached for her, and she nailed him with a roundhouse kick to the jaw, sending him sprawling.

“Yes, I can,” she warned. “Now, just leave us alone.”

“Like hell.” A shorter man in the back stuck his head around the Eye of the Storm 323

building. “Hey. Hey you guys. We got some boot bait over here.”

“Shit,” Ceci cursed. “I think it’s time to leave.”

“Yep.” Kerry turned and pushed her forward. “Run!” She evaded the outstretched hand of the closest of them, then ducked in and kicked him in the ribs, shoving him hard against his companions as he went off balance. She used the distraction to bolt after Ceci, tucking her fists in against her side, and dashing over the grass with even, powerful strides.

A yell told her they were being followed. “Move it!” She hollered at Ceci, who was holding her own. Ahead of them, the entrance to the park loomed huge and remote, promising safety in the sparse crowds traveling across its opening. Kerry caught up to Dar’s mother and put a hand on her back, pushing her forward and glancing behind her to see a crowd chasing them. A rock flew by her head and she ran faster, sensing the bodies just behind her by the sounds of breathing and footsteps.

They broke into the open, startling the wits out of several bystanders and attracting the immediate attention of a policeman on horseback trotting by. He pulled up and backed his mount, and they made for him, almost colliding with the huge animal. “Whoa there.”

Kerry turned to see a crowd of men come out of the park, skidding to a halt when they spotted the policeman. She caught her breath and put a hand on Ceci’s shoulder, gazing in concern at the older woman leaning against the horse. “You okay?”

Ceci nodded.

“What’s going on here, ladies?” the policeman asked, his broad, bearded face wrinkled in concern. He watched the collection of sullen men fade back into the park and scowled. “Were those people giving you some trouble?”

“You could say that.” Kerry sighed. “They invited us to party. We declined. They took exception.”

The man shook his head and dismounted. “Damn it. I knew there was going to be trouble from those people.” He dug out a book from his saddlebag and made some notes, then picked up his walkie talkie. “Sim-monds to base. Looks like we’ve got some trouble at the FDR Memorial.”

He clicked off. “I’ll need some information from you ladies.”

“Um,” Kerry backed off a step, “you know, they really didn’t do anything to us, and I’d kinda rather not get involved.” That earned her a very dour glare from the policeman. “I know, I know. I’m supposed to be a good citizen, but trust me, officer, you don’t want to deal with the paperwork I’m going to cause.”

“Listen, Ms. ...” He looked at her in question.

Kerry sighed. “Stuart.” She paused. “Kerrison Stuart.”

“Stuart, right. Listen Ms. St—” He stopped. “Not that Stuart?”

She nodded. “Unfortunately.”

He rubbed his face. “Where are you staying?”

Kerry pointed.

“Go there and stay there, okay?”

“You got it.”


324 Melissa Good

“Did they know who you were?”

“I don’t think so.” Kerry shook her head. “And I’d rather they didn’t.”

He wrote something down, then nodded. “All right, Ms. Stuart, go on. Please. It’s a little crazy out here tonight. Stay inside.”

“I will,” Kerry agreed, then took Cecilia’s arm to move her towards the crossing light. “Jesus. I didn’t think those classes would come in so handy.”

Ceci was rattled. She took in several breaths, waiting for her heart to settle. “No kidding,” she murmured. “Did Dar teach you that?”

“Yes.” Kerry suddenly was extremely grateful for the long hours spent in the gym being tossed on her butt. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah.” Ceci straightened her shirt out as they crossed the street and headed towards the hotel entrance. “But I don’t want to have to repeat that any time soon.”

“Me either,” Kerry agreed, unaware of the eyes on their back. “What time is it?” She checked her watch. “Almost ten. Good.” She pulled the hotel front door opened and allowed Ceci to move in ahead of her. “Let’s find a movie to watch. Maybe room—yes?” She’d felt a brush against her back. “Can I help you?”

“Sorry,” the cheerful looking young man apologized. “Excuse me.”

He pushed ahead of her and marched towards the front desk.

“No problem,” Kerry murmured, twitching her shoulders, unable to escape a feeling of vague familiarity in his face, or his movements, she wasn’t sure which.

Definitely, though, things were getting creepier. She checked her watch again, then shook her head and followed Ceci towards the elevator.


Chapter

Thirty-five

HER MESSAGE LIGHT was blinking when she entered her room and Kerry stared at it for a minute before she walked over and picked up the receiver. She dialed the front desk and listened for an answer. “Yes, I have a…oh. Yes.” She listened to the message. A Mr. Selver, from the Washington Post: Call me, it’s very important. “Ah, thanks,” Kerry murmured politely.