Post mortem, p.12
Post-Mortem, page 12
part #2 of Sapphic Sphere Series
She’s straight.
Cherry rolled her eyes at herself and flung the top part of the covers over her head dejectedly. She stared at the mauve colored sheet that was now covering her face and sighed heavily. Ana was straight. There wasn’t a magic pill to make Ana fall for her. She was just going to have to get over this ridiculous crush.
Well, asking her out again tonight was a great way to do that! Asshat.
“Damnit,” Cherry said aloud. She pulled the covers down from her face and glanced at the clock. She was going to have to get up and see what the plan was for work today. She wasn’t scheduled, and didn’t know what the office was going to look like since the fireworks last night.
She let the dog out, checked her phone, and learned that the most important parts of the building were left intact. The records room was a completely different story. Thankfully, the records room was backed up on the Boston PD’s server and the Medical Examiner’s office server. Neither of these servers were damaged in the fire, so the records that had been put into the system were safe. Any new files that were being recorded that day would have to be checked on. Her boss left her specific instructions not to come into work after Jane had spilled the beans about her getting bashed in the head.
Cherry couldn’t stop thinking about how she and Ana were the only two people trapped in the building. She felt that no matter what – the attack and the fire were about her or Ana. She decided that it would be a good use of her time to call Alex to see if she had any information about what happened the day prior.
“Yeah, may I speak with Detective Connolly – this is Dr. Cherry from the ME’s office,” Cherry said to the secretary after not getting through on Alex’s cell phone.
After a brief moment on hold Alex picked up, “This is Connolly.”
“Hey Alex, this is Cherry, I wanted to touch base with you on yesterday’s excitement.”
“Yep – hold on a second Cherry,” Alex covered the phone with her hand muffling the sound, but Cherry still heard what was said, “Hey Brett! I’m not coming with you to grab breakfast – wanna grab me an everything, plain cream cheese, and some lox? I’ll get you when you come back.” There was a pause, the phone rattled and the line cracked a little, “Yeah, sorry Cherry. It’s been a busy morning already.”
Cherry glanced at the clock again, it was only 8:15 AM, “I’ll say. Is your captain running you guys ragged or what?”
“Well, with the morgue being set on fire, he kinda lit one under all our butts. We were required to be here at seven this morning.”
“Gross.”
“Yeah, tell me about it. At least they have a never-ending pot of coffee,” Alex took an audible sip of coffee.
“I would be jealous, but I’ve had the station’s coffee,” Cherry quipped and then continued, “So, any leads yet?”
“You know I can’t discuss that,” Alex said flatly.
Cherry put her hand to her head and then felt around for the bump that she knew was back there, and sighed. “Fine, what can you tell me? Was anyone else locked in their office?”
“I can tell you that no one else said that they were locked in their office. Also, no one else got bopped on the back of the head,” Alex answered.
“Well, don’t you think it’s weird that out of the whole building, it was just me and someone else in my office who got bashed on the head?”
She thought she could hear Alex roll her eyes, “It is a little odd. However… The incendiary device was placed in the records room, not your office. Also, the records room is right next to your office, the perp may have just fled into your office when he or she heard voices coming down the hall,” she paused and took another audible sip of coffee. “Nothing was taken from your office as far as we know. Even your cell phones and jackets were left out front – so it doesn’t look like it was personal.”
“Okay, but why did the person lock us in my office? They could’ve just knocked us out and gotten away.”
“Yeah. True. But I think the guy is a smart one. He or she knew that they needed enough time to get out of the building and into their vehicle to get away from the scene before you two woke up. Locking you in there made sure that you didn’t pop right back up and run after him or her.”
“It still doesn’t feel right,” Cherry said rubbing her bump carefully.
“Yeah, but we don’t have anything else to go on. I actually will need you to come down to your office today and see if there is anything missing,” Alex said slightly distracted.
“You multitasking? You sound distracted.”
“Yeah, sorry. Got a text from the fire inspector,” Alex said without giving any more information.
“This is so frustrating. You normally aren’t this tight with information, what’s going on?” Cherry asked pointedly.
“Honestly? You’re a victim in this crime. We’re not supposed to share information with victims – which I know you are familiar with. I’d love to give you more details, but until we know more and can make it public – you’re a mushroom.”
“I’m being kept in the dark and fed shit-all?”
“Precisely.”
“Fine,” Cherry rolled her eyes.
“I can FEEL you rolling your eyes – knock it off. Onto a different subject – Ana?” Alex asked.
“I’m sorry, I thought you were in professional mode.”
“I was, now spill it,” Alex said playfully.
“There’s nothing to spill. I told you everything yesterday. Besides, she’s straight. Catholic School Straight.”
“Uh huh, I’ve met some pretty interesting Catholic school girls in my time, if you know what I mean. And I kinda think she was giving you the eye.”
“Nope. She was giving me the, ‘I just saw you puke’ eye.”
“Uh huh. Well, I was wasn’t the only one who saw the eye. Webb also mentioned something about you having a new girl. Judging by the tone of her voice, I’m a little shocked that there wasn’t hair pulling and then rebandaging before I came over.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Cherry asked.
“Oh you know, she’s an ex. And an ex can spot a new relationship from a mile away. She thinks you two have the hots for one another.”
“I’m not sure if there’s another way to say it, so I’m just going to repeat myself: SHE. IS. STRAIGHT.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah – straight googly-eyeing at you!”
“Alright, I’ve had enough torment. I’m getting off the phone. Do I need an escort into my office or can I just let you know if anything is missing?”
“You are a professional – just don’t touch anything that seems strangely out of place, and let me know if you find something is missing.”
“Deal. Talk to you later.”
After hanging up, Cherry stared at the phone, thinking over and over about Alex’s and Webb’s insistence that Ana had the hots for her.
That’s just a serious amount of jealousy and thread pulling right there. I mean, I’m sure they were all panting a little at Ana – who wouldn’t?
Cherry nearly slapped herself as she felt the telltale blush of arousal start to spread across her chest. She looked down at Cody, “I have GOT to stop obsessing over this Ana thing. And so do you.”
Cody laid down, covered his snout with his paw, and continued to stare up at her.
“I know you like her, I do too – but we can’t keep her. Not forever keep her.”
Cody whined, Cherry sighed, and decided she would spend the day cleaning her already spotless house.
Nothing like a little house work to get your head out of your ass. Clean house, clean life.
Witches, Warlocks, & Dark Magic
Ana -
Ana arrived twenty minutes early to The Witch’s Brew – hoping to grab a good seat in the perpetually busy café. This café was always busy because they had gone a little over the edge when it came to ambiance – the baristas were all decked out in Hogwarts-like robes, there was a sorting hat that would guess your coffee, and even an occasional mist that was sprayed at the feet of the patrons.
Ana mentally slapped herself for choosing this particular café, but she hadn’t been able to think of any other café.
Too late now… I wish someone else was here with me.
Now, now – you don’t wish SOMEONE was here with you – you wish CHERRY was here with you.
So what?! She makes me feel calm.
Frustrated at her herself, she checked her watch. Almost eleven. Bram’s brother would be here any minute. She closed her eyes and did a few Cherry-calming breaths, hoping that just that act would calm her enough. The door creaked, letting everyone know that the next customer had entered.
Ana cracked an eye open and immediately regretted it. She squeezed her eyes shut and then reopened them.
This is a bad dream. Just wake up. WAKE UP ANA!!
Ana squeezed her eyes shut again, scrubbed her face, swiped at her eyes and then reopened them. The picture would not change. She began to shake and feel very ill. The last person to come through the creaking door was Bram. It wasn’t someone that looked like Bram. It was Bram.
Ana’s mouth went dry, her palms were sweating, and she was quite certain that her eyes were bugged out of her head. She stared without moving as her dead husband ordered a coffee and looked around the place searching for her. She watched as his eyes landed on everyone’s face, and when they landed on hers, there was a flash of recognition. He held up his right hand and pointed his forefinger and middle finger at her – acknowledging that he had seen her and would be headed her way.
Ana began to panic more.
This isn’t real. This can’t be real. Bram is dead. WAKE UP ANA!!
Ana pinched herself hard, but she did not wake. Instead, she watched as Bram picked up his coffee from a disgruntled looking Warlock. He blew on his coffee, took a sip, and then smiled.
This can’t be happening. I saw him. He was dead. Cherry saw him. Cherry said he was dead. Bram is dead.
Undead Bram strode over, carefully making sure that he didn’t spill his coffee. When he made it to Ana, he put his coffee down and held his hand out to her, “Hi, I’m Greg Waltham.” He waited a moment, “I assume from the look on your face that you’re Ana,” he frowned and continued, “and that Bram never told you he had a twin brother.” Ana still didn’t speak. “Ana? You’re her, aren’t you?” he asked, waving his hand in front of her face.
Ana didn’t speak for several more beats. She couldn’t believe her ears, or her eyes. It was Bram – head to toe Bram. She found her manners and stuck out her hand, “I- I- I’m sorry. I wasn’t. I mean. I thought. I-,” she stammered. “Wow, let’s try that again, I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting YOU to walk through the door. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting, but not this. I, I need a minute. If you’ll excuse me.”
Bram’s twin stood and smiled at her. The smile was Bram’s smile – all teeth, no eyes. She smiled wanly back, and made her way to the restrooms. Once she was behind a door, she ran for the sink and splashed cold water in her face. She stared at her frazzled reflection in the mirror, splashed more water on herself, and felt her stomach flip.
She charged into the bathroom stall and purged everything that she had put in her stomach that morning. The coffee, the spicy Bloody Mary, and the croissant that she had been snacking on since her arrival. She flushed and stumbled back out to the sink, where she splashed more water on her face.
Get a grip, Ana. It’s not Bram. It’s just his twin. A twin you had no knowledge of. But twins happen. Deep breath. You need to pull your shit together.
She grabbed a handful of paper towels and blotted her face dry. She checked herself in the mirror and fixed her makeup. She took a deep cleansing breath, and tried to calm herself.
Once back in the main part of the café, she wandered back to the table. She stared at the back of Greg’s head for a moment and whispered to herself, “It’s not him, you’re okay. Everything is okay.”
When Ana sat down, Greg smiled almost shyly. Ana’s stomach turned at the smile, it was the smile that Bram would give her when he was wasn’t intoxicated and wanted to have sex.
But this isn’t Bram. This is Greg. Be pleasant. This is not the man you married. This is not the dead man on the floor. This is not the lying-cheat who is in debt to the mob.
“I’m feeling much better. Sorry about – well, you know.”
“Please, don’t apologize. Bram was always a selfish bastard. I’m not surprised that he didn’t tell you. Still, I’m a little surprised that you didn’t see any pictures of us together. He got half of the family photos when our parents died.”
“Yes, well, I didn’t.” Ana quickly changed the subject, “So, umm, Greg – what do you do for a living?”
“I’m an artist – sculptures. I’m working on an installation for Boston College right now.” He continued to ramble on about art and the other places where his artwork was displayed.
Ana tried to listen. She tried to pay attention to the words that were coming out of his mouth, but she couldn’t. She stared at him with a mixture of emotions – fear, loathing, morbid curiosity. The words were coming out of his mouth, but it wasn’t his mouth. It was Bram’s. Bram’s lips, Bram’s teeth, Bram’s tongue.
He had stopped talking and was smirking slightly at her with his eyebrows raised. “I’m sorry, I missed the last thing that you said.”
“I was just asking what it was that you do.”
“Oh, I work at an orphanage, it’s very rewarding.” Unwilling to share more information about herself, she changed the subject again, “Why did you and Bram have a falling out?”
“Come on, Ana, you lived with him. He was a man who only had acquaintances and clients. There was no room in his life for a brother. When our parents died, he decided we didn’t need to have any kind of relationship. And quite frankly, I was relieved. He was a stuck-up, arrogant prick,” he held his hand out and said, “No offense.”
“None taken,” she said, frowning.
Greg frowned as well. He inhaled deeply and asked what was being done with Bram’s body.
“He is being cremated – and since we hadn’t talked about final resting places – I’m having the funeral at Saint Catherine’s this Saturday.”
“Uh huh. Have you talked to Mr. Thinman?”
Ana cocked her head to the side and asked, “You know his attorney?”
Greg smiled, took a sip of his coffee, and replied, “That’s our attorney. He’s been the attorney for our family for as long as I can remember.”
“Uh, no, I haven’t spoken with him yet. I haven’t been able to get through to him, and haven’t gotten a call back.”
“Hmm. I talked to him right before I came here. I think you should reach out to him again. He has some information that may be of interest to you.”
Ana shifted uncomfortably in her seat, “Why don’t you just tell me what he told you and save the suspense.”
Greg smiled slyly and replied, “I don’t feel like it’s really my place.”
You can tell they were related. Arrogant bastards.
“I see. Well, Greg – we’ve met. I’m not even sure why really. You and your brother didn’t have a relationship – I told you over the phone when and where the funeral was.”
“I wanted to meet you. I can’t believe that Bram ever settled down,” he paused and looked at her suggestively, “Of course, now I can see why he chose you. I am a little surprised at how bold you are though – he was never one for women who had any grit or voice. He preferred his ladies to be seen but not heard.” He squinted at her, and then said, “But I guess some things can make up for your lack of southern belle-ishness.”
Ana was offended, but gritted her teeth into a smile, and said, “We can’t all be demure coquettes.”
“Yes, well, one can dream,” Greg almost purred, winked, and smiled at her.
“I really must be going. I have that lawyer to nail down, and then I have a few appointments.”
Greg smiled tightly, “Yes, this has been very interesting,” he said. “I’ll see you at the funeral.”
Ana stood and held out her hand to the still seated Greg. He pretended he didn’t see her outstretched hand, stood and forced her into a hug. The hug lasted too long, and there was far too much full-body touching for her liking. When he finally let her go, he smiled down at her strangely and whispered, “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know. Anything. We’re family now.”
Completely creeped out, Ana walked out of the café just as the fog machine was blowing coconut perfumed mist around.
Bram is dead. Greg is a sick prick. And this place… was perfect for this meeting. Creepy and overrated.
Not-A-Date Night
Cherry -
Cherry waited outside her house for Ana to arrive. She didn’t want to be picked up like this was a date. She wanted every date-like sentiment to be removed from this situation. Because deep down, she knew that she had asked Ana out on a date. It wasn’t on purpose, but it happened.
She had been cursing herself all day for asking Ana to join her at this art exhibit. She was a fool for doing it for so many reasons. She had talked things over with Cody while deciding what to wear, but he was no help. He clearly was enamored with Ana.
Who wouldn’t be though, really? She was so beautiful. And she was so kind. And… And… And…
Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Startled, Cherry whipped around, “You scared the crap out of me.”
Ana smiled and pulled Cherry into a friendly hug, “What are you doing out here talking to yourself?”
“Was I talking to myself? Man, I really have to get a handle on that. I swear I’m not crazy.”
Ana laughed and said, “No worries, I thought you were replaying a scene from ‘Dude, Where’s My Car?’ because you kept saying ‘and then’…” Ana smothered another laugh and asked again, “So what are you doing outside waiting for me?”
