Read Online In a Fix by Linda Grimes - Free Book Online

bad.”
    The landing at Reagan National Airport was bumpy, or maybe that was just me. But after staying lubricated with magic martinis for most of the flight, at least I was no longer stiff. In fact, I was so un-stiff Billy had to help me down the aisle.
    “Can’t hold her liquor,” he stage-whispered to the amused flight attendant as we passed. I would have denied it vehemently had I been capable of forming coherent words, but she probably wouldn’t have believed me anyway after I stepped on her foot.
    The first thing we noticed after we deplaned (and by “we” I mean Billy—I wasn’t noticing much of anything myself) was a TSA agent who seemed excessively interested in the pair of us. It wasn’t until Billy gripped my upper arm and hurried me into the midst of the crowd stampeding toward baggage claim that I picked up on something being out of whack.
    “Wha’s—what’s up?” I said. Billy let my mush-mouth moment pass without comment. It was the least he could do after pouring the martinis down me.
    “TSA does not customarily greet arrivals—they are more concerned with departures. They also do not use the kind of badge that guy was wearing, nor do their officers speak into their badges. Plus, the blue of his shirt is at least two shades off.”
    I craned my head to get a better look. He gave my arm a small shake. “Eyes front, cuz.”
    “He’s not following us, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I said, a small burst of adrenaline having cleared my mind somewhat.
    “Yet. He’s giving us space because he thinks he knows where we’re going.”
    “But we’re not?”
    “Oh, we are.” He maneuvered us over to the restrooms. “But not as Trey and Mina. Meet me in two minutes right here. Get comfortable,” he said, adaptor code for be yourself.
    Luckily, there was a free stall, so I could change right away. I switched shirts with one from my carry-on. Figured that would have to suffice clothing-wise. Billy was waiting when I returned. He’d done the same.
    We continued to Arrivals at a more leisurely pace, which was good because Mina’s shoes were at least an inch and a half too long for my feet. We’d gone through customs in Nassau, so we could leave the airport without that delay. As we passed the baggage claim area we saw a uniformed driver holding up a sign with Trey’s name on it.
    “Aw, how thoughtful,” I said. “Mark ordered us a limo.”
    “Think again, cuz,” Billy said, guiding me away from the man, toward the taxi stand, with one hand on my waist.
    Oh. Well, crap. Guess Trey and Mina were still on somebody’s radar.
    *   *   *
    I live in D.C., not too far from George Washington University, in a condo I rent from my oldest brother, Thomas. He held on to it after he moved to a bigger place because its location made it such a good investment. When I decided to start my own business, I grabbed at his offer of cheap rent, figuring there were worse places to live and work than D.C. For one thing, it’s far enough away from the family homestead in New York that I’m not dropped in on by an endless parade of well-meaning relatives.
    And, okay, D.C. is the closest thing to a home base Mark has. That might have had a little something to do with my decision. He used to room with Thomas, and still stops by the condo occasionally. Sometimes even stays overnight in his old room, which is now my guest room. I keep hoping he’ll wander across the hall some fine night, but I’m not holding my breath.
    By the time the cab dropped Billy and me at my building I was slightly more functional. Not precisely sober, but Billy only had to steady me with one hand on my elbow as we walked to the condo.
    I punched in the code to unlock the front door. It stayed locked. Tried again.
    “Damn it. Somebody must’ve changed it while I was gone.”
    “Here, let me.” Billy, of course, got it on the first try. I hate people who can hold their liquor.
    My stomach contracted the instant he turned