Minnesota

Complications

The click of the lighter was the only sound in the large sitting room. Regina moved to the buffet and lit another candle. The aroma of therapeutic lavender began spreading through the air, asserting dominance over the persistent smell of fresh paint and cleaning solution.

            “Couldn’t find something less girly?” Steve walked in, sniffing. “Sandalwood would have been better.” He walked to the sofa and sighed into the cushions.

            “It’s the middle of summer, not much demand for candles.” Regina, barefoot and in a white silk robe, put down the lighter and sat next to him. Steve caressed her damp hair. “We could have stayed at the hotel instead of rushing the painters to get this place ready.” She cuddled into him. He pulled her closer, laughing into her hair.

            “He’s up to something. It's easier to keep track of who's coming or going when we're in the same building.” He said after a minute. Regina sighed. I’m not in the mood to fight about Mark. I just want to go to bed, have sex and get eight hours of sleep. Steve believed Mark was hiding something. Nothing she said would convince him otherwise.

“Can’t we do this tomorrow?”

Steve pulled his head back, looking at her. “Why? Because neither one of us will back off? Because we’re both sure we’re right?” He let go of her, got up and walked toward the bar cart. “You want some?” He tapped the bottle of mineral water. She nodded.

He came back with the drinks and sat across from her. “We both know I’m right. Why else aren’t you quizzing me about this afternoon? You know I went to the tournament. But you haven’t asked a single question. Why is that?”

Regina slowly squeezed the lemon slice for all its juice into the mineral water. She didn’t meet Steve’s gaze. I don’t want to decide between him and Mark. She sighed. What would my brother do? She swirled the tall glass in her hand, the ice cubes gently clinging against the glass. He’d tell all parties involved whatever they wanted to hear, to get what he wanted. And if complications arouse, he’d outsource. Regina looked at Steve, wondering what exactly it was that she wanted. For our life to resume as it currently is. No fighting, no worrying.

“Okay, fine, tell me then. What did you find?”

Steve furrowed his brow, then leaned back into the cushions. “Duane’s last name is Beckwith. Mark paid his entry fee for the fencing tournament. I convinced the organizer to give me the registration details.  Zee is running the background check.” Steve ran his hand through his hair. “On the registration, Mark claims he’s known the guy for five years. He gave him a personal and work reference. And in that reference, Mark provides the place of employment as Seattle.”

Regina sat up straight. “No.” She shook her head.

Steve sighed, put his glass on the table and moved toward her. “Gina, you need to consider your nephew lied to us. And that Mark knew who dumped that dead hooker back in Seattle a couple of years ago, despite him saying otherwise.” Steve sat on the armrest of her chair, his strong hand caressing her damp hair. He gently pulled, forcing her head up, forcing her to look at him. “We always knew he lied, it’s why we put him on a short leash. And when, last year, you gave into his whining to stop monitoring his every move, I told you it was a bad idea. And now we find out that he has unauthorized contact, he’s lying about where he is.”

Regina kept shaking her head in denial. He wouldn’t do that. Mark’s all about family. But then Steve said something that cracked the invincible shield of family ties and the first true doubts about her nephew began seeping in.

Steve cleared his throat. “There’s more.”

Regina stared at him. “More?” Her voice raspy, low with fear that her partner had been right all along. Please, don’t let Mark become like his father. She silently plead.

“Remember the Aryan looking kid, the one that found the body in Seattle? Bruce? Tall, blonde, green eyes? We tried buying him off by offering him a job. He was there and Mark recognized him, talked to him.” Steve grinned a devilish smile, his eyes narrowing in mischievous pleasure. “And with Bruce was Monique de Rossi, his girlfriend, and Lance’s ex, Connie.

            “So, you see, Gina, I’m not going to let this one slide.” He growled.

She heaved, shook her head and Steve let her process the implications. But when she tried to stand, he slit into the chair, reached up and pulled her on to his lap. Gina resisted until he pulled her hair. She moaned.

Satisfied with her compliance, Steve stood her up and let her into the bedroom. “I’m not ignorant of this being stressful for you, he’s family after all. And we’ve been busy, we’ve let the discipline bit of our relationship go. It’s time to fix that.” He pushed her on to the bed and unbuckled his belt.

Regina moaned, her eyes lost the stone-cold glare and with a soft, quiet, voice she whispered, “Yes, Steve.”