Page 30 of Fallen Creed

“Just tired.”

“Did you not get any sleep?” Lucy asked with a sly smile caught at the corner of her lips.

Maggie felt a blush rising. She knew exactly what Lucy was implying. The two women had become kindred spirits over the last several years, but she hadn’t discussed her feelings for Ryder with Lucy.

“You know I don’t sleep much,” Maggie said.

“You’re right. It’s none of my business.”

“That’s not what I meant.” But Maggie stopped short of telling her anything more.

“You realize it’s been almost a year since I saw the two of you,” Lucy told her. “I thought you should be together back then. What’s still stopping you?”

“He’s in Florida. I’m in Virginia.”

“Right.” Lucy turned her attention back to her work.

Maggie allowed a long silence, then released a sigh and said, “Truthfully, I’m not sure what to do about it. My marriage was a huge catastrophe.”

“We usually learn a thing or two, even from catastrophes.” Lucy looked up at her across the stainless steel table.

“I just remember how relieved I was when the divorce was final.”

“Is Ryder Creed anything like your ex-husband?”

“Ryder is nothing like Greg. Ryder is gentle and strong, and compassionate. He’s the only man I know who is so comfortable in his own skin that he simply doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of him. I really think he’d be happy to live his life surrounded only by his dogs. And yet repeatedly, I’ve watched him put himself in harm’s way to help someone he barely knows.”

She realized Lucy was smiling. She crossed her long, lean arms over her chest. Maggie knew she’d shared too much. But if anyone would understand, it would be Lucy Coy. The woman had never married, dedicating her life to what was a male-dominated career when she was getting started in the profession. Maggie knew Lucy was a bit of a recluse, living on an acre with specially constructed outbuildings for the stray dogs she took in and cared for.

“So, you think I’m probably in love with him, right?” Maggie asked.

“The idea of being in love makes it sound like a temporary arrangement,” Lucy said. “Falling in love presumes you can fall out? Love is never that simple. But it doesn’t need to be complicated. You love him. If you believe he loves you, too, that’s something precious. It’s not something to be taken lightly.”

“This really isn’t the place to have this conversation.”

“What better place than over a life that’s been cut short? Pun, not intended.” But Lucy draped each cloth back over each tray, signaling her full attention to Maggie. Then she crossed her arms again and said, “The real question,” Lucy said, “What are you going to do about it?”

“I have a degree in behavioral psychology,” Maggie told her. “So I know why I back away when I get too close. I don’t get hurt if I don’t care as much.”

Maggie shrugged. She’d had this conversation with her friend, Gwen Patterson, who actually was a practicing psychiatrist. Gwen was the only person who knew about the abuse Maggie had endured as a twelve-year-old when her drunken mother would bring home strange men. Just because she knew why she put up barriers to her heart didn’t make it any easier to deconstruct them.

“So you keep him at arm’s length to protect yourself.” Lucy said. “I spent a lifetime alone. Not a choice I made lightly. My only advice, if I may be so bold to offer any, is that you remember it isn’t only you who could get hurt.”

“I do remember that,” Maggie said. “I just suck at relationships.”

This made Lucy smile. “From what I understand, it’s difficult to get good at a relationship unless you actually allow yourself to be in a relationship.”

Maggie nodded. “Point taken. Now, if you don’t mind, let’s get back on track.”

Lucy grabbed a fresh pair of latex gloves.

“Is there anything to show this victim may have been trafficked?” Maggie asked. “I know you have little to go on. Signs of dehydration? Malnutrition? Poor hygiene? You mentioned bruising at the wrist area. Do you believe they’re recent?”

“There is one thing that lends doubt to that theory.”

“Really?”

Lucy turned to the counter behind her and brought another tray to the stainless steel table. She lifted the cloth cover to reveal the foot. She pointed to the carefully polished toenails.