True Detectives

CHAPTER 39

When Liana's third text to Aaron went unanswered, she was comfortable switching her cell off and retiring to bed with Steve.

If Mr. Fox is free to party, I'm off shift.

The chest-hair washcloth was back in place, she was wearing one of Steve's T-shirts, he was in p.j. bottoms, and both of them were trying to sleep.

The towel bounced as Steve made a Huh-huh sound that rumbled through torso and terry cloth.

“Are you laughing, young man?”

“Uh-uh.”

“What's funny?”

“Imagining.”

“What?”

“Not important.”

“Hey, big guy, it's all about communication.”

“It's kind of juvenile.”

“Always happy to get in touch with my inner child.” She nudged his ribs.

“Okay, okay.” Now he sounded fully awake. “I was thinking about detective work. One thing I'm not bad at is research. Give me a topic, I burrow like a mole. I was imagining you and me-like Nick and Nora Charles. Some fantasy, huh?”

My aspirations, sir, are more along the line of this thing we have going, whatever it is, lasting long enough for me to find out if you're really as sweet and kind and understanding as you seem to be. If you are, I can do some expert patchwork on your self-esteem, which is really the only thing missing from the picture-and who knows, maybe you wouldn't be as nice if you got too puffed up. So I'd need to be careful about not overdoing it, turning you into the typical arrogant man. But I'll bet I could do it just right. Then I could remodel this place-meet your parents and convince them it's in everyone's best interests, believe me, honey, I could get them to like me, show them I'm the perfect girl for their boy, look how much you smile nowadays. As opposed to when that grasping bitch was on the scene. My fantasy, Steve-o, involves you and me living up here on the Wilshire Corridor, both our cars in the garage, the doormen greeting me by name, carrying my packages. Getting you to chill more, take some fun vacations, I'll show you how to live. Including that. Lots ofthat. Between RAND and my voice-overs, we'd do just fine in the money department. I'd sell my condo, add to the kitty, I'm talking a full loving partnership, not some kept-woman situation. And your parents would like me so much, they'd kick in some dough for the…

Steve whispered, “You asleep, Liana?”

She said, “You're right. That's some fantasy.”