Chapter 19

Playing Hooky

Monday

Maggie’s reluctance to climb out of her comfortable bed and start the day proved an even harder task after spending two wonderful days with her husband who lay idly beside her, caressing her from head to toe. She couldn’t remember the last time they’d spent an entire weekend off together.

She in return played with the fine mat of hairs on his chest. When her phone rang, she groaned. She hoped this wasn’t bad news. With Lindsay still missing, every moment counted and every phone call could bring news of her demise.

“Johnston.”

“Morning, Mags.”

“Oh, I’m glad it’s you, Hudson. I hoped it wasn’t the call we don’t need right now.”

“I was wondering whether you could cover for me for a couple of hours. I’m going to be a little late.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, just playing hooky. I need to catch up on some ... sleep.” She heard him clear his throat before mumbling something incoherent, which wasn’t directed at her.

“Sleep, eh?”

“Let’s just say staying where I am at the moment is much more appealing than coming into work.”

She heard him laugh, which was more like a giggle, and a smile tugged at her lips. Looks like Hudson got lucky.

“I know exactly what you mean.” She gazed with longing at her husband. “You can fill me in later. I’ll get up to speed with Andy and Greg and decide our best course of action.”

“Thanks. I owe you one”

“Yeah, you do. See you a bit later.”

“Am I to interpret from your call that the workaholic Hudson is actually going to be late?” Steve asked after she’d hung up.

“Yes, honey, it appears the love bug has bitten my partner.”

* * *

“Now that wasn’t playing fair, Summerville. I was trying to have a serious conversation with my partner,” Lucas said.

“Really serious, Lucas. You’re ditching work. Besides it isn’t my fault you’re so ticklish.” Chelsea tortured him again with her sleek fingers on his ribs. His cackling laugh was too delightful and she craved to hear it over and over.

“Chelsea, stop it,” he managed between breaths. “You have a huge advantage.”

“Would that be that I’m not ticklish?”

“Yes, although I don’t actually believe you. You’re the first girl I’ve ever met that isn’t.” He pinned her wrists above her head and sat lightly astride her to cease her assault on his ribs. When her face contorted in a pained expression, he instantly released her wrists.

“Sorry, babe, was I hurting you?” he asked concerned. Her expression was perplexing.

“No, Lucas, your touch is always gentle. I’m more concerned about how many girls you have actually tested the tickle theory on to know.”

His laugh was spontaneous, bringing her frosty look to the surface, the one he now found completely endearing.

“Chelsea, I already told you there have been ... many.” Her frown cut him short. “They were all hollow, meaningless encounters which meant nothing, unlike you. I must admit, your jealousy is definitely appealing, though.”

“Who didn’t you want me to find out about yesterday?”

“I was hoping you’d forgotten about that.”

“Well, I haven’t.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“If it doesn’t matter, then you can tell me.”

“Why do you need to know this? I don’t particularly like hearing about your fiancé.”

“Ex-fiancé, and he is the only guy who I ...”

“What?” His mouth twitched briefly in amusement.

“Yes, besides you there’s only been one other.”

He frowned before grinning. “I think I kind of like that.”

“You would. Stop avoiding the issue.”

He sighed. “Fine, but just so it’s clear, I didn’t bring her home so to speak. Carrie came to my apartment. She hadn’t seen me for a few weeks so she came to check up on me and she was there.”

“Who?”

“Maggie.”

“Your partner?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought that would be a no-no.”

“It is. That’s why no-one actually knows about it but Carrie and Nathan.”

“You’re still partnered together, how ...?”

“We parted amicably. She met Steve and got married.”

“Do you ... still ... feel that way?” He laughed, she was simply too adorable.

“No. She’s my partner. I trust her with my life and we’re friends. For the short while we were together, well it was the first time I’d gotten close to anybody since ... anyway, it was only for a few months and it was a while ago now.”

She eyed him suspiciously for a moment, deliberating over his confession. An expression of acceptance crossed her face before she attacked his ribs once again. This time when he managed to grab her wrists between spasms of laughter, he didn’t let go until they were both satisfied.

A few idle hours later, Lucas reluctantly checked the time and decided he should go to work. They had a brutal serial killer to locate before it was too late for Lindsay. Chelsea grudgingly allowed him to leave but continued to stall by showering him with affectionate kisses at the front door.

“I have to go home and change first and I’m so late already. I’ll owe Maggie big time for this.”

“I know I have to let you go but I don’t want to.”

Lucas laughed. All that was missing from her sentence was a childish pout. “Lock the door, beautiful. I’ll call you later.”

She closed the door behind him and locked it as instructed. When she turned around, she was pounced on by Charlotte.

“So, how does it feel to be in love?”

“It feels wonderful.”