Off The Record

So far, Miranda is raising the son of her ex-lover, Dougie. When Dougie disappeared without a trace, she acquired temporary custody of the boy, Waylon. Now, Dougie has returned and she is afraid he has come to take Waylon back. While she doesn't trust Dougie, she knows he is innocent of a terrible crime against Waylon's teacher. Miranda has to prove his innocence.

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Before I can grab for the handle to the door, the only thing that separates me and those two old con artists, Mitch grabs my hand.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asks, moving in between me and the door. "You can't go in there?"

"Why not? I know these old birds."

"How do you know them, Miranda?"

"Remember that time I told you I had shoplifters? Well, two guesses as to who they were. Tears on Command Brenda and her friend, Real as Press on nails, Alice."

"Whether you know them or not, I cannot let you in that room with them. Aaron is ready to give us a statement and press charges against them."

I shake my head knowingly. "Aaron isn't going to press charges. You know that. He is a sweet and gentle soul, Mitch. He would never press charges against two old ladies."

Mitch guides me to the lobby. "I'm gonna take you back to work now. Thank you for coming down here. Do you work tomorrow night?"

"No," I answer, glancing back at the door that hides Brenda and Alice.

He tilts my chin so I am looking at him. "Because, this black and white cop would like to take this renegade vigilante out to dinner."

"Okay. I'd like that. I might spend part of the day at the hospital."

"That's fine. I have to do some paperwork here for a while, so maybe I can pick you up around four, and we can take a walk on the beach before dinner."

I smile, lean into him and try to absorb the moment. "I'd love that," I say as I nuzzle his neck, then step back.

"Don't start anything now, right when I have to take you back to work," he whispers, shivering and looking at me with smoldering eyes.

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Momma calls as I step back into the office for my dinner break. "Hey, Momma, what's up?"

"Waylon just went into see his daddy. His eyes are open. Talking, but says he has no idea what happened. Doctors say it may come back to him, may not. Something called traumatic induced amnesia. I don't know. He looks pretty rough. He did ask about you."

"What did he ask?" I ask, groaning inwardly. "If I could pay his hospital bill?"

She laughs. "Just where you were. If you knew he was in the hospital?"

I unwrap my sandwich and take a small bite. "It sure would help if he could remember what happened and why he stopped."

Momma sighs. "Well, don't count on any testimony from him. He wasn't the brightest thing to begin with, from what I can remember, so I doubt this conk on the head did him any favors."

I try not to laugh, after all, this is Waylon's father and he is suffering in the hospital, but Momma calls them as she sees them. "Tell Waylon I'll be home by ten. Thank you Momma."

"Thank me, for what?"

"For being who you are."

"Oh, I love you, too."

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At seven-fifteen, Mitch pulls in. He parks his car, walks around to the back and opens the back door of his patrol car. Out step Alice, her smug smile unchanged from the first day I laid eyes on her. Brenda climbs out after her. She is sporting her confused smile and her over sized dress has deep pockets that appear empty...for now.

Mitch holds the door open for them and shrugs his shoulders. "I asked them if they needed anything before I drove them home. They needed a couple of things from The Little Eagle. I'm going to grab a cruller and go wait be the car. Remember, say whatever you want but don't rough them up." He winks and retreats to the squad car.

"Brenda, Alice, long time no see. What have you two crazy gals been up to?"

Alice glances over, looking like ice water runs through her veins. "A little of this, a little of that."

"Handsome escort you got there." I nod towards where Mitch waits.

Brenda keeps her head down, purposefully checking out the candy aisle. She looks nervous, but Alice, calm, cool and collected.

"Brenda, you alright? You look a little nervous. You aren't trying to fit a fistful of Clark bars in your pockets are you?"

Alice steps in front of Brenda, blocking my view from the counter.

"Lets go, Brenda, that nice police officer is waiting. He was kind enough to help us when our Uber didn't show up."

"I'd say that's above and beyond." I mutter.

Brenda tosses her handful of candy on the counter and Alice plunks her cheap wine on the counter.

"You don't mind if I check your pockets, Brenda. You understand, right?" I say, and wink at her.

She quickly pulls her pockets wide and I glance quickly. "You know, word gets around this county quicker than a fart in an elevator. That officer is my boyfriend. That young man you attacked is my friend and neighbor. I'm so glad I'm getting the chance to talk to the two of you," I sigh, leveling my gaze at Alice first, then Brenda.

Brenda's face crumbles, tears start spilling from her eyes and I lose it.

"Can it, Brenda. Crying on command might get you off once in a while, but save those tears because I'm on to the two of you. You think you can do what you want, whenever you want. There are consequences. That poor guy you tried to force yourselves on, is a sweet guy. One of the nicest you'll ever meet. He'd give you the shirt off his back, if you asked him to."

Alice taps her nails on the counter. "Apparently not. He was clinging to it earlier."

"Not funny, Alice. He wouldn't press charges, would he?"

"N-n-no," Brenda sniffles as the words come out.

"That's what I mean. Personally, I think he's a sucker. I'd have pressed charges against you both so fast, your damn heads would still be spinning. One word of advice, ladies, mind your p's and q's, cause I'm gonna be watching you, and you can guarantee I will make sure you are on his radar as well." I point to Mitch who happens to look up and wave.

Brenda dabs at her eyes with her sleeve, heads for the door and ducks outside. Alice takes her time, putting her credit card back into the proper spot in her wallet. She leave with a slight smirk on her lips.

"I'll see you around, Alice," I call as she reaches for the door.

"Maybe you will, maybe you won't," she says.

"Oh, come now, Alice, women like you don't just fade into the background. You'll go out with a bang."

Alice pauses by the door and turns around, middle finger flying high and straight. "See you around."

I wave to Mitch through the window as he backs out of the parking lot.