SS:TIE 010

Kayla’s AC fights gallantly, making the room chilly enough that cuddling naked under the sheets is heavenly.

“I put a girl on the spot once,” Rey admits, playing with Kayla’s hair. “I was leaving college and I asked her to come with me. I liked her.”

“Did she go?”

“No. She was smart. A lot smarter than me. I feel bad about it sometimes. It wasn’t fair to ask her that.”

“You think about her a lot?”

“I did for a while. Only sometimes these days. It’s been a long time.”

“I bet she thinks about you too.”

Rey laughs. “You’re sweet. You don’t think it’s messed up?”

“What?”

“Putting someone in that position.”

“I don’t know. What were you supposed to do? Just leave and not say anything? Fuck, I don’t know what’s right or wrong. I’m just trying to make rent, man.” Kayla laughs.

“I’m leaving. You want to come with me?”

There’s a long pause. “Are you being funny?”

“No. Couple of days and I’m out of here. Could be a while before I come back.”

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t know yet. Somewhere nice. Maybe somewhere cooler. Where do you want to go?”

The silence is longer this time. Kayla might sell paint, but she isn’t stupid.

“Are you like a **** dealer or something?” she asks finally.

“What if I was?”

“I don’t know. I’m not judging, if that’s what you’re asking.”

SS:TIE

Water gleams on the floor and fragrant bubbles slide down the outside of the tub. Sally cradles her wife in the bath, lovingly running her fingers over every inch of her body under the water. This is a far cry from the long afternoons that they spent surreptitiously making out in Tracy’s office at UFG. The first time they took a bath together was on a weekend away during spring break. They stayed a B&B in a Georgia town with lots of wineries after taking entirely too many precautions to ensure that the getaway was a secret.

Sally remembers how nervous and excited she was back then. And how drunk.

Now, she expertly manipulates Tracy’s soapy body and effortlessly brings her off with just her fingertip. She likes holding Tracy as she cums, and she loves holding her afterward because her wife is almost like a liquid. Pure relaxation.

Which is important tonight.

“Mmmmm.” A sound of total satisfaction. Then Tracy sighs. “What is it? Why am I getting this affection?”

“Because you’re the love of my life. And I have to go out again tonight.”

Tracy snorts. “That’s not so bad. I expected worse. I guess I’ll just waste away in our cold, empty bed.”

She’s not mad; she doesn’t joke when she’s mad. Sally lets out a sigh of relief and turns Tracy’s face so that she can kiss her.

SS:TIE

Blue and green lights strobe wildly. Nude women spin around the poles and dance with upper-fueled enthusiasm. Sally spots at least half a dozen cops waving money at them.

Alison and Shelby have a booth, and Sally slides in and takes Shelby’s beer. “You’re doing this on purpose,” she says. “Tracy finds out I’m here, she’ll leave me. For real this time.”

“Can’t talk at the office, can we?” Alison takes a drink from a whiskey sour. “Not when you slept with our lead suspect.”

“It was a long time ago,” Sally says, instantly defensive.

“They’ll still pull you if anyone finds out before the fact,” Shelby reminds her.

“I know. What do we have?”

“Chica Flores is the only one who hasn’t done time, but they’ve all been out for at least two years,” Alison says. “If they’ve been working heavy that whole time, they have to be connected to people we don’t even know about. We haven’t been able to get much from the Army about exactly what they did when they were in uniform.”

“We can make some guesses. And Rey is the popular type,” Sally says darkly. “Can’t imagine that military training and prison time has made her less confident. Assume they’re a step ahead of us.”

“They aren’t,” Shelby says. “I’ve got Lili and Elsa both in photos outside Brewer.”

Sally makes a face. “Brewer?”

“Research chemicals.” Shelby takes a folder from her bag and slides it across the table. “It’s their next target.”

“What kind of chemicals? Synthetic opiates and shit?” Sally asks, lighting a cigarette.

Shelby shakes her head. “It’s all catalysts and stuff. Shit they use to make the ****. Soft target. Easy score.”

“Why hasn’t someone else hit it?” Sally asks.

“Because you’d have to know how to move it. How do you find someone who knows what to do with that stuff? It’s got value, but only to the right person. It’s worth nothing on the street,” Alison says.

Sally puffs intensely.“Think this Glynda Darcy broad and her big boobs are the connection?”

“It’s possible. My money’s on Chica Flores. We took a look at her finances and she’s the one moving crypto,” Shelby takes her beer back from Sally, then the cigarette as well. “She’ll smell this on you.”

“I have clothes in the car. Give it back.”

“I’m saving your marriage.”

“I hate you both,” Sally says, rummaging in her purse. “Someone give me some money.”

“She’ll smell a lapdance on you,” Alison says.

“I just want a fucking drink. I don’t have any cash.”

“Might want a keep a clear head. We have to move when they move, and we’re thinking it’s soon. Tactical or just us?” Shelby asks, and the question is directed at Sally. “Your call, boss.”

Sally leans back miserably. She watches with envy as girl in a thong passes by with a tray full of beers covered in glistening condensation. She licks her lips.

Rey, Elsa, Chica, and Lili. All she can see is what she remembers: Lili, pretty and aloof. Elsa, a bit earthier and wilder. Chica, withdrawn yet inseparable from Rey.

And Rey. How many times has Sally wished that she could take a power drill and just grind the memory of that night out of her skull?

When Rey and her girls go after this lab, the Miami Dade Police Department will be waiting for them. Does Sally need SWAT, or should she take a softer approach with just the major crimes unit?