Murder On The Mainline - S01 E12

Story 9 hours ago

Murder On The Mainline - S01 E12

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 12

Mike holds up his hand and says, "Honey, that's a good idea but it’s not why I brought you out here."

"What! Quit teasing and get undressed or at least get that weapon of yours out here for action."

"Sorry, but I'm serious." He pulls in the briefcase from the console and opens it. He hands her the file and says, "Guard that with your life and don't let anyone know you have it or have even seen it. It's the RCMP file on the murder in POCO. It's an indictable offense to even have that thing in your possession. Have you got a safe place to keep it?"

"Sure, in my purse until I get home. Do you want me to get dressed again?"

"Hmmmm, better not just yet." He grins. "Now, about this file. I want you to study it and see what you make of it. I'll see you on the weekend and compare notes. I'm missing something in the photos and I haven't fully figured out what it is. There's an elusive clue there somewhere and I can't put my finger on it. Maybe you can spot it."

"Put your finger on this." She's grinning and drawing his hand to her body so the stop begins to take on a double purpose. Soon they are entwined and all too soon it’s over.

As Mike and Len hit the road again, Mike is whistling and Len grins from ear to ear. All is well for this trip.

They pull back into the yard on Kingsway just after one AM. By the time they've dropped the empty on the line and spotted the full trailer at a door then parked the tractor, it’s going for two. Mike throws his briefcase in the back of the convertible and waves to Len as he leaves. He backs out and heads for Abbotsford.

He pulls the Mustang in behind Marlene's station wagon and grabs his briefcase. He goes up the drive and notices the house is in darkness. Looking over towards Jeff's he sees a glow behind sheer curtains at a back, side window. He slows and in a moment he sees the form of Nina come into the room with a gown loosely thrown over her shoulders. For only a moment her compact breasts fill his sight before the light goes out. Mike pulls out his keys and opens the side door. He goes up into the kitchen in sock feet, leaving his shoes by the door. Again he looks out the kitchen window towards Jeff's but the bedroom window is out of sight behind the next-door condominium. Jeff's is a separate home on the next lot.

He takes the briefcase down to his office then goes upstairs to grab a shower and go to bed. Marlene is sleeping peacefully so he undresses by the glow of a nightlight. After his shower he crawls into bed. Marlene moves in her sleep to cuddle against him and he wonders if she's dreaming of him or Jeff. What's the difference, it feels good, so he puts his arm around her and holds her close. By the time he goes to sleep her head is resting on his chest and she has one leg thrown over him.

Mike sleeps in late and gets up around ten. He grabs coffee in the kitchen and hears Marlene rummaging around downstairs. Soon she comes up with an armful of clean folded clothes and spots him. She says nothing so Mike smiles and says, "Good morning, my love."

She gives a small guilty smile back and says, "Your not mad at me?"

"Tit for tat, I guess. What can I say? I know I leave you here at home alone a lot. It was foolish of me to think you would remain home alone forever. Wasn't it?" He steps forward and kisses her over her burden of folded clothes. "I don't love you any less for it, if that's what's bothering you. Okay?"

"Thanks." She seems relieved.

Mike says in an offhand way, "How long have you two been making it?"

Marlene looks suspiciously at him and mutters, "About eight months now, I guess."

"And Nina hasn't caught him yet? I'm surprised. She must suspect something. You would."

"I never thought about it. He always comes here when you’re on the road and she's at work, while the kids are at school. I'm taking these clothes up to the bedroom." She turns to leave and Mike sits down to drink his coffee. In a moment she's back with another armload of dirty clothes. She speaks to him from the doorway. "So who have you been screwing?" Her voice has the old edge to it and Mike just grins.

"The odd truckstop waitress, but no one in particular."

"Oh." She turns to leave.

"Put the clothes down here on the table and sit down. I know you want to talk this out."

Reluctantly she does as he suggests and gets herself a cup of coffee. "So, what do you want me to do about it?"

"Go on screwing him, if you want. Jeff's a nice enough guy. Why not? It hasn't slowed you down when I came home in the past. You've always been there for me. I'm just surprised, that's all."

He holds out his hand and she takes it as he guides her down to sit in his lap. She sips her coffee and says, "I guess you might be right. Nina must suspect something's going on. He's probably not as sexy at home as he used to be. Like you at times!"

"Hasn't it occurred to either of you that the neighbors must know what's going on? What about Janet? How do you work that?"

"I put her down for a nap when I'm sure he's coming. It always works because we're quiet. He's not noisy like you. I think I like your noise better, though. He's just a substitute when I can't have you."

"In a way, I'm glad someone is giving you comfort when I'm not here. It makes me feel less guilty about leaving you all alone. Maybe we should have them over again tonight. It’s Friday. What do you think?"

"You won't say anything, will you?"

"Don't you think I can keep a straight face?" He tickles her and she almost spills her coffee.

"You bugger. Your getting hard thinking about Jeff and I, aren't you? I can feel it." She reaches back under her ass and down between his legs under his dressing gown. "I thought you were."

"It’s just because your sitting in my lap on top of it, that's all. You better get your washing in. I have to go out and get some work done on that insurance thing."

"No time for a quickie? ...Or don't you want me any more?"

"Honey, I do and I'll prove it tonight but I do have to get going. It will soon be noon."

She reluctantly gets up and puts her cup in the sink. Mike goes upstairs and gets dressed. He comes down and goes to his office in the basement. He picks up his briefcase and steps to the laundry door. "I won't be in for lunch. You can call Jeff and tell him the coast is clear. Ask him and Nina over for the evening while you’re at it, Okay?"

"Just get out of here." She laughs and sticks her tongue out at him. He steps in and kisses her. She says, "I wish it was you I was going back to bed with this morning."

"I'll be busy today but I'll see you at supper time. I guess I'd better not tell you to behave yourself." He grins as he leaves.

He climbs into his Mustang then gets back out and puts the top down. It's a beautiful morning and he swings around by way of downtown Abbotsford. As he passes the finance company office he sees Jeff backing out of a parking space by the building. He grins and says to himself; "Go get her, Jeff!" He drives slowly around the block and then back towards home. As he rounds the corner he sees Jeff's car in his driveway. "How predictable!" he thinks as he drives away. Still within sight of the car in his drive he parks and dials POCO RCMP on his cell phone.

"Port Coquitlam Detachment. How may I help you?"

"By joining me for lunch. I'll be out front at twelve thirty."

"Mike, I was just thinking about you. See you at noon."

They hang up and Mike pulls away from the curb. He goes to the ABC Security office and turns in the paperwork on the car theft. He uses their phone to call Ken. He says the kid gave them a statement, that they have the young arsonists under surveillance and figure they'll pick them up this evening. Mike says he'll hold back the paperwork until Ken contacts him again and they have them. He then transfers this information to his file and makes certain the secretary understands not to proceed with the paperwork until he contacts her.

With that out of the way he heads for POCO. He parks in front of the detachment just at twelve thirty. Nina comes out and is pleasantly surprised to see the top down on the car. She hops in and slides over beside him. He thinks to himself, one advantage to a bench seat instead of buckets.

"It’s such a lovely day I thought you might like to go for a drive instead of lunch. Are you that hungry?"

"No, a drive sounds wonderful. Where are we going?"

As he pulls away he says, "That's a surprise."

Mike drives out through town and turns onto the Pitt River Road. They follow the river for a few miles then he turns off the road into a pull off under some weeping willows. It's a drop down from the road and out of sight of all except anyone on the river. He parks in the shade and turns to Nina. "So you were thinking about me this morning, were you?" He smiles into her pretty eyes.

"I have something for you." She's bubbling over as she hands him some papers from her purse.