"Dead," Echo supplied.

"Yes. Douglas indicated that Greystoke had given Karen a drink with an African herb in. Tasteless in cold water from what Nigel found out earlier...she had a tragic reaction to the herb. Greystoke hadn't meant any harm. She'd offered her a drink as a delaying tactic. Karen died before Greystoke could call for help. When she did call, it wasn't to the authorities. It was to Douglas. He arranged the scene to look like suicide, which went well with his plans to cover up his own brutal murder of Cameron. He was good, too. We were busy that day, and he made discreet calls to local dignitaries, including my uncle, to put pressure on my precinct to rush the case through. I'm sorry to say we did, and I can't apologize enough for my part in it."

Roan's voice dropped in tempo. Her admission of her duplicity in the cover-up, however innocent, had been riding high in her wanting to solve the case.

"It wasn't your fault, besides you vindicated yourself, you gave me hope." Her gentle smile indicated forgiveness. "Why did Douglas implicate your uncle and lead you to think he was guilty of a crime?"

"Once my uncle opened the case because of a pretty woman, or so Douglas surmised..." Roan smiled slightly at the inference that Echo was that woman. "...he had two choices. Hope it all went away or leave town. It meant going to plan B, and we both know what that was." Roan pursed her lips. "You asking for a meeting with my uncle interested him. His ego never expected anyone to find anything new. Our independent visits to the project spooked Greystoke. At some stage, she must have contacted him with the information. Douglas knew he had one more murder to perform, then no one, except him, would know the truth.

"He killed Greystoke and planted my uncle's fingerprint and other DNA. It wasn't difficult to do in his position. I think that was his biggest mistake and the one that caught him. We didn't believe it...ultimately, I didn't believe it. The rest...well, you know."

Roan completed her story and sat in contemplative silence. She decided not to say that Echo's involvement had been the catalyst. What did it matter, she's probably better off with the DJ. Who'd want a morose cop as a girlfriend?

Echo considered the information carefully. "Layla Greystoke wasn't really bad. I think she thought Douglas was telling her the truth...how would she know any different?"

"If that's how you'd like to see it, then yes, it can be viewed that way."

Maggie Radar opened the door to the patio, her mouth curling in a satisfied smile as she looked at her daughter holding hands with Rowena Anne. "Okay, you two, Dad and I have decided to take you out for lunch, our treat. A late lunch, of course, because we've only just had breakfast."

Roan disengaged a hand from Echo's and was about to say she probably would be on a flight back home when Echo said, "Don't tell me you've already booked a table for four at Florentine's."

A tinkle of laughter gushed from Echo's mother. "Why, of course, darling. Where else would you go for the best steak in the state on a Sunday? Our reservation is for three o'clock sharp." She closed the door without waiting for an answer.

"Sorry about that. I'll explain that you'll be on a flight back home."

Roan noticed the hint of melancholy in her words. When Echo stood and began to move away, she caught her arm. "I could take a later flight and stay longer if it would make you smile. If you want me to, all you have to do is ask."

Echo gazed down at the woman who in a very short s.p.a.ce of time had not only taken Karen's place as her best friend, but had scorched a direct path to the center of her heart. Does that make me a fickle person? It was a question she'd been asking herself for a month or so and still hadn't come up with a definitive answer. "Don't be silly. I'm grateful you made the journey here to tell me in person. It makes me feel a whole lot better about moving on with my life." She shrugged. "I guess my crusade for justice is over."

"Yeah, I guess it is." Roan frowned, wanting to say more but not knowing exactly what. She already indicated that Echo was important in her life, what more did she need? Releasing her tentative hold on Echo, she stood and towered over Echo, who was without her usual high heels.

"What time is your flight?" Echo felt washed out and wrung out to dry as all her energy dissipated. Her heart screamed for her to ask Roan to stay. Her mind contradicted her heart, telling her it would be too painful to belabor the leave taking.

Roan checked her watch and rolled her eyes. "In a couple of hours. I still need to collect my things at the hotel if I'm to make the flight. Will you call me a cab?"

Echo shook her head. "I'll drive you."

"No, we've been through this...you're in no state to drive. Tell you what...why don't you go back to bed and sleep it off? By the time you need to go for lunch, you'll be as right as rain."

"I'll get my dad to drive you." Without another word, they entered the kitchen. Echo explained that Roan had a flight that she couldn't cancel.

Paul looked up from his newspaper and without prompting, volunteered his services as chauffer. Five minutes later, Roan and Echo stood at the door of her family home.

"I guess I'll see you around, Lieutenant," Echo said.

Roan nodded. "I sincerely hope under happier circ.u.mstances, Ms. Radar."

Echo smiled genuinely before impulsively throwing her arms around Roan. She urgently whispered, "Thank you. I'll never forget what you did for Karen...or me."

Roan, relishing the feel of the soft body next to hers, closed her eyes at the contact. This was goodbye and she knew it. Did the DJ make an impression? How could she blame Echo? She'd given no indication that there could be anything other than friendship between them. Only she could change the outcome. Would it be fair to either of them? She didn't seem to have a clue about what she wanted anymore-or did she? "You're welcome and thank you for showing me that compa.s.sion is an integral part of the job. Bye, Echo." She removed herself gently from the hug and walked toward the waiting car.

Echo watched silently as Roan climbed in next to her father. As the car pulled away, she felt like her heart was leaving, too. When the vehicle was out of view, Echo closed the door and came face to face with her mother. Holding up her hand, she said, "I can't do a sensitive chat right now, Mom."

Maggie hadn't brought up her child without knowing when she was hurting, and right then, she was. "Would you settle for my hangover remedy and a hug?"

With a heart-wrenching sob, Echo ran into her mother's arms. "I love her, Mom, but she doesn't love me."

"It's okay, darling. I know, I know. Come on, let's get your queasy stomach sorted first, then we'll tackle the easier problem of Rowena Anne."

"Oh, Mom, you don't understand. She's not even a lesbian."

Maggie chuckled while snaking an arm around her daughter as they headed back inside. "Mothers know best, darling, don't you remember that?"

Chapter Twenty-five.

Paul was silent in the car, primarily because the woman beside him was like a solemn statue, albeit a beautiful one. He might be having problems coming to terms with his daughter's s.e.xual leanings, but he had to admit she had great taste. The only thing better than a son-in-law who followed the Lakers, was a daughter-in-law who did. Seats at the Lakers games were unusual in his circle of friends. Echo could do worse. "You meant what you said about the Lakers game when I'm in the city?"

Roan dragged her mind to the unexpected conversation. "Sure, Echo has my number."

"The season's almost over, just the playoffs are left. I guess it will have to be next year." Paul negotiated the turn into the hotel car park.

"Yeah, great, no problem." Roan's preoccupation with her current dilemma had her stomach tied in knots. Emotional crises hadn't been part of her life for years, not since her grandfather died. Somehow, Echo had managed to breach her emotional security and walked through the door, bolting it behind her, along with it all the emotional baggage that went with loving someone.

Paul pulled up at the entrance and stopped the car. "It won't be a problem as long as you and Echo are still together next year. Do you do long-term commitments? Lesbians, I mean." He pulled at his collar in embarra.s.sment.

Roan felt the car slide to a stop. She hadn't quite registered stopping or the content of what the man beside her said. Automatically, she gave a small smile. "Sorry, I was preoccupied. What did you say again, Mr. Radar?"

The man rolled his eyes at the reprieve from the answer he'd been expecting. "Paul, please. It can do that to you."

Puzzled at the words, Roan turned to look at Paul. "What can?"

"Why, being in love, of course, and the separation. I remember when I had to leave Maggie. I did a dumb thing in college...got caught stealing a car as a prank. Police didn't see it that way, and I ended up with a minor prison term. It was the worst time of my life leaving her behind. Made me understand one thing, though."

"That was?" Roan asked, suddenly interested in what he had to say.

"She was the girl for me, and I wasn't going to let her go a second time. We got married a month after my time was done. Now don't you go telling Echo...she doesn't know her dad was a criminal. It would break her heart. Her mother and I were a bit wild back then...hippie types...which is why we named her Echo." He grinned as the memories came flooding back.

Roan shook her head. The whole family experience was strange but fascinating. "Thanks for the advice. Oh, and I promise to keep your secret. I've got to go. Don't forget to call me when you want to see the game." She climbed out of the car and walked up the steps and into the lobby of the hotel.

Paul scratched the back of his neck and muttered, "I thought I was taking her to the airport." Maybe she's changed her mind. He waited ten minutes as a precaution if the woman realized that she really did need a lift to the airport. When she didn't come out again, he switched on the ignition and drove back home, becoming engrossed in the local news report on the car radio.

Florentine's was a pretentious name for a glorified steak house, but it deserved the exaggerated t.i.tle. It had the best steak in the state.

Echo sat opposite her parents, who were lovingly arguing over which steak they were going to choose. She felt almost normal, or as normal as she could in the knowledge that she'd said goodbye, possibly for good, to the one person she wanted to grow old with. Still, she had an odd glimmer of hope that Roan might remember to call her and take her out for the dinner that she promised, but she wouldn't hold her breath. Who am I kidding? I'll hold my breath forever.

Her mother's concern and apparent understanding was sweet, but she really didn't understand. How could she when she thought she and Roan were an item? Still, it was good to know that no matter how old she was, she could still call on her mom when she was hurting.

"What are you having, Echo?" Maggie asked. It was impossible not to see how distressed her daughter was since she wore a somber expression on her face.

Echo dragged her mind to the menu. Steak and steak in differing degrees of rarity, along with a variety of sauces, complemented the chosen dish and numerous options for side dishes. "I'll have a medium fillet with garlic sauce and a side of vegetables."

"No potatoes or fries, darling?"

"Nope, my waist is already thickening way beyond management these days. I'll give it a pa.s.s." Echo smiled at her mother, who was staring intently at a spot on her left with an astonished look on her face. "Have I suddenly grown two heads, Mom?" A sad expression settled on her face as she used the very same expression Roan used in her office, which now seemed like a million years ago.

"Only if you count mine in the equation," the s.e.xiest voice she would ever hear in her life remarked behind her. Then the chair next to hers moved and Roan sat down. "Sorry about being late, but I had to fix a few things."

Echo, completely overwhelmed by Roan's appearance, stuttered, "But...but...you...I mean, what about the plane home? Dad, you never said..." She gazed at her father, who quickly hid behind the menu.

Roan chuckled and caught Echo's gaze. She winked as she felt that now familiar connection lock between them. "I was told by a very special person that this was the best place in the state for steak." She winked at Maggie, who for once was at a loss for words. Then she turned her conversation back to Echo. "Don't tell me that after a couple of hours away from me you forgot that I'm a steak addict. We're going to have to work on that memory of yours."

Echo felt happy as tears made her eyes watery as she felt her lips tug into a tender smile. The more she gave into her emotions, the brighter her smile grew. "I'd never forget that."

"Great, you haven't ordered yet, have you?" Roan peered over Echo's shoulder to look at the menu.

Echo shook her head. "We wouldn't dare, Lieutenant."

"Lieutenant...as in the Army?" Paul asked.

Echo grinned. "No, Dad...as in the police...she's a detective, no less. Her family is almost police royalty if there is such a thing. Her uncle is police chief in La Toura."

Paul almost choked on his beer as he spluttered out, "You're a detective?"

Roan scratched the side of her face and winked at the man. "Yep. Does that make a difference in going to the Lakers game with me?"

Paul rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Now you owe me a whole season, young lady."

Echo frowned and turned in her chair to face Roan. "You owe my dad a season? What happened in the car going back to your hotel?"

Roan chuckled. "Yeah, I do, but that's between me and your dad." Roan smiled and winked at Paul. "I'm going to have the T- bone with fries and onion rings."

Maggie didn't know what to make of Roan's unexpected appearance. According to Echo, the woman should have been on a plane and miles away. Her sensitive chat with her daughter earlier had her convinced that Echo loved Rowena Anne and she was sure that the woman was interested in her daughter.

She'd seen it in the way Rowena Anne looked at Echo and always stood as close as possible whenever they were together. If she'd seen it, surely Rowena Anne would one day. Echo just had to have patience and, of course, use her feminine wiles to help Rowena Anne realize what was happening between them. It looked like it might have been the aabsence makes a heart grow fonder' syndrome instead.

"Well, Rowena Anne, you're going to need something with garlic. We'd better order garlic bread. Now where's our waitress so we can order?"

Roan looked at Echo and mouthed, "Garlic?"

Echo felt herself blush. "I'm ordering garlic sauce on my steak."

"Ah, that makes sense. Guess I'm going to have to give you one of my onion rings then." Roan grinned, unaware at first of Echo's reaction to her comment.

Echo held her breath at the insinuation; it was too much to take. She sc.r.a.ped back her chair and excused herself.

Roan saw the look of bewilderment on Echo's face and she quietly excused herself to follow her.

As Roan reached the bathroom, she looked around. There was no one there. Puzzled, she retreated and looked down the small corridor. There was a door there, and she headed for it. It led to a patio where several tables and chairs were empty except for one. Stealthily walking toward the only person in the area, she was behind the chair in a few seconds. "Hey, I wondered if you were okay, maybe the sickness had come back or something."

Echo tensed her muscles and bit her lip as she felt tears p.r.i.c.k her eyelids. "I'm good. I just needed some fresh air."

Roan heard the trembling in the voice and knew why, or at least she thought she did. Perhaps this was her chance to find out. "Echo, I'm sorry if I turned up and you didn't want...your mother told me about that DJ...last night and that you'd seen her before." She bit her lip again and finished. "I can leave."

"No!" The word exploded like an atom bomb between them.

Taking her direction from the explosive nature of the answer, Roan asked, "Okay, if no is the answer, should I take it that you're pleased to see me? I have a good reason for asking." Roan moved tentatively forward until she was within inches of touching Echo.

"I'm pleased to see you, you know that. I just don't understand why you came back, that's all. The case is complete. You've told me what I wanted to know. What else is there? Don't insult my intelligence by saying it was because you were jealous of Josie Skein." Echo turned her head with an expression of understanding laced with abject sadness.

Roan crouched down next to Echo and took her hands in hers. "You, I came back because of you. I can't take my mind off you. You're in my mind and heart...you consume me. Don't you know that? For the first time in my life, I've found a friend, and I want to keep her. I might not be very good as friend material, but I promise to be loyal and you can trust me."

Echo heard the pleading sincerity in Roan's voice and looked up into the eyes that bored into hers. The question was, would it be enough to be just friends? "You sound like a faithful dog."

Duly, Roan stuck out her tongue and panted, giving her best imitation of a dog.

Echo sighed at her antics, how she loved the woman who she'd barely scratched the surface of understanding. "I need to tell you something, and perhaps once you've heard it, you might not want to be my best friend."

Roan didn't flinch. "Tell me."

Echo pulled her hands away and began to wring them until Roan took them back and gently chaffed them into submission as they stilled under hers. "Tell me," Roan repeated.

"I love you, not just love...I'm in love with you...a shock, huh?" Echo quietly retorted. Something strange happened that when she voiced her love, she felt better in an odd sort of way.

The confession didn't shock Roan. It warmed her inside, yet she felt out of her depth and couldn't find the words to respond. Instead, she dropped back on her haunches and fell over.

Echo laughed and it broke the tension between them. "I guess I bowled you over...that can be taken as good or bad."

"Yeah...good, that is." Roan accepted Echo's hand and returned to her previous position. "Now do you think we can have dinner and get it over with? We need to talk. That steak sounded marvelous, though."

"Do you ever think of anything but your stomach when it comes to red meat? Don't you even care about what I said?" Echo asked with a warm smile, basking in the wonder of watching Roan tease her without inhibition. Besides, she was right. The sooner they ate, the quicker they could talk. She really did want to know what was going on in Roan's mind.

"Yeah, I do, but right now, I need the red meat to give me courage to take the next step."

"You have a basketful of courage in that body of yours. Why, I'm hardly a threat," Echo said with a mock serious expression.

Roan felt she was slipping away from her reality. At the same time, it was a wonderful feeling, a mix of emotions she'd never experienced before. It was like a fingerprint in time waiting for discovery. "With you, Echo, who knows? All I do know for certain is that I want to stick around to find out."

Echo couldn't do anything but gasp. She turned to Roan and asked in a low incredulous voice, "You really do and this isn't a trick of my hearing?"

Roan took in a breath, and as if in slow motion, she reached out and drew Echo's face closer. She whispered, "I can't think of living another day without you in it. I'm not sure if I can ever give you what you want, but I'm willing to explore the possibility if you'll give me the chance. You quite literally have knocked me off my feet." She reached forward and placed her lips on Echo's full lips for an instant, causing the familiar spark of electricity to explode.