The Mortal Groove by Ellen Hart Page A

doubt that’s for real. He’s got some information for me about Sue Bouchard.”
    Cordelia’s eyes flashed.
    â€œCalm down. If some of the feelers I put out there pay off, I’m not going to look the other way. I’m still gathering facts,
okay.
Speaking of which, Del Green called me today. He’s another one who wants to talk to me.”
    â€œAbout Sue?”
    â€œDidn’t say that precisely, but that would be my guess.”
    â€œNews travels fast.”
    â€œWhen highly placed interests are at stake, it does. Which isn’t always a good thing. I like to work quietly. On the other hand, all this attention makes me think I’ve hit the mother lode.”
    â€œYou think Green will spill something important?”
    Melanie shrugged. “No idea. But I can tell you this much. The man is scared. I think he was trying get a feel for how much I’ve dug up. I’m pretty good at faking people out, making them think I know more than I do. If a person thinks I already know something, that’s when you really get an earful.”
    â€œYou’re good.”
    â€œYou’re just saying that to get me in bed.”
    â€œMaybe, but it’s also true.”
    Looking down into her beer, Melanie added, “I might be making a mountain out of a molehill, but I think somebody’s been following me. I’ve seen this truck several times today in my rearview mirror. And it was parked outside my duplex late this afternoon.” She gave an involuntary shiver.
    â€œMove in with me,” said Cordelia. “Linden Lofts is a security building.”
    Melanie laughed. “God, that’s such a lesbian cliche. One date and the movers arrive.”
    â€œFeels right to me.”
    â€œIt’s a big step.”
    â€œOkay, don’t move in. But come stay with me, just until your life feels safer.”
    â€œBut you’re living at Jane’s house now, right?”
    â€œNo, I’m not. Not if you need me.”
    Melanie’s smile was almost shy. “I’m a coward, Cordelia. When we broke up all those years ago, I really hit bottom.You’re a hard person to forget. I guess . . . what I’m saying is, I don’t want to get hurt again.”
    â€œIf you’re worried about the pain, Mel, you’ll never find your soul mate. Life’s a party, a banquet. Sure, you get ptomaine every now and then, but I’m asking you to dance with me. I’ve learned some since the last time we tried it. I suspect you have, too. Here,” she said, taking an extra key off her key ring and pushing it across the table. “Now you can come and go as you please.”
    â€œYou’re amazing, you know that?”
    Cordelia lowered her eyes demurely.
    â€œOkay,” said Melanie, pulling her own key ring out of her jeans. “You should have one of mine, too, just so that we both have something to throw at each other in a few days.”
    â€œWe’ve mellowed,” said Cordelia. “Aged, like fine wines.” Melanie laughed. “Right. Maybe we should buy each other flak jackets instead of rings this time.”
    â€œI really, really want to give this another shot,” said Cordelia, her expression growing serious. “Years ago, when we were first together, I knew we had something special, but then we had that awful knock-down-drag-out fight about God knows what, and we just gave up on each other. I think that was a mistake. Am I alone here? Didn’t you feel that way, too?”
    Melanie rolled the beer glass between her hands. “Sure, I did. But I figured I’d blown it and there was no turning back.”
    â€œLook, I’ll be honest with you. I’ve dated a lot of women since we were together. I’m never hard up for female companionship. But none of those women have your—”
    â€œSensuality?”
    â€œI was going to say complexity.”
    â€œComplexity is