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profound effect on her personal life, as well. Tristan had found it
easier to deal with her feelings of anxiety and fear in their
relationship. She was letting go of the part of herself that no one
had ever been able to tap into. She often wondered if Claire knew
that she was holding her tender heart in her hands.
There was one last hurdle that Tristan had yet to cross, and that
was her jealous feelings of Mike. Each smile that Claire gave him
gnawed her to the bone. She felt as though Claire toyed with her
when it came to the overbearing man by entertaining him with her
cheerful and polite demeanor. Had Tristan been in her shoes, she
would have been as cold as ice where he was concerned.
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Murky Waters
One Friday afternoon as Tristan was walking Claire to her car,
she noticed a brown envelope on Claire s windshield. Claire
stopped dead in her tracks and stared at the envelope with a look
of pure dread.
Claire, don t you think we should discuss this now? This is the
second time you ve found something on your car, and judging by
your reaction, it can t be good.
Claire looked at Tristan dumbfounded. Yes, I think we should.
Her hands shook as she reached up to retrieve the package.
Tristan, do you mind if we park my Jeep in the back and I ride
home with you?
Tristan readily agreed, seeing the expression on Claire s face.
Let s go to my house tonight. I ll cook you dinner, serve you
wine in a hot bath, and when you are relaxed, we ll talk about
this, she said, indicating the envelope.
The ride home was quiet. Claire didn t say a word. Tristan
figured she was not up to talking, so they drove in silence. She
watched as Claire smoked one cigarette after another.
After dinner, Tristan filled the large garden tub in the master bath
with hot water. She dropped in some bath salts to make it even
more relaxing, lit a few candles, and dimmed the lights. She left a
bottle of red wine and two glasses on the ledge of the tub and went
to find Claire.
Tristan found her sitting on the couch in the sunroom, still
clutching the unopened envelope. Tristan sat next to her and
pulled her close. Claire, what inside that envelope has you so
upset? Claire stared at her absently for a moment and handed it to
her.
Claire watched as Tristan pulled two photos out of the package.
There was no note this time. Claire shuddered; she knew that the
pictures would be of the two of them. She was afraid of how her
lover would respond. Now that they were in this together, the
stakes had gotten even higher.
Claire wondered how Tristan would react to finding out what she
had done her best to keep so well hidden. Would she be offended
that it had taken her so long to confide in her? What would Tristan
demand of her?
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Robin Alexander
Tristan glanced at Claire and studied the photographs. Both were
taken at the Mexican restaurant they went to on their first date.
They were taken at an odd angle as if the photographer had
difficulty capturing them. Whoever took the pictures was very
close by.
Confusion registered on her face as she looked over at Claire.
What s going on?
Claire could not contain the tears that had threatened to fall.
Tristan, I have no idea. I ve been getting them for a while now,
even when I was living in Houston. For the life of me, I cannot
figure out why anyone would do this to me.
This has been going on that long? Have you gone to the police?
No, Claire said dejectedly. At first, I didn t want the scrutiny
of my personal life. I suppose I was in denial. I hoped it would just
go away.
Tristan looked around at all the windows in the sunroom and
decided that it would be better if they went inside. She took Claire
by the hand and led her to the bathroom. As Claire undressed,
Tristan added more hot water, and after undressing, she climbed in
herself.
Once she had Claire wrapped in her arms, Tristan broached the
subject again. Claire, honey, you have no suspects at all? Maybe
an ex-lover? She intentionally avoided bringing up Mike, waiting
to see if Claire would.
Claire sniffed back the tears. I confronted my most recent ex. I
am certain it s not her. I have searched my mind for anyone I
thought could be remotely responsible and have come up with
zip.
Did you say this started while you were in Houston?
Yes. The envelopes started coming almost a year ago. Since I
have been living here, I ve gotten two. Whoever it is knew exactly
where to find me in Houston and now knows where I live and
where I go. I know this sounds terrible, but I have been wondering
a lot about Mike and Lauren.
Tristan poured them each a glass of wine. Did you know them
before you got here?
Claire thought for a minute as she sipped her wine, hoping it
would calm her frazzled nerves. I ve worked with Lauren a
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Murky Waters
couple of times when she was a floater. I ve worked with Mike
also on a couple of accounts.
Did either of them live in Houston the same time you did?
I know that Lauren lived in Beaumont for a while. Mike lived in
Houston until he got the job here. I know you suspect Mike, but I
can hardly believe he would be capable of such behavior.
Tristan sighed. I don t want to accuse anyone, but they are both
the most likely suspects in my mind. Especially Mike.
Claire drank half her glass of wine, and Tristan topped it off for
her. The wine was having a relaxing effect on Claire. She leaned
back into Tristan, feeling comforted by her closeness.
I suppose that stands to reason, but I can t imagine why either of
those two would do something like that to me. I would hate to go
to the police and have them investigated. Can you imagine the
scandal that would cause, especially if they were proven
innocent?
Something needs to be done. I understand your reservations
about going to the police. Either way, I will support you in your
decision, but I don t want him with you alone. No matter how
mundane the conversation, you should always have someone else
present when you talk to him. I m doing my best to stay out of it
and let you deal with him, but I d really like to get my hands
around his neck.
I just need a little time to make up my mind on that, Tristan. I m
so thankful I have you in my life now. It s such a comfort to have
your support. Claire turned in Tristan s arms to face her. I don t
know if you re ready to hear this or not. I have tried so hard to
convey it to you without words, but I have to tell you that I love
you very much.
With hands covered in suds, Tristan caressed Claire s face,
giving her a bubble beard. I love you, too, Claire. Now that I
have you, I won t let you go. You re stuck with me for life.
The conversation continued into the bedroom, where both
women expressed their feelings for one another. Claire lay with
her head on Tristan s shoulder as she ran her fingers through her
hair. She marveled at how different it had been that night. Tristan
caressed her with a tenderness that she had never felt before.
Through each kiss and touch, they communicated the feelings that
words alone could not convey.
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Robin Alexander
Both were pleasantly exhausted and on the verge of sleep when
Claire noticed something in Tristan s bedroom that she had not
paid much attention to before. A picture hung on the wall,
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