Free After Dark by Phillip Margolin Page A

sober.
    "Hey, that's right. I forgot. You're married to a Supreme Court justice, aren't you?"
    "Not for long."
    "Oh?"
    "I walked out on the bastard," Abbie said, slurring her words.
    Rose noticed the half-empty Chianti bottle and the melting ice cubes in Abbie's last glass of Jack Daniel's. He was an old hand at bedding inebriated women and he guessed that Abbie's inhibitions were way out of town by now.
    "Hey! Isn't Griffen the judge who let out Charlie Deems?"
    "He certainly is. The next time Deems kills somebody, they can thank good old Robert. And I'll tell you something else. I think he reversed the case just to embarrass me. Maybe next time Deems will do us all a favor and blow my asshole soon-to-be-ex to kingdom come."
    Abbie reached for her wineglass and knocked it over. A river of ruby-red Chianti flowed over the edge of the table. Abbie tried to slide away from it, but she was too slow.
    "Ah, shit," she said, dabbing at her lap with a napkin.
    "Are you okay?"
    "No, Tony. I'm fucked up," Abbie answered distractedly.
    "Look, I was on the way out. Can you use a lift home?"
    "i've got a car."
    "You've got to be kidding." Rose laughed. "If I saw you driving tonight, I'd have to bust you."
    Abbie slumped down on a dry section of the booth and put her head back.
    "What a terrific way to end a rotten day."
    "Leave your car and take a taxi in the morning. Come on. I'll get the check and you can pay me back."
    Abbie was too tired to fight Rose and too drunk to care. She let him take her arm.
    "What?" Abbie mumbled.
    "I said, watch your head."
    Abbie opened her eyes. She was staring at Tony Rose's chest and she had no idea where she was. Then Rose shifted and she could see her house through the car door.
    "Come on," Rose said, easing her out of the car. Abbie stood unsteadily. Rose wrapped an arm around her waist. Abbie tried to stand up. Her head swam and her vision blurred. She leaned back against Rose's shoulder. He smiled.
    "Take it easy. We're almost there. Where's your key?"
    Abbie realized she was holding her purse. She fumbled with the clasp and finally got it open, but missed the keyhole on the first try.
    "Here," Rose said, taking the key from her.
    Rose helped Abbie into the house and switched on the light.
    Abbie shut her eyes against the glare and leaned on the wall. She heard the door close and felt Rose near her. Then she felt Rose's lips. His breath smelled minty. His kiss was gentle. So was his touch when he slipped his arm around Abbie's waist.
    "What are you doing?" she asked.
    "What you want me to do," Rose answered confidently.
    "Don't," Abbie said, pushing against Rose. The cop's muscular arm tightened around her and she was crushed against his chest. Abbie strained against Rose's grip, but he was very strong.
    She felt his hands on her buttocks. Fear suddenly coursed through her, cutting through her haze. She pulled her head away and Rose pressed his lips against her neck while his right hand groped under her skirt. Abbie shifted until she could get her teeth around Rose's ear, then she bit down hard.
    "Hey," Rose yelped, jumping back and holding a hand to his ear.
    Abbie slapped Rose as hard as she could. The policeman looked stunned.
    "What's wrong with you?" he asked in a shocked tone.
    "Get out, you son of a bitch," Abbie yelled.
    "What's going on here? I was just trying to help you out."
    "Was that what you were doing just now?"
    "Look, I thought . . ."
    "You thought I'd fall into bed with you because I'm smashed."
    "No. It's not like that. You looked like you needed a friend."
    "And that's what you were doing? Being my friend?"
    "Hey," Rose said angrily, "when I kissed you, you didn't exactly faint."
    "You bastard. I'm drunk."
    "Man, you are one cold bitch."
    "Cut the shit, Tony. You wanted to get me into bed. Well, it didn't work out."
    Rose looked hurt, like a little boy.
    "It could," he said. "I mean, we got off on the wrong foot here, but that's not my fault. You're the one who was giving off