Free Nowhere to Hide by Terry Odell

Harrigan about the man. The detective hadn’t left a card. Besides, he seemed—smarmy. Harrigan seemed … she dug for a word. Untarnished. Still eager to make the pieces fit.
    What was with her? A week ago she’d never wanted to see another man in uniform. Now she saw images of one whenever she let her guard down. And when she realized she wasn’t seeing the uniform, only those blue eyes and the warm smile that said he cared, she swore out loud. Where was this all coming from?
    She unlocked her front door and shook her hair from the confines of its ponytail. After switching on the coffeemaker, she headed for the shower. What she needed, Colleen decided as she lathered her hair, was a total change of pace. She was in a new city to start a new life. Well, it was about time she did something positive. Forget fireworks and roller coasters, smoke alarms and missing landlords. She was ready to do something fun . Get away from Doris, Jeffrey, and all things related, which at the moment included a deputy sheriff she didn’t want to think about.
    She finished dressing and picked up the phone.
    “ Tracy? It’s Colleen McDonald.”
    “ Hi.” There was a sharpness to her tone, even in the single syllable.
    “ I’m not disturbing you, am I? I can call another time if you’re busy.”
    Tracy laughed. “Relax. You picked the perfect time to call. I’ve been dumped, and was wondering what the hell I was going to do with myself. What can I do for you?”
    “ I want to start exploring Orlando. I thought you might have some suggestions.”
    “ Perfect. Why don’t you start by coming over here? We can make it a foursome.”
    Colleen hesitated. “I’m not sure I’d want to impose.”
    “ Don’t be ridiculous. I mean you, me, and Ben and Jerry. I’ve got a pint of Making Whoopie Pie and one of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. I could use your help.”
    She glanced at the clock. Ten-thirty. Why not? She hadn’t had breakfast. “Give me your address, directions and I’m on my way.”
    “ Okay, sister. I’ll hold myself together until you get here.”
    Colleen navigated her way through the winding streets of Metro West and knocked on Tracy’s door. Tracy greeted her, dressed in gray leggings and a tweed tunic-length sweater that showed off her figure. Aside from a little redness around the eyes, Colleen would never have guessed Tracy was distraught. She projected an image of sophistication, even wearing bunny slippers.
    “ The boys are waiting. Bowls or cartons?”
    Colleen dropped her purse on the floor by the door. “Seems a shame to dirty dishes.” She took in the space. Like hers, a small section of tile flooring delineated an entry. A living area opened into a kitchen area with a round wooden table and two chairs.
    Tracy grabbed the ice cream from the freezer and two spoons from a drawer. “Take a seat. The couch is fine.”
    Colleen toed off her sneakers and tucked a leg under herself on the plush blue couch. Tracy handed her a carton and took a seat at the other end. “Wait. Don’t start. I forgot the chocolate sauce.” She jumped up and went to the kitchen, returning with a jar of gooey fudge. “Careful. It’s hot. I nuked it right before you got here.”
    Colleen grinned. “Looks great.” She had no idea what to say. “Are you sure I’m the right person here? I mean, wouldn’t your friends be more supportive? You just met me.”
    Tracy tipped the sauce over her ice cream. “You, Colleen, are the perfect person. All I’ll get from my friends is, ‘I warned you.’ Since you know nothing of Rich, you’re going to tell me it was all his fault and I’m the wronged party here.”
    Colleen took the jar of sauce and watched it flow like molten lava into her carton. “Rich was wrong, you were right.” She shifted her gaze to Tracy, who was pointedly studying her ice cream. “What did he do?”
    Tracy half closed her eyes and finished another bite before continuing. “I guess I was blind. I should have