Free The Organization by Lucy di Legge Page B

my house being searched.”
    Charlotte tried to process what Harriet was saying.  She tried not to focus on what Harriet meant about the way she looked, the way she was dressed, and instead focused on what Harriet was implying about her house being searched.  “Do you mean… you mean because of the books?  The American authors?  I don’t think the police care about that, Harriet.  With all the terrorism threats, they have more to worry about than banned books.”
    “It’s not about the books,” Harriet replied.  She looked Charlotte in the eye, her face revealing intensity and anxiety, and then shook her head.  “I can’t tell you more.  The less you know, the better.”
    “I’d like to understand,” Charlotte said.
    Harriet said, “Please don’t.  I –” Her voice faltered.  She began again, “I like you too much for you to understand.”  A moment passed and Harriet said, “I’ll go.  I just wanted to explain.  Well, to explain what I could, anyway.”
    “But you didn’t really explain anything,” Charlotte protested.  “So is this it?  Does this mean you don’t want to see me anymore?”
    “I’m not saying that.  It just means we need to be careful.  All right?”  Harriet stepped closer and kissed Charlotte’s lips lightly.
    Charlotte kissed her in return and said, “Okay,” even though she felt uneasy.
    Harriet ran the backs of her fingers down the other woman’s bare arm.  “The orchid – it was sweet of you.  And it’s beautiful.  I put it on the sitting room table.”
    Charlotte looked into Harriet’s eyes, lost in the blues and grays that reminded her of a turbulent sea, and said, “Well, I wanted to do something… sweet… for you.  I didn’t mean for it to be a problem.” 
    “Let me worry about that,” Harriet replied, not moving away.
    Charlotte could feel the heat from Harriet’s body and smell a trace of perfume.  Her hand went to the top of Harriet’s blouse, unbuttoning the top button.  “Will you stay for a little while?  I’m tired – exhausted really – but…”
    “You’re perfect,” Harriet said, her lips finding Charlotte’s neck.
     

Chapter Fifteen
    Charlotte was humming as she climbed the steps to her apartment.  Much to her surprise, when she arrived at her door she saw Erin sitting in the hallway, legs bent at the knees in a distinctly unladylike fashion, given her outfit.  Erin wore a teal-colored silk chiffon dress that complemented her warm-toned skin but also clung to it in sweat.
    “Erin, I didn’t expect to see you.”
    Erin made a show of stretching her limbs before standing up.  “Well, I wasn’t sure if I’d see you either.”
    “What are you doing here?” Charlotte asked as she unlocked the door.
    “I came to check on you, silly.” Erin replied.  “You don’t write, you don’t call… I was starting to worry.”
    “No need to worry,” Charlotte said, hanging up her jacket and bag on pegs just inside the door.  “Want some water?”
    “Sure,” Erin said.  “You know I must’ve been out there for twenty minutes at the very least.”
    Charlotte pulled a liter of water out from the refrigerator and poured water into two mugs.  “You weren’t really worried, were you?”
    “Are you kidding?  It’s been complete radio silence from you for weeks now.  Of course I was worried,” Erin replied.  She sipped her water, leaning back against the kitchen sink and observing her friend.
    “I know.  I’m sorry.  I’ve just been busy,” Charlotte said, taking a long drink of water.
    “So what is it?  Work?  Football?  Oh, don’t tell me, it’s that crush of yours – the coach!  What was her name?  Hannah?  Hailey?”
    “Harriet.”
    “Right,” Erin said, her lips forming an amused smile.  “So is it… Harriet… that’s been keeping you from me?”
    Charlotte sighed.  “I’ve been seeing her whenever she can get away.”
    “You’ve been seeing her,” Erin repeated.  “So