Free The Black Stiletto: Stars & Stripes by Raymond Benson

rapist out there that they can’t find. The way she talks sounds very angry.”
    â€œWell, wouldn’t you be angry, too? I know I would. I
am
angry.”
    â€œMe too, of course I am, but you should talk to her, Martin. She just, I don’t know, it sounds like she’s putting a lot of hope into the guy getting caught. I don’t want it to consume her, you know what I mean? She should continue talking to that therapist she’s been seeing and try to forget what happened.”
    â€œCarol, it’s going to take time. Something like that can’t happen overnight.”
    â€œOh, I know. I just worry about her.”
    â€œWell, I do, too, but she convinced me she needs to work it out in her own way, and she’s smart and mature enough to do so.”
    â€œI know, you’re right. Talk to her, will you? See if she brings it up.”
    â€œOkay. Last time I spoke to her was about a week ago, so I’m due to check in with her.”
    The conversation went a different direction as Carol talked about work for a minute. I couldn’t find an opening to smoothly veer the topic back to psychiatry, and then she hit me with, “Oh, say, I hear you’re dating someone!” She said it like it was great news, as if it was the best thing that could happen to
her
.
    â€œUh, where did you hear that?”
    â€œGina told me you’re seeing your mother’s doctor? Is that right?”
    Drat that Gina!
I had merely mentioned to her that I’d gone out for coffee a couple of times with Maggie. Gina got all excited about it, like it was a big deal.
    â€œOh, we’ve just had coffee together. And a couple of dinners. That’s all.”
    â€œWhat’s her name? Dr. McDaniel, right?”
    â€œYeah. Margaret. Maggie. And she’s not Mom’s doctor, really, she’s just the one who makes calls at Woodlands. Mom still sees Dr. Schneider, although, come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time she did. Maggie’s been the one who’s been doing everything these days.”
    â€œSo it sounds like she’s your mom’s doctor.”
    â€œYeah, I guess it does.”
    â€œIs she nice?”
    â€œMy mom? Sure, she’s a sweetheart.”
    Carol laughed. I could still manage to amuse her. “Martin!”
    â€œYeah, she’s nice. Look, it’s nothing. We’re just friends.”
    â€œIf you say so.”
    â€œReally.”
    â€œOkay. Well, maybe you might want to bring your friend to a party.”
    â€œYeah? What, are you throwing a Christmas party?” I asked.
    â€œSort of. It’ll be a reception, too.”
    I was so dumb. I didn’t know what she was talking about. “For what?”
    â€œMartin, Ross and I have decided to get married. We’re going tohave a small get-together at his house over the holidays while Gina is home. We’ll have the ceremony there, and then a reception.”
    Ross Maxwell. The rich lawyer she’s been dating for a while. I suppose I should have anticipated that happening at some point, but I was in denial. Carol had been dating him for months. She gave me the date and time, but they went in one ear and out the other. I think I was in shock. My chest cavity suddenly felt like every organ had just been dug out of it with a hoe, leaving an emptiness I hadn’t felt since those weeks following the divorce.
    â€œMartin?”
    I didn’t know what to say. “Uh, wow. That’s, uh, well, congratulations!”
    â€œThanks. Martin, if you’re comfortable with it, feel free to bring your doctor friend. We’re sending out invitations this week. And hey, listen, if you don’t feel like you can make it, I understand. I won’t feel bad.”
    â€œDo you
want
me to come?”
    I could tell she was on the fence. “Only if you’re okay with it. I’d like us all to be friends, you know. Ross likes you—”
    â€œNo, he