Free The Fugitive's Trail by J.C. Fields

shook his head again. “He’s still out there.”
    They were silent again.
    A minute later, Kruger said, “I didn’t eat. Are you hungry?”
    She nodded. “Even though it’s Friday night, it’s too late. Most of the restaurants are closed.”
    “We could order pizza?”
    She nodded. “As long as it has veggies.”
    “I’ll order it. Want another beer?”
    She shook her head. “No, I’ve got a bottle of Merlot at my place. I’ll go get it.”
    It was after midnight when they finished the pizza. The conversation had turned from work to more personal topics. Suddenly, Kruger stopped talking and was quiet.
    Stephanie looked at him for several moments. He was staring out over the Plaza. “What’s the matter?”
    “Not sure I want to do this anymore.”
    Her eye’s widened and her hand covered her mouth. “You don’t want to see me anymore?”
    “No. No, no, no, that’s not what I meant. I was talking about the job.”
    She relaxed, but didn’t respond. She just kept looking at him.
    “I’m tired of fighting the bureaucracy and the good ole boy network. Plus I’m starting to resent the traveling.”
    She nodded. “I can relate to those feelings. Planes are not comfortable anymore.”
    “There’s that, but…” He hesitated for a second. “It’s more than the uncomfortable plane rides; it’s resentment. I’m not even sure what I resent. But if I know I have to travel the next Monday, I start dreading it on Saturday.”
    She watched him and nodded slightly. “Yes, I feel that way sometimes. It depends on the trip and what I have to do.”
    Shaking his head, he said, “It’s every trip for me. There was a time, not too many years ago, I relished being on the road working a case. Now…” He stared at the lights of the Plaza and just shook his head.
    Grinning, Stephanie said, “What’s different? A certain neighbor?”
    Kruger grinned and turned to look at her. “Yes, I suppose that’s part of it. I do enjoy our time together. But there’s more. I’ve been trying to figure it out.” He shook his head. “Haven’t been able to diagnosis myself yet. If it gets to the point these feelings affect my work, I’ll have to retire.”
    “What would you do?”
    He shrugged. “Not sure. Teach. Go back to school. Be a Walmart greeter. Hell, I don’t know.”
    She chuckled. “You’d look funny standing there saying, ‘Welcome to Walmart,’ wouldn’t you?”
    He didn’t say anything; he just stared at the Plaza.
    “Something happened, didn’t it, Sean?” She reached for his hand and squeezed it lightly. In a soft voice she whispered, “Tell me.”
    “The director called just before I got on the plane. He normally doesn’t get involved with the day-to-day workings of a case. But he’s got his nose out of joint on this one. One of his old college buddies is a part owner of P&G Global. He’s accusing me of not working the case hard enough.”
    “Are you?”
    Kruger was quiet. 
    “Follow your instincts. Prove the man was defending himself.”
    Kruger turned and looked at her. He smiled and nodded. “I knew there was a reason I was falling in love with you.”
    She smiled back and squeezed his hand harder.
     
    ***
     
    Kruger awoke the next morning with Stephanie curled up next to him. The warmth of her bare back against his, comforting. He looked at the digital clock on his nightstand and smiled; he hadn’t slept this late in a long time. He pushed the covers aside and sat on the edge of the bed and yawned. Stephanie rolled over and put her hand on his back. “That was a pleasant way to welcome you home.”
    Kruger lay back down and embraced her. “I could definitely get used to this.”
    An hour later, they sat at the breakfast bar drinking coffee—Stephanie in one of Kruger’s gray long-sleeved OU Sooner t-shirts with the sleeves pushed up past her elbows. He could still smell the coconut and papaya with the hint of vanilla from her hair. She got up to get more coffee. “How