Merrville County

  Castleton

  Tuesday

  Mueller Mobile Home Park

  Madison returns home to find Detective Mackey's Crown Vic already parked in the driveway. Climbing out of the idling cab, Madison makes her way to the front porch. Detective Mackey is sound asleep on the porch hammock, snoring softly. The detective's legs are folded across each other and both hands rest on his stomach. He is obviously quite comfortable. Madison hates to wake him. She issues a soft cough.

  "Uh, Detective Mackey? There is a guest room inside," Madison pipes up.

  Detective Mackey's eyes shoot open and he glances around. Making eye contact with Madison, James grins broadly. He sits up in the hammock, rubbing a hand across the tiny stubble on his usually smooth chin.

  "Hey, Maddie!" James says. "You're back early. Slow day at work?"

  Madison peers over her left shoulder, watching the taxi slowly make its way down the driveway. She returns her attention to Detective Mackey, who still wears a deceptively disarming grin. Madison's heartbeat increases as she studies James with longing eyes.

  "No. Not really," Madison begins, the tiny dimple in her left cheek making a brief appearance. "I wasn't feeling too great. I got off early. Besides, I figured I'd find you here. You've been following me haven't you, Mr. Mackey?"

  "Um. Yes," James says uncomfortably, averting his gaze. "But not for the reasons you think. I'm not stalking you, Madison. Not intentionally. I promise. I care about you. That's all."

  Madison sets her bags down on the porch and finds a spot next to Detective Mackey on the hammock. She stares deep into his eyes, searching them for some sign that he wants the same thing she does. The detective's usual poker face is neigh unreadable. Madison issues a low sigh.

  "I know that," Madison comments. "I never believed you were stalking me, Detective Mackey. Not for a moment."

  An uneasy silence fills the air. James and Madison stare at each other for what seems like an eternity to them both. Finally, Madison climbs to her feet.

  "I need to put these groceries in the fridge. Um...Are you just going to sit out here all night, Detective Mackey? Like I said, there's an empty guestroom. You should know that. After all, you paid for this place. There's plenty of space."

  James' eyes slowly wander to Madison's lips and he inhales sharply. He shakes his head fervently.

  "Not all night. But, I think it's best if I stay out here. I...Yes, I think that's best."

  "Detective Mackey...James? Why are you doing this to me?!" Madison protests, growing visibly upset. "You know I have strong feelings for you. And yet, you keep playing these ridiculous games. Following me home; sitting outside of my house; bringing me gifts, groceries, and a dog. Even buying this place for me. But you won't even so much as let me kiss you. I offered you the guestroom for a nap. Not so we can screw. I don't understand you, Detective. I want it to stop! Either love me or leave me alone. I can't take it. Aquarius is dead. You don't have to babysit me anymore. If you want me to move out of here...I will. I just. I can't..."

  Madison turns to leave, but Detective Mackey jumps up from the hammock. He grips the young woman's shoulders and spins her back in his direction.

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  "Why would I ask you to leave this place, Madison? I told you...You don't owe me. This place is yours. No strings attached. I didn't expect to develop feelings for you, Maddie. I'm not even sure if what I'm feeling constitutes romantic feelings. I feel something. As for Aquarius being dead. I'm not so sure he is."

  "What?" Madison exclaims, her face losing all color. "What do you mean? The SWAT team killed him. They killed him."

  "They killed someone, Madison. I'm just not convinced it was the real Aquarius," Mackey says. "We aren't telling the public. I shouldn't have even told you. But I want you to be careful. Because I do care about you. But...I'm not real sure I can adequately care for you, Madison. I'm...Out of practice."

  "Out of practice?" Madison asks.

  "I haven't been with a woman in nearly seven years. Since my wife fell ill. She's...She died. You're the first woman I've kissed in all of that time," Mackey confesses.

  "You know...I didn't mean half of what I said," Madison says, wrapping one arm around James' neck and toying with his opposite ear. Her eyes urgently search James' face.

  "Which half?" James quips.

  "Either one," Madison says in a soft voice. "You choose."

  "I can't stay, Madison," James sighs.

  Madison rolls her eyes and peers up at the porch ceiling. James lowers his head and kisses the left side of Madison's throat. She utters a soft sigh as the detective withdraws.

  "We're both unsure. Unsure people make mistakes. I'll be here, Maddie. Maybe someday, we'll figure this whole thing out. Until then, we have to leave things the way they are. For both our sakes."

  "Okay," Madison whispers.

  "I'm gonna go back and sit in my car," Mackey says. "Goodnight, Maddie."

  "Goodnight, James."

  With a thin smile, Detective Mackey releases Madison and makes his way off of the front porch. Madison reaches out and grabs his right hand, giving it a firm squeeze.

  "I love you, James."

  Detective Mackey pushes down the tears pooling in his eyes. How many who have lost lovers, or children, would die to hear their lost loved one say that simple phrase one more time? Mark Davis, Michael Blaine, even the mercurial Asbury's. And here he is pushing Madison away. Maybe for the best.

  "No you don't," Mackey says with more confidence than he feels. "You only think you love me. Have a good night, Madison."

  Madison sighs for easily the tenth time in as many minutes. She watches James head to his sedan with a weary heart.

  "But I do love you," Madison whispers into the silent night. "Why do you keep insisting that I don't?"

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  Later that night

  Madison is awakened by a light knock on the front door. Sitting up on the bed, she places a hand on her stomach. The other hand, she rakes across her damp forehead. Another nightmare. Was the knocking she'd heard also a part of her nightmare? No. Another knock. A little louder this time.

  Climbing out of bed, Madison reaches for her burgundy robe. She quickly puts it on, and cinches the robe shut, before heading out of the bedroom. A third knock. This one quieter and more spaced out. Madison silently makes her way to the front door. Titus has not moved from his spot near the couch. Obviously, whoever is outside is not a foe. Madison peers through the peephole anyway. With a wistful smile, she slowly opens the front door.

  Detective Mackey stands just inside the screen door, a weary expression on his face. Titus raises his head and emits a tiny enthusiastic bark. The dog climbs to its feet and lopes toward the door. Squeezing past Madison, Titus runs outside to relieve himself. Detective Mackey watches the dog wander off, a grin encompassing his entire face. When he looks at Madison again, she also wears a wide grin.

  "I...Think I'll take you up on that offer. The guestroom, I mean. It's a little hard trying to do research on my laptop...In my car. Not much room."

  "Uh-huh," Madison says, leaning against the door frame and studying James. "Want some coffee while you...Do your research? I don't have any of the powdered hazelnut creamer you like. But I have some of the liquid hazelnut creamer. Name brand. So it's good."

  James' eyes light up and his grin grows impossibly bigger. He takes a step closer to Madison. She stares up at Detective Mackey, and he stares down into her beautiful face. Not since Samantha. Not since he lost the love of his life. But maybe. Maybe again. Just not tonight.

  "Sure. Coffee sounds really great, Maddie. Got anything to eat? I'm not picky."

  "Of course you are, James," Madison says. She runs a hand down the front of his collared shirt. "I'll see what I can come up with."