time yes. Second time no. And yesterday was the third time. The first time they said there was nothing they could do so I didn't bother." Dana had all but lost her ability to speak she was devastated at the way she had just over-reacted. "I'm sorry I heard a girl and I thought… and I don't know you…"
"I know that. I understand. So was what we did yesterday a bad idea?"
"No it was a fabulous idea. It was great."
"Well pull yourself together. I'm coming over and we're going over to make a police report. While you're waiting for me, I want you to call the bank and cancel all of your cards."
Dana blithered. "There's no point, they have all my money."
"Dana? What did I just tell you to do?" Now he was just plain short with her.
"Cancel my cards," she replied.
"So what are you going to do?" Rory asked her.
"Cancel my cards?"
"Yes and it better be done by the time I get over there, am I clear?"
Dana rolled her eyes. She messed this one up for sure. "Yeah, I got it."
And she did what she was told. As much as she kind of resented him bossing her around, she liked it too. Not just because she seemed to need it, but because he did it out of concern, not anger.
Just as she was off the phone with the bank, Rory knocked on her door. She took a deep breath because the emotions welled up and though it would be a struggle, she did not want to cry in front of him. Every time she reached for the doorknob, she started to cry, so she would breathe again. Finally he said from outside, "I know you're just on the other side. Are you letting me in or not?"
"I'm… trying…"
"Just turn the knob and I'll do the rest."
Dana was doubled over like a fool trying to contain a wall of tears - some for him and for her husband - that she should probably take care of. She pulled open the door just wide enough to let him know she complied but she did her best to hide from him, turning her back to him, keeping face down.
She heard him go to her coat closet, get her coat, get her purse. "Is this the one you're carrying now?" He asked her.
"Yes," she replied. Something about the coolness of his demeanor, if she didn't look at him, quelled her emotions. Maybe she moved into acceptance. Maybe she was shutting down the pain. After all, it was impossible to be heart-broken over a man she just met. She was still a wreck but she had a handle on the tears.
"Let's go. We can walk. It's chilly out but it's nice."
Rory was fast down the stairs, a few steps ahead of her. It gave her an opportunity to check him out. He was wearing a calf-length camel coat, jeans but nice ones and beautiful Gucci oxfords. The sweet scent that he left on her pillow trailed him and she was seized by affection for him. He looked over his shoulder at her and stopped. He stood at the base of the stairs and waited. When she joined him, he silently took her hand and walked.
The police station was a few blocks away and as mixed up as she felt, Dana didn't mind. Rory was the best medicine for the heartache she felt for him. His body was so hard; brushing against his arm was like brushing against a tree. He smelled so good and his huge, powerful hand around hers felt like lush comfort that she didn't realize she ached for so. But Dana knew he was only holding her hand because he was dutifully accompanying her to the police station, and he wanted to get on with it. She was slowing him down with her obvious moping. However, when, in the spirit of being quick, Dana stepped off the curb to cross against the light, Rory held her to the curb. He didn't say anything just gave her a brief scolding with a look. This part of her day could not be over quickly enough.
He led the way into the police station, and completely unexpected by Dana, and was greeted with a flurry of hellos. Rory was well known in the police department. Still holding her hand, he shook hands with three or four of the police who came up to him. And then from his office, out came the police captain of criminal