Chapter Twenty One

Jon held her as her sobs subsided and she calmed herself down.

“It’s a good thing I’m not wearing any makeup.” she said, smiling softly at him.

Jon chuckled as he thought of having to explain to an enraged Richie why Dee’s makeup was on his shirt.

She sat back on the swing seat, feeling Jon’s powerful thigh muscles next to hers. She could totally see why women all over the world had fallen for him; and some men too, but he’d always been too beautiful for her tastes; 2D almost, a caricature of a person. Now, getting to know him she caught glimpses of the real man inside and was floored by how normal he was and by how fiercely he defended all that he loved.

The phone trilled in her hand and she quickly answered it.

“Hello?”

“Dee, my favourite girl, you called?”

“Simon are you on your mobile?” she asked, getting straight to the point.

“No, I’m on the lab’s phone. Why?”

“Hang up, go outside and call me from your mobile.”

“Ok.” he replied, mystified but not wanting to argue with her. When she was in this mood it was best to do as asked.

The phone clicked off and Jon looked at her, puzzled.

“Sometimes they tape conversations. I didn’t want to be on tape.”

Jon doffed his metaphorical hat to her. She was on the ball. He would never have thought of that and would’ve probably been caught on tape.

The phone trilled again and she clicked it on.

“Ok girlfriend are you gonna tell me why I need to be standing outside just to talk to you?”

“Because I need to ask a huge favour of you and I wanted to do so on a private line.”

“O..k.. Oh no, no no no Dee I can’t get involved in that.”

“Simon I’m not asking you to, I’m just asking you to suggest to people who may or may not owe you big time that further investigation is done, Specifically into the tox screening.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you start as well!” she huffed, exasperated, “what is it with you men?”, she muttered to no one, “Because it would really help Richie, that’s why and because…..because I love him ok? Satisfied?”

“Ooh Deedee, you really got it bad for this one huh? Look I’m not promising anything but I’ll make a couple of calls ok?”

“Simon, I love you, you’re my best friend. Thank you.”

“If it comes back, on your head be it.” he muttered before clicking off.

She turned to Jon

“He’s going to make a couple of calls, whether something happens or not is now out of my hands.” she shrugged as she laid the phone down on the patio floor.

“It sucks not being in control, doesn’t it?” Jon stated, looking directly at her, giving her the benefit of his baby blues.

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never really been in control of anything before. Everything that’s happened to me has been because of someone or something pushing me.” she smiled, “I’m not even in control of my own heart, he’s taken that over completely.” she motioned back into the room to indicate Richie.

“I’ve been in control of pretty much everything that’s happened to me. Ever.” Jon admitted.

“Does it make you happy? Being in that much control? Don’t you ever feel like just taking off and doing what ever you want, when you want to do it?” she asked, intrigued by the notion of complete self control.

“Well, I tried it once, but it just made me wanna get back into the studio with the guys and make a new album.” he said, sheepishly, grinning at her.

“You know, you’re hopeless.” she smiled, laughing freely for the first time that day.

“Rich, on the other hand, he’s into all that spontaneity crap, guess that’s why he’s a better guitarist than me, but if you ever tell him I said that, I will hunt you down and shoot you.” he smiled, to show he was kidding.

“So do you think this toxicology thing will work?” he asked, sipping his coffee, looking out on the sun drenched garden.

“It can’t hurt can it?” she said, soberly.