murder mystery | relationships

She Cradled the Smoking Gun: Ch 2

Paul realizes he has to choose between his girlfriend and his wife

Click here for: Ch 1

Paul stepped away from the bar with drinks in hand, giving the Long Island Ice Tea to Morgan. His normally wide, always-on smile was missing. He walked slowly to a spot on the patio overlooking the expansive city lights.

“Thanks.” Morgan took the drink and moved close to Paul. “You’re thinking, huh?”

“Yeah.” He sighed. “Let’s take a drive.”

“Okay.” She set her glass on a nearby table.

“Mulholland.”

“Sounds agreeable.” Morgan followed him to the valet.

Paul handed his ticket to the attendant, held Morgan’s hand, and waited until his Tesla arrived. The car was once a symbol of achievement but now it seemed mundane.

More people had them and the new car thrill had worn off. He left the hotel’s lot and drove toward Mulholland Drive, his favorite winding road overlooking the San Fernando Valley to the north and the sprawling lights of Hollywood and many other Los Angeles neighborhoods to the south.

“So what’s on your mind?” Morgan pulled a leg underneath herself, trying to get cozy.

“Hollywood isn’t for me anymore,” said Paul. “I can feel it.”

“I see.” Morgan felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice on her. Yet, the pronouncement wasn’t a surprise.

“Investing, burning up money, thrilled when something succeeds. It’s the roller coaster and it’s addicting. Like gambling.” He drove up Coldwater Canyon past houses perched on the steep hillside.

“Hardly gambling. You’ve done quite well. You’re analytical.”

“Yeah, sure. There’s excitement, though.” He stopped at the intersection of Coldwater and Mulholland and took a left. “Seeing the ads hit, getting the copy just right. Developing new income streams. Partying. And partying. And growing older. For what?”

“What do you mean?”

He didn’t answer but instead parked at an overlook where it seemed they were hovering above the streets far below. The lights of the San Fernando Valley glistened like millions of lit-up pin points spread over a carpeting.

“I appreciate you.” Morgan placed a hand on his thigh. “And all you’ve done for me and all you’ve meant for me.”

“Thank you. I appreciate you, too.” He went silent as he looked at the city lights.

Morgan swallowed. “Are you thinking about Lisa?” Saying his wife’s name was so damned difficult.

“Yeah.”

“Makes sense. You’re still married to her.” Morgan tried smiling, but pain rose from deep inside.

“I’ve not treated her like I should have.”

“She hasn’t exactly been there for you. So how should you have treated her?”

Paul mulled the answer over carefully. “I, uh, would have liked her to be more involved in my business.”

“And you already know the answer, but, why do you think she’s not been more involved?”

“Because she’s not interested in the fast pace.”

“And she never has been. That’s not who she is. I’ve been far more involved than her. I’ve always been there for you. In every aspect. No matter what. A warm bed, you turn to me. A business confidant, you turn to me. Need asounding board for your ideas? You turn to me. Advertising and entertainment is right up my wheelhouse, isn’t it?” asked Morgan.

“It is, darling. All of that is true.” Paul wrapped an arm around her shoulder, drew her close, and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

“And what’s her interest?” Morgan knew the answer. “Gardening. Very successful gardening, but gardening nevertheless.” She laughed. “Why is it a couple like you can be so successful and yet so tormented at the same time?”

“Put me out of my misery, darling.”

“Of course.” Morgan turned her face to Paul and pressed her lips against his, not minding the difference in age. He had been a strength for her, but she pulled back and wondered. “Not feeling any passion from you. And I’m getting a bad feeling here. What are you really thinking?”

“That Los Angeles isn’t my home anymore. I’m tired.”

“And you say that despite a gorgeous estate in a neighborhood few Americans could ever hope to afford.” She looked out the passenger window. “Are you thinking of New Mexico, again?”

“Yes. Got a call from the realtor there. Buying the ranch is taking shape.”

“What does Lisa say?”

“I texted her this morning and haven’t heard back from her just yet.”

“So you’re telling me first instead of her?”

“You’re asking me about it, something she no longer does. Morgan, I’ve got such feelings for you. You probably think I sound like a coward, not going to get my wife and tell her the news to her face.”

She laughed and wiped a tear. “No, you sound confused. Probably like a lot of men get. Maybe like a lot of people get.”

Paul continued, “But, I’ve really been thinking about things, about us.

“And this is where you gently break up with me. I can’t believe it. I always knew this would be temporary. ‘Don’t fool around with a married man,’ my friends have said.”

“I’m sorry, Morgan.”

“No, don’t be. Please. I knew this was coming. Besides, you’ve been good to me. I would hope you’d still want my help with projects. I mean, we do make a good team.”

“Of course.”

“So why New Mexico?”

“Pine trees. Open land and mountains. Wild and yet culture in Santa Fe. I felt like it’d be good for me, and Lisa. A chance to start over without all the distractions of urban life.”

“And it may be just that. It may be. Can you take me home now?” She asked, trying to hide the hurt in her heart.

“Of course.” Paul pressed the starter. “You know that I care about you deeply.”

“I know you do. But you also care about Lisa. Must have been something there that just got squelched these last few years, hmm?”

“Must be. I really miss what we had when we started. She had so much life then,” Paul pulled away from the overlook and drove toward Morgan’s apartment above Sunset Boulevard, winding through the narrow streets past the comedy clubs, all-night diners, and high-priced restaurants.

He pulled up to her apartment parking lot. “Good night,” she said, kissing him on the cheek and wrapping an arm around him before opening the door.

“Good night. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Morgan tried smiling while wiping a tear. “If there is a tomorrow.”

“What do you mean by that?” He used his fatherly, life-experience tone.

“Just being dramatic. I love you. And I’ve wrestled with those feelings sometimes that if I can’t have you then no one else will. But that’s silly. I’m thankful I know you.” She blew him a kiss and hurried out of the car.

Paul watched her walk into her apartment when his phone buzzed with a text message. Lisa. He tapped the screen to read. Got your text. Not feeling too well right now, but, yes, we should talk.

A sudden cavalcade of emotions flooded through Paul like remembering the early months when he and Lisa were dating, that spark they had, flashing through his mind in milliseconds. But the strongest emotion that flooded into his soul was hope. Hope that they can be together again.

Read Chapter 1 here:

Chapter 3 will be published on Monday, Feb 26

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