The Wrong Sister

That night, Lisa suggested we go out to dinner, and I readily agreed. “Let me just change into something a little more presentable than these tattered sweats.” I pulled on a pair of jeans and a tight-fitting violet turtleneck. I couldn’t help but notice how her eyes briefly lingered on my chest before quickly moving away. I guess I still liked to flirt a little, even though I was happy with who I was with. “Not going to bother with makeup,” I said. “You look just as nice without it.” So did Lisa, not that I’d ever seen her wear makeup. Her dark, distinct features didn’t need it—makeup usually suited those with softer features better. We got a cozy table for two in a semi-crowded seafood joint and decided to share a large platter with a variety of seafood. “Stacey hates this stuff. But I never order for myself because the portions are too big,” I told her. “Well, I’m glad I could help you out then.” I laughed. “Yeah, and keep all the weight off that I lost.” “How much did you lose?” “I went from 153 pounds to 119.” Lisa’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wow! That’s a lot of weight. How did you lose it?” “I guess it’s called the trauma diet.” “Yeah,” she said, softening her gaze with understanding. “You know the only thing that pisses me off about it?” “What’s that?” “Not Stacey, of course, but some people act as if I’m somehow a better person now that I’m thinner.” Lisa seemed to understand. “Yes, you’re healthier, and yes, you probably look better, too. But you’re still you, ya know?” I nodded. “So how did you end up in San Francisco?” Lisa hesitated a moment. “My ex.” “Oh. Sore subject?” “No, not so much anymore. She was a cheater, and I was a cop. It’s as simple as that.” “What do you mean you were a cop? Didn’t she know that all along?” “Yes, of course she did. But a lot of people don’t like dealing with us cops after a while because of the odd hours we tend to work.” “I would think that would be fun. Routine can get boring—comfortable but boring.” Lisa nodded slightly, saying nothing. “It’s nice to know when you can expect someone to be around, but I would think that with you coming and going at random times, your presence would be more of a welcome surprise.” Lisa smiled. “Guess it just depends on how you look at it.” “I still can’t believe I managed to nab a guy like Henry and then Stacey.” “Why wouldn’t you?” “Well, you know. I’m a little needier,” I said, emphasizing the word. Not many people want someone without a steady career, and they’d prefer them not to have a driving phobia as well. I didn’t get into all the hardships I’d gone through that had shaped me. “At least you know who cares and who doesn’t by who’s willing to accept you as you are.” “Agreed. It isn’t usually me that has a problem with me, but others that do—not that there aren’t areas I could improve on, like anyone else.” Lisa smiled again. “Well, I can think of a few people who wouldn’t mind if a copy of you were lying around somewhere, even if it came with a side of trouble.” I burst out laughing. Trying to contain her own laughter, she lowered her hand a few times, signaling for me not to be so loud. The waitress brought our food, smiling as if she enjoyed seeing people laughing, and set the plate of ocean delights between us. “Enjoy, ladies.” We thanked her. Lisa popped a clam into her mouth, and I bit into a butterfly shrimp. “Delicious,” I said. “It is. I’m glad we came here.” She followed with a scallop. “So tell me about your cases. Even if you can’t give details, what kinds do you work on?” “All kinds.” “I take it you’re affiliated with the police department, not working independently?” “Pretty much,” she said with a nod. “Would you say it’s exciting or scary?” “More like interesting and sometimes very depressing.” “What helps balance out all that murder and mayhem for you?” “Silly ladies who have tartar sauce on their chin.” I laughed and dabbed my chin with a napkin, comforted by knowing she’d fight for me if anyone tried to harm me. “I checked out your Facebook page one day. It’s pretty private, though.” “I keep it private. I haven’t connected with family because we don’t know each other well enough. I see most of them regularly anyway.” “I saw you’re a self-published writer, and also something about software testing and AI work. What’s that about?” “I was supposed to test software programs for a cyber friend, but they never finished them, so I need to update that. The AI work is small surveys and tasks that pay in Amazon credit.” “Oh, that’s nice.” “I may not make a lot, but I like variety and keeping busy.” “Nothing wrong with that.” “Yeah, it’s nice when someone doesn’t condemn you for not working a regular 9-to-5.” Lisa looked thoughtful. “I may drive, but I don’t even work 9-to-5. I do about 30 hours a week because some work is online.” “What do you do online? Spy on suspicious accounts or something?” Lisa nodded. “Something like that. Social media has quadrupled our workload, but it also helps investigations when people brag about evil deeds online.” “That must be fun.” Lisa rolled her eyes. “Not much fun, sweetheart.” “Yeah, I imagine it gets old fast with some of the human trash out there.” Lisa nodded emphatically. “Shay, can you do me a favor?” “Of course,” I said, almost childlike in enthusiasm. Lisa laughed. “Actually, just don’t mention any of this to anyone—not even in your blog, okay?” “You got it. Will you keep personal stuff I tell you from Stacey?” “Don’t worry. Unless someone is in danger, I don’t share chats. Trivial stuff is fine.” “So… ever been in trouble yourself?” “Yes, a few prank calls back east.” Lisa said nothing, but her expression betrayed awareness. “Also, a corrupt cop in another state tried to set me up because I complained about old neighbors. He was black, as were the neighbors, but it was their behavior I complained about.” “So what did he do?” “Oh, just typed a threatening letter, dragged me into interrogation, shoved it in my hands to get my prints, and asked if I’d seen it anywhere.” Lisa’s eyes widened. “It was thrown out, and so was the cop.” I studied her. “But you knew about this because you looked it up, didn’t you?” Lisa blushed. “Guilty.” I grinned. “Nope.” “So how did you take care of yourself before meeting your husband?” “I was on disability for a while.” “For an injury?” “No, just for being crazy.” Lisa rested her chin on her hand, slowly smiling. “Yes, I think this is why your other sisters find me hard to swallow, as most of society does.” Lisa’s smile remained. “I don’t think they like me much, but that’s okay.” “I did work a little.” “Oh? A regular job?” I laughed. “With these boobies?” Lisa blushed, caught off guard, nearly dropping her glass. “God, no. I hit the stage and showed them off, along with a few other things, for about a year.” Lisa sipped her diet soda, glancing around the restaurant. “What’s on your mind, detective?” I asked later. “Uh… Just that I can’t imagine ever having a dull moment with you around.”