They also came rushing back to her as she sparred. She tried out her new moves and instruction, using a series of downward kicks and elbow attacks combined with more traditional kickboxing attacks. She used the surprised expression of her sparring partner as fuel, motivating her. Sure, it was just practice, but she felt the need to excel there as well.
It also helped to clear her mind. She always associated each punch, kick, or elbow strike with something from her past. A left jab was directed at years of neglect with the Nebraska PD. A back-handed attack with her right swatted away the fear the Scarecrow Killer case had instilled in her. A pivot and jab was a blow to the heart of the endless stream of mysteries coming out of her fathers old case.
If she was being honest with herself, it was that case that had pushed her to learn these new fighting disciplines to make sure she continued to evolve as a fighter. She had received a note from someone involvedsomeone in the shadows who apparently knew who she was.
She still saw that note in her minds eye as she sparred.
Stop looking
Naturally, she intended to do just the opposite. And thats why she was currently in the ring, her gaze focused and her muscles as taut as violin strings.
When she landed a blow to her opponents solar plexus and then a padded-elbow strike to her sparring partners ribs, the session was called from the side of the ring. The judge was smiling and nodding as he softly applauded.
Okay, Mac, he said. Give it a break for a while, huh? Youre at an hour and a half today.
Mackenzie nodded, dropping her stance and again tapping gloves with her sparring partner a twenty-five-year-old male who had the build of an MMA fighter. He gave her a quick grin over his mouthpiece and made a quick exit through the ropes.
Mackenzie thanked the judge and then headed for the locker rooms. Her muscles were sore to the point of trembling, but she enjoyed it. It meant she was pushing herself, stretching herself to new limits.
As she showered and slid into what Ellington referred to as her gym swag (an Under Armour tank top and a pair of black dry-fit leggings), she reminded herself that she had one more workout for the day. She hoped her arms were done trembling by then. Sure, Ellington would be there to help, but she had several rather heavy boxes to move around this afternoon.
While she had been technically living at Ellingtons apartment for the past few days, today would be the day she actually moved things in. It was yet another of the many reasons she had asked for a two-week vacation. The thought of trying to move over the course of a weekend had not appealed to her. Plus, she figured, this was yet another way she was growing and evolving. Trusting someone else enough to share a living space and, as cheesy as it seemed, her heart, was something she had been incapable of until a few months ago.
And as soon as she was changed into her gym swag, she found that she could barely wait to start moving things in. Sore or not, she put a little extra speed in her step on the way to the parking lot.
***The upside to not being a materialistic person was that when it came time to move, there was very little to pack up. As such, a single trip in Ellingtons pickup truck and a rented U-Haul did the job. The move itself took less than two hours thanks to the elevator in Ellingtons building, and in the end, she really didnt have to lift that many boxes.
They celebrated the move with Chinese food and a bottle of wine. Mackenzie was tired, sore, but immensely happy. Shed been expecting to feel nervous and maybe even a bit of regret over the move, but as they started unpacking boxes over their dinner, she found that she was excited for this next stage of her life.
Heres the deal, Ellington said as he placed a box cutter to a stream of packing tape along the top of one of the boxes. You need to tell me now if Im going to find any overly embarrassing movies or CDs in these boxes.
I think the most embarrassing CD youll find is the soundtrack to that awful nineties remake of Romeo and Juliet. But what can I say? I really liked that Radiohead song.
Then youre forgiven, he said, cutting into the tape.
How about you? she asked. Any embarrassing media lying around?
Well, I got rid of all of my CDs and DVDs. Everythings digital. I needed to free up the space. Its almost as if I had a sneaking suspicion that this sexy FBI lady was going to be moving in with me one of these days.
Good instincts, she said. She walked over to him and took his hands in hers. Nowthis is your last chance. You can back out now before we start taking things out of the boxes.
Back out? Are you crazy?
Youll have a girl living with you, she said, pulling him close. A girl that tends to like things neat. A girl that can get a little OCD.
Oh, I know, he said. Im looking forward to it.
Even all the ladies clothes? You willing to share your closet?
I have very few clothes, he said, leaning in close to her. Their noses were almost touching and a heat that they had gotten used to was starting to build between them. You can have all of the closet space you want.
Makeup and tampons, sharing a bed, and another person dirtying up dishes. You sure youre ready for that?
Yeah. One question, though.
Whats that? she said. Her hands traveled from his hands to his arms. She knew where this was going and every sore muscle in her body was ready.
All of those ladies clothes, he said. You cant be leaving them on the floor all the time.
Um, I dont intend to, she said.
Oh, I know, he said. He then reached down and lifted the tank top off of her. He wasted no time in doing the same to the sports bra underneath. But I probably will, he added, throwing both to the floor.
He kissed her then and although he tried leading her into the bedroom, their bodies did not have the patience. They ended up on the living room rug and although Mackenzies sore muscles protested the hard floor under her back, other parts of her body overruled them.
***When her phone rang at 4:47 in the morning, a single thought went through Mackenzies sleepy mind as she reached for the bedside table.
A call at this hourI guess my vacation is over.
Yeah? she asked, not bothering with formalities as she was technically on vacation.
White?
In an odd way, she had nearly missed McGrath over these last nine days. Still, hearing his voice was like a very quick and stark return to reality.
Yes, Im here.
Sorry for the early call, he said. And before he added anything else, Mackenzie heard Ellingtons phone ring from the other side of the bed.
Something big, she thought. Something bad.
Look, I know I signed off on your two weeks, McGrath said. But weve got a mess on our hands here and I need you on it. You and Ellington. Meet me in my office as soon as you can.
It wasnt a question, but a direct order. And without anything resembling a goodbye, McGrath killed the call. Mackenzie let out a sigh and looked over at Ellington, who was finishing up his own call.
Well, looks like your vacation is over, he said with a thin smile.
Thats fine, she said. It ended on quite a bang.
And then, like some old married couple, they kissed and slid out of bed, heading in to work.