<img src="https://i.imgsafe.org/0243174b46.png" width="343" height="362"/><P><P><br>
<center><strong>Nyssa</strong><hr></center><P><P><br>



Leda’s skin glowed with a healthy tan seldom seen in Washington state. With a toss of her dark head, she smiled wide and engulfed me in a huge hug when I met her at the front door. 

“Nyssa! I’ve missed you sooo much! Where have you been?” She held me at arm’s length and studied my face. “Whatever diet you’re on, you’re going to share because I want your cheekbones.”

“Theo and I had a fight. I left. Was staying with a friend. Stress is a shitty diet, I don’t suggest it.” I ushered her inside,  admiring the lovely emerald silk dress she wore. Boat neck with three-quarter length sleeves and a slightly-above-knee level hem, it showed off her elfin frame. Paired with white go-go boots, wide belt, and fat headband, Leda looked like she stepped right out of a 60’s fashion magazine. 

“Oh, a friend… do tell. Didn’t know you had many.”

It struck me as odd that she didn’t mention her brother’s death or allude to it. “Well, I had more before I got involved with your brother. Fergie’s always been an awesome shoulder to lean against.” Figured I’d just keep things natural and let her set the pace. We’d talk about Theo tonight. We had to.

“Fergie? Is this a boy Fergie or a girl Fergie?”

“Fergus is male. Don’t look at me like that! He’s gay. My dick is not big enough and my tits too large for his taste.”

Leda burst out laughing. “Well, that’s one way to put it. Just glad it wasn’t something, you know… shady.”

I nodded. “I know what you mean. But we both know your brother would have killed me if I even thought about cheating on him.”

With a somber look on her face, she replied, “I know. Doesn’t make it any better.” 

“Are you feeling better? You’re looking very well. Gotta know your secret.”

Leda gave me a blank look. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Ras told me you were sick. That’s why you didn’t make it to the funeral.” 

She shook her head. “Sick? Me? Ha. Can’t be sick and work in DC. Too much stuff to get done.” She paused. “Well, I did have a little bit of a chest cold and went to the doctor. Codeine in cough syrup is a life saver. Oooh! What’s cooking!” 

She flat out ignored the word funeral. I noted her changing the subject as we wove our way through the house, to the kitchen where Maisie reigned over the stove. Leda clapped her hands together with glee, “Don’t tell me you’re fixing that for me! I love Indian!”

Maisie smiled at Leda. “Well, I believe Nyssa wants some, too. Should be enough for both of you. Got tandoori-inspired chicken in the brick oven, as well.”

Tandoori chicken is hands down, my favorite way to eat fowl. “Take tomorrow and the day after off. You have earned it. Want a spa day? You’re getting a spa day. Happy Merry UnBirthday And You’re Awesome Day to you.”

“Sweet!” 

Leda chimed in, “Hey, I want a spa day.”

“Not too busy in DC to get some hot stones and seaweed into your agenda?”

She bust out laughing, “Never too busy!”

“Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes.” Maisie waved us away with her wooden spoon.

Turning to my guest, I said, “Come on, let’s get some wine. Fergie introduced me to a very nice one from Napa. We had it for dinner when we noshed on spicy stuff, so should go great with dinner. A Massican Sauvignon Blanc. So, how’s work? Tell me all about it!”

“Busy busy. Nothing is ever slow in Washington.” She giggled, “DC, that is. Two nights ago I had dinner with the host of almost every major news program. Guess who cooked it? Guess!”

We were in front of the gigantic wine rack which spanned the wall from kitchen to dining room. The lower quarter of the wall comprised of mini fridges converted to holding wines at specific temperatures to age them. Separating the fridges and the wine rack, a shelf containing stemware. I nabbed a couple glasses, the bottle of wine and a corkscrew. “Got no clue.”

“Lars Kailenlog!”

I looked blankly at Leda. Was I supposed to know that name? “Who’s that?”

“Oh my god, do you not watch television? He’s got the show on the Foodie Network, the one where he travels and samples cuisine and culture from all over the world.”

“Leda, this house has exactly one television in it, and until recently, your brother was in continual control of the remote. Never seen that guy’s show because Theo didn’t like TV for anything past the news.” I tried not to rant about my deceased husband. Still feels so weird to embrace the notion he’d never walk through the rooms again. Poured Leda and I our drinks. “So, what does he cook?”

“The correct question is what doesn’t he cook? Tamales stuffed with wagyu beef from Japan, olives marinated in truffle oil, and the cheeses… It was the best thing I ever ate. Well, recently anyways.” 

“What was up with all the news anchors? You get to hobnob with them often?”

She pulled out her cell phone, fiddled with it for a moment before showing me a picture. “Selfie Torture Time!” The pic was of her, and no less than eight anchors from MS NBC, ABC, CNN, and even one from FOX. Plus Myra Fallard. Leda offered a wry smile. “The short answer? More than ever. We’re gearing up for the election. Gotta cultivate relationships. It’s how DC operates. Know what I was told once? How you perceive the world around you is your reality. First step in kicking ass at the polls is to make sure there are people who share our vision of the world. Then we share that vision. Nurture that vision. And let it grow into a ton of voters.”

I nodded. “Makes sense.” Seemed dishonest to me. News reporters should, oh I don’t know, report the news? And not try to shape people’s realities. Seems wrong. “So Congresswoman Fallard is going to run for president?”

Leda nodded vigorously. “Yep! And I’ll have a place in her campaign. How awesome is that?”

“That’s pretty awesome. Congrats.” I lifted my glass in salute. 

“You know what you need, Nyssa?”

“What?” Did my salute indicate my current stress levels to her? 

“A vacation. To somewhere warm and sunny. I feel so invigorated when I get back from paradise.”

Maybe that’d explain her glowing tan. “Any recommendations?”

“Bahamas is nice. Costa Rica is too. Belize is amazing!”

“I want to go where you got your tan.” I smiled, hoping she wouldn’t think my declaration too prying.

“Oh, well, then that’s Costa Rica for you. I got to stay at a tobacco estate’s villa with Myra.” 

Her glass was nearly empty, but not for long. Poured more for her. I was only a third into my own. Thoughts swirled in my mind. Did she go to Costa Rica instead of her own brother’s funeral?   “Did you have to get any vaccinations before going to Costa Rica?”

“Not really, but I opted for the typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations. You know, just to be on the safe side.” She wrinkled her nose. “The rain forest is nice, but I’d prefer more time on the beach.”

I really wanted to ask her straight out if she put work before her family. Guess I have a bit of a bias, but it didn’t seem right that she’d not be there to mourn with the rest of her family. Okay, if she was sick then she was sick… but if she lied about being sick and chilled in Costa Rica, I’m not sure how I’d handle it. More butthurt than anything. Out of all of Theo’s family, Leda was my favorite. To think she’d been ill left me feeling sorry for her. But the potential for hitting paradise and lie about being sick? Anger and disappointment.


Leda and I ate dinner in relative silence, making some small talk before embracing the quiet and enjoying the meal Maisie prepared. It was delicious and the wine went well. Maisie suggested we try the Venica Ronca del Cera, which complimented the palak paneer. I drank half a glass and had Darjeeling tea while Leda polished off the bottle.  Maisie came out and cleared the table.

“That was wonderful! If you ever want to start a restaurant in DC, I know some people who could help make it happen!”

Maisie smiled. “I’d probably lose my mind working in a restaurant again.”

I flashed them both a smile. “Besides, I’d rather not give up the best cook I’ve ever found. Sorry, mom but you’ve been replaced.”

The two women tittered and I excused myself and went to the bathroom. After washing and drying my hands, I went to the dining room. Leda wasn’t there. Went to the living room. Empty. Kitchen had Maisie in it. 

“Do you know where Leda went?” I asked, wondering where the hell she wandered off.

“She said she left some paperwork in the boss’ office. Try there.”

And I did. Walked down the hall, wondering what paperwork would she have left with Theo. Weird. Maybe something family related? Couldn’t picture much in the way of scenarios where work played into it. As I neared the office’s door, I noted it was open and lights were on. This was the one room I hadn’t entered since I came back home. Hell, I didn’t even sleep in the master bedroom any more. Entered the office and saw Leda trying to open the drawers in Theo’s desk. 

“It won’t open. He had biometric locks installed.” My voice startled her. 

“Oh God! Don’t scare me like that, Nyssa! You nearly gave me a heart attack!” She held a perfectly manicured hand over her heart, as if willing it to calm down. Leda took a slow breath and then asked, “When did he have them installed? Is there an override?”

“To be honest, I don’t know. He kept me in the dark on most topics. I’ll see if I can find out who installed it and get them out here to open the desk up or give me a master key or something.”

Leda nodded. “Probably a good idea. And make sure to get the guy who installed the safe in here, too.” She brought her glass in with her, and picked it up from off the desk and took a hearty chug. Guess her heart hasn’t calmed itself yet.

“There’s a safe in here?” 

She nodded. “Oh yeah. He got it installed before you guys became an item. Let’s see, he mentioned it once to me. Somewhere behind wainscoting, I think. Was it in this room? Or somewhere else? Hell, I can’t remember.” She finished her glass of Sauvignon Blanc and said, “Oh wow. That’s really good wine.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah. But call me a cab, will you? I don’t think I can drive.”

“Going to your parents or a hotel?” She didn’t act really tipsy, but if she was feeling it then hell yeah she shouldn’t drive. Want to make sure she stays safe.

“Hotel.”

“Okay, can do.” And so I did. And I saw her off, wondering what the hell kind of situation I found myself. Leda was off tonight. Way too bubbly and just off. Why was she with Myra Fallard in Costa Rica? Vacation? Business? What kind of business does a congresswoman have in Costa Rica? I knew I had to find out. 



<hr>
Thank you for reading!

<center> More chapters of Broken Toys available [here](https://steemit.com/@mandireiserra) </center>

<b>*ALCHEMY OF WRITING series:*

*[So You Want to Write A Novel.  Congrats. Get ready to mainline caffeine and shun people.](https://steemit.com/writing/@mandireiserra/so-you-want-to-write-a-novel-congrats-get-ready-to-mainline-caffeine-and-shun-people)
*[Alchemy of Writing :: Character Creation](https://steemit.com/writing/@mandireiserra/alchemy-of-writing-character-creation)
*[Alchemy of Writing :: World Building and sensory seduction](https://steemit.com/writing/@mandireiserra/alchemy-of-writing-world-building-and-sensory-seduction)</b>