Aquarius

by W L Knightly

  “I know what you are.” Darek practically growled the words.

  “And you didn’t mind hiring me to go after your wife. What does that say about you?”

  With that, Bay started the car and pulled away from the curb. By the time they were on the freeway, Darek was wishing Bay would drive them both off a fucking cliff. At least then, Darek would die knowing the world was no longer subjected to Bay Collins.

  “What have you got on her lawyer?” Darek asked. “And before you say ‘nothing,’ let me remind you that I can tell when a man is pushed into a corner.” He’d seen that look a million times during interrogations.

  “We were at Judge Howell’s Christmas party last year. Morris got drunk and played grab ass with every female in the room. Finally, someone threw him a bone. The judge’s wife. I was in the judge’s bathroom, burying my own bone, when Morris and Mrs. Howell walked in, looking for a quiet place to fuck. He already had three fingers inside her like he was rooting around for loose change. They left immediately, but we made eye contact. When me, my wife, and our third left the bathroom, I walked down a few doors and heard the two moaning like whores on a Saturday.”

  “Are you sure it was them?” Darek asked.

  “Oh, yes. I opened the door just enough to see him. He was completely naked by then, except for his socks. He’s been sneaking around with the judge’s wife ever since.” Bay talked like those kinds of things didn’t surprise or bother him in the slightest.

  “Do you have dirt on everyone you meet?”

  “As much as I can. It pays to be observant, Darek. You know that. Not everyone who had that gift becomes a detective.”

  Darek thought of the reasons he’d become a detective, and none of them were so he could be a watcher. He wanted to help people when he joined the force, and maybe undo a little of the wrong he’d done in the world. The rest just fell into place for him.

  Darek cleared his throat. “Do you have the list of people who bought the Zodiac brands? I want to go over it and see if any of the names ring a bell. I don’t think the one name, Emma Johnson, is the only one that is linked. There has to be more there.”

  Bay sped past the car in front of him, leaving it in his wake like it wasn’t moving at all. “I gave the list to Corey. He’s going to see if he can find information on them.”

  “You gave it to Corey? The guy who didn’t bother to delete that web forum when you told him to? Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Darek wasn’t sure they could trust Corey to take care of the job. He might put it on the backburner and forget about it, then realize he’s lost the list or thrown it out a week later.

  “Well, he is a computer whiz. Who else would I give it to?” He veered over, taking the next exit.

  Darek pulled out his badge. “I don’t know, a detective maybe?”

  Bay poked out his bottom lip. “I’m sorry, did I hurt your ego? It’s just that I’m not accustomed to handing over incriminating evidence to the police.”

  Darek saw his motel ahead in the distance and wished he hadn’t agreed to let Bay pick him up. “Now who needs to trust who?” Darek asked. “I’m bending over backward, trying to keep Virginia from rearing its ugly head, and this is the thanks I get?” He sank in his seat. “I’ll just call Corey myself. I’m sure he’ll like that.” There had to be another copy of the list, right? And if so, maybe he’d call and see if Logan still had it.

  Bay nodded. “You do that. And while you’re at it, make sure that the department stays off our ass. I’ve given you a gift. Tad’s suicide, him taking the blame for the murders, it just might be what you need to carry you those last few steps to the FBI.”

  Darek cringed. He hadn’t wanted his friend’s death to be a step up, but he couldn’t deny that it just might be. “I’m going to do my best, but you have to realize, man, that I can’t exactly make people do what I want, and I have no control over what they do.”

  He knew if Lizzy was hellbent enough, she’d see this case through to the end, and he couldn’t stop her without incriminating himself in the process. He was walking a very fine line, and Bay had no fucking idea what that was like.

  Bay pulled up to the curb of Darek’s motel and stopped. “I’ve never had that problem.”

  6

  Logan

  The thought of having someone over to see his work always made him nervous, no matter who it was. He’d always put so much of himself into his art that showing it to other people was like letting them peek into his soul.

  He watched through the window looking down on the parking lot in front of the donut shop. The place was busy, like most nights, and he thought about creating a huge donut statue for all of Gene’s patrons to worship.

  A red car caught his eye, mostly because it was a classic muscle car. It purred like a kitten as it slowly turned in and then parked down below. By the time Logan made it down the metal staircase, Finn had already rung the bell twice.

  “Sorry, man. I was upstairs. I was mesmerized by that fine car of yours.”

  “Thanks, she’s my baby. I bought her and fixed her up with the money from the first screenplay I sold.”

  “Nice. Good to know you’re doing well for yourself, Finn.” Logan was genuinely proud of the guy, but he wished he had the same success and independence, which surprised him because he’d never wanted it as much as he had lately.

  He led him Finn into the studio.

  Finn looked up at the ceiling as they went to the back where Logan did most of his work. “Well, look at this place. This is a fine set up, too.”

  “Thanks.” Too bad Logan didn’t own it, though. But what Finn didn’t know wouldn’t hurt or embarrass Logan. “Don’t judge me too hard for the mess everywhere. I’m a bit untidy in my workspace.”

  There were metal scraps and shavings everywhere, along with a few saws, snips, and a torch or two lying around several unfinished sculptures, which were huge designs made entirely of metal and covered in intricate detail.

  “These are amazing.” Finn walked up to a tall structure and ran his hands along the vines and flowers that crawled up a dragon’s leg. “Is this going to be a gate?”

  “Yeah, I like to do gates now and then. It’s just not easy to find someone who is looking for a gate with a dragon, but I’ve done crowns and lions; a few other things.”

  “I’m impressed. You’ve come a long way since making those brands.”

  “I hope so.” Logan kicked aside a few large pieces of metal shavings.

  “Does your mother still teach you art?” Finn asked.

  He couldn’t believe that Finn remembered it was his mother who had taught him art and fostered his creative spark. She was still one of the best artists he knew, but lately, she’d focused more on wood than metal as her medium.

  “Not in a while. She’s busy with her boyfriends and acting like a sixteen-year-old most of the time. I’ve taken what I learned and applied it. I’ve sold a few pieces and done some shows.” That had been more than a few years ago, but he didn’t feel the need to elaborate. It was back before he’d even met Lidia. She wasn’t convinced that he had ever done well because she’d never been around to see it.

  Finn walked around the gate, running his hands along the frame, eyeing every little leaf and petal. “Well, if you can handle a gate like this, with a design this complex, I know you can do what I need. And seeing the gates gives me a great idea. How about two large gates that connect with a big cog or a lock?”

  “I could totally do that.” Logan’s eyes lit up as he imagined how much fun the project was going to be. He liked to do new styles, and while steampunk wasn’t entirely new, a big steampunk gate would be something he’d never done before.

  He knew roughly how much money he was looking at, too, but he didn’t want to bring that up unless asked. He needed to get the sketches and measurements to see what he was into before he started talking dollars and cents.

  Finn nodded. “I need to talk to a few of my financers, and I would have to get the ex
act specs for what I need, but I’m sure you’ll get the job.”

  “Thank you, man. You don’t know what it means.” He wasn’t going to tell him, either. No one needed to know how he had an older woman supporting him.

  “Well, I’m glad I ran into you. This will be perfect once we get things rolling. Your work will fit in great with my new project.” Finn brushed his hair back. The chin-length blond hair was always a bit unruly, and he had this one strand that had hung in his face ever since he was a kid.

  Logan shifted on his feet. “Yeah, it’s too bad we couldn’t reconnect under better circumstances.”

  Finn seemed to be a bit distracted with the gate, but then he turned and met Logan’s eyes. “Did you stay and talk to Hannah long? How is she holding up?”

  Logan shrugged and crossed his arms in front of him. He didn’t know why, but Finn asking about her made him nervous. “I wasn’t there much longer; I had to get to my girlfriend’s house. I haven’t checked on Hannah since, but I will. I thought it would be best to give her a few days. I told her if she needed anything, to call.”

  “You like her, don’t you?” Finn asked. “I can kind of tell from the way you doted on her. You couldn’t take your eyes off her.”

  “Nah, she was just a wreck, and I hated seeing her that way.” Besides, he didn’t like younger women, did he? He stared into space a moment as he contemplated the thought. Usually, younger women didn’t even turn him on, but Hannah did.

  “It doesn’t hurt that she’s damned hot.” Finn gave Logan a teasing nudge. “But then again, Tad was always a good-looking dude, too.”

  Logan couldn’t help but notice Finn’s tone, which seemed more like he was attracted to Tad than just making an objective observation. It was kind of the same feeling he’d get seeing Finn fall all over Bay.

  “Yeah, he was a real ladies’ man,” Logan said.

  “And he loved his fucking car,” Finn said. “It’s almost poetic that he landed on that car. I mean, damn. It’s like he parked it there for a reason, like he was taking that thing with him.”

  “Yeah, I guess it’s for the best. He wouldn’t want anyone else driving the thing anyway.”

  They shared a half-hearted laugh, and then Finn looked up at him. “Didn’t you think it was a little strange that Hannah had so much to say about Bay? It makes me wonder what her brother told her before he died.”

  Logan shook his head. “There’s no way Tad told her what happened back in the Camp V days. She wouldn’t have mentioned it if she knew, and she would have already spilled her guts to the police. You heard her; she’s trying to clear Tad’s name. And as for Bay, I wouldn’t bother him with talk about her. He’ll just get pissed, and it will start trouble for her that she doesn’t need right now. She not only lost Tad, who was the closest living relative she had, but she lost her uncle and learned all of that shit that happened between them.”

  “How fucked up is that? Could you imagine? You think you know someone, you know? Their own uncle.” Finn shook his head. “But don’t worry. I’m not telling Bay anything.”

  “Have you seen him?”

  “We’re supposed to meet up later at his club,” Finn said. “We have some catching up to do.”

  Logan didn’t know if he should invite Finn up or offer him a drink or something, but thankfully, he was let off the hook.

  “I should get going, man,” Finn said. “I have a few ladies I’m meeting for dinner. You should come.”

  Logan laughed. “Oh, my girlfriend would shit.”

  “Oh, so that’s why you’re pretending you’re not into Hannah Halston?” He chuckled.

  “I’m not saying she’s not attractive or that I wouldn’t fuck her. I’m just not sure it’s a good time in her life for me to be making moves on her.”

  “Why not? She’s beautiful. She’s sexy, smart, and vulnerable.” Finn waggled his brows, and Logan laughed.

  “You sound just like Bay, which is scary.” Logan walked him through the studio.

  “I guess he can’t help but rub off on us.”

  They got to the front, and Logan stopped at the door. “So, you’ll be in touch?”

  “Yes, I will. I just need to make sure what my budget is, and then we’ll talk money.” Finn extended his hand for Logan and gave him a firm shake. “Take care, man.”

  He had no sooner shut the door when his phone rang. He saw Bay’s name on the screen of his phone and decided to let it ring. He couldn’t help but think that Hannah had been right, and maybe he should distance himself from his old friend.

  He wondered what she was doing, and if she’d already found someone else to give her comfort. As he climbed the stairs, his phone stopped ringing, so he decided to give Hannah a call.

  She answered quickly. “Hello?”

  “Hey, this is Logan. I just wanted to see how you were. I haven’t heard from you.” It had only been a few days, but with Finn pointing out his attraction to her, he thought he could make a friendly call.

  “Oh, hey. I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize your number or your voice. I’m doing okay.” She paused. “The house feels too big for me now without Tad. I’m thinking about moving.”

  “You are? Like out of New York?”

  “No, just to a different house,” she said. “I still have my job here, but I can’t stand coming home alone at night. I know this sounds weird, but I keep thinking he’s in his room. Then, I sit in my chair and look at his door and pretend he’s in there sleeping.”

  “That’s not weird. You miss him.” He couldn’t imagine getting used to someone you loved not being there. There one day, and then gone the next. It was a horrible thought.

  “I keep hoping it’s a bad dream, Logan. Part of me just wishes I’d hurry up and move on, and then another part of me thinks of how selfish that is.”

  “It’s not selfish,” he said. “This is the kind of stuff you’re supposed to be calling me with.”

  “Thanks. And I will. I promise, but I’m about to walk into work. Maybe I can message you on my break or something?”

  “That would be nice.” He thought of his phone going off while he was with Lidia and knew that it wouldn’t be a good thing. He’d have to turn off his phone and only check it now and then in the bathroom. He hated sneaking around Lidia, and it wasn’t the easiest thing to do. Lidia was very observant.

  “Okay, I guess I’ll talk to you later then.” She sounded in better spirits when he said his goodbye and ended the call.

  What was he doing? He and Lidia had always had an open relationship, but he knew that she wouldn’t like him messing around with someone half her age. Unless she was involved. But Hannah wasn’t the kind of girl you could just ask to have a threesome, especially since the few times Logan and Lidia had found themselves in that scenario, it was usually Lidia who enjoyed the younger woman the most.

  No, he didn’t think Lidia would like where his mind was one little bit. His fetish was the one thing she had controlling him, other than his finances, and it was what their sexual relationship was based on. If he suddenly had an attraction for a younger woman, that would one less thing she had control of.

  He dialed her number, and she sounded like she’d been sleeping once she answered. “Are you on your way?”

  “Yeah, I’m just turning off everything at the studio.” He cut off a light and then fished out his keys. “I’ll see you soon. Did you need anything on the way?” He had often stopped and gotten her ice cream or chocolates or whatever her sweet tooth desired.

  “No, I’m not hungry. I haven’t eaten all day as a matter of fact.”

  He could tell she was out of breath, as if she’d just run a few blocks.

  “Why not?”

  “I’m just tired.” Her tone was clipped, but she had always been cranky when sleepy or hungry, and lately, she was cranky every other time, too.

  “Baby, you know you’re supposed to eat. How about I go to the burger stand and get us each a burger? Or we can share one. You know I worr
y when you don’t eat, Lid.”

  “No worries, Logan. I’m sure it’s nothing.” He’d seen her grow tired from time to time, and it was usually when she was getting sick, but not having an appetite was new. Lidia was a thin woman, but she had always had a healthy appetite. With her age and the fact that she was a cancer survivor, he couldn’t help but worry about her health.

  The sudden thought of losing her terrified him. She was his world and held it all in her hands. If something happened to her, he’d have nothing. Nowhere to go and no one that would understand his needs.

  7

  Logan

  The next afternoon, as Logan swept up the studio after another day of tinkering with designs, he thought of the night before. He and Lidia weren’t getting along. Their relationship was as prickly and useless as the pile of metal shavings at his feet, and he looked forward to going back over for their usual Wednesday dinner as much as he looked forward to lying down naked and rolling around on the studio floor.

  She’d gotten so mean lately, and he didn’t understand how one minute, things would be okay, and then the next, she would belittle him and his work.

  Sure, he’d had a dry spell, but mostly because he’d put off taking new jobs and doing shows to entertain her in the beginning. She didn’t mind it then, of course, and didn’t want anything to get in the way of their blossoming relationship.

  Lately, she shit on him every chance she got and blamed it on being tired, as if that were an acceptable excuse.

  He tried to think of anything he could have done wrong to piss her off, but he came up short. He’d given in to any demands she had, down to the smallest whim. The two had come to an agreement to explore their wildest fantasies together, without judgment, without limits. Up until recently, it had worked brilliantly for the both of them.

  His phone rang, bringing him out of his deep thoughts, and he was thrilled to see Finn’s name on the screen. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat to keep from sounding too excited. He hoped the call was a confirmation of the job and not bad news.