by Donna Raider
Mika needed a vacation with her.
Mika picked up the magazine from the seat beside her. She approached Leah hesitantly, with great deference. “Excuse me, ma’am.” She bowed her head slightly. “I hope you won’t think me forward, but I wondered if I might have your autograph.”
Her wine glass almost to her lips, Leah turned her head to meet Mika’s sparkling blue eyes. Eyes that could suck the soul right out of her. She smiled when she saw the magazine.
“I haven’t seen that yet.” She chuckled softly. “How did you get it?”
Mika pointed above them. “I have friends in high places.” She grinned as she slid the magazine in front of Leah.
Leah turned her gaze away from Mika, fighting to control the laughter that was welling up inside her.
“You want my autograph?” She raised her perfect eyebrows.
The priest nodded. She watched as Leah took a felt-tipped pen from her purse and began to write. She shoved the magazine in front of Mika. Mika loved her graceful elegance. Even signing her autograph, she looked regal.
Mika laughed out loud as she read what Leah had written. “Buy me dinner and I will take you to bed with me. Yours forever and a day. Leah.”
“You lose.” Leah laughed. “You laughed out loud first.”
“I did.” Mika continued to laugh. “About that dinner.”
“We can skip that part.” Leah turned her face up to Mika. “We can just go straight to—” Mika’s lips captured hers.
“I was about to suggest that.” Mika laughed, tossing bills on the bar to cover their check.
Mika folded the magazine and slipped it into her jacket pocket. “The article is actually very good,” she informed Leah as they walked out the door.
##
Watcher skillfully guided his boat into his designated slip. He killed the motor and locked up everything. His boat was spotless. He had spent all day cleaning and bleaching anything that Clinton might have touched. He had wiped down everything so his own fingerprints would not show up anywhere.
While still in the ocean, he had dumped the remaining chum into the deep waters and rinsed the barrel. He then poured fire starter into the barrel and let it burn. Fire was even better than water when it came to cleansing sins.
It was after midnight when he drove Clinton’s car into the poorly lit parking garage of the man’s apartment. He parked the car in the far corner of the facility, away from the single security camera at the entrance of the garage. He made his way around the wall of the garage, careful to avoid the camera, and slipped into the elevator. He let himself into Clinton’s apartment. Just to screw with the local police, he made a call to directory assistance. He knew it would show up as a charge on Clinton’s bill. They would assume the man made the call. He wiped down the car keys, pushed the button to lock the door when he closed it, then left the apartment. He took the stairs down to the first floor. A door at the bottom of the stairway led outside.
He walked a mile from the apartment before taking a cab to a pub about a mile from his own apartment. He had a beer just before closing time then walked the mile from the pub. He caught another cab back to the boat slip. He drove the rental car to an alley where he put the correct plates back on it. He exchanged the stolen plates for the plates on an out-of-state car. If anyone was looking for the plates, it would take weeks to find them. He dropped the out-of-state plates down the storm drain. He drove the rental car back to the rental lot, parked it, and dropped the keys into the drop box. As he walked the mile to his own car, he pondered the list he had received in the mail. It had several names on it. He decided to take a few days off before setting up watch on his next prey. He was tired and needed to rest.
##
Detective Carlyle studied her evidence board. It contained the total sum of nothing. She looked at each victim individually.
Ellen Anthony, prostitute suffocated. Tried to make look like suicide, definitely murder. Father Branch’s call girl. Priest Mika had received confession from Father Branch.
Young boy, neck broken. Tried to frame pedophile priest, Father Williams. Williams had raped the boy but had not killed him. Williams was murdered in the hospital. Staged as suicide, but definitely murder.
Janet Cantrell, wife of Bishop Cantrell. Death staged to look like accident. Pregnant by unknown male. Gut feeling: she was murdered. Father Darius had heard confession of Janet and discussed it with Priest Mika.
Father Ben Clinton had just disappeared from the face of the Earth. No clue what had happened to him. Mika had volunteered the man’s computer from his office, but the only thing on it was Clinton’s itinerary and Bible quotes, along with boring emails between him and his fellow priests.
It was as if someone were taking out the garbage from the church, but why Clinton? He seemed like a model priest. Priest Mika had told her to keep looking into Clinton.
Two things all four had in common: the Catholic Church and close contact with Mika Cross.
“Hey, Boss.” Benson pitched papers onto Carlie’s desk. “We got the search warrant for Clinton’s apartment.”
“What are we waiting for?” the detective quipped, holstering her gun and slipping her cell phone into her jacket pocket.
A search of Clinton’s apartment turned up very little of importance. His car keys were on his bedroom dresser and nothing appeared to be amiss.
Carlie ran her hand over the books in his library. Theological history and religious books were all the man had.
Odd, she thought. None of the books looked used, except the one titled Understanding the Weakness of Man.
She pulled out the book and thumbed through it. Nothing was unusual about the pages. She held the book upside down and shook it, but nothing fell out. She was about to put it back on the shelf when she noticed the CD in the sleeve attached to the inside back cover. Probably the book on CD, she thought. She was surprised that the CD had no printing on it. She decided to bag it and take it back to the precinct.
“What is that, Boss?” Benson looked at the book.
“Probably nothing,” Carlie said, frowning, “but I want to take it back to the precinct and look at the CD on my computer.”
##
“Jackpot,” Carlie crowed as photos of nude and half-nude men opened on her computer. “Whoa, it seems Father Clinton was quite the player.”
Benson looked over her shoulder. “Is he doing what I think he’s doing?” Benson made a gagging sound.
“Yeah.” Carlie grimaced. “Oh my God!”
Both detectives stared as nude pictures of Janet Cantrell flashed on the screen. A video of her having sex with Clinton, complete with all the sound effects, rivaled any porn video Carlie had ever seen. Obviously, Clinton secretly recorded his escapades and watched them at his leisure.
“This pretty much provides motive for murder.” Benson exhaled. “Looks like Clinton killed her, then skipped town.”
Carlie made a copy of the CD. “Give this to the techs. See if they can pull IDs from the faces on the disk. We need to talk to anyone who might know anything about Clinton’s other life.”
##
When Carlie and Leah entered the actress’s dressing room, Mika was sitting on an armchair, talking on the phone. Leah seemed surprised and delighted to see her wife. She sat down on the arm of her chair, slipping her arm around Mika’s shoulders. Listening to whoever was on the phone, Mika tilted her face up for her kiss. Leah kissed her longer than necessary for a hello kiss. Mika placed her hand on Leah’s leg and leaned into her kiss.
“I am sorry, sir, could you repeat that? I couldn’t hear.” …for my heart pounding in my ears, she thought.
As Mika talked, her wife played with her hair and breathed softly into her free ear, touching it lightly with her lips. Leah grinned mischievously and winked at Carlie. She knew the effect she was having on Mika.
“The archbishop is arriving here next week.” Mika grimaced as she hung up the phone. Her voice sounded tired and troubled. A fleeting l
ook of concern passed between Mika and her wife. Leah kissed her ear. Mika grabbed Leah, pulling her onto her lap. “You know I’m just human,” she said, kissing Leah soundly.
“We thought we might all have dinner together,” Carlie announced loudly, wanting to remind them she was in the room. “If you have time, I’ll call Jennifer.”
“That sounds great.” Mika smiled
Leah snuggled further into her. “I’m surprised to find you here,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
“I couldn’t wait to see you.” Mika grinned, nuzzling her face in Leah’s hair. “You smell so good.” The scent of her always caused an excited feeling to stir deep in Mika’s stomach. She wished they were alone.
“Are we going anywhere special?” Mika asked, trying to move her thoughts away from making love to her wife.
If Carlie weren’t here, I would so make you pay for teasing me while I was on the phone, she thought.
I would so let you, Leah thought. We do have all night tonight. Tomorrow is Saturday.
Mika nodded and looked toward Carlie as the detective slipped her phone back into her pocket.
“Jennifer is so excited!” Carlie exclaimed. “She has one more patient she needs to check on before she leaves the hospital.”
“We’re going to a karaoke lounge,” Leah informed Mika gleefully. “Carlie says the food is great, the dance floor is made for the tango, and the amateur entertainment is delightful.”
“Will we see you and Jennifer at the mic?” Mika teased.
“Maybe.” Carlie laughed. “Depends on how much we have to drink.”
A soft knock on the door announced the arrival of Scarlett and Trey. “We heard you were going to Kincaid’s tonight.” Scarlett grinned. “May we join you?”
“Certainly,” Mika replied. “The more the merrier.” Maybe no one will notice when I slip away with my wife, she thought.
“Thanks.” Trey nodded. “After the day we’ve had today, we need something to take our minds off work.”
“Problems?” Mika raised a questioning eyebrow.
“A light fixture almost killed your wife.” Scarlett gasped as she related the incident. “I don’t know how she escaped injury. It appeared to be headed directly for her then missed her right at the last minute.”
Mika drew back from her wife and studied her face. A deep frown darkened Mika’s lovely face. “Was it an accident?” she asked softly.
“Yes, darling.” Leah frowned.
“Why do you ask that?” Carlie queried the priest, watching her eyes intently.
“I guess these so-called accidents plaguing our lives have me on edge.” Mika shrugged. “They seem to be touching everyone in my life.”
“All I want to do is touch you,” Leah whispered in her ear.
If you keep teasing me, all night may not be long enough, Mika thought, smiling at Leah, her blue eyes sparkling.
You know queens only subjugate themselves to angels! Leah’s thought was so full of promise, Mika couldn’t tear her eyes from her wife’s gorgeous face.
##
Kincaid’s was everything Carlie had promised. They found a booth in the corner and ordered drinks.
“Sorry I’m late,” Jennifer said as she slid into the booth beside Carlie.
“No problem, babe.” The detective kissed the doctor on the cheek. “I ordered your drink.”
“Do you two tango?” Carlie asked Scarlett and Trey.
“I may be a bit of an expert at the dance,” Trey bragged.
“I have been known to try.” Scarlett laughed. “That is a dance best left to passionate young lovers.”
“Come on, Jen. Let’s show them how it is done.” Carlie laughed, pulling Jennifer to the dance floor.
“Come on, Scarlett, we can’t let them outdo us.” Trey led the actress to the floor.
“Let’s watch them,” Leah suggested as she slid closer to her wife, placing her hand on Mika’s thigh. Leah was wearing black Palazzo pants with a red blouse tucked in at the waist, long sleeves turned up at the cuff. The top two buttons of her blouse were unbuttoned. Her firm breasts tugged against the third button as if begging the priest to set them free. Mika was certain of that. Leah’s long black hair was in a messy bun at the nape of her neck. Her signature stiletto heels completed her ensemble.
After the dance ended, the two couples checked out the songs on the jukebox. They dropped money into the machine then headed toward their table. Suddenly the first strains of “Oh, These Dark Eyes” filled the lounge.
“They’re playing our song, darling.” Mika stood and offered her hand to her wife. Leah grinned wickedly, untucked her blouse, and tied it in front, exposing a smooth, flat midriff.
They captured each other’s gaze then began to dance. Mika removed the single clasp holding Leah’s hair and let it fall around her shoulders. They moved across the dance floor as if attached at the hips. Mika slid her free hand down Leah’s back, coming to rest on her hips. She pressed Leah hard against her. As they moved, pelvis pressed against pelvis, Leah hooked one knee around Mika’s leg. A low growl originated from deep within the priest.
“Careful, dear,” Leah whispered in her ear, as she dragged her fingernails between Mika’s breasts.
Mika swung her away then back, so her leg was between Leah’s and Leah’s leg was between hers. Leah pushed hard against Mika as she guided Leah around the dance floor. Mika could feel every tiny move Leah made. They danced. Mika growled her desire, and Leah loved it. When the dance ended, Mika’s hands were across her back and hers were around Mika’s neck. Mika kissed her.
“My God,” Trey gasped, “they give a whole new meaning to the word sensual. That was the sexiest tango I’ve ever witnessed.”
“That was breathtaking,” Scarlett whispered. “It was beautiful.”
Carlie and Jennifer simply nodded. They had seen the couple dance before, but this time there seemed to be added fire and passion.
Keeping her hand on the small of her wife’s back, the priest guided Leah back to the booth.
Trey cleared his throat, ending the stunned silence at the table. “Anyone else hungry?”
Everyone began talking at once. Mika motioned for the waiter to bring them menus.
Dinner was a delightful meal. They all enjoyed each other’s company, sharing stories, laughter, and wine.
Carlie didn’t mention the Catholic Murders. She didn’t want to share the information about Ben Clinton’s CD with anyone.
“Okay folks,” the announcer spoke into the mic. “It is open mic time. Our first two performers are a duet from Brooklyn, James and Joanie Johnson. Big hand for James and Joanie.”
The couple was good. Two more acts followed them. Mika was surprised at the caliber of the performers. They were almost professional.
“OK, your turn.” She grinned at Jennifer. “Show me what you’ve got.”
Jennifer and Carlie sang “I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It,” an older Katy Perry hit. The audience clapped and hooted during the entire show. The couple was a definite hit.
“Come on, Scarlett.” Trey pulled the red-haired beauty to the stage. They whispered to the bandleader, then launched into Linda Ronstadt’s “Different Drum,” a sixties hit by the recording artist. The words and beat of the song roused the audience as Scarlett pretended to elude a pursuing Trey. The pair received rousing applause from the audience.
“How about you two?” Scarlett laughed as they sat down.
“Oh, no, don’t tell us!” Carlie teased Leah. “You don’t do karaoke, right?”
“Shall we, darling?” Leah asked her wife.
Mika followed her to the stage and waited while she spoke to the bandleader. As the first strains of “Time of My Life” started, they moved toward each other.
“Oh my God!” Carlie exclaimed. “If they start dirty dancing, I’m outta here.”
“You’re nuts.” The other three laughed.
“I wouldn’t miss that for the world.” Scarlett grinned salacious
ly.
The couple simply sang the song, moving with the music.
They never took their eyes off each other. As always, Leah had to keep pulling her wife’s eyes away from that third button and back to her face. Although their dancing was in good taste, there was a passion in the song and movements of their bodies. Mika’s hands on Leah’s exposed midriff were sensual and gentle. As they finished the song, the audience went wild, giving the couple a standing ovation and screaming for more.
The MC took the mic and begged them to sing one more song. They shook their heads no and joined their party.
“My God, ladies.” Trey exhaled loudly as he spoke for the entire group. “You two are just a walking advertisement for everything that’s good and exciting about love.”
“She is.” The priest beamed. “I just follow her lead.”
“You are so whipped.” Carlie laughed out loud.
“Yes, and I love every minute of it.” Mika grinned at the detective. Seriously, Mika thought to her wife, this again?
If you don’t like it—
Mika interrupted her thoughts. I love it, Your Majesty! Mika smiled at her shyly. Her little-girl grin took away Leah’s breath.
“We do need to go home.” Leah checked her watch. “We have children that will be getting us up at the crack of dawn. Saturday is their day.”
“Don’t go,” Jennifer begged. “It is only ten. If you get to bed by midnight, you’ll get plenty of sleep.”
“Who said anything about sleeping, dear?” The star smiled mischievously as she led her wife from the table.
“Sometimes, you can be so bad,” Mika said, slipping her arm around Leah’s shoulders.
They walked a few doors down from the lounge and Mika pulled her into the shadows of a doorway. She kissed Leah slowly, passionately. “I want you,” she mumbled against Leah’s lips. She felt them moving and knew Mika was transporting them to their bedroom.
Leah was surprised to find herself on a distant planet in another universe. She looked around then raised questioning eyebrows to Mika.