Heart of Fire

by Carter, Dawn

  Danni could feel his eyes on her and it made her skin crawl. “Enough!” she blurted out. “Stop looking at me like I am one of the prostitutes you pick up every Friday night.”

  His eyes moved up to hers, the green specks sparkled with a hint of brown as she stared him down. “Have a seat,” he huffed, feeling like a child that was just chastised.

  Danni explained what she knew about his extracurricular activities, and then went on to explain how it was coincidental that each prostitute was murdered within twenty four hours of him bedding them.

  He looked at Danni, and then to Annabel, the look of panic was apparent. “Shit, who else knows?”

  “Right now, just the three of us, and of course the killer.” Danni paused to collect her thoughts, “So, what I need is a list of names of your entire staff, and a separate list of anyone you pissed off.”

  “Do you realize how long that list will be?” he hesitated, as he thought about what she was actually asking from him. “That’s impossible!”

  Danni knew by the worried look on his face if she pushed too hard he would not cooperate and she could not alienate her only lead. “Mayor Burns, I know this is a lot we are asking from you. How about we start with death threats, recent ex-lovers and hate mail,” she sighed. Danni knew that would only touch the surface of enemies the Mayor had made over the years, but it was a start.

  He nodded his head in agreement. “You get the son of a bitch doing this, and keep my name out of it,” he snarled and looked over to Flanery sizing her up. “If this gets leaked to the paper, you will both work in the traffic division for the rest of your careers.” He stood visibly angry as he waved his hand dismissing them.

  Danni stood tall refusing to allow him to intimate her and extended her hand. “Call me on my cell if you think of anything or anyone else,” she said calmly as she handed him her card. “If I don’t hear from you by the end of the week, expect another visit, and you know as well as I do, I keep showing up here, someone is going to notice and start asking questions,” she half threatened, smiled, and then nodded her head in the direction of the door for her companion to follow.

  “Are you threatening me Detective?” he stormed past her and blocked her exit.

  Trying not to smile, Danni knew she had his full attention. “No sir, now why would you think that?” She cocked her head to the left locking eyes with him.

  “This is not a game little lady; you’re playing with the big boys now,” he tried his best to sound intimidating, but realized it was a weak and ineffective threat. It was a tactic he had done so many times, but only worked on those who had no authority and bought into his bullying. It was apparent that it would not work on her, and if he did not help her, the end result could become disastrous. Feeling like the fat little boy again who sat on the monkey bars alone while all the other children played and made fun of him as they ran past, he wished he was invisible as he did then, where no one could harm him, tear him down and make him feel less of a man. But, he could not run, he could not hide, there was a murderer on the loose and he feared for his own safety now. He slumped against the door frame, defeated and broken. “I’ll do my best to get you anything you need Officer, but on one condition?”

  The scene before her shook her to the core, she knew he was scared, and it made him appear more human, and she did not want to think of him like that. Danni despised him and everything he stood for. He had been the one blocking renovations at the precinct, and she was sure he was the one who limited the amount of female officers recruited. He was a womanizer, and she assumed the only thing he thought a woman was good for was a piece of ass, to be bedded at his command and then to be tossed aside when he was done. His actions now, made him more human and reminded her why she was there, she took an oath to serve and protect all citizens and that meant him as well.

  “And...that…is?” she hesitated with each word.

  “I need your promise to protect this office, and in return, I will help your career,” there it was, he said it and gave in, he told himself he would never do that again for anyone, but she was not just anyone, she was going to be his protector, his keeper of secrets, and hopefully an ally.

  “You have my promise.” She smiled and extended her hand taking his hand in hers. “We will do our best to keep your name away from the media, and catch our killer.”

  Once in the hallway, feeling like she had just won the lottery, Danni could not help but to show her superiority to the guard standing at the door. “Next time, don’t give me shit, I will be here on a regular basis and when I am not, you need to make a list of all the visitors,” she paused half smiling. “I expect it to be thorough.”

  “Let’s go get lunch,” Danni directed her attention back to Annabel. She stretched her hand out to the path way. “By the way Detective Flanery,” she whispered once out of ear shot. “That was a good catch.” She pointed to the note pad Annabel held with a list of questions to ask the Mayor. “I believe you will make a good detective after all,” Danni finished as she eyed her partner in a new light. She was warming to the idea of working with her, and pushed away that nagging feeling that she knew her from somewhere. And vowed after the case was solved, she would find out from where.

   

  The silence of the locker room welcomed Danni as she stood motionless and eyed her reflection in the mirror; she could see the lines appear around her eyes. She hated to admit she was getting older and with age, her once ageless appearance had vanished, and where there were no lines, she seemed to age overnight. Alarmed she realized all work and no play was making her look old and feel even older. She needed to relax and let her hair down, a little fun and emotionless sex would do the trick she thought and retrieved the flyer from her pocket she got in the mail earlier that day. Karaoke at The Kick Back Bar from nine until eleven, and then it would be on. The music and drinks would bring the crowd and she would have her pick.

  The familiar structure stood dolefully under the gray skyline. Danni could hear the boom of the music inside echo onto the street. She eyed the patrons from the doorway and gathered the courage to enter. She hated going there alone, but alone is what she had been for the past six years since that fateful day. She was entering the center of her pain, feeling the loss that still stabbed into the depths of her being. How she missed her, loved her, but hated her for leaving her. Susan, the name came to mind, her love, her forever, the one who said she would never leave, but then one day, she came home from the doctor’s office, closed the bathroom door behind her after taking Danni’s gun and put the barrel of the gun in her mouth and pulled the trigger. That is how Danni found her, blood splattered everywhere and only a single note lay on the counter covered in splattered blood. It took a week for the investigators to give her the note back that explained Susan’s pain, her deception and the reason for her taking her life. It was a simple goodbye as if was a letter written to a stranger. Susan explained in the letter that she just found out she had Parkinson’s disease and she was not going to end up like her mother, and instead of putting anyone through that pain, she was ending it. No I love you, I am sorry, just her signature at the end of the note. Danni tried to come to peace with her death and the irrational behavior weeks prior to that day, but she felt betrayed, hurt, and angry. She vowed she would never let anyone that close to again, and she had been successful. She dated from time to time, never taking anyone back to her house, and a rule of thumb, to never give out her number.

  The memories engulfed her, she felt raw and tattered, and her pain was beyond what she was able to deal with but as she as she turned around to get back in her car she was halted when she heard her name.

  “Well, I was wondering when you would finally show up here,” a familiar voice caught Danni off guard.

  She abruptly turned her attention, and there leaning against the door was Annabel. Danni looked at her shocked, she was taken back. Danni prided herself at having one of the most astute gaydar around, but it never registered with Annabel. D
anni wanted to turn around and leave. The last person she wanted to know her personal life was her partner. Danni did a good job at keeping her private life away from the job, but now she was outed, not just by anyone, but by her partner.

  “What are you doing here?” Danni questioned trying to act nonchalant as she walked past her.

  “Hanging out and having a couple of beers,” Annabel paused when she witnessed the distressed look on Danni’s face. “I’m surprised I haven’t seen you in here before. So if you’re worried about anyone at the department finding out, don’t! My business is mine as your business is yours.” She smiled extending her arm to walk Danni in. “Deal?” Annabel challenged when she saw the lines on Danni’s face relax.

  “Deal,” Danni returned the smile as she waved her hand in the air to get the bartenders attention. “What’s your poison?”

  “Whipped vanilla vodka, and sprite.” Annabel smiled when she felt her cheeks get hot as she watch Danni take control and it turned her on and, she hoped it was not obvious that she had a crush on her. The last thing she needed was to create an un-repairable rift that would put her back on the street as a beat cop. She felt sick as she recalled her lieutenant’s last words. ‘If you can’t make this work, I’ll have you transferred back so fast, your head will spin.’ The threat was real, and she knew this was her shot to get to know Danni, and then maybe one day she could tell her the truth, but until that day, she would hide behind the façade she had created.

  “That sounds good,” Danni ordered two of the same then turned to her partner and frowned when she witnessed the distressed look on her face. Concerned, she tapped her on the shoulder. “You want to get a table and talk?” Concern filled her eyes as she handed her the glass.

  “Nope, I want to drink and dance. I want to forget about the case, the outside world and just have some fun for once,” she said avoiding eye contact, but her own pain was apparent and she knew if she stood there and allowed herself to get caught off guard she would tell Danni everything about her and the pain that had been building in her stomach since the day she returned, would turn into panic and it would all be over. All her secrets would be out and her life would be over as she knew it.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  By midnight, Danni dug in her pocket for what change she had left. She ordered her last drink for the night. She could feel the effects of the alcohol run through her veins. Dizzy with drink, the beams of lights that shined from the ceiling and the base that pounded into her chest urged her to commit to dance. She stormed through the floor of sweaty youths, which ground against one another. She could feel her pulse quicken when Annabel came up from behind her and matched her rhythm, she attempted to pull away, but was held in place.

  “Dance with me,” Annabel purred in her ear, her voice raspy and enticing, Danni leaned in and let her lead the way.

  As their bodies connected, she felt the excitement build in her and had to fight off the urge to kiss her. Danni’s drunken state ceased when Annabel moved in closer and locked eyes with her, before Danni knew what was happening their lips were connecting. Instinctively Danni parted her lips and allowed the kiss to increase. First gently, then with a little force, Annabel pulled her closer. They moved together like a body of water, its fluidity deliberate as though choreographed. The room became hot and thick with sweat and rhythm. Danni could not take anymore. It had been years since she allowed herself to desire another woman. With a gentle nudge she urged Annabel off the floor and out of the club into her car. She was not thinking, only feeling the need to make love to her.

  “I want you,” the velvety words escaped as she nibbled on Danni’s ear. The electricity between them overpowered the need for comfort. Danni pulled into a parking lot and put the seat back and pulled Annabel onto her lap, she could feel her heart race against her own and it excited her even more. She moved her hand down into Annabel’s jeans and gasped when the wet center beneath the folds greeted her. She could feel the velvety center pulsate as she stroked in and out. Her nerve ending were on the edge and she couldn’t wait any longer, she took Annabel’s hand in her own and slid it into her own pants directing her fingers over her swollen mound. As soon as she felt Annabel’s walls constrict, she placed her thumb over the swollen clit and massaged harder, soon her own body stiffened as if on command as the orgasm ripped through her. It was like nothing she felt before and she didn’t want it to stop.

  The phone blared, Danni sat erect, startled by the ringing phone. She looked around. Her heart pounded from the vivid memories. Then it occurred to her. It was all a dream. What the hell? Danni thought getting out of the bed. She paced the room for a few moments, trying to make sense out of it, it all seemed so real. Danni paused long enough to steady her breathing, and then grabbed the phone and dialed Annabel’s number. The phone rang several times and just before she was going to close it, a scratchy voice came across on the other end.

  “Hey, did I wake you up?” Danni asked cautiously.

  “Yeah, but it’s okay, what up?”

  “I don’t remember much about last night. How did I get home?” Danni needed to know but was afraid of the answer.

  “Oh.” Annabel laughed. “You were pretty drunk,” she gulped to avoid giving her a hard time. “I offered to drive you home, but you said no and called a cab.”

  “Shit,” Danni scratched her head trying to recall the night.

  “Did I do anything I should know about or apologize for anything.”

  “No, you danced with a few people and when some girl Stacy tried to walk you out the door with her, you pulled back and walked away,” Annabel explained, how the girl stood there disappointed, and then stormed off after Danni took her by the hand and whispered save me, and then drug her out onto the dance floor for the rest of the night.

  “Oh did I now?” Danni laughed as she tried to visualize it.

  “Yup, you sure did,” she laughed. “By the way, what time you want me to pick you up?”

  “Come again?”

  “Your car silly, you asked me last night to pick you up to get your car today.”

  “My car? Shit!” Danni repeated feeling overwhelmed by the dream. “Um, I can get a cab. I don’t want to be a bother.”

  “No, I said I would take you and I will. Give me ten minutes to get dressed and I will be right over.” Annabel was not taking no for an answer and hung up before Danni could object further.

  Danni paced back and forth. The images flashed before her, she could still feel the soft lips upon hers. The throbbing between her legs still lingered. She had to shake the image before Annabel showed up, how could she look at her in the face if all she could see was her eyes piercing her own, the lips she so wanted to touch and kiss. Danni could never allow anything like that to happen between them. She looked at herself in the mirror. Shit, get it out of your mind, Danni Marie Pacelli! she scolded herself; besides what would Annabel want with someone my age? She is young, beautiful and can have anyone she wants.

  Danni recalled how the other women in the bar salivated over the young detective and remembered being one of those women. How could she not? Annabel wore an attractive form fitted pair of jeans and a tank top; her cleavage slightly exposed which showed the bronze colored tan. Her hair was fixed and curled and the light eye makeup made her blue eyes sparkle and her lips colored a soft peach, Danni had imaged several times that night if her lips tasted as good as they looked.

  She had to scold herself several times through the evening. It upset her when women would send Annabel drinks, or ask her to dance. Danni could feel the jealousy build. She had to fight the urge to walk up to them and tell them to back off. Danni knew she had no right to feel that way. She had to keep reminding herself that she was her partner, and as her partner, she needed to keep that distance. But, now she was dreaming of her, Danni knew she was in trouble. She would have to find a way to work through her attraction and keep it only business and, she would need to avoid the club when Annabel was there.

  The
doorbell rang, Danni felt like a school girl as she ran down the stairs. She had to stop herself in mid-stream to take took a deep breath and run her fingers through her hair. I can do this, she convinced herself as she opened the door with a smile. However, she did not expect to find Annabel on the other end wearing a pair of tight shorts and a fitted T-shirt, and then there were those blue eyes. Danni immediately looked away and fought to regain her composure.

  “You going to let me in, or are we going to stand out here all morning?” Annabel inquired half smiling as she chuckled.

  “Shit, sorry, come on in. I’m almost ready,” she sighed trying not to look stupider than she felt at that moment. “I was about to brush my teeth.” Avoiding eye contact, she led the way in. “Make yourself comfortable I’ll only be a few more minutes,” she added and disappeared out of the room and down the hall.

  Annabel looked around the living room admiring all the family pictures, but the one on the mantel caught her attention. It was a much younger version of Danni in her official police uniform. Annabel concluded it must have been taken right out of the academy. She smiled and traced the picture with her fingers. This is the officer I remember she thought, and she is still as beautiful as she was then. If you only knew Danni, the crush I had on you, she kissed the picture and just as she placed it back, she heard the door to the bathroom open. She didn’t want Danni to think she was snooping, so she quickly found a seat on the leather couch.

  “Ready,” she heard Danni’s voice come from the other room.

  “Hey Pacelli,” she raised her voice to be heard. “I was thinking after we go get your car we could follow up on a few of the leads we have.

  “Which ones?” Danni’s voice echoed down the hall.