Mirror Image: A Catrina Flaherty Mystery (Catrina Flaherty Mysteries Book 1)

by Pendelton C. Wallace

  The crisp navy pants suit felt good against her skin. Maybe playing dress up wasn't all bad. A gold pennant dangled above her low cut white blouse, like a sign beckoning to come closer. She knew that she was a beautiful woman. There were times when she used it like a weapon. Assistant DA Stryker was so unnerved by her ample cleavage and fluttering eye lashes he made a total fool out of himself. A good set of knockers is a better weapon that a .45. She laughed to herself.

  She stood in front of the hand-carved oak doors and pushed the doorbell. It only took an instant for Mandy to open the door.

  "Catrina. Cat. Thank you for coming." Mandy's eyes were puffy and rimmed in red. A slight bruise on her right cheek was partially covered with heavy makeup. "Where did you park?"

  Mandy stared over Catrina's shoulder to her SUV in the driveway. Her face went white.

  "You can't park in the driveway. Please, can you move your car down the street a little? He has squad cars check on me all day long. If they see your car, I'll be in real trouble."

  "OK, I'll be right back." Catrina had handled this situation a hundred times before. I’ve got to make Mandy feel comfortable before I can win her trust.

  Mandy waited in the doorway for Catrina to return, then led her inside.

  The house was perfect. Not a speck of dust, not a child's toy, not a crumpled up newspaper out of place. Floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors covered the back wall of the upscale home. The doors opened onto a landscaped patio, beyond the patio, a panoramic view of Puget Sound, Vashon Island and Mount Rainier.

  Wow, I wonder what the average police chief makes these days?

  "Come in, sit down." Mandy pointed towards the white leather couch. "Would you like coffee or tea?"

  Catrina glanced towards the kitchen and saw a full coffee pot. "Coffee'd be nice." Mandy was ready for this visit. Did that mean she was ready to do something about her situation?

  "You have a beautiful home." Catrina watched as Mandy placed two cups on a lacquer tray, filled them with coffee, and placed cream and sugar containers next to them. "I'm glad you decided to call. I hope you're ready for help."

  Mandy set the tray on the coffee table next to a large bouquet of flowers and offered Catrina a cup. "He sent me flowers this morning. . . I. . . don't know what to do. I love him, I really do. I made him do this to me by going to your class. I don't want to leave him. The kids need a dad. Maybe you could talk to him. Make him stop. We're usually so happy."

  Catrina sipped her coffee and tried not to make a face. She was a coffee snob. She loved a good cup of coffee, and this wasn't it.

  "Mandy, you don't want me to talk to him. It'll just make things worse." She put her cup down and took Mandy's hand. My God! A still-red scar circled Mandy's wrist. Catrina looked at the almost identical scars on her own wrists. We're scar sisters.

  Catrina stroked Mandy's wrist. "I know. I was married to a cop."

  Mandy's eyes teared up.

  "I've been where you are," Catrina went on. "He made me do terrible things. I was lucky to get out alive."

  "I can't believe you were married to a cop."

  "That's why I specialize in helping cops' wives. For you, for all of them, there's no place to turn. Who do you go to when your abuser is The Law?"

  Mandy pulled her hand loose and began to sob. She covered her eyes with her hands. "I'm trapped. There's no way out. He told me that I'm not getting out of this marriage alive."

  Catrina's heart cracked. Looking at the terrified woman before her was like looking in a mirror. Was I ever that vulnerable?

  She got up and came around to the love seat where Mandy sat. Catrina sat next to her and put her arms around her. She's like a frightened kitten. I've got to get her out of here. "It'll be OK. Breathe deep. I've done this before. I can get you out. All you have to do is really want it. Is this what you really want to do?"

  "Yes," Mandy sobbed. "More than anything. But I have to have my kids. I can't leave my kids with that monster."

  "OK. Let's start by you telling me all about it. I'm going to need this information for your attorney."

  "I don't have an attorney." Mandy looked confused. "He won't let me talk to anybody. If he finds out you're here, he'll kill me."

  "Don't worry about it. I can handle him. I have an attorney, Jennifer Trask, she's the best. You might have read about her. She got a client off last year for killing her husband. She used the 'battered wife syndrome' defense."

  "No." Mandy's eyes widened. "You're not going to kill him." Her breath came in short, quick gasps.

  "Of course not. I'm just telling you that Jenn is damned good. So, tell me, what has he done to you?"

  Mandy closed her eyes and thought for a long minute before answering. "You know he's the chief of police? He controls everything. He has his officers keep tabs on everything I do. He inspects the house every Sunday with a white glove. He won't let me have any money. I can't use the credit card unless I clear it with him first. He hits me, in front of the kids. Then he buys me nice things, provides a nice house and cars, but he won't let me make any decisions. Sometimes I think I'm too stupid to make a decision anyway." She stopped and broke down crying again.

  Catrina gave her another hug. "You're not stupid, honey. You were smart enough to attend that self-defense class. You were smart enough to call me."

  "He tells me I can never leave him." The words came out slurred between sobs. "He says I'm too fat and ugly to ever attract another man. And besides, I have two kids. What man would want a woman with two kids?"

  "There are two big flaws in your thinking. First of all, why do you need another man? You're a healthy, intelligent woman. You can look out after yourself and your kids. You don't need a man for that. And secondly, he's a damned liar. You're beautiful. I'd kill for your figure. You've got amazing hair and beautiful eyes. What man wouldn't be attracted to you?"

  A slight smile broke through the tears, then quickly faded away. "He makes me do horrible things. He ties me to the bed and does disgusting things to me." Mandy sobbed and buried her head in Catrina's lap.

  ****

  Mary Ross sat behind the wheel of her unmarked Ford Crown Victoria, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. A cold wind stirred up whitecaps in Commencement Bay. Dark shadows gave the evening the sense of an old black and white movie. Every other street lamp was out. Pieces of a discarded newspaper fluttered through the street.

  He had purposely chosen this empty stretch of the working waterfront. No one would be here after quitting time. Just her and him.

  Constantly scanning her perimeters, she was not about to be taken unawares. Could she go through with this?

  The passenger side door jerked open and Mary suppressed a little scream. How did he sneak up on me?

  "Evenin' Mary." A tall, dark haired man in a police uniform slid in next to her. "Ready for our little adventure?"

  Her heart thumped in her chest. She squeezed the wheel until her fingers turned white. She gulped. "Ready as I'll ever be." She tried to focus her thoughts, but one thing kept running through her head again and again. How far am I willing to go for my career?

  "This is going to be fun." Dwayne Alcott reached out and stroked her shoulder-length brown hair. "I'm going to show you the time of your life."

  Could she go through with this? "I don't know, Dwayne. This doesn't feel right."

  "The lieutenant's exam is coming up in a few months, Detective Ross." His voice sounded hard and dispassionate.

  There it was. She would never progress in the department if she turned the boss down.

  "I'm sure you could use some help studying." Dwayne's voice softened. He gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "A friend on the selection committee."

  This was no different from that time in college, when she struggled to pass a required math class. She slept with the professor, he helped her with her grade. She tried to convince herself that this was the right thing to do. Anyway, what was one night out of her whole life?
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  She took a deep breath, put the Crown Vic in gear and pulled away from the curb.

  ****

  Mandy, dressed in a French maid's costume, put the finishing touches on the hors d'oeuvres. She knew that he would be here soon. Wiping away the tears with the back of her hand, she wondered who he was bringing home with him this time.

  The last time it was that beastly detective, Joe something-or-other. He had an Italian last name. How bad could it get? She couldn't even remember the names of the men he made her sleep with.

  This time Dwayne said "she." Was he bringing a woman with him? What did he want her to do? Serve them, watch them rut like a couple of animals?

  She broke out crying again. She couldn't tell anyone about this, not even her mother. She'd never understand. What kind of man enjoyed watching his wife screwing other men?

  She took a little breath and thought about Joyce and Daniel. Thank God they were doing a sleep over at Grandma's.

  The sound of a car coming down the street snapped Mandy back to the present. She felt her heart beat take off. This is it. She rushed to the bathroom to dry her eyes. If he caught her crying, he'd beat her for sure. She checked her makeup to make sure the bruise on her cheek was covered, then went running for the front door.

  "Sacre bleu," she said as Dwayne approached with a tall, thin brunette woman. "Eet is so good to zee you." He insisted on the fake French accent. Her years of high school drama allowed her to give a credible performance. She wiped a tear from her eye. Be strong. You can get through this.

  "Jacqueline, this is Detective Ross." Dwayne shepherded his detective into the front room. "I think you're going to be great friends."

  Mandy felt the heat spread up her cheeks as Dwayne led the woman to the sofa, took her coat and gestured for her sit down. The detective walked with her head down, her big brown cow eyes always on the floor.

  So, this is what Dwayne likes to fuck these days.

  He tossed the coat carelessly on the love seat. Mandy jumped to pick it up and straighten it out.

  "Jacqueline, please bring Detective Ross some refreshments," Dwayne said as he plopped himself down in the overstuffed chair.

  Mandy hustled to the kitchen and picked up the tray of hors d'oeuvres. "I have zome snacks. What would you like to dreenk?"

  "Red wine would be good." Detective Ross spoke in a detached voice.

  Could she be dreading this as much as I am?

  Mandy ran with the tray to the living room as fast as she dared in the black stilettos. "I have a nize merlot, a cabernet or a French burgundy. . ."

  "The cab's okay." Mary seemed as nervous as Mandy felt. She sat forward on the sofa and drummed her finger nails on her knees, never making eye contact with Mandy.

  Dwayne sat in his chair in the corner and watched. "I'll take a beer," he ordered.

  After the first glass of wine, Dwayne said, "Jacqueline, I think you should sit next to our guest, make her feel comfortable."

  Mandy moved over to the sofa and sat next to the big eyed woman.

  "Take Mary's jacket," Dwayne commanded.

  Mandy helped her "guest" out of the expensive gray Armani jacket.

  "Mary, show your hostess some appreciation. You could stroke her thighs."

  Mandy fought down the urge to run as the other woman ran her painted fingernails up and down her thigh. What was Dwayne planning?

  The women nibbled listlessly at the hors d'oeuvres. When they finished the bottle of wine, he said, "I think we should move to the bedroom." He gestured towards the stairs

  Mandy looked at the detective. Mary slowly got up and started moving toward the stairs. Mandy noted the lust in her husband's eyes, then followed.

  The master bedroom was just as Mandy left it, curtains closed, candles burning on the dresser, a slight hint of roses in the air and a huge king-sized bed turned back. Did I set it up okay?

  "Jacqueline, please get us another drink." Dwayne walked over to Mary and unbuttoned her blouse.

  Mandy noticed that Mary stood at attention as he fondled her breasts. She opened the bottle of wine on the dresser and poured two glasses. The beer came from the mini-fridge under the TV cabinet.

  Dwayne took the offered bottle of beer. "You take it from here."

  What does he want from me? Do I strip her, then stand back and watch? Maybe film this for him? She unbuttoned Mary's slacks and gently pushed her to the bed. She noticed the faraway look in Mary's eyes. She's not even here. Mandy removed Mary's shoes and socks, then eased her slacks down her long legs. She offered Mary a hand, and Mary stood in her lacy black bra and panties, waiting for Dwayne's next order.

  'Very good, Jacqueline, now please strip yourself."

  Mandy obeyed. In a moment her clothes, what there were of them, were in a heap on the floor. All except for the garter belt, fishnet stockings and stiletto heels. Dwayne always liked for her to keep those on. Those and her strand of cornelian beads and matching ear rings.

  "Okay, ladies, you may begin."

  Both women looked at Dwayne for an instant. Then Mandy understood what he wanted.

  Mandy felt tears welling up. She looked at Mary and saw a very different look in her eyes.

  "Let's get this over with," Mary whispered. Then she took Mandy's face in her hands and pulled her forward.

  Mandy felt the warmth of Mary's tongue in her mouth. She could feel Mary's heart racing in her chest. Now knowing what Dwayne wanted, she reached behind Mary and undid her bra. She felt for Mary's breasts. They were much larger and firmer than hers.

  ****

  Catrina pulled her Explorer into the litter-strewn parking lot of an old warehouse building in SoDo. Once SoDo had stood for "South of the Dome," but when the King Dome was imploded in 1999, it became "South of Downtown." What had once been a run-down industrial district was undergoing a new gentrification with the opening of Safeco Field and the new Seahawk stadium. She guessed that was okay, as long as they left her building alone.

  Catrina walked up the long dreary flight of stairs to her office, located on the warehouse's mezzanine, an unlikely place for a PI's office. Maybe not the best marketing in the world, but the rent was cheap and she had lots of space. She smiled at the large black woman behind the World War II surplus reception desk.

  Behind the reception desk a dozen or so garage sale desks were manned by a group of ragged looking women. All of them were Catrina’s former clients. After Catrina rescued them and found them safe places to live, she gave them jobs in her office and helped them learn job skills.

  The proceeds of her sexual harassment suit against the Port of Seattle Police Department, the largest sexual harassment settlement ever against a police department, funded her charitable efforts.

  "Good morning, Abeba. Anything exciting this morning?"

  "Morning Mrs. Flaherty. You had a call a few minutes ago. From a Mrs. Alcott. It sounded urgent."

  Catrina grabbed the pink note from Abeba's hand and sprinted to her office.

  She picked up the phone before she even dropped her purse on the credenza. The phone on the other end of the line rang and rang. Just when Catrina thought that she was going to be put into voice mail, she heard a tiny voice.

  "Hello?"

  "Mandy, this is Cat. I just got your message."

  She heard sobs and cries through the phone. Mandy tried to speak, but Catrina couldn't understand her.

  "Mandy, listen to me." Catrina's training kicked in. "Please, try to calm yourself down. I can't understand you, sweetie. Take a few breaths, calm down, then I'll listen."

  Catrina heard uncontrolled crying in her ear. She wanted to be there right now, to take Mandy in her arms and protect her. Finally, after what seemed hours, Catrina understood the sobbing voice.

  "Cat. I need help. I need you. Can you come here?"

  "Mandy, if you're in trouble, you've got to get out of there right away. Can you meet me at my office."

  "No. I can't leave. He took my car keys. He always takes my car keys
after he does something like this."

  "What happened. What did he do?" Catrina waited for a long time before Mandy finally decided to reply.

  "Cat, I really trust you. . . but . . . I've never told anyone about this before." There was another long pause.

  'Mandy, it's okay. You can tell me anything."

  "It's not the worst thing he's ever done. He brought home two detectives once." Mandy broke into uncontrolled crying again. After several minutes, she caught her breath. "He made me screw both of them. At the same time. I just can't take this anymore."

  Catrina's mind flashed back to her ex-husband Bill. The video he made of her with two of his friends. A red mist swarmed in front of her eyes.

  "The bastard." She'd kill Dwayne if he were in front of her right now.

  "He brought one on his detectives home." Mandy's voice sounded far away. "A woman this time. He made me make love to her. He sat and watched until he couldn't take it anymore. Then he took both of us. . . " Mandy broke down crying again.

  "Mandy, it's okay. That wasn't you. He made you do it. It's not your fault." Silence hung over the phone line. "It's over, sweetie. Let me come get you."

  Catrina heard the crying and sobbing on the other end increase. She reached for her purse. "Mandy, I'm on my way. Pack a bag for yourself. I'll be there in half an hour. Maybe forty-five minutes."

  "But, Cat. My kids. I can't leave my kids with him."

  Bastards. Sons of bitches. All men are pigs.

  "Pack bags for them too. We'll go pick them up from school."

  ****

  There wasn't a traffic law left intact by the time Catrina crossed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Morning rush-hour traffic had been a bitch. Somehow all the amateur drivers were on the streets just when she needed to use them. She tailgated, switched lanes, flashed her headlights and alternately punched the throttle and slammed on the breaks until she was south of South Center. Through Federal Way and Fife, she cruised at eighty miles an hour. Exiting onto Highway 16 brought her back into bumper to bumper traffic. Finally, as she crossed the Narrows Bridge, where this time she didn't give a damn about the view, traffic opened up and she flew into Gig Harbor.