by Ronica Black
She stood and picked up the bedside phone to speak. “Yes, can you bring us an ice pack, an Ace Bandage wrap, and some wine? Thank you, Nadine.”
Maria tried to move, but the pain stopped her and she winced. She crawled fully onto the bed and tried to relax. Her ankle hurt, but the strange numbness to her leg bothered her more. And as she tried to maneuver again, a pinch in her upper back thigh made her cringe. A Charley horse. What was happening?
“Shh, stay still. You need to ice it and elevate it.” Avery maneuvered a pillow beneath her foot and propped it up.
“I’m fine.” Maria flexed her foot by pointing her toe and the Charley horse released, but she was nearly nauseous from the pain it had caused her ankle. Still, she put off complaining. She just needed to get out of there and get home.
“Stop it. You aren’t fine and it’s stupid to play tough. You’ll only hurt yourself worse.”
“But—”
“Your partner is being entertained. When he’s through I will send for him. In the meantime, you need to sit back and relax. I thought those heels were ridiculously high for you.”
Maria pushed out a breath. “They were.”
“Then why wear them?”
Maria met her eyes but didn’t answer. She couldn’t.
“Ah, to get to me, was it?” She laughed and then her voice softened. “You look very sexy in that dress, Detective, but to be honest, I liked the kitten heels and the other outfit better.”
Maria blinked with surprise at the sincerity.
“You do?”
Avery nodded. “Yes.” She stood and slipped off her own designer heels. “Only someone like Hale would prefer an outrageous outfit like the one you’re wearing. And Hale was a very, very bad man. Trust me, you don’t want that kind of attention. Tell your sources to do their homework better.”
Maria fought for words. Who exactly was this woman and how could they have been so wrong in their research? She thought back to what Finley had said about the department only knowing of the rumors, that no one really knew what to expect where Avery was concerned.
While a sense of warmth came over her in realizing that Avery may indeed be a good person, another more sinister feeling came as she realized she could be a murderer. The painful truth was they didn’t know. And if they didn’t even know what Avery was really attracted to, then they sure as hell didn’t know whether or not she was capable of murder.
She cringed, but not from pain or discomfort. It was fear trying to force itself through. But she kept it at bay just as she’d trained herself to do. She kept it close to the surface though, to remind her to be on her toes.
Avery slid off her watch and rings and placed them on the night table. “Oh, come on, Detective, I know you’ve all looked into me. Into everything about me. But you still don’t know me. No one does.” The sparkle in her eyes was gone, replaced by a cold indifference. Maria knew she should leave. She was physically impaired and in the room alone with a possible killer. A cunning killer. But she remained, knowing it was probably her only chance to delve deeper into her psyche.
“I see.”
“And…I must confess I’ve looked into you too, and we seem to be similar in that regard.”
“You looked into me?” Maria swallowed the lump in her throat carefully.
“I haven’t received the full report yet, but yes, I’ve read up on you a little. Did you think I wouldn’t?” She unzipped the back of her body suit. “Fair is fair.”
She turned and wordlessly asked Maria to unzip the rest by turning her back to her. Once again, Maria took in the tanned, toned back. She reached out, tempted to touch her, to graze her fingers over the etched muscles, but she stopped herself and just unzipped her. She looked away when Avery turned and stripped down to her panties. She walked into her closet and returned in a satin robe, rubbing lotion on her hands.
“What are you doing?” Maria asked. The scene was all too familiar. It was her own nightly bedtime routine.
“Getting comfortable.” She sat and rubbed the lotion on her long, bare legs. Again, Maria had to look away. It was difficult enough to be in her room where all her lovely scents lingered and in her bed where she lay her beautiful body every night, but this, this was madness. An unwelcome desire was threatening to battle her reserve and carefully put away fear.
“Why?”
Avery stopped and stood. “Why not? You’re injured and I’m done socializing for this evening.”
“But you have a party going on.”
“Oh, trust me, it will go on without me. And I’ve seen all I need to see for this evening.” She winked at Maria. “I think you did as well.”
“I saw enough.”
“Enough to turn you on?”
Maria shot her a glance. “Somehow I think you knew women would be in that room.”
Avery shrugged. “So what if I did? I do know what you like. That is one thing that wasn’t that hard to find out.” She grinned and sat at her feet again.
Nadine entered, saving Maria further embarrassment. She handed the things to Avery and then placed the wine glasses on the night table. She’d already popped the cork and she poured them both a glass. She handed one to Maria.
“Oh, I don’t think I should.”
“Drink it,” Avery said. “It will help dull the pain.”
Maria took the glass and sipped only a little. She nearly groaned at how good it was. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” Nadine said with a soft smile. “Anything else, Avery?”
Avery leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “Not tonight, Nadine. Thank you.”
Nadine exited, leaving them alone once again.
Maria wanted to soften at seeing the two interact. Clearly, Nadine meant something to Avery. They definitely needed to do better research into her. Tonight alone she’d been more than surprised by a few things.
Avery gently placed a thin towel over Maria’s ankle and set the small bag of ice atop it. “How’s that?”
“It hurts a little.”
“Can you feel the cold?”
“Starting to.”
“Good.”
She began to gently rub her shin in a massaging motion. “No pantyhose with that leather dress.”
Maria couldn’t move her leg, and her heart raced. She prayed her skin wouldn’t react to the touch, but it was too late. She was blushing and heating.
“Feel nice?” Avery traced her fingers up and down. “You have really nice legs. Just the right amount of muscle.”
Maria jerked involuntarily, and she cried out in pain as the muscle in her upper thigh contracted. Avery stopped and crawled to sit next to her.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”
Maria clenched the soft duvet. “It’s okay. It’s going now.”
“I can’t help it, I want to touch you.” She took her hand and kissed the back of it.
Maria fought for breath, but another rush of pain snapped her back to reality. She decided to be direct, to force the rising desire away, to see Avery for who she really was.
“Why is that? Is it because I’m unattainable? Because I’m a detective investigating you? A game of sorts?”
Avery blinked but still held onto her hand.
“Is that what you think?”
“You tell me. Is it true?”
“No…” She dropped her hand and looked away. “I genuinely like you.”
“But you know you can’t have me. You know I can’t reciprocate. So why waste your time?”
She leaned forward and stared into her eyes. “I’m not known for taking no for an answer, Detective. And who says you can’t reciprocate? Your boss? Fuck him. He doesn’t own you or your feelings.”
“He owns my paycheck.”
Avery laughed.
“And I’m telling you no, Avery. From my lips to your ears. It’s not going to happen.”
Avery leaned in next to her ear. “See, I don’t believe it’s you telling me no. It’s that Goody Two-sh
oes cop in you. It’s your badge. Your colleagues. It’s not you. I saw the real you downstairs. You want it just as much as I want to give it to you.”
Maria shuddered and sucked in a quick breath. Despite trying to hide and fight the growing desire, it rushed back in and slapped her in the face. Avery felt it and angled her face so that her lips gently brushed Maria’s. She moaned softly and kissed her again, this time firmer, more direct, and Maria dug her nails into the covers at the soft, hot feel of her. She wanted more than anything to answer the kiss with one of her own, but she knew she couldn’t. She had to pull away, and when she did, Avery groaned.
“Don’t go,” she said, opening her eyes. “You feel too good.”
Maria stared into her, searching for truth, for motive. She saw only want, need.
“Ahem,” a voice came from the doorway.
Avery turned with anger on her face. Finley stood with a hand in his pocket. His concerned eyes bored into Maria.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Like hell you didn’t,” Avery spat. “You can go. You aren’t needed here.”
He stepped inside, noted Maria’s ankle, and came to her side. “I think maybe I am. And don’t be mad at Nadine. I forced my way in with that pesky little badge of mine. What happened here?”
“Those damn heels. I twisted my ankle.”
He lifted the ice and towel and examined her without touching. He whistled.
“You really should do better at protecting her,” Avery said. “Making her wear a ridiculous outfit that only a man would fall for was asinine.”
He reared back as if struck. “Hey, lady. Easy does it.”
“It’s not his fault,” Maria said. “Not totally.”
Finley glared at her. “You looked hot. How is that a bad thing?”
Avery scoffed. “Anyway, Detective, as you can see she’s being cared for. So you aren’t needed.”
He forced a smile. “Actually, I am. I’m taking her home.”
“I’ll see to it that she gets home.”
“Like hell.”
“I really should go,” Maria said. She lifted her foot, winced, and swung her legs over to hover over the floor. Finley came to her side and helped her stand. He wrapped her arm around his shoulder. “Where are your things?”
“My clutch is on the bed and my shoes…screw the shoes.”
“They’re Jimmy Choo. We’re taking them. I got those for Paige for Christmas. Cost me a small fortune.”
“Fine.”
He balanced her and left to grab her things. Avery stood by watching with a disappointed look. She stared into Maria, silently pleading with her to stay.
“Thank you for your help,” Maria said. “It really was very nice of you.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more,” Avery said. She followed them to the door. “I’m sure I will hear from you again, Detective Diaz?”
“You’ll most likely hear from me,” Finley said over his shoulder.
“Then don’t bother. I won’t speak to anyone but her about Hale.”
Finley shook his head in obvious disbelief. “Whatever you say, lady. Whatever you say.”
Chapter Seven
“I don’t care who you have to fuck or fuck over to get the information, just get it.” Avery ended the call and threw her cell phone across the room to bounce on the couch. She rubbed her temple and sank into a goose down stuffed chair. Nadine graciously handed her a cup of hot coffee and some aspirin.
“You’re going to get high blood pressure if you keep on,” Nadine said.
“I think I already have it. My head hurts like a bitch.”
She eased back in the chair and took her aspirin. She sipped the coffee and stared at the ceiling. Sunlight and shadows from the curtains played along the surface, like children in the surf. She closed her eyes and thought of Rory and Kylie.
“When will they be here?”
Nadine glanced at her watch and continued to dust the framed photos of Avery’s two nieces on the grand piano.
“A half an hour.”
“And what about now?”
“Bobby.”
“Ah.” She sat up. “Good. Send him to the veranda.” She walked with her coffee to the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and stepped outside into the warm, misted shade. She sat in a lounge and lit a cigarette while enjoying the cool feeling of the misting system. She’d considered quitting smoking, but she didn’t have any other vices…except women. And she was trying her best to control that, but so far, she’d had little success. Her sex drive was more than most, and she wasn’t ashamed of it, she had just been thinking a lot about it. Everyone seemed to have someone special in their lives. And those that didn’t, wanted her. She could settle down, date one woman, but she knew she’d be bored. She’d only end up cheating and moving on. It would cause pain, but more concerning to her was the fiasco it would likely cause. And she tried her best to be free from relationship drama.
She tapped her cigarette into the crystal ashtray and sipped her coffee. She was staring out at the valley of Las Brisas when Bobby came to the doorway.
“It’s hot as hell out here,” he said. “Can’t we do this inside?”
She crossed her ankles and exhaled smoke. “The heat is good for you. Gets out the toxins.” She pointed to a chair. “Sit.”
He grumbled and moved his awkward, former boxer body across the veranda and into the chair. He shifted to get his weight right and then opened his leather satchel. She studied the sweat on his brow, watched it glisten back into his receding hairline. Watched it drip down his nose to where he had to remove his wire rim glasses and wipe his face before slipping them back on. She knew he was hot, but she craved the heat like a reptile craving a hot rock. She needed it to seep into her body to warm the cold hidden places she’d tried so hard to fill. It seemed to be the only thing that could fully penetrate and reach her, much to the dismay of her lovers.
“I, uh, got some of what you asked for,” he said, handing over two files. “The man, Finley, was easy peasy, but the woman…she’s either got very little in the way of a life or she’s got some seriously hidden shit.”
Avery opened Maria Diaz’s file. “Maybe it’s a combination of both.” She studied the candid photos of her exiting what looked to be her home and her car. “How’s her ankle?” She didn’t appear to be wearing a boot or using crutches, yet her leg looked stiff.
“It’s not her ankle that’s the problem.” He shoved on his glasses. “It’s her leg. She’s having some trouble with it.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“That I don’t yet know. Apparently, she’s not one to go to the doctor. And when she’s at work, she hides it pretty well.”
“Stubborn.”
“Yes.”
“What else? Girlfriends?”
“No, none. She goes on blind dates, but they don’t end well. She’s alone, save for her time with Finley.”
Avery felt her brow furrow at the mention of his name. “What’s the deal there? Are they intimate?”
“No. But they are extremely close. She goes to his home for dinner, he checks on her frequently…they seem to really care about one another.”
“So it would seem.” She sifted through photo after photo and paused at one of Maria holding a baby. She was smiling and snuggling the baby to her cheek. “Who’s the baby?”
“That would be Finley’s youngest. Silas Junior.”
She sifted through more photos. “What about her family?”
He sighed and rubbed his forehead with the back of his arm. “Well, she has quite a large family, but she doesn’t see them all that often. Not enough time really. Right now, she’s very busy with the Hale Medley case.”
Avery grimaced and tossed the files onto the table. She reached for her coffee. “How are they doing on that?”
“Not great so far. From what I can tell you’re still their number one suspect.”
She closed her eyes. “Fuck.”
“I can throw some chum in the water from somewhere else. Lead them away from you.”
“No, don’t. I don’t want something like that leading back to me and biting me in the ass.” She sipped her coffee and suddenly wanted more sugar. “Fucking Hale. How can he be dead and still be a pain in my ass?”
“You ask me, that murder was damn near perfect. Guys at the precinct, they’re all up in arms. Talking about it day and night. I heard the guy was shaved of all body hair. Even his balls.”
She rubbed her aching temple and did her best to ignore him. “You would think his death would help me not hurt me.”
“You would think.”
She met his gaze. “Keep digging. And try to find out what they know about Hale’s death. I can’t stand being in the dark.”
“Of course.” He stood. “Uh, what about the detectives? They are pretty good at their jobs you know. They’ve got a really good track record.”
She waved him off. “Don’t get in their way or hinder their progress, but continue to look into Diaz. I want to know her every move.”
“You got it.”
He moved hurriedly to the door.
“And, Bobby?”
He turned. “If she goes on another date, I want to know immediately.”
He nodded and then walked through the open glass doors, closing them behind him. She reached for her Prada sunglasses and slid them on as she once again stared out at Las Brisas. Tiny flecks of light shimmered like diamonds in the sunlight, windows reflecting the sun. She watched it hypnotically, trying not to think of Hale or of Diaz. She knew she was playing a dangerous game with her hands in both pies, but she knew she wouldn’t or couldn’t stop. Both were too important to her, and she always was good at playing dangerous games.
A soft bang came from the door and Avery turned to see her nieces, Rory and Kylie, spill out into the misted shade.
“Auntie Avery!” They ran into her arms, already dressed for a swim in bathing suits and bathrobes and flip-flops.
“I want to go off the diving board today,” Rory, the older one said. She was eight going on thirty-five, and she was bouncing up and down with excitement.
“Me too, me too!” Kylie said with a big toothless grin.