by Sara York
What had Ally been about to say? She liked her trainer, but something was off. She paused to pick up her towel and water bottle. The televisions above the stationary bikes reflected in the mirror. Her husband’s picture flashed on the screen. Maybe a break in the case and then they could work on their relationship.
She turned and read the ticker at the bottom of the screen. Her knees weakened and she stumbled forward, bracing herself on the back of a recumbent bike.
“Marissa, you okay?”
“I’m fine. I just...I have to go.”
Her fingers shook as she pulled her jeans on over her workout shorts. A dead body. They’d found a dead body and thought Tony killed the poor woman. “Damn it, where are my stupid keys?” She emptied her purse on the bench and fished her keys out of the mess. She scraped everything into her gym bag. She’d fix it later. Her feet didn’t stop until she slid into her car. Why was she running to Tony now? She knew why and the answer sobered her. It didn’t matter that they had split. She had to see him.
The streets were a blur. ‘Not Tony, not Tony,’ ran through her mind as she raced through the small city at breakneck speeds. She threw the car into park and bolted towards the station. She’d always come here with Tony, not for him. ‘Damn it, he couldn’t have killed her.’
Two reporters conferred over notes in the front of the lobby. Marissa ducked her head and approached the receptionist. “I need to see Tony.”
The receptionist looked over where the reporters were camped out and picked up the phone. Marissa glanced over her shoulder. The reporters weren’t paying any attention to her.
The receptionist hung up and nodded. “Don’t sit by them. They’re sharks waiting to devour you.”
“Thanks.” She waited at the other end of the lobby. Would they take her back to see Tony or would they bring him out here? She glanced nervously at the reporters. They still hadn’t noticed her.
Rex opened the security door. His face was drawn and grim. Her heart fell. Rex was always jovial. Grim meant something bad had happened. She slumped back against the wall. ‘No, not Tony,’ sung in her thoughts again as Rex came towards her. A single tear slid down her cheek. Marissa used a shaky hand to swipe at it. She wouldn’t let the reporters see her cry.
“I need to see him,” Marissa whispered as she grabbed Rex’s shirt, pulling him close.
“Marissa, you can’t see him now.”
“I need to talk to him.”
“Tomorrow, not today,” Rex answered, his voice solid and firm.
“Rex, why did he do it? I need to see him and ask him why.”
“Shhh, those reporters are looking over here. Let me walk you back to your car. Go home and take a long bath, drink some wine and relax. Tomorrow I’ll arrange it to where you can talk to Tony.”
“Rex, I have to know.” Marissa stumbled over the curb as Rex pulled her to her car. He popped open the door and helped her slide behind the wheel. Marissa stared at him in amazement. He had told her nothing about her own husband and successfully removed her from the station. She rolled her shoulders forward, wondering how she had been so gullible as to think that her being Tony’s wife would guarantee her time with him.
“Just go home and get some sleep. Okay?”
“Damn it, Rex.”
“You need to relax. Everything will be fine. Think about your health. You know you don’t need to get too upset right now.”
“I know. I just...”
“Go.”
“Fine.” She whipped her car into gear and sped out of the parking lot. She stopped at the grocery on the way home and picked out three pints of Ben and Jerry’s and two cooked chicken meals. It would be enough to last a few days while she hibernated in her apartment and figured out what to do about Tony. She would have to tell him soon.
Chapter 15
Fumbling with her keys, Marissa let herself into the apartment. She hated this place. She wanted to be at home. If Tony murdered the woman, as awful as that would be, at least she could take control of their house.
“Marissa.”
Tony’s voice called out from the darkened corner of the den. Marissa screamed and dropped both bags of groceries. She turned for the front door but was too slow. His strong arms caught her around the middle, squashing her to him. With legs and arms flailing, she squirmed. She heard a dull thud followed by a low grunt. For a moment she stopped moving because she’d hurt him.
She dropped onto the couch and prepared to run, but he was quick. Fear ripped through her gut as her husband, possibly a murderer, pinned her down. His eyes bore into hers. She squirmed under his constant gaze. An icy calm gripped her. Would he kill her next?
Marissa brought her leg up, ready to kick him and run. He grabbed her leg and pushed it to the couch. He was almost sitting on her as she struggled for freedom. ‘No, not Tony,’ still rang out in her mind.
****
Tony’s head pounded and his shoulder ached. Struggling with his wife wasn’t helping matters. Anger marred her features, squishing her brows together, making her appear older than she was. How had it gotten this bad? When had he taken the turn pushing them towards this? The anger and hate coupled with fear and regret was evident on Marissa’s face.
“They are exhuming Ashley’s body.” Tony didn’t want to tell her this way.
“Let me go.”
“No, Marissa, you need to listen to me.”
“When did you switch to killing?”
Hurt tweaked Tony’s heart and twisted his insides. Marissa no longer believed in him. He wanted to lash out and hurt her. But he didn’t. Using every ounce of restraint he could, he spoke calmly, forcing his voice to stay even.
“They are investigating Ashley’s death. They need to exhume the body. I signed the papers today.”
“What? How could you?” Marissa’s voice squeaked.
“There is evidence she didn’t die from the mountain lion attack”
“Oh God, Tony. Do they think you killed her, too?”
Her accusations flung in haste cut to the quick. Marissa couldn’t believe he would ever hurt their precious little Ashley, could she? “No. I didn’t kill anyone.”
“But the news said you’d been arrested.”
“It’s a ruse. The chief thinks my being arrested might draw the real suspect out.”
“But the body?” Marissa’s chin shook. She was going to cry.
“Baby, I’m sorry.” He brushed Marissa’s hair out of her eyes and pulled her onto his lap. Pain shot from his shoulder and down his back.
“Tony, how bad is it?” Her voice cracked, pulling at his heart.
“It’s real bad.”
“What happened?”
Tony swallowed hard. How could he tell Marissa he’d been suspended? Would she understand or would she see it as another failure on his part? Lying wasn’t in his blood. He would tell her about his job. But he couldn’t tell her about the body in their bed, not yet.
“Marissa, I’ve been put on leave.”
“No,” Marissa breathed out before she covered her mouth with her hand.
Tony didn’t want to continue. If Marissa didn’t believe in him then he had nothing.
“Why?”
“Someone’s after me.”
“What do you mean?”
Fear raced across her face. He’d never meant for Marissa to have to deal with this fear. He wasn’t made to live a normal life. With his real parents gone and his adoptive parent drowned at sea, pain and anguish followed him. He was a disaster and he never should have brought Marissa along with him to suffer.
“We believe it started with Ashley.” Tony pulled his hand down his face, stretching the skin until it hurt.
“What does she have to do with this woman they say you killed?”
“I didn’t kill anyone and no one outside of the investigative team knows the information I’m about to tell you. You can’t tell anyone.”
“Okay, I’ll keep it a secret.” Marissa’s voice was quiet.
Her head dipped towards Tony. Her clean scent enveloped him.
“The killer carved letters on each of the victims.”
“I don’t like this.”
Tony watched as a tear slid down Marissa’s cheek. He had to stop this. He had to find the killer before he struck again.
“Marissa, this morning I found an ‘L’ carved on my back.”
“Are you all right?” Marissa jerked her arm around Tony and pain blossomed under her touch. Worry clouded her eyes.
“I’ve been stitched up, and am on some medications. But baby, the other letters were ‘A’ then an ‘S’.”
“A, S, L--I don’t get it.”
“There’s an ‘H’ out there somewhere. She’s already dead and we--they--need to find her.”
“H? No, no, no, not my baby!” Tears flowed freely from Marissa’s eyes. She pushed Tony away and paced through the small room with her hands on either side of her head, like she was trying to shut out the world.
“They’ll check to see if she was drugged, or maimed. Although, finding abuse marks will be near impossible.”
“Tony, tell me this isn’t happening. I can’t do this again. My baby has been buried already. I don’t want to do this again,” Marissa screamed, hysteria making her voice high, almost unbearable.
Tony pulled her into a tight embrace. He kissed the top of her head as she sobbed. Her body convulsed against his as she screamed and cried, calling out to no one in particular, yet begging the world for a solution. Tony stood solid, his mind separating his grief with the need to act. Someone had to stop this killer or others would die, maybe children, maybe adults. Tony had no clue who would be targeted next. He needed to work, but he was shut out. The information was stored in his brain, but anything new on the case would be kept from him.
“Marissa, I need you to trust me.”
She jumped away from him in fear. Her eyes darted to the door then back to Tony. She ran her fingers through her hair. She wanted to run, he knew the signs. After Ashley had died, he thought Marissa would strip her head bald with all the finger combing. Then, the day she’d moved out, the hands dashed through her hair over and over again. Now, Marissa made deep rows in her hair with her fingers. Tony took a step back, letting Marissa know he wasn’t a threat. She crossed her arms over her chest, stopping the finger combing.
“Trust? God, Tony, I saw you on the news today. They said you killed a woman.”
“I know.”
“Where did this happen?”
The air in the room stilled. Tony felt the need to gasp for breath. Running for the door would be wrong. Marissa deserved the truth. If it meant she hated him, then he would deal with it in time.
“When I woke up this morning, she was in bed with me. Don’t jump to the wrong conclusion, Marissa. It’s not what you’re thinking.”
“You slept with her?” The accusation in Marissa’s voice stung and her eyes went dark. His being unfaithful was one of her worst fears. He’d never cheated on her, but she wasn’t convinced of that fact. Now, he wondered how far this would push Marissa. Could this incident be the proverbial straw?
“No. I mean, damn it, I didn’t have sex with this woman. I woke up, not knowing what had happened. I’d been drugged. Someone set me up.”
“I’m trying to believe you, but...”
“I know. Even Rex had his doubts. I’m telling you, if this damn letter weren’t etched on my back, I would be in jail right now. As it is, I’ve been suspended. He’s targeted me for some reason, but his plan of attack is confusing. I’m lost.”
Marissa’s shoulders dropped and she ducked her head. Her voice came out whisper quiet, leaving Tony straining to hear. “My poor baby, she was only a little girl. How could someone have killed her?”
Tony held his wife tight, kissing away her tears. Losing Ashley had wrecked them both. Tony’s lips found Marissa’s and she opened to him. Her tongue danced a heady rhythm, filling his body with a familiar need.
Marissa’s hand moved over his back and to his waistband. She toyed with it, giving him hope. Tonight, would they come together again? It was painful to kiss her like this, hold her in his arms, knowing she still hadn’t verbally consented to him staying here. Assuming he could stay after they had sex would be close to manipulation in Marissa’s eyes.
“Marissa.” Tony pulled back, away from her heat. Memories of her body had taunted his dreams since she walked out. “I need to stay here and not just tonight. I need to move in with you until this case is over.”
“What?” Confusion erased the passion from her eyes. Damn it, he had been so close to having her again.
“I can’t go home. Please let me live here until this case is over.”
“No. Was this part of your plan?” Marissa ran her hand down her body. Tony’s eyes followed, appreciating the delicate curves and rounded juts. He wanted to pull her into his arms again, but her deadpan look stopped him. “You filthy pig. Did you make up that story? I won’t welcome you back into my bed, not after this.”
“No, I didn’t make anything up. I was planning to sleep on the couch.”
“You’re too tall. You wouldn’t fit and you know it.”
“Marissa, I can’t go home. I need a place to stay. Also, you need me to protect you.”
“Need you? I don’t need you anymore. And how the hell did you get into my apartment?”
Anger seeped from every pore. He waited, measured his response. He didn’t want to give up his key. Marissa was in trouble, even if she didn’t want to admit it. “I used a pick.”
“Excuse me, you broke into my apartment? Maybe I should call the police. What do you think of that? Should I tell them their shining star and new suspect broke into my home? Leave now.”
“Marissa, I--”
“No, don’t talk, just leave.”
Damn, she couldn’t kick him out. He loved her, wanted to be with her, but he couldn’t combat her anger. His heart ached. They had both suffered enough, but Marissa didn’t want to listen. She didn’t want to accept his love. He wanted only her, nothing else.
At the door, Tony turned to face his wife. He drew a long and ragged breath. “Marissa, I didn’t plan on kissing you earlier. Wait, don’t say anything. I came here to ask you if I could sleep on your couch or floor, not if I could stay in your bed. I love you, and I’m not going to stop loving you. I’ll leave for now, but I’m going to come by tomorrow so we can talk.”
“Don’t bother.”
“I will bother, because I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He walked out of her apartment and into the harsh light of day. The door shut behind him and an empty feeling closed around him. He couldn’t afford to get depressed. He couldn’t wallow in self-pity and lose the edge he would need to solve this case. He may be on administrative leave, but he wasn’t totally off the case.
****
The curtains had been drawn, blocking his view. That was fine, because he knew Marissa wouldn’t take Tony back. Manipulation and social engineering worked. Marissa was through with Tony. The TV crews and news reports were too damning, even for the most skeptical person.
For the first time, exhaustion filled his body. He needed sleep. That was a new feeling. New feelings were coming around a lot this week. He felt weakened, yet joyful.
He had called Latisha and woken her from a deep sleep. The stupid bitch had agreed to meet him at one. Never did she question the odd time or why he wouldn’t come get her. She walked downtown, and he picked her up in an alleyway. Didn’t she know not to meet with strangers at night?
The killer groaned as latent excitement pulsed through his body. Last night had been absolutely amazing. The highest high achieved. Latisha had been so innocent. Her virginal blood flowed between her legs, not letting him down.
He’d kept her blindfolded the entire time. After their first little interlude at his place, he’d told her they were going somewhere magical. She had willingly agreed to keep wearing the
blindfold.
Once at Tony’s, he had her shower, washing any trace evidence from her body. Then, when she was done washing, he struck. Her screams had to be muffled. He had hated that. He wanted to hear her words, laugh at her pleas for help. In his mind, he had made up words for her to say. He’d gone over the edge.
And the best part was Tony had been right there to witness it all. Of course, he never stirred. Drugged and asleep, he missed the show.
Soon, Tony would know he was nothing. No one loved the great Tony Santos and no one needed him. The Juniper police department didn’t need him, and soon Marissa wouldn’t need him either.
The waiting game had paid off. Answering one of his most basic prayers, Marissa had kicked Tony out again. All of the setup work had been worth it. Glee filled his heart. He loved his life. Tony had been taken down once more.
Chapter 16
The rata-tat-tat of a truck grinding its engine brake woke Tony from a sound sleep. He reached out and checked his bed. Empty. Relief washed over him. One dead body was enough.
He threw his pillow across the motel room and it landed against the door with a soft thud. Ripping off the covers, he launched himself out of bed and showered quickly. He drove downtown, parking two blocks from headquarters. Tony walked to the back door and slid his badge through the reader. The lock clicked and he was in. No one had bothered to cancel his access or take his card.
He moved quickly to the back conference room, picking up a file folder on the case. He checked the computer for new reports and saw that Sekorski had written up the autopsy for Latisha Enzer. Rex’s voice echoed down the hall. He was near. The team was assembling early this morning.
Tony’s heart quickened and sweat formed on his brow. He was trapped. Hiding under the table was out of the question. Then he remembered the storage closet at the back of the room. He ducked into the small space and pulled the door closed behind him just seconds before he heard the door to the conference room open.