He tilted his head.
“Yala. I like it.”
He repeated her name, several times, as they exited their suite.
“So, is Yala your real name or another one of your clever disguises?”
She flashed a mischievous glint and a cheeky grin.
“I dun tole ya enough of my bitness. I ain’t tellin ya no mo.”
He chuckled at her slang. Her playful personality was a welcomed quality he appreciated.
He dropped his eyes when she caught him eyeballing her, again. Kevin hardly recognized his behavior with this woman. He’d turned into a nerdy teen with a crush. Surely, she’d noticed his interest in her by now.
“I see you thinking, Kevin. You can say what’s on your mind. I prefer straightforwardness.”
He hesitated and picked his words carefully.
“I have never met such a beautiful woman who preferred to be a man. You can shift, so you can be anyone. I can’t fully understand the complexities of the underappreciated efforts thrust upon a woman, but...”
Again, he contemplated asking the question, but asked it anyway.
“Does it mean you prefer the soft peaks and valleys of a woman over the hard rocks and torrents of a man, romantically?”
Her giggle tickled his eardrum and deepened his smile.
She glanced in his direction and motioned her hand in a wave like gesture.
“I usually glide along peaks and valleys. However, valley liquids are an acquired taste I haven’t quite gotten used to.”
She let her comments linger. Only when his lips parted, in shock, did she flash a small smile. Intrigue crept into Kevin's mind. He had no idea if she was joking or serious.
“Believe it or not, I prefer men; although, I choose to admire most of you from a distance. I've had some unpardonable difficulties with men in my past that strongly support my choice to be standoffish.”
Kevin wasn’t exactly sure how deep down the well her last statement sank, but her cryptic honesty unveiled what could only be translated into her wearing an armor of man-repellent. Some man had hurt her, and she wasn’t all that receptive to men, yet.
I can respect that.
Her answer temporarily squelched some of his curiosity, but he wasn’t done with her.
There was a slew of questions still on his mind.
“I think I know what you want to ask me, Kevin, and the answer is no. I don’t date. And to answer the other question I know you would like to ask, but won’t because you’re a good guy, the answer is no. Sex is overrated.”
Kevin didn’t know how to respond and was glad they were about to enter the restaurant. There was a depth to his new partner that he craved to explore. She had a mountain of secrets and he wanted to know them all.
After a quick breakfast, they dashed out to grab a few supplies and groceries at Kevin's suggestion. When they returned to their suite, they spent hours poring over the details of the Body Box case. They both proposed ideas on how best to siphon information from potential suspects without endangering the boxed victim. Based on experience, Kevin was certain information was being withheld.
Their first break away from studying the case led Kevin into the kitchen to prepare their lunch. He stirred and turned smoking pots and pans, but his eyes never stirred too far away from Yala.
She sat on the countertop and watched him. When he’d proclaimed he knew how to cook, she likely assumed it was a line to impress her; but after she tasted his food, she confirmed that she was impressed.
***
They dived, headfirst, into the assignment the next day. They met the doctors in the exam room, before the sun cracked the sky.
Kevin was in awe. There was no amount of briefing or explaining on Yala’s part that could have prepared him for this. He’d seen torn apart bodies, gruesome gunshots, and stabbings; but this was different. There was life here, he sensed it. Seeing a head, not attached to a body, exhibiting normal functions sent a chill racing up his back.
The eyelids on the head shuddered. The rapid movement of the eyes gave the appearance that the man had fallen into REM sleep, unaware that the rest of his body was missing. Unconsciousness made it difficult for Kevin to pinpoint what the man felt.
Yala and the doctors allowed him as much time as he needed to examine the box, to explore, and to make his own assumptions and notes. Yala eyeballed him as he sniffed. He’d caught a whiff of something, but he couldn't discern the spicy and sweet scent.
He also found a fingerprint that had been missed. The print was too faint to pull by conventional means; so he sprayed it with a solution he’d mixed, and the print flourished into view. He snapped photos of the print and started the process that would run it through several databases for a match.
Kevin continued to study the head. He stood and stared silently at it with his arms folded over his chest. He must have been staring a long time because Yala cleared her throat to get his attention. His gaze swept the doctors and stopped on Yala.
“I think you’re on to something, interviewing the doctors. Only someone who explicitly knows and understands human anatomy can pull something like this off. The mystery of what’s keeping the head alive is a science that I don’t yet understand.”
He suggested interviewing everyone Yala had talked to, previously. She agreed with the idea. The point was to start anew. Since Yala could essentially become anyone, he thought it would make for some interesting interviews.
***
After the first few interviews, Yala noticed Kevin had gotten much more out of the interviewees than she had. He had a way of manipulating information from people. His empathic ability helped him steer the conversation in his favor.
One of the security guards stated that the SUV was a smoky gray instead of black, and it had been hanging around the hospital parking lot days before the first box was dropped off.
Kevin took advantage of the nurses at the nurse's station. Yala hadn't missed the fact that the women took every opportunity to introduce themselves or gawk at him. It didn’t take much convincing on his part to get them to share their speculations and volunteer information that had nothing to do with the case. The women were all in love with him. Yala had even witnessed one shove another out of the way so she could get her turn to be questioned by Kevin.
Yala eventually shifted into Kevin's hot hunk of a partner, just to give him some competition. She relished seeing him fight to keep a straight face as he asked serious questions and watched her, in man form, flirt with the nurses.
By the time they departed the nurse’s station, they’d discovered that Dr. Charles Nolan, the hospital’s chief of staff, had a mistress who frequented the hospital. Ironically, the mistress just happened to drive a dark colored Range Rover. She'd visited the hospital hours prior searching for Dr. Nolan. Unfortunately, Dr. Nolan was away attending a medical convention. Yala and Kevin confirmed the doctor’s whereabouts, which proved he couldn’t have been near the head, or the hospital, at the time the head was delivered.
The surveillance footage from the time span that lined up with the mistresses visit revealed a grainy picture of a woman driving the SUV. Like a magician that pulled a rabbit out of his hat, Kevin had secured the team’s first suspect. The SUV was a match to the SUV from the original surveillance footage.
Yala was gaining a ton of useful knowledge from Kevin.
She asked, “What made you look into the mistress? I would have never considered the doctor’s side chick might have anything to do with this case.”
“When I checked out the box, earlier, I picked up a scent, like cologne or women’s perfume. The box from the first case had a faint trace of it, also. It was the reason I wanted to visit the nurse’s station; to see if I could pick up the scent there.”
Yala flashed a sidelong look.
“That’s why you kept sniffing in the exam room. Those heightened senses of yours were at work.”
He inclined his head, before reaching into the backseat. He unzipped his
laptop from its carrier and flipped it open.
“I’ll use Big Brother to see if we can play follow the SUV, since the doctor’s girlfriend is a suspect and showed up earlier looking for him.”
Hacking was a side of the spy world Yala knew nothing about. She kept an eye on the road and sneaked peeks at Kevin’s rapid keystrokes, as pop-up screens flashed faster than her eyes could keep up.
“I’m in,” he announced.
He’d tapped into the first traffic cams so quickly, she’d missed the lesson. He rubbed her arm, playfully.
“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything I know.”
The traffic cams gave him multiple sets of eyes, which allowed him to get the SUV’s license plate.
It only took him minutes to use different camera feeds to track the SUV to a service station about seven miles away from their location at the hospital.
While Yala drove, Kevin hacked into the DMV database. He used the plate number he’d found to find out who the vehicle was registered to.
“Elizabeth Paul,” he announced, as they pulled into the gas station.
“I’m impressed,” Yala stated. “If Top wants me to keep investigating, I’ll definitely have to learn how to do that.”
Twenty-five minutes later, the gas station manager gave them Elizabeth Paul’s name. Ms. Paul had paid at the pump with a credit card. The gas station’s surveillance tapes were a bust, unable to point the team in the direction their suspect had traveled. Ms. Paul’s SUV had disappeared into one of Big Brother’s blind spots.
“What now?” Yala asked.
Kevin shot her a mischievous glare.
“Give me a minute. I’m getting an address.”
Hacking into the DMV had not only gotten him Elizabeth’s full name but her address as well.
While Yala steered the vehicle towards Elizabeth’s residence, Kevin continued to type.
“Ms. Paul is in med school, so she is definitely a suspect.”
Moments later, the unanswered chime of her doorbell and her SUV not being in the parking lot hinted that Elizabeth was not home.
Kevin and Yala entered her apartment, after Yala made quick work of picking her locks—one being a deadbolt. She couldn’t hack into the DMV, but Yala had learned how to pop locks and crack safes.
A thorough search of Elizabeth’s apartment only furnished the team with proof that Dr. Nolan and a number of other men were her clients. She was a student by day, and an escort by night. Her open datebook revealed her plans to meet with a Greg Davis at a popular club called Status.
“Does this mean we’re going clubbing?” Yala questioned.
One of Kevin’s brows rose.
“Yes. But my main concern is…what are you going as, a man or a woman?”
Yala couldn't contain her laughter.
“Do I freak you out when I disguise myself as a man?”
He answered, quickly.
“Yes. You are ridiculously convincing. I have to admit, you even have the scent of a guy when you shift. I still haven’t wrapped my head around any of it.”
“Me either. I keep expecting to wake up and find it has all been a dream. If it wasn’t for this strange and mysterious case, I believe I would have reacted differently to discovering your special gifts. Although, I will admit, you did almost make me pee on myself when you took my eyes for a stroll.”
Kevin burst tickled his throat and shook his body.
“I am just as shocked about what you revealed. Still am. It just won’t soak into my brain that it’s possible, that our world is this diverse, alien, and uncharted.”
Both fell silent. The revelations they’d revealed to each other had left a bigger impression than either had admitted.
Chapter 13
Romantic Gestures
Yala kept her attire simple as she prepared to go to a club to spy on their suspect. She decided to spare Kevin of seeing her turn into a man again.
Why does this feel like a date?
She wore a pair of ripped-all-to-hell jeans, paired with four-inch heels, and a stylish silk blouse that outlined the roundness of her breasts. She hoped Kevin liked it because this was about as daring as her wardrobe got.
Kevin’s approving gaze met her as she stepped into the common area of their suite.
She’d never enjoyed a man's stare because it was hard to determine their intentions, but she enjoyed Kevin’s stare. Something about her handsome partner made her want to embrace being a woman. She enjoyed the way his eyes followed her movements. There was approval, some lust, but no sinister intent hidden within his gaze.
He wore a pair of stylish, loose-fitting jeans, and an expensive-looking fitted shirt that highlighted his muscular physique and complimented the richness of his sun-kissed skin.
After their arrival, Yala felt out of place in club Status. She hadn’t expected the romantic atmosphere.
The meaning of romance was truly lost on her. Romantic gestures often flew over her head, and she comprehended them only after she had a moment to think about them. As they strolled through the club, she ignored the candles, the cozy little tables, and the cushioned circular booths. She didn’t fully get the gist of why this was so appealing to most couples, as she took in the way the too dark room was lit by flickers of scented fire.
The bar was a huge circle in the center of the club.
She and Kevin sat at a table in the rear of the club. The position provided a good line of sight to the entrance and the rest of the club.
A waiter shuffled to their table to take their orders. He provided fresh nuts and a warm friendly tip-inspired smile. Kevin ordered a glass of Rémy Martin, and Yala ordered a cosmo.
When their drinks arrived, she used the back of her hand to sail her words towards Kevin.
“You’re drinking it? I thought we ordered this for show?”
“I am not letting this good drink go to waste. I won’t let you get drunk, I promise.”
He reached across the table to stroke her cheek and trapped her in his adoring gaze.
Is this for show?
His action made their knees collide under the table, and Yala did nothing to separate herself from him. As a matter of fact, she found a certain level of comfort in his touch. This was a first. Her actions regarding Kevin were a surprising revelation. She usually broke out in hives when men touched her romantically, but she found Kevin’s touch filled her with an insatiable warmth she relished.
***
With straightened hair this time, Kevin noticed Yala looked more like a glamour girl than an agent; her beauty an undiscovered masterpiece. No trace of makeup, just small earrings, jeans, a top, and heels was all she needed to command attention.
Not only did she have his attention, but other male eyes lurked.
Kevin had to suffer the agony of knowing every time her presence elevated a man’s blood pressure. He nearly gagged on their musty male stench, that only he was lucky enough to detect. He could tell from a glance that Yala was clueless. She had no idea how often she turned heads.
Kevin took another glance around the bar before his gaze settled on her. He waved her closer with his finger. When she leaned over the table, he captured her gaze and leaned even closer. His fingers skimmed her neck, and he managed to stop himself inches away from kissing her. The tips of his lips brushed her lobe when he lean further to whisper in her ear.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”
She didn’t answer, at first. The warmth of her neck disappeared when she eased back in her seat. She brought his glass to her nose and sniffed, before an easy smile bent her lips.
“What are you sipping on, gasoline?”
His eyes likely gave away a lot more than his words, but hiding his interest in her was out of the question.
“No. I love it better when you’re a woman because I think you’re incredibly gorgeous. Besides, you’re my girlfriend now, so I can complement you as often as I like.”
He spoke with assurance in his to
ne, like he knew something she didn’t.
She decided to play along.
“Thank you, my handsome and alluring boyfriend.”
They clinked their glasses together in a toast. He reached to take a sip of her drink and fondled her hand when he lifted the glass. They both acknowledged the sparks.
Both stopped the flirting as their gazes traveled across the dim club. They’d spotted Elizabeth at the same time.
Yala assumed her attraction to Kevin would affect her senses and distract her. Apparently not. Her eyebrow arched, questioningly, as she stared at her handsome partner.
“Something wrong?” he asked, glaring into her curious eyes.
She corrected her expression and lied.
“No, nothing. I’m fine.”
Heck yes, something was wrong. She was losing control of her body and her mind didn't want to listen. Yala decided, then and there, she would call Sori. She needed to talk to someone before whatever was happening between her and Kevin sprang to life and grabbed her. When she needed a woman’s opinion, or to talk, Sori always listened and gave it to her straight.
Yala used the coldness of the glass to quell her hand, tingling from Kevin’s simple caress.
“How about a dance?” he asked. His glare was back on their suspect.
He reached for her hand before she had a chance to decline. Their connection re-ignited the moment his warm hand curled around hers. He led her to the perfect spot on the dance floor and parked them in an area with a clear view of the couples. She would be their spy while his back was turned.
Once Kevin released her hand, the beat of the music loosened her up enough to slow her racing heart.
The pace of her heart increased once more, when a slow tune broke through the speakers. She beat back the nervous energy and put effort into appearing unaffected. All was lost when Kevin slid his hand around her waist. She lost the breath she’d just tried to catch and her heart threatened to knock a hole in her chest.
The breathless excitement continued as she concentrated on her main reasons for being there—the case, the suspect, and the Body Box. She repeated the words in her head as Kevin's presence ate at what used to be her will.
Body Box: Adult Paranormal Romance (Supernatural Thriller) (Dark Suspense) (The Smoke & Fire Series Book 2) Page 8