by Angel Rose
We took off and I felt the anxiety creeping up from my stomach to my heart. The muscles around my chest tightened as I tried to catch my breath. I grabbed Michael’s hand tightly. He squeezed my hand gently letting me know it was going to be okay. I felt the tightness in my chest subside a little. I let a sigh of relief and Michael looked up at me with his beautiful eyes. I smiled and then he placed his head against the seat and looked out of the window. Saying nothing was better than getting into an argument and I was content with that because I had had enough arguing for one night.
The plane ride was smooth. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on everything that had happened at the wedding and in the last year and a half of my life. I glanced out of the window and the sky was so dark and it seemed as if it swallow the stars tonight leaving a few lines of white cirrus clouds scattered about. I closed my eyes and started to think about how much my mother would have enjoyed the wedding minus the drama with Dave at the reception. I felt guilty because I haven’t had the chance to go to Pennsylvania to visit her gravesite. When I get back from our honeymoon, I’m going to Pennsylvania to visit my mother at the cemetery, I thought to myself. I stroked Michael’s hair gently and he opened his eyes for a moment and then closed them again. Those beautiful eyes were finally mine. Despite the drama, it felt so good to be Mrs. Michael Hunter. My new life was with Michael now. I was ready to take it on, no matter what drama was dragged in along with it.
As much as I wanted to move on, Dave’s words still haunted me. He wasn’t confused and he didn’t make a mistake. Something was wrong and he wasn’t being honest. By the way Margaret was acting, and what she was saying, there was more going on and I needed to know.
CHAPTER 5
“Good Morning, Mrs. Hunter.” Michael whispered in my ear.
“Good Morning, husband.” I covered my mouth avoiding my morning breath. He pushed my hand away gently and kissed me tenderly on the lips.
“I’m sorry about what happened at the reception, but I needed to protect my wife.” He yawned and stretched his arms over his head. “I love you more than anything in the world. You’re my mine now… always.” he gently stroked my face with the back of his hand, then slid it down my neck, cupping my breast. He kissed my lips hard while slowly sliding his fingertips along my breast down between my thighs.
“This. Is. All. Mine. You belong to me…only me.” Michael was ready to sink his teeth into me, spreading my legs to help himself to his wife and everything she offered.
“I do belong to you…only you. Michael, I love you so much. I don’t care what happened. Nothing that Dave or anyone else does will ever break us apart.” I pulled him down towards me by his shoulders and before his arousal could enter me, we heard a faint knock on the door.
“I’ll go, stay here…legs open…baby.” he pulled up his sweat pants quickly and threw a t-shirt over his head and pulled it over the bulge that stood in attention in his pants.
“Surprise! Hola!” I heard Tilly’s British accent from the bedroom.
“Come on in. Jenesis, its Eddie and Tilly!” he shouted.
I quickly put on my robe and walked out into the foyer.
“Tilly, Eddie, I’m so glad you’re here. Now we can really get this party started…”
***
After we returned from our honeymoon, it was back to the same old routine of work for the both of us. After a long talk with Michael, Eddie, and Tilly on the plane, I was contemplating on whether or not I should continue to work with Dave. The choice was a tough one. The drama, the arguing, the hate; it all needed to end before all of this spiraled out of control.
I needed to forgive Dave, I missed him, and I really did love him. I didn’t care what happened between him and Tilly, and from the sounds of Eddie and Tilly fucking for five days straight; they didn’t seem to care either. It was obvious that Tilly and Dave’s romance was over, and I was grateful that there were no pregnancies involved. I was finally forgiving myself for what I had done to Michael. I wanted to start over in every sense of the word, and that’s exactly what I had planned to do.
Michael woke up early and headed out to the office. I worried as soon as he stepped out of the door. I said a prayer silently looking up at the ceiling when my cell phone vibrated on the night table. It was a message from Dave. He sent me a text saying that he sent his security team over and escorted Michael to work. I took a deep breath and sighed loudly placing the blanket over my head and thanking God for Dave’s quick thinking. My cell phone rang and it was Dave.
“Hello?” I whispered.
“Hey.” I was so pleased to hear his voice.
“Dave, how are you? Thank you for sending the bouncers over this morning.” I laughed softly.
“You’re welcome.” He stood silent on the phone for a second. “Look, Jen, I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done. I need you in my life.” he said apologetically. “I thought you’d like to know that you got a promotion.” he chuckled lightly.
“A promotion?” I said surprised.
“Yeah, to office manager.” I could picture his all white-teeth smile on the other end of the phone.
“Office manager? And what exactly does that entail?” I said sarcastically.
“The same things you already do, but your authority extends to the front of the precinct and the entire detective unit.” I could hear him tapping his fingers relentlessly on his desk.
“What? How did you manage that?” I asked.
“I’m the boss, Jen. It’s my job to promote.” he laughed. “Are you interested or what?”
“Well, then I guess I can’t complain about that. Of course, I’ll take it.” I said overjoyed. Maybe I could start hiring and firing…starting with Cassandra.
“There are some files I have on my desk. If you don’t mind, just file them.” he tone changed. “Yeah, listen…you might not want to open the first two files, though.”
“Wait, I thought someone else was going to file and what happened to the Hunter files? The copies weren’t in the cabinet.”
“Don’t worry about that I gave it to Cassandra to place in the archives. it’s way too old.”
“Okay, anyway, don’t I have some managing to do? And why don’t I want to open the first two files?” I asked curiously.
“I didn’t want to tell you, but…Mr. Thomas and his sister in law are dead.” he whispered softly.
“What? When?” I was stunned to hear the news.
“That night that Mrs. Thomas left the hospital with her sister…we don’t know what happened exactly because we don’t have any witnesses…or anything else for that matter… but she was found dead in the parking lot. A bullet straight to the head, not to say she didn’t deserve it,” he said with no remorse.
“How’s that possible when she was going straight to the airport from the hospital. She had no reason to go into the parking lot? What about Mr. Thomas?”
“He was killed at Rikers Island, inside job probably. Remember, he was a drug dealer.” He yawned.
“Dave, my God…how could this happen? Why would someone want to kill her?”
“Who cares…two less pieces of shit on the street,” I could visualize him shrugging his shoulders and tapping his fingers.
“Dave…don’t say that, they’re human beings, like you and me. Would you like someone to do that to me?”
“You…hell no…me…well.”
“David Hearns, don’t you ever say that about yourself…ever. I’ll never forgive you if you think that way.” I barked over the phone. “I’m on my way.”
“Fine…I’ll see you when you get here.”
I walked into the precinct and bumped into Nick and Cassandra. I kept walking and tried to walk hurriedly passed them down the corridor to Dave’s office. Nick eyed me all the way down the corridor. It’s strange how Nick and I passed each other like strangers in the night. We were friends once, but not anymore.
“Dave,” I said as I placed my belongings on his desk.
�
�Hey Jen,” Dave stood up and placed his arm around me.
“I’m ready to work.” I patted him on the back and walked over to the cabinet. “I’d like to see those files.”
“You’re not a detective Jen. Forget about them…it’s just not worth it. I’ll see you tomorrow. I gotta go out in the field and do some investigating.” He yawned loudly, waved, and walked out of the office.
I sat down on the swivel chair and scoped out the office. Coffee cups, cigarette butts, and the smell of two-day-old coffee wreaked through the air. I shook my head in disgust.
“Same old Dave” I whispered to myself.
I opened the first file that read,
Reagan Franco (Sister of Megan Thomas)
Reagan Franco, age 35, DOB 1-2-1979, single gunshot wound to the head.
At 1830 hours, On March 15, 2014, I responded to the parking lot of New York Hospital for a report of suspicious activity. During a search of the area, I discovered a female lying on her back across a footpath of the parking lot with her head pointing in a northeasterly direction. I observed an apparent single gunshot wound to the victim's head. Fire Department ambulance number 6 responded to the scene, and Paramedic Jennifer Keegan pronounced the victim dead at 1840 hours, March 15, 2014.
Captain David Hearns
I found it odd that Dave was called to the scene when he was with me dropping me off to write a report on the incident at children’s services. I thought about Mrs. Thomas and how I saved her life that day from her abusive husband and how unappreciative she was. I almost wished that Dave would have killed Mr. Thomas and now I feel guilty for even thinking that way. I never expected Mrs. Thomas’ sister to be dead, let alone, being killed as soon as she walked into the parking lot. Why did she even go into the parking lot? She didn’t have a car. She was going to take a cab. It just seemed so strange. I was startled when my cell phone rang and Michael’s name was flashing.
“Hey.” I answered.
“Hey baby, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Are you safe?” I asked.
“I’m leaving the office now. I want to see you,” he said.
“Come to the precinct. I’ll be waiting.” I said.
I began to clean up the garbage that was piled high in the corner of the room. I needed an extra garbage bag but no one passed by to clean the room. They were in desperate need of a new janitor. I sort of missed Stevie…and that was another mystery.
Michael came to the precinct walking in with a large wicker picnic basket in his hand and his coat in the other. His nose was read and his cheeks were rosy. His blue suit jacket was opened and his tie was hanging loosely around his neck. He looked simply gorgeous.
“Cold out there, huh?” I walked over to grab the basket from his hands. “What’s this?” I asked as my heart skipped a beat as soon as he walked through the door. His beautiful face lit up the dark, somber room and I blushed as he glared at me up and down.
“Late, Late dinner, baby. You. Look. Beautiful. Give me that nose.” He leaned in and kissed my nose and I tippy-toed to kiss his lips.
“Wow, I’m impressed.” I whispered.
“And I’m in love with my wife…here, sit baby, sit.” He grabbed the basket and started taking out the contents. There were Chinese food boxes, grapes, and tiny cubes of cheese wrapped in plastic.
“Michael, Chinese food? My favorite.”
“Actually, it’s Thai food. I hope you like it. Coconut rice…Thai noodles, some fortune cookies.” he said smiling. He pulled out two candles and a bottle of Korbel.” He placed the candles on the desk then removed a blanket from the basket.
“Shall we,” he tilted his head to the side and motioned to the floor.
“Not on the floor Michael, we’ll have some creepy crawlers joining us. Let’s sit on top of the desk.” I motioned with my hand and tapped the top of the desk.
“Ok…I’ll place the candles on the cabinet.” he laughed placing the candles on the cabinet and flicking the lighter as he lit the wick.
“This is so romantic. I love it…Thank you.” I batted my eyelashes at him flirtatiously.
“This is nothing…we have so much more to look forward to.”
“You’re right…and I can’t wait.”
“Dig in.” He fed me coconut rice and I fed him the noodles. We snuck in baby kisses as we swallowed our food and sipped champagne. I couldn’t help but worry how our happy life could end in an instant. Stephen Marquis was a free man, completely free, and Michael made it happen. If he did kill those women, anyone could be his next victim…even me.
CHAPTER 6
It was New Year’s Eve and the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies filled the air. Margaret and Dave were coming over to ring in the New Year with us. Tilly and Eddie were already at our home. We were all tired from the honeymoon, but we all wanted to ring in the New Year together. I cooked the traditional Christmas dinner for New Year’s Eve with a beautiful turkey with fresh cranberries and all of the trimmings; mashed potatoes and gravy, corn bread and a green bean salad. Eddie and Michael were drinking Coronas and snacking on some warm chocolate chips cookies that I just had made while watching the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. Eddie then got up and walked into the kitchen to get some more beers from the fridge. He looked over at me and said,
“Hey, smells good in here, Brownies?” he said opening up the oven.
“Yeah, you want to taste the batter, I made from scratch?” I fed him the batter on the spoon. Michael walked in,
“Are you hitting on my wife?” He said with an eyebrow raised. He grabbed the spoon from my hand and stared at Eddie.
“Give me a break! You’re just jealous because she didn’t let you lick the spoon?” he grabbed Michael from behind and hugged him.
“I don’t need to lick the spoon. I’ve tasted those brownies.” He winked at Eddie. I was embarrassed. I knew what he meant and I didn’t think it was funny.
Eddie let go of Michael and pushed him playfully. Michael turned and looked at him and smiled. Eddie looked over at me and said,
“Watch this one, he’s really jealous of me.” He walked out and smacked Michael on the ass.
Michael flinched then laughed, placed the spoon in his mouth, set it on the table, then walked away. I was really surprised by his reaction and I didn’t know whether he upset or not, but I didn’t say anything and decided to ignore him and keep making dinner.
The doorbell rang and Tilly answered the door. It was Margaret and Dave. I washed my hands and went out to greet them. Margaret was delighted to see me again. I could tell by the bear hug she gave me. I giggled and she smiled. Dave walked over and shook Michael and Eddie’s hand. Then Dave waved at me and sat in the living room. Michael walked over to the bar and made him a drink.
“What are you drinking?” he asked.
“Scotch and club soda.” He answered.
“Man, it’s fucking freezing out tonight.” Dave said.
“Really? We were so used the hot weather out in Puerto Rico we didn’t even notice.” Michael chuckled.
“You had a good time, huh?” Dave said as he sipped on his drink. Margaret and I stood by the kitchen doorway watching Dave and Michael have a decent conversation without wanting to rip each other’s head off. We smiled at each other.
They sat down on the couch talking, drinking, and listening to music. Tilly’s eyes popped out of her head when she saw Dave. She looked like she was struck by lightning.
“Excuse me.” She said and headed to the bathroom. I could hear her hurling in the bathroom. I knocked on the door.
“Tilly are you okay?” I whispered.
“I’m okay, I think it was the cookies.” She chuckled.
“Very funny.” I walked into the kitchen.
Margaret stared at the bathroom door as I walked back to the kitchen.
“What’s wrong with Tilly?” Margaret asked.
“Nothing.” I gave her a hug.
“Are you feeling well? You look a little p
ale,” Margaret said.
“Yeah, much better.”
“Are you going to tell him today?” she asked curiously waiting patiently for my response.
“Yeah, I bought this Christmas ornament to give him; it says 2015,” I said excitedly pulling the box out of my apron and handing it to her. “I know it’s early but it will give us something to look forward to, right?” I swallowed the ball in my throat at the tears welled in my eyes.
“Oh my God! This is so exciting!” She glanced at it quickly and then gave it back to me. I grabbed her by the hand and we walked into the living room and made an announcement.
“Before we eat, I’d like to give Michael his present.”
Michael looked up at me and smiled and those beautiful blue-green eyes were staring at me, lovingly. I grabbed the boxed ornament out of my apron pocket and handed it to him.
“Happy New Year Michael…I wanted to give you this on Christmas day, but with the wedding and all, I wanted to wait until after.” I smiled as I stood in front of him waiting anxiously to see the reaction on his face.
Michael looked around at everyone hesitantly and smiled nervously. He opened the box and pulled out the ornament. It was an ornament shaped like a teddy bear and had an inscription that read, baby’s first Christmas. He stared at it for a moment. Then he looked up at me, his eyebrows furrowed and said,