Tactical Pursuit

by Lynette Mae

  “I can’t believe we're both finally falling for a woman—at the same time. Must be some super alignment of the stars.”

  Mac joined her in laughter as she headed back to the kitchen for fresh beers. “Anyway, what’s going on at work? Anything good?”

  “Yeah, actually I need to talk to you about something.” She waited for Mac to settle again. “Do you remember Kelsey Sinclair’s case? The auto theft ring?” With everything else going on, there hadn’t been an opportunity to tell Mac about Honeycutt’s son lurking around.

  “You’ve got that ‘you’re not gonna fucking believe this’ look. What’s up?”

  Devon sighed and took a long drink from her beer. “Her number one suspect turns out to be the guy Jessie, Nate, and I got into that knock-down-drag-out fight with before I went to Orlando.”

  “I remember.” Mac dropped her head onto the back of the couch.

  Devon shifted to look directly at Mac. “His name is Vincent Honeycutt.”

  Mac’s mouth opened and closed, her eyes wide as the words sunk in.

  “What’s worse is some strange shit’s been going on. I didn’t want to say anything at first, ’cause it might have been my wild imagination or even coincidence, but it’s got to all be related.”

  Mac sat forward on full alert now.

  Devon walked over to the desk and pulled out the folder of information that Kelsey had gathered and handed it to Mac. She leafed through the records as Devon continued to explain.

  “When I saw who he was the night of the arrest, I asked Kelsey to order the military record. I saw her on a call the other night and she let me know he made bail. Junior’s back on the street.”

  “Holy shit,” Mac breathed. She handed the file back to Devon.

  Devon stared at the picture of Chief Warrant Officer Honeycutt with an uneasy feeling inside. She flipped a few pages back to have a look at Vincent. While his father had twisted the system to further his agenda, Junior, on the other hand, operated in total disregard for any rules, including the law. He was a revenge-driven criminal mind with a running head start. His last booking picture glared at her. It was an image of pure evil, complete with anarchy and swastika tattoos and black, lifeless eyes.

  “I guess Junior has an ax to grind.” Mac said.

  Devon nodded. “So it would seem.”

  “So, what now?”

  “Kelsey doesn’t have enough to charge anyone, yet. I’ve been poking around over there, trying to help her, but so far nothing.”

  “First of all,” Mac pointed her finger at Devon. “You don’t go near there without having somebody with you. Preferably, several people. Understood?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “No. I know how you are. If you get the chance, you’ll go barreling in there like a bull in a china shop. You don’t know what he’s capable of, Dev. Seriously.”

  “You need to be careful, too. I mean, he could be targeting both of us.”

  “But how would he have all of this information?” Mac shook her head.

  “His dad had access to a lot of records. Who knows? Maybe someone is feeding him information now. Our old friend, Honeycutt, was conniving, he kept lots of notes on all of us, remember? It’s possible he had copies that they didn’t find back then. That would explain things. If his father kept his own files, then he has my name, your name—” Her eyes shifted to meet Mac’s.

  “Oh, you don’t think...?”

  Devon said, “He might have us all in his crosshairs, or maybe not. I think we shouldn’t discount any possibility. I’ll keep an eye on Jessie. You better tell Jill.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  DEVON SAT IN a grocery store parking lot and checked her watch. Six-thirty. She looked at the road sign at the intersection and was fairly certain she was close, but showing up thirty minutes early would be pathetic. But then again, it was better than being late, right? And Jessie was the last woman in the world that she wanted to keep waiting. This was the first time she would be picking Jessie up at home—her parent’s home. That alone was enough to rattle her nerves. Devon had been introduced briefly at Jessie’s party, but the number of guests had precluded any real conversation that night. This was entirely different. Jessie was very close with her family, her mom in particular, and Devon understood the scrutiny on her tonight would be intense. She checked the time again. Six thirty-six. She ignored the inner voice needling about looking too anxious and dug the phone out of her pocket to dial Jessie.

  “Hi,” Jessie said after the second ring.

  “Hi.”

  “Is everything okay? You’re still coming, right?”

  “Absolutely,” Devon rushed to reassure her. “I just didn’t want to be late and…well…” She laughed at herself and started over. “I’m right down the street at the grocery store. I can wait if you want.” She hoped Jessie wouldn’t mind that she’d brought her motorcycle tonight. All weekend she dreamed of streaking through the night with Jessie clinging tightly to her back and the rumble of the engine beneath them. She had even gotten up early that morning and spent a couple of hours washing and detailing the bike until every inch of it gleamed in the sunlight.

  Now Jessie laughed with her. “No, silly. Come down Main and take the first right. I’ll be waiting outside.” Minutes later, Jessie waved as Devon rounded the corner. If the sport bike surprised her she didn’t show it.

  From behind the mirrored face guard of her helmet Devon admired Jessie’s beauty as she parked. The glow of the late afternoon sun reflected in her hair, and she tucked a strand behind her ear as she eased up to the side of the bike. Tonight she was wearing a sleeveless green top that perfectly matched her eyes, and the deep vee cut of the collar revealed the long line of her neck, coming to a point between her breasts. Well-worn jeans fit snugly to accentuate her narrow waist and the curve of her hips and tapered to where they covered the tops of black boots. Devon set the kickstand with her heel and swung her leg over the seat, acutely aware of Jessie’s eyes on her as she pulled off her helmet and gloves.

  The discolored remnants of bruises still remained on Jessie's face, and Devon stepped closer to delicately brush the tip of her thumb just beneath her eye. The bruise there had faded to a pale greenish color. Careful not to apply pressure, she took Jessie’s face between her hands and inspected the area closely before placing a feather light kiss over the wounded area. A picture of the punch crystallized in her mind, instantly pushing the button on her anger. She clenched her jaw, vowing that Vincent would pay dearly for his transgressions.

  Jessie moved closer and Devon gathered her into a full body hug, rewarded by feel of Jessie’s arms around her.

  “Mmm, hello,” she murmured against Devon’s neck.

  Devon breathed in deeply, immersing herself in Jessie’s warmth, letting her anger melt away in the soothing embrace. Jessie’s scent was an alluring mixture of warm vanilla and jasmine with a hint of spice that infused Devon’s blood. Jessie traced her hand along Devon’s spine, sending shockwaves through her system and her knees felt weak. She tightened her grip around the woman in her arms.

  “Hello,” she answered, glad she could get away with a one-word answer because she was certain that a sentence would be too complicated the way her brain was shutting down.

  The sounds of laughter floated toward them from the house, and Devon remembered that Jessie’s family was inside. She heard them talking through the open screen door just twenty feet up the cement walkway. A new round of butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She looked apprehensively at the modest, one-story stucco house, painted in earth tones to match the rest in the quiet residential neighborhood. A plaque next to the front door said, Welcome Friends. That did nothing to calm her nerves.

  Jessie looked in the direction of the house and hesitated. “It’s kind of a long story. After the ugly breakup last year I had to move back, but it’s only temporary.” She glanced at the house and back to Devon. “Is it okay if we go chat with them for a few minutes? I know they
’re all in there just dying to talk to you. If we don’t go in soon, they’ll be pressing their faces to the windows. I promise we won’t stay long.”

  Devon watched embarrassment paint the tips of Jessie’s ears a deep red, positive she couldn’t get any more adorable. She lifted a shoulder. “No sweat. First date, meet the parents.” She took Jessie’s hands in her own. “Anything you want.”

  Mercifully, the visit did not last long. The Kilbrides were very nice people, appropriately concerned about their daughter. Her father gave Devon a long, appraising look that became friendly when he learned that Devon was a fellow army vet. “I was in 'Nam in sixty-eight and sixty-nine. Glad to know Jessie’s improving on her choices.” He winked. “I could tell right off you had respect. That last one—”

  “Charles.” His wife cut in.

  Jessie gave Devon an apologetic smile. “They’re just a little protective since…”

  A clock chimed loudly from the corner, interrupting her explanation, and Devon was glad to be able to change the subject for Jessie’s sake. “That is beautiful,” Devon moved closer to the ornately carved grandfather clock standing floor to ceiling in the corner of the room. The brass pendulum alone must have been four feet long. “Workmanship like that is a lost art these days.”

  “It’s been in my family for four generations,” Mrs. Kilbride’s voice brimmed with pride.

  Jessie hurried her mom and dad through a final, brief conversation and then announced they'd be late for their dinner reservations if they didn't go now. Mr. Kilbride told them to be careful and Jessie’s mom asked twice whether Jessie had her cell phone.

  She smiled indulgently at her mother. “Yes, Mom, I’ve got it. Don’t worry. And, we might be late, so don’t wait up, okay?”

  Devon held her breath waiting for the reaction, but Mrs. Kilbride only said, “Be careful, honey.”

  “We will, Mom.”

  Jessie stopped at the closet in the foyer and retrieved a motorcycle helmet from the top shelf. She closed the door and pulled a pair of leather gloves from inside the helmet as they stepped outside. Devon started to walk toward her bike, but instead of following down the walk, Jessie turned right and moved toward the garage. She pulled up the large door, revealing a brilliant blue Suzuki Katana 750, the same color as the helmet in her hand. That bike would easily keep pace with Devon’s Yamaha GTS 1000. She never figured Jessie for owning a bike, let alone a touring bike of that size. Devon stood there wide-eyed with newfound respect.

  “What?” She gave Devon a mischievous grin.

  “Nothing, I just didn’t realize you had a bike. Every time I think I’ve got you figured out, something new gets added to the mix. You are certainly full of surprises.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  Devon shook her head. “No. It’s absolutely a good thing.”

  A new sparkle in Jessie’s eyes said she liked the answer. “Do you mind if we take both bikes?” The question was rhetorical because Jessie was already rolling the machine out into the driveway. She turned the key and twisted the throttle. The engine roared to life. Jessie pulled the helmet over her head, pushing the dark face guard up with her left thumb and revealing those stunning green eyes that twinkled as she laughed.

  “You ready?” she asked over the rumble of the powerful engine.

  “Yeah.”

  Devon’s plan had been to pick Jessie up and take her to dinner, the two of them sharing her ride. She’d scarcely thought of anything else all day. Now here was this amazing woman flashing a kilowatt smile from inside her helmet, sitting on her own motorcycle with an unmistakable flirtatious challenge in her eyes.

  “Then, let’s go,” Jessie called playfully.

  Devon climbed back on her bike and started the engine. She made a slow U-turn in front of the house, while Jessie coasted hers out of the driveway. They drove leisurely down the street and out of the neighborhood. As soon as they reached the main road, Jessie glanced over her shoulder and then cranked back on the throttle. The bike rocketed down the road, carrying Jessie toward the horizon, leaving Devon no choice but to chase her toward the setting sun.

  AFTER DINNER THEY lingered on the restaurant’s deck enjoying the clear night and the warm sea breeze. A half-moon shone brightly in the sky, its reflection shimmering on the surface of the dark water as the waves lapped against the rocks below them. Jessie had proven to be delightful company. She entertained Devon with stories from her childhood right up through her greatest blunders and achievements during her recently completed police training.

  Devon had struggled during their entire meal to keep up with the conversation. It wasn’t as if she wasn’t interested in what Jessie had to say, she was. The problem was that little gestures or an inflection in Jessie’s voice would distract her. She had drifted again. Jessie finished speaking and Devon refocused. “The first night we met you said you always wanted to be a police officer. Any special reason for that?” Devon refilled their wine glasses and set aside the empty bottle.

  “Always,” Jessie said. The clarity in her expression was amazing. Devon wasn’t sure she’d ever thought about being a cop before her military service. “My favorite TV character was Christine Cagney,” Jessie mused.

  Devon laughed. “That character didn’t make me want to be a cop, but it was my favorite show for other reasons. I think having a crush on her was kind of a requirement for being a lesbian.”

  “Me, too,” Jessie said. “Anyway, I knew the first time I saw that show. I told my mom I was going to be a detective just like Cagney someday.”

  “So, you want to be a detective, do you?”

  “Yep. I love sifting through a crime scene and searching for clues. Nate said the best investigators pay attention to detail and what isn’t said as much as to what’s said.”

  “He’s absolutely right. Also, remember to compare statements to what you see at the crime scene. If they don’t match up, or something doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t.”

  Jessie nodded. “I’ll remember. What about you? Did you always dream of being a cop?”

  “No. I had a military career in mind, but that didn’t work out. Now that I’m here, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing. I mean that sincerely.”

  “I completely agree.” Jessie’s enthusiasm lit her eyes.

  “Normally I’d tell you to wait a few years and see if you still feel that way, but in your case I’d say you’ve found your calling.” Devon smiled at Jessie’s blush.

  “After my party, I wasn’t sure you would want to see me again,” Jessie said, changing the subject.

  “Why would you ever think that?”

  “It’s…ahh, you’re a corporal, a trainer, a SWAT officer. You have so much going on in your life. I see you around the station, always surrounded by people and activity, and I’m just—I don’t know.” She seemed at a loss to complete her thought.

  “Are you kidding? I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that very first day I saw you in the gym.” It was the unvarnished truth. Devon watched Jessie process the message, her expression moving from uncertainty to pleasure. “After your party, all I wanted to do was to spend more time together.” She reached out to take Jessie’s hand on the table, feeling fortunate to be in such superb company. “I’m sorry I didn’t call when I first got to Orlando. Please don’t think it was lack of interest on my part. I hope this date will be the first of many.”

  Jessie squeezed Devon’s hand. “I’d like that.”

  “So you had to move back with your folks a while back?” Devon ventured without judgment.

  “Uh huh. After my last relationship imploded. My parents have been great, although they’re understandably gun shy of my prospective dates. Because Angela—” Jessie stopped and looked thoughtful, as though considering the rest of her answer. “My ex and I were together for about two years. You met her at the party.”

  “A pleasure.”

  Jessie tried to stifle a laugh. “Anyway, she wasn’t m
uch for fidelity. She’s more the controlling, womanizer type.” She sighed. “I don’t know why I waited so long to confront her. I wonder now if her lies were that easy to believe or if I was afraid to face my own failure. I guess I wanted to believe she cared. In the end, it didn’t really matter.” Jessie studied her wine when she finished.

  Devon said, “Angela is a fool. You make thoughts of any other women impossible.” Jessie stared intently, as though needing to confirm Devon’s sincerity. “It’s true.”

  Jessie gave her a grateful smile that filled the moments of silence.

  “So, what about you?” Jessie’s question broke the spell.

  Devon sipped her water. “What would you like to know?” A familiar twinge of discomfort gripped her gut, but the warmth of Jessie’s expression was reassuring.

  “Tell me about your life.”

  “Wow.” Devon blinked. “All thirty-three years, or can I hit the highlights?” When Jessie laughed her entire face lit up and Devon was completely captivated.

  “I want to know what makes you who you are,” Jessie said. “I mean, I know that you're a very capable police officer, but sometimes I can see so much more in your eyes.”

  Devon held her gaze but didn’t answer. She feared Jessie could see what others didn’t.

  “Let’s start with an easy one,” Jessie said lightly. “How many brothers and sisters do you have?”

  “One of each—older sister, younger brother.”

  “Middle child, huh? Me, too.” Jessie grinned. “Do they live here?”

  “My brother lives in the Midwest, I think, and my sister lives in Pittsburgh.”

  “You don’t know where your brother lives?”

  “We don’t share the same values in life,” Devon said simply. When Jessie looked puzzled, she added, “He spent a few years in prison. We don’t keep in touch.”