by Kira Chase
“I didn’t ask her to take the case, I asked you.” Her eyes softened as she peered at Johanna. “Are you offering to give me the grand tour of Philadelphia and New York City? Or are you offering something more?” Her eyes grew sultry.
“She’s not offering you anything!” Frankie stood up, moved to Johanna’s side, and put an arm around Johanna’s waist. “We’re a team and for the past twelve years all decisions have been mutually made by us. Now I’m going to graciously ask you to leave our home or I will have no choice but to physically remove you.”
Gretchen threw her head back and laughed. “Do I look like I’m afraid?”
“Do us all a favor and leave, Gretchen.” Johanna put her hand over Frankie’s and gave it a little squeeze. From the daggers which appeared in Gretchen’s eyes, she was itching for a confrontation with Frankie, but Johanna was damned if she’d allow Frankie to take a verbal lashing from the likes of Gretchen.
“Johanna, if it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t have survived your first year on the police force. I pulled a lot of strings for you. You owe me. And I’m here to collect.”
“I owe you nothing! Every commendation I received I earned.”
“With my help. Face it, Jo, you didn’t have what it takes to do it on your own.”
Johanna smirked. “It won’t work, Gretchen, so you can just go back to California to your comfy desk job.”
“I quit the force years ago.”
“A rookie finally stood up to you?” Johanna kept her voice even as she glared at her. “I knew eventually you’d meet your match. Tell me who did it so I can congratulate her.”
“Your sarcasm is unbecoming. I quit for personal reasons if you must know.”
“Well, that’s really none of my business and personally I couldn’t care less. I’m sure you can find another PI to help you. Or better yet turn it over to the police. That’s what you should have done in the first place. If the threats are postmarked from Atlantic City, then you should contact the authorities there.”
“I can’t go to the police.”
“Gretchen, I don’t really give a damn about you or whatever mess you’ve gotten yourself into.” Johanna threw her hands up in exasperation. “Look, it’s late and I’d like to go to bed so I’m asking you politely to leave. If you don’t, I’ll call the sheriff.”
Gretchen’s back stiffened and her eyes flashed angrily as she rose. “You haven’t heard the last of me.” She put her coat on not bothering to button it. “Your perfect little world is going to come crashing down, Jo. Sooner than you think.” She straightened her shoulders as she passed Frankie. “Personally I think you could have done much better.” She turned on her heel and seconds later slammed out of the door. A couple of minutes later her car roared down the driveway. After waiting a few minutes, Frankie walked over to the security system and secured the gate.
“Mom, I want some answers and I want them now.” Johanna stared furiously at Gracelyn. “I can’t believe you’d give our address to Gretchen and invite her here. What were you thinking? Is that the real reason for this visit?” Her eyebrows knitted together. “You know how happy Frankie has made me. How can you treat her this way and in our own home? She’s never done anything to you and has always tried her best to make you feel welcome. She doesn’t deserve this. This is so unlike you, Mom. What about all those speeches about good manners and respect you poured down my throat when I was growing up? You’ve disrespected Frankie in her own home.” She turned to Frankie. “I know I told you I’d do this privately, but you have a right to hear this.”
Tears sprang to Gracelyn’s eyes. “Francine, I owe you an apology. You, too, Johanna.” She grabbed a tissue from the box on the end table. “I had no right to speak to you the way I did, especially in your own home when you’ve done nothing to warrant it.” She dabbed at her eyes and then twisted the tissue in her hands. “I don’t blame you if you can’t ever forgive me.”
Frankie seated herself in the chair Gretchen had vacated. “No, you don’t need to apologize,” she said quietly. “I only wish you knew how much I love your daughter and would give my own life to protect her. I’d never hurt her or allow anyone else to.”
Gracelyn looked down at her hands and then brought her eyes level with Frankie’s. “I do know that and I know how much she loves you in return.” She sighed wearily. “The way I talked to you was an act. I swear I didn’t mean a word of it. Several days ago Gretchen contacted me. It wasn’t weeks as she stated. I hadn’t heard from her in all these years before that nor did I have any reason to.”
Johanna’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to, but she said if I did there would be dire consequences for you and Francine. When I ran into Gretchen she asked how you were doing. I didn’t think anything of it since it was something anyone would ask about someone they hadn’t seen in years. I mentioned I was coming here for a visit and we made small talk for a few minutes and went our separate ways. A couple of days later I received the first of many phone calls from her. I wanted to warn you but I was afraid.”
“Why were you afraid, Mom?” Johanna’s voice softened as she sat on the arm of the chair her mother was seated on. “What exactly did she say? What were the dire consequences?”
Gracelyn grabbed Johanna’s hand. “She was forced to resign from the police force some years ago. She didn’t tell me that, but after she contacted me I did a search on the Internet and found out about her dismissal. The case was settled out of court and the details were sketchy.”
“It doesn’t surprise me, but what does her getting canned have to do with me?”
“I’m getting to that.” She cleared her throat. “After she was fired she opened some type of investment company. It’s going under and now she’s trying to raise money to pay off the investors she scammed. Apparently, she never invested the money anywhere and every dime she received went into her own pocket.” Her lips trembled. “Her business venture implicates you, Johanna. She claims you went into this venture with her.”
Johanna broke out in laughter. “That’s ridiculous,” she said, shaking her head back and forth. “I haven’t been in contact with her since I transferred to Philadelphia. And I certainly never would have gone into any type of business venture with her.”
Gracelyn’s gray eyes narrowed. “I told her as much, but she claims that you’re the one who actually came up with the plan and she only put it into action with your approval.”
“That’s even more ridiculous. Did she say who’s blackmailing her?”
Gracelyn frowned. “Some woman she’d been having a relationship with. The woman has since moved to Atlantic City.”
“Why is the woman blackmailing her?”
“Gretchen talked the woman into investing an enormous sum of money. When the woman wanted out, Gretchen refused. She threatened to turn Gretchen in to the authorities unless Gretchen paid her back every dime she’d invested.”
Johanna shrugged. “I wouldn’t call that blackmail. The woman deserves to get her money back and to file charges against Gretchen.” Her eyebrows knitted together. “I know Gretchen is capable of a lot of things, but a scam like this is unbelievable even for her. She should have known that it would never work. And it doesn’t make sense why she would want to hire me to investigate this woman. What’s the missing piece here?”
Frankie thoughtfully rubbed her chin. “I agree with you, Johanna. There’s something missing. The minute you talked to the woman she would obviously tell you what Gretchen had done.”
“I know. So what would Gretchen have to gain?”
“That’s not all, Johanna.” Gracelyn twisted her hands again. “When you and Frankie left Gretchen and me alone she showed me the contract she’d had drawn up for the investors. Your signed name is listed on it right under Gretchen’s as one of the principals.” She looked pointedly at Johanna. “I’m your mother and I’d even have a problem not believing that’s your legitimate signature.”
&n
bsp; Frankie’s jaw dropped. “Then she’s in even more trouble for fraudulently using and signing Johanna’s name.” She looked at Gracelyn. “There are handwriting experts who can verify that Johanna never signed the contract.”
Johanna’s face turned beet red with anger. “How dare she! I can’t believe this!” She stood up and paced back and forth across the living room floor. “I don’t know what to do,” she mumbled. “I need to figure this out.”
“We’d better talk to George tomorrow morning. He’ll know how we should proceed. It wouldn’t hurt to contact a lawyer, too.”
“She must have superimposed your signature,” Gracelyn added.
“It’s easy to make copies of anyone’s signature,” Frankie replied. “Again, specialists can prove that’s what happened.”
Johanna bit her bottom lip. “And of course the bitch had access to my personal information.” She looked at her mother. “Do you know the name of the woman she scammed?”
She shook her head. “No. I can’t remember it.”
Johanna stopped pacing and stood with her feet slightly apart and her hands on her hips. “Damn her!”
Frankie rose, walked over to her and placed a hand on Johanna’s arm. “We’ll get through this, honey. Let’s just keep clear heads,” she said calmly. “We need to take this one step at a time and George should be the first step.”
Johanna thoughtfully rubbed her chin. “No. I want to bring her down without George’s help.” Her eyes flashed.
“We all need to get a good night’s sleep and deal with this in the morning,” Frankie said.
“You and Mom go to bed. I need to think.” She sighed wearily. “I have to sort this mess out.”
“I’ll stay up with you.”
Johanna laid a hand on her shoulder, and gave it a little squeeze. “Get some sleep, babe. I promise I won’t stay up late.”
“Maybe I’ll just sit with you for a while.”
“It’s okay. I want to talk to Mom for a few minutes.”
“Okay, then. Don’t stay up too late.” She nodded at Gracelyn. “Goodnight, Gracelyn.”
“Goodnight, Francine. I truly am sorry for my mistreatment of you.”
Frankie saw the genuine pain and guilt in the older woman’s eyes and knew that Gracelyn really was acting out of character. She walked over to Gracelyn and gently patted her arm. “It’s okay, Gracelyn. You were put in a tough situation. It isn’t your fault and it was unfair of Gretchen to put you in that situation. Now don’t you two stay up too late. Tomorrow we’ve got to decide how to handle this situation.”
* * * *
Once inside the bedroom Frankie stripped off her clothes, then climbed into bed and huddled under the heavy blankets and comforter. The howling wind with its lonely desolate sound made her yearn for Johanna’s warm body cuddled next to her. She burrowed even deeper under the covers. She hoped Johanna wouldn’t be long. She yawned as her mind drifted over the odd events of the night until exhaustion overtook her and she eventually fell into a fitful sleep.
Two hours later she awakened when the bedroom door quietly opened and closed. She heard Johanna tiptoe into the darkened room and listened to the sounds of Johanna removing her clothes. A moment later Johanna slipped into bed and rolled onto her side pressing her body tightly against Frankie’s back.
The heat from Johanna’s body as her smooth skin touched Frankie’s was overpowering. When Johanna wrapped her arms around her, Frankie murmured contentedly. She always had the feeling of peace and security when Johanna was next to her.
“Babe, I know you’re not asleep,” Johanna whispered close to her ear. She ran a hand over Frankie’s bare shoulder. “I need you, Frankie, more now than I ever have. I’m so scared, baby. Please hold me.”
Frankie rolled over and quickly scooped Johanna into her arms. She softly kissed her. “We’ll be okay,” she whispered. “Everything is going to be okay. We’ll get through this together, I promise you. We’re an unbreakable team.”
Johanna started to speak, but Frankie put a finger to Johanna’s lips. “No, sweetie. No more talking tonight. I just want to hold you and make sweet quiet love to you. We can talk about all of this tomorrow.” She kissed her intensely as her hands traveled over Johanna’s smooth, soft skin. After caressing each other for several minutes, Frankie slowly pushed back the blankets, scooted her body to the foot of the bed, and tenderly urged Johanna’s legs apart. She found Johanna’s hot clit eager and waiting for the release Frankie was more than willing to provide.
Johanna’s ass wriggled as her excitement grew, making Frankie grow even hotter than she already was. After Johanna came in a shuddering eruption, Frankie kept her face buried in Johanna’s pussy for a few minutes then eased her body up and lay on her back turning her face towards her.
Johanna leaned over and kissed her passionately as she slid her body on top of Frankie’s. Frankie put her arms around her and cupped her ass as Johanna maneuvered their bodies so that their clits were touching.
Frankie sucked in her breath as a burning wave of desire shot through her when Johanna’s clit touched hers. Johanna expertly moved her body and it didn’t take Frankie long to climax as her fingers dug into Johanna’s strong back while she moaned with pleasure.
Afterwards, they lay wrapped in one another’s arms talking quietly. When Johanna finally fell asleep, Frankie lay awake formulating in her mind a plan to trap and convict Gretchen Wyler while clearing Johanna’s name. Her fingertips softly touched Johanna’s baby smooth cheek and she knew that clearing Johanna’s name was her number one priority. Her plan would plunge them both into areas neither would want to go, but would have to. She was assured that their love would stand up and conquer whatever they had to endure and they would emerge even stronger than before. She held Johanna tighter vowing to do whatever it took to protect her.
Chapter 6
Frankie was on her second cup of coffee when Johanna walked into the kitchen the following morning. She watched as Johanna poured herself a cup of coffee, walked over to the breakfast nook, then pulled out a chair and sat down across from her.
“Good morning, babe,” Johanna said brightly.
“Morning, sweetie.” Frankie took a sip of coffee. “I came up with a plan and I need to run it by you,” she said quietly.
Johanna lifted an eyebrow. “I get the feeling I’m not going to like it.”
“You won’t, but it’s the only way.”
Johanna looked anxiously into Frankie’s eyes. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”
“We need to clear your name,” she said firmly. “No matter what it takes.”
“I agree,” Gracelyn said, walking into the kitchen. “But before we get started on that, what would you girls like for breakfast?” She smiled cheerfully at them.
“Mom, you’re not going to cook while you’re here. This is supposed to be a vacation for you,” Johanna said, pulling herself to her feet. “I’ll fix breakfast.”
Frankie grimaced as she stood. “Sit down and relax and I’ll fix breakfast,” she said, patting Johanna’s shoulder. She walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of eggs and a package of bacon. “Believe me, Gracelyn, you won’t feel like eating if Johanna cooks.”
Gracelyn laughed as she seated herself in the seat Frankie had vacated. “She never did care for cooking.”
“Why should I when growing up I had a wonderful cook and now have another one?”
Frankie turned and winked at her. “Ah, you know how much I love to cook.” She turned her attention back to her breakfast preparations. “But now in the baking department there’s no question that her cakes could win a prize.”
“She did win an award for a pineapple upside down cake in high school,” Gracelyn recalled. “I believe it was in the tenth grade.”
Johanna blushed. “That’s about the only thing I ever won an award for in school.”
Gracelyn laughed again. “Not to change the subject, but what are you going to do about this situa
tion with Gretchen, Johanna? Have you and Francine come up with any ideas?”
Johanna glanced at Frankie who was busy cracking eggs into a bowl. “I’m going to find out how many people she’s scammed and at the same time try to clear my name. There’s no way she’s going to get away with this.”
“I shouldn’t have given your home address to her, Johanna. She had me so frightened. I didn’t know what to do.” She sighed heavily.
“It’s not your fault, Mom. She’s good at scaring people. When I knew her she never cared who she hurt or how she hurt them. All she cared about were her own selfish needs. She hasn’t changed.” She ran a hand over her chin. “She’ll get hers sooner than she thinks. Karma is a bitch.”
“I hope so,” Gracelyn replied uneasily as her eyes drifted to the TV Johanna had turned on. “There’s an update on the storm.”
Johanna watched the storm coverage for several minutes, then rose, walked over to the cupboard, with plates and silverware, and set the table while Frankie piled scrambled eggs and bacon onto a platter. Frankie picked up the platter and carried it to the table while Johanna walked back to the counter and retrieved the plate of toast.
“The weatherman said there’s almost half a foot of snow out there on top of the ice,” Gracelyn announced.
Frankie nodded. “I didn’t even venture down to the paper box to see if the newspaper had come.” She shrugged. “I’d be surprised if it had. I remember our second or third winter here. We were snowed in for almost a week. Remember, Johanna?”
Johanna grinned. “I sure do. But thanks to you always keeping us well stocked, we had nothing to worry about. It was like a mini vacation.”
“It is very secluded here,” Gracelyn observed. “Aren’t you two ever afraid being so cut off from civilization? Look what happened last night.”
“Like I told you repeatedly, Mom, we wouldn’t have it any other way,” Johanna said. “Last night wouldn’t have happened if I’d remembered to secure the gate. I never thought I’d love living away from a city, but I do. This is paradise. I love the peace and quiet.”