Taurus: Zodiac Killers #6

by WL Knightly

  “I hope I can help.” Bay eased back in his seat, eager to hear what she could be referring to.

  “She said that the mark that Seth bore on his shoulder might have something to do with his murder. She wanted me to tell her about it, but other than it being his sign, I didn’t know much about it.”

  “And you think I do?”

  “You were one of Seth’s oldest friends, and I do happen to know that the other men my husband was friends with, like Finn for example, bore a similar mark. With you being their friend, I only assumed that you might have heard stories.”

  Bay stared deep into her eyes and read her expression. She didn’t seem to know anything, and if she did, she hid it well. “What theories has your FBI friend come up with?”

  “She said there were several others who bore such a marking, and she thinks that Seth’s was related somehow.” She stopped mid-sentence and shook her head. An awkward chuckle bubbled from her throat. “It sounds so crazy to say out loud. I’m sorry.” She shook her head as Bay waited on pins and needles.

  “Don’t be silly. You can tell me anything. Seth was my friend, and if there’s anything I can tell you, I will.”

  “She claims that Seth may have been involved with a cult. She said that she is going to try to get others with the marking to come forward.”

  Bay’s face fell, and he was not amused that the nosy agent had decided to do as she’d told Darek. He was going to have to call him up and get him to take control of his woman, or he would do it for him. He plastered a grin on his face and gave a hearty chuckle. “She’s got quite the imagination.”

  “The only thing Seth ever said about it was that he belonged to a fraternity of sorts, but astrological signs are not quite the same as Greek letters, are they?”

  “Their origins are all from Greek culture, yes, but the actual symbols are different.”

  Kari Lynn leaned forward in her chair. “So, you know about the mark my husband had?” She seemed eager to know the truth.

  Bay wasn’t sure how to answer. He hadn’t expected her to come in with this. “Do you really think your husband was a part of a cult, Kari? I mean, a sex club, yes. A large group of friends, a brotherhood, maybe? But a cult?” He gave a laugh like it was the most ridiculous thing he’d heard in ages.

  “I know. He’d die all over again if he knew anyone was saying such a thing about him. He was so particular about his reputation. He liked discretion. But I never saw any sign that he was a part of some crazy cult. Could you imagine what it would do to his political career had he lived?” She eased back in her chair. “I want to find out who shot him, Bay. He didn’t deserve it. I know he had come here to do business with you and Alan Lowe, and you guys were his friends.”

  “Yes, of course. I mean,” Bay tucked his chin to feign a bashful grin, “we shared our women. Of course, we were friends.”

  Kari’s face turned red. “I had wondered if you’d bring it up.” She looked down at her lap.

  “Hey, that is nothing to be ashamed of. I know Seth wouldn’t want us to be silly about it. You’re a dear friend in my eyes, Kari. Seth and I had our differences. We argued like brothers, and we liked to jab one another, but there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t have done for the man, and the same goes for you, you know?” He tried his damnedest to sound sincere and cranked up his charm. “I’m going to make it my duty to be here for you now.”

  She put her hand on her heart. “Thank you. It means a lot for you to say that.”

  “I think Seth would approve. Besides, I understand your needs.” He kept his eyes trained on hers and lowered his voice to a sultry tone. “And I do mean any need, Kari.”

  She tugged her collar, and Bay saw it as a sign. She was attracted to him. He walked over and stood in front of her. “I know if my Lila were to have lost me, she’d need someone to fill the void. And I’m not talking about replacing a place in your heart, but making sure that your desires stay fed, that you feel something other than the crowding numbness deep inside you.” He whispered the last words closer to her ear, and she looked up into his eyes.

  She gulped loudly. “The last time we made love was just before he left. He took me hard against the counter, and I’ve wanted to relive that moment again.”

  “Tell me what it was like, Kari. Tell me so I can ease your pain and grant your wish.” He reached out and touched her shoulder.

  She trembled. “He took me hard from behind,” she said. She stood up and stepped forward to his desk. “I faced the counter like this, and he said he wasn’t even going to undress me, and he pushed my panties aside to enter me.” She flattened her hands on the desk, and Bay watched as she closed her eyes, a sly smile curling his lips in the corner as he stuck out her hips as an offering.

  He stepped behind her and leaned forward to whisper in her ear. She was so young and petite, and he was going to love being inside her tight pussy as much as he’d loved being in her throat.

  “Tell me,” he said, rubbing his hand down her waist.

  “He said he wanted me to feel him between my legs after he’d gone, and he fucked me hard and deep and raw so I would.”

  “Is that what you desire, Kari?” She nodded.

  “Speak it.” He needed to hear her words.

  “Please. It’s what I desire.” She turned her head to the side as if offering her cheek to him, and he leaned forward and kissed it, nibbling her ear, breathing his warm breath into it while she panted.

  He lifted up her skirt and ripped her pantyhose open, revealing her slick pussy. “Yeah, you want this. Your last task to please your master.” Bay reached down to release his cock and aimed it at her center. In one long thrust, he buried it deep, gripping her arms tightly and not being gentle.

  She whimpered loudly, and he was sure there were tears running down her cheeks as he thrust and slapped against her. He wrapped his arms around her front, and she moaned loudly as her release overwhelmed her, driving her into a frenzy.

  She was a good little slut, and with a little work, she’d be a nice addition to his collection. She wouldn’t be as special as Mia, but he’d have more than his share of fun turning Seth’s beloved into his cock-hungry whore. He whispered close to her ear. “I bet he came inside of you too, didn’t he? Filled you up nice and full?”

  Kari moaned. “Yes, he did.”

  “Then so shall I.” He gave another thrust that made her knees weak, but he held her tight against him as his cock pumped his hot seed deep. “That’s a good little slut.” He turned her around and stared into her eyes, which were still closed tight. “You were right to come to me.”

  Kari opened her eyes, and it was as if only then did she realize what she’d done. Bay liked the look on her face, the shock and the horror. “Oh no,” she whispered. “I’ve done something horrible.” She pressed her hand to her mouth as Bay smiled. “I’ve betrayed Seth’s memory. You manipulated me.”

  “No, I didn’t, dear one. You knew exactly what you were coming here for.” He reached out and stroked her face.

  “Don’t touch me.” She backed away, and tears came to her eyes.

  “We’re two consenting adults, Kari. We share a sexual past. You shouldn’t beat yourself up about it.” He chuckled.

  “Seth always said you were horrible, but I didn’t think he meant you were evil.”

  Bay straightened his pants and then walked over to pour himself a drink at the bar. “Come now, don’t be insulting. We were getting along so well.”

  She collected herself and soon her tears turned to anger. “Do you have a mark too? One like Seth’s? I think you do.”

  “I don’t.” His, in fact, was very different from Seth’s.

  “Show me, then. Show me your shoulder.”

  Bay met her stare and grinned. “I don’t think I will.”

  “How do I know you didn’t kill him?”

  “Why would I have given you all that money and secured the property if I’d planned to kill your husband?”

  “I w
ill find out what happened, Bay. I will find out if this is you or someone else.” The promise burned in her eyes, along with a thousand regrets.

  “Have a good day, and I’m truly sorry for your loss.” He glanced toward the door, and she righted her skirt and smoothed down her hair. Once she was ready, she grabbed her handbag and walked to the door.

  “Oh, and Kari.” He waited for her to look over her shoulder to continue. “When you feel that sore gash between your legs, I do hope you think of me.”

  As she slammed the door, he was disappointed that things hadn’t gone better, but he should have known better than to head fuck a woman in mourning. So much for his plaything. And she had shown so much promise.

  Chapter 22

  Darek

  Darek kept his distance from Lizzy, and she pretended like she didn’t even see him most of the day, even though he had been in the same room with her for hours while she combed over old reports. The ugliness the day before had been fucked up, and he knew that he’d killed what they had between them, once and for all.

  It was a miserable feeling.

  Even though he’d broken things off in a brutal way, he still couldn’t help harboring feelings for Lizzy and the dream he had wanted with her. Her betrayal hadn’t been his choice, and while he now wished he could talk things out with her, he doubted it would help.

  At least he had Raven around to be his distraction. Of course, she had been a little upset that Lizzy had barged in, and he’d had to do some fast-talking to get her to stick around. She had the idea that with crazy exes in and out of his home, hers might be safer after all.

  “Aha!” he heard Lizzy exclaim. She got to her feet and cheered. “I knew it had to be here.”

  Max walked by with a cup of coffee and made his way to his desk. “What?”

  Lizzy held up an envelope. “The drawing. I forgot I put it in the folder. I didn’t want it to get smudged.” She held up the folder and waved it, causing Darek’s heart to skip a beat.

  Darek had hoped he would never see that fucking sketch again, and especially now that Lizzy had seen Raven face to face. “That’s good. But we need to be looking into every lead, and I do believe we’ve had a few calls from people at the hotel, right?” He knew of at least one.

  “If you’re talking about the anonymous tip we got, I’m not sure it’s going to amount to anything. Everyone I’ve talked to didn’t see a man, only a woman. Now, all I have to do is reach Stone’s widow, and hopefully, the woman will be able to come in and tell us something.”

  “You still haven’t heard from her?” asked Darek. In yesterday’s madness, he’d forgotten all about checking on Seth’s wife. He wanted to see if Bay had, or maybe even Alan, but with the Raven/Lizzy drama, he didn’t think any more about. Maybe Raven was taking a little too much of his stress away.

  “No, and she won’t answer my calls.”

  Lizzy slid the sketch from the envelope, and before she could look it over, Darek cleared his throat. “Have you tried calling her parents? I think I read in the report that her father was Stone’s boss. Maybe there is some connection there?”

  “I’ll just get right on that,” she said.

  “Damn, Lizzy,” said Max. “I’m glad I’m not on your bad side. You sure know how to be mean.”

  “Who says you’re not?” She gave Max a wink and turned the paper over to see the image. Her eyes narrowed and then she spun around in her chair. “What’s that girlfriend’s name again?”

  Darek let out a long breath. “I don’t think I told you. Probably because it isn’t your business to know.”

  “I’m making it my business. And you want to know why?” She got up from her desk and walked over.

  He knew damned well why, but he wasn’t going to own up to anything. “You’ve got to let it go, okay? So, I moved on. For all I know about your private weekend, you did too.”

  She leaned in and spoke softly. “I was alone that weekend. I wanted to clear my head and think about us without the interference of us. You were a weakness, a distraction, and I wanted to make sure it was because I was really in love with you and not because I was merely infatuated with you.”

  Darek felt the color drain from his face as she continued.

  “I’d always heard that it took missing someone to really understand your feelings, and so I thought getting away on my own might prove to me that I needed to take things deeper. Instead, it only showed me that I dodged a bullet, and you’re not the man I thought you were.” She crossed her arms in front of her, still clutching the sketch close.

  Darek didn’t want to believe it, but he couldn’t deny the hurt he could finally see in her eyes. She hadn’t grown bitter after all. She had been in love with him and might be still. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

  “At first, it was because I didn’t want to go too deep into my feelings, and then it was because you were too busy calling me a liar.” She threw the sketch across his desk. “What’s your girlfriend’s name?”

  Darek glanced down. “I don’t know what you’re driving at, but you might want to slow down.”

  “Don’t deny that she looks just like the woman in this sketch. Who, if I might remind you, is a person of interest in this little case we’ve been spinning our wheels on for weeks now.”

  Max walked over and glanced down at the sketch. “Damn, that’s your girlfriend? She’s looking good, man. Is she the one with the magic pussy?”

  Lizzy turned her head and gave Max a pointed look.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I guess I’ll just go and get more coffee.” He hurried away.

  “This could be anyone.”

  “Where did you meet her?”

  He pegged her with a hard look. “Are you serious, Lizzy? Stop letting your heartbreak cloud your judgment.” He had prepared himself not to admit anything in regards to Raven.

  “Don’t you dare make this about my heart. You’re the one who didn’t wait two fucking days before you found someone else!” There was the pain. It creased heavy in her brow. “Who is she?”

  “She’s a lot prettier than the woman in this drawing, and you’re way out of bounds for thinking they are the same person. I’d chalk it up to coincidence and move on.”

  “There is no coincidence, and I’ll find out who she is. You’re just scared I’m right. Now, I suggest you answer my questions, Detective. Or I may have to say that you’re trying to hinder the investigation. I know you wouldn’t like that.”

  He needed to calm her down and play on the part of her that might still love him. “I only moved on because I needed something to kill the pain. I know I messed up with you, and I just didn’t know how to handle it. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry too. Because we could have had something together, and now, neither one of us trusts the other. And right now, I think you’re trying to protect that woman. I don’t know why, but I think it’s best if I talk to Sam and have you removed from the case.”

  He couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of her mouth. She had been the one to put in a good word and had even recommended that he be brought in on the case in the first place. He had no doubt that she would succeed, and when that happened, it would ruin every chance of him being in the FBI.

  He gave her a pleading look. “You can’t mean that. This is just a lover’s spat, Lizzy. We care about each other, and it’s just gotten difficult. You don’t really want to do this.”

  “A lover’s spat? Don’t kid yourself now, not after you called it quits.” She snatched the sketch from the desk. “If I find out that you knew this woman was involved and you kept that from me, I’ll bury you. Do you hear me?”

  He heard her loud and clear, but she forgot something. “Do you think that Sam’s going to still love you when he hears what an easy little slut you are? You not only fucked me and compromised the investigation with the relationship, but I don’t think he’s going to be happy with how we spent the time in Virginia. Or Maryland for that matter.” He took a deep br
eath and stood from his desk. “If I go down, Lizzy, I’m taking you with me.” He turned to leave before he said anything else he regretted. If she wanted to play a game of hardball, she had better be ready for a fast pitch.

  As he headed out to the parking lot, his phone rang. He glanced down and saw Raven’s number. “This is a bad time, Raven.”

  “I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to walk into the station, but I need your keys. I locked mine in the house.”

  Darek shuddered to think she had come down there, and when he looked across to the lot, he saw her car beside his. “I see you. Stay in the car.” He hung up the phone and hurried over.

  She gave him a warm smile and put down her window. “I’m sorry for coming down. I should have listened to you and just put the stupid thing on my keyring, but I didn’t want to break a nail.”

  “A broken nail is the least of your worries.” He looked over his shoulder. “You need to get out of here.” He handed her his key off the ring.

  “I’m sorry, Darek. What’s the matter? Is it your partner?”

  “You mean ex-partner, and I’m pretty sure if she sees you, you’ll be arrested. She remembered you yesterday from the composite the eyewitness helped her draw up. She asked me a million questions about you, and if you really don’t want to be mixed up in this, I suggest you don’t waste time leaving.”

  “I don’t care that I’m mixed up. I didn’t do anything wrong, Darek. I didn’t kill Finn or Seth, and if that bitch needs to bring me in to figure that out, so be it. Our relationship isn’t illegal.”

  “No, it just looks bad, and I didn’t tell her. She’s already about to go and report me. She wants me off the case, and I’ve already told you why I have to stay on it.”

  “I’m sorry this is such a mess for you. I guess you probably want to stop seeing me now.” She drew into herself and stared at the steering wheel.

  He hated the disappointment in her eyes. “No, that’s not what I want. I like our friendship, Raven. Nothing will stop that, but maybe we should cool down a bit. We have gotten a little closer through all of this, and we had both agreed that it was best that we didn’t explore a serious relationship.”