Close-up: Take 1 of the Kanyon and Daylen Series

by K. B. Draper

  “We have Lydia having dinner with Daddy one night and giving lap dances to the son the next?”

  “Pretty much.” Kanyon nodded.

  Daylen flipped through the photos on the screen. “What do you think?” Kanyon finally asked.

  “The monitor is very NCIS.”

  “CSI: Denver,” Kanyon corrected. “It got canceled in pre-production. I got a good deal. But, I was talking about what you thought about the pictures.”

  “I’m not sure, but I do know I’m kind of hungry. Let’s go down to the kitchen and talk it all through.”

  “Does that include …?” Kanyon didn’t need to elaborate.

  “The case, talk the case through,” Daylen clarified. “No need to discuss anything else. It’s done and it’s really none of my business.” Daylen began to gather things from her desk, afraid to meet Kanyon’s eyes, convinced she would see the hurt and lies in them.

  Kanyon laid a hand on Daylen’s arm. “I want to talk about it. I need you to know–”

  Daylen blinked away tears that were threatening to form. “Kanyon, please.” Daylen stopped moving papers around and took in a steadying breath, hating that she sounded weak and vulnerable. “Kanyon, I don’t have any desire to talk about your love life. Let’s just solve the case and then you, we, can get back to our lives.” She pulled out of Kanyon’s grip and headed out of the office.

  Kanyon dropped her head. She’d give her time, but she would find a way to make Daylen believe her, make Daylen understand that Lexi was a regretful part of her past. A past she didn’t even understand. Lexi didn’t mean anything to her. She recalled last night, watching over Daylen as she slept, and the overwhelming connection she felt. The want, the desire, the need to protect and love her had been so strong. She’d even thought for a crazy second the connection had been real, that she could actually see it, a pulsing band of gold and red light that bound them together.

  Kanyon sighed and let the thoughts drift away as she turned to follow Daylen down to the kitchen. A tingling sensation, like a low volt of electricity, ran through her body. She looked down at her hands and arms. The current didn’t hurt, it felt like strength and power coursing through her veins and muscles. She flexed her fingers, balled them into fists, and released. Maybe I should lay off the coffee. The sensation subsided only to be replaced by embracing warmth, like a heated blanket being wrapped around her. She savored the moment as her senses picked up on a now familiar feeling. She spun slowly around, seeing nothing, she looked up. “Awww, Izzy. Did you just give me a supernatural love hug?”

  Her head knocked forward suddenly. “Ouch. Geez.” Kanyon rubbed the back of her head. “Hugs then head slaps? Man, you’re a moody Super-Guardian-Seeker-Guide or whatever.” She heard a faint chuckle as she headed down the stairs. This is so going to be a weird life, she thought as she walked into the kitchen. Daylen turned and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before she met Kanyon with a small, regretful smile. But it is going to be an amazing one.

  “Kanyon, I didn’t mean … I shouldn’t have …” She shook her head. “I’m sorry.”

  “If you’re making scrambled eggs, then all is forgiven.”

  Daylen nodded. “Scrambled eggs it is.”

  As Daylen cooked, they talked about the non-Lexi events of the evening and pieced more facts together.

  “I agree,” Daylen said as she sat two plates of scrambled eggs and toast on the table. “Junior is definitely involved. We have the same two goons from the warehouse that we had at the club last night and Lydia is obviously involved in a sexual relationship with Junior.”

  Kanyon forked in a mouthful of eggs. “What’s our next move?”

  “I think we go pay Senior a visit and see …” if I can get a read off him, “… if we can get any answers from him. We can go there under the pretense of doing backgrounds on the O’Connellys’ staff since he referred Lydia.”

  A powerful pounding came from the backdoor. Kanyon glanced over her shoulder. “Expecting a mad, but polite elephant this morning?”

  “Not this morning.”

  As Daylen moved past, Kanyon scooted her chair so whoever it was wouldn’t be entering at her back and the table wouldn’t be in the way if she needed to move quickly.

  Daylen reentered the kitchen talking to someone behind her. “This is an unexpected surprise for a Sunday morning. I didn’t know you worked Sundays.” Daylen stopped and eyed Kanyon, confused for a second as to why she moved around the table. Though Kanyon sat relaxed and looked to be casually eating her breakfast, Daylen could see tightness in her posture, like an arrow pulled back taut in a bow, waiting to strike at a flick of a finger.

  Kanyon examined the woman who stepped around Daylen, she was maybe forty-five and approximately 5’3, a hundred and five pounds at most. That included the weight of the large gun and badge hooked on her belt. They were probably normal size, but looked disproportionate on the small woman.

  “I work anytime there are pesky little issues running amuck in my town,” the woman said, irritated. “Kanyon, this is Lieutenant Pat Boston. Lieutenant, this–”

  “I know who she is.” Lt. Boston slapped a manila folder on the table in front of Kanyon.

  She has an attitude and dominates a room like a mad elephant. “Nice to meet you, Lieutenant,” Kanyon replied smoothly.

  Daylen moved around Kanyon laying a hand on her shoulder as she passed, a gesture she hoped Kanyon understood as please don’t antagonize the angry cop. “Can I get you something? Eggs? Toast?” Daylen offered.

  “Coffee,” Lt. Boston answered, still glaring at Kanyon while she took the chair across from her.

  “You’re missing out.” Kanyon took another bite. “She makes great eggs.”

  “I bet she does. But right now, I’m more interested in these.” Lt. Boston flipped open the folder and spread out a half-dozen photos. Kanyon ran her eyes over the photos then took another bite of her eggs. “Well, what do you have to say?”

  “I typically only sign photos my manager releases, but I could probably make an exception for you. Do you have a pen?”

  “Oh, Miss hot-shot actress has a sense of humor, does she?”

  Kanyon leaned over to take a closer look at the photos. “And a hell of a back kick apparently.”

  Daylen stepped between the two as she sat a cup of coffee in front of Lt. Boston. She took in the photos that showed Kanyon in various stages of fighting with the two men from last night. Daylen remembered little about the events after she had exited the bar. As for the events before that, she’d spent all morning trying to actively forget them. She picked up a photo of one guy bear-hugging Kanyon, another of her being dragged, and another which showed Kanyon’s satisfied smirk, the two guys decommissioned, with a lovely shot of her passed out and slack jawed in the background. Oh yeah, I’m a badass that doesn’t need protection, taken out by some girlie drinks. She gave the picture another look, dropped it, grabbed Kanyon’s wrist, and pushed down her sleeve in one quick motion.

  “Hey!” Kanyon protested.

  Daylen’s heart jolted when she saw the bandages wrapped around Kanyon’s arm from elbow to wrist. “I wondered why you were wearing long sleeves when it’s the middle of summer. Is the other arm just as bad?”

  Kanyon pulled her arm back and pushed down her sleeve. “It’s just a couple of scratches, no big deal.”

  “You have blood running down both of your arms. Damn it, Kanyon, I–”

  “Ah, excuse me. Pissed off cop over here wanting some answers,” Lt. Boston snapped.

  “We’ll talk about this later,” Daylen said to Kanyon as she walked around her to sit at the table.

  “Sure. We can add it to the growing to-be-talked-about-later list,” Kanyon mumbled.

  Daylen gave Kanyon a cool glare.

  Lt. Boston slapped a hand down on the table, drawing both women’s attention back to her. “As cute and fun as it is to watch the two of you, do you think we can take a break with the little love sp
at and one of you tell me why Miss Xena Warrior Princess wannabe here is fighting with two of Defalco Jr.’s bodyguards?”

  “It’s not a love spat. We’re just friends, partners for the time being,” Daylen clarified for her own benefit.

  “Sure. Whatever.” Lt. Boston rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to argue, ‘cause I really don’t give a flying flip. What I do care about is you telling me what happened.” She pointed a finger at the photos.

  Daylen recapped most of the events and details of their investigation, strategically dancing around the Seeker insight moments, the breaking and entering moments, the Lexi moments, and the wanting to kiss and kill Kanyon moments.

  Lt. Boston listened intently. When Daylen finished, she sat silent for a few moments. “That it?” she finally asked, disbelief in her voice.

  “Pretty much,” Daylen answered.

  “Apparently, I didn’t make myself clear the other day when I told you to stay away from the Defalcos.”

  “You said they were dangerous. You didn’t say to stay away.”

  “It was implied. These aren’t guys you want to mess with.” Her voice softened slightly. “Daylen, listen to me. Our department, the FBI, and several other law enforcement agencies have been after these guys for years. No offense, but some ex-actress turned P.I. and,” she flicked a look at Kanyon, “some I-played-a-pretty-superhero-on-tv–”

  “Aww, you think I’m pretty?” Kanyon leaned in and fluttered her eyelashes at the Lieutenant.

  Lt. Boston rolled her eyes again and stood to leave. “You aren’t going to take down the Defalcos. You’re only going to get yourselves hurt.” She gave a meaningful look to Kanyon. “And it could be a lot worse than a couple of boo-boos on your elbows next time.” She turned when she reached the door. “Oh, and just so there’s no confusion this time, stay away from the Defalcos.”

  Daylen waited until she heard the door shut and an engine start-up. “She’s right, you know. We should stay away.”

  “So, what you’re saying is we’re headed to Senior’s when you finish your plate of cold eggs?”

  Daylen looked at Kanyon, studied her face, and then looked deep into her eyes. She didn’t need any special powers to see the determination and desire to finish what they started. Kanyon still had the need to prove herself, still believed she had to make something up to her. Though she didn’t need or want that from Kanyon, she couldn’t bring herself to deny her the satisfaction. So, they’d solve the case then they’d say good-bye. Daylen’s heart ached at the thought of a life without Kanyon, but Kanyon would be safe and she wouldn’t have to see Kanyon moving on with Lexi. She swallowed hard, forcing her heart to go back down in her chest.

  “Well?” Kanyon questioned.

  Daylen sighed. “We’re headed to Senior’s.”

  Daylen was struck with an overwhelming sense of power, greed, and arrogance as soon as they entered Jonathon Defalco, Sr.’s estate. As Ruby instructed, she closed her eyes and concentrated on putting up her shields. The task was proving more difficult with the leftover headache from the night before.

  “You okay?” Kanyon asked.

  “I’m fine. Just a little hungover still.”

  “You sure you want to do this now?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” Though she was pretty sure she’d gotten the shields up, they were definitely weak and the negative energy was intense. She tried to shake off the sensation. “Let’s go.”

  They knocked and the door was answered by a young woman. “Wow, a real French maid uniform,” Kanyon commented. “I didn’t know women actually wore those things outside of strip clubs and Halloween.”

  The woman, obviously embarrassed by her slut-wear, blushed a little. “It’s Mr. Defalco’s required uniform. I know it’s tacky.” She blushed again. “Can I help you?”

  Daylen spoke up. “We’re here to speak to Mr. Defalco about some property stolen from his acquaintances, the O’Connellys.”

  “Yes, I heard. Bless their hearts,” she said in a sweet southern drawl. “I’ll ask Mr. Defalco if he has time to see you.” She ushered them into the foyer. “Please wait here. I’ll be right back.”

  Another nice girl who moved here with dreams of making it big in Hollywood, but was forced to get a job, in this case, a demeaning job. “Before you go, do you know who I am?” Kanyon asked.

  The young girl’s eyes dropped to the floor. “Yes, of course. You’re Kanyon McKane.”

  Her response solidified Kanyon’s gut feeling about the girl. She knew who she was, but she had not gotten all instantly stupid nor had she asked for anything. She dug in her bag and pulled out a card. “I think you have something special, call this agent and tell her I sent you.”

  “Seriously?” The woman’s eyes went from embarrassed to excited instantly.

  She nudged the card again in the girl’s direction. “Seriously, take it.”

  She clutched the card to her chest. “Thank you.”

  “And keep the accent. It’ll work well for you.” Kanyon gave the girl an encouraging wink.

  A wide smile broke across the girl’s face. “Thank ya.” Full accent in place now. “That slimy, horny toad told me to lose it or keep my mouth shut. I’ll go fetch him, but you best watch yourselves, he’ll try to feel you up like a farmer on milkin’ day.”

  “Duly noted.” Kanyon laughed.

  She nodded then hurried off to find Mr. Defalco.

  “That was nice of you,” Daylen said.

  Kanyon shrugged as she looked around the room. “Ahh, I felt bad. She seems nice. Plus, she’s going to be out of a job soon.”

  “And how do you know she’s going to be out of a job?”

  “Because this guy is guilty and we’re going to arrest him,” Kanyon offered matter-of-factly.

  “We don’t have the power to arrest. Plus, you don’t know him or if he’s guilty.”

  “I know he’s very likely sleeping with Lydia who’s a third his age, he has his very young housekeeper in a skimpy maid outfit, and he has,” she walked over to the corner and pointed, “a naked woman statue with a snake wrapped around her leg making its way up to her crotch and she’s smiling like she’s enjoying it.” She rolled her eyes dramatically.

  “That means he’s a perv with bad taste, but not necessarily guilty.”

  Kanyon flicked the statue with a look of disgust. “He’s guilty of something,” she muttered then turned her attention back to Daylen. “I bet you a pizza he comes out in a Hugh Hefner robe.”

  Daylen was about to wager pepperoni but Mr. Defalco entered the room in a maroon robe with a monogrammed crest on the chest and her knees buckled. The shields she had gotten in place were not near strong enough to handle the assault of emotions that hit her upon his approach. She struggled to refortify her shields. Kanyon sensed Daylen’s distress and moved to her side. Daylen felt Kanyon’s hand on her elbow and the invisible barriers solidify in place.

  “Well, hello.” Defalco stopped in the doorway and openly assessed both Daylen and Kanyon. “Rachel told me there were two ladies here to see me, but she didn’t say they were such visions of pure beauty.” He smiled a smile Kanyon assumed he thought made women lift their skirts.

  I totally hate this guy, Kanyon thought as he strolled toward them. With one hand still holding onto Daylen, Kanyon stepped forward keeping Defalco from coming any closer. “Mr. Defalco, I’m Kanyon and this is Daylen.”

  “Please, call me Jonathon.” He took Kanyon’s hand and instead of shaking it as she intended, he raised it to his lips and kissed it.

  To do list: Get a vat of hand sanitizer.

  “I’ve entertained many celebrities within these walls.” He waved a proud hand around the room.

  Yeah, I bet. And their names were Molly Porntits and Susan Dirtyleg, Kanyon swallowed the urge to say.

  “But none of your …” his eyes returned to her and did another appreciation run of her body, “exquisite …” he ran a tongue over his lips, “stature.”

  “Yea
h.” Kanyon took her hand back with a quick jerk, not hiding the act of wiping his lip cooties off on her jeans.

  “I’m curious.” He stepped forward and let his eyes lick her body from toe to head again. Kanyon held her ground, wanting to use safety pins to pin his pupils to his forehead. “What brings the famous Kanyon McKane to my home?” He gave his bushy eyebrows a suggestive wiggle.

  Composed and with her shields defending her from the onslaught of greed, lust, and hate, that was emanating from him, Daylen stepped forward. “She’s with me,” she offered flatly. Then cutting off his groan of pleasure she added, “She’s researching a role.” He gave Daylen his full attention then let his eyes take a free roam of her body.

  Fuck safety pins, I’ll just remove his eyes all together. It was Daylen who took Kanyon’s arm this time, holding her back. “We’re here to–”

  Defalco waved away her words. “To talk about the dreadful theft of the O’Connellys’ precious ring,” he finished for her. “Come, let’s have a drink and talk.” He didn’t give them a chance to protest, turning abruptly to walk down the hall.

  “You okay?” Kanyon asked, stepping alongside Daylen.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “Light headed again?” she asked sarcastically.

  “Yes,” Daylen retorted, pushing ahead of Kanyon.

  Kanyon grabbed Daylen’s arm, spun her back, and pointed at her. “FYI, this has just been added to our to-talk-about-later list.” She dropped her hand. “Oh, and you should know before we go any further, there’s a good possibility I’m going to superglue his eyes in place.” She waited for a protest, but Daylen only shrugged.

  He was standing at the bar when they walked in. To prove to Kanyon and herself she was in control, Daylen took the lead. “I appreciate you seeing us. We hoped you’d be willing to help us by answering a few questions?”

  He began to make himself a drink. “I’m always willing and able,” he added in a deeper tone, “to help a woman or … women in need.”

  Kanyon couldn’t fight the urge to roll her eyes, but she covered her actions by spinning away and taking in the room and its décor of more erotic themed art. Kanyon leaned in and muttered to Daylen, “This is his study? What does he study in here, tacky penis art?”