by Sandy Kline
“I am well aware of that. But I also believe that the closer you are to Blade the more you’ll know. Guys talk to their old ladies even though it’s forbidden. They never talk to club whores, but they tell their old ladies just about everything.”
“Well... you’re right about that. Blade used to tell me all kinds of shit. Used to freak me out.”
“So I’m going to need your answer now.” She concludes. “We have a lot of things to cover in a short amount of time.”
“You sound as if I have already agreed to this. What happened to my twelve hours?”
“Well from where I’m sitting, I don’t see that you have much of a choice.”
“You’re not a very nice person.” I reply. “I can’t imagine Alex enjoying working with you. It’s really too bad she got saddled with you in the first pla-”
“Okay you can just stop it right there!” She snaps. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t have done for Officer Morgan to make sure she came home every night and I know for a fact that she felt the same way so can the attitude and do the right thing; help me catch that cop killer before it happens again. Am I clear?”
It takes almost more strength than I possess to keep my mouth closed and not fire back at her. I do not like the woman and I can’t believe that Alex would have thought much of her either. And now I have to work with the bitch? Damn I should have just turned around and gone back to Belize the second I saw Alex’s grave. Nothing good is going to come from this. Of that I’m sure.
“So what’s the next step?” I finally ask.
“How are things between you and the new President of the Death Crusaders?”
“Strained…” I reply.
“Well un-strain it then. My way into the club is dependent upon how receptive he is to you and how willing he is to share with you. Are you his old lady or aren’t you?”
“It’s complicated. Are you asking me to prostitute myself for the Whispering Pines Police? Is that where this is heading?”
“Of course I wouldn’t ask that.” She lies. She’ll do anything to get at the club and whoever is responsible for her partner’s death. “But we need Blade to trust you and to talk to you about club business.”
“What makes you think a member of the Crusaders is responsible for Alex’s death?” I really do not like this woman! Working for her is likely to be a nightmare.
“Nice try Ms. Clarkson, but no one in this department would have done a thing to hurt Officer Morgan. She was well liked, trusted, and everyone wanted to partner with her. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“And if you think Blade would have done anything to hurt my friend you are the one chasing after the wrong tree!”
“You’re probably right. I don’t think Blade would have hurt her himself but maybe someone under his command did the deed.”
“Oh so he didn’t pull the trigger himself he just ordered it? Is that what you think? And by the way, what’s your name. In fact, before we go any further I’m going to do what I should have done in the first place. Show me your ID. I have to make sure you’re even a cop. Then I want to see proof that you knew Alex and that you were her partner, before I risk my neck here.”
“I thought you might want some proof.”
She reaches into her back pocket and pulls out her badge along with her police officer ID. Her name is Amy Regan. She also hands me two pictures. They’re candid shots. The first is of what appears to be graduation day, judging by the fancy uniform, white gloves and hat. Officer Regan is standing with her arm around Alex and smiling. Alex is holding up her own ID and smiling like she just won the lottery. The second is a shot of Alex and Officer Regan in the process of making an arrest. They both looked pretty beat; like they’d just been in an epic fight with the man in handcuffs. She points to the picture of the man they’ve just arrested.
“This was your friend’s first felony arrest, and it was a big one! The guy was wanted out of Washington for murder charges back in 2001. She saw the guy acting strangely and decided to just talk to him. Of course the guy bolts and Officer Morgan runs him down and has the guy in cuffs before I can even catch up to them. That girl was fast; Officer Morgan.”
I don’t need to see or hear anything more. It’s clear to me that Officer Regan not only worked with my best friend, but she cared about her partner as well. I may not like the woman but clearly it worked for the two of them.
“So what do you suggest I do Officer Regan?”
“Just reconnect with Blade and do what comes natural.”
“Oh so I’m to fuck him, is that what you’re telling me?”
“Your words, not mine.” She is quick to say.”
“Yeah but that’s what you’re telling me so cut the shit and just tell me what you want.”
“You know what to do Ms. Clarkson, you’re a big girl. Just keep the lines of communication open. Wasn’t Alex friendly with Blade as well? He’ll probably want to help out don’t you think?”
“He’ll never turn against his brothers Officer Regan. Come on, Do you know anything about outlaw bikers?”
“Well no…I’m not sleeping with them now am I?”
“Lose the attitude or I’m not doing it, regardless of what you think you have over me.”
“I’m sorry…It’s just that I really want to catch this guy(s) who killed my partner and I’m sure you feel the same way. I am beyond frustration and you’re the first chance I have had to get any leads here. When you dropped off the face of the earth you really dropped off.”
“Yeah I uh…didn’t plan on disappearing, it just happened. One second I’m safe and the next second I’m running for my life with nothing but my backpack. I bounced around in California, Oregon, and Washington before catching a ride out of the country.”
“Looks like you’ve seen a bit of sun. You must have been in Mexico.” She says, fishing for information.
“How much time are you going to waste trying to figure out where I went and when are we going to get down to the business of finding my friend’s killer?”
“Even if Alex’s killer is a friend or much more than that?” She asks.
“It wasn’t Blade.” I reply. “I know when someone is lying to me and he isn’t.”
“So you’ve asked him then have you?”
“Not directly, no.”
“Why not?” She persists.
“I don’t know…it just hasn’t come up I guess. I’ve kind of been busy as you can see.” I reply pointing to my gimp leg.
“What happened there?” She asks me. “I thought you were supposed to stay gone until things were safe.”
“That was the plan alright, but someone obviously knew I was back in town.”
“That’s a good wrap job you’ve got there.” Officer Regan says. “No amateur did that.”
“Courtesy of a nurse friend of mine.”
“It’s good to have a friend like that especially for someone like you.”
“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh come on, anyone involved with an outlaw club like the Death Crusaders is going to need medical attention from time to time. Kinda goes with the territory don’t you think?”
“No I don’t think.”
“So you’re telling me that that was the first time you have been shot at?” She asks. “That was the first time that being involved with an outlaw club has put you in danger? I’m not an idiot you know.”
“Well…no that wasn’t the first time, so what’s your point?”
“No point at all. But I think I’ve taken up enough of your time.”
“So wait, what do I do now?” I ask.
“Just be yourself. Do what you would normally do when you’re with Blade. In the mean time I’ll be in touch.”
Then she hands me a cell phone. It’s a nice HTC 4G phone.
“What am I supposed to do with this?”
“It’s a cell phone Ms. Clarkson. Haven’t you used one of these before?”
“That’s n
ot what I meant. If he gets suspicious he’ll check my phone. I can’t use this.”
“Ah but this one’s special. Any calls from my phone to yours will be recorded in your phone’s hard drive. Any calls made to you from my phone or calls you make to my phone are not stored in your phone’s memory and there’s no history of it whatsoever. Even if you lose it, conversations between us are also recorded on my phone so there will still be a record of it.”
“Fine.”
“A word to the wise,” She begins. “Every conversation you have on that phone is recorded on your phone’s hard drive. That means if you start sexting we’ll have a record of it. You talk dirty to your boyfriend on that thing and we’ll have a recording of it. If you want privacy you’d better use a different phone for your pillow talk. Got it?”
“Loud and clear Big Brother.”
“And one more thing. Don’t be downloading a lot of crap on that thing either. It has an enhanced storage capacity but It’s not limitless so don’t go filling it up with the latest version of Flappy Birds or whatever the hell people play on their phones nowadays.”
“Understood. Download every lame ass game I can find; got it.”
“Alright,” She says. “I’ll be in touch. Be safe and good luck Ms. Clarkson.”
“See you later Officer Regan.”
Chapter Six
Reunion
Hot steaming water pours over my head, down my shoulders and across my many crisscrossed scars on my back and lower legs. The toughened skin over my scars is less sensitive than the rest of my body and sometimes causes series of odd sensations like it’s doing now. In fact I’m so lost in the feeling I don’t even hear the bathroom door open and close.
When firm hands grasp my shoulders, spinning be about I barely manage to bite back the scream that is frozen on my lips.
“Dammit Blade!” I shout, pounding my fists on his chest. “You fucking scared the hell out of me!”
“And scared a few foul words out as well I see.” He says with an annoying grin.
“Well what did you expect?” I ask as I turn around so he can’t see my scars.
“It’s okay.” He says.
“What’s okay?”
“I see what you’re trying to do Jen and you don’t have to do that. Your scars are part of what makes you, you. What’s not to like?”
“My entire backside for starters.” I snap.
“And you have a terrific backside too.” He replies, reaching for my ass.
“No one likes a scarred up body Blade, not you, not me, not anyone.”
“Wow…I really wish you could see yourself through my eyes babe. It would change your world.”
“What do you mean change my world? What are you saying Blade?”
“I’m saying if you knew just how much you drive me crazy with lust, and just how deeply I feel for you, there wouldn’t be a shred of doubt or feelings of self-consciousness in your mind. You’re the first thing I think of when I get up and the last thing I think of when I go to sleep at night. The last two years that you were gone were hell.”
“Why didn’t you come for me sooner then?” I sputter through streams of hot water.
“Oh come on Jen, seriously? It’s not like you left a forwarding address or anything. I hired a private investigator, that’s how I finally tracked you down. If I hadn’t remembered you saying something about Belize being your favorite place in the world you’d still be down there. My investigator got there four months ago. It took him four months to locate you on that tiny caye. When he finally found you I sent down Piper to bring you back.”
“So you’re really that into me?”
“Let me show you.” He replies, stripping off his cut.
“Not so fast mister. You think you can just utter some kind of esoteric mumbo jumbo and suddenly all my baggage is just going to melt away, is that it? Or are you relying on that giant cock of yours to get you out of a verbal jam here? I can’t believe I’m saying this right now but don’t show me Blade, tell me.”
He pauses in the middle of stripping off his white tee shirt and stares at me for a moment with a confused look on his face. This is where I find out if he’s just incredibly horny or he really has some deep feelings like he professes.
“I can’t get you out of my head. You’re all I think about from sun up to sun down. You-”
“Now I know you’re full of crap Blade. You don’t get up anywhere near sun up and you don’t go to bed until well after midnight.”
I can see the gears turning as he searches for words. “You’re like a…a disease Jen and from the moment you infecte-”
“What? That’s all you got? I’m your disease?”
“Well no…I just meant tha-”
“What kind of disease am I Blade, and think real good about your next answer. Do you see me as…a mild form of curable cancer or something like leprosy? Am I a curable disease Blade or is it fatal? Tell me now ‘cause this isn’t sounding too good.”
“I didn’t mean that as a negative thing at all Jen. I just get tongue tied when it comes to you that’s all. I really care for you. I’ve never felt this way about another woman in all my life.”
“What about a man. Have you ever had a disease over a man Blade?”
“Very funny.” He replies without laughing. I want you to-”
“To be your disease, yeah I got that Blade, loud and clear.”
I want you to be my old lady Jennifer Clarkson.”
“What?” I ask as I step back, barely suppressing a laugh. “What did you just say?”
“I want you to be my old lady.” He replies. “Don’t laugh. You have no idea how difficult it was to ask that of you.”
“Oh come on, it’s not like you’re proposing to me.” I say.
“Bikers don’t ask anything, they take. They don’t ask anyone to be their old lady Jen. They grab the woman by the hair, drag her ass to bed and fuck the shit out of her then they tell her she belongs to him now.”
“That’s…that’s barbaric Blade and that won’t work on me.”
“I thought you might feel that way, hence my asking.”
“Wow…so I mean that much to you?”
“More than you realize. I thought I made that clear.”
“So is this like, you want to spend the rest of your life with me kind of commitment? Is this a monogamous kinda deal here or are we talking like you get to screw around but if I do you knock the shit out of me commitment?”
“It’s a no shit knocking monogamous commitment for life kind of commitment. Now can I just whip out my giant cock and be done with all this talking?” He pleads with a smirk.
“Yeah…” I say, stepping out of the streaming water. “Go ahead and whip it out. You’re gonna need it.”
“Not in there?” He asks, pointing to the shower.
“Naw, it’s way too cold now to be enjoyable.”
While he’s distracted taking off his clothes I sprint over to the bed where I have a tee shirt waiting and it’s on in record time. Then I lay back on the bed ready for him to take me. At least now with me on my back he won’t be able to see the ugliness of my past life etched into my skin.
When he finishes and is standing in front of me in all of his raging hard on glory I know he knows what just happened here and the real reason I’m not in the shower anymore. I slip my middle finger in my mouth seductively then pull it out when it’s nice and wet. I watch his face as my finger draws a wet line from the tiny strip of hair at the top of my kitty before slipping it between my velvety lips. I lick my others as his cock jumps to attention. Suddenly we’re all about the fucking. Hard, driving, pounding, sucking pleasure, exploding pleasure. When we finally have exhausted our collective energies it’s impossible to tell where Blade begins and I end. We’re just a mass of sweaty flesh entwined in percale bed sheets and downy pillows. What a reunion! If I’d have known it would be this good I’d have gone away and come back sooner.
Chapter Seven
; Unexpected Company
Several Days Later…
I hate living out of hotels. Sure I could stay with Blade but I’m not sure I am comfortable with that right now. I have so many mixed feelings about him I don’t what to do. Alex’s partner would love it if I moved in with Blade. That would make my job of getting in on the inside of the club just that much easier.
Actually I would love to have gone back home but after two years of not making my mortgage payments I’m pretty sure the name Wells Fargo is on the deed of trust now, not Jennifer Clarkson. Besides, I’m pretty sure anyone still looking for me would look there first and not a hotel. By the time I’m slipping into my room it’s nearly one in the morning and I am ready to sleep.
The hall lights flicker as I trudge past the first three rooms on the way to mine. Of course the one above my door is out so I can barely see to put my key in. I fumble around for a few seconds before the lock opens. Next place I check into is going to have a card key system not this antiquated key lock crap anymore. Exhausted I push the door open when out of nowhere what feels like an NFL linebacker hits me across my low back sending me sprawling on the floor face down. With a sudden whoosh all the air in my lungs bursts out leaving me gasping for breath and unable to even call out for help. A rough hand reaches around and covers my nose and mouth. An unnecessary move considering I can’t even breathe with all his weight on my chest.
Someone once told me that struggling is the best thing to do even if you don’t know self-defense. Just the act of fighting back can be empowering and it makes you a difficult target. Sometimes that’s enough. So I try. I elbow him in the ribs and strike out with my heels behind me but from my position it’s all useless. There is no way I can even begin to hurt him. My only chance will be if he decides to turn me over on my back to rape me. Then I may be able to get at his eyes or throat.
Violent hands grab at the back collar of my blouse and rip in a downward motion causing the buttons on the front to go flying as the thin material is torn from my body in one angry motion. Then he grabs the strap from my bra but stops mid-motion. Instead of ripping it off, he actually gasps.