Cat 'N Mouse

by Yvonne Harriott

  “Got it.”

  Sam rubbed his right shoulder as he scrolled through the files. He looked to see the source of the irritation and nearly fell off the chair. Teeth marks? She had bitten him. He was in awe. She had actually bitten him.

  “Start with the police report. Oh, by the way, do you know someone by the name of Matt Landrin?”

  “Ahh, yeah,” Sam said dragging his eyes from the teeth marks and focused on the computer. “I’m staying at his place.” There was a tone in Jamie’s voice that made him sit up straight. “Why?”

  “He also requested a copy of the police report on Prescott’s dead wife a few years back. There’s a note on the file to notify him if anyone else requests the file.”

  Matt must have a lot of clout to be attaching himself to case files. It occurred to Sam that he didn’t really know Matt anymore. What else was he capable of?

  “How did you find out about Matt?”

  “Friends in high places. I picked up a tail coming into work this morning. Can’t say for sure if it was because of this. I left him in a ditch though.”

  Sam laughed, wondering who in their right mind would want to follow Jamie. Obviously someone who didn’t know what he was capable of.

  “Watch your back,” Jamie said.

  “Will do.”

  Sam hung up with Jamie, setting the computer on his lap to go through the information on Warren Prescott. He didn’t want to jump to any conclusion until he’d been through all the documents. He opened the one with the police report. It was a PDF attachment and he had to select the 150-font size to read the report without squinting.

  Sienna Prescott’s death was ruled accidental. The autopsy report showed the cause of death was a broken neck as a result of the fall over the banister. The toxicology report showed there was enough prescription drugs in her system, coupled with the alcohol were enough to put down an elephant. Therefore, it was concluded that she stumbled over the banister on her way up the stairs.

  Alexandria and Sienna were the only ones at home. Although the report did indicated that Alexandria had mentioned that a man was in the house, but the police couldn’t be sure when they questioned her later. Was it her father? She didn’t know. The report said he was out of town. Yet it wasn’t confirmed. Where was Mimi? Or Colt. Sam looked up from the report, rubbing his eyes.

  The officer on scene was a Jon Landrin, Matt’s father, and that stopped Sam cold. He had never met Matt’s father. All he knew was that Matt’s parents were divorced and his father lived in Florida. It could be a coincidence, Sam told himself, except he didn’t believe in them.

  Prescott was impressive. A self-made millionaire who came up from the streets, a pioneer in his field of mergers and acquisitions they called him. Some pioneer…he bought struggling companies and ripped them apart, throwing people out of work.

  Sam came across an article about Sienna and her then impending marriage to Prescott. The next article talked about her divorce from her first husband, which was only finalized days earlier, before her marriage to Prescott.

  Prescott saw Sienna and wanted her. He pursued her even though she belonged to someone else. They had an affair while she was still married to her husband and became pregnant with Alexandria. The whole thing was a made for TV movie and the press ate it up. There were pictures of them everywhere, right along with Sienna’s jilted husband.

  The more Sam read, the more his dislike for Prescott grew. He switched over to the police report again as he reached for the phone and dialed Matt’s number.

  “Prescott killed his wife, didn’t he?” Sam said when Matt answered the phone.

  “What are you talking about?” He heard the sleep in Matt’s voice, but an edge was definitely present as well.

  “You really want to play the ‘what are you talking about’ game with me?”

  Silence.

  “Let me break it down for you. Prescott was in the house the night his wife died.”

  “We don’t know that.”

  “But your father did. He was the first officer on the scene. Did your father cover it up? How much money did Prescott give him?”

  “How’s that different from what you did in the Monica Beck’s case?”

  Sam had not expected that from Matt with all they’d been through. Yeah, he had screwed up, but he didn’t need to have it thrown back in his face.

  “You kept your mouth shut and tried to pin a murder rap on her husband.”

  “I never tried to pin a murder rap on anyone. The evidence pointed to him at the time. As for your accusation of money, I’ve never taken a dime from anyone. I took care of my business, remember? Let’s stick to the topic. I’m talking about Prescott and his wife.

  “She was pumped up on pills and booze the night she fell. Her death was ruled an accident. As a matter of fact it was going to be suicide, but Prescott didn’t want it that way.”

  “How convenient.”

  “What do you want, O’Malley.”

  “Alexandria saw him push her. I’m sure of it.”

  “She was a confused child,” Matt said.

  “Is that what your father told you? Is that how you justified working for Prescott?”

  “My father was not involved in anything. He died a decorated cop. I won’t tarnish his name.”

  “You have to tell Alexandria.”

  Last night was the first night she’d actually slept through the night since he moved into her condo. Most nights he would hear her in her room or see the night-light under her door.

  “There’s nothing to tell. It’s ancient history.”

  “The guy that’s stalking her has triggered the memory she had suppressed from that night of her mother’s murder. She can’t see the killer’s face but it’s only a matter of time.” Then something else occurred to Sam. “Prescott knows it’s only a matter of time before she remembers. He’s trying to frighten her into moving back to the estate. I guess if she’s at the estate then she won’t remember.”

  His analysis was greeted by stone silence, but he didn’t care. That night a frightened little girl saw her mother die right in front of her and everyone wanted it covered up. She needed closure and he was going to give it to her. Why? Because someone had to.

  “If your father wasn’t involved, why did you have the case file flagged?”

  Sam turned when he heard the balcony door open. Alexandria stood at the door in one of his black T-shirts catching her at mid-thigh. Her hair fell in tangles around her. She was beautiful, soft, sexy and she bites. Most men would have to buy an adult magazine to see a picture like this first thing in the morning.

  “Sam?”

  • • •

  Alexandria stepped out on the balcony feeling the hot summer breeze against her bare legs. She’d pulled on Sam’s T-shirt wanting to feel him close then decided to go and find him. She thought perhaps he had left the bed because he had regretted what had happened between them just like the last time.

  Bracing herself for the rejection when she spotted him, she stepped out on the balcony planting a smile on her face. Relief washed over her when she found him working and he looked up at her with a welcoming smile.

  “We’ll talk later,” he said to the person on the phone ending the call.

  “Who was that?”

  “Matt calling to see how you’re doing.”

  “You’re up early.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and he put the computer on the table closing the screen. Pulling her down across his lap, his soft lips caressed hers. She wasn’t sure what mood he would be in this morning, but there were no regrets in the air. A smile spread across her face.

  “I want to show you something to see if you can identify it.”

  She groaned. “You promised you wouldn’t talk about the stalker until we left the hotel.”

  “No, it’s not about that.” Sam pushed the robe off his left shoulder and her mouth dropped opened. The color rose up in her cheeks.

  “Is that what I think it is? I did
n’t. Did I?” She buried her head between his shoulder and neck.

  “Well, I didn’t bite myself. Although,” he turned her face toward him. “I’ve never been bitten before. At least not by the female species anyway.” He kissed her. “It’s kind of sexy.”

  “If it’s any consolation, I’ve never bitten anyone before.”

  “The way I see it, you’re racking up all sorts of violations and it’s not even seven o’clock.”

  “What other crimes have I committed besides assault with a deadly bite, Detective O’Malley?”

  “Stealing. It’s a crime.” Sam tugged at the T-shirt and said in between kisses, “I may have to arrest you, but first I have to search you to ensure you’re not carrying any concealed weapon.”

  “I can assure you, I’m not concealing anything,” Alexandria said against his lips. She pulled back, looking into his eyes. They were playful, no tension. She had never seen this side of him before. He was always so serious. She’d glimpsed it, but this morning he was like an open book with his emotions.

  “I don’t believe you.” Sam kissed her neck and she giggled. His hand crept up under the T-shirt feeling hot against her skin.

  “I’m not wearing anything underneath it.” She pulled away, giving him full access to the T-shirt. “See for yourself.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “I will if you don’t mind.” He tugged at the hem of the shirt and she lifted her arms as he pulled the garment over her head. Shaking her hair free, she met his gaze, feeling the warm wind against her bare skin.

  Sam became serious and she wondered if it was regret in those beautiful dark eyes. Then he smiled, a slow sexy smile, showing perfect white teeth.

  No regrets.

  “Come on,” Sam picked her up, throwing her playfully over his shoulder. She squealed with laughter kicking her legs in the air hanging on to him, her arms wrapped around his waist.

  “So this is how cavemen carried their women?” She giggled.

  “We still have four hours before check out. I can also show you how cavemen make love to their women.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Three hours later as Alexandria packed, she thought about Robyn. When she’d called the hospital to check on Robyn, Dennis had told her she was asleep and hung up. Dennis said he would tell Robyn she called, but she didn’t believe him. With everything that had happened, she knew she would lose her friendship with Robyn.

  What about Robyn’s Nest? If Dennis had his way, and he might, she wouldn’t set foot back into the building again. She would lose Robyn, the Foundation and Sam. Once Sam caught the stalker, he would leave.

  It didn’t matter which way she looked at it. She would suffer a loss, the story of her life. The poor little rich girl was once again feeling sorry for herself, she thought with bitterness.

  She had more money than anyone she knew. Her life wasn’t that bad. She had her health. Then why wasn’t she happy? Because she wanted more. More than just being Warren Prescott’s daughter.

  She had the power to change her life, to make it what she wanted. And she wanted Sam. Not as a bodyguard. She wanted to be with him, to have a real relationship. But he said nothing, or even hinted that he wanted anything beyond what they’d shared, and she was afraid to ask. Perhaps she should just accept what he’d offered and not expect anything else.

  “What’s wrong? You’ve been folding the same blouse for the last fifteen minutes.”

  She hadn’t realized he had been watching her. After spending three wonderful hours in bed, they showered and then she’d decided to pack. Since he really had nothing to pack, he’d grabbed the laptop and taken it over to the secretary desk near the doors, leading out the balcony.

  “Back to the real world,” Alexandria said, trying to keep the sadness out of her voice. “I’ve allowed myself a false sense of security in thinking that I’m safe. Once we leave the hotel room, we pick up right where we left off.”

  She wasn’t just talking about the stalker. A lot had changed between her and Sam. Since they had not talked about what had happened last night and this morning, then it was safe to assume that they may not continue anything beyond the hotel doors.

  “No.” Sam shook his head, staring at her intently. “At least not with us.” His eyes were bright, clear, and full of what? Love. Dare she hope?

  Her heart started to beat faster. She was almost afraid to believe her ears, afraid to ask what he meant. Somewhere deep down she summoned the courage to do so.

  “What are you saying?”

  Sam got up and took the blouse from her hand. He folded it and placed it in her travel bag. He pulled her gently in his arms and held her.

  “I’m saying that I’m not fighting it any more, Princess. I’m not fighting us. Once I find this guy and stop him, then we can talk about you and me. Okay?”

  She could feel his heart beat against her chest, feel his breathe against her ear. She clung to him because if this was a dream, she didn’t want to wake up.

  “Okay.”

  • • •

  At eleven o’clock they checked out of the hotel and Sam felt a sense of loss. He’d told Alexandria that once they found the stalker they could talk about a future. They were no longer in the sanctuary of the hotel room. They were driving away from the hotel back to reality where he was Sam O’Malley and she was Alexandria Prescott.

  Out in the real world with phone calls from the stalker, getting run off the road and finding a video camera hidden in Alexandria’s bedroom—that was reality. The time they’d spent together was overshadowed by all of that. At the end of it all, could he live up to the promise he’d made to her?

  She wanted stability in her life; a husband for one, along with a house and children. He was still trying to sort out his life. He didn’t have the money to keep Princess in the lifestyle she was accustomed to, and somehow it always came back to that in the back of his mind.

  He didn’t even have the money for his car. Prescott had called the body shop. Sam figured he wanted to confirm the invoice. They had quoted him the entire cost. Prescott paid it. Sam had asked that the body shop refund the portion that didn’t have to do with the accident. He would pay for the other charges.

  Sam didn’t think he would see a dime for his services from Prescott and would not accept money from Alexandria either. Where would he pull that money from? Out of a hat?

  Being in Prescott’s debt made his stomach turn. Sam didn’t want anything from the man, but his daughter. He didn’t know if he and Alexandria stood a chance. He’d cross that bridge when he came to it, he told himself, as he pulled the SUV in the underground parking and grabbed her travel bag.

  “Can you fix it so I can visit Robyn in the hospital?” Alexandria asked when he opened the passenger door and got out. She’d been quiet on the trip back to her condo and he knew that question was brewing. He pretended not to listen while she’d made her phone call to the hospital after her shower.

  “I’ll talk to Dennis.” Sam didn’t have the heart to tell her he had already spoken to Dennis and the man had flat out said no. He intended to try again, once Dennis simmered down.

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me yet,” he said, knowing he would have to disappoint her. Dennis was as stubborn as a mule.

  She took his hand and they walked together toward the elevator. “I want to anyway. I can show you how much when we get up stairs.”

  “Alexandria, you don’t have—”

  “I want to very much.”

  When the elevator doors closed, she snaked an arm around his waist. As the elevator moved between floors, she slipped her hand into the waist of his pant at the front, trying to undo the belt buckle. He caught her hand.

  “There’s a camera looking down on us.”

  “You’re no fun when you get into your bodyguard mode.”

  “No? Perhaps I should bite you back,” Sam said with a wicked smile when the elevator stopped on their floor and he pulled her against him, nipping at her ear.


  “You can try.”

  “What makes you think I won’t?” he asked, pushing the key in the lock.

  Sam knew something was wrong as soon as he opened the door, even before stepping into the condo. What was that smell?

  “Wait here.” He dropped his duffle bag, pulling out his gun and entered the apartment. The alarm was still on and he punched in the code turning it off. Alexandria’s bedroom door was closed. It was wide open when they had left for the hotel. The smell got stronger as he moved into the living room. “Don’t enter unless I tell you to.”

  “What’s that smell?” Alexandria wrinkled her nose.

  “Go back out into the hall. If anything happens, pull the fire alarm by the elevator.”

  “Sam?”

  “Back out into the hall!”

  He didn’t move until she followed his instructions and stepped away from the door.

  One glance out on the solarium told him that it was clear. Sam started down the hallway, checking each room. His room was clear. Popping his head in the hall washroom, all clear except for a lone towel he’d left draped over the shower stall.

  Sam came to Alexandria’s bedroom and stood to the left of the door. Wrapping his fingers around the doorknob, he pushed the door open. When he saw the walls and the bed, a chill ran down his body. He muttered an oath under his breath.

  Blood.

  Blood everywhere. He dragged his hand slowly down his face. He saw Cain’s body lying on the floor at the foot of the bed with a gunshot wound in his right temple and a piece of paper crumpled in his hand.

  Using the mouth of his gun, he removed the yellow piece of paper from Cain’s grip. When it slid to the floor, he smoothed it out with his gun and squatted down to read it, mindful not to step in any of the blood on the floor.

  “Damn.”

  • • •

  “Sam?” Alexandria called from the front door.

  She didn’t like standing out in the hallway by herself. Besides, it was too quiet. Usually by now he would’ve come back to the door to tell her everything was fine. When he didn’t answer her call, she made her way down the hallway toward her bedroom. The door was closed. She pushed it open and Sam was leaning over the doorman’s body lying on the floor.