by Wood, Lorena
“How are you? You hanging in there?”
Ann Marie had a look of resignation on her face. Her blonde hair fell limply against her face instead of the perfectly styled look she had worn at the games. This time she looked like a worn out mother of two, instead of the striking athlete that everyone had admired.
“I’m not sure how I’m doing honey. I just finished reading a letter from Derrick. He writes to me every night and then gives it to me when he visits the next day. He’s worried about me. He’s trying to be strong. He refuses to let anyone help him around the house. He only lets the neighbor in to help cook and look after Joshua.” Ann Marie started crying again.
“Joshua doesn’t understand why I’m here. I guess I don’t either. I thought if I were innocent it would all work out. I can’t even think about it anymore.”
Whitney reached over and hugged her. Ann Marie cried on her shoulder for a few minutes before she calmed down again. Whitney could feel all the fear and terror of an innocent woman accused of murder. If she was guilty, she would have to be amazingly talented in blocking her, or possibly so disturbed that she believed she was wrongly accused. Chances were good that she was just plain innocent.
“Whitney, you work around the law. Is there anything I can do? Do you think they could actually convict me?”
“Ann Marie, I know you’re feeling pretty overwhelmed right now. But don’t give up. We’re still working on things and hoping to find more answers. If the killer hasn’t left the area, then he may not be able to keep himself from doing it again.”
“Great. My defense depends on some sicko hurting another child.”
“I’m sorry. That didn’t come out very well. Do you have any idea who could have done this and then tried to place the blame on you?”
“So you believe I’m innocent?”
“Yes, I do. That doesn’t help you much unless we find a way to prove it.”
“I’ve racked my brain. A few of the parents have had their problems with me at times. I end up in the middle when there’s any kind of disagreement. But that wouldn’t cause them to want to hurt kids. The coaches don’t always like me, but I try to stay out of their way. I don’t like when they push the boys too hard. That’s part of Derrick’s problem. We were so excited about it all back then. I was the worst one. I pushed him and encouraged his coach to push him. By the time he got to college I thought he would be able to handle it better. That’s when it really got bad for him. He got tired of the need to give a hundred and ten percent all the time. If they didn’t win, he always felt like it was his fault.”
“So now you try to keep them from pushing too hard?”
“Yes, because when the dream is done, you have to have something else to value. Derrick put all his dreams into a life in sports, and when it became impossible, he just gave up living. I was the one that raised him like that. It’s my fault.”
“He’s young yet. He may still adjust and find a way to meet his new challenges.”
“When he was young I was Derrick’s biggest supporter. I would tell him if he worked hard he could do anything, and pushed him to do his best. I’m still trying to keep him from giving up. That’s why I bring him to the games. If he gets interested again he could offer to coach some of the kids.”
“Ann Marie, I want you to think before you answer my next question. Is there anyway Derrick could have worn those shoes and gone somewhere without you knowing it? Maybe with another person?”
Ann Marie’s eyes grew large with surprise and then her brow furrowed as she realized the implication. “That’s ridiculous. He can’t walk. He can hardly get himself from his chair to his bed. How would he get somewhere that muddy in his wheel chair? The doctors have poked and prodded but nothing has worked. He lays on the floor for hours when he falls and no one else is around.”
“Can you think of anyone else who could have left those shoes in your house?”
“We have people in an out all the time. The last ones I can think of were the Pratts. They were so excited about their littlest one being picked for Rookie of the Year.”
“Does anyone else have keys to your house?”
“Just my brothers. They wouldn’t be guilty of anything like this. Please, it must be a stranger.”
Whitney made a mental note to check out her brothers and they visited for a few more minutes. She promised to return as soon as she could. She didn’t want to stay too long and end up running into someone that knew Nick. By the time she was driving out of the city, she was exhausted. Between the stress of trying not to be seen, and absorbing all of Ann Marie’s despair, she needed to rest and clear her mind. The forty-five minute drive to Casa Grande seemed like too large a hurdle to attempt in her condition.
She found herself driving in the direction of the town of Gilbert. She was driving right toward Nick’s house.
“Maybe just being near him tonight will help me relax.”
She didn’t know if that was true, but she was too tired and lonely to argue with herself. There weren’t many motels in that part of town, but she finally found one a few miles from his house. As soon as she got herself a room she fell onto the bed and into a deep sleep.
Whitney woke feeling hungry but a little more rested. The vending machines held little of nutritional value, but it filled her stomach. When she finished her last peanut butter cracker, she sprawled on the bed and tried to meditate. Her mind kept wandering to Nick. He was so close. She could feel the gloom settling in when he finally arrived home for the evening. He had been out looking for her. The guilt she felt was making her stomach churn so badly she ran to the bathroom and emptied her dinner of crackers and cookies into the toilet.
When the next attempt to meditate proved to be futile, she decided to try something different. Maybe if she could contact Nick she could let him know she was safe. She couldn’t call him. He was probably ready to trace it. She closed her eyes and reached out to him.
Nick was sitting in his chair by the window wondering how he could go another day without sleep. Another day without her. He pictured her asleep in his bed and tried to trick himself into believing it.
Suddenly he could hear her voice whispering his name. “Nick. I’m here.” Wow, he was actually getting pretty good at convincing himself. Maybe he had finally gone off the deep end.
“Nick, it’s me. You’re not going crazy. I’m really talking to you.” Her voice clearly sounded in his head.
“Whitney? Whitney, say something else.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry. You’d better be. When I get my hands on you…I’ll…”
“What Nick?” She couldn’t believe they were having a conversation in their heads, and at least a mile apart.
Nick had been planning to say something to show her how mad he was. But he was thinking that he’d probably hold her in his arms and kiss her.
“Nick. Please try to understand. I can’t even think about someone trying to hurt you again. It won’t be forever. I just wanted to let you know that I’m safe.”
“Whitney…I miss you so much. Let me be with you. Don’t do this alone. Let me help. I’m going crazy without you.”
“I know. Me too.” All these years keeping herself away from men and relationships, and now she felt like she couldn’t survive another minute without his arms around her.
“Nick. It’s not safe. Someone could be watching you. If they find out you can get to me, something bad could happen.”
“Whitney, I want you.”
“No Nick. Not yet. I have to stay out of sight.”
“I can come to you. I’m a cop. I can make sure I’m not followed. Don’t you trust me?”
“Yes…but it’s not worth the risk. I can’t risk your life just to…”
She didn’t finish the sentence, but Nick knew what she wanted.
“Whitney, you want me. You need me, just as much as I need you. Let me come to you.”
Whitney couldn’t think. She was connected to him again and s
he couldn’t bear to break the connection. She did need him. No matter how hard she tried to say no, it wouldn’t come out.
“I’m at the Shady Side Inn. Room thirty-two.”
Nick leapt up and shouted in his mind, “I’ll be there in five minutes. Don’t move. Stay there.”
Whitney rolled over and the tears started. She should have said no. How selfish could she be? She was leading him right into danger, again. His wounds weren’t even healed yet. But she could feel the relief washing over her knowing he was coming. She wouldn’t be alone. She’d worked so hard most of her life to be alone. Now she couldn’t even last a few weeks on her own. It was like she had given him part of herself, and now she couldn’t live without him.
“Damn girl, you are in love with him,” Whitney spoke the words out loud as she stood and paced. “Wonder if that means he’s in love with me? Now all we need is a happy ending.”
The thought of a happy ending made the realities come crashing back down. There was a killer out there hurting little children. He wanted her out of the way, or dead. And even if she survived this, she would go on to another case where her mind would touch the sickness of a killer, or the pain of a victim. The elation of knowing Nick was coming was replaced with guilt for the moment of happiness she had felt. How could she be happy and in love when others were still suffering? The same old guilt. She had survived and might even find happiness, and others had to suffer.
As she felt Nick coming closer she suddenly saw her life in a different light. Maybe she could be happy. It wouldn’t change anyone else’s fate. Maybe it was okay for her to survive. And if she continued to do her best to help others, maybe she could even do it better with Nick by her side.
Chapter 10
Nick drove around the area for a few minutes to be sure he wasn’t being watched, and then he made his way to the motel. He parked next to a white Dodge Dakota and saw Whitney watching him from the window. His eyes closed in relief and he let out a sigh. She hadn’t run. He hadn’t heard her voice on the short drive over and he thought maybe she’d had a change of heart. Thank God she was still here. He eased himself out of the car and strode up to the door. As soon as he closed the door he pulled her close and buried his head in her neck. They held each other like that for a full two minutes before he pulled back and looked into her eyes.
He could see the fear and tension in those big brown portals. Her eyes darted away. She was waiting for him to lash out at her for disappearing. A soft smile formed on his mouth as he whispered her name. His lips tenderly joined to hers. She relaxed in his arms and let out a sigh.
“You look a little worried. Did ya think maybe I might still be angry with you?” Nick’s eyes were sparkling with mischief and anticipation. Her eyes darted away again in a look of guilt that brought him much satisfaction. “You should be afraid. Very, very afraid.” He growled into her neck and gave her a teasing bite.
“I’m sorry Nick. I had to do it.”
“Yeah, well I’ll think of a way for you to make it up to me.” He tossed her back on the bed and crawled up next to her. “I’ve been worried sick about you. My stomach’s such a mess I’ve been living on Tums.”
“I’m so sorry.” She winced thinking about all she had put him through and instinctively put her hand on his stomach. She could feel him jump as she touched his well-formed abs.
He reached down and placed his hand over hers.
“I can think of something to help me forget the pain.”
“Does it hurt right here?” she asked rubbing her hand over his navel.
“Nope, a little lower.”
She slid her hand under the top edge of his jeans and rubbed in a slow circle. “Right here?”
“Uh, uh.”
She let her fingers dip a little lower under the edge and she could feel him straining against the fabric. She pulled back and returned to rubbing his belly.
“I think I have some Tums in my bag. I’ll go check.” She was smiling sweetly as she turned to roll off the bed.
“Oh no you don’t! It’s not Tums I need right now. It’s you!” He laughed and pinned her under his weight. His mouth hungrily confirmed his words as he meshed against her lips. “This fire can’t be quenched with anything in a bottle.” His hands found her breasts as his tongue trailed down her neck.
Whitney’s hands unbuttoned his jeans and slowly slid down the zipper. He wiggled out of his clothes as she slid them off his body. She could see the fresh scars forming over the stab wounds and she traced them with her fingertips.
“Are you sure you’re up to this?”
“I’m up to it alright.” He looked down toward his bulging boxers and she laughed.
“Matter of fact, the doctor told me I needed to find something to take my mind off my misery.”
“He did not.”
“Well, if he did, you would be the perfect prescription.”
She lifted her arms so he could peel the tank top off over her head and then unhook the clasp in the front of her bra. Whitney’s breathing was already ragged as he tugged her pants down past her hips. When he had finally removed the last piece of clothing, he stopped. His eyes devoured her smooth, tan skin and bountiful curves. She shivered as he started exploring the hills and valleys with his tongue. Her dark brown nipples twisted in expectation as he teased her by circling around them. His hand began to stroke her sensitive places and she squirmed under his touch. He finally kissed her peaks and she let out a murmur of pleasure.
She opened her eyes to see Nick smiling up at her. How could he look so calm when she was ready to explode? He began kissing his way down her body and over to her thigh. His warm breath brushed across her mound and his hands traveled down the roundness of her hips. She held her breath as he ran his tongue up from her thigh to the center of her heat. The tension built until she exploded.
The moment it hit, they both felt the wave of pleasure crashing around and inside of them. Nick could sense the rhythm of her heart pulsing around them.
Nick wondered if he was feeling something like the vibrations she felt. He could feel the ripples of her climax flowing through his body. The feeling was so overpowering it was a struggle to stay in control.
Whitney’s mind was reeling as he turned his attention back to her breasts and then her lips. His hands continued their seductive quest to touch every inch of her. As she felt the pressure building again, she arched toward him in urgency. He answered back by pressing the tip of his swollen member against her entrance. She arched again and he thrust inside. Whitney had been yearning for that joining, but he wasn’t ready to bring it to completion. He began a slow and lingering movement that made her cry out in need.
“Nick, please…I need…uhhhhh.” She could only moan, aware that he understood what she needed.
She felt his muscles tense as he began to increase the pace. She could feel his need joining with hers as she dug her fingers into his back. Nick let out a deep groan as he felt his release and she arched up to meet him with her own climax. It felt like waves of heat undulating around and through them as their minds absorbed the impact of their union. Nick’s body sunk down onto hers as they gasped for breath.
When he finally tried to roll off, his limbs were shaking as if he had just completed a marathon. Whitney’s eyes were closed and she didn’t appear to be moving.
“Whitney…you okay?”
“I think so.”
He stroked her hair and face waiting for his strength to return. Whitney finally turned to him and opened her eyes. She let out a sigh and burst out laughing.
“Oh…my…God!” She was still working to catch her breath. “That was incredible.”
Nick just nodded and grinned back at her.
“I’m not sure I’ll be ready to do that again for a long time. I thought some people had sex every day.”
Nick laughed and laid his head on her arm. “Not with you they don’t. Other people don’t have your talent for sharing every sensation in your body and linking
to your lover with a mind meld.”
“That was not a mind meld.”
“Really, what was it?”
“I have no idea. But I don’t do mind melds. That’s something only Vulcans can do.”
Nick lifted his hand in the Vulcan salute. “Live long and prosper.”
“You might not if you keep that up.” She giggled and turned back in toward him. “Actually, I think I might be ready to try that again.”
“Now you’re the one with the sense of humor. It’ll take me at least an hour to be able to walk, and I’m hoping my heartbeat will be back to normal by then.”
She snuggled into his chest. “I’m not sure my heart could take it anyway.”
He could hear her breathing turn regular as his mind began to wander. He drifted off to sleep thinking he wouldn’t have to worry about any more aerobic workouts as long as they were together.
The next day Nick was up before Whitney. All night long he kept waking up in a panic thinking he still didn’t know where she was. He would finally calm down and doze off and then she would move and he would wake up again. He wasn’t about to let her slip away this time.
They left the motel early and kept an eye out for anyone following them. They rode together in the car to a small café. Whitney knew Nick was trying to figure out how to make her stay. He waited until they had almost finished breakfast to bring it up.
“Whitney, come back home with me. Just for now. I’ll go crazy if I don’t know where you are.”
“I’ll think about it. But…then what? I can’t come up with a way to make it work out with us. You can’t leave the city. The department is your life. I’m not sure I’m ready move away from Sedona.”
“We don’t have to work that out right now. I just want you to stay close to me until this case is solved. And then we can figure things out. I can be on the police force up in Sedona you know. It might work out.”
“Yeah, you can write tickets for jay walking and spitting on the sidewalk. You might even pull some long days catching the pickpockets in tourist season.”