More Than A Four Letter Word

by Smith, Stephanie Jean

  The lab tech's name is Gaylan Norcross; she has been picked up for questioning. She handed in her two-week notice on Monday. From the looks of things, she planned a one-way trip to Switzerland. I betting this isn't her first rodeo, and she has been falsifying testing records for years. From all accounts Ms. Norcross seems to be cooperating, who knows she may even implicate her lover Randle McHale."

  "So you still don't have enough to arrest McHale?"

  "The police didn't find any evidence of foul play in Lacey Hamilton's death. The only thing we know for sure is that he is Ms. Hamilton's fiancé and Ms. Norcross's lover. I have a feeling he's involved up to his teeth. Don't let him out of your sight Julian. By the way, do you think Clarissa would be interested in moving to Washington? She would make one hell of an agent."

  "Not going to happen. If you offer her a position in Washington, I'm going to put you out of your misery."

  Harland laughed. "Oh! You mean to tell me that you've finally come to your senses and decided to settle down."

  "Damn straight! I'm going to bind her with all the laws of God and man. I may even keep her barefoot and pregnant."

  "Wow! You have it bad. I don't peg Clarissa as a pushover. I have a feeling that not everything will go your way. Hold on to her Jules, she's an extremely intriguing woman. Too bad I didn't see her first."

  "You never would have stood a chance. Keep me posted on the EPA case; I'll make sure my guys don't lose sight of McHale." Julian placed a call to Ivan, just because there was no evidence against McHale that didn't make him guiltless. One good thing Clarissa hasn't been approached by McHale since the dinner date. "Ivan I want you to double up on McHale."

  "Anything else Julian?"

  One good thing, Clarissa isn't scheduled to come back to work until next week. She's safe at home, and he wouldn't have to worry about her. It's foolish of him to take a trip while McHale is under investigation. He wouldn't be satisfied until he's with Clarissa. "Just make sure your men don't let McHale out of their sight."

  "Sure thing boss, have a safe trip."

  ***

  Julian's plane wouldn't arrive until later that evening, so Clarissa decided to stop by her office for a few hours. It's already after five o'clock, so she didn't expect to run into anyone. Harland informed her earlier today that thanks to her, the EPA found the lab technician who falsified testing results for several manufacturing companies.

  Clarissa has a niggling feeling that some of the pieces to the puzzle were still missing. She put her purse on the desk and logged onto her computer. What if Lacey Hamilton's death is somehow related to the lab technician and Lacey's fiancé Michael? What did Ali say that the husband is always the culprit?

  Clarissa surfed through Lacey's virtual files hoping to find something that she missed. Her stomach grumbled letting her know that she missed lunch today. She goes to the break room to grab a snack and a fruit drink. She plans to eat steaks with Julian tonight so this snack would have to tie her over. When she re-entered the hallway, the lights were a little dimmer, which isn't unusual for this time day.

  She came back into her office and resumed her search of Lacey's files when she comes across several JPEG files containing photos from a Christmas Party. Some of the photos were labeled, but most of them were not. The next file contained photos from Lacey's engagement party. "Well, there should be a picture of Michael in here. The next photo stunned Clarissa the caption read "Me and Michael".

  Lacey was an older woman in her late thirties or early forties. She had shoulder length red hair and startling blue eyes. The man standing next to her grinning at the cameraman gave Clarissa the chills. Lacey's fiancé was none other than Randle McHale.

  ***

  Julian decided to stop by the office on the way to Clarissa's condo; he's expecting an urgent contract in the mail. Since he did not intend to come back to the office until next week, he might as well handle it now. He walked by the security desk when he placed a call to Clarissa.

  "Hey baby has your plane landed yet?"

  "Yeah, it landed about forty-five minutes ago. I'm picking up a key contract at the office then I'm coming straight home. Damn I missed you baby."

  "I'm here too! You won't believe this, but I just uncovered something else regarding the EPA case. My friend Randle is the fiancé of Lacey Hamilton, the scientist who died in a car crash. I wonder if Harland knows about this. I find it strange that he showed up in Chicago?"

  Julian rushed to the elevator bank only to find that the elevators were shut off. He turned to the security guard and yelled. "Why are the elevators shut down?" The guard seemed nervous, but he could care less.

  "Sir all of the elevators are shut down after hours except the freight elevator."

  "Clarissa!"

  "Julian, what the heck is going on?"

  "Baby I'm on the way up and I want you to stay in your office until I arrive. Don't let anyone in?

  Clarissa heard the urgency in his voice. Something's wrong, and he isn't telling her why he's all freaked out. "Okay Julian, I'll wait here for you."

  Julian punched the up button, and it took forever for the elevator to come. The security guard stood there as if he were waiting for instructions. "Send security to the 20th floor now."

  ***

  Clarissa heard the door open; it's too soon for it to be Julian. She called 911 on her phone and left the line open. "Who's there?"

  Randle stepped into Clarissa’s office, shutting the door behind him. “I see that you're working late, how advantageous for me.”

  “How did you get through the security door, never mind it's not important right now, but you need to leave. I'm tired, and I want to go home.”

  “You’re too tired to give an old friend a little bit of your time." Randle crowded her back against the wall. There’s nothing he would like better than to get a taste of Clarissa’s sweetness. “Have I told you that you're one sexy bitch? You wouldn't believe the fantasies I've had about fucking your ass."

  Clarissa didn’t like being crowded. Randle is looking for trouble, and she could tell by the look in his eyes that he means to do her harm. "Randle, why did you kill Lacey? Or should I say Michael." She caught him by surprise; pushing against his chest making him stumble.

  “I always thought you were too smart for your own good." Randle laughed at Clarissa's attempts to escape him.

  "Why did you murder her? What could Lacey have possibly known that warranted her death?"

  "That stupid bitch couldn't leave well enough alone, so she had to die. She was getting too close to figuring out that my lover and I had falsified records at the EPA. She just wouldn't let it go, so I rigged her car."

  “So, I guess you plan on killing me too." Clarissa tired to break for the door again only to have Randle pull her back.

  “You're not leaving until I get what you owe me. I've wanted to get inside your panties every since the party at the boss's house when you teased me.

  Clarissa is scared; she has never seen Randle behave this way before. “It's over Randle. I called 911, and they recorded everything you just said." There would be no reasoning with this crazy person.

  “By the time the police get here, my cock will have already breached your sweet pussy, and you'll be dead."

  Clarissa struggle to free herself from Lawrence’s embrace “Let me go!”

  He slammed her into the wall and ripped her blouse open, shoving a leg between hers. He grabbed her bra trying to expose her breasts. “I can make you want it bitch. I'm going to fuck you until you beg for mercy then I'm going to choke the life out of you."

  “I won’t let you do this to me.” Clarissa bit his lip when he tried to kiss her.

  Randle slapped Clarissa face, knocking her off balance. “How are you going to stop me?”

  Clarissa scratched his face and fought him with everything in her being, but she isn't a match for him. She wouldn’t make it easy for him to rape her. Randle tripped her and landed on top of her; holding both of her hands ab
ove with one of his hands while he trying to pull down her pants. “Stop fighting me, this is going to be so good.”

  Randle loosened his hold on her hands, which gives her the opportunity to go for his eyes, she hears his piercing screams and abruptly she's released. She quickly crawls across the room towards the door. One of her shoes is missing, and she takes the other one off, opens her office door, and runs down the hall. Clarissa hoped that she would come across a security officer. Clarissa is looking behind her when she runs into someone.

  “Clarissa what in the hell is going on?”

  “Oh Julian, I'm so glad to see you!”

  Julian took in her appearance and knew immediately that she has been attacked by Randle. “Where is he?” Before Clarissa could tell Julian what happened, Randle approaches them. Julian jumped Randle knocking him onto the floor; his fists used Lawrence’s face as a punching bag. “Men who attack women deserve what they get.”

  Clarissa used the phone on the receptionist’s desk to call security. She has to stop Julian before he killed Lawrence. Julian’s fist flew up in the air when she grabbed it. “Enough Julian!”

  Clarissa has to realize that Randle would have to pay for touching her. "He tried to hurt you! He has to be taught a lesson." Julian feels as if he's having an out-of-body experience. He went a little crazy when he upon seeing Clarissa’s torn blouse and bloody face.

  "I'm okay, you saved me."

  Julian's still standing over Randle when security showed up. “You guys sure did take your sweet time getting here. Escort Miss Marks back to her office and wait for the police

  "What about him?"

  "I have some unfinished business with Mr. McHale before the police can have him."

  Clarissa has never seen this side of Julian. "Julian!" His dark gaze rested on her face.

  Julian removed his suit jacket and put it around Clarissa’s shoulders. "Don't worry baby, I promise not to kill him." Clarissa gives him a nod of understanding and walks away with the security guards.

  Randle began laughing hysterically. “I almost had her.”

  "I promised my woman that I wouldn't kill you, that doesn't mean that I won't beat you bloody. You should have never put your hands on my woman, now your hands and legs will never work properly for the rest of your miserable life.

  ***

  Julian called Ivan. "I want you to get rid of the men on McHale's detail. They lost him, and he attacked Clarissa."

  "Oh shit Julian! Ms. Marks okay."

  "No! She damn well isn't okay."

  "I'll take care of the guards immediately. What happened to McHale? Do you need me to dispose of the body?"

  "What's left of him is in police custody." After putting his phone away, Julian goes in search for Clarissa. He finds Clarissa in her office picking up her personal items off the floor. “Clarissa, you okay?”

  “I’m OK Julian. I just want to go home.”

  “The police are here, we need to make a statement, and then I’m taking you to the hospital to get checked over.”

  The police arrived and questioned Clarissa and Julian. Clarissa could feel Julian distancing himself from her as he helped her into his car. The ride to the hospital is a silent one, when they reach emergency Julian refuses to leave her side. The doctor comes in and asks Julian to step into the hallway before he examines her.

  “You are an extremely lucky lady Ms. Marks; there are no broken bones just a few abrasions. I’ll have the nurse bring you something for the swelling in your face.”

  The doctor leaves, giving Clarissa time to dress before the nurse arrives. She wrapped Julian’s jacket around her body, which gave her some comfort. Julian followed the nurse into the examining room and waited patiently for her departure. Clarissa's head is full of questions, and she couldn’t wait for the answers any longer.

  “The doctor told me that it’s okay for me to take you home. We have a lot to talk about?”

  Clarissa followed Julian to his car her mind ran rapid thinking about tonight's events. She wasn't supposed to be at work when Randle attacked her. Why was Julian so upset when he found out that she was in her office? All of a sudden, everything clicked into place. She turned to look at Julian's tense face; he hadn't said a word since they got into the car.

  “I just found out tonight that Randle was engaged to Lacey Hamilton. Somehow, I have an inkling that you already knew this bit of information. Turns out the Randle and his lover planned everything. She falsified soil results, and he did the clean-up work."

  Julian cursed. "Clarissa, listen to me."

  "Not in the car Julian, we'll talk in my condo where I can get mad and throw things when you tell me why you set me up."

  Julian pulled into her parking space and followed her quietly into her condo. He had never seen her so pissed off. Now certainly wasn't the time for him to try and manhandle her. She'd probably kick his testicles into his throat.

  Clarissa walked into the kitchen and started preparing dinner. She motioned Julian to sit down. "Whose idea was it to use me a bait to lure Randle to Chicago?"

  "Honey it wasn't like that. You were never in any real danger."

  "Never in any real danger! Look at my face Julian. What do you think Randle would have done to me if you hadn't arrived when you did?" She put the steaks in the broiler and warmed the garlic mash potatoes and sautéed the mixed vegetables.

  "Calm down Clarissa. It was Harland's idea to use Randle's connection to you. He noticed on your transcripts that you and Randle had attended the same school. We knew that he was involved knee deep in the situation with the EPA, but we couldn't prove his involvement. Therefore, we led him to believe that an individual investigator or tracker was looking into Lacey's virtual hard drive for evidence.

  "Why didn't you just tell me what was going on?"

  "I wanted to protect you. I had a security detail on Randle as soon as he arrived in Chicago. It wasn't my intention to put you in harm's way."

  Clarissa didn't know whether to be angry or hurt. "That's what you did Julian. If you had leveled with me from the beginning, Randle never would have gotten close to me because I would have taken precautions." She pulled the steaks out of the broiler, fixed both of their plates, and set them on the table.

  She grabbed a beer for him and poured a glass of wine for herself. "I want to hear about everything else you haven't shared with me. Let's start with your ex-wife."

  Oh shit! Clarissa was out for blood tonight. Ivan warned him to tell her about Randle, in his arrogance he decided that he knew what was best. Now he has to come clean about everything or he runs the risk of losing Clarissa. Losing her was not an option. How did he even begin to tell her that Donna wasn't his ex-wife, she's dead?"

  Clarissa watched Julian as several emotions flashed across his face. "Julian you were talking about the rules of our relationship. Now I'm going to share my rules with you. I cannot be with a man who lies or cheats on me. I'll give you this one chance to come clean about everything. I'm tired, angry, hungry, and horny as hell, and I plan on being appeased tonight!"

  Julian looked at Clarissa as if he had never seen her before. Undoubtedly, Clarissa would be angry if she knew that his cock was hard enough to pound nails into the wall. "I'm a hard man Clarissa and I'm not used to answering to anyone. Including you. I planned on telling you about Donna, but I wanted to wait until you moved into my house with my ring on your finger. In light of current events, I'll tell you everything you want to know."

  Clarissa nodded for him to continue. "Tell me everything Julian. What happened to Micah's mother?"

  Julian knew they would have this conversation sooner or later, but he was hoping that it would be later. "Close to ten years ago, I worked for a security company in Kansas City. One of my teams blundered a contract with one of our biggest clients, and I had to fix the problem. It wasn't a good time to plan a trip to Los Angeles, but my hands were tied. I especially felt terrible about leaving Donna with a two month old baby."

  "Harland
, who was my boss called me in Los Angeles, and told me to catch the first plane to Kansas City. He didn't tell me what the emergency was; I knew it was necessary because he met me at the airport. Instead of taking me home, he took me to his house where two police detectives came in and told me that my wife had been murdered."

  Clarissa felt a deep sense of foreboding as Julian told her about his wife's death. "Murdered!"

  Julian grasped Clarissa's hand as if he would gain strength from her presence. "If you're going to be a part of my life, you need to know how my wife was murdered. I just hope you realize that I won't lose you in the process."

  "Donna was murdered? How could you keep me in the dark about Donna?"

  "Well it's not the sort of thing you bring up in casual conversation, and it really wasn't any of your concern."

  "It's something you should have told me up front before I got involved with you." Before Clarissa could utter another word, Julian silence her by putting two fingers over her mouth."

  "I'm sorry baby, but this isn't easy to talk about. Let me finish telling you about Donna. After the detectives had informed me about Donna, I had a fit. I accused them of lying, and I demanded to see my wife and child immediately. The detectives tried to question me, but I wouldn't cooperate. I kept demanding to see my wife and child.

  "I didn't believe the detectives until they took me to the morgue to identify Donna's body. She was stabbed several times and her throat slit. As I stood there in a trance, the detectives assured me that my son was in foster care and that he was unharmed. After a few hours of being questioned by the detectives, they finally let me go."

  "Did they ever find out who murdered Donna?"

  "They had several leads, but it never amounted to much. I had a dangerous job, and Donna was murdered to send me a warning. "

  Clarissa gave up all pretense of eating. "Is that why you haven't been in a serious relationship?"

  "I hired a housekeeper and a personal bodyguard for Micah. Most people don't know I have a son. I keep my personal life personal. Micah doesn't know that his mother was murdered or understand my need to keep him safe. I've had numerous lovers since Donna died, but you are the only woman I let into my son's life other than my Aunt Reva."