by V. K. Powell
Rae moved behind Audrey, lightly gripped her wrist, and raised her arm shoulder-high. Audrey braced for the flood of thoughts and feelings that usually accompanied another’s touch, but it didn’t come. She felt only the distinctive warmth of Rae’s skin and a sense of comfort and peace. How odd. It was both a welcome and disturbing revelation. She tried to tune into Rae but failed. Instead of the mental and emotional influx she’d expected, her body absorbed every ounce of physical stimulation like a dry sponge.
Audrey let go and allowed Rae to guide her. Rae’s hand covered hers, and she enjoyed the slight friction as their arms rose in unison and thrilled with the jolt that brought their bodies together at the moment of release. Heat seared as they pressed closer, Rae still at her back.
“How was that?”
Rae’s voice was soft and close to her ear, her breath hot on Audrey’s neck. “Great.” Their arms were outstretched toward the dartboard and Rae still held her hand. With what seemed an effortless motion, Rae brought Audrey’s hand to her lips and kissed it.
She should object but couldn’t grasp a coherent reason to do so. Liquid fire seemed to infuse her insides. She’d never experienced anything so tender yet so poignant. “Just great,” she repeated. Then the image of Rae and the brunette from lunch flashed through her mind. If they were a couple, Audrey wouldn’t interfere. If they weren’t, she wouldn’t be one of many. When she chose to give herself, it would be completely and exclusively. “What would your girlfriend think about you kissing another woman’s hand?”
“Don’t have a girlfriend. You?” Rae’s voice was still soft but more teasing, and her breath was dangerously close to Audrey’s ear.
“Don’t have one either. What about your lunch companion?” Audrey hated herself for asking. Her question sounded so juvenile. Damn it, she wanted to know.
“A friend…and Loretta?”
“Friend who wants more.”
“Yasi?”
“Childhood friend.” With the simple exchange, they’d cleared the playing field. Rae made it hard not to open up when they were so close. Audrey often imagined, but had never experienced such a reaction to anyone before. If she wasn’t careful, Rae Butler would know all her secrets before they ever kissed.
As if reading her thoughts, Rae turned Audrey to face her. She didn’t need any special skills to read the desire so clearly broadcast on Rae’s face. “Audrey, I’d like to—”
Audrey saw what was coming. She wanted it desperately, and she had to prevent it. Audrey had too many secrets to resolve before allowing herself pleasure. She placed a finger over Rae’s luscious lips. “Thank you for letting me come over.”
Rae stepped back, clearly surprised by the sudden change. Audrey imagined the disappointment mirrored on her own face. For an instant she considered hugging Rae again and accepting the kiss. But the gesture would be paramount to offering goods under false pretense. Rae had no idea who she was or what she was capable of. For the moment, Audrey would have to be content with sharing bits and pieces of the truth that served her purpose.
“I had a dream, and when I woke up I was terrified to be in my apartment alone. That’s never happened before. I’m usually very comfortable in my little space. I’m in your debt.”
“You’re welcome, anytime.” Cold air enveloped Audrey as Rae moved to the desk and retrieved the errant dart.
“And I’ve stabbed your paperwork. I hope it wasn’t anything important.”
“Only the most difficult case I’ve ever had. I inherited it after another detective retired. It’s a serial-assault case, pretty horrendous. This guy attacks attractive women and—Sorry, that’s not good social conversation, especially after what you’ve been through.”
“One of your victims wasn’t wearing a short red dress and gold sling-back heels, was she?” Audrey laughed, remembering her dream and trying to deflect the focus from herself. When Rae didn’t join in, she stopped. “Did I say something wrong?”
Rae didn’t have to answer. As Audrey moved toward the desk, all the anxiety and fear she’d experienced in the elevator with Rae that day returned. She’d been holding the same folder. The uncomfortable feeling she’d experienced then and now originated from this file, not from Rae.
Now her reaction was more focused and specific. The feeling morphed into a series of terrible sounds and visions—all unpleasant, scary, and painful. Something in her dream was connected to Rae’s case. She was certain of it.
“As a matter of fact, one of my victims was wearing exactly that. How did you know?” Audrey suddenly had Rae’s full attention again, and not in a good way. The sparks of passion had turned to suspicion, and the softness in her eyes hardened.
She struggled for a plausible explanation and decided on partial truth. “I didn’t. I dreamed about a woman wearing the same thing. I imagine red dresses and gold heels are pretty common.”
Audrey could almost see the wheels turning as Rae tried to put together the disparate pieces that made no sense. Audrey’s flippant remark hadn’t distracted her. “I guess you’re right.” Audrey had always been able to count on the logical mind to discount or disregard what it couldn’t explain. Rae wasn’t buying it.
“I can see this case has you worried. Anything I can do to help?”
“Not unless you’re a psychic.” Rae’s grin suggested the idea was totally absurd.
“Have you tried it?” Audrey was fishing, testing Rae’s view of the extrasensory.
“Yeah, right. It’s one of our most dependable and widely utilized investigative methods.” Rae must’ve seen the change in Audrey’s face. “Are you serious?”
“Is it such a ridiculous idea?”
“Of course it is. Those people are parasites who prey on victims desperate for answers. They’re only interested in blowing their own horns and making money.”
Audrey’s insides roiled with conflicting feelings, and she struggled not to run out the door. Rae’s words felt like darts piercing Audrey’s heart, cold and true. Negative energy threatened to overwhelm her. She retrieved a stretching CB from the side chair and cuddled her into the hollow of her neck. The contented purring helped ease the discomfort brewing in Audrey’s chest. “So you’ve worked with a psychic or clairvoyant before?”
“Not personally. One of our detectives consulted one a few years ago. It was a total waste of time.”
“Maybe he didn’t speak to the right one. I’m sure it’s like everything else, some are good and some bad at what they do.” Audrey couldn’t believe how adamant Rae seemed on the topic or that she was actually broaching it with her. Their exchange reaffirmed her belief that her previous life and her new one could never blend seamlessly. These were the types of preconceived and prejudicial attitudes that kept them apart.
“It sounds like you’ve had a more positive experience.”
“Let’s say I’ve had more exposure and have kept an open mind. You might try it sometime.” She hadn’t meant to snap. Rae’s surprised expression told her the statement had hit its mark. After several seconds of silence, Audrey stated the obvious. “I should be going. Thank you for taking me in.”
“What about the pizza?”
“I hear it’s good for breakfast. Night.”
Rae shook her head in disbelief. At least she’d been right about Audrey’s reason for coming to her—she was frightened. Her instincts passed the mini-test and Rae felt good about that. Maybe she was recovering her intuitive skills. But God, Audrey was frustrating. The evening had started so well. She felt as if someone had changed the channel in mid-scene. One minute they were about to kiss and the next Audrey was gone.
Audrey’s body drew her like gravity. The softness of her curves fused with the firmness of Rae’s and made her weak with possibility. It had felt so natural to take Audrey’s hand, to kiss it, and to want more. And they had almost kissed. The warmth of Audrey’s breath was so close Rae could taste the sweetness of her mouth. Then Audrey had pulled away with a question about girlfriends and
a conflicted expression.
Rae had never formulated a personal opinion about the supernatural, but Audrey obviously had strong opinions about it—one more interesting thing about her.
Chapter Nine
Arya was finally in the perfect place to keep watch over her. He’d taken longer than usual to position himself and move equipment in and out so no one would notice. The arrangements complete, she would now always be safe. From his vantage point, he observed her comings and goings and could intervene whenever necessary. While he waited, he would finalize his plan. One more obstacle stood between them. He was not yet worthy. She had proved to be the perfect choice, but she would have to pass a final challenge as well.
Recently she had taken too many chances, branched out too far from the safety of her apartment. Last evening she’d visited that police officer’s home unescorted after dark. Arya was unable to establish observation into the residence, and the short time she’d remained inside had been agony for him. What was the purpose of her visit? What had she told the police? Had she turned against him? He was anxious and edgy, on the verge of forcing entry and extracting her when she emerged.
Demons awakened in him. The cop had become a nuisance. She stood between them and that was not allowed. He thought of the red-haired man who had touched her and his fate. Perhaps this cop would end up the same way. An attack on a police officer would cause unwanted attention, though. And he wasn’t sure if the cop had actually touched her. Arya was honorable in meting out justice and needed to be certain before he acted. He could deal with her later. His first responsibility had been to see his beloved safely home.
This morning he watched her lock her apartment and begin her daily walk to work. He shadowed her, mingling with the crowd, stepping into doorways when she looked back and paralleling her route on side streets. When she arrived at her destination, he blended into the masses of people around city hall and assumed his place in the world. He’d done it hundreds of times in the past year, and she never knew.
Sometimes he wondered why she couldn’t sense his presence, why she didn’t see through his ruse and recognize him. In those moments of worry, he reasoned that she was aware of him and simply chose to let him set the timing of their joining. She knew her place and deferred to his superior intellect.
*
When Rae reached her cramped office, she had a feeling she’d forgotten something important. She hadn’t thought about anything except Audrey since last night. She’d attempted to study for finals, but even the tough course material didn’t distract her. The result was poor concentration and little sleep. It wasn’t normal for her to lose track of her investigations because of a woman.
“Forget something, Butler?” Not So asked from her doorway. His expensive suit seemed to shine in the morning light, and not a single strand of his carefully combed hair was out of place. Real police officers got dirty, looked tired, worried about people and their cases, and even appeared disheveled sometimes—not Sergeant Sharp. His perfect appearance made her wonder what he actually did all day and it made her not want to see him, especially first thing in the morning.
“Sarge.”
“I’m glad you didn’t say good morning because it’s not. A woman has been waiting for you in the conference room for fifteen minutes.”
“Jeez.” Rae fingered her hair in frustration. That’s what she’d forgotten. She was interviewing the Whisperer assault victims today, and fifteen minutes of her allotted two-hour slot with number one was already gone. “I’m sorry, Sarge. Guess I got sidetracked.”
“Don’t apologize to me. Get your ass in there and grovel to that poor woman.”
Rae grabbed her files, slid past the sergeant, and hurried to the conference room. On the way she looked up the woman’s name. In a face-to-face interview, they deserved to be identified and respected as individuals. “I’m so sorry I’m late, Ms. Flynn. I’m Detective Rae Butler.”
Carol Flynn sat at the rectangular table with her hands clasped in front of her, staring down. She didn’t look up when Rae entered but nodded in response to her apology. Her brown hair was pulled back in a French twist exposing a pleasant face. The report indicated she was an accountant. She had a strikingly understated elegance, but someone had stolen her confidence. “Would you like a cup of coffee or tea before we start?”
“No, thank you.” She finally looked up, gave Rae a visual assessment, and asked, “Why am I here? My attack occurred a year ago. Where is Detective Whitt? Have you located a suspect?” The hope in her eyes was almost painful for Rae to see. She hated to be the one to extinguish it.
“Detective Whitt retired, and I’ve taken your case. I’m afraid we don’t have a suspect yet.” The woman’s shoulders sagged as if in defeat. “I’m going over everything once more. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes helps. I know this is difficult, Ms. Flynn, and I apologize for putting you through it. Would you tell me the events of that night again, please?”
Carol Flynn clutched her purse to her chest as though for protection. She sighed with such depth that Rae knew the retelling of events would be like opening an old wound. No matter how quickly she told the story, it wouldn’t lessen the pain. “I was walking home from the New Year’s Day celebration downtown. It was late, almost two in the morning. I’d passed the new condo construction at the corner of Smith and Elm Streets when someone jumped out of the shadows and grabbed me from behind.”
Ms. Flynn’s recitation had the precision of repetition. She’d probably been over it again and again in her mind, searching for new details, putting everything in exact chronological order, and trying to make sense of the unconscionable.
“I never got a look at him. He put something over my mouth and nose, and I must’ve passed out. When I woke up, I was restrained in a small space, blindfolded and gagged.” She reached into her purse, retrieved a water bottle, and took a couple of long sips.
“Why do you say it was a small space?”
“It felt closed in, like a container of some sort. When he talked, I mean whispered, I heard a faint echo. It was definitely an empty space, nothing to absorb sound.”
This was new. None of the other victims had described the space they were held so clearly in their original statements. She would ask each one about it specifically today. “Go on, please.”
“The pain was…excruciating. He whispered one word over and over—liar, liar—and the more he said it, the more agitated he became. It was as if he wanted something from me that I couldn’t give. I expected him to rape me or kill me. He just…sliced my abdomen every time he called me a liar. I—” Her voice cracked and her eyes welled with tears.
“It’s all right. Take your time, Carol.” No matter how many victims’ statements Rae heard, she never got used to the brutality. Every incident stripped another layer of joy from life. “Do you have any idea what type of weapon he used?”
She shook her head. “It was cold and extremely sharp. That’s all I know. After what seemed like an eternity, he put this cloth over my mouth again and I passed out. When I woke up this time, I was beside the dumpster at the construction site almost exactly where he’d taken me from, completely naked and in tremendous pain. And before you ask, I can’t describe his voice. He only whispered and said the one word. Any other sounds were just noises.”
Rae became immediately more attentive. “What kind of noises?”
Carol Flynn appeared to struggle for exactly the right words. “Rustling…and frustrated noises, like grunts and heavy breaths.”
“And he didn’t assault or touch you sexually? You’re certain.”
“Yes, I’m positive. That’s the one thing I’m grateful for.”
“The rustling sound, what was that like? Describe it for me.”
Carol searched for the right description. “Plastic, I think. It sounded like rustling plastic. And it felt like I was lying on very thin plastic. It stuck to my skin.”
Rae had never conducted an interview a year after an incident that produce
d so many fresh details: the size of the confinement space, noises made by the suspect, and the plastic. They might never prove useful, but they added to the overall picture. “Anything else you can remember?”
“No. I go over this every day of my life. I can’t think of anything new.”
“You’ve done very well.” Rae made a few final notes and closed the file. Two hours had passed as they slowly worked their way through the incident. Carol looked exhausted. “How about that cup of coffee now?”
“Make it a Coke and you’re on.” Carol seemed a bit more assured than when they started. Maybe the feeling that she’d actually helped was comforting. Rae vowed that soon she’d be able to tell Carol Flynn her assistance led to the suspect.
“Follow me. I’ll get you the coldest Coke in the canteen vending machine.” Rae tried to lighten the mood, and Carol seemed grateful.
As they approached the entrance to the canteen, Audrey was coming out. She glanced at Rae and half smiled before her gaze swung to Carol Flynn and froze. Her face paled and her bottom lip trembled slightly. She placed a hand over her stomach as if she felt sick.
Carol automatically reached to comfort Audrey, her hand resting on Audrey’s shoulder. The touch seemed to weaken Audrey. Her knees buckled and she gasped for breath.
“You—you’ve—I see—” Audrey stumbled back as if stricken by something in Carol Flynn’s face.
Rae grasped Audrey’s elbow to steady her and guided her to a seat. “Are you all right?” Audrey’s gaze moved from Carol to Rae. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine. I felt light-headed for a moment.” She turned her attention to Carol but didn’t make eye contact. “I’m so sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” Carol said. “Detective, I’ll take a rain check on the soda. Thank you for your help, and please do keep me posted.”