Kiss of Souls

by Morgan Kelley

“How long was Shelby Christensen staying here?” Justin asked.

  “She was on her second month,” David offered. “She was a good customer. She didn’t complain, and she didn’t like her room cleaned every day. Once a week was good with her, and always while she was in there.”

  “Did she get a lot of visitors?” Kane added. “Other than the weekly maid service?”

  “Yeah, she did. People loved her. Honestly, I figured she was a prostitute. The men came and went all the time.”

  Yeah, maybe she was selling tricks. Didn’t the detective mention that one of their suspects on the phone list admitted to hitting it?

  He got it.

  Desperate times could call for desperate measures. Women tended to revert to the oldest profession if they were trying to survive.

  “The day she died, who showed up?” Justin asked. “Anyone specific?”

  He thought about it.

  “I don’t really know. I’m sorry. I don’t pay attention to the regulars. As long as they pay me, I keep my nose down.”

  Justin didn’t believe him. Most people were curious by nature, and he was willing to bet this guy was too.

  “Kane, break his face.”

  The big man cracked his knuckles.

  “WAIT! I’ll think about it! Hold on!”

  That did exactly what he’d hoped it would do. The man was thinking, and that was better than walking away with nothing to report to the team.

  “I remember a few people that day. A woman, a younger man, and then some old guy.”

  They knew from what Beckett had seen that the killer was young. So, they went with that option.

  “What did he look like?”

  “White.”

  “Oh, well, that narrows it down. This town is about ninety percent white. The other ten percent is like nine different minorities.”

  “I’m sorry! I told you that I wasn’t really paying attention to her room. We had an eviction the day before. I was trying to figure out how much damage had been done.”

  “Maybe you should be more selective with who you let stay in your fine establishment,” Kane suggested. “Less ‘gay for pay’ movies, and more Sunday school teachers.”

  “We get those too. They make just as many films.”

  It took everything for Justin not to laugh.

  The look on Kane’s face was priceless. He was staring at the man in horror. Kane took everything seriously.

  That was how he rolled.

  “I don’t make up the rules here.”

  “Who does?”

  “My dad. I have a couple more years of running it to prove I can do the job. He won’t retire unless I can prove I’ve earned the responsibility.”

  Justin looked around.

  For this place?

  Was he kidding?

  “I don’t know anything else.”

  Yeah, they knew they were done.

  This was a dead end, so it was time to head out. Outside, they noticed more and more reporters showing up to get the scoop. This was the last place they needed to do an interview.

  “We should book it,” Kane offered. “The detective said to stay off the radar. This isn’t doing that.”

  Justin was aware.

  “Let’s grab coffee before we head back to the office. In fact, let’s head to your place for a little while. The media will back off, and we can move around better.”

  Kane didn’t mind.

  He missed his woman and their baby. Their wedding was coming up, and he wanted to be there for her.

  “Works for me,” he said. “I’ll let you cuddle my son. You need to get some practice in before you’re having to do two at once.”

  “A guy friend of mine once said that to me, but we weren’t talking about babies.”

  Kane stared down at him.

  “What?”

  “Your wife will beat your ass, and then Tori will finish you off for even thinking that. That is, if Clarissa doesn’t get you first.”

  “Tough audience.”

  “We’ve had enough death today.”

  He was probably right.

  Why risk it?

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  Wyatt Grant’s

  Residence

  Tori and Julian knew there was no way in hell they were going to get near the one suspect, Fredrick Raymond. He was a high-priced lawyer, and his building was going to be secure and off limits.

  They weren’t talking some backwoods hick who took DUI and divorce cases to make a few dollars. This man worked for the town’s government, and he had the money to prove it.

  He’d swallow them whole as private investigators, and being Littlemoons, he’d laugh while doing it.

  Yeah, this was a tree they couldn’t bark up, and it was frustrating as hell.

  For both of them.

  “Who’s up?” Julian asked.

  He was letting his wife drive this one. He was simply the chauffeur.

  Tori pondered her options. “We can’t hit Leon Brewer until later. He’s a bartender. I’d prefer not to piss him off by waking him this early in the morning. We’ll make a stop at his place of employment when he’s on shift and the place is open.”

  Julian laughed.

  “What?”

  “Finally, you’re not pregnant and trying to get into a bar to interview someone. I knew if I waited long enough, I’d finally be able to relax.”

  She snorted. “You’re a weirdo.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows at her. What Julian really wanted to do was have sex.

  Lots and lots of sex.

  Unfortunately, his wife had just given birth less than three weeks ago.

  The clock was ticking, and he couldn’t jump his babe for another three weeks, three days, and two hours. Then, she was fair game, and he had a lot of time to make up for too.

  Yes, he was counting.

  Sue him.

  He was a guy.

  “So, instead of Leon Brewer, we’re going with person number three. Wyatt Grant is the tech guy the detective gave us. We might luck out, right?”

  He was good with that.

  When he didn’t answer, she glanced over. Tori couldn’t see her husband’s eyes, since they were hidden behind his shades, but she knew the look.

  He was lost in thought.

  “You look distracted,” Tori stated. “What’s going on in your head?”

  That got his attention.

  “You don’t want to know.”

  “Uh, I’m your wife. By definition alone, that means I should know, don’t you think?”

  Okay, she had a point.

  “I’m thinking about sex.”

  She laughed at the way he said it.

  “I’m glad you think it’s funny, Victoria. I don’t. I’m at that point where all I think about is sex. I looked at a bagel and wondered…”

  She stopped him. “I’ll pee my pants. Don’t go there, Julian. It will put a picture in my head, and I really like eating bagels.”

  He was glad she was amused.

  “Well, it’s true. That’s what I’m thinking about.”

  “I’m trying not to torment you,” she stated. “I’m sure this has to be very HARD for you.”

  He stared at her.

  “Really?”

  “I know how we’re focused on making sure we don’t BLOW the JOB.”

  He shook his head. “Victoria Rose!”

  “We don’t want to SCREW this up, and then be BONED later.”

  “Why did I marry you?”

  “I believe it was the hot, wet sex.”

  Julian sighed. “Mean woman.”

  Tori leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “If it’s any consolation, Jules, I’m thinking about it too. I miss you touching me, your mouth all over me, and the earth-shattering sex.”

  His body reacted to her touch, especially when she let her hand slide down his chest, across his abs, and to rub him through his pants.

  “So damn cruel.”

&nbs
p; She snorted. “Yeah, try pushing a baby out. You don’t know cruel, my friend. Whoever thought this plan of women doing the work and men getting all the fun was JACKED OFF. I mean up.”

  “VICTORIA!”

  Tori loved her husband. “I promise I’ll make it up to you as soon as I’m cleared for lap bouncing.”

  Oh, he hoped so.

  “Three more weeks. Three more weeks.”

  She laughed. “We’re here, babe.”

  He found a parking spot along the tree-lined road. The man’s home was simple, but it was in a really nice neighborhood.

  He could have some money.

  Or secrets...

  While nothing stood out, they could still be surprised. Who knew what went on behind closed doors. They knew what happened behind theirs, and that was sometimes blackmail worthy.

  “Let’s go look around Wyatt Grant’s home,” Tori offered. “By look, I mean sneak.”

  Julian grabbed her arm. “We need to stay under the radar. You heard the detective.”

  That made her laugh. “Yeah, okay. Do you know us?”

  As they were getting out, some young guy rushed out of the home, coffee in hand, and his laptop tucked under his arm.

  “That must be him,” she said, pointing the man out.

  Julian agreed.

  “Let’s talk to him.”

  They headed his way. When the man noticed them, he stopped in the middle of the yard. “Aren’t you two those investigators?” he asked, before they could even make any introductions.

  “That’s us,” Julian offered, introducing them both.

  “We’re investigating a case, and your name came up during it.”

  He went visibly paler.

  Someone was worried.

  “My name came up?”

  “Yes, Mr. Grant, it did,” Tori stated. “Why was Shelby Christensen blackmailing you?” she asked.

  Why pussyfoot around this one?

  Tori went in for the kill.

  “Why was WHO blackmailing me?” he repeated.

  Tori didn’t have the patience for this. She was still sick over Lena dying, what Nyx had done, and losing Beau. There was no time for this jackassery.

  “Are you a freaking parrot? Are you going to repeat everything I say to you? That’s going to get damn annoying. I may punch you in the face.”

  He took a step back.

  Tori mimicked his movements. “Not fun, huh?”

  “Do you have a warrant?”

  “Cops get warrants. We don’t need them. See the media behind us? They’re going to ask why we’re here. Unless you want us to make up some crazy-ass story, I suggest you tell us.”

  Wyatt Grant got it.

  He was screwed.

  “I had an affair with my boss’s wife. Shelby got pictures of us in a bar making out, and she was going to mail them to him. If he saw them, I’d be dead. I’d lose my job, and I like what I do.”

  “That would be uncomfortable.”

  “It would be, since I’m poised to go partner soon in this tech firm. I have a lot riding on this.”

  And there was the answer to their question. That was why Shelby had latched on. As a partner, he’d make a hell of a lot more money.

  “How long were you diddling the wife?” Julian asked.

  “Weeks.”

  Tori was curious. “How long were you paying Shelby money?” she asked.

  This was my second month.

  “I dropped the cash at the motel like I was instructed, and she promised not to send those pictures. Sabrina didn’t want to end her marriage, and I don’t want to marry her. It’s just something that happened.”

  Julian shook his head.

  Tori knew what he was thinking. Julian wasn’t fond of cheaters. He’d been burned before.

  “Are you two going to tell the media?” he asked.

  That was still up in the air.

  “Why didn’t you tell the police what was going on?” she asked, ignoring his question. “Blackmail is illegal. Detective Woods asked you if you knew Shelby, and you lied.”

  “I was freaked out.”

  “Shelby called your cell four times, dude. When you lie to a cop, you become the top suspect.”

  He sighed. “I know. I just didn’t want to be part of this. I didn’t killer her. I swear.”

  “You swore on a stack of Bibles to the cops, and it was lies. You’re going to Hell.”

  He looked nervous.

  “If I told them, then they’d have to talk to Sabrina and her husband might find out. We couldn’t let that happen.”

  Yeah, God forbid.

  “Can I go to work?” he asked.

  “Yeah, go for it.”

  Tori and Julian headed back to their vehicles. She was weighing it all in her mind.

  “He’s not a killer.”

  Julian was aware.

  “He confessed, and we didn’t even have to threaten him. The kid feels guilty about banging the boss’s babe. IMAGINE how he’d feel about killing a woman after beating her brains in.”

  Yeah, Tori was thinking the same damn thing. He may have lied, but he wasn’t a murderer.

  “It looks like a dead end here, Jules.”

  Yeah, he thought so.

  “Nice touch on the ‘going to Hell’ part. The poor kid nearly pissed himself,” Julian stated.

  “Yeah, well, if you’re going to do big boy things like screw the boss’s wife, you should be scared.”

  He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “That’s my girl.”

  Tori grinned.

  Julian had an idea.

  “Let’s call Justin and see what he’s got.”

  Tori hoped it was more than what she had because they were striking out.

  Big time.

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  Police Department

  He was scheduled to see his boss.

  Arsen was freaking nervous too. He couldn’t help but feel like something big was coming, and that they were in the center of a storm.

  He didn’t know why he was feeling that way, but when his gut was going off, there was usually a reason.

  “He’s ready for you,” stated the commissioner’s secretary, pointing at the door.

  Arsen and his partner headed in. Once there, they took their seats, and they waited.

  “Tell me you have something on Beau Christensen regarding the murder of his mother.”

  Neither spoke.

  “SON OF A BITCH!” he shouted, slamming his fists on the desk. “Why the hell not?” he asked.

  “Sir, Commissioner Anders, there’s nothing to really tie him to it,” Detective Woods stated.

  “Clarify.”

  “Every piece of evidence we work ends up pointing away from him. He didn’t have a weapon on him, but the ME said something was used. His fists have no marks, there was no DNA under his nails from her, and the timeline doesn’t fit.”

  He didn’t care.

  “I want him behind bars.”

  “Sir, if he didn’t do it,” Arsen offered, “what can I do?”

  Detective Bender spoke up, “Maybe we can get him on the girl who jumped off the roof.”

  Arsen shook his head. “I was there interviewing the whole team. I was trying to lock down anything I could, and when that girl fell, Beau Christensen was standing right in front of me. I can’t go before a judge and swear on a Bible that he wasn’t there. I can’t perjure myself.”

  The commissioner began pacing.

  “And Vivian Graves?”

  “Don’t you mean Littlemoon?” Arsen asked, taking the chance on correcting him. It could blow up.

  “Yes, her.”

  “She was there too. Why do you insist that they’re behind this, sir?”

  He got red.

  Really.

  Really.

  Red.

  “The Littlemoons are up to something in this town, but I don’t know what. I need to crack this case in order to crack that one!”

&nb
sp; “That doesn’t mean he’s a murderer,” Arsen stated. “We need to go by evidence, and all we have is him being in that motel room when the police arrived.”

  The commissioner sat down and picked up his phone.

  “Well, then we’ll use that.”

  “What are you doing, sir?” Arsen asked. This was where he had the feeling something bad was coming. The man wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  The shit was gearing up to hit the fan.

  “I am handling this.”

  He made a call.

  Arsen sat there, listening to the whole conversation. As it unfolded, he was horrified.

  He was worried.

  This was bad.

  Very bad.

  He had to do something.

  Arsen had to break ranks.

  He had to warn the Littlemoons.

  And soon.

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  When Tori and Julian made the call to Justin, they found out he was at Kane’s house, and they were more than happy to stop there and catch up on what they had learned.

  Besides, who didn’t want to cuddle Milo? He was a chunky little baby with all that Native hair.

  Tori was up for that.

  At Kane and Christina’s house, Tori and Julian found Justin holding the newborn as Chrissy made them coffee.

  “Hand him over,” Tori ordered. “Don’t make me hurt you. I want to cuddle some chub.”

  “You have your own at home,” Justin protested. “Why do you get to come in here and steal him? Milo is my buddy. We are making plans, aren’t we, big guy?”

  Kane laughed. He loved his family. They were always entertaining.

  Tori held out her arms. “Why do I get first dibs, after the parents? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I gave birth. Once you do that, you can have anything you want. Right, Kane and Julian?”

  “Yep,” Kane said.

  “Absolutely,” Julian agreed.

  “This male-female thing is bunk,” Justin said, handing the baby over.

  Tori didn’t care. She got to hold the pale skinned bundle of love. He was a mix of Christina and Kane in all the right places. Where Veronica was going to be a redhead with tan skin, milo would likely pass as Caucasian.

  He was adorable.

  “Milo, my sweetness, are you going to come over and see your girlfriend?” she asked. “Veronica has been asking about you. When’s the date?”