by Jude Pittman
“Is that right?” Mark fixed his eyes on Guthrie. "Does this purse belong to the young woman who was here earlier this evening?”
“I don’t know.” Guthrie said. “I found it when I was closing up the shop. I brought it back here and laid it on the bed. It must have fallen on the floor.
“I suppose you’re saying you didn’t look inside for identification?” Jesse turned to Mark. “It’s simple enough to tell if it’s Martine’s just by looking inside.”
Mark nodded, then opened the purse and pulled out a wallet.
“That’s hers.” Jesse said, and Mark lifted the flap and took out her driver’s license.
“Is this her cell phone,” he asked, pulling the phone out of the bag and holding it up.
“Yes, and she never goes anywhere without her cell.”
Guthrie, who had been watching the two men, slammed his hand down on the bedside table. “Now look here. I didn’t look inside the purse because I didn’t have time. I only picked up the purse and brought it back here for safekeeping. In the morning I intended to call Craig, my volunteer coordinator, and let him look into getting the purse back to whichever one of the young ladies had left it behind.”
Jesse scowled. Bullshit, he muttered under his breath.
Mark put a hand on Jesse’s arm. “Hang on now. There’s no evidence that things aren’t exactly as he says. Let’s go on over to your place and see if Martine’s come home. She might have left her purse behind and by the time she realized she didn’t have it with her, Guthrie had locked the front doors.”
Jesse glared at Guthrie, but stepped towards the door. “Okay, let’s go, but I still think you should lock this guy up until we find out for sure.”
“Now you know I can’t do that.” Mark turned to Guthrie. “You weren’t planning on leaving town were you?”
“Certainly not, I have a law practice to run. Now, if I may bid you gentlemen good night.”
Jesse preceded Gus out the door and the two of them followed the path to the front of the house.
“Why don’t we swing by the precinct so I can pick up a car, that way if Martine hasn’t shown we can put out an alert, and if she’s there, I can take care of getting myself back home?”
“Thanks Mark. Sorry to have dragged you away from your dinner, but I don’t believe Guthrie. He’s too damn smug. I just wish you’d locked him up or at least brought him along until we confirmed his story.”
“The fact that he’s smug probably means he’s not involved. I’ve been doing this for a lot of years and they don’t generally rub your face in it unless they’re sure of their ground. Besides, it’s like he said, he’s a reputable member of the community and a member of the Bar. I can’t go arresting a private citizen and dragging him along without cause. Want me to lose my badge because you’ve got a bad feeling?”
“No. I’m just worried.” Jesse pulled up in front of the police garage and Mark opened the passenger door.
“You’re coming by the condo?”
“Sure, I’ll check out a car and be right behind you.”
* * *
Martine guessed she could stop at one of the businesses and use the phone to call Jesse, but she’d rather not. It would be her word against Guthrie’s as to what happened earlier. He’d for sure claim she invented the whole thing.
Damn, why didn’t I think to bring along a recorder.
The fact that he’d try to rape her still didn’t prove Guthrie was a killer, but he’d showed her the medicine card and bragged about them. If she’d had her wits about her she’d have grabbed one out of the drawer. He’d get rid of them first thing, she knew that. She didn’t have anything but her own experience to tell the police. Hopefully Jesse would believe her. He hadn’t liked the idea of her getting involved the way she did, and he just might decide she’d put herself in the position. Damn men, you never knew which way they were going to swing when it came to a woman and sex – half of them still believed that women brought on their own rapes. She didn’t think Jesse was that kind, but she’d been wrong before.
Winded and gasping for breath, she stopped for the light on Commercial Drive, then dashed across on the green and ran for the condo.
Shit, my keys are in my bag.
Terror had taken her out the window and across the two miles of city to the condo, but now that she was there, if Jesse wasn’t home, she couldn’t get into her unit.
He’s always forgetting to lock that side door into the garage, she muttered when she turned the corner into the alley and saw that both condos were dark. Her car was still in the driveway, where she’d left it when she’d decided to walk to the meeting, but of course, with her keys in her purse, that wasn’t any help. She reached the door of the garage and turned the hand. Thank God. She breathed a sigh of relief when the door opened and she slipped inside. The Jeep was gone so Jesse was out somewhere. Maybe that had been him at Guthrie’s.
What a mess. Martine approached on the workbench Jesse kept inside the garage. Still soaked from running through the rain she looked around the room for something to keep her warm. Spotting an old rug hanging on one of the pegs over the workbench, she stripped off her wet shirt and jeans and pulled down the rug. It was probably something Jesse used to climb under the truck, but at the moment she didn’t care if it was dirty, at least it would keep her warm. Taking it off the peg and giving it a shake, she sneezed at the dust that flew and then wrapped herself into a cocoon. Gradually the shaking stopped and warmth seeped back into her bones. Minutes dragged like hours, Martine dozed, then startled herself awake. Damn, she was still jittery. What if Guthrie had followed her here? Had she locked the door behind her? She got up, ran across the room in her bra and panties, checked the lock, saw she’d already secured it, raced back to the workbench and re-wrapped herself in the rug. Eventually her eyes closed and she fell asleep.
* * *
Jesse pulled into his driveway. There weren’t any lights in either condo and his heart thudded against his chest.
Taking the steps two at a time, he pulled his keys out of his pocket and selected the one that opened Martine’s door. He unlocked it, stepped inside and called her name in a loud voice. No one replied, and he called her name again. He listened for a minute and then walked towards the bedroom. Inside everything seemed in order. Martine, who was a bit of a neat freak, had made the bed before she left, and everything had been put away in its place.
Jesse pulled the door shut, leaving it unlocked in case she came home and he wasn’t there to let her inside, then he checked his own apartment, more out of habit than anything else. Nothing was changed and he headed downstairs to wait for Mark.
The next ten minutes dragged on so long that when Mark finally pulled into the driveway, Jesse practically attacked the car.
“I’m sorry,” Mark leaned over and placed a hand on Jesse’s arm. “I’m afraid I’ve got more bad news.
“What?”
“Guthrie’s in the wind.”
“How the hell did that happen?”
He must have taken off the minute we left his place
Jesse slid into the passenger seat and closed the door. “Martine’s still missing, we need to find her and fast. If Guthrie’s got her, she’s in real trouble.”
“Something tells me she’s going to be just fine.” Mark grinned.
“Are you nuts, Guthrie’s gone, Martine’s missing and you’re grinning like it’s all a big joke.”
“Nope not a joke,” Mark pointed towards the garage, “just a mystery that’s about to be solved.”
Jesse turned to look where Mark’s finger pointed to a corner of the garage. Martine, in the robe Jesse used to work on his Jeep, stood in the doorway.
“Oh my sweet lord,” Jesse grabbed the door handle, stumbled out of the car and nearly tripped over his own feet in his rush to get to her side.
“Where have you been?” He wrapped her and the rug up in his arms and pressed his lips against the side of her face.
�
�I’ll tell you, if you’ll let me breathe,” she answered, shaking her hair back from her face and looking up to see the relief in his eyes.
“Hi Mark,” she said over Jesse’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here. I have some things to tell you, but I don’t have any proof so I hope you’re going to believe me.”
“Let’s go upstairs,” Jesse said, taking her arm.
“You go ahead,” Mark turned back to his car. “I need to call this in and get an update, and I’ll be right with you.”
Jesse turned back to Martine. “Can you make it upstairs?”
“Of course, I’m fine, but I’d like to change my clothes.”
Chapter Twelve
The fancy car turned off Commercial Drive into the alley beside the Java hut. The driver slouched in his seat and watched the entrance to the busy coffee house. Couples came and went over the next fifteen minutes, and finally a long legged girl with blonde orange hair came out the door, and stood on the front steps. She lit a cigarette and stood there smoking, looking up and down the sidewalk as if waiting for someone.
* * *
His legs ached and the muscles in his arms twitched, but he remained slouched in the car, waiting and watching while his mind relived his last conquest.
His fingers tightened against the soft brown flesh of her throat, stifling her screams and forcing her eyes to bulge in terror. Grasping the front of her blouse, he ripped the fabric away from her chest. His hand stroked her skin and his tongue snaked out, wetting his burning lips. He found her breast and blood roared through his veins. His hard white teeth pierced her skin. She twisted and he tightened his grip on her throat, stopping her breath and stilling her movements. Need consumed him. She thrashed again, and he sank his fingers into her throat, snapping the bones.
* * *
The girl crushed her cigarette beneath the heel of her boots, left the porch and turned into the alley. He sat up in the driver’s seat, switched on the motor so it’d be nice and warm when she got inside. She came running. He turned on his lights, catching the flash of her leg as she ran. Dressed in a crop top and Daisy Dukes, the brown skin of her belly dimpled in the headlights. The sight made him drool and he wiped his mouth on his sleeve.
He leaned across the seat, opened the door and watched her slide over. He had to have her -- no matter the risk. He needed his release. “So glad you could make it,” he flashed his teeth in a smile.
“We better get out of here.” Her voice came in a sexy squeak.
“Don’t worry.” He laughed as she pressed her nose to the window. “You sure you’re up for this?”
“Yes. But I don’t have anything to wear. I did like you said and left everything in my room, just like I was coming back.”
“Good girl. Don’t worry about what to wear I’ll buy you everything you need.”
“Ohhh, this is so exciting. I’ve never flown before, especially not in a private jet.”
“It’ll be great, he rested his hand on her thigh and kneaded his fingers.”
“Somebody might see.” She moved slightly away.
“Nobody’s going to see anything. We’re going straight to the airstrip. We’ll be out of here in an hour. You’re not trying to back out on me are you?”
“Oh no, I promise.” She slid towards the edge of her seat and pressed her leg against his.
“Good. He pressed the accelerator and the powerful car shot forward. “Let’s get to the airfield. We’ve got a plane to catch.”
She giggled and snuggled his neck.
Her hot breath tickled his neck and he caught his breath. Soon, he thought, very soon, he’d have his reward.
* * *
Chapter Thirteen
Martine turned the water on as hot as she could stand it and scrubbed until her skin tingled. I swear I can still feel his slimy hands, She toweled herself dry, and sprayed a thin spritz of Opium across her breasts.
In her bedroom, she tossed her discarded clothes in the hamper, changed undies and put on a pair of capris. Then she pulled a blue top over her head and slipped her feet into sandals. I hope I’m not making a mistake, but right now I need him. She closed the door or her condo and knocked tentatively on Jesse’s.
“Hi there,” he stood at the door smiling. “Feeling better?”
“Yes, thanks. I couldn’t wait to scrub that creep’s fingerprints off.”
“I know. Don’t worry. Thanks to you Mark’s already located his car. He wants us to stand by, in case he needs your statement, but from the sounds of it they have things well in hand.”
“How did they find him so fast?”
“Your statement that you’d been held captive in that room gave Guthrie everything he needed to do a search. They found a map with Pitt Meadows Regional airport circled in red. Further checking revealed that Guthrie keeps a small jet there, so it was a matter of putting two and two together. Plus, Guthrie couldn’t resist getting another woman for company. The cops spotted his car outside the Java Hut. He picked up that girl you described the other day.”
“Diana.”
“Sounds like it. Although from all indications she went willingly.”
“She would, but she doesn’t have any idea why he’s leaving town. She won’t realize that she’s in danger.”
“Don’t worry. Mark has her covered. They’ve set up a cordon around the airport. Once Guthrie’s inside the trap, they’ll never let him get on the plane. They’ve got the SWAT team there and a couple of first class snipers. Their main priority is freeing Diana. One of the snipers will take Guthrie out if that’s the only way.”
“It probably sounds horrible, but after what he’s done. I hope they do. He’s a lawyer and he’ll make a mockery of our justice system if they arrest him and try to prove he’s guilty.”
“I know, but that’s not our call. We’ve done all we can. Now what do you say to a glass of wine and some music to soothe the spirit.”
“Are you trying to seduce me?” Martine looked up at him, eyes wide with an unreadable expression on her face.
“Not unless it’s welcome.”
“It just so happens that I’m suddenly very much aware of how much you mean to me and how very happy I was to have you to come home to tonight. I know I’ve been adamant about no personal relationships, but I’m beginning to think maybe I was hasty.”
Jesse’s eyes lit up, and Martine smiled and held out her hands.
“Not so fast. I didn’t say I was ready to toss all my inhibitions out the door, but right now a glass of wine and some very soft music sounds fabulous.”
“Your wish is my command.” Jessie, his voice soft and throaty, picked up the wine bottle and glasses in one hand and reached for Martine’s hand with the other.
“Why don’t we sit here?” He led her into the living room, then slid his hand along her arm and guided her down beside him on the oversized sofa.
Gentle strains of flute music rose and feel in the quiet room. Jesse’s décor reflected his passion for nature. Brighter shades of red and gold in the rugs and wall hangings balanced the highly polished hardwood and the luxury of dark suede furniture enfolded guests like welcoming arms.
Martine leaned her head back and sighed. Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to speak. “This is so nice.”
“Good.” Jesse placed one of the wine glasses in her hand and lifted the other in a toast. “How about we drink to new beginnings?”
“Yes, I’d like that.” Martine touched her glass to his, took a long drink and set her glass on the carved oak table and then she turned to face him.
“What now?” She asked, as Jesse’s hand, which had somehow remained on her arm after he’d joined her on the sofa, stroked upward from her wrist until his fingers reached the loose cap of her sleeve.
“It’s up to you,” he said, kneading her arm with his fingers.
Martine drew in a breath, let a little moan escape and turned herself full into Jesse’s arms.
Meeting her lips and drawing deep,
he captured her tongue and wrapped in each other’s arms they shared their deepest longings.
“Oh my God,” Martine came up for air, and wrapped her arms around Jesse’s neck. “I need more,” she whispered against his ear. “I need to erase every thought of that monster touching me. I might be using you, do you mind?”
Jesse placed his finger under her chin and lifted her face. “Feel free to use me any time you want, and if, after today, you decided you want things to go right back to the way they were, then that’s the way it’ll be. Okay?”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Thanks.” She pulled a condom out of the pocket of her capris, handed it over to Jesse the sheath himself while she slid her panties down her legs and kicked them aside.
Jesse rolled her over on the sofa and mounted her in one swift motion, burying himself deep inside.
“Oh God, yes, please.” Martine moaned and went with him.
Later, sated and exhausted, they curled together on the sofa. For a long time neither of them spoke, finally Jesse propped himself on one elbow and looked down into her eyes.
“Are you sorry?”
Martine met and held his gaze for several moments, then her lips parted and she poked her tongue out to lick her lips. “Only that it took me so damn long to find out what I was missing.” She burst into laughter and Jesse wrapped his arms tight around her and pulled her close. Damn I’m one lucky guy.
Epilogue
In the cold light of dawn, four people sat in a circle. A smudge pot, filled with sage and sweet grass, natural tobacco and herbs, burns in a clay pot sending rings of dark colored smoke into the air.
“We are here to smoke the pipe and honor our sister, Shannon.” Spirit Water raised his pipe, stem aloft, and offers the smoke to each of the four sacred directions.
“Great Spirit we have done your will and worked with the law here on earth to see that the evil one’s lies were exposed and his deceit uncovered.