Death Match

by Emma Rose Watts

  She could tell he was intoxicated.

  “Let go,” she said in a firm voice.

  “Or what?”

  Before he had a chance to continue, she kneed him in the nuts as hard as possible. He buckled and collapsed to the floor and she slipped through the crowd. Fortunately it was so loud inside and there were so many people chatting, no one really noticed. She made it to the back room and was about to enter when a bouncer stepped in front of her.

  “That’s for VIPs only.”

  “But…”

  “Sorry.”

  She pursed her lips and backed away, right into the arms of the same guy she’d kneed in the nuts. “You know, women like you only understand one thing.” He grabbed a hold of her and dragged her into a nearby bathroom and slammed the door behind him. He tore off his mask and began unbuttoning his shirt. “I get it. You like to play hard. I’m into that.”

  She’d had about enough of his crap. She went to knee him again and he blocked her and slapped her across the face causing her to hit her head against the wall. He came up behind her and before he could lay another hand on her she slammed her heel into his shin as hard as she could, causing him to wail in agony. Within seconds, she turned, cracked him in the face with the palm of her hand bursting his nose wide open, and then flipped him around and brought out a pair of cuffs from inside her bag. She snapped them on his wrists.

  “What the hell?”

  “You like to get rough, so do I,” she said. “You’re under arrest.”

  She heard banging on the door from one of the bouncers asking them to open up. “Get up,” Skylar said hauling the guy to his feet and pushing him towards the door. She unlocked it and before the bouncer could say a word, she flashed her badge and pushed past him leading the guy through the crowd and out of the building.

  The look on Harvey’s face as she strong-armed him across the road to the vehicle was priceless. He hopped out and came around to open the back door.

  “What the hell happened?”

  “It was a tough pick but I found one that is just purrrfect,” she replied before throwing him into the back of the unmarked cruiser.

  Chapter 8

  Davenport wasn’t having any of it. After getting back to the station and dragging the guy into an interview room, they soon learned that the man behind the mask was an important member of city council, was married and had four kids.

  “While you two were out disobeying my orders, and wasting police time, Reznik and Hanson made progress.”

  “Captain, in all fairness—”

  “Shut up, Harvey, you are just as bad as her. You didn’t stop her.”

  “Have you tried stopping her?”

  “He has a point, captain,” Skylar said.

  He pointed at Skylar and she mimicked zipping her lips and tossing the key.

  “I gave you one order. Observe and you couldn’t do that. Now you may have jeopardized this case. I’ve already been on the phone to the lawyer for LaSalle and fortunately they don’t wish to press charges, but this is the last time you are going to get a free ride. I’m thinking I should put both of you on unpaid suspension but as I don’t think that would teach you anything I’m just going to give you a chance to explain why I shouldn’t.”

  “Pretty simple, captain. Harvey wasn’t involved. He tried to talk me out of it. And as for it being a complete waste, well, I don’t think so. Tonight I witnessed Taylor Hall leaving the premises with Ricardo, LaSalle’s partner.”

  “And that’s supposed to mean something?”

  “She was taken to a boat down at the marina. No one else was allowed on board except Elite members.”

  “Let me guess, you attempted to get on board.”

  Harvey pointed. “She did, I didn’t.”

  “Harvey.”

  “Just saying.”

  Davenport shook his head and looked back at Skylar. “Continue.”

  She pulled out her phone and brought up the voice mail she got from Ben about twenty minutes after leaving the premises. He’d filled her in on his conversation with LaSalle. She placed the phone on the desk and hit play.

  “Skylar, Ben here. I came out, and you were gone. I guess you stood me up. Anyway, you wanted me to speak to LaSalle and see what other options he had available for members. While he didn’t exactly spell it out, he said for a certain price he could provide me with VIP access. This focused on taking matchmaking to the next level. They provided a unique and exciting way to fulfill any pleasure that I wanted. I asked him what he meant by pleasure. He said, anything, and then asked if I was married. Oh and he said I could get a refund on the VIP membership on the first evening if I wasn’t satisfied.” There was a pause. “Anyway, I didn’t get out of there in time so I missed that dinner date my sister had set up. So thanks for that.”

  The phone clicked off.

  Davenport eyed her. “Okay, so not only did you disobey me, but you used a civilian to do your dirty business?”

  “He was my date.”

  “A date who went undercover to get information on LaSalle’s business.”

  “That’s what you wanted, right? To observe and gain Intel.”

  “Observe, yes. Trick them?” He sighed and ran a hand over his face. “Not only have you drawn attention to the department, but you might have just placed your friend’s life in danger. Do you realize that?”

  She hadn’t given thought to that though she wasn’t going to say that out loud. Instead she just let Davenport chew it over as he paced back and forth. He sighed. “So did you manage to get anything out of our city council rep?”

  “Only that he frequents these events on a monthly basis and he’s used to women being a little more responsive.”

  “Responsive?”

  “To pain, I think they call it S&M.”

  “S&M?”

  “Using pain as a sexual stimulant. Except I think he had plans on taking things a little further.”

  Harvey leaned back in his chair. “Captain, you said you had used the service to find your wife. You don’t recall them discussing any other forms of alternative services?”

  “Why would they? They knew I worked for Franklin County Sheriff Department.”

  “So perhaps they have a vetting process, like what Tyron said. They throw the net out wide and invite people in on the basis of offering different services. Each person then goes through a vetting process in order to determine if they might be interested in something more than just meeting that special someone.” Skylar leaned forward. “I’m guessing our city council rep forgot the rules of engagement.”

  “Look, go home for the evening, we’ll begin again tomorrow. I already have Reznik and Hanson looking into a few things.” He looked at Harvey. “I know you wanted to go out,” he glanced at his watch. “Maybe there is still time.”

  Harvey shook his head. “Nope but thanks anyway.”

  Both of them headed out of the office, their minds swirling with all that had taken place that evening and the questions it had raised. Harvey scooped up his jacket and brushed past Skylar. Reznik and Hanson looked over, neither one made a comment, which was unusual for them. Skylar followed Harvey out into the parking lot and tried to keep up with him, but her heels were killing her ankles. She stopped to take them off and then continued on just as he was getting in his truck.

  “Hold up, Harvey.”

  He spun around. “What do you want?”

  “To chat for a second. That was quite something back there, eh? I think we’re making progress.”

  “Progress? Yeah, but at what cost?”

  “What?”

  “You know, Skylar, you’re a good cop and I imagine you were one hell of a Marshal but one of these days you are going to cost someone more than a badge, you’re liable to get someone hurt. Davenport was right. You overstepped the line with Ben Walker.”

  “I know.”

  He came around his truck jabbing his finger. “No you don’t. Because if you did, you wouldn’t have cal
led him.” He tapped the side of his head like he was trying to drill into her some principle. “You have this thing that you do. Once you get something in your head, you just have to do it. It’s like you have blinders on to everyone else around you. Now perhaps that worked in the past, and maybe you don’t care about your own safety, that’s fine. As that is all on you. But dragging others into it is only going to end up jeopardizing their life.”

  She nodded slowly.

  “Go home, get some rest.”

  “Harvey.”

  “Go home, Reid.”

  He ignored her and got back into his truck, fired it up and almost backed into her on the way out. Skylar stood there in the middle of the parking lot as several officers walked by her. She blew out her cheeks and headed over to her truck, tossed her heels onto the passenger side and hopped in. She sat there for a moment before scooping up her phone and bringing up Ben’s number. It was easy to not see the forest for the trees because a person was too close to a situation. She was still learning the ropes when it came to small-town policing. Even in her time in the big city she’d been able to get away with a lot more because there wasn’t so much red tape to cut through but here in Franklin County it was different.

  * * *

  When she returned to the Moorings of Carrabelle that evening, she’d completely forgotten about Scot. She slipped out of her truck, holding her bag in one hand, and high heels in the other. She made her way down the dock and tossed her shoes into the boat. They clattered as she jumped on board.

  “And hello to you too,” a deep voice said.

  It had been so dark she didn’t see him lying on top of the sundeck.

  “Scot?”

  She made her way up and found him on his back with a six-pack of beers beside him. He sat up and gave her a big hug. “Man, you are a sight for sore eyes.” After the day she’d been through, she was pleased to see him.

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said handing her a beer. She cracked the top off and he looked her up and down. “Well they certainly updated Franklin County’s uniform. Now if they could just do the same with the Marshals.”

  She slapped him on the leg and he laughed.

  Skylar took a swig of her beer and they looked across the harbor. Nothing could be heard except the gentle lapping of water against the boats. A few lights were on in the distance and a forty-foot boat was coming in but that was it. It was peaceful.

  “How’s the investigation going, anyway?”

  “Slow. It’s different from what I’m used to.”

  “You know you can still come back? They would take you back in a heartbeat. You don’t need to put up with this small-town drama if you don’t want to.”

  “I know, but in some strange way I kinda like the challenge. Anyway, so what brings you down here?”

  He scoffed and took a swig. “Can’t I just see an old friend?”

  “Scot.”

  “Okay, I…” he trailed off as if trying to search for the words. “Do you remember Audrey?”

  She furrowed her brow and thought back. “Yeah, the one that had your kid. Short-haired blonde.”

  “That’s her. She called me up and…” He tried to get the words out but seemed unable. “Audrey says she’s got cancer, Skylar. Doesn’t know if it’s terminal or not yet but it doesn’t look good.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Anyway, she wants me to take Kala.”

  She took another sip of drink. “So? Are you going to take her in?”

  He scoffed. “Skylar, you know me better than anyone else. I’m not dad material. Hell, Audrey knew that. That’s why I don’t know why she came back to me. I thought she would send Kala to her mother or sister but no, she wants me to look after her.”

  “So you’re going to, right?”

  His chin dropped, and he cleared his throat.

  “Scot? You’re going to look after her, right?”

  “I was hoping that maybe she could stay with you.”

  “What? No. That’s not happening”

  She got up and slipped down off the top of the boat and entered the salon. He followed her in. “She wouldn’t be a problem. I would pay for everything. You wouldn’t be out of pocket at all. You have more than enough room on this boat for the two of you.”

  “She’s ten years of age. She needs her father not a stranger.”

  “I’ve not been in her life, Skylar. I am a stranger. No different from you. What she needs is a mother and I can’t think of anyone better than you.”

  “I’m sorry, Scot. I can’t do it. Look around you,” she said gesturing to the empty bottles of alcohol, the garbage can full of takeout boxes and the clothes hanging off the benches. “I can barely take care of myself.”

  “That’s why this would be good. You need an outlet. Someone you can focus on beside yourself.”

  “I need time to heal.”

  “It’s been seven months, Skylar.”

  “And?” she snapped back before dropping her chin. “I’m sorry.” She took a seat and pulled up her legs. “I live a busy life. There are days I’m out until dark. That’s no life for a kid. They need stability.”

  He was quick to respond. “Being a Marshal doesn’t give me that. Does it?”

  She nodded. “It’s not easy but Frank does it, so does Marty.”

  “Yeah and look at the way they are.”

  “Then perhaps it’s time to hand in your badge.”

  He shook his head. “Hand in my badge? I’m not good at anything else. You know that. But this. I’m good at this. Catching fugitives, busting in doors and…”

  “Sleeping with women,” Skylar added.

  He grinned. “Yeah, that as well.”

  There was a long pause as they continued drinking.

  “You’ve asked me numerous times if I’m ready to move on. I would ask you this… at what point are you ready to grow up?”

  “That’s not fair,” he replied.

  “Life isn’t fair,” she countered. “It throws us curveballs and we have to deal with it. I don’t want to deal with it but at least I don’t have someone relying on me. Kala needs you. Maybe it’s time for you to decide what kind of dad you can be.” She placed her bottle of beer on the counter and headed in to take a shower.

  “You want me to join you?”

  “In your dreams,” she laughed.

  Chapter 9

  Harvey entered his house and tossed the keys on the counter. He went to turn the lights on but noticed there was a flame flickering in the kitchen. He smiled and made his way down to find the dining room table had been laid out with two plates, cutlery, a rose in the middle and two candles. There was a bottle of Chardonnay wine, and two glasses, and Elizabeth seated at the far side of the table in a nice black dress.

  She smiled and all the stress of the day melted away.

  “That’s quite a spread,” he remarked.

  “Well, I thought that in light of how things were going, and your attempts to try and make my day feel special, I would do something for you.”

  He leaned against the frame of the doorway. “I’m sorry, hon, I really thought this year was going to be different. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

  “No more promises, okay?”

  She got up from her seat and walked over to him and began undoing his tie. “There are 365 days in a year. This is just one day. You have plenty of time to make it up.”

  She leaned in and gave him a kiss.

  “Where are the kids?”

  “At Shelly’s.”

  “Until what time?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  He got this wide grin on his face as she led him over to the table by his tie.

  “Okay. I like how you think.”

  He went about serving her up a plate of spaghetti and then poured her a glass of wine.

  “So how did it go tonight?”

  He put the wine bottle down and took a seat. “She called in a friend of hers. You know, her
therapist. Put him into a situation that could have cost him his life.”

  “But it didn’t.”

  “No, but it could have.”

  “And?”

  “And?” he stammered. “I don’t know. Some days I think things are improving, and the next she just gets locked into this gung-ho way of thinking and I feel like I’m just along for the ride.”

  Elizabeth snorted. “You’re not in control. That’s the problem.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?”

  “It is when both of you are the same.”

  He laughed, picked up his drink and took a large gulp. “Do not put me in the same sentence as Reid. She is on a whole other level.”

  “So that makes you better than her?” Elizabeth asked beginning to pick at her food.

  “Yeah, I’m better. I know this town. I know how things work and…”

  “Then maybe cut her some slack.”

  He laughed, leaned back, scooped up some of his food and downed it. He pointed his fork at her. “But that’s the thing, Elizabeth. If I cut her slack today, tomorrow that might be me in there.”

  “Ah, okay I get it, so that’s what you’re bothered about. This wasn’t anything to do with Ben, it’s to do with you.”

  “Yes. No. I mean. Uh…”

  “You knew what you were getting when you accepted her as a partner.”

  “C’mon, Elizabeth. You know I had no choice. Davenport put her with me.”

  “And he gave you a way out. You’ve not requested the guy from Collier County.”

  “Because he’s probably wet behind the ears and worse than her. I would take crazy over green any day.”

  She laughed. “Give her time, Harvey. She might even change your mind.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about.”

  She smiled, and they continued eating.

  * * *

  Two hours later, Hanson and Reznik stared down at the dead body of a woman who’d been dragged out of Apalachicola Bay by a fisherman. The Apalachicola police had got in contact with them after they’d notified all the departments about the recent murder investigation and asked them to alert the sheriff’s department if any more women turned up.