Grace

by Laura Marie Henion

  "I don't want to leave you,” he finally stated and she smiled.

  "I'll be fine, Lieutenant Mathews. I'm going to get out of this ridiculous outfit, take a hot shower and head to bed for a couple of hours.” Grace began to move away, but Max wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. His hand gently held her face.

  "You're an amazing woman, Grace,” he whispered then placed his lips over hers. They embraced as they kissed. Their lips connected together tenderly at first, then more passionately.

  Grace wasn't sure how to interpret Max's sudden show of affection and concern for her. She reminded herself she was dressed inappropriately and couldn't help but wonder if that were the source of his attraction. She pulled away and turned her back to him.

  A moment later, Max placed his hands on her shoulders.

  She refused to look at him.

  "Did I do something wrong? I thought..."

  "You thought wrong, Max. This is not me.” She pointed to her outfit, then grabbed the brown chenille throw blanket from the couch. She wrapped it around herself and headed toward the door.

  "I'll be fine, Max, and I'll call you later. We'll make plans to meet with Mary."

  "It has been a long night for you, Grace. And I know you say you have all this experience, but I'm worried. Are you sure you don't want me to stay? I'll take the couch."

  "That won't be necessary, Max."

  Reluctantly, he grabbed his coat off of the barstool and met her by the front entrance.

  Grace thought he was only interested in her because of the outfit she wore and the role she was forced to play so well tonight.

  He walked toward her and as she opened the door, he placed his hand against it and stopped her. His arm held her between himself and the door.

  Reaching up, Max caressed her lower lip gently with his thumb. Their gazes locked.

  "I just want you to know that I kissed you and I'm worried about you because I care. Your role tonight, this outfit you're wearing had nothing to do with my timing or my reaction. I'm attracted to you and know you are attracted to me as well, so don't put up any false walls, Grace. I'll just keep knocking them down."

  He caressed her chin, then her cheek, lightly, as if it were the most natural thing to do, and he had every right to make such intimate contact. Her belly quivered in response.

  "Now get some rest and I'll wait for your call.” He smiled, then left her.

  The door closed. Grace placed the palms of her hands against the door and her forehead. The coldness of the metal felt good against her skin.

  She thought of Max's words and hoped he told the truth.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 8

  The dog kept barking and growling until his owner finally walked across the road to the old stone tunnel. It hadn't been used in decades, and the door against the front was broken, probably from the kids who found it adventurous to enter the lair.

  He was sure there was probably some dead animal or old garbage inside that made the dog's senses react, but then again Tex was a Labrador Retriever and he lived to fetch and retrieve.

  It was 5:00 a.m. and still very dark out, but the old man had a flashlight with him, so he obliged the dog.

  He walked to the door and pulled it open. Tex went running in. About twenty feet inside, the dog halted and continued to bark. The old man entered slow and carefully, not looking forward to getting bit by some insect, snake, or rabid raccoon. He shone the flashlight first on Tex, and then toward the ground. His heart dropped. H called the dog to him, then quickly exited the tunnel.

  He ran to his house and dialed 911.

  * * * *

  Max had taken a shower and had just dried himself off when his cell phone rang. He walked over to the dresser to answer it.

  "Yeah, Max, it's Tommy. They found Jessy Levitz's body."

  Quickly, Max got dressed, then headed toward the crime scene.

  Max stood near the body of Jessy Levitz, filling Tommy in on the information Grace discovered last night.

  Jessy was nothing but skin and bones, obviously starved to death, who knew for how long. From the scratches on the dirt floor and under her fingernails, they assumed she tried to break the chains she was bound with. There was no way anyone would have heard her pleas for help.

  Max was now worried about Grace and her deeper involvement.

  "So Grace wasn't sure who this Master was?” Tommy asked as they moved to the side and allowed the forensics team to do their work.

  "No, she wasn't. The problem is that he knew who she was and finding him may be impossible."

  "We could have Mary locate the clubs, then we can organize a task force and bust them all. There's good enough reason for it, especially if we're dealing with the possibility of an illegal sex slave operation. Man, just saying it makes my insides tighten up."

  "I know what you mean. Trying to organize such a large-scale bust could make us lose this guy completely. We have no idea who he is, but he knows Grace."

  "She can handle herself. We'll make her take extra precautions."

  "She fits the victims’ profile, Tommy."

  Tommy paused as if thinking about the victims’ profile, then Grace. “I can understand your concern, Max. When exactly did you find out this information?” Tommy smiled.

  "It's not like that. I was worried about her last night. She didn't call. I headed to her place."

  "Ohh ... I see.” Tommy stuck his hands in the pockets of his oversized winter coat. He let out a breath of air which instantly turned into smoke. The temperature was brutal this early in the morning.

  Max didn't bother to try and lie to Tommy. They were too close for him to get away with it.

  He was relieved when his phone rang again and this time it was Grace.

  "Why didn't you call me? I just found out about the body."

  "Tommy and I are on top of it, Grace. There was no need to notify you."

  "It's like that now, huh? After last night and the club?” She sounded insulted, hurt, but she should know the deal. Max wasn't using his lead investigator title.

  Jessy Levitz was the third victim to go missing that Max and the other detectives had connected with Celina. It made sense that he and Tommy were called first.

  Max moved away from Tommy a second so his partner couldn't hear.

  "Grace, I thought you needed the rest considering everything that happened last night. Tommy and I can handle things besides Frank is already here. I'm going to discuss everything with the commander later. You're already in too deep as it is."

  "I'm doing my job, Max, whether you like it or not."

  "So am I, Grace. However, I'm not about to risk your life. I've been doing this a long time."

  "Goodbye, Max.” Grace hung up the phone.

  Max smacked his phone closed, then shoved his hands in his pockets. He was furious with Grace. How dare she hang up on him?

  "That didn't sound like it went too well."

  "That damn woman is out of her mind. She hung up on me. Do you believe it?” Max said as his phone rang again. He quickly pulled it out and read the Caller ID. He was disappointed. It was the homicide commander calling. Max answered the phone and filled his commander in on the latest information.

  "You sure that the undercover detective told you everything?” Commander Franklin asked.

  "She better have or I'm gonna personally wring her neck,” Max stated.

  "What's her name?"

  "Grace Martin."

  "Oh, shit, Gracy? I want a full report when you return. I'll take care of Detective Martin."

  Max hung up the phone, uncertain whether he was relived or jealous. Tommy picked up on his facial expression.

  "What's going on?” Tommy asked and he told him about Commander Franklin knowing Grace.

  "So that's a good thing, partner."

  "How is that a good thing?” His anger and jealousy got the best of him.

  "She likes older men,” Tommy teased, then m
ade a quick step to the right before Max made contact with a right hook.

  "Let's get back to work.” Max still thought about Grace. The commander called her Gracy, which meant he must know her pretty well.

  * * * *

  Grace was furious with Max. After she calmed down, she realized things had gotten out of hand last night. They should never have kissed or given into their mutual attraction. She would continue to share the information she uncovered from her side of the investigation but was determined to keep their relationship all business.

  That was going to be a hell of a job in itself. She thought about him from the moment he left and the way he made her feel.

  She got very little sleep. Max was right about that, but he was already controlling her. She was afraid last night for the first time in ages. Easily, she could have asked him to stay, but what would that have led to? Nothing but heartache, upset and problems. She was sure of it.

  A man like Max was stubborn, possessive and controlling. As good as that felt early this morning in her kitchen, the end result would mean disappointment. She wasn't into sexual relationships based solely on lust, although if Max had pursued her further, there was no doubt she would have let him take her to bed.

  She shook her head as if trying to make herself see the huge mistake that would have been. It must have had something to do with the outfit she wore last night. The too-tight leather dress must have been cutting off the oxygen that went to her brain.

  Grace turned the car left at the corner of Main Street and Madison, heading toward The Cave to speak with Mary. This morning, Mary had called to talk and Grace told the other woman she would be right over. Of course, Grace didn't have the opportunity to tell Max since all they did was argue on the phone.

  She thought about that angry look he used on her last night, and she was sure he had the same expression on his face this morning when she hung up on him. It was a childish thing to do, but she took advantage of the situation knowing damn well if Max were right there in front of her using that same intense angry look, she wouldn't have had a chance.

  He was intimidating, and she was surprised she liked that about him.

  Also, she didn't get the chance to tell him her source from vice, Paulie, had no information to share but told her he would do some snooping.

  Grace smiled as she turned into the parking lot behind the store. Mary's Corvette sat in its regular parking spot.

  Grace's cell phone rang again. It had to be Felix. He was late and was supposed to meet her at The Cave to question Mary.

  "Yeah, Grace, I got caught up at the department. I'm on my way. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

  "No problem, Felix. I'll get things started with Mary."

  "Is she there yet?"

  "Her car's here. I'll see you soon.” Grace smiled, then hung up the phone.

  Once Grace got out of her jeep, she headed toward the back door, yawning. She really was tired. She knocked first, then tried the knob. The door was unlocked.

  She opened the door and headed inside. The hallway was dark and a dim glow from under the door that led to the front of the store was the only light source.

  Suddenly, she thought she heard something coming from the office. That uneasy feeling always meant the presence of danger.

  Grace moved slowly, trying to gather her bearings and remember the layout of the office.

  She made out the multiple tables filled with computers and phones. She recalled the sound of sexy calls, low moans, and innuendos she had overheard during her first visit.

  As she felt the handle, Grace remembered the door being to the left. She unclipped her gun and kept her hand on the handle.

  "Mary ... Mary, are you in here?” Grace called out right before she was about to open the door.

  Something fell and crashed to the ground in there.

  Grace raised her sidearm, but it was too late.

  Someone came rushing through the doorway, knocking her to the side. When her arm slammed against something metal, the gun fell.

  Her car keys fell to the floor, as well. She quickly bent down to grab for the gun and felt the keys instead. Her attacker was above her and about to lash out.

  There was little room as she rose from the floor and her thigh hit the desk by the door. She was sure the figure was a large man, but it was dark and he wore a mask.

  He had a weapon and as he lunged toward Grace, she ducked then gave him a sidekick, yelling, “Ki ya!” as she had learned as a martial artist.

  The kick sent her attacker back a step, but he retaliated, delivering a punch to her jaw. She felt her lip swell, then her backside ached as it made contact with the desk.

  Grace grabbed onto the sides of the desk to brace herself from falling, then held up her forearms in defense. He lunged with a forearm and she blocked it, immediately feeling the pain travel from her wrist to her armpit. The attacker was strong and solid.

  Again, he came at her, but she raised her leg in time to nail him in the stomach, then she attempted to use her keys, but his knife made contact with her hand.

  She felt the sharp slice as she screamed, then started swinging.

  She was momentarily stunned when he got a blow at her cheekbone.

  She prayed for light, for someone to open the door, but it never happened.

  Using his body, the attacker shoved her hard against the wall.

  As she reached out to grab hold of him, he lunged forward, tackling her against the desk. Her head hit the sheetrock wall. Her body slid downward as her attacker escaped through the back door.

  Grace was on the floor with the side of her head cut by the sharp corner of the desk or the wall itself. She pushed herself to her feet, hoping to get a glimpse of the guy, his size, his height, eyes, anything, but he was gone.

  Grace called out, “Mary ... are you in there? Are you all right?"

  The adrenaline left her system, replaced by fear and the reality of what just took place.

  Reaching for the light on the side of the doorway, she flipped on the switch that instantly illuminated the room.

  In shock, Grace gasped. Mary lay in a pool of blood on the floor, with her clothes torn, and her body bruised. Grace nearly passed out.

  She fumbled for the phone on the side of the desk outside of the office.

  Quickly, she dialed 911. The knife cut in her hand, dripped blood down her pants. Grace stared at the wound while her head throbbed.

  She had Mary's killer, perhaps the Master himself, in her grasp and he escaped.

  * * * *

  On the other side of the office, Grace sat in a chair while a paramedic looked over her injuries. Felix was now in the other room with the detectives.

  "You need stitches, Detective,” the paramedic told her as he bandaged up her hand. The bleeding continued even as he applied pressure.

  "Grace!” She heard her name and looked toward the doorway where Max and Tommy now rushed in. He looked scared and angry.

  He was immediately by her side, shocked at the sight of her bruised lips, chin and bandaged hand. He stood over her as the paramedic continued to wrap her hand.

  "She needs stitches, Lieutenant, but she doesn't want to go."

  "She has no choice. Are you all right?” he asked.

  She couldn't answer him but nodded yes, then looked back down at her hands. She knew that she appeared scared and shaken up.

  "What the hell happened?” he asked in a tone that sent a chill right through her.

  She glanced up at him and absorbed the fact the room seemed less chaotic with Max Mathew's presence.

  Grace initially imagined Max taking her into his arms in a protective embrace. She was shocked at the spontaneous need. It had to be the head injury.

  She immediately turned away and focused on the throbbing in her hand aiding in her ability to act professional. Grace didn't want to appear afraid. Put on your big girl smile and hide the pain. You're alone, you don't need anyone but yourself.

  "He killed her, Max.
... Mary is dead,” she whispered.

  * * * *

  "Lieutenant Mathews!” Max looked up. Detective Jeffreys was motioning for Max and Tommy to come with him.

  Max gave Grace a look, but she wouldn't look at him. Instead, she stared at her lap.

  Max and Tommy walked around the desks to Mary's office. They were shocked at the sight and the amount of blood.

  "Holy shit,” Tommy blurted out.

  Max now knew why Grace was so shaken up.

  "The young woman out there managed to interrupt the killer, possibly while he was having his way with the victim."

  "Did you question Grace already?” Max asked.

  "You know her, Max?” Jeffreys asked and Max filled him in on her involvement in the case.

  "She's something else. If you ask me, pretty damn tough to be able to take a beating like that. She said she got a few in herself."

  Max absorbed the information, getting more upset as the conversation continued.

  Mary Chloe was dead, murdered and more than likely raped. Grace had walked in on it.

  "Damn tough detective. She didn't enter the crime scene. Supposedly, she knew the victim,” Jeffreys stated.

  "She did. Did Detective Martin give a description of the assailant?” Max asked.

  "He was wearing a mask, but she managed to get some details. We'll have to see what we get from the crime scene once forensics gets through with it."

  The detectives moved out of the way as the forensics team moved in to take pictures and collect evidence.

  The three detectives exited the office to the hallway where Grace stood arguing with the paramedic.

  Now her partner stood next to her.

  "I'm not going in an ambulance. I'm fine, damn it,” she stated with clenched teeth but still she didn't raise her voice.

  "Grace, get the damn stitches, will you? You need them.” Felix placed his hand on her shoulder.

  Max grimaced. He also wondered where the hell her partner had been instead of being there with her to interrogate Mary.

  "Hey! Where were you when this went down?” Max asked him angrily.

  Felix gave Max a dirty look. “I was held up."