"Your partner was here on her own and you were aware of the meeting and the scheduled time?” Max moved closer to Felix and Grace.
"He got hung up at the department, Lieutenant. He did call and let me know. So I figured I would get things started,” Grace added.
"You should have been here.” Max pointed his finger at Felix.
Felix was about to respond when the other detective called him over.
"Max, why don't you take her to the hospital, then back to the station? The commander wants to see her, anyway,” Tommy suggested.
Without saying a word to Tommy, Max headed toward Grace, just nodding his head.
Immediately, he placed his arm around Grace's shoulders. “I'll take her."
Grace pushed Max's arm away. “I'm fine, Lieutenant. I can walk on my own."
Grace didn't want to be patronized like some fragile child. Max got the hint.
"Detective Martin, please allow me to escort you to the hospital. You're in no condition to drive, especially with that bump on your head."
"Keep pressure on the wound and bandage as best you can,” the paramedic informed them.
"No problem."
Max started walking Grace out the back door.
The second Max's arms were around her shoulders, he sensed Grace wanted to cry. Just release all the fear and terror she had running through her, but she fought it.
Max whispered in her ear, “I'm here, baby. Everything is going to be all right."
Grace got into Max's unmarked police car and they headed to the emergency room.
* * * *
Grace didn't say a word and Max didn't want to push. Instead, he stayed by her side as the doctor on duty stitched up her hand. He watched her stay calm and in control, probably wondering when she would finally explode.
Watching her, he tried to read her facial expression. Her face was bruised and swollen with her lip cut but not in need of stitches.
He sighed and kept his gaze on Grace.
The doctor patted Grace's hand after he was finished. “You're a very brave young woman. Don't worry about the bruises. They'll heal pretty fast."
She thanked the doctor.
The words the doctor spoke rekindled something she had buried deep inside and had forgotten about until this moment.
You're a lucky little girl. So brave and so strong.
She couldn't help the tears that instantly filled her eyes, and Max was immediately by her side.
The doctor explained about the pain medication as well as cleaning and changing the bandages covering the wound and stitches. She knew the routine, recalling the multiple injuries she sustained on the job that required similar care and treatment. She had the scars and the memories to show for them.
She glanced at Max and he smiled with a look of concern and something else. She cringed at the thought that he may reprimand her for not waiting for backup. It was obvious he felt Felix was partially to blame. She wondered what had kept Felix at the department, considering she had called him immediately after arranging the meeting with Mary.
Mary.
Grace rubbed her eyes, recalling the scene in the office, the blood and her fight for her life against a killer.
She immediately felt Max's hand on her shoulder.
"What is it, Grace? What's wrong?"
Grace pushed his hand away and slid down from the examining table.
"I'm fine. Can we leave now?” she asked just as the nurse entered the room and handed over the paperwork.
Max led Grace outside to the cold winter weather. It was officially December and the smell of snow filled the air. She couldn't believe how fast time was going by.
"We may be getting some snow tonight.” Max helped Grace get into the car. She immediately laid her head back against the headrest. She closed her eyes as the memories of her past slowly came to mind.
She slammed her fist down on the armrest. “Damn it!"
"What?” Max asked, but Grace didn't say another word. He reached across the seat and took her hand. Surprisingly, she didn't pull away again.
Just then, Max's cell phone rang.
"We're on our way,” Max said, adding a few yes and no answers before hanging up.
"That was Tommy. We have to head to the department. The commander wants to speak with you. You have to give your full statement again."
Grace knew the drill and hoped she wouldn't lose it. She just needed to get through this last part, then head home to be alone. Alone with her ghosts from her past and perhaps a few from the present, as well.
* * * *
"Gracy, my God, honey, are you all right?” The commander pulled Grace into an embrace. She hugged him tight, grateful he was a close friend of her father's and Uncle Nicholas', also.
She smelled his musky cologne as he held her. His hair was dark brown with streaks of silver. If he were still alive, her father would more than likely be showing his age, too.
Shocked that after all these years she thought about what her father might look like if he were alive, Grace closed her eyes, willing away the tears. She was sure her mother would be just as beautiful and both of them would have been there for her to go to once she left the precinct.
That was Uncle Nicholas and Aunt Leeann's job now, and Grace put up the walls.
"I spoke to Nick. He wants you to call him as soon as you can. I explained what was going on."
"Thanks,” Grace said as Gus Franklin still held her hand.
He touched her cheek, being sure not to get too close to the bruises. “I bet those hurt."
She smiled.
"Let's sit down, Gracy, so we can talk. Can I get you some coffee?"
She nodded yes, then Gus sent a detective to retrieve some.
"We're going to record this conversation and ask you some questions. If it's too much, let us know and we'll take a break.” Gus patted Grace's knee.
Max cleared his throat, and Grace looked at him. He was jealous, she could tell, and under normal circumstances, she would be gloating right now, though this was definitely not the case. She could easily become lost in Max's arms if he offered, but she couldn't allow herself to lean on him.
"I know the drill.” This time, the commander took her good hand in his and they stared into one another's eyes. No words were spoken. None were needed.
The detective walked in with the white foam cup of coffee and handed it to Grace. They started the tape recorder and Grace told them everything that happened.
"Grace, I think you may need some extra protection,” Commander Franklin stated after stopping the recorder.
"I'll be fine. This is all part of my investigation."
"You were lucky, Gracy. He could have killed you, too."
"He didn't. I fought him off and I'm here and even more determined to find Celina."
"For Christ's sake, Grace, will you put the damn stubbornness behind you and realize your life could be in danger? Your lack of sleep last night after the undercover work had an effect on your ability to defend yourself. You were damn lucky!” Max added hotly as he took a step toward Grace and Gus.
Gus appeared surprised by Max's sudden outburst.
"I can handle it, Lieutenant,” Grace snapped back.
"He knows who you are and if it is the Master who killed Mary, then he saw you, knows it was you, and I'm sure you pissed him off today."
"What do you mean he knows her?” the commander asked.
Max filled him in as Grace tried to minimize the threat.
"Damn it, Gracy, why didn't you tell me this? Your father..."
At which, Grace stood up and gave the commander such an intense look he stopped speaking, fully aware he shouldn't have brought up her father in front of the others. She kept her secret well.
"Max, Tommy, please excuse us.” The commander kept his stare locked with Grace's.
Max and Tommy reluctantly left the room.
* * * *
"What the hell is that all about?” Tommy asked as they headed to
ward the desk.
"I don't know,” Max said but kept an eye on Grace and the commander.
They had to know one another pretty good. The way they embraced, the way the commander kept calling her Gracy. Maybe it was a ‘pet name’ or they had been involved with one another in the past.
Max's mind reached for answers as the jealous feeling intensified. Lots of young women preferred older men. The maturity and no-nonsense attitude they brought to a relationship was a plus. He was older, mature, and not into the stupid mind games and silliness that seemed to be a hidden requirement in most weak relationships. Max sighed, then glanced at Tommy.
"Suspicious ... definitely suspicious,” he added, egging Max on. Max shook his head, then stared back toward the commander's office.
* * * *
"Gracy, for Christ's sake, this is beyond the call of duty. Your life is in danger, you're running around entering clubs like that, and today someone nearly killed you. Your friend was brutally raped and murdered."
"First of all, Mary was not a friend. She volunteered to assist in the undercover operation because she had the inside scoop on protocol and club rules. You know what's going through my head right now, don't you?” she asked rather loudly.
Gus took a deep breath.
"Your uncle has men working this case. He already knows this took place today. Do you think he's going to allow you to continue?"
"What do you mean ‘allow me?’ I have every right to do my job and do it thoroughly. If this guy wants to come after me, then let him. Finding Celina and stopping this madman from taking someone else is my objective."
"This is too dangerous, honey. Why must you insist upon living on the edge? This is not Vegas Metro!"
She glanced toward the window in the office, knowing that Max, Tommy and the others had to have heard their commander yelling. Then she turned and faced her father's friend. “This is what I do, Gus. This is what keeps me sane. I'll take the extra precautions."
Gus sighed, then pointed his finger at Grace. “You'll keep myself and the detectives up to date with your investigation, as well. Don't take this lightly, Gracy. I promised your father..."
"Please, Gus ... I can't...” Grace said as she turned her back to him.
Grace felt Gus’ arms as he turned her around and stared into her eyes while holding her shoulders.
"I promised your father that I would always watch over you, just as Nicholas does. While you were in Vegas raising hell, Nicholas and I couldn't do our job thoroughly. Now you're here. We've got you back. If something else happens, you're going into protective custody."
Grace tried to object, but Gus wouldn't allow it. Instead, he embraced Grace, then kissed her on the forehead.
* * * *
The phone on the dark cherry wood desk continued to ring. The Master was lost in thought, thinking of a fantasy involving his new interest. He was grateful his number one client hadn't been at the club last week. There was no doubt in the Master's mind that his client would have been interested in Grace Martin. He pushed the thoughts aside, knowing Grace was his and would never belong to his client.
It was fate Grace had entered his club and his life.
His client was obsessed, losing control, and would soon make a mistake that would surely get him caught.
Just as long as he got his money and kept the Master's identity hidden, he didn't care about his client either way.
The Master was a pro at disguises and living two separate lives had become natural to him. He was positive no one would figure out who he was. He wasn't even sure who he was. He thought about his mother. Instantly, he was filled with disgust and anger.
Why did his mother still feel she had such control over him? No one even knew he existed. Sure she had funded his education, paid off the maid who raised him in the suburbs so his mother could live her life without her husband finding out about the affair or the mistake.
The Master's eyebrows crinkled. He was practically snarling from the thoughts going through his head.
Look where he was now. Established, powerful and more importantly, right in front of his mother and her family and friends. Her family and all the connections she had gave him a playground filled with toys and amusement. From that playground, he handpicked each toy, shopping for the right one to be sure to make his customers happy.
There was a knock at his office door. He cleared his mind as he gave permission to enter.
"Sir, I've been trying to buzz you. Is everything all right? You have a client waiting and he's getting antsy,” his attractive little secretary said.
The Master knew he needed to be more careful.
"Let him in, darling, and we'll get started."
The secretary smiled, then wiggled her way out of the office. The Master watched but with little interest. His secretary was nothing compared to Grace Martin.
The way Grace moved, her smile, her hair, and even the scent of her perfume were intoxicating. He wanted to see her again, be near her. His pulse increased in speed. He would make this happen. He was sure of it because he always got what he wanted. He felt that the decision was made for him. Grace was meant to be his.
He didn't feel the least bit threatened that Grace was a homicide detective, because he knew he covered his tracks well. It was his clients who concerned him.
He was glad he decided to help his clients get rid of their ‘used merchandise’ himself instead of allowing them to ‘take care of it.'
He was the Master in more ways than one.
* * * *
"I'm fine, Uncle Nicholas, really I am.” Grace lay on her bed, her hair still damp from the long shower she had taken.
"Gracy, honey, don't lie to me. I spoke with Commander Don Nikko and he seemed just as worried. You went through something very traumatic. Don't try to minimize it or pretend as if it hasn't affected you. You're not sleeping, are you?"
She had to tell him the truth unless she wanted her headache to get worse.
"I've had better nights."
"Are you having those nightmares again? Those memories from—"
"I don't want to talk about this. I can handle it. I need to handle it for Celina's sake as well as for Mary's."
"Have you been out of your place?"
"I will be shortly."
"Where are you going? You're not going alone, are you?"
"No. I'll call you tomorrow, don't worry,” she lied.
"How can I not worry about you? I love you."
"I love you, too. Bye.” Grace hung up.
Her mind went over one event to the next with everything mixed up. She attempted to ignore the thoughts, the visions, as her cell phone rang. Reluctantly, she answered it.
"Hello."
"Grace?"
"Yes."
"It's Ed. I have that location for you and the file, as well."
Grace had forgotten all about asking Ed for a copy of Jessy's file. She wanted to visit the crime scene, get a feel for both the victim and the killer. What bad timing.
"Grace? Is everything all right? I heard about what happened.” Ed interrupted her thoughts.
"I'm here, Ed, everything is fine. Where do you want to meet?"
Grace made the arrangements, then hung up to quickly dry her hair. If Felix, Max, or the others knew she was going to visit the crime scene, she would have an entourage with her. No. She needed to be alone to get a feel for the perpetrator and his actions. She willed herself to focus on the investigation and not allow her own tragedy in life to take over her every thought.
An hour later, she had the file in hand as she sat all alone in her jeep outside the tunnel where Jessy had been found. Grace read over the information. The pictures were heart wrenching to say the least. How could someone starve another human being to death like this? How could they take a precious life so easily and without remorse? She shook her head as her body began to shake and her eyes filled with tears.
Grace had investigated hundreds of homicides in her career as a detective, b
ut for some reason, this one hit close to home.
Once again, she somehow found the strength to get out of her car. She looked around. No one was in sight. There were woods ahead and then the tunnel. She left her gun unclipped on her hip.
So she could see inside the tunnel, Grace took along a flashlight. She attempted to convince herself she was doing this for Celina and she wasn't afraid of the dark or claustrophobic anymore.
As soon as she came to the tunnel, her body had a totally different reaction.
The wind blew the cold air right through her winter coat. She entered the tunnel knowing Jessy had lain twenty feet ahead and was left to die.
The pictures from the crime scene flashed through her mind as Grace now took baby steps. The echo of the wind stung her ears as it entered through the opening of the cave. She tried to keep calm and talk herself into remaining professional.
Jessy must have been so scared. She probably heard the wind right outside the cave door and yet there was no way she could escape her restraints.
To know that freedom stood only footsteps away must have been torture in itself. Grace empathized with that, knowing she had experienced such trauma herself.
Again Grace thought about Tommy and Max's descriptions of the crime scene. The details about the large boulder, the fingernail indentations in the dirt, evidence of Jessy's attempt to free herself and the description of her emaciated body.
Grace closed her eyes. Her heart raced. Her mind attempted to bring back memories of her own ordeal as a young child, but they were foggy. She fought to keep them that way. She made it to the location and squatted down as she looked at the file and illuminated the area with her flashlight.
A few feet ahead of her, the large boulder lay snug against the wall. Her body wasted, shriveled, and nothing but skin and bones. Her eye sockets sunk in her head. Her lips colorless. Grace could still see the scratch marks in the dirt along with the footprints from the detectives and forensic technicians.
The victim's fingernails were gone, shredded, bloody and torn.
"My God, Jessy, you fought so hard, right to the end,” Grace whispered.
She closed her eyes, pulling together the facts found by the homicide detectives and the evidence on Jessy's body.
Grace Page 11