"Who are you? Who is the Master? So coy, so confident and strong.” She envisioned the man at the club, then the murderer from Mary's shop.
Were they the same person? She wasn't a hundred percent sure of it. The same build, maybe the same cologne. She wasn't sure about the eyes because she never saw her attacker's eyes.
She was trying too hard to remember, to connect the events, all while pushing aside her personal nightmares. Her captor, her parents’ killer, was found and killed while trying to evade capture. Why shouldn't she want to provide that same relief and closure to Jessy, to Mary and their families?
"I'm going to bring you justice, Jessy. I promise you.” She looked around the tunnel again.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, causing the goosebumps to travel down her back.
In a flash, she was nine years old again, locked inside the small loading compartment. It was way too small for her to stretch out her legs. She couldn't even kneel inside of it. Her wrists hurt, and her white nightgown was torn and dirty.
Grace rubbed her wrists, then her arms. The visions were real, the wounds still raw.
Her tomb wasn't that different than Jessy's. They were both trapped, helpless, scared. She was certain Jessy had prayed first for life then for death just as she had. All those promises of never being naughty again, doing chores without complaining, anything and everything if God would just let her live, guide someone to find her and to just survive. Then praying for death, to join her parents and be a family in heaven.
There had been small holes drilled into the side of the metal container, but they only provided a small amount of air, no light.
Grace remembered the stuffiness, the inability to breathe out, her body weak and strained.
She fell against the dirt wall, instantly feeling the constricted space, her desperate need to escape, to stretch, to have more than enough room. Her dress pants were dirty as well as her coat. Finally, she managed to push herself up and grabbed the flashlight.
The memories, the visions continued. Her parents’ killer wanted her to suffer. Sick and twisted, he had killed her parents in cold blood, then been charged with murdering four other people including a witness, his own fiancée. Why did he want her, a child, to suffer so badly?
She remembered asking herself the question, praying Uncle Nick would find her and that her parents weren't really dead.
He made a mistake though and one that cost him his life. He tried to get ransom money from Aunt Delores, Uncle Ted, Nicholas, and Leeann.
After the payoff, the police pretended to lose him in traffic, but Uncle Nick was on his tail.
The killer went to the shipping dock. It was late in the evening, and there was no one around. Planning on killing her as soon as he opened the door to her tomb, he got the shock of his life when Uncle Nick snuck up behind him along with some uniformed officers and other detectives. Her captor, Blade, jumped down off the lift and began running and shooting his weapon. Uncle Nick and the others fired back, instantly killing him.
Crunched up in a ball in the corner, she remembered trying to breathe in fresh air and freedom. Then Nick and the others appeared.
Her nightmares continued for years.
Blinking the tears from her eyes, Grace took in her surroundings and felt the confinement, the feelings of restraint and pure fear. Trying to take in too much air at once, she panicked as she turned to run toward the exit. She tripped and fell. The dirt wedged under her nails.
Daddy.... I want Mommy and Daddy. Thoughts of herself as a child screaming and the man laughing ran rampant in her mind. Grace pushed the door open, instantly feeling the cold frigid air hit her face, freezing her tears.
"You're out. You're safe,” she whispered as she calmed her breathing and kept her hands on her knees, her head bent between them. She heard a sound and quickly pulled her firearm from the holster and pointed it.
Felix was standing in front of her.
Grace nearly screamed, then lost her breath and her balance. Felix grabbed hold of her arm.
"Whoa, Grace. Are you all right?” Felix held her steady, his lips inches from her forehead.
She thought she was still alone.
"What are you doing here? I nearly shot you.” She sounded breathless. She needed to calm down. Felix continued to hold her.
"Come on, Grace, I know you. I knew it wouldn't be long until you came to check out Jessy's crime scene for yourself. What are you doing out here all alone?"
He moved his gloved hand toward Grace's cheek and touched it gently.
Still dazed, Grace just stared at Felix.
"I'm fine, really. I just got a little claustrophobic, I guess.” She smiled nervously.
"Yeah, that can happen to the best of us. You banged your head pretty badly, that could have something to do with it. You sure you're all right? I can follow you back to your place. We can get a pizza or something.” Felix smiled, then rubbed Grace's arms as if trying to warm her up. Instead, the sensation gave her the chills and made her feel colder. Grace shivered.
"You're freezing, Grace, come on."
"No. I'm fine, Felix, really. I was finished up here anyway. Thanks."
"I'll follow you home.” He took her hand and eyed her ... differently. There was definitely something strange about the way Felix looked at her.
"Another time, maybe. I'm tired. I should get rest."
Felix showed his disappointment but walked Grace to her car. He was driving his own jeep, and she wondered how she could have missed the sound of its engine as he pulled up to the hill near the cave. After all, she wasn't that far inside the tunnel. Then she should have felt his presence as soon as she exited the cave and she didn't.
Was she losing her touch, her ability to sense danger, keep on her toes and be aware of everything going on around her, especially considering the possibility that she could be a target?
The tears streamed down her cheeks, and she tightly held the steering wheel as she watched Felix's lights disappear.
* * * *
Grace planned on speaking with the Marquettes and not divulging too much information. She didn't want to be the one responsible for blowing the case.
She knew they were desperate for answers. A month had passed but with each new lead and every new connection, the events surrounding Celina's disappearance became more complicated.
No matter what, Grace would continue the investigation. As she started the car and began heading back home, she was determined to see the case to its conclusion. She would call Uncle Nicholas and let him know she was fine when she realized her cell phone had been turned off.
Quickly, she powered it up and was shocked at the number of voicemails. She placed the phone in the car mount and turned up the volume on the speaker.
Most of the calls, she could return later, but there were five from Max. He was angry at her, she could tell, but wanted to avoid him right now.
There hadn't been one person in her life other than her father who was able to affect her so deeply. All Max had to do was look at her at just the right moment and no words needed to be spoken. They understood one another, connected immediately and the thought frightened her.
She didn't want to believe she would ever need someone again. She didn't want to care too deeply or open her heart for the fear of suffering another heartache and loss. It was just easier this way.
She would have to avoid her attraction to Max, separate her present situation and the case from her past and focus on finding Celina. Max didn't want that. He wanted her safe.
However, she was a cop's daughter and being a homicide investigator was her vocation, her calling, and she was good at it. No matter what the future held, she wasn't giving up on getting the Master or putting an end to his so-called new business venture.
All of which, she knew, was more easily said than done.
As she entered her driveway, Grace closed the phone. She wasn't that surprised to find Max sitting in his car, obviously waiting for her. He
r heart raced with anticipation of Max's questioning and interrogation tactics. She took a deep breath, then emerged from the car.
Quickly, Grace tried to brush off the dirt on her pants and jacket, but it was no use.
Max was already next to her car door.
"Where the hell have you been? I left messages for you."
He was angry and immediately she felt guilty. Why the hell does he get to me so easily?
"I know that, Lieutenant, but I had things to do.” Grace's tone was arrogant while she attempted to walk past him and to her front door.
* * * *
Not happy with her answer, Max grabbed her arm to stop her, but he used more force than he realized and they wound up in an embrace.
The air was frigid and he noted Grace's discolored lips.
Max took in the sight of her bruised face, now discolored and more yellow. With Grace wearing low-heeled boots, the tip of her nose was even with his neck. He was so worried about her when she didn't answer her phone or respond to his messages. Now she stood here in front of him with an attitude to boot.
Max continued to hold her close.
"Where were you?” he whispered.
"I had things to do."
"You should have called me, Grace. You need to be in constant contact with me for your own safety."
"I was fine."
"So you say. You look tired. Have you been sleeping?"
She turned away from him.
Max turned her toward her front door, being sure to keep his hand on her shoulders, and they went inside. He watched her hang up her jacket and kick off her boots. He noticed the dirt scatter around her feet.
"What happened?"
She attempted to play it off as no big deal. “I tripped."
"Where? In a dirt pile?” The sarcasm was obvious in his tone as he followed her into the kitchen.
"It's just dirt. It will come out.” She looked at Max as he stood in the middle of her kitchen just watching her. She quickly turned on the faucet and scrubbed her fingernails with soap. When she was finished drying her hands, she gazed at Max.
Max knew he had a ‘you're lying to me’ look on his face.
He stood there tall, masculine and full of authority. She could only imagine how horrible it must be to be interrogated by him.
"Well?” he asked.
"I went to the tunnel."
Max stayed silent a moment, then it hit him. “Where Jessy was found?” He moved toward her.
Grace didn't answer. She just stood in place.
"Of all the stupid things...” he began to yell.
Grace covered her ears, then turned away from him.
He reached for her, and she slapped his hand away, moving forward, but Max wouldn't allow it.
"What if he had been following you? What if he took you or killed you right there, then what? Are you crazy?” he hollered at her and with each word, it was obvious she lost more of her control, her composure, everything.
She turned on him, fists at her side.
"Felix showed up. He had a feeling I would go there.” She probably hoped that would put Max's mind at ease, but instead the statement bothered him more. Anger took over.
"Oh, how wonderful of him. Now he shows up unexpected, reading your mind and being a good partner.” The sarcasm was apparent in Max's voice.
"He is my partner and he made a mistake, Max, just drop it already."
"Bullshit! He should have been there, Grace. He was your backup. He knew the circumstances after the undercover operation and should have stayed with you. What the hell kind of partner is he?” Max took a step toward her.
"He was going to come back with me, order a pizza. He cares!” she yelled at him, looking frustrated and angry, as well.
"The old ‘order a pizza together’ line. You nearly fell for that?"
"Get out! Just leave me alone and get out!"
Max didn't move. Instead, he egged her on knowing she was about to burst and he wouldn't let her go through this alone. He was angry as hell. Had been worried sick all afternoon wondering if the killer found her, took her, instead she was stupid enough to go to the tunnel. To the crime scene alone in the middle of a deserted woods? Then her worthless partner shows up out of nowhere wanting to order a pizza and be with her?
Bullshit!
The guy had ulterior motives, and Max was aware of the talk about Grace through the departments. She was a knockout with a fantastic personality. Her reputation as a top-notch detective just added to her appeal. Guys talked shit all the time.
"No! I'm not leaving you."
"Leave me alone, Max. I don't need you. I don't want you here, just leave!” She walked out of the kitchen and headed toward the stairs.
"I'm not leaving you, Grace. I'm staying right here.” He pointed his finger at the floor.
"Suit yourself!” She headed to her room.
* * * *
Hoping to hear the front door open then close, Grace listened closely but she heard nothing.
Her head pounded, so she took some Ibuprofen with a glass of water from the bathroom. Her mind traveled over her fight with Max. He was jealous of Felix and the thought upset her. Felix had been acting funny, but he wasn't interested in Grace sexually.
No way!
He never made a move, flirted, or came on to her in any way. Why would he start now? The pounding in her head increased. She officially had a migraine and the thought of just chopping her head off to get rid of the pain entered then exited her mind.
As she changed her clothes, she realized how very tired she was. She sat on the bed. Maybe if I just lie down a while, my headache will go way.
She lay back, thinking she would just rest a few minutes, then go back downstairs and get Max to leave, but before she knew it, she was fast asleep.
* * * *
A short while later, Max went upstairs to check on Grace. He saw her sleeping on the bed and covered her with a blanket, then headed back downstairs to make some phone calls.
He went into the kitchen to see if Grace had anything to make for dinner. He was sure she hadn't been taking care of herself. Even he had missed a few meals and was grabbing fast food or crappy foods just to settle his growling stomach. He could use a decent meal and Grace needed him. At least he wanted her to need him.
He pulled together some ingredients and defrosted some chicken cutlets she had in the freezer.
He walked around Grace's home, looking at pictures of what he assumed were family and friends.
There was a graduation picture he guessed was from college, but she was posing with Nicholas O'Connor, his daughter and probably Nicholas's wife. He wondered about Grace's parents.
He walked through the living room and found a collage of pictures on one wall. Max nearly missed the picture of Grace with Commander Franklin. They held one another and it looked like they were dancing.
The other pictures were goofy poses with Grace and O'Connor's daughter and some of Grace in a casino with friends. He was still shocked that Grace was a detective out in Vegas Metro for years.
His cell phone rang.
"Hey, Tommy, what's going on?"
"We may have an old case connected to our current one."
"What do you mean?"
"Louie was looking over old, unsolved case files and about two years ago, a young college student went missing. Just disappeared out of the blue. Anyway, it had the same MO. It appeared her apartment was intact. Dresser drawers were opened, clothes scattered around as if she left in a hurry.
"Some fingerprints were found that didn't belong to the victim who two days later was found raped and murdered."
"The only similarity is the apartment appearing like she left in a hurry? No name to the prints? Anything else?” Max asked.
"She was brunette and her injuries were consistent with Mary Chloe's. Now I just spoke with forensics and Detective Jeffreys. They found a hair follicle on the desk in Mary's office. The killer may have removed his mask, placing it on the
desk while he sexually assaulted Mary Chloe."
"That hair follicle is at the lab?"
"Yeah. I tried to put a rush on it, but you know how that goes."
"We'll run the information by the commander. See if he feels it's enough to reopen the case. As soon as we get our hands on this Master guy, we'll get his prints and DNA."
"Sounds good. Where are you now?"
"I'll be by the precinct later."
Tommy laughed. “Say hello to Grace."
Max smiled, then closed the phone and re-clipped it to the waist of his pants. He paused a moment when he heard noises coming from upstairs.
* * * *
As she pounded against the walls around her, Grace cried. Nine years old again, she was scared and all alone. Visions of her parents being murdered before her eyes dominated her thoughts.
She could hear when the man responsible locked the chains and left her there to die. She was crying, her belly ached and she was hungry. Then her vision changed. She was inside the tunnel and the Master was there in the darkness. She could feel his evil presence and knew he wanted her.
When he grabbed for her throat, she screamed. She fought against him, fighting for her life when she heard a voice she recognized. The voice belonged to Max and he pleaded for her to wake up.
Grace opened her eyes as Max held her against him, trying to stop her from hitting him.
"Grace, it's all right. I'm here."
She continued to cry. Her fists were clenched and filled with Max's shirt. Then she looked at his face and noticed his lip was slightly bleeding. She immediately let go of his shirt. Then she reached out but didn't make contact.
"Did I?” Grace didn't complete her question as Max consoled her. She had fought him hard.
"It's all right, Grace. Everything is fine. Just lay back and rest."
As Max inched his body closer, Grace took in her surroundings and was fully aware that Max was in her bedroom. She swallowed hard and as if he had read her thoughts, he smiled then gently pushed a strand of damp hair away from her eyes.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. What are you still doing here?” Grace asked and thought about trying to get up, but Max was so close, his arms on either side of her.
He had stayed despite her refusal and her demands for him to leave her alone. Did he really care?
Grace Page 12