Grace heard the police sirens in the distance. Jim was yelling, radioing in their location as the suspect rounded the corner. Jim ran right into their suspect and was stabbed in the chest with a knife.
Grace saw the suspect pull the knife from her partner's chest and rage determined her next move.
The suspect was about to stab her partner again when Grace jumped on him. The knife hit her hip as she pounded on the guy. He was high on some sort of narcotic and tossed her off of him like a rag doll. The squad cars pulled onto the scene as the suspect lunged toward Grace. She pulled out her revolver and fired her weapon, instantly killing the assailant.
Grace would never forget that day or the fact her partner nearly died and needed numerous operations. It was touch and go for a while.
"So I guess you're not going to tell me,” Max whispered in Grace's ear.
After lifting her face toward Max, she kissed him. “Nope."
Max rolled over onto Grace. “I think dinner can wait a bit longer,” he whispered and glided the palm of his hand against Grace's inner thigh.
"What did you have in mind?” Grace wrapped her arms around Max's neck.
The warmth of his fingers gave her the answer as she closed her eyes and prepared to be made love to again by Max.
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Chapter 9
"This is no good. I don't think you should open any of the clubs for a while."
"Nonsense! There's nothing to be concerned about."
"How can you say that, Master, when there's a police investigation going on and that detective was at your club? She walked into that ‘little situation’ you tried to have Luther handle. What a mess that was. From what I understand, he almost got caught."
"That's not a problem, either. He would have taken the fall and kept his mouth shut. We're the same size, height, and build. It would be impossible to tell the difference, especially in the disguise he was wearing."
"I don't understand how you can be so calm."
The Master raised his voice. “Listen, Garrett, I'm the one in charge of this operation. I can handle the police, don't you worry. As a matter of fact, I have some special plans for Detective Grace Martin.” The Master was silent for a moment, lost in thought about Grace.
He knew Garrett was nervous and worried. If Garrett had his way, the whole business would be put on hold. That wasn't a possibility as far as the Master was concerned. There were clients calling for deliveries and money to be made.
"I suppose since there's no changing your mind, you have selected someone for our newest client?"
"Yes, I have. I will have Luther deliver her as scheduled. He's paid up, correct?"
"Yes, Master. I.... What about Jessy?"
The Master firmly replied, “I'll forget you asked that question, Garrett. Understood?” The Master hung up.
The Master immediately called the club manager to confirm that the lovely young Jasmine had received her special invitation to the club tonight. Once that was confirmed, he returned to his work and the life he led in order to hide his true vocation.
Thoughts of Grace Martin would continue to be number one on his mind. To have her as a personal slave for a while would be wonderful. The irony of Grace Martin being his chosen one had come as a complete surprise.
It was as if God intended Grace and him to meet, to become one and unite their pasts, forming an even more powerful alliance.
She just might be good enough, as long as she didn't keep nosing around trying to destroy everything he had worked so hard to achieve. There was definitely a need to further investigate Grace to find out everything that made her tick. He smiled, then cleared his head before answering the phone on his desk.
* * * *
Another week had passed and despite Jessy's murder and the disappearance of two more girls in addition to Celina, the community seemed to move along with holiday preparations. Main Street was decorated with lights and the large evergreen that stood in the center of town would have its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony. The ceremony would include live music, winter crafts and goodies for the kids tonight.
Grace had tried to avoid attending the ceremony in the past, but this year it fell on the anniversary of her parents’ deaths and her uncle insisted she not be alone due to the danger they all still felt she was in.
She was exceptionally sad today. It all started this morning when she heard from Aunt Delores. Despite her aunt insisting she wasn't still angry at Grace for ditching the dinner party a week ago, Aunt Delores still sounded annoyed.
Her aunt was always on her case, wanting to know what went on in her life, who she might be seeing. There wasn't a chance in hell Aunt Delores would find out about Max.
To top it off, Aunt Delores said nothing about the day being the anniversary of her brother's death. Could she have forgotten? Was it her way of telling Grace she should move on with her life?
Grace was angry. How could anyone just forget what happened? She never would.
She tried to focus on the morning plans. She needed to get to the office, collect her mail and answer any calls that came in, then head to The Cave to speak with Mary's assistant, Bailey. Bailey had called this morning and wanted to talk.
Max wanted to go with her, but he was called to investigate the disappearance of another young woman. Apparently, her apartment was left in shambles, just as the other victims’ apartments were. Max didn't have a name yet.
Even though Grace wanted to find out what Bailey knew, she needed to meet Felix first.
Grace recalled her conversation with Max and how adamant he was about her not being alone. She knew his hands were tied as lead investigator on the case and she promised she'd keep in touch with him. To ease his mind, Grace gave him a schedule detailing where she would be and when.
After quickly glancing through the mail on her desk, Grace touched base with her boss, Don, then returned a few phone calls. The Marquettes had insisted she attend a fundraiser luncheon at their country club tomorrow since some of Celina's friends would be there, as well.
Of course, Aunt Delores and Uncle Ted would be there.
Grace hoped for an opportunity to question the Marquettes and perhaps they still had a list of people who attended the party Celina was at only months ago.
* * * *
"Listen, Grace, I want Felix to drive there with you,” Commander Don Nikko told Grace and Felix as they stood in his office.
"He's working on another lead. I'll be fine by myself,” Grace stated.
"I can push it off to Jimmy. I should go with you, Grace,” Felix added.
"The person might freak and not confide in me if I go in there with a partner. You have to understand these women. They're trying to run a business. They're forced into payoffs. Security is important to them."
"You sound like you support what they're doing, Grace,” Felix stated sarcastically.
"I don't support what they do, Felix. No one has the right to make anyone do anything against their will. Prisoners ... sex slaves ... no damn way is this guy getting away with this. We're close. I don't want to screw things up now."
"Your life may be in jeopardy, Grace, and that's priority. Let Felix go with you. He'll wait in the car. Is that fair enough?” Don asked, and by his facial expression, Grace knew it was that or nothing.
"Fine."
Grace and Felix headed to The Cave.
"So who is this you're meeting?” Felix asked.
"I'm not certain, Felix. The person wants to remain anonymous, but obviously they work at The Cave or at least feel safe speaking with me there."
"I don't like this. What if it's some kind of setup?"
"You'll see me being dragged out the back door. Don't worry, it's not a setup. The person was acquainted with Mary."
Felix released a sigh.
When they arrived, Felix waited in the car as Grace entered through the back door. The business in the back was booming and the store upfront had a few customers just browsing.
Bailey got one of the other women to cover the store while she and Grace headed to Mary's office in the back.
Grace was a bit uneasy at first. She hadn't been in The Cave or the back office since the night Mary was murdered. Now the office was Bailey's.
As if reading Grace's mind, Bailey spoke first. “I kind of had a hard time taking over this place. I felt really bad about what happened to my cousin. She left it to me in her will. Who would have known?” Bailey said with a small smile.
"You two were cousins?"
"Yes. She used to joke around about leaving me this place as soon as Mr. Right walked through the door. I never took her seriously. Mary was too wild to be tied down. Anyway, I asked you to come here for a reason. I saw Jasmine at the club the other night. She said she received some kind of special invitation."
Grace had no idea who Jasmine was.
"I'm sorry, Bailey, I don't know a Jasmine."
"She's the girl who just went missing. The one the cops are trying to find. I heard about it on TV this morning. The reporter was outside her apartment."
Grace was shocked.
"Did you call the police? Did you call Frank?"
"No. I was hoping I could just tell you, and we could leave it at that. My cousin was killed by whoever is taking these young women. I don't want the cops coming around using my name or putting my girls in jeopardy."
Grace understood Bailey's concern.
"What can you tell me about Jasmine?"
"She's a friend of Celina's. They attended the same college and even took a few classes together. I started thinking about it and remembered that Jasmine went to a party at the Marquettes. She told me how Celina met some attorney. A really nice looking older man with lots of money."
"Did she know his name? Did she describe him?” Grace asked as she sat forward in her chair.
"Unfortunately, no. But he's friends with Celina's father."
"Do you know who the Master is, Bailey?” Grace had to ask.
"No one knows who he is and no one asks, either. You can't tell the cops I told you all of this. My cousin thought she could trust you. She had good instincts."
"I won't tell anyone where I got the info from, but why take a chance and tell me this?"
Bailey stayed silent a second.
"I'm good friends with one of the bartenders at the club. He saw the Master with Jasmine the other night. Also, he saw the Master with Celina.... I heard the Master cornered you at the club the night you and Mary went there. He's interested in you. He may have chosen you already, Grace. Your life is in danger and if I just sat back and allowed him to continue to get away with this, what kind of a person would that make me? I won't talk to the police, so you'll have to take my word for it. He has to be stopped, whoever he is."
Grace's hands shook and tiny goose bumps covered her entire body. This was real and if it were true, then the Master would be coming after her at any time. She was scared, but also knew she had to attend the Marquettes’ party tomorrow. Maybe the Master would be there pretending to be just a regular guy and with any luck, she'd recognize something about him, his cologne, his eyes, his body. She had to give it a shot for all the missing women and for Jessy.
* * * *
"Hello.” Delores answered the phone in her usual upbeat voice as she continued to filter through the mail on her office desk.
"Hello,” she said again. There was someone on the line. She could hear breathing. She was about to speak again when she heard a voice.
"Hello, Mother."
Delores’ heart sank as she widened her eyes and scanned the room and hallway from side to side, wanting to be sure no one was in earshot.
She quickly headed to the door to close it tight while holding the cordless phone in her hand.
"Why are you calling me? I told you never to call here. What if Ted picked up?"
"I would have hung up, Mother. You should know by now how much of a perfectionist I am."
"You're not getting more money. The trust fund is halfway gone. It's mine."
"I don't need your money, Mother. I don't need anything from you anymore. I've established myself in a lucrative business. Multiple businesses, actually."
"You're a lawyer."
"And an entrepreneur. My club business is doing rather well."
* * * *
The Master smiled in the mirror as he adjusted the towel that clung against his waist.
This would be more fun than he expected.
"What do you want?"
"Oh ... nothing really ... just to say hello to you, Mother."
"Bullshit!” she yelled, then lowered her voice.
"What is it you want?” She sounded a bit calmer.
The Master smiled, loving how easily he got to his whore of a mother. His revenge would be more than satisfying.
"It's such a small world, Mother. You'll never guess who I keep bumping into."
She remained silent. She had no idea what he had in store for her.
"I've met an incredibly gorgeous woman. She's perfect.
"More importantly, I believe you know her.” The humor was apparent in his voice.
"Who would that be and why would I care?” she replied angrily.
"Well, you should care, Mother. You've always put her before me, wanted her to be your child, yet withheld money and her trust fund from her. Used it to support me ... your little sinful secret."
He sensed his mother's deep inhale of breath. He was sure he shocked her and now he wanted her precisely where she belonged. In fear of him.
"Grace Martin, Mother. Oh, yes ... the one you've always wanted to be your daughter, yet the one you continue to lie to, withhold money from."
"You stay away from her,” she said.
He knew where her fear stemmed from. It had nothing to do with her niece's safety. His mother was concerned about herself, her secrets and the truth she lied about for so many years.
"Oh, it's too late for that, Mother. My mind's made up. Grace is just too yummy.” He laughed hard and loud.
"You can't be serious. You can't do this to me."
He immediately stopped laughing.
"Payback's a bitch, Mother."
He hung up.
* * * *
Later that afternoon, Grace headed to the department to see Uncle Nicholas. He had to know what was going on. Jasmine was missing. His department was investigating the case, as were Max and the others. She would have to face them and tell them what she knew.
They would insist on knowing her source, but she wouldn't put Bailey's life in jeopardy.
She stepped out of the elevator and bumped right into DA Johnny Lewis.
"Whoa there, darling. I guess you make a habit out of bumping into people. You should try looking up while you're walking.” Johnny started laughing while he held onto Grace's arm.
She smiled as they moved to the side against the wall. There were officers and staff continuously passing by.
"Sorry, Johnny. How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you? Visiting your uncle?"
"Yes. How's everything going? Are you attending the Marquette function this weekend?"
"I definitely am and looking forward to talking with you again. We should catch up, Grace. Maybe grab lunch ... or dinner.” He winked and Grace smiled.
"Sounds good, Johnny. What else is new?"
"Work, work, work as usual. I've got to get downtown to the courthouse in thirty minutes."
"Good luck. You'd better get a move on,” Grace added as Johnny said goodbye, then grabbed the elevator door before it closed.
Grace rounded the corner and waited to be buzzed into the office. Her uncle's office was toward the back, and she walked past about fifty desks belonging to numerous detectives and officers.
She immediately saw Max, his partner, Tommy, and two other detectives.
As Grace headed toward them, her uncle came out of his office to meet her.
Max joined the conversation.
&nb
sp; "Hey, Grace, I tried calling you. Is everything all right?” he asked as he moved closer but didn't touch her. He apparently understood he needed to keep his distance.
Neither of them would want to deal with everyone knowing about their involvement.
"I heard about Jasmine,” Grace stated just as her uncle approached and said hello.
"Yeah, we just got back.... Hey, wait a minute, we didn't release her name,” Max added and everyone looked at her.
"We need to talk."
"Let's go into the conference room. Gus should be here any minute.” Uncle Nicholas led the small group of detectives and Grace to the conference room.
Max seemed concerned, and Grace tried to appear calm and in control of the situation despite the fact Bailey had just told her that her life was in danger. She avoided making eye contact as best she could.
Grace stood near the window, taking a moment to gather her thoughts as the detectives waited for Commander Gus Franklin to arrive. They gathered some coffee and continued to speak about the investigation. Finally, Gus arrived.
"What's going on, Gracy?” He kissed her cheek.
"Grace has some information for us,” Nicholas added and they waited for Grace to begin.
She inhaled deeply, then proceeded to tell the group about the information she had.
"Who told you that Celina and Jasmine were friends?” Max asked.
"How do you know this person can be trusted?” Tommy asked.
Nicholas and Gus had similar concerns. They wanted her to reveal her source, but she refused.
"My source said the Master was the last one seen with Celina and Jasmine. He apparently sends his victims a special invitation to lure them to the club. I was told my life is in danger. The Master may already have chosen me. People had seen him approach me at the club and restrain me."
"Restrain you?” Nicholas sat forward in his seat, instantly concerned for Grace.
She was careful not to say whether her informant was a male or female, refusing to look at Max until forced to. Max knew she had a meeting with the new owner of The Cave. She hoped he wouldn't reveal her source.
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