CHAPTER NINE
JOY SAT AT her desk and stared at the documents she’d taken out of the folder, determined to go over everything again. It was a homicide that had happened during the time she’d been working the Erickson case. The detective originally assigned to the case had transferred to another city, and the unfinished investigation had been reassigned to her.
She had enough cases to work not to get hung up on just one, but there was something about this particular case that kept pulling at her. “There has to be something that’s been overlooked,” she muttered under her breath. Unfortunately, it would be headed to the cold case files if she didn’t get a break soon.
According to her boss, Police Chief Hal Harkins, it would be a waste of the taxpayers’ money to continue to pursue any case without strong leads, and there didn’t seem to be a single one for this particular homicide. All she had was a Jane Doe, white female, approximate age of twenty-three, found five months ago, frozen to death on the outskirts of town in a rural area known as Sofia Valley. It had been one of the coldest nights in Charlottesville, with temperatures dipping to a record low. The woman had been in her bare feet, wearing a thin dress and no undergarments. And according to the medical examiner, she’d given birth three months prior.
Who are you? Where did you come from? And more important, where is your baby?
The investigative team had ruled out the possibility that she’d been murdered elsewhere and then transported to the area. Although there was a chance she’d been alive and deliberately left there to freeze to death. The autopsy report didn’t indicate any trauma or sexual assault. However, there had been old bruises on her back. Could they be linked to some sort of domestic violence? Was there a husband or boyfriend somewhere who’d left her in the woods to die?
Due to the condition of the woman’s feet, it was apparent she’d been walking for a long period of time. A thorough search of the area indicated several cabins and a number of hunting lodges in the Sofia Valley. The authorities had gone door-to-door. Those with occupants were questioned, and they had checked the perimeters for those that appeared empty. No link could be made between Jane Doe and any of the places. But she had to have come from somewhere. Any tracks that might have been credible had disappeared with the melting snow. And there hadn’t been anything unusual about the positioning of the body. It was as if she hadn’t been able to take another step and had fallen in her tracks.
The woman had been found near the Coffers’ farm by one of the ranch hands when he’d gone to check out a busted water line. So far the victim’s description didn’t match any missing persons cases worked over the past five years. If they had anything to go on—especially the victim’s name—they could move forward and put together the pieces of a puzzle. But they didn’t even have that.
Joy hadn’t ruled out using the department’s sketch artist to come up with a composite drawing of the woman to put in the newspapers in the area. As far as she was concerned, that should have been an option her predecessor thought of. She didn’t want to second-guess a former colleague, but why hadn’t he? Someone had to have known her.
Joy stood with her coffee cup in hand, walked over to the window near her cubicle and looked out. Somewhere out there was the person responsible for Jane Doe being out in the woods on a freezing-cold night to face imminent death. That bothered her, and they owed it to the victim to find out who was responsible.
She had suggested to Chief Harkins that they contact Randi Fuller for assistance. Randi’s skills as an investigative psychic had been invaluable on the Erickson case four months ago. Since Randi was now engaged to Quasar Patterson, who lived locally, more than likely she would be spending a lot of time in Charlottesville. Chief Harkins had immediately shot down the idea, saying the city’s budget wouldn’t allow such a thing. Especially not after all the expenses from Erickson case.
Thinking about Quasar and Randi made Joy recall seeing them together at Striker and Margo’s wedding. A wedding she’d attended with Stonewall.
Stonewall.
She drew in a deep breath as heated memories consumed her, made her remember in full detail what they’d done in her living room and bedroom. The memories stirred feelings inside her, and she couldn’t help the satisfied smile that touched her lips, even days later. This was something she’d never experienced with Omar.
There were days when she walked into her house and it seemed the scent of Stonewall was still potent enough to fill her nostrils. It was during those times when she felt immense pleasure take over her being and she was reminded of certain things, certain ways he’d looked at her. He’d been to her home only once, but she found herself missing his presence.
She’d expected to have heard from him by now. In the past, he would either phone or text every so often to see how she was doing. It had been his way to keep the lines of communication open between them. Had it merely been a challenge on his part? And now that they’d had their date and shared a bed, the challenge was gone? He had said he wanted to see her again. What if those had been nothing but words with no true meaning?
She drew in a deep breath, wondering why, at twenty-eight, she was standing here playing mind games with herself over a man. That was a good question. Another one was, why did she think about him so much, even during times she shouldn’t? Like now, when her mind should have been on this cold case. She shouldn’t be wasting her time wondering why Stonewall hadn’t called, especially when she hadn’t called or texted him, either. Still, she couldn’t help think how he had stirred feelings inside her that Omar never had.
Irritated that she would allow her mind to often compare the two men, and annoyed that she’d allowed thoughts of Stonewall to interfere with her work, she returned to her desk. A woman was dead. A woman whose death had been ruled a homicide. No leads. And instead of reviewing the file again, she was thinking about Stonewall.
Forcing him from her mind, she picked up the file for Jane Doe. If, after going over the case again, she didn’t notice anything new, she would have no other choice but to seal the file as unsolved. Moments later her office phone rang. She picked it up. “Detective Ingram.”
“Detective Ingram, this is Dr. Lennox Roswell from the medical examiner’s office.”
Joy knew exactly who she was. The new medical examiner who’d taken over when Dr. Miller had died unexpectedly of a heart attack a few weeks back. Dr. Roswell appeared to be in her late twenties and had moved to Charlottesville from Boston when she’d been hired as Dr. Miller’s replacement. She was causing quite a stir among the male officers and detectives, who thought she was the epitome of hot...lab coat and all.
“Yes, Dr. Roswell?”
“I’m in the midst of finalizing some of Dr. Miller’s reports. One of them is the Jane Doe found frozen in Sofia Valley five months ago.”
Which happens to be the same case I’m presently reviewing. “I thought we’d received everything.”
“Yes, but I see there was one other thing Dr. Miller failed to include because test results hadn’t come back. There was some major delay at the lab.”
Joy straightened up in her chair, fully alert. “So, what do you have?”
“It was confirmed by the lab there were traces of Epinnine in her bloodstream, which I figure was the reason Dr. Miller ordered the additional lab test.”
Joy wasn’t familiar with that drug. “Epinnine?”
“Yes. Some refer to it as the surrogacy drug. It’s used to prepare a surrogate mother’s body to accept the implanted cells. Without it the body will reject the pregnancy.”
Joy put down her coffee cup. “Let me get this straight. Are you saying Jane Doe was in the process of being a surrogate?”
“Yes. And before you ask, the answer is yes. I believe for her other pregnancy that she was a surrogate, as well.”
“A professional surrogate?”
“Possibly. I’ll drop off my report to you on my way out of the building.”
Joy drew in a deep breath. “Okay, and thanks, Dr. Roswell.”
After clicking off the phone, Joy leaned back in her chair. Jane Doe had been a professional surrogate? She’d given birth to one baby and was preparing her body for another? If that was true, then she had to have been under the care of a physician who’d prescribed the medication.
When she got Dr. Roswell’s report, she would go over it thoroughly. This just might be the lead she’d been hoping for.
* * *
“AND THE AUTHORITIES are certain they got the right man?” Stonewall asked, glancing at Dak Navarro.
For the past four months, Stonewall had been a part of the security team protecting the wealthy businessman. When Dak first received threatening letters five months ago, he hadn’t taken them seriously. At least, he hadn’t until an attempt had been made on his life. And when the perpetrator sent a letter warning he would try again, that’s when Navarro made the decision to hire a bodyguard.
Dak rubbed a hand down his face and nodded. “Yes, they’re sure.”
Stonewall knew the police had been tracking a suspect. “What evidence do they have?”
“According to the police chief, they raided the man’s home and found the gun, the paper and pens he used to write those letters as well as the laptop used in the attempted hack of my phones. They’re checking out everything but they feel certain it’s him. Of course, I intend to keep you on until I know for sure.”
Stonewall nodded. “I think that’s a smart move.” All he had to do was remember what had gone down months ago in Charlottesville with the Erickson case. The authorities assumed they had the right guy but discovered too late they were wrong, after another life had been taken.
“What was his motive?”
Dak shook his head. “I’m not sure. Hopefully the authorities will find that out during their interrogation.”
It never ceased to amaze Stonewall just how laid-back and unruffled Dak could be at times, even when his life was in danger. “Well, when they find out, do let me know, Dak. Curiosity is biting me in the ass. Sorry if it’s not doing the same to you,” Stonewall said sarcastically.
Dak shot him a smile. “Don’t get me wrong. I am curious, but I don’t plan to storm police headquarters and confront the guy. I’m satisfied with letting the authorities do their job. I’m just glad my comings and goings will no longer be restricted.”
Stonewall raised a brow. “Restricted? If your activities were restricted, I’d hate to be around when you operate at full-steam.”
Dak chuckled. “I have no doubt you would still be able to keep up.” He then checked his watch. “Now that we’re able to use the phones again, I’ll be tied up with my shippers on that conference call for at least a couple of hours. I still plan on attending that Broadway show tonight in New York. I’ve already informed Sylvester to get the jet ready.”
“Fine. I will be ready, as well.”
When Dak left the room, Stonewall walked over to the window and looked out. They were on the grounds of Dak’s Winding Rivers Estate in Vermont, which encompassed five hundred acres of the most beautiful land Stonewall had ever seen. Sunny hillsides, lush valleys, huge lakes and scenic streams—the estate had it all. Including this monstrosity of a house that sat right smack in the middle of it. A house that served only as a rest stop during Dak’s busy schedule.
Knowing someone was out to kill him hadn’t slowed Dak down, which meant Stonewall had to keep up. The man, a self-made billionaire, was a walking business genius who probably even made deals in his sleep.
With Dak’s life no longer in danger, Stonewall would admit he was looking forward to ending this gig and returning to Charlottesville. Flying around the world with Dak had been nice, but he was now ready for an assignment closer to home and closer to a certain woman.
His thoughts didn’t really have to shift to Joy because he’d discovered she was always there in the back of his mind. And no matter how many times he’d tried to keep her there in the back, she managed to wiggle her way to the front. He’d never had this problem with a woman before. It had always been out of sight and out of mind. But with Joy, he went to bed thinking about her and woke up thinking about her.
Sometimes if felt like a crazy force had been working against them. Trying to squeeze a date into their busy schedules had been as difficult as trying to find a needle in a haystack. But Stonewall was determined not to wait another six months for their next date.
Their first date had given him the opportunity to get to know her better. He now understood her drive and her motivation. She’d shared information about her family just like he’d done his. He knew about her broken engagement and how much a career in law enforcement meant to her.
He’d been the same way when he’d gotten out of prison. He’d been fired up and ready to make something of his life. To be of value to his community and the town he loved. That’s what had motivated him to enroll in college and get not one but two degrees. And why he’d signed up with the Boy’s Club to be a positive mentor to others the way Sheppard Granger had been to him, Striker and Quasar.
As he continued to gaze out the window, he recalled that before his and Joy’s official date, he’d felt an anxiousness about when they would get together and what would happen once they did. Now that they had, the memories of their date and all that followed stirred feelings inside him that he wasn’t used to.
According to Dak, when a man was that anxious about a woman, all it would take was them sharing a bed to get her out of his system. That might be the easy remedy for some men, but it hadn’t worked quite that way for Stonewall. As far as he was concerned, he’d visited paradise and wanted to go there again.
Squinting his eyes against the fading sunlight, he thought of Joy as he’d last seen her that day. Beautiful with lips he’d kissed...several times. Just thinking about all the kisses they’d shared last weekend made his pulse quicken. And at night while in bed, he had replayed their lovemaking over and over in his mind. How her body had adjusted to accept him, and when she’d tried driving him crazy by flexing her inner muscles, milking him. Pulling every single thing out of him. During the last few days he’d become intensely aware of just how much making love to her had meant to him.
Common sense was telling him not to get caught up in the memories because already they’d begun boggling his mind. After all, she’d made it pretty damn clear what any personal connection to her would entail. It would be as casual as it could get. A diversion, she’d called it. At first he hadn’t minded. In fact, he’d been in full agreement. However, the more he’d thought about it, the more issues he had with it.
First of all, who would decide when that diversion was needed? What if he needed it and she didn’t? How would they compromise? And what if one day he wanted more? Those questions were definitely important to him now that his assignment to Dak would soon be wrapping up and he would be in Charlottesville and traveling less.
As much as he’d wanted to, he hadn’t called her. The authorities had asked that neither his nor Dak’s phones be used until they could verify nothing was being traced through them. They’d become suspicious when both of them began receiving calls from random numbers.
Stonewall could have gotten a burner phone in the meantime, but the break from her was probably a good thing. He was convinced hearing her voice would make him miss her like hell. In the past he would call her at night right before going to bed. They would talk for a few minutes to find out how each of their days had gone. Or he would text her during the day and she would text back if she wasn’t caught up with something at work at the time. Regardless, she would text back eventually. But now, knowing she was interested only in a diversion, he was uncertain about a number of things regarding her time when it came to him, and personally, he di
dn’t like uncertainty.
CHAPTER TEN
“AND WHY ARE you still here, Detective Ingram? Didn’t your shift end hours ago?” Police Chief Harkins asked the woman who was determined to be on his heels. He knew what time she was supposed to leave every day, but then, he also knew about the extra hours she worked, just one of the reasons she had such a high solve rate on her cases.
“It did, sir, but I wanted to go back over that Jane Doe case. The woman who froze to death.”
How could he forget? It had been a pretty sad situation. “You got a lead or something?” he asked. Evidently she had or she wouldn’t be following him around.
She was tenacious and thorough. Both were necessary qualities for a detective and would be even more so for a lieutenant. The mayor had been leaning on him recently to fill a vacant spot. She was young but damn smart. And unlike some of the other detectives, she knew how to deal with people as well as all the bureaucratic bullshit. She was tough when she had to be and compassionate when necessary.
She hadn’t worked for the Charlottesville Police Department long. In fact, less than three years. That didn’t matter to him but it would to others. Men who thought the promotion was rightly theirs. Men who did half the work of Detective Ingram but felt entitled simply because of their gender. He had no problem backing up a promotion if it came to that. Her work record as a detective before coming to Charlottesville was impressive, as well.
“Yes, sir, I got a lead, and although I know you’re in a hurry, I’m hoping you’ll spare me a few moments,” she said, interrupting his thoughts.
He stopped walking and she almost ran into him. “I’m only sparing you a minute, Detective. What you got?”
“Well, from the medical examiner’s updated report, Jane Doe may have been a professional surrogate.” She quickly told him what had been in Dr. Roswell’s documentation.
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