Waiting on April

by Bella Settarra

  “She sure is an innocent little thing, ain’t she?” Dave smiled.

  Steve nodded. It was one of the things he loved about her.

  Loved? Did he really just think that?

  “They’re gonna accuse us of harassment, you know that, don’t you?” Dave’s comment invaded his thoughts, and he quickly looked up. They were in the parking lot outside Preston’s apartment building.

  He sighed. “No one else spoken to him today?” He was getting out of the car.

  “Nope. Virgin territory.” Dave smirked.

  “Yeah, right. Let’s go give him something to complain about then, huh?” Steve led the way up the steps to Preston’s place.

  “They let him out again.” The old lady from two doors down was on her front step as soon as they arrived. “It was such a relief when you took him away, but it didn’t last long.” She pouted.

  “Sorry about that, ma’am. Hope you managed to get some sleep in the end though, eh?” Steve saluted the old woman before knocking on Preston’s door.

  She quickly retreated into her own home and they could hear her sliding the bolts on her door.

  “What the fuck do you want?” Preston swung the door open angrily.

  “Just a word.” Steve replied calmly. “Mind if we come in?”

  He didn’t wait for a reply; he barged past the fucker, squeezing his large frame between him and the hall table piled high in clutter. He noticed Preston flinch as he nudged him, and went into the living room. Dave followed. It was untidy and smelled of cigarette smoke. A young girl was lounging on the sofa, leaning back with her hand on her stomach. She scowled when they walked in.

  “Morning miss. I’m Detective Ratner and this is Detective Preece.” Steve kept his calm demeanor despite the looks of hatred he was receiving from both the occupants. He had to keep professional while he was working though he had never felt less calm in his life.

  “We know full well who you are! Just what the fuck do you want? I answered all your damn questions yesterday.” Preston walked a little awkwardly as he followed them in and slumped into the seat next to the woman. He winced as he put a possessive arm around her shoulder.

  Steve stared at her stomach. It didn’t look particularly large.

  “We got a message that your girlfriend was happy to provide you with an alibi for the other night,” Steve said, keeping his cool. “Would that be you, miss?” He was still looking at the girl.

  Preston snorted. “Of course it’s her! Who did you think she was, my mother?”

  “And your name, miss?” Steve whipped out his notebook.

  “Mary-Lou Trammell,” she snapped.

  “And how are we spelling that? One ‘m’ or two?” Steve studied her carefully.

  “Two, and two ‘L’s like in hell!” Steve knew they wouldn’t get a warm reception, but he hadn’t counted on her being this upset at their intrusion.

  “Aha,” he made a big thing of writing her name in his book. “And would you be related to one Mark Trammell by any chance?” Steve tried to look innocent as he pretended to look up the guy’s name in his notebook.

  He was surprised when they both spoke at the same time.

  “He’s my big brother.”

  “What in hell’s that got to do with you?” Preston hollered in tandem, probably trying to drown her out.

  Steve felt a burn in his gut. “Let’s just say, he’s known to us.” He kept his voice even. “When did you last see your brother, miss?”

  “Mind your own fucking business! We don’t have nothing to do with him!” Preston yelled angrily.

  “Two days ago, actually. We went out for a drink.” Mary-Lou jutted out her chin in the same way April did when she was annoyed.

  “What the fuck were you doing with him? And you shouldn’t be drinking in your condition anyhow!” Preston took his arm from around her shoulder and sat forward in his seat. Steve resisted the temptation to mention the smoke in the room. By the stains on her fingers, she hadn’t given up that habit in favor of the baby either.

  He was also intrigued by Preston’s aggressive manner. He sure seemed uptight about something. It made him wonder if it had anything to do with the pain he was in.

  “I only had a soda,” she protested sulkily, rubbing her belly.

  “Oh, do I take it you’re…er…?” Steve felt a horrid pang in his heart as he asked as casually as he could.

  “Yes, she’s pregnant. And before you ask, yes it’s mine!” Preston boasted, placing a hand on her stomach.

  “Well, congratulations.” The words almost stuck in Steve’s throat, but he tried to sound gracious.

  “Thank you.” Mary-Lou nodded proudly.

  Steve was desperate to ask the fucker what the hell he was doing with April at the diner the other day, but he daren’t. If this girl was pregnant with his kid, she had enough problems without hearing about his attempted infidelity.

  “So, can you confirm, Miss Trammell, that Mr. Preston was with you on the night of the attack on Miss Myers?” Dave interjected officiously.

  “Yes he was.” Mary-Lou said adamantly. “And there’s no way my fiancé would hit a woman. Well, not unless she asked real nicely!” She gave Preston a salacious wink, which made Steve feel sick.

  “Fiancé, eh? Well, it sounds like more congratulations are in order,” Dave cut in before Steve could speak. Good ol’ Dave, always keeping his cool and playing it diplomatically in heated situations.

  “Thank you.” She looked smugly toward Steve and he felt himself grow hot. Steve guessed she’d already somehow figured out he was April’s guy. He wondered what else she knew about April.

  “And I take it neither of you have any idea who might have injured Miss Myers?” Dave concluded.

  “Can’t imagine,” Mary-Lou replied sarcastically.

  Preston just shook his head, looking at the floor. Steve decided to keep pushing. Maybe Preston would slip up and tell the truth for once.

  “And where were you both this morning?” Steve caught an odd look from his partner, and wondered if he had clocked the signs of Preston’s injuries.

  “We got back around six,” Mary-Lou replied, “I was at my cousin’s up the coast. Greg came and fetched me home after you lot finally let him go.”

  Steve knew all that. The cops had been keeping tabs on him right up until the time they got home. Unfortunately they didn’t have the manpower to watch him all day as well so they left it there—just when the excitement began apparently.

  “What did you do after that?” Dave asked.

  “Went to bed, what do you think?” Mary-Lou sounded irritated.

  Steve looked pointedly at Preston, wondering if he was going to admit that he had sneaked out to visit his ex.

  Preston sighed. “You know dang well I went over to see April. I wanted to know why she’d lied about me to you lot!” He was speaking through gritted teeth.

  Steve saw a spark of anger in Mary-Lou’s eyes before she spoke. “Oh yeah, that’s right. We went over there. I stayed in the car.”

  Steve felt a burn in his gut. April would have mentioned it if the fuckwad had taken his pregnant girlfriend to her house, even if she had stayed in the car. He could instantly tell the woman was lying her ass off. But how could he prove it?

  Dave cut in. “I thought you said you went to bed.” Dave was staring at Mary-Lou sternly.

  “We did, after we’d dealt with the bitch.” Mary-Lou gave Steve a smarmy look, as if daring him to defend his woman.

  “What time did you get back?” Dave blasted out the question before Steve could open his mouth.

  Mary-Lou looked over to Preston for the answer.

  “About half past eight.” Preston replied.

  “Yeah. Then we went to bed.” Mary-Lou sighed, as if bored by the conversation. “Is there anything else, officers?” She stroked her tummy again.

  Dave shook his head and turned to go.

  “No, I think that’s everything. Sorry to have disturbed you,” Steve s
aid politely as he shoved his notebook back into his pocket. He looked around the room one more time, not really sure what he was looking for. He just wanted some kind of clue as to what the hell was going on. This was all such a mess.

  He followed Dave out of the room as Preston led them back to the front door. Nobody else would have noticed, but Steve immediately picked up on Dave’s subtle nod toward the hall table. On the way Steve knocked into it, sending some books sliding down onto the floor.

  “Dang bootlace!” He cursed as he bent down and picked up the books.

  Dave turned around and helped him with a chuckle. “Hey, don’t wreck the happy home,” he chided.

  “I’m real sorry about that,” Steve said, fiddling with his boot while his friend saw to the books.

  They exchanged a look before standing up and leaving the apartment.

  “Thanks again,” Dave said to Preston on their way past.

  He heard the door slam behind them.

  “Did you get a good look?” Dave grinned as they got into the car.

  “Oh yeah. I wonder what the kinky fuckers have been ordering from ‘Fet and Fabulous.’” He sniggered, referring to the large package which had been hidden under the hall table. “Good thing they always have their shipments signed for. Now all we need is to find out what time this morning someone was at home to take the delivery.” He took out his cell with a grin. At last, something was going his way.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  April was glad Master Dominic had let her off the lunchtime shift today. She had collapsed into a heap of soggy tears as soon as Master Steve closed the door behind him, and hadn’t moved for over an hour. Everything was wrong. She knew she’d wound Master Steve up this morning with her frosty attitude, but he was the one who had gone and arrested Greg without any proof, for heaven’s sake!

  She howled as she recalled the shocked look on Master Steve’s face when she told him it’d been over. He’d looked so anxious when he thought Greg might have hurt her, and so hurt when he left. How could she have told him it was finished between them?

  After a good cry, she dragged herself up and went to take another shower, hoping to wash some of the day off her tired body. The hot water helped soothe her a little, and she finally cried herself out under its steady stream.

  She was dressed and finishing some lunch in her cozy little kitchen when the doorbell rang. With a heavy sigh, she straightened herself up and went to answer it. Steve Ratner stood in her doorway.

  “Go away.” It was the last thing she really wanted him to do, but she wasn’t ready to face him just yet.

  “Sorry, miss, it’s official business.” His tone was calm, and she was surprised to see Dave Preece walking up the path behind him.

  She frowned, but stood back to allow them entry. It was a good thing she’d managed to compose herself, and was glad that she had showered and changed.

  “Sorry to intrude.” Dave gave her a dazzling smile as he passed her in the hallway. “Is it through here?”

  She nodded as he indicated to her living room and followed them in, her stomach churning. “Can I get you some coffee?”

  “That would be lovely, thank you.” Master Steve followed her out to the kitchen where she quickly poured the drinks.

  “Sorry about this, darlin’, but it’s real important,” he told her in a low voice.

  She nodded and offered him a cup, taking hers and Dave’s into the lounge.

  “Thanks, honey.” Dave grinned as he took the drink, and she wondered just how much he knew about her and Master Steve.

  “Shall we sit down?” Master Steve graciously offered her the chair before both guys sat on the sofa.

  April’s mind reeled. What in hell would bring them both around here? She frowned, waiting for them to reveal all. The men slowly sipped their coffees before Master Steve spoke.

  “We’ve just come from Preston’s place,” he began.

  She felt a thud in her stomach.

  “Now I know he was around here earlier today, but can you tell us if he was alone or not?”

  April stared at him. “I didn’t see anyone else.” Her mouth suddenly felt dry and she reached for her coffee.

  “How about in the car? Or maybe lurking around outside?” Dave asked, leaning forward.

  April wracked her brain. Surely she would have seen if anyone had been with Greg, and he was certainly on his own when he got into the car.

  “There wasn’t anyone with him. He didn’t have anyone else in the car. Why do you ask?” She felt herself tremble a little.

  Master Steve put out a hand to her and placed it over hers, in her lap.

  “It’s nothing to worry about, darlin’. Just that he had someone give him an alibi and we needed to check it out, that’s all.”

  She quickly slid her hand from under his, leaning forward to replace her cup on the table so it wasn’t too obvious she didn’t want him touching her right now.

  “An alibi for the other night? When he wasn’t with me, you mean?” Acid dripped from her tongue as she stared at him.

  Master Steve swiftly took his hand back and wrapped it around his cup.

  “Not just the other night, honey. We wanted to know where he and his, er, friend were this morning too.” Dave must have noticed the tension in the atmosphere, but his voice sounded bright and friendly all the same.

  April narrowed her eyes at Master Steve. “You know he was here with me, I told you. He didn’t have any friends with him.” Her voice was cool, but she could see he was about to blow.

  “Dammit April, do you have to make this so fucking hard?” He snapped, raising his voice.

  She kept calm, knowing it would rile him even more. “What do you mean, officer? Am I not answering your questions?”

  She could feel herself getting hotter as she looked up at him. He always looked so gorgeous, especially when he was angry! She watched him stand up and pace up and down her living room, running his hands through his hair irritably.

  To her surprise, she heard Dave chuckle. He took a casual swig of his coffee, settling back into the sofa.

  “April, honey, I know this is difficult for both of you, but there’s something we need to know.” His hazel eyes met hers and she knew he was trying his best to be tactful.

  “Go on,” she said slowly.

  “Did you know Greg Preston had a girlfriend?” His demeanor was soft and gentle, the type of guy that’s good to have around in a crisis. He was also a good-looking guy, not quite as tall and muscular as Steve, and his hair was a shade darker, but he had soft, brown eyes and a great smile.

  She nodded.

  Master Steve sighed, standing still in the middle of the floor. “Do you know her?”

  She noticed his tight lips and knew right away what would be concerning him.

  “I haven’t seen her, but I know she’s pregnant.” She put him out of his misery. After all that shit yesterday with the condom, she knew it would be a sore point.

  Master Steve sighed again, staring at the carpet. April could tell by his devastated expression that he had already made the connection.

  “And she definitely wasn’t with Preston when he came around today?” Dave clarified.

  “No, he was on his own.”

  “Just as we thought.” Dave gave a satisfied nod and took another swig of his coffee.

  April took a deep breath, glad that was over with.

  “There’s one more thing,” Master Steve told her as she reached for her drink. Oh shit!

  She looked up at him.

  “When the guy came around this morning, what happened? Did you get into any kind of a fight with him?”

  He was staring right at her and she felt herself flush. She squirmed under his scrutiny. It was as though he was looking into her soul, wanting to know everything. She felt herself tremble again and quickly took a sip of her drink to try to calm her nerves. Standing right there, towering over her, looking so goddamn gorgeous, it was just hard to think straight.

>   Dave cleared his throat and Master Steve seemed to take it as a cue to sit back down. Instantly April felt a little easier.

  “I told you,” she said. “He came around because he said he’d been arrested for hitting me. I didn’t know anything about it. He didn’t believe me at first, but I just told him it wasn’t me. He only grabbed me and pinned me against the wall, nothing else.”

  Master Steve seethed.

  “Why did he do that?” Dave asked calmly.

  “He was pissed because he thought I’d lied about him. He was convinced it was me who had told the cops he’d hit me. I told him, I didn’t go to the cops. Why would I?” She stared pointedly at Master Steve and relished how uncomfortable he looked.

  “Did he seem injured in any way when he arrived? Do you know if he’d been hurt or anything?” Dave asked.

  April frowned. “No, he seemed perfectly fine to me.”

  “How long was he here for?” Dave did the questioning while Master Steve sat fuming.

  “Not long. He arrived at half after seven and I think he left just after eight.” She shrugged. “I was hoping to get more sleep as I worked real late last night, but I was so fired up after he’d gone I just couldn’t.” Again she looked pointedly at Master Steve, who seemed to get her message loud and clear—”if you’d given me a lift home none of this would have happened.”

  Master Steve squirmed a little, then sat forward in his seat. “All right. Now I think it’s time you told us everything, from the beginning. We’ll start with the night you got hurt.”

  She stared at him in disbelief. He looked and sounded just like a cop, nothing like the guy she was used to. And how in hell was she supposed to explain everything without making herself look like a complete dumbass? He wouldn’t want her if he knew how stupid she’d been. After what was said earlier, and the way he was acting now, she wondered if it really was over between them.

  She sighed. It looked as though she had nothing left to lose.

  * * *

  Ratner had been annoyed when the parcel delivery company told him they wouldn’t be able to check on the arrival of the package to Preston’s address for a couple of hours. It seemed their computers were down and everything was done electronically. The woman promised to call him back as soon as she could retrieve the information. He wasn’t happy, but it was the best she could do.