“And the captain bars?”
She snorted. “Yeah, I still want them, and I think Emma is insane for passing them up, but I have to bide my time. I have too much to learn before I get them. I see that now. Ambition is great, but blind ambition gets you hurt.”
She meant about almost losing Curtis to her stupidity. He was a really great guy.
“We should get this interview done. I’m starving and need to fuel up for the sexiness going on later.”
She hopped out of the Denali. “With what I have planned, you sure as hell do.”
Inside the school, they found it nearly empty. With session being out for the summer, Curtis and Brynn were lucky to find the principal working in his office.
When they were escorted in by a janitor, he stood to greet them. “Thank you, Harvey,” he stated.
“No problem, Mr. Clearfield.”
They waited for him to leave before starting. “What can I help you with?” he asked. “I’m sure I have no clue why you’d be here.”
Curtis pulled out his tablet, and showed him the deceased woman’s smiling picture. “Do you know this woman?”
He didn't have to think long. “Yes. She’s one of our teachers. Polly teaches English here.”
“When’s the last time you saw her?” Curtis asked.
The man swiveled in his chair and pulled up an attendance report on his computer. “The day before Memorial Day was the last time she was here. We let out early this year, thanks to the planned building construction.”
“No, when do you recall seeing her?” Brynn could sense his trepidation.
“That same day. We all met in the foyer to say goodbye for the break. They were due back sometime in August.”
There was a pause.
“Is she in trouble?” he asked. “I don’t know why an FBI agent and a cop would be here asking questions about a teacher. Did someone say she had an inappropriate encounter with a student?”
That had their attention.
“Why? Did she?” Curtis asked, trying to sound as tough as Greyson Croft.
“NO!”
“Well, sir, the reason we’re here is Polly Anderson was found murdered a few days ago.”
The man turned green.
Oh yeah, he knew something.
“It will be in your best interest to tell us what you’re thinking about, sir. If we have to pull this school apart, it will be on the news. I doubt that your superintendent will like that,” Brynn stated.
“We had an issue.”
“Go on,” Curtis urged.
“One day, earlier this year, Polly stopped in my office to report something uncomfortable.”
“What?” Brynn asked.
“Allegedly, one of our male teachers was hitting on her and kept asking her out. She was disturbed by it, and I had to intervene.”
That was fascinating.
“What happened?” Curtis asked, getting ready to input the man’s name to run a search. When working with Greyson Croft, he didn't want you just to find out the basics, he wanted to know everything.
“I spoke to him. He insists that it was mutual, but he couldn’t prove it. So, I shifted him to the middle school. In my opinion, it was best to move them as far from each other as possible.”
“Can you give us his name?”
Mr. Clearfield didn't look happy. “Do you think he could’ve done this?”
“We won’t know until we question him. His name?”
Again, he went to his computer and hit print. When he handed Curtis the paper, it already had all his personal information on it.
“We appreciate it, sir,” Brynn said. “Oh, and we’d prefer you didn't warn Mike Rogers that we’re looking for him. If he gets wind, he may run.”
The man nodded.
“Did Polly have any other issues?” Curtis asked, covering his bases.
“No. Everyone loved her. Her students thought the world of Polly. She was one of our best teachers. I can’t believe that we’re going to be starting a school year without her. This is insanity.”
“She was married. Did she ever mention her husband in passing?”
“Yes, she spoke highly of him. When he’d close on a big house, they’d often celebrate. From all I could see, they were very happy.”
Yeah, not so much.
They stood.
“We’re sorry you lost a colleague,” Curtis offered, shaking his hand. “If, for some reason, you think of anything else that might be pertinent, here’s my number,” he said, holding out his card.
The man just numbly nodded.
On their way out, the janitor unlocked the door for them. “Have a really nice day!” he stated, waving.
“What now?” Brynn asked.
“We’re going to grab lunch for everyone, and then head back in. I want to dig into Mike Roger’s life before Greyson Croft asks about it.”
“Wow! Looking for the gold star?”
He laughed, hopping up into the vehicle. “Normally, yes, but today I have special motivation.”
“And that is?” Brynn asked, buckling in.
“We’re going out drinking. We’re not going to be on time for work tomorrow. I’m hoping to barter for a little leeway.”
“Good thinking,” she said.
“Yeah, with Greyson Croft, you need to think one step ahead.”
Come to think of it, the same was true with Emma Croft too.
* * *
Greyson Croft definitely couldn’t take him home. Twice he’d had to pull over for the man to puke. It wasn’t going to be pretty and leaving him alone was plain dangerous.
So, he had no choice.
The man was going to his place. He was going to pass him off to his brother, showing him what real love was. If your partner in life was this sick, you needed to man up and hold his hand while he was puking.
He started to laugh.
All of this was beyond bizarre. Here he was, the big dog in the city, and he was delivering a drunk ME to his gay brother-- almost like he was a present.
His life in Vegas was so odd. He also couldn’t believe that he was going to cave to a blackmailer either. Normally, he’d say screw it, and let the media play with the truth. Now, he was more concerned for the puking man and his brother.
Neither was out of the closet, and he didn't want their business plastered all over Vegas.
That wouldn’t be fair to them.
At the condo, he managed to grab the waste paper can at the front desk before getting in the second elevator to ride up to his place. With an apologetic smile, he figured that the security staff was just accustomed to the tomfoolery that was always going on.
This was nothing.
People were forever coming or going to his place, and if he wasn’t a Fed, he was pretty sure they’d think he was a drug dealer of sorts.
As he put the key in the lock, his brother was already there to let him in.
“Oh shit! Is he okay?” Dante asked, opening his arms for the puking man.
“Oh, he and whiskey went on a date, and he’s suffering. It seems you both had the same idea. Let me pass him off to you now because I have to head to work. I actually have a case to manage, and a wife to babysit.”
Dante was astounded that Steele was looking this bad. “Where was he?”
“Oh, I found your drunken lover in a gay bar.”
Dante laughed.
“You owe me, and to warn you, we encountered the media outside. The reporter got a picture of us.”
Dante now wanted to puke himself. “Oh, Grey, I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “I don’t want your reputation ruined because we’re gay.”
“Shut up, Dante. I’m not worried about what people think. I’m more concerned that my bosses are going to ask why I wasn’t working.”
He swallowed. “Oh boy.”
Croft laughed. “I’ll be fine, but you’re screwed. You’re going to be explaining to my wife why I was literally picking up men. Now, take him to your room, clean h
im up, and while you’re back there…”
He cut him off. “I know, no sex.”
“Hell no! Just don’t let him puke on the carpets or aspirate. If you want to have sex with Steele while he’s a drunken mess, have at it. I don’t want the details on that.”
As he headed out, Dante stopped him. “Thank you, Grey. I’ll never be able to pay you back.”
Croft only nodded. He was too tired to explain to his brother that in life, you didn't keep score for the people you love. You just did what needed to be done.
As Dante stripped his ex down and cleaned him off, the man began coming around. “I missed you, Dante,” he slurred.
“Shhhh, it’s okay, Steele. I’ll take care of you now. I promise I’ll keep you safe.”
“I don’t feel so good. I tried to forget us, but it only got worse.”
He completely understood.
“I know, babe. Just lie back and let me get you through this. We can talk later.”
And they would.
There was no doubt about that.
* * *
Standing in the chocolate store, Emma realized one thing. She was hungry. The smell was overwhelmingly sweet, and she loved every second of it. If she worked here, there would be no doubt that she would be huge.
How did you work around all this candy and not want to shovel it into your face in greedy fistfuls?
There was probably a good reason she was a cop. Coffee and an ulcer were a good diet plan.
When a woman approached, she was holding a tray full of samples. As she offered them candy, Emma was in her glory. Every time there was an interview at a place like this, she was taking it.
“Ma’am, we need to ask you some questions. Do you know Candice Campbell?” she asked, popping some decadent truffle in her mouth. As she tried to focus, her taste buds sang in ecstasy.
“Yes, I do. She’s our weekday sales girl. She also does all the baskets. She has a lot of talent. Are you looking for her?” she asked.
“No, we’ve found her,” Emma said, as they both pulled their badges. “She’s dead, ma’am. We need to ask you some questions.”
She was shocked. “I heard she wasn’t coming into work, but I really believed that she was just taking a break. Her boyfriend was always talking about taking her on a trip.”
“Has he been in?” Chris Ford asked.
“I don’t know. I’m only part time. I’ve been off visiting my grandkids in Arizona. I couldn’t tell you what’s been going on. Today is my first day back.”
“Do you know if any customers bothered Candice?”
“Heavens, no! Candy was as sweet as the chocolates in this place. She was associate of the month four times last year. She had a way with people. Everyone loved her, especially the bosses.”
They looked around.
“This is some fancy chocolate,” Chris admitted, glancing at the price. “Do you get a lot of business?”
“Mostly it’s tourists. They like the novelty items,” the woman admitted. “We have handcuffs. You should buy a pair for your loved one,” she offered.
Emma realized that the woman likely recognized her from the media. “My husband would get a kick out of that.” She knew that if she distracted the woman, she might get more information out of her. “I’ll take a pair.”
The woman looked thrilled.
Chris Ford lifted his brow.
While the woman got everything out, she subtly asked her things, pretending to be friendly. “So, how long has Candy been working here?”
“I think over ten years. She started here as a teenager, and the owners fell in love with her. Candy was the heir apparent.”
That was curious.
“Are there any males who work here?”
“No, we’re all women,” she said, then dropped her voice to a whisper. “The owners are lesbians. I don’t think they like men very much.”
Chris Ford was enjoying how his detective had managed to get more out of the woman while her guard was down.
“What do you want on your handcuffs? I can write a message.”
Emma scribbled it on a piece of paper and then touched her finger to her lips, signaling it should be a secret.
The woman giggled once she read it.
“If I leave my information with you, can you call if you think of anything else?” Emma asked, taking her gift-wrapped package and paying with her credit card once the message was complete.
“I sure can, Mrs. Croft. It would be my pleasure.”
Emma headed out, her boss right behind her. When her phone chimed, she pulled it out of her back pocket. Reading it, she nearly laughed.
‘If you’re out there alone, I’m going to put my very naughty kitten over my knee.’
That was typical Greyson. When she noticed her boss staring at her, she replied, and then tucked it away.
“That was really clever,” he admitted. “I’m impressed.”
“I keep telling all of you that I’m not just a pretty face. I’m a cop and earned this badge.”
He laughed. “Hey, I believe you. I saw your resume.” Then, he got serious. “What was the message?”
Emma wasn’t going to share. “That’s none of your business.”
“You just dropped a hundred bucks on giant chocolate handcuffs. You can’t hold out on me. I’m dying to know.”
Emma wasn’t going to spill. “What happens in our bedroom stays in it,” she stated, referring to her and Greyson.
“Maybe I liked it better when you two weren’t so lovely dovey. It’s nauseatingly sweet and makes me jealous as hell.”
“Don’t be a hater, Captain. It’s not pretty on you.”
He laughed. “I missed this.”
She had to admit. “I missed it too.”
* * *
Croft stormed the precinct, searching for his girl. When he’d finally broken free of the drunken retrieval mission, he had the overwhelming need to locate Emma and ensure that she was safe. When he arrived in the conference room, he’d found four of the team, but no Emma.
Before he could rage around like a lunatic, demanding her location, a text came back.
‘I’m with the captain. Be there shortly. Promises, promises, Director Croft. We’ll talk about your knee later.
Meow.’
With the message, he immediately calmed down. “You all are so lucky that you didn't let her to leave here alone,” he stated, taking a seat.
They all began laughing.
“She tried,” Curtis admitted. “We figured that she had to be safe with a veteran cop.”
Croft didn't doubt it in the least.
“What do you have there?” he asked his partner, as he pointed at the bag.
“That’s lunch. I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone, and here we are.”
Curtis began handing out tubs of Thai food to everyone. Just as he finished, Emma and her captain strolled in. Immediately, she rushed to her husband and dropped down into his lap.
“Uh, you’re at work,” Chris Ford said, trying not to laugh. “I don’t think perching in a lap is appropriate office behavior.”
“This is lunch, and I’m on a break,” she stated, giving her husband a kiss.
“If we work while we eat, will you ignore my wife’s little indiscretion?” Croft asked, as she wiggled in his lap. Yes, his kitten was going to drive him wild. Already, his body was reacting to her being so near.
“Deal,” he stated, taking a container of food. He liked how the people in the room just meshed--Feds and cops alike.
“Let’s start with Polly Anderson,” Croft suggested, as Emma fed him Pad Thai.
“Well, we had her place of employment,” stated Curtis. “I’ll let Brynn start the details for you,” he offered.
“When we arrived, we interviewed a Mr. Clearfield. He was a plethora of information. When we asked about our victim, he spilled the beans.”
Brynn then went on to tell them all about Mike Rogers, and the issues Polly Anderson
had complained about.
Croft kept listening as Emma and he shared their lunch. “What else?”
Curtis knew where this was going. “We also ran the man. He has no priors, no arrests, and a relatively clean record. We’re going to need a follow up interview with him, since nothing popped.”
“Good job, Curtis.”
“Thank you, boss.”
“What else do we have on victim number one?” Emma asked, knowing her boss was taking it all in.
“I got into her tablet, and while I’m not as savvy as Curtis, I can still get around the simplest walls,” Paris admitted. “We found something only indicative to Polly’s personal device. It wasn’t found on her joint computer.”
“What was it?” Croft asked.
“A website called, ‘Perfect Indiscretions’.”
They all looked around at each other.
“That sounds like a porn shop,” stated Ford.
“It’s a dating site,” Paris offered.
That had Emma and Greyson’s attention.
“Are you going to make me ask questions, son?” he asked, staring at his profiler. “Or do you know me well enough to just spill it?”
Paris laughed. Before getting to know the man, he would have been scared shitless to hear that tone. Now, he was well aware that while scary, Greyson Croft was pretty gentle.
“No, sir, I won’t make you ask. What I can tell you is that it’s the ONLY thing that popped up on all three women’s personal computers and tablets. I think that’s our one link for all of them.”
Croft didn't want them to get ahead of themselves. “Okay, before we go there, let’s hear about the other two interviews.”
They got down to work.
It didn't take them long to figure one thing out. After comparing notes on all their individual interviews, it seems that Zara’s co-worker and also Candy’s were a bust.
Emma finally spoke, “The only thing that we got out of it was that the women were extremely happy in their marriages.”
Heaven is Weeping (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 5) Page 18