by Erika Rose
“Cole speaking.” He said into the phone as he rushed out to the cabbie who was waiting to take him to the airport.
“It’s Garret. Listen I thought you needed to hear it from me before you saw it on the news.”
“What?” Cole asked as he climbed into the cab. He checked his watch; his flight was in fifty minutes. The cabbie needed to hurry or he’ll miss his flight to New York.
“There was another murder.” Garret said solemnly.
Cole felt his blood turn cold, the cars rushing by faded from view as he felt his chest contract. Rose.
“When?” He asked choking down the fear that had its icy fingers clutched around his heart.
“Last night. Listen Cole, it was in your neighborhood again.”
The only coherent thought passing through Cole’s mind was Rose. She lived alone, right next door to the previous victim. “Have they released the victim’s name?”
“No, why?” Garret asked confused.
Cole closed his eyes, rubbing his forehead. “No reason. Did they mention cause of death?”
“No. Cole what’s going on?” Garret asked confused.
“Nothing. Listen I’m in Miami, but I’ll be back in the Hamptons…” Cole checked his watch. “Late afternoon, earlier if I can manage.”
“Why? Frankly, isn’t it safer for you to stay in the city?”
“No, I need to be there.” Cole said firmly, brooking no argument.
“Has this got anything to do with your neighbor?”
“No, nothing happened Saturday night.”
“Saturday night? Wasn’t she dead by then?”
“Yes, Emmaline was dead by then. I meant my other neighbor.”
“Cole you’re confusing the shit out of me. I’m going to let you go now but I expect a full explanation when you get here.”
“Fine.” Cole said as he ended the call. “Step on it.” He demanded the cabbie, even though his flight wouldn’t depart earlier if he reached the airport quicker. He needed to get to the Hamptons and make sure Rose hadn’t been the next victim.
CHAPTER 10
Kicking off her black high heels, Rose folded her legs under her as she sat down and switched on the TV, hoping it would take her mind far away from the funeral she had just attended.
Emmaline’s funeral was held in the oldest church in South Hampton. Both her daughters had given testimony to the wonderful mother she had been. Among the funeral guests were various friends, acquaintances and family. All mourning the loss of a wonderful woman who had been taken too soon, too cruel.
Rose had spent the week helping Priss and Jane pack up Emmaline’s house, a painful but necessary task that had been completed whilst sharing happy memories of Emmaline’s life along with mourning for her death.
Every evening when she had returned to her own house alone, Rose couldn’t help but feel lonely waiting for Cole. She had found herself at random times over the past week wondering about him. Where he was, what he was doing and although it bothered her, who he was with. Rose knew she probably wouldn’t be seeing him soon again. If she was him she would avoid the Hamptons as long as possible, only she didn’t have anywhere else to go.
Detective Vanguard had refused to take her calls all week so Rose still had no idea how the investigation was going. She had hoped all week that they would have answers by the time they said their final goodbyes to Emmaline, but that hadn’t happened.
The familiar jingle of the local news broadcast caught Rose’s attention. It felt to Rose as if the female reporter was looking straight at her through the screen as she notified the viewers of another suspicious murder in a small gated community in South Hampton.
“Not only did the murder occur in the same neighborhood but sources say the cause of death is similar to that of the recently deceased Emmaline Richards who was found murdered in her home last Saturday.”
Rose felt fear claw up her spine, its sharp nails scratching at the grief still raw from Emmaline’s funeral.
Another woman. Another murder in their neighborhood. If the cause of death was the same, she was strangled as well.
As the facts started to add up Rose felt her heart start to gallop at the reality of the situation. A murderer was either targeting their neighborhood or living among them.
She stood up, slipped on her heels, grabbed her handbag and headed for the front door. There was no way she was just going to sit back and wait for the police to realize this was serious. How many people had to die before they started looking for answers? She was going to find answers herself.
She pulled up to the guard house next to the gate at the entrance of their gated community. Slamming the door behind her she walked with purpose towards the open door.
There were two steel desks standing in the middle of the small room with chairs around it. In the corner there was a coffee machine and a small fridge. Schedules were marked out on a white board against a white wall; against the opposite wall was a detailed map of the estate, marking Emmaline’s house with a big red cross. Rose noticed another red cross on the board and turned to the men for answers.
Three men were sitting around the table and another was busy making coffee in the corner. None of them seemed phased by her arrival.
“Hello.” Rose said rather irritably since no one acknowledged her.
The three men around the table grunted before returning to their card game. The man standing by the coffee machine took a sip of his coffee and moved towards her.
He was in his early fifties, once black hair was cropped close to his head and generously peppered with white hair. His small brown eyes were kind as he walked towards Rose. He was tall and well built for a man his age, obviously a man who either had a wife taking good care of him or he did it himself.
“Excuse their manners M’am. How can I help you?” He said kindly to Rose as he led her outside.
Rose exhaled sharply. “I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t have come but I can’t just do nothing.”
His brown eyes took in Rose’s attire. “You’ve just come from the funeral of Mrs. Richards?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Mike Standerton miss; if you tell me why you came I’ll try my best to help you.”
Rose smiled at his kindness. “Thanks Mike, I’m Rose Adler. I just don’t know what to do. I found her you see. Emmaline, last Saturday I found her. And now I’ve just come from her funeral to find out there was another murder yesterday?”
Mike took Rose’s hand and led her to a small bench behind the office and sat down next to her. “I’m really sorry about Mrs. Richards. I’ve heard what they’re saying and it's down right horrible that something like that happened right here under our noses and now it happened again. Late yesterday afternoon we were notified of another murder.” Guilt and grief shone in his eyes.
Rose’s eyes widened. “So it is true? Do you know where?”
“A couple of blocks south of Mrs. Richards.” Mike said sighing heavily. No doubt the murders weighted heavily on him as well, Rose thought as she watched his hands clench and unclench. Rose could imagine that a murder in their community would shine a bad light on the security detail.
Rose recalled the other red cross on the map and sat up straight. “We can’t just wait for the police Mike, I don’t even know if they’re doing anything. But we can’t just wait. I’m going to try and figure some of this out on my own.”
“No wait a minute Rose, if there's some guy around murdering women I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to poke around.” Concern laced his voice.
Tired of being told not to get involved, Rose narrowed her eyes. “And what do you expect me to do. Just sit back and hope the cops get him? I’m done doing that. I just buried a friend and her family doesn’t even know why their mother had to die. So I’m going to tell you why I came here in the first place. I wanted to find out if you guys noticed anyone strange maybe visiting or someone that recently moved in. Someone
that might be capable of this?”
Mike shook his head sadly. “Rose we open the gate and close the gate. If they’ve got an access card that goes with living here, they get to enter. We can’t do much more than that. Even though we’re a small community it might take the police some time to talk to everyone. We’ve just got to be patient.”
Knowing she wasn’t going to get anywhere Rose stood up and brushed imaginary lint from her black pencil skirt, more from habit than for need. “Thanks for your time Mike. Do me a favor, if you hear of anything or see anything suspicious please let me know?”
Mike nodded. “I will Rose, but please be careful. Keep your doors locked and windows closed until the cops catch this guy.”
Rose smiled sadly. “It’s a shame that we have to be careful. Isn’t that why we have secured gated communities?”
With that she shook her head and returned to her car. She didn’t drive straight home, she circled the neighborhood keeping an eye out for anyone that seemed out of place. Between the mothers pushing prams, joggers and people just out for a walk Rose knew it was close to impossible to spot a murderer from driving around and eventually she headed home. She hoped Priss and Jane had left before they found out about the other murder. She had helped them pack up the last things yesterday. They had planned to leave straight after the funeral; Rose could only hope they had stuck to their plan.
CHAPTER 11
As soon as Cole’s plane had landed in New York he had tried calling Rose’s home number numerous times. There was no answer.
He didn’t understand the fear that had taken hold of his heart ever since he had spoken to Garret. There was nothing concrete between him and Rose except for being neighbors; if she was the next victim it didn’t affect him. Or did one kiss affect him that much? He refused to believe it did.
And yet here he was driving into South Hampton a couple of hours later still calling her number every few minutes. As he pulled up to his house he briefly thanked the heavens that there weren’t coroners and ambulances parked in her driveway.
They wouldn’t be there anymore, he thought as he got out of his car. The murder happened late yesterday afternoon, they would be gone by now...
Leaving everything in his car he made his way across the road to her house. He knocked on her door and waited for her to open. Dread filled him inch by inch squeezing the air out of his lungs as he waited. He thought how sweet her lips had felt against his own and regret washed over him.
Nothing happened.
He knocked again and waited, clenching his teeth. He shouldn’t have brushed her off Saturday night. Refusing to acknowledge Rose had been the next victim, Cole slowly stepped back from the door. He didn’t want to face the fact that the first woman he wanted more from than just sex had been murdered before he could tell her about the affection he felt for her. He couldn’t even tell her that he wanted to call her. He couldn’t tell her anything.
Just as he stepped off her porch a car pulled into the driveway. Cole was so caught up in his own feelings of loss he didn’t even acknowledge the vehicle. It was probably her family coming to sort out her affairs.
“Cole?”
He heard the voice calling his name and slowly turned towards it.
He took her in, barely believing his eyes. She wore a black skirt and jacket with a white blouse and black high heels. She had just come from the funeral.
Her brown hair was meticulously taken up in a French twist as she walked towards him. Relief washed over him and before he could stop himself he moved towards her and pulled her into his arms.
She fit perfectly, her soft curves molded against his hard chest. He pressed a kiss against her hair, taking in her soft floral scent.
“Cole?” Rose murmured confused against his chest.
“Shhh. Just let me hold you, and then we can talk.” Cole said gruffly.
He wanted to be sure he had his emotions under control when he looked into her hazelnut eyes. If he spoke now he would probably blurt out something ridiculous and acknowledge the feelings she stirred within him.
He held her until his heartbeat quieted, until his mind was fully in control of his words before he let her go.
Her beautiful eyes met his gaze confused. “Cole?”
“I heard about this morning, and when you didn’t answer your phone…” He tried to sound casual but failed miserably. Even to his own ears he sounded devastated at the thought.
A soft smile played on her lips. “You thought it was me? It wasn’t obviously. I was at the funeral and then went out again; I probably left my phone on silent from the funeral. I’m surprised that you care?”
Cole cleared his throat. “I don’t care, I was just concerned.”
“Funny that you’d come all the way from Miami or New York just because you were concerned?” She looked at him for a beat before continuing. “Why don’t you come inside and I’ll make us some coffee.”
Rose set down the cup of coffee in front of Cole on the kitchen island. “I went to speak to the police the other day and I’ve just been at the security guards.”
Cole felt his concern rise at the thought of Rose getting involved with a murder investigation. “Rose I really don’t think you should get involved. It could be dangerous. Let the police handle it.”
Temper flashed in her eyes as she leaned over the counter. “The police? Really, the police? I was there on Monday and they confirmed they’d get to it. I’ve phoned every day and all I’ve been told is they’re on it. I buried a friend this morning without knowing the reason for her death, Cole. I’m done waiting. I can’t just sit around and look out the window at her empty house and think...Ah well I’m sure the police are doing all they can. Especially not after another woman was murdered yesterday.”
Cole wanted to argue but knew he couldn’t, she was right. Detective Vanguard had been brushing him off as well. “Look Rose I agree they weren’t taking it serious, but maybe now that there’s been another murder they’ll start working harder and faster.”
Rose shrugged. “Well I hope they do. I’ve just spoken to the security guards at the gate. Basically anyone can come in if they’ve got tags, so our little security estate isn’t that secure after all.”
Cole stepped around the kitchen island and placed his hands on her shoulders. “They will. I’ll make sure they do.”
Rose’s whiskey brown eyes drew him in. The attraction they had shoved aside a week before snapped and crackled between them. Cole’s eyes trailed down her face settling on her lips. They were slightly ajar, an invitation for him to kiss her.
Heaven’s knew he wanted to, he thought as he stepped away. “Let’s make a deal. I’ll take you dinner and that way we can both decide if we’re going to allow this steam ahead to where it’s headed.”
Rose swallowed and shyly padded her hair to ensure it was still in place. “All right, but one condition?”
Cole would agree to anything at that point, so nodded for her to go ahead.
“No talk about Emmaline or the other murder. Tonight it’s just you and me. One neighbor getting to know another.”
Cole smiled wolfishly. “I don’t think I’ll be taking all my neighbors out to dinner just yet. Meet you in an hour?”
“I’ll be ready.” Rose smiled as she walked him to the door.
They had just sat down in Rosi’s when the owner and a good friend of Cole brought them a bottle of wine. “Hey Cole. Didn’t expect to see you here? Here’s a bottle of wine for the table, on the house of course.” Cole and Cayden shook hands before he turned to Rose. “Cayden Lee, I don’t think we’ve met before?”
Rose smiled at Cayden. “No, I don’t think we have. I’m Rose Adler.”
“Cayden here is the owner of Rosi’s and most days I’ll even admit he’s my friend.” Cole said as he poured a dark red wine into their glasses.
“In that case, it’s a pleasure to meet you Cayden.” Rose smiled and extended her hand.
/> “Nope, pleasure is all mine.” Cayden said to Rose before turning to Cole with a wink. “Haven’t seen this guy in ages and suddenly twice in one month, don’t think my friendship’s got anything to do with it.”
Cole noticed a blush on Rose’s cheeks and felt strangely territorial at Cayden’s casual flirting. “Don’t you have a restaurant to run? Pasta to knead or dough to cook?”
Cayden and Rose burst out laughing, leaving Cole in the dark.
Once the laughter subsided Cayden slapped Cole on the back companionably. “Actually we knead the dough and cook the pasta.” He turned to Rose. “Don’t you confuse him too much now?”
Rose blushed again and laughed as Cayden walked away. “He’s so young; I didn’t think the owner of the restaurant would be so young. It’s well established and I’ve heard the food is amazing?”
“He took over from his parents and has since franchised it. So Rosetta’s isn’t only in the Hamptons anymore but in other states as well.”
“That’s impressive.” Rose said as she sipped the wine.
Cole couldn’t help but wish he was the glass she held so tenderly and firmly. He felt a stirring in his groin and wondered how long they could both avoid the attraction between them.
After they had ordered, Cole the linguini and Rose a pizza, Cole sat back in his chair watching her. She wore a dress tonight, tight enough to hint at all the curves underneath without revealing too much. The olive green color suited her, as did the blush color on her cheeks he hoped either he had given her, or the wine. “So you mentioned the day we met you work in an office? What do you do?”
“I’m a paralegal. Basically that means you do all the lawyers’ grunt work, but I enjoy it.”
“Never wanted to become a lawyer yourself?”
“No, in the beginning maybe. But after being a paralegal the past few years I’ve come to learn that with that title comes a lot of responsibility and even though there is justice, the system can sometimes fail. I wouldn’t be able to look at a client or bill them if that was the case. So not only would I end up poor, I doubt I’d enjoy it as much.”