by Gerri Hill
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to act this morning,” Tori admitted.
“You don’t have to act, Tori. Last night was just about us, remember?”
Tori was about to answer when the phone rang again. Sam snatched it up, frowning as she listened.
“I’m fine, Robert,” she murmured. She glanced at Tori, saw the uncertainty on her face, in her eyes. Then she watched as Tori tossed the covers off of her naked body and walked from the room. Damn.
“I wanted to catch you before you left for work,” he said. “Do you think we could have dinner tonight?”
She pulled her knees to her chest and closed her eyes. “No, Robert. Tonight is not good. I worked late last night, well, this morning, actually.”
“We can do an early dinner,” he offered.
“No, Robert. We can’t. I’m tired.” Then she sighed. “Please don’t call me,” she said quietly. “In a few weeks, maybe we can get together.”
“Samantha, I just want to have dinner and visit. That’s all.”
“Fine. In a few weeks.”
“Samantha, please…”
“No, Robert. I’ve got to go. A few weeks, okay?”
“No. I’ll call you this weekend. I’ve got to see you.”
“Whatever,” she murmured and disconnected. She stared at the door, wanting to go to Tori. But there wasn’t time. She flung the covers off and hurried into the shower. They would have to talk later.
Tori knocked loudly on the door and waited. Then she knocked again.
“Richard Grayson? Police,” she called loudly. Still nothing. She nodded to the two uniforms standing beside her. “Break it,” she said.
They walked into the dark house, weapons drawn. It was quiet inside. Too quiet. The living room held only one chair and a small table. Nothing else. No TV, no stereo. Tori glanced around the room. There were no pictures, no personal things. It was more stark than a motel room.
“You sure you got the right place?” one of the uniforms asked.
“We’re sure. His car’s outside,” Sam said quietly.
“Check all the rooms. Let’s secure it,” Tori said. They moved slowly down the short hallway. The bedroom door was ajar and Tori slowly opened it with her foot, weapon held out in front as she entered. “Holy shit,” she murmured.
A single mattress lay on the floor. Dirty sheets were bunched together and thrown on top. It smelled rank. Empty take-out containers littered the floor, weeks’ worth, she suspected. But where the walls were bare in the rest of the house, these walls were covered with photos. Photos of young girls. Tori pointed at one and motioned for Sam.
“Rachel Anderson,” Sam murmured. “There’s Julie. Crystal.”
Some were photographs snapped around the city as the girls went about their daily lives. Others, they recognized as copies from Belle’s files.
“Detective? Take a look.”
Tori turned, following Officer Spaten. Behind the door was a chart. Twenty-two names were listed. The first name on the list was Angie. A red line was drawn through it. Crystal followed. Then Rachel Anderson. Sue and then Julie Barnes. Annette was next.
“Sam. Call in a crime unit. We need to get all of this to the lab.” She turned to Officer Spaten. “Secure the place.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Detectives? I think we found the murder scene,” Officer Tate called from the laundry room.
They followed his voice, all peering through the door into the laundry room.
“Oh my God,” Sam whispered.
The kitchen table was wedged into one corner. It was covered in dried blood, as was the floor.
“Jesus,” he murmured. “Are those legs?”
“Don’t fucking touch anything,” Tori instructed. She turned again to Sam, who was ghostly white. “Call it in, Sam,” she said again. Tori took out her own phone, calling Malone.
“He’s not here. Are we sure Annette is safe?”
“They followed her to her girlfriend’s. She’s not left.”
“Have them pick her up,” Tori said. “He’s got a… shrine here. There was a list of names. Annette is next. It’s a fucking mess here.”
“How the hell did he slip away?” Malone demanded.
“On foot, I guess. His car is still here.”
“Okay. It’s time you let Belle Grayson in on this.”
“We’ll go there now.”
She folded her phone up, then looked at Sam. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Belle’s is only a few blocks from here,” Sam agreed.
Tori raised her hand to knock, then Sam grabbed it, stopping her. “Maybe we shouldn’t knock,” she said quietly.
Tori raised her eyebrows.
“If he’s here, do we really want to give him a chance to run?” she asked reasonably.
“We have no warrant,” Tori reminded her. “What’s our probable cause?”
“Now you decide to start following rules?”
“You’re right. What was I thinking?”
But there was no need to break in. The door was unlocked. They crept in silently, then both pulled their weapons when they reached Belle’s office door. It was ajar, the light on. Tori motioned Sam to one side of the door, then quickly pushed the door open.
Belle was tied to her chair, blood coming from her mouth, her lifeless eyes staring right at them.
“Oh God,” Sam gasped. She would have rushed forward, but Tori put an arm out, stopping her.
“It’s too late for her,” she said quietly. “Let’s secure the house.”
Sam paled but nodded, then watched as Tori pulled her cell phone out and dialed, all the while scanning the room.
“Malone? Send a wagon and a crime unit. Belle’s been hit. We’re going to check the rest of the house.”
“Wait for backup, Hunter.”
They both looked up at the sound of boards creaking overhead and soft footsteps running.
“No time, Malone. I think he’s still in the house.”
“Goddammit, Hunter. Just this once, will you listen to me?”
“Tell them to hurry, Lieutenant.” She disconnected, then grabbed Sam’s arm. “Slow and careful,” she said quietly.
Sam nodded and followed Tori up the stairs. The old boards shifted and moaned with their every step, making it impossible to sneak up to the second floor. Tori moved against the wall, eyes glued to the landing as she blindly crept up the staircase.
“Shhh,” Sam hissed. She cocked her head, listening. Footsteps again. Tori nodded and motioned for Sam to follow. They stopped again as the screaming of door hinges echoed in the silent house. Tori pointed down the hall to the left. Sam nodded.
She swallowed with difficulty. Sam didn’t mind admitting that she was scared. Her palms were sweaty, and her weapon seemed to weigh a ton in her hand. Her only comfort was that she’d insisted they both wear their vests today.
They stood at the landing, staring down the long hall. There were six rooms. Sam watched as Tori silently lay flat on her stomach, cheek pressed to the floor as she looked under each door. At the fourth door, she nodded. She pulled herself back up, motioning to Sam, who nodded.
Tori raised one finger, then two, then three. One powerful leg came out and kicked the door in. They entered, weapons swinging from side to side as screaming assailed them.
Wide, frantic eyes stared at them as the young girl crouched in the corner, a baseball bat held over her head. Tori lowered her weapon and held up her hand.
“Police… it’s okay,” she said. She pulled out her badge, showing it to the girl, who finally quieted, her screams turning to sobs as she let the bat fall beside her.
Sam went to her, gently taking her in her arms as they heard sirens approaching. Finally.
Tori watched them for a moment, again amazed at the compassion Sam could offer a complete stranger. Then she turned away and walked into the hall, her thumb already punching out a number on her cell phone.
“Yes, this
is Detective Hunter. I need to speak with Charlotte Grayson.” Tori closed her eyes. “It’s urgent.”
Chapter Thirty-nine
“Will you hold still?”
“I’m used to doing this myself,” Tori said. “You’re going to hurt me.”
“You are such a baby. You didn’t whine this much when you got shot.”
Tori looked in the mirror, watching Sam as she cut through the stitches at her waist. They should have been taken out days ago. She’d be lucky if it wasn’t infected.
“I don’t know why you won’t just go to the doctor for this,” Sam said. She pulled another one out and felt Tori jump. “I’m sorry. Did that hurt?”
“Yes,” Tori hissed. Then she took a breath as Sam put her lips there, kissing her lightly.
“Better?”
Tori smiled. “You know, the nurses never do that.”
“Well, you need better nurses, then.”
Sam finished, dabbing at the scabs with peroxide from the first aid kit she’d taken from Sergeant Fisk again. The scar was red, but she didn’t think it was infected. She pulled Tori’s shirt down, just barely avoiding caressing her smooth skin.
Tori stood back. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure. Now, what about these?” she asked, touching the wound on Tori’s forehead.
“Not yet.”
They stood facing each other, eyes locked.
“Do you… do you have plans tonight?” Tori finally asked.
“Plans?”
Tori looked away. “Well, I know Robert called this morning.”
Ah. Robert. Sam was wondering when Tori would bring up the phone call. She watched the flicker of uncertainty cross Tori’s face. For such a strong woman, she was sometimes so vulnerable.
“Actually, I did have plans,” Sam said. “I was planning on inviting you out to an early dinner. Then afterward, I was hoping you’d come home with me.”
“What about Robert?”
“What about him?” Sam moved closer, grasping Tori’s arms. “Tori, I’d like to say that Robert called only to check on me. It’s not true. He wants to see me. I don’t want to see him. I don’t feel anything for him, Tori. He doesn’t really believe that, though. So, he keeps calling.”
Tori looked into her eyes, trying desperately to read them. “I don’t know what you want from me,” Tori whispered.
Sam closed her eyes. God, this was not the time or place to have this conversation. “You want to talk about us here, Tori? In the ladies’ room?”
“I just…”
“I know. Let’s go home, okay? We’ll talk there.”
Home? Did she have a home? Sam’s apartment was starting to feel that way. It scared her. For the first time in her life, she was wishing for something she had thought she’d never have. And she was frightened by that.
“Actually, I think I’ll stay here. I haven’t… worked out in forever,” Tori said. “After today, I need it.”
Sam tried to capture her eyes, but Tori looked away. “You want to go to the gym?”
“Yeah.”
“I see.” Sam took a step back, watching Tori. She caught a glimpse of sadness in her eyes before Tori hid it. “Well, you know what? No, you’re not.”
Tori looked up. “What?”
Sam walked up to her, stopping only when their bodies were nearly touching. “You’re coming home with me. I’m not going to let you run from this. We’re going to talk about it.” Sam’s voice softened. “Then I’m going to finish what I started this morning.”
“Sam…”
“Don’t run from this, Tori. Please.”
“Don’t… hurt me,” Tori whispered.
“Sweetheart, I don’t ever want to hurt you.” She took her hand. “Come on. We need to be alone.”
Tori nodded and followed Sam, releasing her hand as they walked back into the squad room.
Chapter Forty
Sam locked the door behind them, then stood watching Tori. She had been mostly silent during the drive over, and Sam wondered what thoughts were running through her mind. One thing was for certain, she knew Tori wasn’t used to talking about her feelings. She was so used to keeping everything inside, hidden from others, only dealing with it internally. Well, that was about to change.
“Shower?”
Tori nodded.
Sam smiled. “Want to share?” Sam took Tori’s bag from her, then grabbed her hand with the other. “Come on. Don’t be afraid.” Sam shook her head. A few hours ago, Tori was so strong and in control, leading them fearlessly up the stairs to God knew what. Now, she nearly trembled with fear.
Tori stood by mutely as Sam undressed. She watched each piece of clothing fall from her body and she stared, only dimly aware that she wasn’t breathing.
“Need some help?” Sam asked.
“Hmm?”
“With your clothes?”
“Oh, sorry,” Tori murmured. She quickly undressed, then stepped into the shower with Sam. Soapy hands came to her, moving over her skin, teasing her. She stood still as Sam washed her, their eyes meeting in the warm mist. She was afraid, but the desire in Sam’s eyes was enough to smother that fear. She stepped closer, pulling Sam to her. Their wet bodies slid together. Tori lowered her head, finding Sam’s mouth. Their kiss was slow, gentle, unhurried. Then Sam pulled away and shoved the bar of soap into her hands.
Tori rubbed the soap lightly across Sam’s breasts, watching in fascination as her nipples hardened. She saw Sam’s chest rise and fall with each increasing breath, then slipped her hands lower. She heard the soft moan as she moved between Sam’s legs, and the soap fell from her hands. Whatever emotions were warring within her, desire won. She gripped Sam’s hips hard and pulled her flush against her own body. Their kiss was no longer gentle. Hungry mouths fought for control, and she moaned as Sam slipped her tongue inside her mouth. Under the spray of water they stood, kissing and touching until they were out of breath.
“Make love to me,” Sam pleaded. Her body was on fire and she pulled Tori’s hand to her, pressing it firmly against her. “Please… make love to me.”
Tori’s hand trembled as she reached around Sam and turned the water off. Without a word, she led Sam from the shower, wrapping a thick towel around her. They dried each other, their eyes meeting often. It was Sam who led them into the bedroom, Sam who lay down and pulled Tori with her. She groaned as Tori’s weight settled over her. Their mouths met again, slower now.
Sam moved her hands between them, cupping both of Tori’s breasts, urging her up higher. Tori lifted, offering her breasts to Sam. Sam moaned as her mouth closed around her nipple. She felt Tori straddle her thigh, felt her wetness as she moved against her.
Tori was throbbing, on the verge of exploding just from the gentle pressure of Sam’s mouth at her breast. She moved against Sam’s thigh, wanting release. Then Sam’s hand found her, and she groaned. Her legs opened wider, and she sought Sam’s fingers, grinding hard against them.
“No,” Sam whispered.
“No?” Tori bent down and captured Sam’s mouth, her tongue tracing her lips. “Yes.”
“Not yet. Not like this.” She pulled her hand away, ignoring Tori’s protest. She rolled them over, fitting between Tori’s legs as her mouth went back to Tori’s breast.
“Sam, please,” Tori begged. “I’m dying.” She grabbed Sam’s hips and pulled her hard against her, her own lifting off the bed to meet her.
“Oh, God… you’re not making this easy,” Sam murmured as her hips undulated against Tori’s. She wanted to let go, to give Tori the release she craved. But not like this. She pulled away, finding Tori’s mouth. “I want to make love to you,” she whispered. “I want to know what it’s like. I want to know how you taste. I want my mouth on you… I want my tongue inside you.”
Tori closed her eyes and groaned. God, she was so close. One touch and she’d be gone. She gasped as she felt Sam move down her body, felt her tongue as it traced a wet path across her breasts and stomach. Not
once, in all her life, had she wanted someone to make love to her the way she now wanted Sam… wanted Sam’s mouth on her.
Sam trembled as she spread Tori’s legs apart. She wanted so badly to please Tori, to bring her to the heights that she had experienced last night. It was with a hungry mouth that she found Tori, wet and ready for her. She let instinct take over as her tongue moved through her wetness and she moaned at the first taste of her. Tori’s hips bucked against her face and she held them down, slipping her tongue deep inside her.
“Sam… God,” Tori moaned.
Sam’s tongue licked at her, finally settling over her swollen clit and sucking it hard into her mouth. She heard Tori scream, felt her press up, felt the hands that gripped her head so firmly. Against her tongue, she felt Tori throb, nearly felt the explosion that penetrated Tori’s body. She shuddered, trembled under her. Sam refused to stop. She’d not had nearly enough. She suckled her, feeling Tori respond again, feeling her wetness as it coated her face, her cheeks. Then Tori’s hips rocked against her mouth, faster. Sam groaned as she felt Tori’s thighs tighten around her head, then Tori lifted them both off the bed as another orgasm shook her.
Sam finally released her, and she rested her face against Tori’s flat stomach. Never had she experienced something so… intimate. She closed her eyes as she felt Tori’s hand lightly brushing at her hair. She kissed Tori’s stomach lightly, then raised her head. Tori’s eyes were closed, then they opened, meeting hers. Sam frowned at the misting of tears there.
“What’s wrong?” She crawled up beside Tori, touching her face. “Why do you look so sad?” she whispered.
“I’m scared,” Tori admitted.
Their eyes locked and Sam understood. Tori was afraid to love, afraid of being left behind again.
“Oh, no… no. Don’t be scared,” Sam said softly. She ran her hands through Tori’s short hair, smoothing it. Then she wrapped her arms around Tori and held her. “I’ve been waiting… my whole life, it seems like… to feel… this connection that I feel with you. Oh, Tori, I look into your eyes and I see such strength, such passion… oh, God, and such sadness sometimes.” She cupped Tori’s face and forced her to look at her. “But mostly, I see… I see love. When you look at me, I want you to see that, too. I want you to believe that.”