“What’s wrong with you?” scolded Maria.
“Nothing. I just think you’re making more out of this than is necessary.”
“How?”
“How? It’s just a weekend away.”
“With a man. When was the last time a man wanted to take you away, Brooks?”
Peyton couldn’t honestly remember. “I don’t know.”
“Exactly. Could you be a little more enthusiastic?”
Peyton wasn’t sure why Maria was taking this so personally. “Why is this so important to you?”
“Have you even looked at the man you’re with?”
“Yeah.”
“Really? Have you?” Maria shook her head. “I don’t think you have. That is one prime slice of beef, Brooks.”
“Yes, he is,” said Abe, searching through a rack of nightgowns.
“And you landed him. You!” Maria made a motion at Peyton with one hand. “Half of the women in this country went into mourning when he settled on you.”
“And all of the gay men,” added Abe.
“Don’t you think he deserves the best you can bring him?”
“You really have a low impression of me, don’t you?”
Maria moved toward her, putting her hands on Peyton’s shoulders. “I’m your best friend. If your best friend can’t be honest with you, who can?”
“Wait, you’re her best friend? I thought I was her best friend,” protested Abe.
Maria waved him off. “This weekend is big. You have no idea what it might mean for your future.” She tightened her hold on Peyton. “What if he asks you to marry him?”
Peyton laughed.
“Why are you laughing?”
“‘Cause that is definitely not going to happen.”
“How do you know?”
“Well, first of all, this weekend is just to get me out of town, so Cho and Simons can work the Janitor case without worrying about me. And second, Marco doesn’t believe in marriage.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean he’s always been very clear that he never intends to marry, that he doesn’t believe cops should marry. He’s not going to break that lifelong belief for me.”
“That’s ridiculous,” said Maria, releasing her. “Isn’t that ridiculous?” she directed at Tag.
“Don’t ask me. I don’t give a damn,” Tag responded without looking up from her phone.
“Don’t you think that’s ridiculous?” said Maria, turning to Abe.
He shot a look at her, then pulled something off the rack. “This is the one,” he said, bringing it to Peyton.
Peyton took the long, white silk nightgown and held it up. It had black lace across the bodice and a slit that ran up the left leg, also lined in lace. As she turned it to see the back, it caught the light and shimmered.
“Oh my God, that’s beautiful,” said Maria. “You’ve got to try it on.”
Peyton reached for the tag so she could see the price, but she quickly dropped it again. “Oh no, I can’t afford this.”
“Just try it on,” urged Maria, pushing her toward the dressing rooms.
After shutting the door on their expectant faces, Peyton slipped off her jeans and t-shirt, kicking away her Doc Marten’s, then she smoothed the gown over her body. Damned if Abe hadn’t guessed her size perfectly. The gown hugged her curves in all the right places and it looked amazing against her naturally brown skin tones.
“Come out and show us,” said Maria through the door.
“What?” She couldn’t go out in public like this. This gown was made for one thing and one thing only.
“Come out and show us!” said Maria slower as if Peyton hadn’t understood the words the first time.
“Come on, sweets, you ain’t got nothing we haven’t seen before,” said Abe.
Peyton drew a deep breath, then she opened the door, but she couldn’t make herself step out any further. Maria came forward and grabbed her hand, dragging her into the hallway before the dressing rooms. She caught sight of herself in the mirror at the end. Damn, the gown was beautiful.
“You look gorgeous,” Maria said, holding up her hand.
“You are one hot mamma, sweetings,” said Abe.
“It’s not too much?”
“Are you kidding? You are so going to get laid in that gown,” offered Abe.
“Abe!”
“He’s right. If he couldn’t leave you alone in a football jersey, just wait until he sees this,” said Maria. “You better take protection.”
“Maria!”
Tag chuckled.
Peyton glared at her.
“Don’t pout, Fluffy. It just makes you look sexier,” said Tag with a wicked smile.
* * *
“I just need the suitcase under the bed,” said Peyton, rummaging around on her hands and knees in her room.
“Where’s Pickles going to stay this weekend?” asked Jake, leaning on the doorjamb.
“He’s staying with Tonio and Cristina. They love him.”
“I’m sure they do.”
Peyton dragged the suitcase out and placed it on the bed. “So, how’s it going here? Is there anything I need to take care of before I go?”
Jake shook his head. He wanted to tell her about the job offer in Nebraska, but Marco had asked him not to say anything. Still, he wasn’t sure it was such a good idea to just spring things on her without warning.
She started to search through her drawers, pulling out panties and bras. Jake figured it was a good time to retreat. He wandered back into the living room and found Marco sitting in his favorite recliner, stroking Tater’s head.
“We should have kept this dog,” he said, glancing up at Jake. “He’s a good dog.”
“You’re not taking another dog away from me,” Jake answered, taking a seat on the couch. “You want a beer or something?”
“No, I’m driving.”
Jake glanced toward the bedroom. “You think you’ll get her to stay away all weekend?”
“That’s my plan.” Marco leaned forward, bracing his arms on his thighs. “Go through the letters again. Look at the text messages he sent me. There’s got to be something we missed, some clue we didn’t pick up.”
Jake nodded. “I’ll do my best.” He reached out and scratched Tater’s ear. “It bothers me that he watched her at the park and the precinct. He probably knows you two are…” He nodded for emphasis.
“That might be to our advantage.”
“Or it might not. He’s fixated on her, Adonis. I read the text messages. He’s got sexual feelings for her. He might see you as a threat.”
Peyton appeared in the hallway entrance, carrying her bag. “What are you talking about?”
Jake leaned back on the couch. “I was just wondering when you’re moving back in. I mean this is your house and everything. It seems silly that you’re paying rent on a place when you have a home.”
“Yeah, except people are living in my home.”
“Well, now that you and Marco are...you know, maybe it’s time for Maria to find another place.”
“That’s what this is. You’re tired of living with Maria.”
“Since you’ve been...you know...she’s been focusing her criticisms on me. Yesterday she told me I was getting a bubble butt.”
“I’ve been meaning to tell you that myself,” said Marco.
Jake gave him a mocking smile.
“I don’t know what to tell you,” said Peyton with a laugh. “I can’t ask her to leave. It wouldn’t be fair.”
“Yeah, but this is your house, Peyton, and you should stay here. Just because you and Adonis here are...you know...doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be in your own home.”
“What are you five, Jake? You don’t have to dance around what Marco and I are doing.”
“Okay, since you and Adonis are having intercourse…”
“Yeah, that’s so much worse,” said Marco, pushing himself out of the chair and heading toward the kitchen.
>
Peyton laughed and took his spot. “What is this really about?” she said, reaching out and sinking her fingers in Tater’s ruff.
“I was just thinking that maybe it’s time for me to get my own place. If I left, and you moved back in, Maria might get the hint.”
“Get your own place? Where would you go?”
“Actually, I was thinking…”
Marco stepped out of the kitchen, holding a water bottle. He gave him a stern look and shook his head.
Jake glanced at him, then exhaled. Okay, so now was still not the time. “I was thinking that I might try to find a studio of my own. I hate that you can’t be in your house. I never meant to take advantage of your hospitality.”
Peyton covered his hand with her own. “You aren’t. I like having you here. But if you want your own place, I can understand that. Let’s talk about it when we get back, okay? I can even help you look for a place if you want.”
Jake turned his hand over and clasped hers. “I’d like that.”
“We should get on the road,” said Marco.
She squeezed his hand, then let go, rising to her feet. “I need to stop by the precinct.”
Marco picked up her suitcase and carried it to the door. “Why?”
“I need to talk to Defino. Just let me get my jacket and we’ll go,” she said, turning back to her bedroom.
Jake rose also, feeling Marco’s eyes on him.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“She has to know at some point.”
“Not right now. You promised me you wouldn’t say anything until this case was over.”
“I don’t think I said that, but all right. I won’t say anything.” He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Still, you know keeping things from a woman like Peyton is a bad idea, right?”
“I’m only keeping things from her that I know will hurt her at a time when she doesn’t need any more hurt.”
“I hope she sees it that way, Adonis, because if she finds out and she’s pissed, she isn’t going to be pissed at me.”
“Just leave it alone, Ryder, okay?”
“Fine. You tell me when I can say something, but it might be nice if you do it before my plane leaves.”
* * *
Defino hit the send button on the email. Not a day went by that the mayor didn’t want an update on the Janitor case. Defino wished she had better information to share with him, but they were just spinning their damn wheels at this point.
She hoped this weekend might make a difference. Maybe knowing they had a deadline would help them put something together. If not, she didn’t know where else to turn. Serial killers were the bane of any police precinct. It could be years before the police got a break.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Enter,” she said, leaning back in her chair.
Peyton poked her head inside. “Captain, do you have a minute?”
“You’re supposed to be on your way to Napa, Brooks. Why are you here?”
“I need to talk to you.”
Defino waved her inside and Peyton sank into the chair across from her. Reaching out, Defino removed her stapler and paperclip holder from Peyton’s reach. “What’s up?”
Clasping her hands together, she hunched her shoulders. “I know you know about me and Marco.”
“I won the betting pool.”
Peyton gave her a quick look before studying her hands again. “I should have told you myself, but I was scared you’d send him away. Especially now, when I need him here.”
“He’s not going anywhere, Brooks.”
“Thank you. Still, I feel guilty.”
“For what?”
“For not telling you. For trying to keep it a secret. I should have told you the minute something happened.”
“Do you know what I used to do before I became captain, Brooks?”
Peyton shrugged. “We’ve established you weren’t a pole dancer.”
“I was a detective.”
“Right.”
“Why do you think I separated you two? Why do you think I broke up my best team? I knew what was going to happen before you did.”
Peyton nodded, staring at the desk. She reached out and picked up a paperclip that had fallen out of the holder. “I still think I should have told you, but I’m glad you’re not mad.” She unbent the clip and straightened it with her fingers.
Defino found herself transfixed by her movements.
“I’m thinking of applying to the FBI,” she blurted out.
Defino’s eyes snapped to her face. “I know.”
“You know that too?”
“Yes. Rosa Alvarez has made it clear she’s interested in you. You should apply. I made a call to a counselor at State. She reviewed your transcripts and says that you’re about two semesters away from your bachelor’s degree. In fact, most of the courses you need can be taken on-line, given your job experience.”
“You called a counselor for me?”
“I’d like to see one of my cops go on to bigger and better things, Brooks. You’re a likely candidate.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
Defino waved her off. “What I’d really like to know is why you’re in here talking to me when you’ve got one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen waiting for you outside that door?”
Peyton smiled and looked down. “I just wanted to make sure we’re okay.”
“We’re okay, Brooks. Now, go and enjoy yourself for a change. Forget this place even exists. Give thanks for what you have. There aren’t many men as patient as that one’s been.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yes. I know I’m high maintenance, Captain, but he knows that too.”
“We all know that, Brooks.”
She laughed.
“Get out of here and let us get back to work.”
Peyton rose to her feet, setting the twisted paperclip back on Defino’s desk. She pushed it forward with her hand, giving the captain a pained smile. Defino reached over and grabbed it, chucking it in her garbage can.
“See you Monday, Captain,” she said from the door.
“See you Monday, Brooks,” Defino answered.
Once Peyton had disappeared on the other side, Defino got to her feet and crossed around her desk, going to the door and pulling it open. Practically the entire precinct was gathered in the lobby, hugging Peyton goodbye and walking them to the door.
Defino waited until they’d moved into the parking lot before she cleared her throat. Everyone turned and looked at her.
“Okay, people, we’ve got exactly four days to solve this case before she gets back. Let’s get on it.”
As they all dispersed to various parts of the building, Defino moved to the counter and watched Marco and Peyton walk to his Charger and climb inside. She didn’t have much faith that four days would make a difference, but at least they had the motivation to try.
* * *
Jake looked up as Captain Defino entered the conference room. She took a seat at the head of the table and rested an arm on it. “What are you doing?”
“Going over the text messages and the letters, Captain. Trying to find something we missed.” Jake rubbed his eyes. “Honestly, I’m at a dead end.”
“Stan went to get us food and coffee. That might help.”
Jake nodded. “Where are Cho and Simons?”
“They went over to the jail to see if anything pops on the two vics we know that came from there. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
“I know.” Jake scrolled his fingers across his tablet, reading the text messages again. Then he reached out and picked up the pictures of Peyton, leafing through them.
“Do you get a feel for anything from those?” Defino asked, nodding at them.
Jake braced his head with his hand. “You know what bothers me?”
“What? I’m clutching at straws here, Mr. Ryder. I’ll take anything I can get.”
“These p
ictures are all flattering. There’s not one that’s bad, one that catches her at a funny angle. She looks fantastic in all of them.”
“What’s your point?”
“I take a lot of candid pictures, Captain, and you never capture people always at their best. I can take a 100 pictures and find maybe two or three that are this good. He deliberately chose the best pictures to put on display.”
“We know he’s fixated on her.”
“Yeah, but there’s a sexual element to it that makes me uncomfortable.” He picked up the pad. “In the text messages to D’Angelo, he threatened to assault her. He talks about how D’Angelo wouldn’t want him to like her too much. How he wouldn’t want him to make her scream.”
“Which is why we sent her away.”
“But he didn’t.”
“What?”
“He didn’t assault her, Captain. He had the opportunity. When he tasered her and had her in the van, she couldn’t fight back. He could have raped her, but he didn’t. Why not?”
Defino shook her head.
“He left the van where D’Angelo could find it, where he could save her, so I’ve got to believe he didn’t really want her to die.”
“Very good, Mr. Ryder. So what conclusions do you draw from that?”
Jake held up a hand. “This is just speculation, but I think Peyton reminds him of someone in his life, someone he tried to protect.”
“Missy?”
“We know he killed for Missy. Now he’s killing for Peyton. He’s confusing Peyton with his dead lover.”
Defino narrowed her eyes in concentration. “Which means what?”
“Is there anyone that worked at the precinct who lost someone close to them? A wife or girlfriend?”
Defino tilted her head, thinking. “I’ll review my own personal employment records, see if I made a note of anything in them, but nothing’s ringing a bell right now.” She gave Jake a smile. “Very good, Mr. Ryder. This is exactly the sort of profiling we need in this precinct.”
“I’m thinking of going to Nebraska.”
She leaned forward. “What?”
“I’m thinking of quitting and going to Nebraska.”
Murder on Treasure Island (Peyton Brooks' Series Book 7) Page 28