Perfect Fit

by Taige Crenshaw

  “Not usually. There wasn’t a murder. I got a call from Carlton Bunnell,” Colby Ramsey replied.

  “Oh. Didn’t he go private about ten years ago?”

  “Yep. Around the same time you decided to leave the force and go investigate fires. I don’t know what either of you were thinking.” Colby’s brown eyes were twinkling.

  “I can’t speak for Carlton, but I wanted something other than the norm. It’s just a different sort of perp,” Keenan said.

  It was the usual tease he got from Colby. They had become friends when he’d joined the Singleton Police Department, and had even worked as partners at the Delko Street Precinct. They’d remained friends when he’d left to become an arson investigator for the fire department. They hung out whenever they had a chance and their paths occasionally crossed on their jobs, in cases where a fire had resulted in fatalities—Colby often being called in as the assigned homicide detective.

  “Yeah, whatever.” Colby brushed away a lock of hair from her rich, honey-brown face before she put her hands into the front of her jeans.

  “Since you seem to know what’s up, fill me in.” Keenan continued onto the scene.

  Colby matched his stride. “A fire broke out and Julianne Locke, one of the owners of this place, was inside.”

  “I heard that she was taken to the hospital. What’s her status?”

  “Minor injuries, although she passed out. She’s being held overnight.” Colby sounded amused.

  “And that’s funny?” He stopped walking as the firefighters finished with the wrap up for the fire.

  “If you know her, it is.”

  “Pain in the ass, huh?” Keenan stifled a sigh.

  That was all he needed—a problem witness. Usually, he was good with them. But, after a long shift of—in his opinion—a bunch of useless meetings, his patience was wearing thin.

  “Not really. Just very stubborn.”

  “Okay. Wasn’t there another witness?”

  “Yep. He’s over there.” Colby pointed.

  Following Colby’s gesture, Keenan smiled. Even looking at the guy’s back, he’d know him anywhere.

  “I used to have this buddy who knew how to make a mean barbecue sauce. He was particular about it, too. Had to have the wood to barbecue over, temperature variances and everything just so before he’d allow his sauce to be used. Haven’t seen him in a whole lot of years. How the hell have you been, Harmon?” He slapped the man on the shoulder.

  “Keenan Callaghan. It’s been, what, twelve years?” Harmon turned to face him.

  The smirk on his face was familiar. Harmon was a prankster. They had grown up next door to each other and had even been roommates in college. They’d come home together, too. Keenan had joined the police force, and Harmon the FBI. They had kept in touch before losing contact years before. The large man slapped Keenan on the shoulder.

  “About that,” Keenan agreed. “Did you meet Colby already?” he asked as she joined them.

  Harmon nodded. “I already know her.”

  “I hear you’re one of my witnesses. What are you doing here?”

  “Witnesses? I thought you were on the police force,” Harmon said.

  “I was. Left about ten years ago. I’m a fire investigator now. So, how did it come about that you were here?” Keenan asked.

  “We handle the security for the businesses here.”

  “Who’s ‘we’?”

  “HJC Security Specialists, the security firm I co-own with Jordan Locke and Carlton Bunnell,” Harmon replied.

  “I know a little about Carlton from his time on the force. Jordan Locke—any relation to the other witness?”

  “Yes. She’s Jules’ cousin,” Harmon said.

  “Okay. You got here quickly.”

  “Our firm is on the property here at Kindred Place. Eight-one-seven-three Kindred Place, to be exact. It’s on the left side of the road adjacent to this one.”

  Keenan nodded. When he’d come in he’d seen the huge, tasteful sign stating ‘Kindred Place.’ He’d driven by here often enough on his way to Delko Street, where he worked at the firehouse, but he hadn’t had a reason to come to Kindred Place before. Although Woodbury Avenue was commercial, the set-up of this place wasn’t like those he usually saw in the area. Driving in, he would have thought he was coming to someone’s private home, not businesses.

  “Is it usual for Miss Locke to be working here so late?”

  “Sometimes she does, but not here. This is still being built. She’d be working out of Moments, at the top of this road. Actually, she just got back tonight from a business trip.”

  “What is Moments, and what does she do there?”

  “Moments is an event planning company, and she’s one of the main planners,” Harmon said easily.

  “I notice there are a few businesses here. Break them down for me with names of the owners.”

  Keenan made notes as Harmon provided the information. The area had six businesses in total. The whole area was set up in a loop. Visitors came in the right side then went out of the left. From the entrance, in order, there was an interior designer, an architectural group and Moments Deuce. At the crest and down a slight incline was Moments, the event planning company, which according to Harmon was the largest place and land space, since they held events there. When you departed from Moments going towards the exit, using the left side, there was the security firm, a landscaper’s and a bed and breakfast. Once he had all the names and official addresses of the businesses, he noticed something interesting about the owners.

  “Why does each business have a Locke listed as one of the owners?”

  “They own the land jointly. Bought it to set up the businesses that they are involved in. None of us had any problems with it, since it made sense, and we had it set up legally to use the land for the businesses.”

  Keenan glanced back at the smouldering area of the structure. The arrangement seemed to be well thought out, but, with fires, he never knew what he would find behind the scenes. Family might act like they got along but that wasn’t always reality. He had been called in to determine if this was arson or accidental and he suspected this coincidence would have something to do with his findings. He returned his attention to Harmon and continued with his questions.

  Once done, he shook his friend’s hand. “That’s it for now. Might have some more questions during my investigation. I’ll be in touch.”

  “I’ll answer any questions you may have. But make sure to call me, even if you don’t have any questions. Don’t lose touch again, or I’ll have to hunt you down,” Harmon said.

  “I won’t. What’s the best way to get a hold of the owners of all the businesses—including this one?” He gestured with his notebook to the building.

  “They’re probably all at the hospital with Jules. I’m heading over there.”

  He frowned, not liking that. He preferred questioning people before they could talk to each other.

  He shrugged. “Okay. I’ll be by after I’m done here. I’ll catch up with them if they’re there.”

  “Okay.” Harmon left.

  “Are you going to the hospital, too?” Keenan turned to Colby.

  “I’ll wait and head over with you. Let me know when you’re ready.” Colby strode to her dark blue Charger.

  Keenan walked over to the firefighters.

  * * * *

  Hours later, when the night had become much cooler, Keenan walked into the Singleton Hospital, pulling his notebook from his jacket pocket. Rolling his shoulders, he formulated his impressions of the scene as the elevator took him to the witness’s floor. He wasn’t sure if he would be able to talk with her since it was so late, but he would at least be able to discover the full extent of her injuries.

  Once he’d been able to conduct his interview of Julianne Locke, he could add that to his initial thoughts on the fire. Colby was silent as she walked beside him on the way to Julianne’s room.

  He stopped by the nurse’s desk to find ou
t the information he needed. “Hi—”

  A voice interrupted him. “Keenan. I assume you’re here to see Jules. Harmon mentioned you would be coming by. I’ll take you to her. She’s been expecting you.”

  He turned. Doctor Spencer Jacobs strolled down the hall towards him. His porcelain skin was paler than usual. Exhaustion was etched on his face and filled his steps.

  “Hey, Doc. I see they let you loose from the ER.”

  “Temporarily. I ran away to check on my patient. She’s a little peeved she has to spend the night.” Spencer chuckled.

  “And I’m sure you took joy in telling her.” Colby chuckled along with him.

  “I sure did.” Spencer rocked back on his heels.

  Keenan glanced back and forth between them. He assumed Colby knew Spencer from the emergency room, but they seemed more familiar than that.

  “How do you two know each other?”

  “Through Jordan—Jules’ cousin—as well as Julianne. My w…wife Regina is business partners with Julianne.”

  Keenan noticed the pause when Spencer mentioned his wife. He didn’t follow up for now, but made a mental note in case it was relevant to the case.

  “Is she awake?” Keenan would be surprised if she were at this time of night.

  Correction, it was two a.m., so it was technically morning.

  “She is. I was on my way to check on her,” Spencer said.

  Keenan walked beside him as they went towards her room. Colby fell into step behind them.

  “What are her injuries?” Keenan asked.

  Spencer gave him the breakdown. Keenan nodded. It was as Colby had said, minor, but they had kept her for the concussion and slight smoke inhalation. Spencer opened the door. Keenan paused just inside, raising an eyebrow. The room was packed with people talking softly. He counted quickly. At least forty people were in the spacious hospital room. Keenan spotted Harmon chatting with a man he recognised as Carlton, by the wall.

  With the amount of people in the room, a person would think they would be loud, or at least he would have heard them from outside. The people turned to look at him and he noted the similarity in features of most of them. The women had captivating sienna faces and the men wore rugged masculinity. All had golden eyes. Even if the eyes weren’t a clue to their relationship, the features cinched it, and he wondered if they were all Lockes. If so, they were a large family. Mixed in the crowd were others who didn’t look like those he pegged as family.

  “Isn’t it past visiting hours?” Keenan quietly asked Spencer.

  “It is. And I kicked everyone out over an hour ago. Julianne needs to rest. Now get out,” Spencer said.

  A melodious voice with a familiar, slightly musical cadence Keenan couldn’t place cut through the crowd. “It’s my fault, Spencer. I convinced the nurse to let them stay.”

  “You should know better, Syneca. What if she was your patient?” Spencer asked.

  “I know, I know. I would have ejected everyone by now. We’re going.” Syneca came into view.

  The woman was in a lab coat with a stethoscope around her neck. Her name card read ‘Locke’. At the sight of her last name Keenan’s suspicion was confirmed. Syneca studied him intently. The scrutiny in her golden gaze would have unnerved, or offended, most people. Instead, Keenan was amused at the thorough checking out he was receiving.

  “Time to go.” Syneca walked towards him and Keenan stepped to the side, opening the door for her.

  “Don’t tire my big sis out, Mr Callaghan.” Syneca’s warning was clear in her tone.

  The others followed her out of the room but three lagged behind the rest.

  “I’m Regina. The other partners and I will be in the waiting room to talk with you.”

  The full-figured woman was not what he would have pictured as the laid-back doctor’s wife. She seemed cold. The look on her dark, honey-brown face was contained and her green eyes seemed to see more than they revealed. She nodded, then went out. Spencer was leaning over, blocking his view of the woman in the bed.

  “We’ll take Rissa back home with us.” A tall man lifted a child against his chest. He turned, and pale grey eyes met Keenan’s. There was a sense of power in the man.

  “Get some rest, Jules. I’ll be by tomorrow to get you, or one of us will. Follow what the doctor says.” The woman had the same cadence in her voice as the woman Spencer had called Syneca.

  She walked towards Keenan, the man holding the child close behind her. The woman had the same look as the other Lockes. The man exited and the woman paused.

  “I’m Noelle Locke, Mr Callaghan. Keep it short.” Noelle nodded and strolled out.

  “Quite a family,” Keenan said softly to Colby.

  “You don’t know the half of it. They’re close. I’ll wait in the waiting room while you question Jules.” Colby took her leave.

  “After Keenan is done, you get some rest,” Spencer said to his patient.

  “I’d rest better if you would let me go home to my own bed.”

  The smoky voice with the musical cadence sounded disgruntled. It was similar to the other women who had spoken, but something about her set all his senses on high alert.

  “You’d sleep well. But I wouldn’t. My needs trump yours. So one night in the hospital it is. She’s all yours, Keenan,” Spencer said cheerfully.

  Spencer exited the room. Keenan’s breath caught as he stared at the woman reclining on the bed. Although she and her family shared similar features, she was exquisite compared to the other women he had seen that she was related to. Her long, dark brown hair tinged with gold framed her smooth face, which was the colour of toffee with a hint of cloves. Her forehead, sculptured high cheeks, slightly flared nose and rounded chin melded together to create a sexy air—she was a vixen. Her lips looked soft and kissable. She blinked, causing her eyelids to shield her golden eyes briefly. The look in her eyes was shrewd and sharp.

  “You have some questions for me, Mr Callaghan?” she said in a lilting tone.

  I want to hear you say my first name as I take you. Keenan frowned at the thought. He was here for work. Never before had anyone made him forget that fact. Scowling, Keenan began his questions.

  Get your copy now

  About the Author

  Taige Crenshaw has been enthralled with the written word from the time that she picked up her first book. It wasn’t long before she started to make up her own tales of romance.

  Her novels are set in the modern day between people who know what they want and how to get it. Taige also sets her stories in the future with vast universes between beautiful, strange and unique beings with lots of spice and sensuality added to her work.

  Always hard at work creating new and exciting places, Taige can be found curled up with a hot novel with exciting characters when she is not creating her own. Join her in the fun and frolic, with interesting people and far reaches of the world in her novels.

  Email: taige@taigecrenshaw.com

  Taige loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.

  Also by Taige Crenshaw

  Club Immortality: Lay Me Down

  Club Immortality: Burning Touch

  Club Immortality: Silk & Shadows

  Wilde: Wilde Seduction

  Wilde: Wilde Rapture

  Blackstone Haven: Power of Attraction

  Blackstone Haven: Power of Instinct

  Singleton: Hurricane

  Phoenix Intelligence Agency: Indigo Rain

  Phoenix Intelligence Agency: Silken Inferno

  Phoenix Intelligence Agency: Dark Callings

  With Aliyah Burke

  Kemet Uncovered: Talios

  Kemet Uncovered: Devi

  Kemet Uncovered: Linc

  Kemet Uncovered: Saffron

  Kemet Uncovered: Taber

  Kemet Uncovered: Ashia

  Total-E-Bound Publishing

  www.total-e-bound.com

  Take a loo
k at our exciting range of literagasmic™

  erotic romance titles and discover pure quality

  at Total-E-Bound.