Saving Thea

by Melissa Schroeder

  Within a couple of minutes, he discarded his jacket and shirt and leaned back on his elbows as she began undressing. He kicked off his shoes. Just thinking of her, naked and willing beneath him had him almost bursting.

  She seemed in a rush to discard her dress but he stilled her with one word.

  “Slowly.”

  She looked up, her eyes hidden in the shadows but he knew what they looked like. Dark green filled with arousal, simmering with desire. She turned and gave him her back. For a moment he held his breath, wondering if she would refuse.

  His breath wooshed out as she peeked coyly over her shoulder. Her fingers slid over one of her shoulders. He watched, mesmerized by the motion as she pulled the dress to her forearm. She repeated the action with the other side.

  She turned to face him and pulled the dress down further, freeing her arms and revealing her breasts. She’d been braless and he was glad he hadn’t known. They would never have made it home.

  Wiggling, she discarded the dress, throwing it aside without a thought. She stood before him in nothing but her blush and stockings. Lust intermingled with something so unknown to him, so foreign, it almost unmanned him. A smile tugged at his lips when he recognized the feeling rolling through him. He accepted it, knowing he had no way to avoid it.

  He took her hand and tugged her to the bed. She came willingly, laid out on the bed like an offering. As fast as humanly possible, he finished undressing.

  He practically dove on the bed and rolled so she sat astride him. The silk of her stockings against his hips hardened him even more. His erection was nestled between her legs. Her breasts rose and fell as her breathing increased. Slowly, he slid his hand along her ribs to cup the bottom of her breast.

  She was full breasted, but it wasn’t the size so much as the shape and the feel and the taste of them. He reared up, taking one turgid nipple in his mouth and suckling. Her moan, aroused and husky, pitched his heartbeat into overdrive.

  He moved to the other, reveling in the taste of her, sweet yet spicy. Her hands speared through his hair, as if trying to hold him closer. He broke free and grabbed a condom from the nightstand. Within minutes he was easing his way into her tight sheath. He watched her, her head thrown back in wild abandon, her eyes closed as she slid down his length, enveloping him with her warmth.

  Minutes later, her muscles tightened as she convulsed, the tremors pulling him with her as he shouted her name.

  Jason Warren stumbled out of his car searching for his keycard. He pulled everything out of his pants pocket and it fell on the pavement with a splat. His head swam with anger and the ten beers he’d had after he left that stupid ball.

  “Damn woman,” he muttered.

  Everything was Thea’s fault. Look at the employees at the restaurant. Every one of those idiots quit as soon as she walked out the door. She’d turned them against him, he was sure of it.

  He bent at the waist to shift through his belongings still lying on the ground in a puddle from the recent rain. Finally, he found his key and shoved the rest of the items back in his pocket.

  It took five attempts, but the door finally opened. He staggered into his motel room; the vague smell of must and cigarettes assaulted him. She couldn’t go to a town with a decent hotel, could she? Hell, he’d gone to another town for a beer as the only place that served liquor was the hall were the dance had been held.

  He’d decided to lay low for a few days, wait for her temper to cool, then approach her again. All businesslike this time. That’s what he’d do. Appeal to the businesswoman in her. He would coax her into agreement and then all of his problems would be solved.

  He smiled. Nothing would stand in his way now. Thea was as temperamental as any artist but he knew how to handle her. And she could be handled. He was sure of it.

  It was the last thought he had before the cold metal of a gun touched his temple.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Pleasure continued to hum through Thea as she snuggled closer to Duncan. She still lay on top of him, every bone in her body melted to mush. He had a way of doing that to her. With a touch, a look, hell, just thinking about him did it to her. She contemplated not moving for at least a day or two but Duncan’s stomach rumbled. He chuckled. A deep satisfied male type of chuckle that curled her toes.

  “I guess you expect me to feed you now?” she asked.

  He smacked her on her butt, then rubbed the spot. “Well, you did mention something downstairs about being hungry.”

  Her whole body heated as she remembered yammering on like an idiot.

  “Yeah, well, I guess I could throw something together.” She tried to move, but he caught hold of her and lifted her chin with his knuckle.

  “There’s no reason to be embarrassed, Thea.”

  “Well, you’re used to this type of thing, I’m not.”

  “This type of thing?” His voice was neutral, without emotion. He dropped his finger.

  She propped herself up on his chest. “You have to admit, you’ve had quite a lot of women. Other than my ex, you’re the only man I’ve slept with. Casual affairs are not my thing.”

  He stared at her, silent for a few moments. Releasing an exasperated sigh, he slid his arms around her and pulled her down.

  “After we catch this bastard, we’re going to have a really long talk. But, for now, I’m hungry.”

  He deftly set her on her feet and he stood next to her. A rush of goose bumps exploded on her arms and she shivered. She grabbed a pair of sweats and a t-shirt.

  After both of them finished dressing, they headed downstairs.

  She rummaged through the refrigerator. “How does a sandwich sound?” When he didn’t answer, she turned to find his gaze directed at her rear end. “Duncan!”

  His eyes met hers and her face warmed. “What?”

  “Sandwich?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  She gathered all the ingredients and went to work. “You’d think you’ve had enough.”

  He chuckled. “I hate to tell you, honey, but that day’s not going to come anytime soon.”

  She turned to ask him what he meant, but a flash of light alerted her to an approaching car. Tension coiled in her stomach.

  “Reckless.”

  She sighed. “Of course. I forgot.”

  He kissed her temple and then headed for the front door.

  The murmur of male voices filled the room as Rusty and Duncan discussed the case.

  “Thea,” Rusty said. He was still dressed in his tux, his dark brown hair the same unruly mess and his blue eyes sparkled with speculation. “That looks wonderful. Is there anyway I can convince you to make me one?”

  “Ham and cheese?”

  “My favorite.” He walked toward her, his arms outstretched as if to embrace her but Duncan grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back.

  “Hands off.”

  She was sure her face was candy apple red and she resumed fixing the sandwiches.

  “How the mighty have fallen,” Rusty said. “I want an invite.”

  “An invite to what?” she asked without turning around.

  “Never mind,” Duncan said. “We need to get to work.”

  Dennis Farley hated working the late shift at the Crocker Inn. Fifty was too old to be sitting up all night renting rooms. He hated it even more when they had trouble.

  The desk chair moaned in relief when he pulled his considerable weight out of it. The occupant in Room 117 had called to complain that the television in the next room was blaring. After repeated calling and receiving no answer, he knew he had to walk all the way down there and check it out.

  The cold northern wind slapped him in the face as he trudged along the sidewalk. The caller stood outside of his door, a tall elderly man who checked in with his niece under the name Smith. Odd that he would call attention to himself. Must be from out of town.

  “Thank God. That damn TV has been blaring for an hour.”

  Dennis looked past him at his niece who hid beh
ind the curtains. Yeah, if he had a prime piece like that, Dennis knew he wouldn’t welcome the interruption.

  He knocked on the door. No response. He knocked a little louder and looked at the rental car the man had been driving. It was parked across two spaces, the lights still on. Great. The guy had probably been on a bender. Passed out drunk with the TV blaring.

  “Management. Open up.”

  “Don’t you have a key?”

  He turned and looked at the jackass Smith. “Don’t you have a wife?”

  His eyes bugged out and his mouth hung open. “Hmph.” He stalked away and slammed his door.

  Dennis slipped the keycard in the slot and opened the door.

  “Mister?”

  He walked to the TV and turned it off. How did he feel? Irritated the occupant was so rude to have the television blaring and just leave like that? Surprised no one seemed to be there? The place looked deserted but there was a smell, something he couldn’t identify. As he turned to check out the bathroom, he saw the man laying face down on the floor beside the bed. Blood stained the carpet.

  Bile rose in his throat. The faint metallic scent of blood overpowered the stale cigarette smoke odor.

  He rushed out of the room to the office. He held on to call 911 and then promptly threw up in the trashcan.

  Rusty, Thea and Duncan sat around the kitchen table eating and discussing the recent murders.

  “Now, according to the FBI, there is not enough evidence for us to link them. Yes. They all looked alike, and they are within a fifty-mile radius, but truthfully, that’s all we have to go on.” Rusty shook his head. “They were all killed differently. Well, at least several different ways. But there’s something there, I can feel it.”

  “Sexual assault?” Duncan asked. He hated to be going over this in front of Thea, but she wouldn’t leave even if he threatened her. This seamy underbelly wasn’t something he wanted her to know about.

  “No. None. But there was evidence of ejaculation on the scene.”

  “Why is that important?” Thea asked.

  “Well, it means he is more turned on by the killing. The act of rape isn’t what floats his boat. It’s the killing,” Rusty explained.

  Her face paled and her throat worked. Duncan reached out and took her hand. He knew she was imagining her mother’s murder. He should never have let her listen to this.

  “You said they were killed differently? Maybe they’re not connected,” Thea said.

  “No evidence to refute that, I admit. But there’s something…”

  His beeper sounded. He looked at the pager and cursed.

  “Mind if I use your phone? My cell’s in the car.”

  “Sure,” she said and nodded to the phone on the wall.

  As Rusty called, Thea cleared away the plates and Duncan looked over some of the notes he had made. His cell rang before he could really start to make sense of anything.

  “Perry here.”

  “Boss,” Michelson said. “We got us a problem at Crocker Inn.”

  The young man’s voice wavered.

  “What’s up?”

  “There’s been a suicide.” His neck muscles tensed. “Shooting from the looks of it but I haven’t gotten too close.”

  “You have to if you want to investigate.”

  “Well, boss, you know I never did this kind of thing before.”

  “Yeah. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Know him?”

  “Not personally, but he signed in as Jason Warren.”

  His blood turned to ice and he looked at Thea who was watching him with concern.

  “Okay. Did you call the county coroner?”

  “Yeah, Doc Sawyer’s on her way.”

  “What is it, Duncan?” Thea asked.

  “It’s Jason.” He stood and then pulled her into his arms. “He committed suicide over at the Crocker Inn. Looks like he shot himself.”

  She pulled back and looked up at him. Her face bone white.

  “He’d never do that.”

  Jealousy speared through him. He knew in his gut she would never go back to Jason Warren now, but they’d had a history together. They’d spent holidays and anniversaries and mornings in bed together.

  “Listen, Duncan, he would never do that. He would never do that to his parents.”

  “That doesn’t preclude him from committing suicide.”

  “He had a cousin who’d committed suicide. It tore the family apart.”

  “I gotta go,” Rusty said. His lips flat and his brow furrowed. “They found another woman about five miles outside of town.”

  “Local?”

  “I don’t know. There was no ID as usual.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, I may be at this all night but we need to get together tomorrow. Maybe with some fresh eyes, we might be able to pick up on something.”

  “No problem. I have a possible suicide so I need to get dressed and get going also.”

  “Thanks for the meal, Thea. We need to do it another time, really soon.” Duncan didn’t mistake the deep tone in his friend’s voice.

  “Off limits, jackass.”

  Rusty just smiled and headed out to his job.

  “I’m going to give Chase a call and have him over here in a little bit. I don’t like you staying alone.”

  Thea propped a hand on each hip. “I’m going with you. He was my husband. Someone will have to identify him.”

  That thought gnawed at his gut. Why did she have to keep reminding him of what she’d been to Warren? It wasn’t as if it could compare with anything the two of them shared.

  Shit. He didn’t need this now.

  “Identification will happen later. I need you to stay here and out of the way. I need to do my job.”

  Her eyes studied him for a second and then she nodded.

  He gathered up his things, his own nerves rising with each minute that ticked by. Chase pulled into the drive within minutes. Duncan leaned down, kissed her mouth and headed upstairs to change. Keeping his mind clear of Thea was going to be hard, but he had to do it to find the bastard who was threatening her. After that, he would deal with the feelings she brought out in him. And they would have their talk, whether she liked it or not.

  Thea paced through the house, her nerves stretched tight and ready to break. She didn’t like the implications of what was going on and she regretted that Duncan had found out. Yes, he’d been helpful. But she could have discovered a lot of what he had, it just would have taken her longer. She didn’t want him in danger, not because of her. And she knew it was more than feeling guilty. How did she feel about her ex getting it?

  She loved him.

  “Duncan can handle himself.”

  She glanced at Chase but kept pacing. Duncan had waited until his brother had shown up and then left them alone.

  “I know.” But she didn’t. Now everyone knew about the two of them, including the killer.

  “One thing I can’t figure out is why?”

  She stopped. “Why?”

  “Don’t get me wrong, I find you attractive and if Duncan wasn’t head over heels for you, I would take a whirl at you myself. But one thing I can’t understand is this fixation first on your mother and now on you.”

  She shrugged still trying to ignore the zinging of warmth shooting through her. Duncan was not head over heels for her.

  “I have no idea. I guess if I did, I would be able to figure out who it is.”

  She shivered. Someone she knew. Her stomach knotted and soured. She’d known it all this time, but somehow ignored it.

  “I just can’t imagine being that fixated on someone.”

  Chase’s brow was furrowed, his hands rested on his lean hips. She couldn’t help it, she laughed.

  He glanced up evidently surprised by her merriment.

  “I can’t help it, Chase. You…” And she flopped onto the sofa, laughing more. “You can’t think of fixing your attentions on a woman for more than a few days, let alone twenty years. The look on your face is pri
celess.”

  A self-depreciating smile lit his face. “Now, Thea, if you would just dump my brother, I’d fixate on you all you wanted.”

  Despite the tension, or maybe because of it, she erupted into giggles again.

  “You know, you’re hard on a man’s ego, Thea.”

  Duncan parked his truck beside the coroner’s hearse. With a sigh, he got out and headed toward the room Jason Warren had once occupied.

  The Crocker Inn was an old throwback from the days before the interstate system. It was situated on Highway 84 and had once been one of the busiest motels in the area. But then Interstate 20 had been built and all the traffic gravitated to it.

  The structure was weatherworn and in need of repair, the paint either faded or peeled away. All the doors faced the outside of the one-story structure. The building was a huge U shape with a miniscule pool now out of commission for the winter.

  The cold north wind blew through the parking lot, stirring up small bits of gravel and dust. He squinted his eyes against the debris and forged ahead.

  The scene just outside of the room resembled a circus. Morbid onlookers fought for the best spot in which to watch the proceedings. Several of his deputies, most of them not in uniform, were trying to hold everyone back away from the door. He didn’t recognize any of them so he figured they were from out of town. How would they have gotten word so soon if this isn’t a busy road?

  “Sheriff.” Sam, all of twenty-one and as eager as a new puppy, came rushing forward. Apparently he was no longer sickened. “Glad you’re here. Doc’s in there now and these people are getting out of hand. Some of them even wanted to tour the scene.”

  “Good Lord.” He strode forward at the sound of angry shouts. Several of the onlookers were insisting on getting closer and were shoving his officers around.

  “That’s enough!” Everyone, including his deputies, froze. “Now, what I need is for you two,” he said, pointing to Charlie and Sam, “to take everyone aside and ask them what they saw. Anyone unwilling to cooperate will be hauled in for questioning.”