by Stacy-Deanne
She checked out the items in his basket. “If the prices are higher in your area, I won’t be shopping there soon.”
He half-smiled, staring as if he were memorizing her.
“You’re staring.” She grinned. “Something wrong?”
“You look different with your hair down.” He tilted his head with a dazed look in his eyes. “It allows your features to come through more.”
“Oh.” She shivered, holding onto the basket. “Uh—”
“This is kinda awkward, huh?”
She laughed. “No, it’s fine.”
“So.” He licked the corner of his mouth. “How’s Dee doing?”
“She’s okay.”
“I miss her, but I can’t keep dwelling on the past, can I?”
“How’s your writing going?”
“It’s going.” He leaned on his cart. “Trying to finish this book I’ve been working on. Ideas just not flowing. I think I need a break.”
“I hear you.” Connie’s hair swept her shoulders when she leaned over her cart. “A vacation would be a blessing right now.”
“I think I’ll go with this.” Grayson got the frozen fried chicken. “It’s a guilty pleasure.”
“I love fried chicken. It’s such a hassle to make from scratch.”
“Sylvia makes the best fried chicken. She soaks it in buttermilk before she fries it. Hey.” He swatted her arm. “How about you come over sometime and you can try it for yourself?”
“You’re inviting me to dinner?”
“Why not? I can tell you about my latest book.”
She stepped back, moving her cart.
“Oh, jeez.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m inviting you as a friend and nothing more.”
“I get it, but it wouldn’t be smart. Dee’s my partner and you’re her ex.”
“Dee and I are over. It’s not her business what I do.”
“Dee and I aren’t best friends as it is.” She touched her bosom. “The last thing I need is for her to think I’m pushing up on you.”
“I wasn’t asking you out on a date.” He tapped her hand. “Just wanted you to taste Sylvia’s chicken, that’s all.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Have a good evening, Connie.” He sighed. “I won’t be bothering you anymore.”
“Grayson, no.” She reached for him as he passed her. “You’re not bothering me. I—”
“Goodbye.” He continued out the aisle.
She threw a pepperoni pizza in her cart. “Shit.”
****
“Hello.” Dee greeted Winston in the police station lounge the next day. “How are you?”
He exhaled, getting a cinnamon roll from the vending machine. “Ooh look, I got a cinnamon roll.” He held it up. “Are you gonna accuse me of having one because Lisa loves them?” He passed her, huffing.
“You’ve been ignoring me since we had the fight, and I can’t take it anymore.”
“You should’ve thought about that before acting like a moron.”
“If you were me, you’d feel the same way.”
He bit into the glazed pastry. “No, I wouldn’t.”
“Aren’t you jealous of Jonathan?” She clenched her hip. “Did you forget that?”
“Why would I be jealous?” He chewed, smacking. “You claim that’s over, right?”
“There was nothing to be over with.”
“Just like there is nothing going on between me and Lisa.”
“It’s a big difference.” She slapped her thigh. “You had feelings for each other.”
“Nothing ever happened between us but to hear you tell it we had some lengthy love affair.”
“You wouldn’t cheat on me, but I’m uncomfortable with how cozy you’ve been with Lisa.”
“Deal with it.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I’m Lisa’s friend, and that won’t change because you’re a big baby.”
She tossed her hand in the air. “So to hell with my feelings and what I think?”
“What about my feelings when you were still hanging around Grayson?”
“God,” she shrieked. “After Grayson and I broke up, the only times I’ve seen him is because of a case. Period. We weren’t meeting at each other’s homes and having backroom conversations like you and Lisa.”
“Didn’t he kiss you?” He stuck the roll in her face. “Was just a few weeks ago if I’m remembering it right.”
“It was a mistake. Stop being so unreasonable.”
“I’m unreasonable?” He cackled, mouthful of bread. “It’s too much trouble with you, Dee.”
Her shoulders dropped. “What does that mean?”
“I’m not sure dealing with your shit is even worth it.”
She tried to swallow but the lump in her throat stayed in place. “If you loved me you’d feel it was worth it.”
“I love you so much it kills me, but I can’t take your jealousy anymore.”
“You’re wrong.” She crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. “Dead wrong.”
Officers walked in and rushed to the vending machines.
“When are you going to realize that Lisa and me aren’t the issue, Dee?” Winston crumbled the cinnamon roll wrapper in his hand. “It’s you.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Are you okay?” Connie asked when Dee got to her desk.
“I’ve had it with Winston’s shit.” She plopped in her chair. “He can have Lisa or any other woman for all I care.”
“He doesn’t want anyone but you.” Connie stuck peppermint gum in her mouth. “Don’t you trust him?”
“Yes.” Dee exhaled into her palms.
Connie chewed, sending peppermint aroma Dee’s way. “Do you trust yourself?”
“This has nothing to do with Jonathan.”
“So, you haven’t seen him since we wrapped up the Stuart case?”
“Why would I see him?” Dee glanced in her empty coffee cup. “That would be stupid, wouldn’t it?”
“I’m just wondering—”
“It’s none of your business; anyway. We’re not friends, Connie.”
She pursed her lips, jaws expanding with air.
“Don’t mistake my toleration for admiration, okay?”
“Wow.” Connie batted through watery eyes. “Then I won’t butt in again.”
“Good.”
Connie pouted, searching her drawer.
“I’m sorry.” Dee touched Connie’s arm. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, I’m being a bitch.” Dee smiled. “I appreciate your concern.”
Connie’s arched eyebrows rose.
“I’m so emotional since my dad died.” Dee leaned back, rubbing her eyes. “I’m up and down. How can one person have so many feelings at one time?”
“You should give some serious thought to seeing Dr. Guzman full time.”
“Ah—”
“What do you have to lose?” Connie got her stapler and closed the drawer. “These emotions are just gonna fester until you deal with them.”
Dee stroked her keyboard. “I’ll think about it.”
“Detectives?” Hattie rushed to their desks.
“Hattie,” Connie said. “Is something wrong?”
“Just seeing if you heard anything about my boy yet.” She sat by Dee’s desk, legs shaking. “As each day passes I’m going crazier. Anything new?”
“No,” Dee said. “We’ve questioned the people on your list and even spoke to those at Boyce’s old job. No one’s heard from him in at least a week.”
“God.” Hattie moaned.
“It doesn’t mean something’s happened to him.”
“It does, Detective Wilks. Are you a mother?”
Connie shook her head.
“Well, mothers sense when something is wrong concerning their children, and that’s how I feel right now.”
“It’s weird that Ursula didn’t seem concerned about Boyce,�
� Dee said.
“She’s concerned, believe me.” Hattie’s expression flattened. “She called me and could barely speak because she was so upset about him.”
Dee stuck out her lips. “Hm.”
“Ursula has been wonderful,” Hattie said. “I had a terrible car accident about three years ago and she nursed me back to health. She moved me in with her and Boyce until I recovered. She did everything for me and we became even closer. I love her. If she knew anything about Boyce she’d tell me. Did you speak to Frankie? He’s the one you should concentrate on.”
“Why?” Connie asked.
“I never liked him because he was nothing but bad news when they were younger. Had Boyce doing all kinds of crazy stuff and they ended up in juvenile hall and even jail. Frankie never changed. He and Boyce fell out and I’m wondering if he did something.”
Connie swayed in her chair. “Frankie said Boyce is an alcoholic and might be drinking again.”
“Nonsense.” Hattie scowled. “Boyce worked his ass off to be sober and he wouldn’t risk anything to go back to those dark days.”
“You haven’t witnessed erratic behavior?” Connie chewed her gum. “No mood swings or anything?”
“The man’s lost his job and his wife so of course he’s been erratic at times, but Frankie’s trying to spin things and you need to find out why.”
****
“You can’t serious.” Tran strolled alongside Jonathan in the garden. “Why would you want to do something like this?”
“Because Deidra belongs with us.” Jonathan held his hands behind his back as they walked between soaring hedges.
They passed the birdbath.
“I knew from the first moment I saw Deidra she was one of us.” Jonathan squinted. “I can’t let her go.” He stopped on the cement path, looking at the much shorter man. “I won’t.”
“But, to trick her into an initiation?” One of Tran’s eyes bulged. “I thought the point was having women join who want to be here.”
“She wants to be here.” Jonathan swayed through the path. “She’s just afraid to admit it. Why do you think she keeps coming back?”
Tran tottered beside him, wide slacks blowing in the breeze.
“She said she’s drawn here. What do you expect me to do, let her go?”
“Yes.” Tran touched Jonathan’s arm, stopping him. “I’ve worked for you for a long time, and I respect you. This isn’t you, Jonathan. When you speak of Detective Quarter, it’s like something comes over you I don’t recognize.”
Jonathan snapped his mouth shut and exhaled.
“Like you’re obsessed with her.”
Jonathan glanced toward the shrubs trimmed in unique shapes. “I might be.”
“I’m not sure I can go along with this.”
“I respect that.” Jonathan walked on, back erect. “You don’t have to do anything but keep your mouth shut.”
“Jonathan?” Rena sat on the off-white daybed, eating strawberries.
“Ah, Rena.” He walked her way. “Just the woman I want to see.” He glared at Tran. “Will you excuse us?”
Tran hesitated then disappeared through the trees.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” Jonathan sat beside Rena, ogling her plump breasts. “Glad to see the twins.”
She laughed.
“I have a job for you.” He touched her hair. “You up for it?”
She slurped the succulent strawberry, reminding him how talented she was with her mouth. “I’d do anything for you, Jonathan.”
“That’s a good girl.” His dick throbbed, begging to sink into her cleavage. “It’s time to bring Deidra in.”
She set the half-eaten strawberry on the tray. “Did she say she wanted to join?”
“She doesn’t have to say it.” He popped a strawberry into his mouth. “I’ll set up the initiation ceremony and you’re gonna invite her.”
“Wait. Why would she come if she hasn’t agreed?”
“She doesn’t have to know it’s an initiation ceremony.” He caressed her cheek with his fingertip, sniffing her delicate perfume. “Be creative. She’ll come if you ask her to.”
Her lovely eyes fell to her lap. “I want Dee with us too, but I don’t want to trick her.”
“This is for the good of The Circle.” He pushed his hand inside her dress, gripping her puffy breast. “Do this, Rena.”
“Oh.” She moaned, holding his hand in place.
“I’m demanding you do it.” He slipped her breast out the bodice and sucked her fat, pink nipple. “You understand that?”
“Yes.” She held his head to her chest. “I do.”
“Rena?” He laid her flat on the bed and grabbed a strawberry. “You ever play hide the strawberry?”
She gasped, staring at the fruit in his hand. “No.”
He lifted her dress. “You’re about to.”
“No!” She giggled, pushing his hand away. “Jonathan.”
He climbed on top of her and closed the curtains.
CHAPTER NINE
The male officers’ heads whipped around as a stunning, tall woman with satiny, ivory skin and legs up to her throat, twisted toward Dee and Connie’s desks in a tight, denim skirt and gold flats.
Dee sipped soda, gaping at the regal woman.
“Hello.” She took her shades off, looking back and forth at Dee and Connie. “I’m Daryl Hearne.” She tucked her shades between her stacked cleavage.
“Ms. Hearne, we appreciate you coming by.” Dee licked cola from her lips. “Please, sit down.”
Daryl swept her skirt underneath and sat.
“Hey, Quarter.” A male detective waved from his desk, gazing at Daryl. “If you need help let me know.”
“We’re fine, Pete.” Dee scoffed, flicking her hand at the offer. “Men. We appreciate you coming in, Daryl.”
“Anything I can do to help.” She crossed her silken legs while passing male officers salivated.
“Don’t you guys have cases to work on?” Connie shooed them away. “Sorry about that, Ms. Hearne.”
“It’s fine.” Her dainty lips remained in a straight line. “Sorry I took a while to return your call, but I run a hair salon and it’s tough to get away.”
“That’s right; you own the Sassy Saloon Salon downtown.” Dee got her pencil out the drawer. “Never been there, but it always looks busy.”
“Why haven’t you come by?” Daryl beamed. “Your hair is beautiful.”
“It ain’t mine but thanks.” Dee laughed, stroking the extensions. “You guys do ethnic hair? I wasn’t sure.”
“We do all kinds of hair.” Daryl handed them her business card. “Please stop by and anything you both want will be on the house courtesy of me.”
“That’s nice.” Dee examined the card. “I’m married to my beautician though. She knows what I like.”
“Come by, anyway.” Daryl rested her hands on her knee. “You might like us more.” She winked.
“Let’s get down to business,” Connie said. “You’re close to Boyce?”
“We’ve been friends for years.” Daryl touched Dee’s desk. “I won’t beat around the bush. I think Ursula did something to him.”
The detectives exchanged glances.
“Boyce found out that Ursula took out a life insurance policy on him.” Daryl’s blue-green eyes fluttered. “She did it behind his back.”
“That’s interesting.” Dee scribbled the information.
“After that Boyce was afraid of what might happen,” Daryl said. “He thought Ursula might try to harm him.”
“When was this policy taken out?” Dee asked.
“About three weeks ago.”
Dee whistled. “Doesn’t look good when someone takes a policy out on you and you end up missing after.”
“Ursula is a snake.” Daryl nodded with tight lips. “She gets away with things because of her looks and charm, but she goes to a salon owned by a colleague of mine and she told me some of the dirty things Ursul
a’s done behind Boyce’s back. She cheated on him many times with different men. I don’t know if Boyce knew, but that’s what I’ve heard.”
“With all due respect that’s hearsay,” Connie said. “We’re interested in facts.”
“Well, her taking out that policy is fact,” Daryl said. “My gut says something is wrong. You can’t let Ursula get away with this. She’s a master manipulator who’ll do anything to get what she wants.”
****
“Are you sure?” Hattie took a seat in the blue and white floral armchair in her den. “Ursula took a life insurance policy out on Boyce?”
“Yep, we checked it out ourselves,” Dee said. “It’s worth one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
“That’s a lot of money.” Connie put her hands in the pockets of her jeans.
“Spouses do that all the time.” Wrinkles sprouted around Hattie’s shriveled mouth. “There’s no reason to assume Ursula did something wrong.”
“True, but it makes eyebrows raise when someone goes missing only weeks after a policy is taken out.”
“I’m telling you it’s not Ursula.” Hattie rocked, gripping the armrests of the chair. “Frankie did something to Boyce. I know it.”
“Frankie didn’t take out this policy,” Connie said. “Ursula didn’t even mention to us she did. Why hide it?”
Hattie tightened her lips. “There has to be more to the story.”
“Trust me,” Dee said. “We’re gonna find out what.”
****
Three Nights Later
“Thanks for coming.” Rena hugged Dee on Jonathan’s foyer, her face torn with despair. “I can’t do it anymore, Dee. I want out of The Circle.”
“Why?” Dee gripped the shorter woman’s shoulders. “Did Jonathan do something?”
“I don’t think I belong here anymore. I miss my brother. He won’t visit me and I can’t leave the compound.” She grabbed Dee’s hand, pinching her skin. “Can you persuade Jonathan to let me go?”
“Uh.” Dee grimaced. “That’s not my place.”
“But, you’re a cop and he likes you.” Rena rubbed Dee’s hand. “If you told him I wanted out, then he’d listen.”
Dee glanced at the vivid portrait of Jonathan hanging high on the wall. “Rena—”