Lucas gazed down into her face. Lust rushed through him and his mind went blank. He gave her another once over until his eyes become locked to the vulnerable expression on her face.
Eyes the color of emeralds peered up at him. Her long, dark hair fell in waves past her shoulders. Her smooth, olive skin almost called to him to reach out and stroke her face. She was petite. She was exquisite. He felt an overwhelming need to protect her, a concept foreign to him. Her anxious expression brought forth feelings long since forgotten. He wanted to grab her and ravish her... he couldn’t breathe.
“I... I... hope so. I’m worried about my friend, my roommate. She seems to have gone missing.” Her voice was so soft he almost didn’t hear her.
His overwhelming need to help her pushed his lustful thoughts aside. “Come with me. We’ll write up a report,” he said.
His professional radar switched itself on - another missing girl. At least that was still working. He could scarcely concentrate in her presence. Thankfully, the previous day, the two missing girls resembling the recent victims had returned home unharmed. Was this another false alarm?
“Um, thanks,” she murmured.
She followed his lanky frame towards a room down the hall. Everything inside her was on fire. His broad, strong shoulders and amazing eyes did incredible things to her. She suddenly found it difficult to breathe, or to stand.
He’s just a guy, Chelsea. You’ve been alone too long.
Still, try as she might, she couldn’t ignore whatever this feeling was. Emotions she couldn’t recall ever experiencing before flurried inside her like a swarm of tiny butterflies. The confidence oozing from him rendered her incapable of rational thought.
Totally amazed by the impact she was having on every one of his senses, Lucas attempted to get himself back under control. She’s just another beautiful girl. He saw them every day, but he couldn’t bury his urgent need to protect her, which was the totally opposite reaction to what usually occurred when he saw a pretty face. Lust still lingered below the surface but what she evoked in him was something more than the physical.
As they walked into the interview room, his hand shook as he gestured for her to take a seat. Lucas took out a pen clumsily, placed a notepad on the table and sat opposite her.
“What’s your friend’s name?”
“Elle Sheridan.”
“Elle?”
“Elle.”
This was stupid. Get a hold of yourself, Hudson.
“When did you last see Elle?”
“Friday night, about six, a—”
“You’re only reporting it now?” He cut her off with a gruff tone, overcompensating for what he really wanted to say to her.
She jolted back as though she’d been struck before a frost entered her expression.
“As I was about to say,” she continued after seeming to compose herself, her reply had a definite briskness, “I saw her last Friday night, about six, as I was leaving to go to my parent’s house for the weekend. I didn’t return until Monday night and I wasn’t sure if she was home. It was late, and her bedroom door was closed. She usually leaves a light on for me, so I did wonder if she was home or not, as the house was dark.”
“You didn’t talk to her over the weekend, while you were away?” Chelsea noted his tone was still brusque and his eyes had darkened by several shades.
“No, I didn’t. We don’t check up on each other,” she replied in the same cool tone.
“So, you don’t know how long she’s been missing?”
“No, I don’t. When I got home Monday night, I wasn’t sure if she was home and even if she wasn’t, I didn’t find it too unusual. Elle often stays away overnight. The only thing that was strange was that her car was there, but I thought she might have gotten a lift with somebody else.”
“You didn’t think it was strange she could’ve been gone for two days?”
“Not at first, but when I found she wasn’t home this morning, I was concerned, which is why I’m here now. I called her phone last night and this was when I found her handbag in her room. I was going to report it then but, like I said, it has happened before.”
Lucas stiffened as a chill tickled its way up his spine. This was beginning to sound familiar.
“What does she look like?”
“She’s tall and blonde, with blue eyes.”
He breathed out with relief. Wrong description but still it didn’t pay to discount her completely. The relief that this girl may not have fallen victim to the killer broke his concentration. Is that her that smells so good? What do I need to ask her? I can’t think straight. Snap out of it, Hudson.
“I’ll log the details into missing persons and they’ll investigate this further.”
He had to move her out as quick as possible before he felt tempted to touch her. Her magnetism drew him to her with intensity and he didn’t know how long he could fight it. Another new sensation.
“Is that it?” she said. Her small full lips pursed, sending Lucas’ heart into a frenzy.
God she’s incredibly beautiful. Lucas steadied himself.
“Yes, that’s all we can do for now. In the meantime, contact everyone she knows. She could be staying with someone and has forgotten to phone.”
A delicate dark eyebrow arched, and a slight smile touched her lips. “Without her bag and purse, Detective?”
Lucas frowned and internally kicked himself. “It’s possible. I’m sorry this isn’t my area. I can only enter your statement. A missing person detective will follow it up.”
Not my area? What are you on about? You’re a cop, Lucas! Everything is your area. He needed to get away from her. Trying to string a thought together was becoming impossible. He was awestruck, something he couldn’t remember being in a long time and never this powerfully.
“Fine,” she said standing with haste. “Thank you for your time.”
She strode out of the room and down the hall.
Lucas sat mesmerized for a moment, attempting to recover from meeting the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Sure, he’d seen and met a lot of pretty girls before, but they had never rendered him completely hopeless before. He hadn’t even interviewed her properly. Being so close to her was beyond intoxicating. He hadn’t asked her name. He hadn’t told her his. He hadn’t asked her enough questions. Was he going to jeopardize this investigation because he’d lost his head over a passing infatuation?
Shoving his fanciful thoughts aside, Lucas considered for a moment the possibility Elle had been kidnapped by the same perp, even though her description didn’t match the pattern. Could the killer have changed MO? He’d better fill Maggie in on the details, it could be important.
Incensed with himself, Lucas went back to his desk to speak with his partner. He slammed down into his chair, disrupting Maggie from her note taking.
“What’s eating you? I thought you were going to grab us some breakfast.”
“I got side tracked. Another girl has gone missing. Her roommate came in to report it.”
“What, who, when?”
“She’s blonde.”
“So? Maybe it isn’t just about hair color. Was there anything that was the same as the others?”
“Yeah, her personal belongings are still at home.”
“Well what else? Is there a mystery guy? What?”
“I don’t know,” he mumbled.
“What?” She frowned.
“I got distracted.” He wouldn’t look up at Maggie and continued to stare down at his notes.
“Distracted?”
“Yeah, I was thinking with the wrong head.” Maggie laughed. “What’s so funny?” He asked with a half-smile.
“It’s not like you to become completely distracted by a girl.”
“She was pretty, I haven’t been laid for a while, no big deal,” he lied, hoping to avoid further questions.
This was not the reason for his reaction. He couldn’t understand exactly why he’d responded as he had so how could he
explain it to his partner.
“I didn’t think anyone, or anything, got to you, well not on first sight anyway.”
“You did.” He lifted his eyes from his notes and offered a slight smile. “Look, I fucked up, it won’t happen again.”
“Okay,” she smirked raising an eyebrow. “I believe you.”
“So how about we concentrate on the case at hand and not my lack of sex life. I think we should check out the other warehouses seeing the first one was a bust.”
“Sure. I don’t think we can rule out this missing girl either. Did you even get her name?”
He glared at her. “Yes, Elle Sheridan.”
“My mistake.” She lifted her hands in a gesture of surrender. “Let’s go then.”
They headed out and this time Lucas went in Maggie’s car. He needed time to collect himself. She waited a few moments before bringing up the subject again.
“Did you get Elle’s address? Maybe we can re-interview... what was her name?”
Lucas paused for a moment before answering. “I don’t know.”
“You didn’t even ask that?”
“I told you, I wasn’t concentrating. Besides, we can look up her address.”
“I suppose. This isn’t like you. Are you alright?”
“Yeah, just not sleeping well.”
“The dreams?”
“Yeah, how did you know?”
“You’re distracted, and you look uneasy. I’ve seen the look before.”
“It’ll pass, it always does. I’ll follow up the missing girl.”
“Okay, but I’m always here if you need me.”
“Yeah, I know, thanks, Mags. Let’s just hope the missing girl has nothing to do with our case.”
Chapter 7
Love and Confusion
Wednesday
Furious, Chelsea strode down the hallway and slammed out the front door. The nerve of that detective! When she realized he didn’t ask her name and hadn’t given her his, her annoyance grew. What kind of detective was he anyway? She wondered whether he’d taken her seriously at all. Perhaps she should go back and talk to someone who would listen or at least care. Right now, though, she was livid and needed to calm down.
Chelsea didn’t intend to open the shop today. However, after her encounter with the uncaring detective, and with Elle missing, she needed somewhere she could relax and find some comfort. The one place she could do that was at Bloom.
Sick with worry and anxiety she drove towards her sanctuary. On the way, she considered going home. What if Elle were to phone or return home? But would sitting around waiting for her to return really help? Instead she pulled over and tried the house and Elle’s mobile again but got no answer.
Chelsea drove on towards Bloom and resolved to check in again over the day. What else could she do? Worry ate away inside her. Where are you Elle?
After investigating the other three warehouses and finding them vacant, the detectives decided to finish up for the day and start over in the morning. On the drive home, Lucas wondered which direction to take. The lack of evidence intensified his frustration.
The report on Kate Miller’s house would be completed by morning and he prayed for a fingerprint match or perhaps some kind of trace evidence, anything that would lead them somewhere closer. They needed a suspect, and fast, before they had another victim. Could this missing girl be the next one? He sincerely hoped not but as there weren’t any other missing women who fit the description, so it was a possibility.
He decided they would have to go over everything again. They were missing something. Where were they meeting this guy? How were these girls connected? Lucas needed to refocus and obtain a clear head for the morning, so sleep was his number one priority.
When Lucas walked into his apartment, a sudden sense of loneliness overcame him, something which was occurring more and more often lately. His home, small with sparse furniture, suited his needs as he spent little time there. After having a quick shower in an attempt to free his mind of circling thoughts and haunting visions, he collapsed into bed. He closed his eyes and attempted to block out the memories tormenting him. He tossed and turned but the images remained, and sleep became impossible.
As he pushed aside his demons, olive skin and big green eyes swept through his mind. What was it about her that had him so stupefied? He conjured up the parade of the many beautiful women he had known, and even slept with, but there was something more about this girl, something much stronger which tugged at him and he didn’t know what it was or why. He couldn’t allow these feelings to push through. He didn’t get close to anybody, especially to anyone related to a case. He’d made that mistake in his first year as detective and he’d paid a heavy price. Anyone linked to an investigation, in any way, was off limits. Even if this hadn’t become his cardinal rule from all those years ago, the painful reality of losing loved ones deterred him from making any sort of commitment. He never wanted to love and then grieve again.
Giving up on rest, he grabbed the victim’s files from the side table and began to read. The flour trace was important. He could feel it, but how? Was it being transferred from where they were being held? It didn’t appear to be coming from the locations they had searched and there weren’t any other abandoned warehouses that fit the bill. So, the killer could be taking them out of town or to a house filled with flour, but who has that much on their premises? The other option could be the perp was a baker or chef of some kind and transmitted it with his hands. How many bakeries, cafés and restaurants were located in the city? There would be far too many employees to interview, in every possible occupation. He grunted in frustration, there were too many options to consider and investigate. Time was what they needed to follow all the potential leads and time was what they had little of. Lucas didn’t want to think about the endless possibilities.
This wasn’t the only troublesome thought. The words RICH BITCH, why those words? Envy could be a contributing factor and driving force but both victims weren’t wealthy.
He threw the folders down on the bed. Going in circles wasn’t getting them any closer. It all came down to Kate’s autopsy report and the search of her house. They needed more evidence, something new.
Sleep was fitful for Lucas that night as he dreamed of emerald eyes, olive skin and bloody throats.
Maggie walked into her snug two-bedroom cottage. The simple furnishings and quiet ambience suited Maggie and Steve. Being busy cops, and seeing the horrors they did, enhanced their need to come home to a sanctuary.
She was welcomed by a delicious aroma emanating from the kitchen and knew Steve was preparing something mouth-watering.
“Hey, I’m home,” she called out.
“In the kitchen.”
“Smells great, babe. I’m famished.”
“Please sit down, my lady, and I’ll bring dinner to you.”
“Oh well, thank you, Sir,” she grinned.
Steve could always sense when she needed looking after. Her knight in shining armor, the most gorgeous man alive, was tall, dark and handsome.
“Tough day, Mags?”
“You could say tough week. We’re getting nowhere with this case.”
“You’ll get him, you always do.”
He kissed her tenderly before placing her dinner and a glass of wine on the table in front of her.
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?” She said with a smile.
“Yes, but you can tell me again.” He winked and joined her at the table.
She started to tuck into the meal he’d lovingly prepared. “Speaking of love, some girl got to Lucas today.”
“No way! That man is made of steel.”
“It appears he isn’t after all. He questioned a girl whose roommate is missing, and it might have helped with our investigation, but he froze up instead. It was like he couldn’t get her out of there quick enough.”
“He’s so thorough.”
“Not today,” she grinned.
“Well
I guess everyone needs a bit of love.”
“Oh, you’re such a romantic, Steve.”
“I know,” he said lifting her out of her chair. When he kissed her again it was with absolute passion. “That’s because I’m married to an amazing woman,” he told her before guiding her toward their bedroom.
When Chelsea walked into the house, she immediately checked to see if Elle had been home. Finding Elle’s room eerily untouched, Chelsea walked towards the kitchen, her heart heavy. She remembered Mrs. Sheridan and how worried she would be, so she phoned her to tell her about reporting Elle’s continued absence to the police. Hearing the fear in her voice only intensified Chelsea’s anxiety. She sighed, wondering what to do next.
She considered dinner, but the thought turned her stomach, so she went upstairs instead. She sat out on the balcony and thought about Elle. This only agitated her all over again recalling that detective and his lack of… anything! He was sexy though, and those eyes, so enticing. He definitely sent her heart fluttering. His rude and unsympathetic manner, on the other hand, was inexcusable. First thing in the morning, she would go back to the station and make someone listen to her this time.
Worry consumed her as she remembered happy times with Elle. Chelsea prayed her disappearance was like all the other times when she’d spontaneously spent days with a man or stayed with a friend. Doubts undermined her fervent attempts to believe in every positive scenario. Chelsea couldn’t remember Elle being without her handbag and phone during any of those absences. Hot tears crept down her face as she tried to push aside her worst fear, that Elle was gone forever.
Oh, Elle, where are you?
It’s now time for her to say goodbye to her life. Nothing personal, Blondie, but I need to make it perfect.
Will she fight like Libby or will she accept it like Kate? She is feisty this one, so I guess she’ll fight to the end.
Rich Girl (Broken Wishes Series Book 1) Page 4