Cullen Matthew is strong, steady, and dependable. She has the perfect life and a perfect woman to share it with. Her dreams come tumbling down when Cullen is blindsided by her girlfriend Sara’s arrest and she learns their whole relationship may have been a lie. Still, she loves Sara and believes she’s innocent. Cullen isn’t going to leave her when she’s down.
Julia Stansworth is the detective assigned to Sara’s case. She knows Sara is not only a cocaine dealer but a murderer as well and is determined get justice for Sara’s victim. Cullen can hardly believe how much Julia has changed. The girl she had a crush on in high school is investigating Sara for murder. Caught between the girlfriend she thought she loved and can no longer trust and the gorgeous detective who will stop at nothing to bring Sara down, Cullen learns that love doesn’t always follow the letter of the law.
What Reviewers Say About MJ Williamz’s Work
Exposed
“The love affair between Randi and Eleanor goes along in fits and starts. It is a wonderful story, and the sex is hot. Definitely read it as soon as you have a chance!”—Janice Best, Librarian (Albion District Library)
Shots Fired
“MJ Williamz, in her first romantic thriller, has done an impressive job of building the tension and suspense. Williamz has a firm grasp of keeping the reader guessing and quickly turning the pages to get to the bottom of the mystery. Shots Fired clearly shows the author’s ability to spin an engaging tale and is sure to be just the beginning of great things to follow as the author matures.”—Lambda Literary Review
“Williamz tells her story in the voices of Kyla, Echo, and Detective Pat Silverton. She does a great job with the twists and turns of the story, along with the secondary plot. The police procedure is first rate, as are the scenes between Kyla and Echo, as they try to keep their relationship alive through the stress and mistrust.”—Just About Write
Forbidden Passions
“Forbidden Passions is 192 pages of bodice ripping antebellum erotica not so gently wrapped in the moistest, muskiest pantalets of lesbian horn dog high jinks ever written. While the book is joyfully and unabashedly smut, the love story is well written and the characters are multi-dimensional. Forbidden Passions is the very model of modern major erotica, but hidden within the sweet swells and trembling clefts of that erotica is a beautiful May–September romance between two wonderful and memorable characters.”—The Rainbow Reader
Sheltered Love
“The main pair in this story is astoundingly special, amazingly in sync nearly all the time, and perhaps the hottest twosome on a sexual front I have read to date. …This book has an intensity plus an atypical yet delightful original set of characters that drew me in and made me care for most of them. Tantalizingly tempting!”—Rainbow Book Reviews
Speakeasy
“Speakeasy is a bit of a blast from the past. It takes place in Chicago when Prohibition was in full flower and Al Capone was a name to be feared. The really fascinating twist is a small speakeasy operation run by a woman. She was more than incredible. This was such great fun and I most assuredly recommend it. Even the bloody battling that went on fit with the times and certainly spiced things up!”—Rainbow Book Reviews
Heartscapes
“The development of the relationship was well told and believable. Now the sex actually means something and M J Williamz certainly knows how to write a good sex scene. Just when you think life has finally become great again for Jesse, Odette has a stroke and can’t remember her at all. It is heartbreaking. Odette was a lovely character and I thought she was well developed. She was just the right person at the right time for Jesse. It was an engaging book, a beautiful love story.”—Inked Rainbow Reads
Scene of the Crime
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Scene of the Crime
© 2019 By MJ Williamz. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-406-9
This Electronic Book is published by
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, New York 12185
First Edition: July 2019
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editor: Cindy Cresap
Production Design: Susan Ramundo
Cover Design by Jeanine Henning
By the Author
Shots Fired
Forbidden Passions
Initiation by Desire
Speakeasy
Escapades
Sheltered Love
Summer Passion
Heartscapes
Love on Liberty
Love Down Under
Complications
Lessons In Desire
Hookin’ Up
Score
Exposed
Broken Vows
Model Behavior
Scene of the Crime
Acknowledgments
There are so many people to thank for this book. First and foremost, I want to thank my wonderful wife, Laydin. Not only did she give me the awesome idea for this story, but because her very existence makes my world a better place. Her constant love, devotion, and understanding of my need to write make me a happier, better author.
I also want to thank my beta readers. Sarah, Sue, and Karen—thank you so much for your invaluable input as this book developed. I really enjoy working with the three of you.
Since this book is a little different from what I normally write, I had a ton of questions. I want to thank Carsen and VK for taking the time to explain things for me and for helping me get things right.
As usual, I’d like to thank all the people at Bold Strokes Books for their continuing acceptance of my stories and their never ending efforts to help me improve my craft.
Finally, a huge thank you to you, the readers, who make this and every journey worthwhile.
Dedication
For always and forever—for Laydin
Chapter One
Cullen Matthews navigated through the driving rain, putting her day at the advertising agency far behind her. She was on her way home where Sara would be waiting for her. Sara, with her golden hair and bedroom blue eyes. Cullen’s heart skipped a beat just thinking about her.
Cullen had actually given up on love years before. She’d always wanted a relationship but had never managed to find just the right woman. Until Sara. She was everything Cullen wanted in a woman—strong, independent, successful. The fact that she was drop-dead gorgeous was simply icing on the cake.
Sara made her money helping entrepreneurs start businesses. She’d work for a while, make a chunk of change, then live off her earnings until someone else came along. She fascinated Cullen. Everything about Sara captivated Cullen’s interest.
Cullen parked in the garage and let herself in just as Sara came down the stairs to greet her. Cullen took one look and grew concerned as Sara’s nose was red, and her eyes didn’t look good.
“Baby? Are you okay? Have you been crying?”
Sara smiled warmly.
“I’m fine. I haven’t been crying at all.”
But she sounded nasally, and Cullen didn’t believe her.
“You l
ook like Rudolph and you’re all stuffed up. How can you tell me you haven’t been crying?”
Sara exhaled heavily.
“Allergies,” she threw over her shoulder as she headed toward the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I made dinner.”
Cullen wasn’t in the mood to argue. Allergies? On a rainy day in November? She didn’t believe Sara, and this wasn’t the first time she’d noticed her all stuffed up. She wondered what she did to make her cry, but if Sara wouldn’t tell her, how could Cullen possibly make it better?
She cleared her mind as she followed Sara into the kitchen and sat at the kitchen table which had been set with a lovely vase with fresh flowers in its center.
“So what’s the occasion?” Cullen asked. “Why did you make dinner?”
“I had time and was bored. So I went to the store to get the ingredients to try a new recipe.”
Sara never cooked, so Cullen was delighted. They tended to either go out for dinner or order takeout much of the time. And while they could certainly afford that, it would be nice to have a home cooked meal.
“This looks delicious,” Cullen said as Sara set a plate full of casserole in front of her.
“I do hope you’ll enjoy it. Dig in.”
After the first bite, Cullen did her best not to gag. It was terrible, over seasoned and undercooked. She noticed Sara hadn’t served herself.
“Aren’t you eating?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Are you serious?”
“I am. I have no appetite. How is it?”
“It’s good.” Cullen forced herself to take some more bites since she didn’t want to hurt Sara’s feelings. Sara was her world, she made life worth living, and Cullen would do everything in her power to keep her happy.
“You sure you’re feeling okay?”
“I feel great. I’m going to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”
Cullen watched as Sara made her way down the hallway. She loved her curves and the way her hips swayed so seductively as she walked. Cullen decided then and there to please Sara that night.
Sara was back and even more congested, and Cullen was worried but didn’t say anything. Something was definitely wrong, but she didn’t know what and certainly couldn’t force Sara to tell her if she wasn’t ready. She pushed back from the table.
“I’ve had enough,” she said. “I’ll go wash my plate and will meet you in the living room?”
“I’ll get your plate. You go relax.”
“But you cooked. I’d feel bad if you did the dishes as well.”
“Nonsense. You worked all day. I didn’t. You just help yourself to a beer and I’ll meet you in front of the TV.”
Cullen didn’t argue. A beer sounded good. Hell, anything to wash away the taste of that dinner would do. She turned on the television and watched reruns of her favorite cop show. She’d watched two episodes when she realized that Sara still wasn’t through washing her single plate from dinner.
Cullen went to the kitchen to check on her and get another beer. There were pots and pans all over the counter and Sara was on her hands and knees.
“What are you doing?” Cullen said.
“I decided to clean the cupboards.”
“Now? Couldn’t you wait until tomorrow or something?”
“Sorry.” Sara smiled up at Cullen. “The urge just hit me.”
“Would you like some help?” Cullen hoped she’d say no since she’d already worked hard that day and just wanted to relax.
“No, thanks. I’ll be through in a little bit.”
Cullen grabbed another beer and headed back to the couch. She shook her head in amazement and wondered where Sara got all her energy.
After two more episodes, Cullen was ready for bed. She was beat but had plans for Sara so went into the kitchen to get her.
“Hey, babe, let’s go to bed.”
Sara looked around the kitchen, which was still a disaster.
“I need to clean the place up. You go on to bed. I’ll be in shortly.”
“But I might fall asleep if you don’t come with me.”
“Then fall asleep. I’ll wake you when I come in.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Cullen kissed her good night and climbed into bed. She fought to stay awake, but exhaustion won out. She woke some time later, alone, and checked her phone. It was after two. Where was Sara? She wandered down the hall and saw the light on in the study. Sara was bent over a table with puzzle pieces strewn over it.
“What are you doing?” Cullen wasn’t amused.
Sara spun and faced her.
“I couldn’t sleep. Puzzles relax me. You don’t mind, do you?”
She was acting weird again. It wasn’t the first time she’d stayed up later than Cullen. Cullen wondered if they had a problem. Why was Sara avoiding her bed? She exhaled.
“Whatever.” She turned off the light. “Just come to bed now please.”
Sara walked up and wrapped her arms around Cullen.
“Okay. I’ll try to sleep.”
They walked down the hall to the master bedroom. Cullen climbed into bed and started to doze, but something didn’t seem right. She opened her eyes to see Sara sitting up, eyes wide, staring at her phone.
“What are you doing?” Cullen asked.
“Just scrolling. I’m sorry, but I’m really not sleepy. Would you mind if I turned on the TV?”
“Suit yourself.”
Cullen tried to fall back asleep, but she was too tense. Why hadn’t Sara wanted to be in bed with her? Why wouldn’t she lie down with her? It wasn’t right. The anger that had seethed within gave way to fear. Maybe something really was wrong between them. She rolled over and faced Sara, whose eyes were wide and whose mouth was moving. Like she was grinding her teeth only multiplied a hundredfold.
“Are we okay?” Cullen was scared of the answer.
Sara looked genuinely surprised by the question.
“Of course we are, silly. Why would you even ask that?”
Cullen lay on her back and linked her hands behind her head.
“I don’t know. It just seems like more and more often you don’t want to come to bed with me. And now, when I finally do get you to bed, you won’t lie down. I like to hold you, and more, or have you forgotten?”
“Oh, Cullen. Sometimes I can’t sleep. It has nothing to do with you, honest. Now you get some sleep. You have to work tomorrow. We’ll talk more about it tomorrow evening.”
She gave Cullen a perfunctory peck on the lips. Not convinced, but knowing she needed her sleep, Cullen rolled back over and drifted off.
Cullen tried to wake Sara for a little morning fun, but she was dead to the world. She ran her hands all over Sara’s body, but was greeted with nothing but snores, loud and deep, like she had a cold. Cullen again worried about the stuffy red nose she’d been seeing lately. Still, if Sara said she was okay, Cullen had to believe her.
The day was long, but it was Friday and Cullen couldn’t wait to get home and start her weekend. She was hoping to spend the next day on the couch with Sara snuggled up against her watching football. She loved autumn for so many reasons, not the least of which was college football.
When the day finally ended, Cullen drove home. She smiled to herself. She really thought of Sara’s place as her home now. She wondered if they should sell their houses and buy one together. Maybe she’d broach that to Sara, but perhaps it was too soon. She didn’t know. Besides, it wasn’t something that had to be decided right then.
She pulled into the driveway and waited for the garage door to open. When it did, she noticed that Sara’s car wasn’t there. Cullen wondered where she could possibly be? Cullen was starving and had hoped Sara would agree to going out to dinner.
Cullen let herself in and was crossing the living room when she saw Sara sitting on the couch with a glass of wine.
“Well, hey there.” Cullen smiled and bent to kiss her.
“Hi you. How
was your day?”
“Long. Slow. I couldn’t wait to get home to you. How was yours?”
“It was okay.”
“Just okay?”
“I was on my way to a meeting downtown when my car broke down,” Sara said.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Why didn’t you call me?”
“I didn’t want to disturb you. I called a friend, Robert, and he came and picked me up.”
“Where did you have your car towed to? What’s wrong with it? When will it be ready?”
“Jeez. What’s with the twenty questions?” Sara sounded defensive. What was up with that?
Sara left the room and walked to the kitchen with her empty wineglass. Cullen followed close behind.
“Pardon me for being concerned,” Cullen said.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. It was just a horrible experience. Let’s talk about something else, okay?”
“Sure.” She took Sara’s glass from her and refilled it before helping herself to a beer. “Let’s talk about dinner. I’m starving. Where shall we go?”
Sara laughed and patted Cullen’s stomach.
“Food, food, food. I swear you have a one-track mind.”
“Au contraire. I have a two-track mind and I’d be easily convinced to put dinner off and head to bed for a while.”
Sara laughed again, this one from her belly.
“Okay. You’re right. You have mostly a one-track mind.”
They settled on the couch with their drinks. Cullen draped an arm over Sara’s shoulders.
“So which will it be? Sex or food?”
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