by J. Valentine
***
Brad dropped her off at home at the end of the day’s investigation. It was a hard day for her, feeling drained by the antibiotics she was on for the gunshot, loopy from the pain medication, and pain that still dulled in her shoulder. She hoped this wouldn’t last for much longer, and she’d be back to one hundred percent soon. The Canadian socialized health care did her good, and she was happy everything had been going smoothly so far.
“Alvi!” The dog greeted her at the door happy to see her.
“How’d the investigation go?” Max asked her, after greeting her at the door.
“Good. They think it’s a pretty open and shut case.”
“So I guess everyone in town is going to know the real reason you stayed pretty soon,” Max laughed.
“Yeah I guess so,” she agreed. “I’ll be gone soon enough though. I feel like I’ve been in Red Arch too long. I need to move on and find the next case.”
“It was quite the vacation for you eh?” Max asked her.
“Yeah not too often do I go on vacation, and solve two murders.”
“I’m so happy you found out the truth about what happened to mom. It’s been so difficult having so many questions go unanswered. Thank you Olivia.”
“I was happy to find out the truth as well, Max,” she agreed.
“So how much did you end up paying yourself from the blank check?”
“I haven’t cashed it yet. I’m afraid to tally it all, hopefully Barry won't be too upset,” she laughed.
“I guess you don’t have to worry about him losing the money now. With Layla and Anna in custody.”
“Yeah really. And with the harddrive back, neither of them will ever have to worry about money again.”
“They’ll have plenty of other stuff to worry about,” Max laughed.
“Definitely,” she agreed.
“So when are you leaving?” Max inquired.
“I think in maybe a week or so. I’m going over to Brad’s tonight to celebrate. Then I kind of want to go up to Stoney to see Barry. I want to tell him in person everything that went down.”
“That’ll be nice. I’m sure he’ll be ecstatic, knowing that the case will never come back to haunt him.”
“Exactly.”
***
Olivia took her time putting on the sexy black dress she loved so dearly. She hoped that Brad would love it just as much as she did. It was a struggle to get it on, but afterwards it was all worth it. She stood in the mirror admiring the curves of her body, her bosom, and shape of her butt. Her hair was done, flowing dark locks down her shoulders, and make-up done beautifully. It took much longer, doing it all with an injured arm, but she managed.
Brad picked her up not long after. His cruiser pulled into the driveway. He was always dressed professionally, with his dress shirts and jackets. He looked amazing, coming to greet her at the door. His arms bulging through the jacket. Olivia loved his body, and his soul.
“You look beautiful,” Brad told her, still seeing the dress under her warm Canada Goose parka.
“Thank you, Brad.”
They hadn’t really had a real date. Just spent time together talking about the investigation, and going over everything. Every conversation seemed to steer that way between the two. It was difficult not to, with the amount of stress they were both under concerning the Cartwrights.
“You’re going to cook for me?” Olivia said upon seeing the steaks thawing on the counter.
Brad’s apartment was very nice, and bougie. In one of the nicest condos Red Arch had to offer. Beautiful wood flooring, and entryway to the home. They kicked off their shoes at the door and went inside. The open concept gave view to the kitchen with well crafted custom drawers and cupboards. The island had the steaks sitting on it, the sink and oven behind, up against the wall.
“I thought we’d cook together,” Brad said, opening a bottle of red wine, and pouring them both glasses.
It tasted fruity and sweet, flowing down Olivia’s throat. It was some of the best wine she’d had. She kept that information to herself though, not wanting the endless compliments she wanted to give him go to his head.
The sound of steak sizzling, and smell wafted through the room, she did her best to stifle her stomach growling in hunger. Olivia chopped asparagus, and prepped it with salt and pepper, before tossing it into another pan on the range.
They laughed, and worked together, creating the perfect meal. They sat down at the table to enjoy it. Olivia sliced into the steak first to see it perfectly cooked medium rare, a little bit of blood pooling on the plate from the cut. The steak rub, and butter from the pan made the steak extra juicy. Restaurant quality.
“I had no idea you were this much of a cook!” Olivia complimented.
Brad laughed, “thanks, it’s not too often I get to cook for others.”
They continued eating, and drinking the wine. There was something about red wine for Olivia. It always got her in the mood. She couldn’t help herself. Looking on at Brad, biting her lip. Dreaming of them being together again. She was beginning to get a bit tipsy, and her advances began to get more and more obvious. Her gentle touches of his arm, turned to full on rubbing, taking time to stop on each ridge of his muscles.
“Let’s go to the bedroom,” he whispered.
“I thought you’d never ask,” Olivia said, standing up, and finding her way in the new apartment.
Brad followed behind her, picking her up once they got to the bedroom, and throwing her on the bed. She landed, head on the firm down pillow, and atop the soft luxurious duvet. The lights were dimmed, and the mood was set. He mounted on top of her, and began kissing passionately, his hands exploring her body. Leaning her up, he helped her take the dress off.
He ran his hand along the bandaging on her shoulder. Chills went down her spine. The pain had mostly subsided by now, and the mix of painkillers and red wine was helping her immensely.
“You’re so beautiful,” he told her, admiring her body.
He took her, passionately, lovingly, embracing each other in ecstasy, bodies full of oxytocin and endorphins. Basking in the pleasure the two were bringing to each other’s bodies.
His momentum was building, as was hers. She held him tightly, pulling him in closer to her. Her fingernails scratching down his strong muscular back. The smell of the frying steak was still on his body, his cologne, and wine stained breath mixed together wonderfully, turning Olivia on deeply.
Ecstasy, and pleasure radiated through her body, as they became one with one another. Connected beautifully, and passionately simultaneously climaxing with one another. No one could do this to her as well as Brad could. Their chemistry undeniable.
Chapter 33
She left early the following morning. Brad still sleeping, mouth agape, snoring quietly on his pillow, a cute little puddle of drool next to him. They’d both had such an amazing night. She kissed his forehead before sneaking out, not wanting to wake him from his slumber. She told him the night before that she’d be leaving early and wouldn’t want to wake him. She had to make the long drive to Manitoba from Red Arch, to go up to Stony Mountain correctional. Wanting to visit Barry, before travelling back down south.
The drive was long. Five hours, almost six with a few bathroom breaks, and stopping for lunch. She left early, hoping to arrive back in Red Arch later that night. Max had let her borrow the Subaru, as it was far more reliable for the long drive. Listening to crime podcasts, and some classic 90s and 00s music kept her awake most of the way. Thoughts of starting her own crime podcast filled her head, but ultimately she decided to stick to writing her blog, and memoirs, publishing novels and fiction here and there.
The correctional facility was intimidating. It looked like an oversized high school. That sure tells you something about western high schools, doesn’t it? She laughed to herself. Housed there were the worst of the worst. Murderers, sexual assault criminals, gang violence, everything you can think of. Many in there were serving a life sen
tence. Mixed in there were people who lost their way, or were thrown into crazy circumstances. Much like Barry.
She parked in the large visitors lot, and looked over the grounds. Bars on the windows. A few inmates were shovelling inside the gates. They got just as much snow here as in Red Arch. She made sure to dress down for the occasion. Leaving the luxury parka in the car, and just wearing a sweater and jeans. Hair back in a ponytail. She entered the facility. The receptionist looked a bit like the reception lady at the Red Arch station who had been so nice. The Stony Mountain receptionist wasn’t nearly as friendly. Getting the name of who she was visiting and giving her directions of where to go.
Olivia sat, waiting in the visiting area, not sure where Barry was. Families were getting together. Exhausted baby mamas tired from the drive. Father’s playing with their young children, doing their best to remember their faces as they grew up while they were behind bars. They seemed happy now.
The guard buzzed a door open, letting Barry through. His hair was longer, down on his forehead. A devilish grin creeped along his face when he saw Olivia, and began walking towards her, taking a seat at the table.
“Olivia, it’s so good to see you,” Barry said. Still as attractive as ever. Olivia felt a bit sick, in noticing this fact.
“It’s good to see you too Barry.”
“My lawyer told me about Anna and Layla. I knew they did it,” he was proud of himself. “I was surprised to hear that it was Layla who pulled the trigger though.”
“Couldn’t have solved it without you Barry.”
He laughed, “hey anytime. I’m sorry about pushing you that day. Of course you had another recorder, I’m such an idiot!”
“It’s okay Barry. You’re doing your time now. Repaying your debt to society. How are things going in here?”
“Really well actually,” he leaned in closer, “some of the funniest motherfu*ker’s I’ve ever met are in here. We laugh so much.” He began talking at a more normal volume, leaning back in his chair, “the card games are great. There’s some violence and BS here and there, but I think I’m going to be alright. It was quite a re-adjustment though.”
“I can only imagine,” she laughed. Of course he’s enjoying his time. “Do they know about the case?”
“Yeah they know about the money if that’s what you’re after. My commissary made it to commas, and I got a long list of guys who I’ll be sending money to when I’m out of here,” he explained.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“How are things with you?” He asked Olivia.
“Things are well. It was such a relief to be able to solve the case. I had given up before my brother mentioned the side by side.”
“Yeah that’s crazy. I couldn’t believe it at first. It’s like they stumbled into a great way to hide the evidence almost. Smart girls. Conniving,” he raised his eyebrows on the last word.
“Are you getting any help in here?”
“Yeah there’s a lot of other guys in here with drug and sex problems. And some therapists that help sometimes.”
“That’s great Barry,” she was truly happy for him.
“Hey did you ever cash the check I gave you?”
“No, it didn’t feel right with you locked away. And my trip to Red Arch was supposed to be a vacation, so it was all budgeted for,” she smiled.
“Do you have the check with you?”
“I do,” she nodded.
“Can I see it, do you have a pen?” He asked her.
She slid the blank check and pen across the table, and watched as Barry scribbled something. He slid it back to her.
“That should cover everything? Again, I’m so sorry for what I got you into. I heard about the bullet,” he motioned towards her shoulder.
She reached up instinctively to rub her pained shoulder. The drive prevented her from taking any pain killers today, so it was hurting more than she would have liked. A smile came to her face as she read one hundred thousand dollars, written on the check with the note, thanks for saving my life.
“Yes Barry, this will definitely cover everything.”
***
She made the long drive back to Red Arch, and packed her things. She’d be taking the train back south in the morning. There was a mixture of sadness and joy in her. Knowing that she’d get to continue doing what she loved, but without the man that she loved. She thought of maybe one day coming back to settle down with Brad, but thought better of it, knowing that he would probably have a family of his own soon, and find a good Red Arch girl who can appreciate him. She’d always cherish their time together.
Brad, Max, Stephanie, and Alvi all came to the train station to see her off. Laughing, and sharing stories, happy to be leaving Red Arch on such a good note. There was a case she was thinking about taking in Toronto. A high profile theft in the museum that the police couldn’t crack. She thought maybe they’d need her help.
“What are you going to do on the train trip Olivia?” Max asked her.
“You know, the usual. Just write in my blog, look up drama going on in the world,” she laughed.
The train arrived on time. She hugged Max, told Alvi what a good boy he was, hugged Stephanie, and took a moment with Brad.
“I’ll always love you, and cherish our time together,” she told him.
“I wish you didn’t have to go so soon,” he said, looking deeply into her beautiful eyes.
She thought back to their night together during the blizzard, the first time they’d been together, exploring each other’s bodies. Tingles shot through her spine, and she pulled him in closer for one last hug. She waved to everyone, telling them all she loved them, as she boarded the train, leaving Red Arch, until she gets pulled back in.
***
“Coffee or tea dear?” The lounge car attendant asked her.
“Tea please.”
She poured some 2% milk and sugar into the tea, and drank it smoothly, looking out the window at the green Canadian wilderness topped with beautiful white snow rushed by her. She opened her laptop, and looked over her emails. The Royal Ontario Museum. She hoped she’d be able to help them, looking over the details of the case, imagining what new people and mysteries she would find.
She opened her dummy facebook account next. Looking at the Red Arch concerned citizens page. People seemed to think the police solved the case in spite of her, not because of her. She smiled and laughed at the pettiness, and liked a few of the comments defending her. She quickly closed out of there, and opened her word processor and began typing. The Murder in Red Arch.
Afterword
To my reader,
Thank you so much for reading my novel. I hope it was as much fun to read as it was to write! :)
If you can take the time to leave a review it would be tremendously appreciated. They help others make decisions on what to read, and of course, give me that dopamine boost to continue working and producing more books for all of you!
I’m a new indie author just starting out (thanks amazon kindle unlimited program!) and I never thought I’d get this far. Starting out with short stories, novelettes, novellas, and now my first full length romance novel in a sub genre I love. I hope that if you’re a big murder mystery fan, that The Murder in Red Arch gave you your fix!
If you did like it, and are looking for more of my writing, be sure to sign up to my email list at http://eepurl.com/hoS1cf
I’ll keep updates to a minimum, only when new books are released. You can find me on instagram as well at J.ValentineBooks.
Thanks again so much, I hope you enjoyed my book!
J. Valentine
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