Hidden Crime

by W L Knightly

  “Dang. I’ll have to see if Dannie has some in the supply closet. Why that woman is in charge of office supplies is beyond me.”

  “She likes to be in everyone’s business.”

  “I just wonder what she wants to talk to you about.” Jo closed the drawer and turned back to the computer where she created a new file, and then she put the photo of Melissa “Missy” Peyton in the tray on the scanner. While it scanned into the system, Jake found his seat.

  “I’m not sure. With her, there is no telling, but I’m guessing it’s work related.”

  “No way. If it was, she would have stayed and talked to you about it. This is personal.” Jo made a face like she didn’t want him talking to Dannie.

  Before he could think on it more, his phone rang. “Good, it’s Kevin. I hope he has an ID on our floater.” He answered the phone on speaker. “Tell us you have good news.”

  “I do. Well, for you guys. I’m not so sure it’s good for Clay White.”

  “Then it’s him, isn’t it?”

  “Yes,” said Kevin. “There were even more abrasions on his neck when I rolled him over. He was definitely in the noose. And more importantly, he was in the basement of Madden’s house. I’m not sure what happened to make his death different than the rest, but all signs point to him being responsible for this crime too.”

  “I’m not convinced,” said Jake. “It just doesn’t add up.”

  “That part is your job, my friend. I’m glad I don’t have it. I don’t have to fill in many blanks.”

  “Yeah, we’re coming up with blanks.” Jake had hoped the woman wouldn’t give them any problems. He had a feeling that she not only knew where Madden was, but that he was with her wherever she was.

  Kevin made a sound like a yawn, and it caused the same reaction in Jake. “I’ve got more work to do with ballistics, but I’ll let you know what we come up with.”

  Jo turned her head and leaned in a bit closer to the phone. “Thanks for getting that to us so quickly.”

  “No problem.”

  As soon as the call ended, there was arguing outside their door. “Let go of me!” shouted a female voice.

  Jake got up to see what was going on, and Dannie stood outside the door with her hand drawn back. As Sam tried to plead with her to talk, she brought it down and struck him.

  “Get your hands off of me!” she said. “I’ll give you your key later.”

  “Stop putting on a show, Dannie. I just want my stuff.”

  “You’re just mad because I don’t want you anymore.”

  About that time, Chief Milner came out of her office. “What the hell is going on out here, Finch?”

  Sam backed away from Dannie and held his hands out as if to show he was not touching her. “I just asked for my key back, and she slapped the shit out of me.”

  “There’s nothing going on, Chief,” said Dannie. “I was just trying to see if Detective Thomas had a minute when I was so rudely interrupted.”

  Jake hated that his name had been brought up and figured he might as well get their talk over with. “Come on in, Dannie.” He stepped aside as the chief came down the hall to join them.

  “I will not have this department torn apart by office romance gone bad. You two need to get back to work and show the public what a productive department looks like. I want that key brought to me and put on my desk. I will give it to Officer Finch.” She turned to Sam. “Do your job and stop worrying who you’re going to fuck. I have men getting murdered, and you’re in here dicking around.”

  ‘Yes, ma’am.” Sam turned and walked away, and she pegged Dannie with a hard look. “Is this something that can wait, Daniella?” Like a mother, she was using everyone’s proper names.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll just get with you later, Jake.” She turned and went down to her office.

  “Any word on our stiff?” asked Milner. “Or are you busy dicking around too?”

  Jo stepped into view. “Actually, Kevin just called to tell us the man is Clay White. He was linked to our case.”

  “Good,” she said. “Now get to the bottom of it.” She turned and stormed into her office and slammed the door.

  “I could have handled that, you know? You didn’t have to stick your nose in and answer for me.”

  “I wasn’t,” said Jo. “I was just trying to help. And it’s not like you haven’t done me the same way.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Wow, and here we start.” She walked back to her desk. “I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t get wrapped up in a silly office romance.”

  Her words hit him like a ton of bricks. He had been thinking there was hope, but that just put the final nail in the coffin of what could be. He had tossed out a sure thing for her, for what? To be ridiculed and go without, all because they couldn’t get it together. The stress from the case had been a lot, and now this? He didn’t need it. He took out his keys and noticed she did the same. “Where are you going?”

  She let loose a deep breath. “I’m going to go take a breather, and then I’m getting back to work. Fighting gets us nowhere.”

  “I agree. I think I’ll take a drive too.” He turned and headed out, not really sure where he wanted to go, but anywhere was better than sitting there with her and the constant reminder that she didn’t want him.

  He stormed down the hall, and when he got to the front desk, Dannie waved him over. “What?” he snapped. “I’ve got work to do.”

  “I just wanted to see if there were any new leads on the Chief’s murder.”

  “Do you want to know, or your reporter boyfriend?”

  “He’s not a reporter, and I was just wondering. I loved the Chief, and some of the guys were wondering too.”

  He had a feeling her sudden interest had more to do with her man than her feelings for O’Connor, and she was the last person he wanted to give a formal statement to. “We’re still working on it,” he said as he walked away. He mumbled to himself. “What a piece of work.”

  He was upset that Jo had set him off, and even more when he turned and saw her walking out to her car with Sam beside her, the two of them smiling as if nothing was wrong in the world.

  Fuck it. I know where I’m going.

  Chapter 25

  Jake

  He never thought he’d darken the door of Dr. Leigh Meadows’s office until he found himself standing in front of her building with his keys in hand. He paused to check his reflection in the mirror and hoped he didn’t look like shit as he raked his hand through his hair and straightened out his shirttail.

  He needed to unwind, and he knew Dr. Meadows was good for it. At least he hoped. He opened the door and walked in to his usual greeting. “Detective Thomas. How are you?”

  “I’m good, thanks. Is Dr. Meadows in?”

  “She’s just got in, actually. I’ll see if she’s got a few before her first appointment.” The woman got up and hurried to the back.

  Jake turned around and stared at the fish tank, and a moment later, the woman returned. “She said she can see you.” The lady had a shit-eating grin and picked up her phone to make a call. “You can go right on back.”

  Jake walked to the door, and when he did, he heard the woman at the front desk. “This is Delta with Dr. Meadows’s office. She wanted me to tell you that she’s held up at the hospital, and she’ll be needing you to come in a little later.”

  Jake kept walking and knocked on the door to her office.

  She opened and stuck her head out as if to see if anyone was watching. Then she welcomed him in. “Hello, Jake. Are you here on business or pleasure?”

  “I was in the neighborhood. You didn’t have to set your day back for me.”

  “Nonsense. Of course, I did. It’s no big deal. I’m glad you’re here. I didn’t think I’d see you again after the other day. But here you are.” She walked over and opened a cabinet across the room. “Would you like a drink?”

  “I shouldn’t. I have to go back to work too, but I wondered if th
at offer was still good.”

  She poured her a small drink and then turned around with a big smile on her face. “I take it things aren’t working out with you and your partner?”

  “Nope, and I’m tired of fooling myself.”

  “That’s never healthy to fool yourself.” She walked over and sat on her couch, outstretching her hand to curl a finger at him. “Come join me. We can talk about it. Off the record, of course.”

  Jake walked over to the couch and glanced out the window to the flowering bush and bright sunny day. “I’d rather not talk.”

  She took another sip of her drink and then licked her lips. Then she dipped her finger in the liquid and brought it to his lips. He smiled as her finger spread the taste, and he licked them, taking her finger into his mouth as she put the glass on the table beside them.

  She pulled it away and then leaned forward, capturing his mouth for a long, deep kiss that turned into their bodies pulling closer. Jake cupped her ass, encouraging her to his lap, and she decided to work on his buttons. Then she leaned down to kiss his chest as she slid down to her knees.

  “I’ve been wanting this for so long,” she said with a big grin. She had wonder in her eyes as if she were about to get the gift of a lifetime, and he wished that Jo could have been as interested.

  Don’t fuck it up with thoughts of her. She had her chance.

  He played with Leigh’s hair, brushing it back away from her face as she worked on his zipper, and when she had it down, she reached into the folds of the fabric and gripped his erection.

  He didn’t know why he’d waited so long as she licked her lips and went down on him. When she swirled her tongue around his head, he hissed through his teeth and leaned up a bit to caress her tits.

  Damn, she was good. Her mouth was worlds of improvement over the last time, but Leigh was already ten times hotter than the trashy bar slut he’d tried and failed with.

  As she took him down her throat, he tightened his ass and put his hand on the back of her head to guide and hold her there. “Fuck, Leigh. That’s so good.” He closed his eyes and let the stress of the day melt away as she worked him over, caressing his balls and letting her tongue glide up his shaft.

  He tapped her arm. “I’m about to come.”

  He hoped she’d ease off, but instead, she gave him a wicked smile, her mouth stretched wide with his cock still in it, and then she closed her lips around his head and sucked hard, pulling and sucking, stroking and licking, until he erupted in her mouth.

  Not even the heavy load stopped her from her task, and just when he thought it was over, he realized it had only begun. She sucked him hard again, and soon, she had him in her hands as she stood. “I think this is just what the doctor ordered, don’t you? You look a hell of a lot more relaxed.”

  “I think I’m addicted to therapy,” he said with a sly smile. “I might have to make this a part of my self-care routine.”

  She stepped forward and undid her blouse. “Undress me. I’m a little busy.” She put her hand back on his cock, and while she slowly caressed him, he undid the last few buttons and slipped the silk blouse off of her shoulders. She shrugged out of it and then reached up to undo her bra. The cups fell away, and her breasts spilled out, their perfect pink tips hard and ready for attention.

  He leaned forward, taking her nipple into his mouth, and as he sucked, he enjoyed the pleasure she was giving him as he undid her pants and slipped them down.

  After she kicked them off, she was left in her panties and heels, standing before him like a goddess. He brought his arm around her waist and then kissed the front of her mound through the silky fabric before he pulled them aside.

  He worked his tongue over her clit, and then it slipped into the folds. She cried out, trying her best not to be too loud. He pulled away, and she climbed on him, straddling his lap, still stroking his cock which she centered at her entrance before easing down.

  She took him inch by inch, and her slick, wet channel felt amazing on his cock. She clenched around him, milking him as she rode. Then as she worked herself into a steady rhythm, he cupped her breasts and took turns on each nipple before kissing her hard.

  This was exactly what he had needed, and while he thought he only needed it from one person, Leigh made a pretty hot substitute. She was hardly the type of woman most would consider a consolation prize, but that was all she could be in comparison to Jo.

  He made sure to talk himself out of sabotaging what was the best sex he’d had in ages, especially for nothing. And by the time she came, biting her lips to keep from screaming out his name, he knew he wanted this again and again.

  She looked deep into his eyes. “Fill me up,” she whispered.

  Jake had never fucked anyone so casually, especially without a condom, and while he hadn’t let it be a factor, he wasn’t sure if he should take a chance like that on her. But just the idea put him over the edge. He picked her up off of him, and she rolled over to the couch as he pumped his cock, the release shooting all over his chest.

  She giggled and sat up beside him. “I had a feeling that’s what you’d do.”

  He released a long breath and then closed his eyes while she got to her feet. She walked to her adjoining bathroom and brought a hot wet rag back to clean him up.

  Instead of making quick work of it, she slowly wiped him down, folding the rag over on itself as she went. “That was amazing, Jake.” She met his eyes with a big smile. “Aren’t you glad you stopped in to see me?” She gave him a look that had I told you so written all over it, and then she leaned up to give him a peck on the lips.

  “Yes, I am glad. I should have done it sooner.” He let his fingers roll around her nipples, which were still nice and tight. “No attachments?”

  “Other than wanting more of this? No. I’m happy with my life the way it is. But I do enjoy having men I can depend on for a little fun now and then. Nothing exclusive. Is that okay with you?”

  “Have you met a man that it’s not okay with?” He wondered how many others there were. Patients? Colleagues? A few of his peers? She could have anyone she wanted.

  “Not in a long time. I’m afraid I haven’t done this in a while, and I don’t date my patients.”

  “That’s a good thing.” He had hoped she wasn’t as fast as she was coming across, which he still wasn’t sure of. He didn’t mind being a slut, but he wasn’t sure he wanted his women to be loose.

  You need the opposite of Jo, dipshit. Just go with it.

  Leigh scissored her legs together as if she still needed him between them. “Is it bad that I want to do it again right now?”

  Jake smiled. She was going to wear him out. “Only because I can’t stay.” He gave her a sympathetic look. “And I’m sure your patients would be upset if you delayed them any longer.”

  “Well, I’d invite you to my place, and we could do this again tonight, but I don’t know if we should take it that fast.”

  “I don’t know,” he said, surprising himself. “Get it while it’s hot.”

  “It’s hot, all right.” With a giggle, she got up and handed him his pants.

  “Ah, and now you’re kicking me out.” He stood and pulled on his shorts and his pants. Then she helped put his shirt over his head. “I’d like to have you in my bed sometime if you’re into slumming.”

  “I’m sure it’s not that bad. And I’d like that too. Maybe I should prescribe it. Write down the dosage of me that I think you need?”

  “Now that’s a good idea. That would bring a whole new meaning to getting a prescription filled.”

  She giggled and then found her glass, downing the last of her drink.

  Once he was dressed, he left without a goodbye kiss. “I’ll see you soon, Doc.”

  “I can’t wait, detective.”

  With that, he left the room, and when he walked down the hall past the receptionist’s door, Delta wouldn’t even look him in the eye as she said goodbye. When he walked out into the lobby where her patients had st
arted to gather, he could have sworn he heard her giggle.

  It all seemed surreal to think that those people had been waiting on him to finish, and as their eyes met his when he left, he wondered what was going on in their minds. Had they heard her sounds of passion? He got the hell out of there. No telling if he had her lipstick all over his face or not.

  He went to his car and checked in the mirror for lipstick. Not a stain on him. “Thank god for smudge proof. Wealthy women are good for discretion.”

  He drove across town, wondering what Jo had done with her time away and if she’d spent it with Sam Finch.

  And didn’t that just kill his buzz?

  Chapter 26

  Cane Preston

  One hour earlier.

  As Cane Preston walked through his house, he thought of how glad he was to be back home. He liked the islands, but he always felt like shit when he got back to his daily in the good ol’ US of A.

  He had gone to his office for a check-in, and while he had not liked hearing that O’Connor was dead or that the plan he and Michael Young had in place went in the shitter, he knew his most prestigious client was right about one thing. He needed to get the family and get the hell out of Dodge.

  He wasn’t going to sit around and become another statistic, but as he walked into the master suite of his home, finding his wife slinging her clothes into her Gucci bag, he knew he was in the dog house. “I see you’re getting ready to leave again, darling. Aren’t you excited?”

  “I was excited to be home. At least Celeste will be glad to go. You know these trips wear me out. It’s why I wanted to stay over in New York in the first place.”

  “I know, Buttercup,”

  “Don’t call me that!” she snapped. “I know you do it just to sweeten me up. But I’m sick of being the one to have to go into hiding all the time. Tell those detectives to hurry up and catch this asshole, and then I can get settled in.”