by Jessie G
“Yeah, that thing!” Around a bite of burrito, Sully waved a hand as if that would explain it all. “I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that these two assaulted over thirty people and we can only find a handful that might have been reported.”
Unsure what that thing was, Davin was grateful for a more familiar topic. “How many victims refuse to press charges because they fear retaliation from their attacker? Once the violation has occurred and the person is vulnerable, it’s not hard to threaten them into silence.”
“With what?”
“The photos Juan uploaded to the Digital Imaging Unit.” That seemed the most obvious and Davin wasn’t sure why his partner hadn’t figured it out on his own.
“Okay, but I thought he said the faces were obscured? If the DIU doesn’t think we can use them to find the subject, how can the attacker use them as blackmail?”
“Think about it. If you saw a picture of Camille with her face barely visible, would you be able to tell it was her by something else? Clothes, jewelry, birthmarks, or scars…”
“Sure, if I was looking closely enough.”
“Now imagine it from the victim’s point of view. After suffering an unthinkable violation, someone slips a photo under their door that shows them naked in the arms of another man. We know they drugged them, so the details are already fuzzy, but even though they know they didn’t consent, how would the picture look to their significant other?”
“Not so bad if you’ve already reported the attack. If said significant other was worth anything, then he or she would see it for the lie it was.”
“If you waited a day or two because you were working up the nerve to report it or tell your significant other? Now there’s this picture, and it looks like you’re cheating. Already victimized and ashamed to report it, it wouldn’t be very hard to scare them into silence. It’s just a photo with an obscured face, but the psychology might be enough.”
“Another violation.”
Maybe even a worse violation. He knew what it was like to carry the burden alone for years, but that was a choice he made. No one had taken it from him and that was exactly what the blackmail photos had done. Stripped them of their ability to get help.
“And not all that complicated really. These aren’t geniuses, they just struck on the right formula. Terence was a smooth talker, so it would be easy for him to light up the mark right out in the open. A few good pickup lines, then offer to buy them a drink. Easy enough to get close enough to spike it and once they start behaving erratically, he makes sure everyone around hears his offer to call a cab. How kind, right? He’s just a Good Samaritan helping a drunk out to the conveniently parked cab right out front.”
“That’s the partner, right?”
“Uh huh, ready and waiting to take off with the mark. Terence goes back inside and anyone who might have been watching has seen him come back alone. Now he’s in the clear, bellies up to the bar for another drink, talks to a few people so he’s sure to be remembered before calling it a night. An hour, maybe two hours go by. It doesn’t matter because the partner has everything under control and will wait for instructions.”
“That would take a lot of patience on Terence’s part, knowing what’s waiting for him.”
“It’s necessary to secure his alibi and keeps all the heat on the partner. If the assault is reported, everyone at the club or the bar or wherever would say that the victim was put in a cab. The cops would focus all their attention on finding the driver and he would be suspect number one. Even if he were caught, even if he tried to give Terence up, all the evidence is stacking up against him acting alone.”
“See, that’s the thing.” Sully smiled broadly as he swapped his empty plate for Davin’s and started digging into the now-cold burrito. “You start talking and it all just magically falls into place.”
“There’s no magic answer.” But as they talked it through, Davin could easily picture Terence doing just as they theorized, which made it feel like they were on the right track. “It’s just one of many possible theories.”
“Yeah, well, I’m a good cop, but they don’t roll off my tongue like that.” Sully considered that and shrugged. “We just have different methods and yours is faster.”
“It’s only faster if I’m right and being right means nothing without a good lead.” Despite his press conference and his plea, they still had very little in the way of first-hand information.
“Speaking of leads… How’s that man of yours doing? It can’t be easy for him to be part of the discovery team and sharing the information that will forever taint his family name.”
Davin had asked Alaric that question directly, and now he repeated the response to Sully. “What’s a family name worth if it’s hiding secrets like this?”
“How come you never told me?”
“What? That I’m gay?”
“Well, that too, I guess. Not that it’s really something you blurt over introductory handshakes, but we have been partners for four years.”
“Does it matter?”
“You know me better than that.”
“Then what’s the question?” After James agreed to let him handle the case, Sully was the next call Davin made and since they were partners, he had to bring him up to speed on everything. Including what happened to him. So, Davin couldn’t figure out what Sully was digging for.
“Our job is to put away the bad guys. Why didn’t we ever go after yours?”
“Because I didn’t want to hurt Ric or his parents.”
“Blah blah, I’m sure they already told you that was a mistake.” With the second burrito consumed, Sully pushed both plates off to the side and clasped his hands on the table. “What if Terence hadn’t died? Would the two of you have gotten back together?”
He wondered that also. But then he learned Alaric’s private investigator had been looking for Terence for the last year. Since the night Terence called him to brag. Though they hadn’t discussed it, Davin was sure Alaric was planning to drag him to the police station personally. Possibly, to drop him at Davin’s feet. Oh, he would have struggled not to kill him, but in the end, the desire to make amends would override that bloodlust.
“I’d like to think so, yes.”
“Well, I know you would never say this, but I for one am glad that bastard is dead, and I think I’m even glad it was the catalyst that brought you back together. That’s some karmic justice for you right there.”
“Karmic justice, huh? Camille is rubbing off on you.”
“If only she would,” Sully sighed dramatically. “She’s ticked at me this week, so no nooners and that was the only thing keeping me sane.”
Sane was definitely not the description he would have used. The man was certifiable on a good day, with an inappropriate penchant for oversharing. “Really? I didn’t need to know that.”
“Think of it as a warning. I know it’s all new and fun now. Crawling into bed at two in the morning after a long day of chasing pervs. Ric waiting up to get a little lovin’. After a few months of that, you’ll both be too exhausted, so you’ll have to get creative.”
“That’s very encouraging, thanks.” Davin threw some money down on the table and stood. “Let’s head back. If we buckle down, you might get home in time to make amends with the wife.”
“Maybe when this is all over, you two could come by for a barbeque or something.”
“Are you inviting us for dinner?” He wouldn’t have been more surprised if Sully had suggested they have a nooner.
“Yeah. Of course. He’s important to you, right?” When Davin nodded, Sully said, “Well, as your friend and partner, it’s my job to make sure he’s good for you. We’ll have dinner, I’ll show him my gun collection…then he’ll know.”
“Know that you’re a psycho?” Or know that Davin had more friends than he realized?
“Know that I got your back.” The teasing smile slipped, and Sully glared at him over the hood of the car. “I do, even when you
act like you don’t know it.”
“We believe we narrowed it down to three people!” Juan was waiting for them at the precinct and practically fist bumped the air in his enthusiasm.
“Already?” Sully reached for the file Juan was waving around and frowned when he held it out of reach. “That was fast.”
“The equipment at the Bennett Group is orgasmic. I mean highly efficient, intelligent, super-fast—”
“We get it, Montoya.” Captain James pointed them toward the conference room and closed the door behind them. “Skip the love song and tell us what you found.”
“Right, sorry. Okay. So, working on the theory that Terence found his partner the night of your attack—” Juan glanced at him quickly, then back toward the Captain, but it was enough to make Davin cringe. He didn’t need them to check in or temper their words— “we focused on identifying the six men involved. Two of them are serving lengthy prison terms for other crimes and one of them was killed in a drug buy gone bad about four years ago.”
“Karma never fails me,” Sully whispered.
“How?” James demanded. “How, after eight years and no evidence?”
“There were, uh, pictures.” Another quick flick of the eyes, and then Juan inched toward the Captain. “I didn’t know, Dav. We sent the entire image library to the DIU. They found them and were able to pull clear facial scans off reflective surfaces. Matching them was easy after that.”
As unsettling as it was to think that there were photos from his attack—and that said photos were currently being viewed and enhanced—having the team be so cautious was worse. “It’s okay, Juan. I’m not going to fall apart every time you reference that night. If the pictures help us find this guy, then we’ll use them. It’s that simple.”
Davin could feel James studying him, trying to determine if he was being honest or just putting up a good front, before he turned back to Juan and asked, “Do you have names?”
“Simon Ferris, Pat Jameson, and Billy Cray.” With a smug grin at Sully, Juan opened the folder he refused to hand over and pulled out three photos to tape to the white board. “Davin should have the information on his tablet, but I printed copies for everyone else. They all have records, some pretty long, mostly drugs and assaults, but nothing that equaled hard time.”
“And the other three?” Davin asked. “The ones you discarded. Did any of their names start with a K?”
“No, I’m sorry. We didn’t get quite that lucky.”
“You did great.” Davin pulled out the tablet Alaric gave him and scanned the files quickly. Nothing really stood out, so he looked at the Captain and suggested, “Why don’t we send some plain clothes to verify their last known residences first? I don’t want to tip our hand, but I would like to know where they are when we’re ready to make an arrest.”
“That’s a good idea.” Sully was quick to back him up as he flipped through the paper file Juan finally handed over. When James nodded, he offered, “I’ll get that arranged this afternoon. Hey, did you see? Some of their assault victims pressed charges.”
“Yep.” Davin looked over. “I’d rather talk to them directly.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
“But none of those were sex crimes,” Juan pointed out in confusion.
“Doesn’t matter. We don’t know how far their partnership went, nor do we have any reason to believe they limited themselves.” He knew for damn sure Terence had no limits. “Someone out there has seen this pair in action. We just need to find them.”
“And we will,” Sully agreed. “Give me five minutes to set up those verifications and then I’ll meet you in the garage. Just don’t forget what you promised me at lunch!”
Ignoring Sully, Davin looked at Juan. “You did excellent work. What’s your next step?”
“A shower, some food, probably close my eyes for a bit, then get back to it.” It was a cycle they were all familiar with. “I want to hit the ground running in the morning.”
“Good. Report the chain of custody to the Captain and then take off.”
“Thanks, uh.” Juan came back around the table and stopped close to his side. “I should have looked at the image library more closely before sending it off.”
“I’m fine. I swear.” Davin waited until he was disappearing around the corner before he turned back to James. “We’ll start the rounds now and pick them up in the morning, unless we find anything significant. I’ll email you a quick report when we break tonight.”
“That’s fine. Just find some time for me tomorrow.”
“With all due respect, sir, I have no interest in stopping every five minutes to reassure everyone that I’m fine. I haven’t failed you yet and this isn’t going to be the case that makes me start. Let me do my job. We can sing campfire songs when it’s a wrap.”
“You’re a pain in my ass, Monroe.”
“It’s been a goal of mine, sir.”
“Get out of here and don’t forget to get some sleep!”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Alaric
As the door swung shut behind him, the aroma of baked chicken drew him toward the kitchen and he was disappointed when he found it empty. When he bought the condo for the view, he planned to transform it from builder’s special to someplace he could call home. In his mind was an ultra-modern, almost New York-esque bachelor pad, but instead he got warm earth tones, oversized plush furniture, and miles of dark wood. It took him six months to realize that he’d built Davin a home and tonight of all nights, Alaric wanted him to be right there waiting.
“Davin!” There were only seven rooms in the condo and it wouldn’t have taken very long to search, but he didn’t trust himself in that moment.
“In the bedroom.” The immediate answer calmed him like nothing else could and made it possible for him to move.
On edge, he followed the voice and stopped at the sight of Davin sprawled naked and face down on the bed. For a moment, he could only stand there, conflicted by the images that were now burned into his memory. When Juan had asked if he could do the job with objectivity, he hadn’t been prepared for the photos. Seeing the damage they’d done, the pain and horror on Davin’s face, had sent him on a rampage.
“Are you just going to stand there and stare?” How was it possible that this man who had been so insecure about his body and scars could now be laid bare in offering? There was only one reason Davin would take that leap—Juan must have told him about the pictures—and Alaric refused to be left behind.
“I like looking at you.” He stripped as he crossed the room, the trail of clothes marking his path as he made his way to Davin. Along the way, he reminded himself that they were done letting the past take over. The pictures had been a blow, but the subject was not a surprise. He already knew, they had already worked through it, and it would be sheer stupidity to take on what they already agreed to let go. He wouldn’t do that to them. “Dinner smells good.”
“You have about thirty minutes to enjoy the appetizer.”
“Only thirty?” Stopping at the foot of the bed, he grabbed Davin’s ankles and spread them wide. “I might need longer than that.”
“Forty if you're good.”
“A challenge, then?”
“You like challenges, don’t you, Ric?”
“Only when they fall from that beautiful mouth.” Placing one knee on the edge of the bed, he leaned down to nip at Davin’s calves, alternating from leg to leg as he crawled between them.
Beneath him, Davin sighed. “Make me scream, Ric, I dare you.”
As he reached the apex of those strong legs, it was a little disappointing to see that the evidence of Davin’s spanking had vanished. “You need another spanking.”
“Do I?”
“I like when your cheeks are pink,” he mused, parting them to blow warm air over Davin’s eager hole. “Once, maybe twice a week I think.”
“You should have your trusty secretary put it on the calendar.”
“Ha, she’d do it
without batting an eye.”
Without warning he drove his tongue through that tight ring of nerves, as hard and deep as he could, slamming Davin down when he arched and screamed. Then he pulled back and blew another stream of warm air over him.
“Challenge accepted.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Davin
“Are you the cop that was on TV?”
It was rare for him to go in the front entrance, but they’d gone for breakfast before work and it just seemed easier to have Alaric drop him off. As he watched the little sports car drive away, he nearly tripped over the kid pacing a hole in the sidewalk.
“Detective Monroe, right?”
“Yes.”
“You got a minute?”
“Sure, let’s go up to my office.”
“No! I ain’t givin’ no statement.”
Davin could see he was nervous and young. Too young. “There’s a bench over there.”
“Yeah, okay.” He looked over at the bench but didn’t move. “I ain’t got no information on the guy you're looking for though.”
“We can still talk.”
Satisfied, he walked to the bench Davin indicated and sat at the very edge. “I saw you on the news. You told that reporter lady if someone was a victim, they could call ya, but we ain’t got a phone.”
Davin blew out a slow breath. He didn’t want to react wrong and send the kid running. “A visit is just as good as a phone call.”
“Even though I don’t know anything about your case?”
“What you saw on the news is my main case, but it’s not my only one. If someone came to me to report a crime, I would listen and do everything I could to help them. What’s your name?”
“Hector.”
“Hector,” he repeated and looked the kid in the eye. He was no more than sixteen, skinny as a rail, and so brave to come here. The straight talk was probably an act, but Davin didn’t want to insult him, so he asked his next question directly. “Were you raped?”
“Yeah.”
