by Ali Vali
They sat on their heels for another hour before she went in with Julio. The circle wasn’t like any they’d come across, and it made her suck in a breath. “My God,” she said.
Julio genuflected and lowered his head. “Yes, my God,” he said, sounding like he was speaking around a lump in his throat.
The altar was missing the statue but was like a gruesome triangle of horror. Judy Rollings’s heart, ears, and another cup of chocolate pudding made the triangle, and that was bad enough until you looked in the middle. The eyes that had been one of the things Nathan had on his list of things he adored about Judy Rollings sat there like macabre Halloween decorations.
“Can you figure out anything from this?” she asked Julio as she fought the fatigue that fell over her like a wet, hot blanket. She wasn’t tired from her day, but from all this shit.
“This person is a sadistic bastard,” Julio said and pointed to the eyes. “What’s that?”
“George,” she said, and they had to wait again while they took pictures and collected evidence. George and Jennifer collected all the body parts, leaving the eyes for last so they could investigate the square they were sitting on. “It’s a laminated card,” she said when George handed the last of the gore to one of his guys.
She waited until Jennifer placed it in an evidence bag. It was handwritten in block letters with a smiley face, of all things, at the bottom. “Was there a note in the other statue?” she asked Jennifer, getting her to glance up from reading the note.
“We found a folded piece of paper, but we always wait until we get to the office before opening these messages. Maybe that was a decoy, and this is the note.”
Detective, do you see me yet?
Do you hear my voice in your waking dreams?
Do you get tired of carrying a title you don’t deserve?
How long before the faithful desert you for your falseness?
Do you see what’s right in front of you before it’s too late?
Hunter
“If it was meant to be a decoy, Hunter would’ve left the first one empty. The second statue would’ve been the logical place to look, and if it had been on a motion trigger, it would’ve killed us all.” She studied the altar again with only the candles burning. Why had Hunter gone so far astray from Perlis’s methods?
“What?” Julio asked, as if trying to read her mind and failing.
“This isn’t about the orishas or proving something to the warrior god Chango,” she said, holding the taunting note up.
“I’ve told you that repeatedly from the day we met. Alex Perlis may not be crazy, but he’s twisted my faith into this horror,” Julio said, his head cocked slightly as if mesmerized by the candle flames.
“You’re right about your faith, but Perlis was a believer. He might’ve twisted the rituals of your religion for something he desperately wanted, but he believed in what he was doing—that the altars and sacrifices he made would give him something he thought stolen from him.”
George, Jennifer, and Julio stared at her as if expecting her to blurt out the end to the story and solve the case. “I understand what you’re getting at, but where are you going with it?” Julio asked.
“This isn’t some twisted religious fanatic following a path Teacher set out, and it isn’t Teacher trying to get his disciple back.” She said the words out loud, which helped order her thoughts as she glanced at the altar again. “Move,” she yelled suddenly and startled them all into running for the gate.
“What the hell?” George said, out of breath, probably from the sudden sprint and the fright.
“Get back in there and throw something over those candles,” she barked at the federal agent who was in the process of stripping his protective suit off. “Get back in there now. This sick fuck doesn’t get to damage this place. Move.”
The bomb squad ran back in, awkwardly carrying what appeared to be a heavy box. Her group all stood outside the wall and waited, and as if on cue, they heard a muffled explosion. That was it, though. She didn’t see any kind of visible damage to the wall, but until the bomb squad came back out, she made everyone stay put. A minute later she heard another muffled explosion.
“How’d you know?” Jennifer asked, gazing at her like she’d set the damn things and, only through her kindness, saved them all at the last second.
“‘Do you see what’s right in front of you before it’s too late?’” She quoted the note. “The statue was the decoy, the second one, I mean.”
“Shit, you must be really good at the game Clue,” Jennifer said, leaning forward and putting her hands on her knees. “Thank you. If I’d been blown up, Chloe would’ve been pissed.”
“What were you going to say earlier?” Julio asked after laughing at Jennifer’s attempt at humor.
“These copycat murders aren’t about calling the dead or answering the call Perlis put out. They aren’t about finishing Teacher’s work. They’re about showing all of us how much smarter Hunter is than any of us.” The proof wasn’t there yet, but it seemed closer than it had the day before, just a little beyond her reach. “She can kill with impunity even those of us trained to protect others.”
“So the bombs aren’t to throw us off any evidence left behind?” George asked.
“Yes, but it’s more than that. This game is like any other one. It started at level one, and as we work our way up, the clues will get harder, and the penalty phases will carry more risk.” She turned when the guys came back out, their box now a tangled mess. “Thank you,” she told them. “This is hard enough without the preservation people on my ass.”
“You sure you don’t want to switch teams?” the federal guy asked. “You’re damn handy to have around.”
“Thanks, but I’m happy in my little pond. Usually it’s not this exciting, but lately it’s been a real blast.”
Chapter Twenty-four
Sept let herself in and stood in the quiet, dark kitchen, needing the stillness around her. She didn’t open her eyes when she felt Keegan press against her, sliding her hands to her ass. It was the first time in this very long night that she’d allowed herself to think about what Nathan had lost, and more importantly, what she still had.
Keegan went willingly when she bent over and lifted her, needing to kiss her to prove Keegan was fine, alive, and still the sexy woman who’d stolen her heart—her reason. She moaned when Keegan wrapped her legs around her and bit her bottom lip as if to get her out of her head and pay attention to the here and now. They weren’t alone in the house, but right now she could give a damn. She needed to touch Keegan and forget everything but her.
She went up the stairs with Keegan wrapped around her, trying desperately to make it to the bed. It was difficult since she was as hard as the bullets in her gun, and Keegan was sucking on her neck like she was addicted to her skin. She closed the door as quietly as she could, flipping the lock before she walked to the bed to put Keegan down. They didn’t exchange a word as Keegan pulled her T-shirt over her head before starting on the buttons of Sept’s shirt.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” Keegan said, tugging on her shoulder holster so she could get the shirt off. As Sept struggled out of her holster, Keegan made her intentions clear by unbuttoning her pants. “I know you need to talk, but first I need you to fuck me.” Her words were like a hot shot of adrenaline to her groin.
The sleep pants Keegan was wearing almost ripped as she tried to take them off without moving her mouth away. It seemed like an eternity, but they were finally naked, and she knelt behind Keegan, the position giving her access to Keegan’s upper body while she pressed back against her groin. She pinched and tugged on Keegan’s nipples, loving the way Keegan’s hips bucked upward like she was reminding her where she needed her most.
“Baby, I’ve been waiting all night,” Keegan said, looping her right arm behind her head to make Sept lower her for a kiss. “I’m wet and so ready for you.”
She flattened her hands over Keegan’s abdomen and touched al
l the way down until she stroked through the wetness between her legs. “Fuck,” she said as Keegan brought her free hand back up to her breast. “You’re so wet.”
“I’ve needed you since you left here,” Keegan said, then moaned loud enough for Sept to feel the sound in her chest and groin. “Make me…damn.” Keegan stopped as her strokes became firmer and faster. “I need to come, honey.”
She moved her hand away, only to lay Keegan down and spread her legs so she could bend and put her mouth on her. The orgasm wasn’t far off, and while she wanted to make it last, she wouldn’t do that to Keegan. She slid her fingers in and sucked hard, her tongue moving over the hard clit in firm, fast swipes. Keegan seemed to be on fire, and she rocked her hips against her mouth and fingers.
“Jesus,” Keegan said in a low, throaty tone. “I’m—” Sept took her fingers out and slammed them back in. “I’m coming—don’t stop.” Keegan moved her hips in time with her strokes and finally went rigid and tugged her head up by pulling on her hair. “Stop.”
“Thanks, my love,” she said, coming up and opening her arms so Keegan could press against her. “That’s the best thing that’s happened to me all day.”
“Me too, and ‘thank you’ should be my line.” Keegan kissed the side of her neck and moved on top of her. “I love the way you touch me.” Keegan pressed her hand between them and rubbed her fingers over Sept’s clit. The pace was excruciatingly slow, but no matter how much she squirmed, Keegan didn’t speed up.
“Are you being overly cruel today?” she asked, since she needed to come, but Keegan’s light, slow touch would keep her hovering forever.
“Tell me what you want?” Keegan asked, never stopping her fingers.
“I need you to make me come.” She reached down and squeezed Keegan’s ass.
“That’s not helping my concentration,” Keegan said, rocking her hips. “And I have a promise to keep.” Keegan moved down and sucked her until she wanted to sob from coming so hard.
“Your mouth is a thing of beauty that should be worshipped,” she said, so relaxed she was almost melting into the bed.
“You think my mouth should have followers?” Keegan asked, moving to cover her again. “I thought you were the jealous type.”
“I am, and the cult following would consist of one member.” She put her hands on Keegan’s hips and smiled, not something she’d done all night. “Where’d you stash Nathan?”
“He’s in the guest room next to Jacqueline, and Joel is downstairs on the couch. After we got home he didn’t want us to be alone, so he stayed to protect us.” Keegan rested her head on her chest and kissed the side of her mouth. “Nathan feels guilty for what happened. I think he wasn’t in love with Judy, but having a good time really cost her.” She kissed Sept again and rubbed the top of her shoulder. “I made that tea Julio sent with him, and he was out like I’d coldcocked him before I got the door closed. That’s good, I guess.”
“I’ll make sure he’s okay, but it’ll be hard to forget the image we saw tonight.” She blew out a long breath, frustrated they weren’t further along in their investigation. “It was harsh, and I’ve seen some sick stuff in my time.”
“Do you want to talk about it? It isn’t fair that you carry this horrible stuff alone.” Keegan moved her hand to the spot over her heart.
“Baby, I don’t talk about it because I don’t want you to have nightmares from just the mental image of it all. That’s what wouldn’t be fair.” She rolled over and pressed herself to Keegan’s body. “You help me by just being here and reminding me that we have love enough in both of us to overshadow anything.”
“I’m tougher than I look, Seven, so my offer’s good. More than anything, I hate seeing you suffer.”
She nodded, then put her forehead down on Keegan’s chest when her phone rang. “If this bitch killed someone else tonight, I quit.”
“Answer it, and then you can explain the bitch part.”
“Savoie,” she said after getting the cell out of her pants on the floor.
“I didn’t wake you, did I?” Jennifer asked. “Sorry for calling so late, but George put in a call about the DNA test for the toe you received in the mail. We have a profile, but the donor isn’t in the system.”
“Thanks. Not what I wanted to hear, but it’ll give me something to think about.”
“Bad news?” Keegan asked as she put her phone on the nightstand.
“Our gruesome gift remains a mystery.” After Keegan piled the pillows against the headboard, she moved to a sitting position and sighed as Keegan straddled her. They could face each other while they talked, and she enjoyed the closeness.
“Tell me about the bitch comment.”
“The day we were dispatched to the Cenac scene, there was an explosion in the Hilton parking garage. They didn’t call us because they didn’t think it was related.” These discussions were so much nicer with a naked Keegan on her lap.
“I saw that on the news, but I didn’t think it had anything to do with you,” Keegan said, smiling, probably because her eyes had momentarily strayed from her face. “You’re telling me it was related to your case?”
“A very relaxed person dressed like the Unabomber came out of the stairwell, walked calmly to the lot next door, and stole a car. That car then showed up at the Cenac scene with two dead teenagers next to it.” She stopped when Keegan kissed her.
“Sorry, but I find your cop mode extremely sexy,” Keegan said, kissing her again and pressing her hips down. “Go on.”
“When we finally got a chance to watch the security tapes, something stuck out.”
“What?” Keegan asked seriously.
“The hoodie and glasses obscured the face, but the walk was totally female. I think my suspect is a woman,” she said, the thought more sobering now than ever. It’d take a totally cold-hearted bitch to do what was done to Judy Rollings.
“You’re not kidding, are you?” Keegan pushed away a few inches as if to see her face better. “Do you think it’s someone Alex Perlis knows?”
“In the morning I have to see the entire timeline and crime-scene photos again before I can answer that question. The missing piece hasn’t hit me yet, but I’m positive it’s there.” She pulled Keegan closer and rubbed circles on her back. “Talking helps, so thank you.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about tonight?” Keegan said softly against the side of her neck.
“Judy Rollings was mutilated, and unlike all the others, some of her body parts were left in the cemetery across from Blanchard’s. It killed me that this happened to her only because she was dating Nathan and that her death came only because he’s my partner. It really kills me that he walked in there and saw that.”
Keegan held on to her tighter and kissed right under her jaw. “Nathan might not have a lot of family, but he has you, honey. It’ll take time, but he’ll get over it.”
“I’d never met the woman, and I might not get over it,” she said and couldn’t help but yawn. “Sorry. It’s been a long night.”
“Lie back and let’s go to sleep,” Keegan said, moving off her, but not too far away. “All you need is some rest to clear your head.”
“What I need is some luck,” she said as Keegan rolled over and snuggled her butt into her crotch.
“What exactly do you call what happened in this room tonight, Seven?” Keegan said teasingly. “You’re plenty lucky, and you better not forget it.”
“You’re right, and I’ve said that for months. I’m one lucky bastard.”
* * *
Nicole sat with the other five people in the visitors’ waiting area at the jail and sighed. The night before had been frustrating, since she’d called her NOPD contact and the idiot had refused to pick up no matter what she threatened. She’d had to let that go right then and concentrate on getting Alex to open up to her.
“Grab him by the proverbial balls,” she said softly, repeating what her father had said. He was right, but the way Brian expre
ssed himself at times still made her smile.
“Ms. Voles.” The deputy at the door yelled her name. “In there.” He pointed to a room like the one where Gretchen had met with Alex. She’d have to call Gretchen later and thank her for the chance of privacy.
Alex shuffled in bent and slow, as usual. It would’ve been interesting to see him before his incarceration, because now he appeared like a ghost who could barely stand straight. “You can take those off,” she said when the deputy started to leave Alex in his leg irons and cuffs.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
Alex stared at her while the deputy keyed open his feet first. The near haze in his eyes never seemed to leave him, and the madness appeared to be robbing him of any pride he had left. He no longer showered, and his hair hadn’t been washed in the same amount of time. His hatred of Sept Savoie had also cooled, and the apathy of letting that go might give her father what he’d asked for. Alex wasn’t too far from taking his own life.
“What do you want?” Alex asked, twirling a long strand of oily hair.
“You need to talk to me,” she said gently. “I know you don’t have any fear, having served Teacher and the orishas, but the gods will fall silent if you don’t help me.”
“You don’t know anything. I killed plenty of bitches like you,” Alex said, then laughed like a simpleton.
“You mean like your wife Sonya? Or maybe your little boy? They couldn’t fight back, and I’d like to know if that made you feel like a man.” She spoke in a low but firm voice.
“You don’t—”
“Shut the fuck up and listen. You’re nothing but a coward who loved beating on his family because he couldn’t beat on someone like Sept Savoie.” She pointed her index finger at him, and he caved sooner than she imagined. She’d have to thank her father later.
“What do you want from me?” Alex lowered his head and put his hands in his lap.
