Hurricane

by Taige Crenshaw

  That was all he needed—a problem witness. Usually, he was good with them. But, after a long shift of—in his opinion—a bunch of useless meetings, his patience was wearing thin.

  “Not really. Just very stubborn.”

  “Okay. Wasn’t there another witness?”

  “Yep. He’s over there.” Colby pointed.

  Following Colby’s gesture, Keenan smiled. Even looking at the guy’s back, he’d know him anywhere.

  “I used to have this buddy who knew how to make a mean barbecue sauce. He was particular about it, too. Had to have the wood to barbecue over, temperature variances and everything just so before he’d allow his sauce to be used. Haven’t seen him in a whole lot of years. How the hell have you been, Harmon?” He slapped the man on the shoulder.

  “Keenan Callaghan. It’s been, what, twelve years?” Harmon turned to face him.

  The smirk on his face was familiar. Harmon was a prankster. They had grown up next door to each other and had even been roommates in college. They’d come home together, too. Keenan had joined the police force, and Harmon the FBI. They had kept in touch before losing contact years before. The large man slapped Keenan on the shoulder.

  “About that,” Keenan agreed. “Did you meet Colby already?” he asked as she joined them.

  Harmon nodded. “I already know her.”

  “I hear you’re one of my witnesses. What are you doing here?”

  “Witnesses? I thought you were on the police force,” Harmon said.

  “I was. Left about ten years ago. I’m a fire investigator now. So, how did it come about that you were here?” Keenan asked.

  “We handle the security for the businesses here.”

  “Who’s ‘we’?”

  “HJC Security Specialists, the security firm I co-own with Jordan Locke and Carlton Bunnell,” Harmon replied.

  “I know a little about Carlton from his time on the force. Jordan Locke—any relation to the other witness?”

  “Yes. She’s Jules’ cousin,” Harmon said.

  “Okay. You got here quickly.”

  “Our firm is on the property here at Kindred Place. Eight-one-seven-three Kindred Place, to be exact. It’s on the left side of the road adjacent to this one.”

  Keenan nodded. When he’d come in he’d seen the huge, tasteful sign stating ‘Kindred Place’. He’d driven by here often enough on his way to Delko Street, where he worked at the firehouse, but he hadn’t had a reason to come to Kindred Place before. Although Woodbury Avenue was commercial, the set-up of this place wasn’t like those he usually saw in the area. Driving in, he would have thought he was coming to someone’s private home, not businesses.

  “Is it usual for Miss Locke to be working here so late?”

  “Sometimes she does, but not here. This is still being built. She’d be working out of Moments, at the top of this road. Actually, she just got back tonight from a business trip.”

  “What is Moments, and what does she do there?”

  “Moments is an event planning company, and she’s one of the main planners,” Harmon said easily.

  “I notice there are a few businesses here. Break them down for me with names of the owners.”

  Keenan made notes as Harmon provided the information. The area had six businesses in total. The whole area was set up in a loop. Visitors came in the right side then went out of the left. From the entrance, in order, there was an interior designer, an architectural group and Moments Deuce. At the crest and down a slight incline was Moments, the event planning company, which according to Harmon was the largest place and land space, since they held events there. When you departed from Moments going towards the exit, using the left side, there was the security firm, a landscaper’s and a bed and breakfast. Once he had all the names and official addresses of the businesses, he noticed something interesting about the owners.

  “Why does each business have a Locke listed as one of the owners?”

  “They own the land jointly. Bought it to set up the businesses that they are involved in. None of us had any problems with it, since it made sense, and we had it set up legally to use the land for the businesses.”

  Keenan glanced back at the smouldering area of the structure. The arrangement seemed to be well thought out, but, with fires, he never knew what he would find behind the scenes. Family might act like they got along but that wasn’t always reality. He had been called in to determine if this was arson or accidental and he suspected this coincidence would have something to do with his findings. He returned his attention to Harmon and continued with his questions.

  Once done, he shook his friend’s hand. “That’s it for now. Might have some more questions during my investigation. I’ll be in touch.”

  “I’ll answer any questions you may have. But make sure to call me, even if you don’t have any questions. Don’t lose touch again, or I’ll have to hunt you down,” Harmon said.

  “I won’t. What’s the best way to get a hold of the owners of all the businesses—including this one?” He gestured with his notebook to the building.

  “They’re probably all at the hospital with Jules. I’m heading over there.”

  He frowned, not liking that. He preferred questioning people before they could talk to each other.

  He shrugged. “Okay. I’ll be by after I’m done here. I’ll catch up with them if they’re there.”

  “Okay.” Harmon left.

  “Are you going to the hospital, too?” Keenan turned to Colby.

  “I’ll wait and head over with you. Let me know when you’re ready.” Colby strode to her dark blue Charger.

  Keenan walked over to the firefighters.

  Hours later, when the night had become much cooler, Keenan walked into the Singleton Hospital, pulling his notebook from his jacket pocket. Rolling his shoulders, he formulated his impressions of the scene as the elevator took him to the witness’s floor. He wasn’t sure if he would be able to talk with her since it was so late, but he would at least be able to discover the full extent of her injuries.

  Once he’d been able to conduct his interview of Julianne Locke, he could add that to his initial thoughts on the fire. Colby was silent as she walked beside him on the way to Julianne’s room.

  He stopped by the nurse’s desk to find out the information he needed. “Hi—”

  A voice interrupted him. “Keenan. I assume you’re here to see Jules. Harmon mentioned you would be coming by. I’ll take you to her. She’s been expecting you.”

  He turned. Doctor Spencer Jacobs strolled down the hall towards him. His porcelain skin was paler than usual. Exhaustion was etched on his face and filled his steps.

  “Hey, Doc. I see they let you loose from the ER.”

  “Temporarily. I ran away to check on my patient. She’s a little peeved she has to spend the night.” Spencer chuckled.

  “And I’m sure you took joy in telling her.” Colby chuckled along with him.

  “I sure did.” Spencer rocked back on his heels.

  Keenan glanced back and forth between them. He assumed Colby knew Spencer from the emergency room, but they seemed more familiar than that.

  “How do you two know each other?”

  “Through Jordan—Jules’ cousin—as well as Julianne. My w…wife Regina is business partners with Julianne.”

  Keenan noticed the pause when Spencer mentioned his wife. He didn’t follow up for now, but made a mental note in case it was relevant to the case.

  “Is she awake?” Keenan would be surprised if she were at this time of night.

  Correction, it was two a.m., so it was technically morning.

  “She is. I was on my way to check on her,” Spencer said.

  Keenan walked beside him as they went towards her room. Colby fell into step behind them.

  “What are her injuries?” Keenan asked.

  Spencer gave him the breakdown. Keenan nodded. It was as Colby had said, minor, but they had kept her for the concussion and slight smoke inhalation. S
pencer opened the door. Keenan paused just inside, raising an eyebrow. The room was packed with people talking softly. He counted quickly. At least forty people were in the spacious hospital room. Keenan spotted Harmon chatting with a man he recognised as Carlton, by the wall.

  With the amount of people in the room, a person would think they would be loud, or at least he would have heard them from outside. The people turned to look at him and he noted the similarity in features of most of them. The women had captivating sienna faces and the men wore rugged masculinity. All had golden eyes. Even if the eyes weren’t a clue to their relationship, the features cinched it, and he wondered if they were all Lockes. If so, they were a large family. Mixed in the crowd were others who didn’t look like those he pegged as family.

  “Isn’t it past visiting hours?” Keenan quietly asked Spencer.

  “It is. And I kicked everyone out over an hour ago. Julianne needs to rest. Now get out,” Spencer said.

  A melodious voice with a familiar, slightly musical cadence Keenan couldn’t place cut through the crowd. “It’s my fault, Spencer. I convinced the nurse to let them stay.”

  “You should know better, Syneca. What if she was your patient?” Spencer asked.

  “I know, I know. I would have ejected everyone by now. We’re going.” Syneca came into view.

  The woman was in a lab coat with a stethoscope around her neck. Her name card read ‘Locke’. At the sight of her last name Keenan’s suspicion was confirmed. Syneca studied him intently. The scrutiny in her golden gaze would have unnerved, or offended, most people. Instead, Keenan was amused at the thorough checking out he was receiving.

  “Time to go.” Syneca walked towards him and Keenan stepped to the side, opening the door for her.

  “Don’t tire my big sis out, Mr Callaghan.” Syneca’s warning was clear in her tone.

  The others followed her out of the room but three lagged behind the rest.

  “I’m Regina. The other partners and I will be in the waiting room to talk with you.”

  The full-figured woman was not what he would have pictured as the laid-back doctor’s wife. She seemed cold. The look on her dark, honey-brown face was contained and her green eyes seemed to see more than they revealed. She nodded, then went out. Spencer was leaning over, blocking his view of the woman in the bed.

  “We’ll take Rissa back home with us.” A tall man lifted a child against his chest. He turned, and pale grey eyes met Keenan’s. There was a sense of power in the man.

  “Get some rest, Jules. I’ll be by tomorrow to get you, or one of us will. Follow what the doctor says.” The woman had the same cadence in her voice as the woman Spencer had called Syneca.

  She walked towards Keenan, the man holding the child close behind her. The woman had the same look as the other Lockes. The man exited and the woman paused.

  “I’m Noelle Locke, Mr Callaghan. Keep it short.” Noelle nodded and strolled out.

  “Quite a family,” Keenan said softly to Colby.

  “You don’t know the half of it. They’re close. I’ll wait in the waiting room while you question Jules.” Colby took her leave.

  “After Keenan is done, you get some rest,” Spencer said to his patient.

  “I’d rest better if you would let me go home to my own bed.”

  The smoky voice with the musical cadence sounded disgruntled. It was similar to the other women who had spoken, but something about her set all his senses on high alert.

  “You’d sleep well. But I wouldn’t. My needs trump yours. So one night in the hospital it is. She’s all yours, Keenan,” Spencer said cheerfully.

  Spencer exited the room. Keenan’s breath caught as he stared at the woman reclining on the bed. Although she and her family shared similar features, she was exquisite compared to the other women he had seen that she was related to. Her long, dark brown hair tinged with gold framed her smooth face, which was the colour of toffee with a hint of cloves. Her forehead, sculptured high cheeks, slightly flared nose and rounded chin melded together to create a sexy air—she was a vixen. Her lips looked soft and kissable. She blinked, causing her eyelids to shield her golden eyes briefly. The look in her eyes was shrewd and sharp.

  “You have some questions for me, Mr Callaghan?” she said in a lilting tone.

  I want to hear you say my first name as I take you. Keenan frowned at the thought. He was here for work. Never before had anyone made him forget that fact. Scowling, Keenan began his questions.

  Chapter Two

  Julianne answered him in the same clipped manner as he questioned her.

  Once finished, he said, “If I have any more questions, I’ll be in touch.”

  “When will your investigation be completed? Will we be informed of your findings?”

  “I can’t give you a time frame,” he snapped, then gentled his tone. “When I feel I have everything I need, I’ll have to review it. If it’s not arson, I’ll make sure to let you know what I find. Hope you feel better, Miss Locke.”

  He closed his notebook and left. Outside the door, he breathed out. He had acted rudely, bordering on being an ass. But something about Julianne Locke set him on edge.

  Pull it together, Keenan. Finish up and go home. He went to question the rest of the partners of Moments. Over an hour later, he left the hospital. In his SUV, Keenan’s thoughts turned to Julianne. From talking with her partners and Reid Locke, her brother, who was also the architect of the building, Keenan had got a solid impression of the woman. Julianne was hardworking, dedicated to her business and family and highly respected. The one thing he noticed was that there was no mention of a private life. Just as Julianne had, they had all clammed up when he had asked anything about her life outside of work.

  Keenan wondered why. He made a note in his book to do a search on her.

  Is this for my investigation, or for my own personal use? He had no answer to that. Closing his book, he placed it on the passenger seat and pulled out of his parking spot. Hopefully, by the next time he saw her, he’d have control over the way she made him feel. Golden eyes flashed across his mind. He clenched his hands around the steering wheel. Somehow, he doubted he would. Yet he was looking forward to seeing Julianne Locke again. Soon.

  Later, unable to sleep, Keenan turned over in bed. He stared out of the glass door onto the balcony beyond. His thoughts were still on Julianne Locke and her captivating gaze. His shaft went hard. He imagined how those eyes would look when filled with passion. They would deepen to a smoky colour. Her full lips would part as she moaned her want.

  Keenan slid his hand down the muscles of his chest across to his nipple. He tweaked the pebbled tip, groaning as in his imagination Julianne worried the flesh with her teeth. She’d rack those white teeth over the bud, biting down gently, then suckling it. Keenan rocked his hips as he wondered how his hardened member would feel pressed against the soft flesh of her belly as she straddled him, working his nipples. He moved to the other and pinched it, as he wanted her to do. Her fingers would be firm as she rubbed her thumb and second finger together, squeezing tighter and tighter. Keenan played with his nipples shifting his body on the bed to get closer to the Julianne he fantasised about.

  She would release his nipples and slide her warm hand over the ridges of muscles down his chest to his stomach, digging in with her nails, making him shake. Keenan shivered, moaning as he did, as he wanted her too. He turned onto his back spreading his legs. He continued his downward journey, moving his fingers along the line above his groin then down to the protruding flesh. Keenan gripped his cock and dragged his hand up and down his hard shaft. Instead of his own hand he imagined it was one smaller than his. Julianne’s hand would run along his erection as she pulled on his turgid length. He squeezed, manipulating the skin of his cock. She’d bring her hand to the head and run her thumb over the leaking pre-cum, spreading it around as it flowed out of his shaft.

  The wetness coated his fingers and he moved his hand faster along his length. Keenan closed his
eyes, thinking of Julianne’s face and how it might look etched in passion. The soft pane of her face would be filled with desire and her gaze molten with wanton need. As she jacked him she’d be crouched over his body and would lower her head to bring those full lips closer to his erection. Julianne would open her lips slightly and blow out a slow breath over the head. The rigid flesh would fill even more. He’d watch as she would slowly move her head forward and put her lips over the spongy head of his cock. She’d suckle him deep, take him greedily as she brought more of his essences up into her mouth. Her cheeks would hollow as she sucked him, moving her hands up and down as she took him in and out of her hot mouth. Keenan imagined arching into that mouth, working his hips.

  He rocked against the bed, groaning as he pushed into his fist. Behind his closed eyelids, his fantasy Julianne raised her gaze. Her eyes were deep amber and the look demanded he give her all he had. She opened her mouth, taking him deep into her throat, and made a purring sound that reverberated around his erection. Keenan moved his hand up and down on his cock faster and faster as she moved over him. He arched, spurting hot liquid over his clenched fist.

  “Julianne.” He groaned as he worked his shaft until all his release was spilled over his hand.

  Opening his eyes Keenan stared at the ceiling of his bedroom as his harsh breath echoed in the empty room.

  I will definitely be seeing you soon, Julianne Locke. And after this case it will be all personal.

  He slowly relaxed his hand, still held loosely over his now flaccid member. Keenan’s eyelids slid closed and he went to sleep.

  Julianne had frowned as Keenan Callaghan left, and she was frowning now, hours later. Before he’d arrived, Harmon and Carlton had both talked highly of his skills as a cop. They hadn’t known how he’d become an arson investigator, but had recalled that, when he’d been a detective for the Singleton Police Department, he’d had a high clearance rate for his cases.

  She didn’t know why a fire investigator was needed anyway. The thought of the destruction being anything but an accident was absurd. Her brother Reid and cousin Sampson co-owned Locke Structural, which had done all the architecture and construction on the building. Reid and Sampson were furious that, somehow, the labour or subcontractors they’d hired for the project had messed up. That was the only plausible explanation. With the additional security from HJC Security Specialists, there was no way someone could have got into any of the properties to commit arson.