Sarah Woods Mystery Series (Volume 6)

by Jennifer L. Jennings

  Julian wiped his hand on his pants and held it out. “Julian Pike. Pleasure to meet you, sir.”

  Carter ignored the gesture and turned to me. “Are you okay? Did he touch you?”

  “I’m fine,” I said. “I was just about to head back to the room to see you.”

  Julian took a small baggie out of his pocket and held it up, wiggled it around tauntingly. “Hey, you guys ever tried Ecstasy?” He opened the baggie, popped one into his mouth and swallowed it dry. Then he held it out for Carter. “Here, it’ll give you the best orgasm in the world, I swear.”

  “It was my understanding that drugs are not allowed.”

  Julian snorted in reply. He was becoming excessively jittery. Beads of perspiration glistened from his upper lip. “Oh, come on, guys. Rules are made to be broken. I mean, that’s why we’re all here, right? Say, you guys want a drink? I could use one. Whisky or vodka?” Julian turned around toward the bar but lost his balance. He grabbed the edge of the counter and caught himself, but the vial of cocaine fell out of his pocket and tumbled to the floor.

  Carter bent over to pick it up and didn’t give it back to him. “Cocaine and Ecstasy don’t mix. You could have a heart attack.”

  Julian held out his hand. “C’mon man, don’t be a killjoy. I know what I’m doing.”

  “You need to slow down before you hurt yourself.”

  Julian lunged toward Carter, arm reaching out as if to grab the vial. Carter blocked his arm and swiftly moved to the side, causing Julian to stumble a bit. “I’ll give it back if you promise to leave here, now. In fact, I’ll escort you to your car.”

  “I can’t drive home like this.”

  “I know that,” Carter said. “Who said anything about driving?”

  Julian lunged again, reaching for Carter’s back pocket. “I need another bump. Just one more and I’m done for the night.”

  Carter deftly evaded Julian’s clumsy attempt. “You’re already way past done. Time to leave.”

  Julian wasn’t giving up. He moved to Carter’s left side and reached around his backside where he groped for the vial. With greater force, Carter seized his arm and held firm, causing Julian to wince in pain. “I guess you refuse to listen to reason. What am I gonna do with you?”

  What Julian did next, nobody could have expected. He planted a big kiss on Carter’s lips.

  Stunned, Carter shoved Julian so hard, he nearly flew back across the room. The back of his head made contact with the counter’s edge, causing a domino effect of glasses and bottles to come crashing down.

  I could tell by Carter’s face, he regretted the way he’d reacted, but I didn’t necessarily blame him.

  “Damn,” he said to me. “What the hell just happened?”

  Julian was on the floor, holding the back of his head. I didn’t see any blood, but I went over to check him out. “Let me look at you.”

  To my surprise, he began laughing hysterically.

  I backed away from him. “What’s so funny?”

  “I like you guys,” he said. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a while.” He searched the floor around him and found the vial.

  “C’mon,” Carter said. “Time to go.”

  Julian looked up from the floor and gave Carter a pouty face. “Why so angry? You never been kissed by another guy before?”

  Carter didn’t have a chance to respond because June Porter came running into the kitchen with only her underwear on. “What the hell is going on out here?” When she looked down and saw Julian on the floor, she folded her arms across her chest and frowned. “Oh, it’s you. I should have known.”

  He waved from the floor. “You’re looking scrumptious tonight, June. Been working out?”

  She didn’t fall for the flattery. “What happened?”

  “I like sitting on the floor. It’s nice and cool down here.”

  She sighed, impatiently. “I told you not to come back here until you learned to control yourself. Do I have to remind you what happened last time?”

  Julian made a confused face, as if he had no idea what she was talking about.

  “Of course you don’t remember.” Her tone became more exasperated. “You were stoned out of your mind, just like now. You have a problem, Julian. Until you get some help, I don’t want to see you inside my house. Plus, you know the rules. You can’t come here without your wife.”

  Julian struggled to get to his feet, then made an effort to smooth out his clothes. “Kristina asked for a divorce. I’m a wreck.”

  June’s tight expression softened a bit. “I’m sorry to hear that, but it still doesn’t give you the right to come here and make a fool out of yourself in front of my guests.” She turned to look and Carter and me. “I apologize for Mr. Pike’s behavior. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

  Julian immediately began sweeping the counter with a towel, gathering the shards of glass together in a pile. “I’ll have this cleaned up in no time.”

  “Just stop it, Julian.” June grabbed the towel out of his hand. “I’m going to call you a cab.”

  “Please,” he said. “I don’t want to go home just yet. Can I crash in one of the bedrooms? Just for a few hours until I’m fine to drive.”

  “Okay,” she said, holding out her hand, palm facing up. “But you need to give me the drugs. All of ’em.”

  Reluctantly, Julian emptied his pockets, producing the cocaine vial and the baggie of pills. “Will I get them back when I leave?”

  June glared at him, waiting. Reluctantly, he handed over the vial and the baggie.

  I figured Carter would never mention the infamous kiss, and thankfully, Julian did not bring it up, either. Some things are best forgotten entirely.

  Once Julian had left the room, June finished cleaning up the broken glasses with Carter’s and my help.

  “Why don’t you go enjoy yourselves,” she said to us, shooing us away. “I can handle this mess.”

  Carter gave me the discreet look that said, we’re here to do a job, remember? “I think I’ll go back and see what the gang is up to.” Carter headed back to the community room while I stayed in the kitchen with June.

  “I have to admit,” I said to her. “I don’t think I’m ready to get naked with strangers. I thought I’d be more daring, but I’m not.”

  “I understand,” she said, staying focused on her work. “It took me quite a while to get used to the idea. My husband is the one who initiated these gatherings. I sort of went along with it.”

  “But now you enjoy it?” I asked.

  “Sure. Well, most of the time. We’ve been doing this for a few years, and usually the couples are respectful of our home and privacy.”

  “Seems like Julian is not one of those people.”

  She rolled her eyes. “He and my husband go way back. Friends since college. Otherwise, I would never allow Julian in my home again.”

  “What happened last time? Did he hurt someone?”

  June pursed her lips as if she didn’t want to talk about it. Finally, she sighed and stopped what she was doing to look at me. “Julian is a brilliant attorney, but like most brilliant people, he has some major hang-ups. As you’ve witnessed, he has issues with drugs and drinking. I guess you could call him a functioning addict. He’s also addicted to sex; he can’t get enough. And sometimes …”

  When she didn’t continue, I pressed. “Sometimes, he likes it rough?”

  She nodded. “I know some people are into that. I have nothing against it, as long as the people involved are consenting, but last time he took things a little too far.”

  “With Madeline?”

  She blinked at me. “How do you know that?”

  “The bruises on her arms. There were some on her thighs, too. I didn’t think much of it at first but, since you mentioned it.”

  “Oh.” June swallowed hard. “Please don’t repeat this to anyone. Madeline confided in me; I never should’ve said anything.”

  “My lips are sealed,” I lied. Now t
hat the mystery was solved, all I wanted to do was get Carter and leave. No point in hanging around.

  “Anyway,” June said. “I had words with Julian last week and he defended himself, of course. He’s a defense attorney so he’s a master at placing blame elsewhere. The drugs, stress at work, you name it. I’m tired of his excuses. He might be rich and good-looking, but that doesn’t mean he has the right to do whatever he wants. Someday, it’s going to catch up to him.”

  Once the mess had been cleaned up, June changed back into hostess mode. “Now, what can I make you to drink?”

  “Actually,” I said. “A glass of water would be perfect.”

  She seemed slightly disappointed. “Really? I have this magnificent 2007 Pinot Noir I planned on opening next. They say that one to two glasses of wine a night can reduce your risk of giving a shit.”

  I chuckled. “Well, okay. You make a good point.”

  As she uncorked the wine, June glanced toward the hallway, probably wondering about Julian and which room he’d decided to pass out in. Or maybe she was just concerned that her husband was enjoying himself a little too much without her.

  “By the way,” I said. “I don’t mean to alarm you, but I saw your neighbor in the window about twenty minutes ago. You might want to get some curtains.”

  June peered out the window into the black night. No lights were on in the house next door. “That can’t be right,” she said, handing me a full glass of wine. “They’re out of the country until the end of the summer.”

  “Are you sure? I’m positive I saw someone. She had dark, curly hair. I’m guessing late twenties.”

  “Well, the Dunbars never let anyone stay in their house when they’re gone. Their daughter moved to California last year. She’s blonde, so it can’t be her.”

  “Well, maybe it was a ghost.”

  Since June didn’t respond to that comment, I could tell something else was on her mind. “Sarah, how did you find out about our parties?”

  “Albert Kinlaw gave us your card.”

  “Madeline’s husband?”

  “Yeah. He said that Carter and I would be a perfect fit and that you would approve.”

  “It’s true. We are very selective, but I’m surprised that Albert didn’t call me. How do you know him?”

  I knew this question might come up, so I was prepared. “Carter and I are private investigators. He’d hired us to do some work in the past.”

  An eyebrow shot up. “Why would Albert need to hire private investigators?” She stopped herself. “Never mind. That was rude of me to ask. It’s none of my business.”

  Before she had a chance to utter another word, her husband Bob strolled into the kitchen wearing only his boxer shorts. He seemed slightly out of breath, and his hair was all messed up. He saw us sitting together at the counter and said to June, “I thought you were coming back.”

  “Guess who showed up,” she said to him.

  “Not Julian.”

  “He made quite a scene in front of our new guests. I’ve been cleaning up his mess. Now Sarah and I are just getting to know each other better.”

  Bob ran a hand through his hair and looked around. “Well, where is he? Did he leave?”

  “He can’t drive. I took his drugs, told him to hang out in one of the bedrooms till he sobered up.”

  “How did he get the new code to get inside the gate?”

  “I don’t know. I forgot to ask.”

  Bob shook his head in frustration. “What a jackass. He’s gonna ruin his career if he doesn’t smarten up. How can someone be so smart and so stupid at the same time?”

  June threw up her hand, as if he were preaching to the choir. “Kristina asked for a divorce. He seems upset by it.”

  “Serves him right,” Bob said. “I can’t believe it took this long.”

  June downed the rest of her wine and stood up. She walked over to her husband, grabbed the waistband of his boxers, and pulled it out so she could get a good look at him. “Do you have anything left for me?”

  He grinned. “There’s always plenty for you.”

  June looked over her shoulder at me and winked. “Help yourselves to the refreshments. Bob and I are going to be busy for the next hour.”

  Chapter 4

  It was only 9:45 p.m., but I felt dog tired. All I wanted to do was go home and cuddle with Carter under the covers of our bed. Instead, I was sitting alone in the kitchen of a stranger’s home, while half a dozen sex-crazed people were getting it on just fifty feet away.

  Something caught my attention in the window, and I looked over. The light was on next door, and the same young woman with dark curly hair stared back at me. How long had she been watching me? I figured she had witnessed the drama scene with Julian and was hoping for another show.

  I gave her a wave, letting her know I could see her, too. She didn’t wave back, and a second later, the light shut out.

  And that’s when I heard the scream.

  “What the hell?” I jerked my head to the left toward the bedrooms. I ran to the hall, just as a door to one of the bedrooms flew open. Madeline came tumbling out, sobbing and shaking.

  “Somebody, call 911.”

  “What happened?” I called out to her.

  The others filtered into the hallway from three other bedrooms to see what the fuss was all about, Carter included.

  “It’s Julian.” Madeline pointed to inside the room she just came out of. “I think he’s dead.”

  “What?” Bob and June Porter rushed over, opened the door wide, and flipped on the light as we all crowded around them.

  I couldn’t believe my eyes. Julian was lying on the bed face up and naked except for the belt around his neck.

  June Porter gasped. “Dear Lord.”

  “I’m calling 911,” Carter said, already on his phone. The others just stood in the hallway with dumbfounded looks. Clearly, no one knew what to do.

  I noticed several nudie magazines scattered on the bed, and I had a feeling this wasn’t a suicide.

  “Idiot.” Bob approached the body and checked for a pulse. “I knew this would happen eventually. I told him this shit was dangerous.”

  I had once read an article about erotic asphyxiation. You cut off the air supply to your brain, which is supposed to enhance orgasm. Sometimes, it’s the last orgasm you ever achieve.

  “Are you sure he’s dead?” June asked her husband. “Maybe you should try CPR or something.”

  Bob stood there, staring at Julian’s lifeless body, shaking his head. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that. He took it too far this time. If the media gets wind of this, we’ll never hear the end of it. What the hell are we going to do?”

  She glared at her husband. “A man just died and all you can think about is bad publicity?”

  Carter finally stepped in. “The police will be here in less than five minutes. I suggest everyone get some clothes on.”

  The crowd dispersed, but I didn’t budge from where I stood. Carter put his arm around me. “You okay?” he said. “C’mon, we don’t have to stay here and look at this. Let’s go sit down in the living room.”

  “What are the chances? I mean, this is crazy.”

  I had the urge to go and throw a blanket over Julian’s exposed body. As much of a pain in the ass he’d been, I still felt sorry for the guy.

  A few minutes later, everyone was gathered in the kitchen, fully clothed, and heading for the door. Evidently, nobody wanted to stick around to wait for the ambulance and police to arrive.

  “Where are you going?” Bob Porter said to Madeline, who was being ushered away by her companion Zeb Nichols. “You’re the one who found Julian. You have to be here to tell the police what you saw.”

  “It’s not my house,” she said. “I don’t want any part of this.”

  Carter and I knew better than to try and escape. The police would want to question everyone at the party. They’d catch up with Madeline, if not tonight, then first thing in the morning.

&
nbsp; I took Carter aside and whispered, “Julian Pike is the one who got rough with Madeline at the last party. June Porter basically confirmed it after I made the connection between Julian’s aggressive behavior and Madeline’s bruises.”

  “Good work,” he said to me. “I wonder why Madeline wouldn’t tell her husband it was Julian.” Carter got out his phone and said, “I’m going to the bathroom to call Mr. Kinlaw and give him a heads up before Madeline gets home.”

  Bob paced the kitchen in agitation while June poured herself a shot of whiskey and downed it. Her hands were shaking.

  “What are you doing?” Bob yelled at her. “The cops will smell the alcohol on your breath.”

  “I needed something to calm me down. Look.” She held up her hand to demonstrate how nervous she was.

  “Damned Julian,” Bob muttered. “Why did this have to happen in my house?”

  “He may have had some problems,” June said, “but he didn’t deserve to die. How can you be so heartless about his death? I thought he was your friend.”

  “He was, but we both know he’d changed for the worse.”

  As the hosts continued to bicker, Carter returned and stood beside me.

  “Did you tell Mr. Kinlaw that Julian was the one who got rough with his wife last week?” I asked.

  “Yes, but I told him we’d discuss the details in person. We have a meeting with him tomorrow morning.”

  “Since it appears to be an accident, there probably won’t be an investigation,” I said. “Hopefully, we won’t have to hang around here all night answering questions.”

  The ambulance showed up first, followed by two crime lab techs, three police officers, and Detective James from homicide.

  Carter and I knew Detective James from other cases, and he was surprised to see us. We’d have to tell him the truth that we were working undercover at a swing party, but not until we could speak to him privately.

  Bob and June appeared calm as they explained. “We were entertaining friends,” June said. “Julian Pike, the deceased, showed up around nine-thirty, uninvited. He was high on cocaine when he arrived and began drinking excessively. I didn’t think it was safe to let him drive home, so I suggested that he go lie down in one of the bedrooms, which he did. Less than half an hour later, one of our guests went to check on him and found him like that.”