by Combs, Sasha
“Linda... Are you sure about this? Do you recall how many hours we sat in front of the computers watching black and white video feeds? And what did we get out of that? Nothing. Now...you want us to waste more precious time chasing down videos based on information that came from an anonymous tip. Hell... The tip could have come from the killer. Maybe, he’s purposely leading us down a dark alley. No pun intended.”
Linda slowed then stopped, turning on her heel. She perched one hand on her side; the tilt of her hip accentuating her womanly qualities. She’d not meant to strike an alluring pose, but she had, and Stone appreciated the landscape. She said...
“Stone... You’re right. The security videos were a total wash...but what else do we have? We’ve talked to practically everyone involved. Neighbors, family and friends and you know where that talking has got us. Nowhere. Now it’s time to step up our game. Besides, I’m not only looking at our second murder victims area. I intend to check all of them. I want to look at every camera angled near our victim’s homes.”
“Linda... That’s a lot of manpower. The warrants... We’ll need a different one for every apartment building... Every business...”
“Stone... Our killer isn’t the invisible man. If we review the film footage captured in theses areas, we might get a clear picture, showing us the suspect. Especially if the same persons image is captured in at least half of the crime scene areas.”
Linda moved throughout the precinct, hoping and praying that Stone wasn’t as good a cop as she’d been told. She didn’t want to be questioned any further about her reasons for trusting the tip line information because she knew who the tipster was. While they were driving back to the station, she also grudgingly admitted something to herself. Hayford’s anonymous call had been this cases best clue to solving these horrific crimes. How thoughtless she’d been, refusing to hear him out. Had she learned about the service entrance earlier, she might already have reviewed the film footage. Perhaps the forth murder might not have occurred. Her stomach turned at the thought of this.
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Chapter 6
Corey’s small Harlem apartment held more people than the fire marshal would have allowed. But her friend held her congratulatory party anyway. The two women hugged, while their other friend, Maxie stood back, watching the women forgiving each other.
Linda lay down her gift. Corey loosened her hold, her eyes were sorrowed by the sorry expression on Linda's face.
“What happened Linda? We’ve never stayed apart this long in the past. Missed lunches... Hours and hours of window shopping...before settling down at The Garden for Sunday Brunch.”
“It’s called responsibilities...” Maxie said, while chewing on an olive. Maxine’s family was seeped in old money and she never understood why women allowed their professions to hamper their friendships.
“Max... You promised to keep an eye on my guest.” Corey reminded her friend, but Maxie smiled then said...
“I thought it best to keep an eye on you two. Look gals. We’ve been friends far too long to let silliness wedge us apart.”
“She’s right you know.” Linda said. Her eyes scanned the crowd of people squeezed in Corey’s small apartment. Maxie said...
“So Linda... Where is your gorgeous hunk?”
It didn’t slip either woman’s notice that the subject had been changed. Linda went along for sport. She saw no need to make mention of this. Her lips spread into a smile, to soften the blow.
“He’s tied up at work. But... I’m here and that’s all that matters.”
Corey smiled, then she kissed Linda, before being pulled off by her boyfriend Ray. When the two women were alone, Maxie said...
“What’s up girl? Where is your man? And don’t give me that lame excuse about work. Hayford would ditch his office if it meant spending time with you.”
“Max... Hayford and I are working through a few problems. I didn’t want to bring him here because... Well, I still haven’t figured out the best way to approach him. More to the point... I don’t want to pretend that we’re okay.”
“Linda. Don’t be to hard on Hayford. Furthermore, it won’t kill you to be the first to say that you’re sorry.” Maxie’s eyebrows lowered. Her eyes became pools of compassion. She said...
“Linda... Sweetie...I’ll always back you up...no matter what. But you and I both know your reason’s for being so hard on him. Honey, if your relationship is ever going to work, you’ve got to stop punishing him for being a Mead. He’s good for you.”
Linda smiled then nodded while saying...
“I’m supposed to meet Hayford later tonight. And he really is still at his office. Actually, I encouraged him to pick me up here, if the hour isn’t to late.”
Apparently, what she’d said had been more than enough to assuage Maxie’s concerns. Her friend smiled, then hooked their arms, parting their way through the small apartment.
The party at Corey’s progressed like most parties do. Inebriation's, eating far too many sweets and believing false pickup lines. Midway through the party, Linda received a text message from Hayford. Something about a crisis at the paper. Her reply had said, “Not to worry; leaving to go home”. By the time Linda made it home, her feet were tired and she was glad to finally see her bed. She stripped from her clothes, then made her way into the bathroom. She ran a tub of water, and while waiting for the tub to fill the phone rang. She exhaled heavily, hoping that it wasn’t the precinct. She’d drank a few cocktails and she was in no shape to drive.
“Hello...” She said... Then the voice came through, confusing her all the more.
“Linda... It’s Stone. I was in the area. I’ve got a pizza and I’m in no mood to eat it alone. Thought I might drop by to share it with you.”
Linda frowned. Her body tingled and buzzed due to the alcohol she’d consumed at the party. She also recognized a bad situation before it had the opportunity to form. She laughed into the phone when she said...
“Pizza. In the area. Stone, couldn’t you think of something more clever?”
“Not really. But I do have a pizza and I am in your neighborhood.”
She looked down at her naked body, then she looked at the half filled tub. From the very beginning, Stone had not masked his interest in her. Some days his flirting was downright embarrassing but she’d done little to encourage him. She said...
“Stone... I’m tired. I just got in from a party and I’ve had a few drinks.”
“Perfect.” He said... “I can pick up a few beers to go with the pizza.”
“No, I’m not in the mood for that.”
Linda waited for a response but there was none.
“Stone...?” She said but her call went unanswered.
“Damn.” The curse slipped through clinched teeth. Stone was coming by, even though she’d not formally offered an invitation.
Dashing through her apartment. Linda hastily dressed. Grabbing jeans, a sweatshirt and thick woolen socks. She pulled her hair up tight in a ponytail. Several minutes had passed, when the buzzer to her apartment rang; signaling a visitor waiting in the lobby.
She pressed the button, and not long after that, a knock shook her door. When she opened it, she found Stone standing in her hallway holding a pizza box and a brown bag with six bottles of beer.
Stone walked into her small home, making himself comfortable as if he were relaxing in his own apartment.
“Food and drink.” He said jokingly, raising the box and bag level, at the height of his head. Her face went flat, holding back the smile that threatened to break free. Had she laughed, she would have blown her cover. More than likely when he’d called her, Stone had already purchased the pizza and the beers. That would account for him arriving soon after making the call.
Stone walked into her small kitchen, finding what he needed easily; almost as if he’d personally arranged her cupboards. He talked as he worked; much like he did on the job or at a crime scene while they investigated a murder.
“Twelve hours?”
Stone lay two large greasy slices of pizza on china plates, while he continued to talk. “I had the report emailed to your office account. I also ran into the chief when I stopped by the precinct. What I am about to tell you is off the record and he didn’t want to make this request through the usual channels. Bunts is giving you whatever and whoever you’ll need to solve these cases. He’s giving you the go ahead to recruit your own task force. I’d like to suggest a few names if you don’t mind.”
Her mind was still whirling from what he’d just said, especially after earlier that day learning that only two of her warrants had been approved by a judge. It would seem that the building backed up to the apartment where the second murder had occurred; they were willing to hand over all of their video surveillance tapes. The only thing was, they couldn't guarantee which tapes had been erased or taped over. With those kind of odds, her idea to check the camera’s wasn’t turning out to be the big break she’d hoped for.
While her partner busied himself, Linda had been silent but Stone talked while hardly taking a breath. He lifted his eyes from the table. Linda was looking in his direction but he wasn’t sure if her eyes were on him. He said...
“Are you all right?”
“Yes. Stone... Regarding the camera surveillance's...”
“Don’t worry about that Linda. I handled it. I told the tech department that we would review the coroners report before giving them the timeframe that they’ve asked for.”
Linda had read the reports and she still wasn’t sure if the details would give her the information she truly needed. Her mind drifted to Hayford, and she wondered if his source could give her the exact time and date. That’s what she really needed. Narrowing their search to within a two to three hour timeframe; if she could do that, she was certain that at least one image would provide them with a picture of the killer. Someone to question regarding the murders.
Stone paused, then he calmly asked.
“Linda... You are all right with this assignment right? Sure, it’s high profile and the press are proving to be a pain in the ass.”
Linda blinked several times, but she hid her true reservations. She was concerned and a long list of other equally disturbing feelings but she would never admit that to another cop and definitely not Stone.
Linda grabbed her plate, then she padded to her couch in the living room. She talked while walking into the open area.
“If I allowed the media or the possible publicity linked to a case to affect my judgement; than I would never be able to perform my job. Lets face it Stone. Whatever we do; there’s always going to be a reporter with mic in hand or a camera crew with a lens jammed in our face. I don’t know about you but I will not allow the medias interference to deter me.”
She sat on her sofa, with plate in hand, then she realized she didn’t have a napkin. However, Stone had been right behind her. He held an open beer in one hand and a napkin in the other. He placed both on the coffee table, within her reach. Then he returned to the kitchen to grab his food, a napkin and a drink. Stone said...
“Linda, I know we haven’t known each other for long but I think you know one thing about me. I don’t beat around the bush. If I think something; I say it. We’re going to be working a lot of man hours on this case and now is not the time to be closed mouthed.”
“I agree.” She said, then she munched on a slice. Stone said...
“So, be straight with me. Do you mind if I make a few suggestions? A list of names. Cops I think will work well with us.”
Linda looked at her plate, instead of Stone. It was no secret. Every man at her precinct would give his left nut to sleep with her but there were a few who still didn’t particularly care for the way she got her job and some of those malcontents included the detectives. Stone had come from another precinct but she was fairly certain that he’d heard all the lies and rumors that wrongly portrayed her. Linda said...
“I have no objections Stone. I’ll take a look at your suggestions.”
“Good.” He said. Stone took a large bite of pizza, then he washed it all down with a gulp of beer. When he swallowed he said...
“I don’t want to work with a bunch of cry baby assholes. You and I... We work good together Linda, and it doesn’t make sense spoiling what we have.”
“I agree.” She said, before taking another bite of pizza. The food was good, and she made a mental note to ask him where he’d bought the pizza from. Stone said...
“You’re a great detective Linda... And one day, every cop at that precinct will be forced to eat their words.”
Linda couldn’t believe what she was hearing but it was nice knowing that her partner had her back. This was momentous but the feeling was destroyed before taking root. Stone added...
“You know... There are a couple of rumors at the precinct that you should be made aware of.”
He sipped from his beer. Stone’s eyes lowered, peeking beneath fanned out lashes.
“I don’t concern myself with gossip Stone.”
“Maybe you should. Especially when it comes to this tidbit.”
“Stone... I’ve been down that road, and I’m not going back. Been there...done that. It’s over for me.”
“Linda... People are talking and they’re saying that whenever you’re assigned to a case. Specifically a case that might be tagged as a cold case... Miraculously information surfaces. They’re talking about the phone tip that came in. The rumor is that your boyfriend is behind it.”
Linda stood. She gathered her plate that still held her half eaten pizza. Her appetite had been spoiled and she didn’t much care for the beer either. She said while walking to her kitchen...
“Stone, if you’re hinting at something... Just say it. Because I’m sure you’ve formed your own opinion regarding the gossip and the rumors. If you want to ask me something; you’ll get to the answer much quicker by simply asking what others choose to say behind my back.”
He stood, following her into the kitchen and he watched as she emptied her plate then rinsed off her dish. She was a fascinating woman. Attractive too. And he’d heard all the rumors but he’d jumped at the chance to be her partner. However, he still wondered if the whispers and locker room talk was founded on truth or jealousies. As her partner, he wanted to know for himself. Stone said...
“Okay, if you don’t mind me being blunt. Did your rich reporter boyfriend phone in the tip to the hotline?”
That was blunt all right, she thought to herself. Linda turned to face him in her small kitchen, and her brain was flooded with a memory. She recalled the last night she’d made love to Hayford. She closed her eyes to wash away the thought. From the moment she came to know that Hayford was the tipster, she’d made up her mind to protect his secret. Even if it meant lying to her partner. With a straight face, she said...
“According to the report...the caller did not want to be identified. And if the caller were my boyfriend, I wouldn’t apologize for that. I would never apologize for a person performing their civic duty. The tipster hotline was created for a reason. It provides citizens with options. It makes reporting a crime easier and it helps to ease the fear factor. So, I don’t understand why so much attention is being placed on this tip. It isn’t against the law to report what you know or what you’ve seen without leaving your personal information. You know that. They all know that. And that makes this hotline accusation complete and utter bullshit.”
“You’re playing with your words, instead of answering me directly.”
“And you’re asking a question that is best left alone.”
“We have to trust each other Linda.”
“That’s right Stone. The future of this partnership hinges on trust.”
They stare
d at each other and he knew that he wouldn’t learn anything new from her. He nodded while saying...
“All right. We’ll leave this as it is. The report came from an anonymous caller, using an untraceable phone. And you’re right. No laws were broken, so there shouldn’t be any cause for concern.”
“Then why the interrogation? Why all the questions? Are you going to behave like this every time someone calls in, giving us information to solve a crime? Will my rich boyfriend always be accused as being the anonymous caller?”
The way Stone looked at her; his gaze was anything but professional. He understood why the men talked from both sides of their mouthes whenever topics rose about Linda. Many wanted to hate her and they definitely envied her pull but not one would say that she wasn’t a looker and they all would jump at the chance to sleep with her.
Stone’s mouth crooked a smile. He stepped closer, purposely crowding her space. He reached pass her, lifting up a beer from the counter. When he pulled back, he stopped for a moment to stare into her eyes. The air was suffused with his scent. The aroma of woodsy spices and musky oils coiled in her lungs; sending erotic images to her brain. His face went serious when he said...
“I was just curious Linda. I like knowing things about my partner and I want those things to be truth and not rumors.”
“Then ask me Stone. Whatever you want to know... Just ask.”
He shot her one from the hip.
“Is your relationship with Hayford Mead serious?”
“That isn’t any of your business.” She snapped back, and he laughed while backing out of the kitchen.
“For the record... You told me to ask.”
“And for the record... My personal life isn’t any of your business.”
“All right, all right partner. Now that we have that established. I have a few ideas that I want to discuss.”
She followed him back into the living room, and he noted her doubtful expression. Stone laughed then said...
