by Debbie Zello
“Can I nudge him with my shoulder?”
“NO!”
“You take the fun out of everything, Blain,” Aiden said standing. His grin was as wide as the Red Mountain Pass.
“You did well. Really well. Now keep those two women alive until I can bring him to trial.”
“Doing my best, boss.” The two men exited the office and then the building. They walked back to their office, their shoes barely touching the pavement. “I’m stopping at fraud to tell Briah the news,” Aiden said to Pete.
“She’ll be glad to hear it. One more scum-bag off the streets.”
“I’m sure he’ll make bail. The family won’t want to leave him in for long. Too much can happen in lock-up. You can talk too much; you can catch the eye of the jailhouse romantic and get your butt stretched. We wouldn’t want anything unfortunate to happen to him,” Aiden gloated.
“Of course not. I worry day and night about the criminals’ butts,” Pete said slapping Aiden on the back. “I’ll get some back-up and meet you at the car in fifteen.”
“Thanks. The drinks are on me tonight.”
“You’re on! You better stop at the ATM and bring a wad. I’m not drinking mule piss tonight, I want a line of shots,” Pete joked.
“Shots it is,” Aiden said getting off the elevator. He walked to the office that Briah worked in. Opening the door, he saw her at her desk working. She looked up and smiled. His fingers began their independent movement over his pant leg.
He wanted to walk over to her, stand her up, and cover her sweet lips with his. Instead, he just asked, “Do you have a minute? I have some news for you.”
“Ernie’s office is empty. He’s interrogating a suspect down the hall,” she said still smiling.
“You sound like a cop.” He chuckled.
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No, it’s adorable. Rumor has it that Ernie is moving heaven and earth to keep you here. There is a sign-up-sheet in the men’s room to give up vacation and sick time so he can have the budget for an extra person…you in particular.”
“No sir…there is not…you’re joking!”
“I’m joking. We all did it without being asked.”
“Come on, tell me the truth. I don’t want to feel like a charity case in front of all of you,” she said with her hand on her hip. He closed the door behind her and then backed her up to it. Holding her shoulders, he leaned in and kissed her. A little moan vibrated in her throat. “I thought you said no kissing at the office.”
“I’m making an exception for today. We got him, Briah. Pete and I are going now to arrest the guy that killed Dan. We got him, it’s a done deal.”
“You’re positive? There’s no doubt?”
“None whatsoever. He’s big and bad. I can’t say too much until we bring him in. Later on today, we’ll have a line-up. You’ll have to come down and identify him, and his voice. After that, we can talk.”
She thought he might have wanted to say more. Maybe I love you or something wonderful like that. Between them there always seemed to be words left unsaid. He grabbed the doorknob and opened it. They walked out and he turned saying, “I’ll call you when I have the line-up ready.”
“Okay. Good luck, and be careful.”
Pete, two uniformed officers, and Aiden walked into Big David Slater’s office. His secretary bounced up and out of her chair as the four men made their way towards his office door. “You can’t go in there! Mr. Slater is in a very important meeting and cannot be disturbed,” she said with professional efficiency.
“We’re not going to disturb him, Miss. We’re here to arrest him,” Aiden said as one of the officers gently pushed her aside.
“You don’t want to interfere in police business, ma’am, and have to go with your boss to jail, now do you?” the officer asked. She shook her head and stepped aside. “That’s a good secretary,” he joked.
Aiden opened the door and the three remaining men walked through. “What is this?” a man sitting in the chair asked.
“David Slater? You are under arrest for the murder of Daniel Post,” Aiden said. The officer began to rattle off his Miranda rights as he placed the cuffs on David’s hands.
As they were escorting him from the office, he was shouting orders to his secretary. “Call my wife and tell her to call my attorney. Call Harry and Taylor. Tell them what’s going on!”
He was still yelling when they put him in the car. Funny thing…no one was listening.
Chapter Seven
“Will you please shut the fuck up, man? Nobody in this car is taking orders from you, so you can knock it off. You’ll get your one phone call in due time. We have a nice greasy, puke-infested phone that we let all of you innocent types use. You’ll get your chance, real soon,” Pete said enthusiastically. Aiden’s shoulders shook as he tried not to laugh aloud. Pete was one-of-a-kind.
“I don’t know who you two jokers are, but you have made a fatal mistake here,” David said ominously.
“Are you threatening us? That’s a big mistake Mr. Slater. We might have to add that to your long list of charges,” Aiden said. David spit on the floor.
“Destruction of public property. That’s another one. It’s going to take me all afternoon to type this up. I’m not real fast on the computer. No one would ever accuse me of being a typist. Isn’t that right, Pete?”
“That’s right. He is so slow sometimes it’s the next day before everything is filed right. Do you happen to have any K-Y or Vaseline in your pocket, David? I sure hope so because last night they brought in this huge guy. They say he is bigger than LeBron James. Built like a horse, is what I’m hearing, and likes cheek-meat. If you know what I mean. Depending on how long it takes Aiden here to type, you could be in for a painfully long night.”
“Of course, someone will check in on you every few hours. See how you two lovebirds are getting along. I’m told if you don’t fight it, sometimes it goes easier, less tearing and all,” Aiden said looking in the mirror and checking his hair.
“So help me God, if something happens to me, I’ll sue the two of you, the whole department, the city and the entire state. I’ll own you!” David bellowed.
“Save it, pal, you’ll need your money for your defense. You need to save your own ass before you sue mine. I don’t own anything so I have nothing to lose,” Aiden said.
“Everyone has something they don’t want to lose,” David growled.
Briah entered the room with the two-way mirror. The detectives took extra care to dress all five men in clothes similar to the suit Briah described David as wearing. Medium grey with narrow silver pinstripes. They were all between five-eleven and six feet, exactly what she had said judging from her vantage point in the closet. David was five-eleven in his shoes. All of the men had brown hair graying at the temples. Four of them were cops and one was David Slater.
Aiden positioned her at the window and took the phone off its cradle. “Bring up the lights and step forward, please.” The lights rose in intensity making the men blink to adjust their sight. They were all facing forward. Briah shook her head.
“I don’t know,” she said.
“It’s okay.” In the phone he said, “Turn to your left.” They all turned. Briah shook her head sadly. “Face away.” Again, Briah shook her head. “Turn to your right.” She was almost crying now. She felt useless. She couldn’t even identify the man that killed Dan.
“Can you have them face forward but turn just their heads to the right?”
“I can have them stand on their heads if that’s what you want,” Aiden laughed. “Face away and turn just your heads right.” Briah stepped closer to the window.
“Number four. He’s number four.”
“Why do you say that Briah?” Aiden asked.
“Look at his neck. His shirt collar is so tight, when he turns his head the skin comes over the collar. I remember thinking that his neck was too tight. My father hated feeling strangled. This guy must love it,” she said staring
at David.
“Okay, Pete. Give them the paper to read. I’m turning the witness around now.” Aiden said as he turned Briah. “Pete is going to mix them up and change their numbers around. They are going to read a paper and you’re going to listen. When you hear the voice that you heard in the office raise your hand. The officer here and I will witness your selection,” he explained.
Briah nodded that she understood and waited for them to speak.
“Nice try. They need a sample to match it to, asshole. I don’t have one. I’m not on anyone’s radar. The first time you do this is a freebee. You just can’t do it again.” The first voice said.
“Nice try. They need a sample to match it to, asshole. I don’t have one. I’m not on anyone’s radar. The first time you do this is a freebee. You just can’t do it again.” The second voice said.
“That’s him, Aiden. That’s the voice I heard,” Briah, said holding his arm for emphasis.
“Do you want to hear the rest or are you positive?”
“I’m positive. No mistake. That’s the voice of the man I heard in Dan’s office. He killed Dan right in front of me.”
“Well, it doesn’t get more positive than that! Would you agree?” Aiden said to the officer. “Book him, Pete,” Aiden said into the phone.
“Yes, sir. Give me the paper to sign,” he signed the paper and walked out. Aiden turned to a smiling Briah.
“You did very well. You picked the bad guy in the line up and in the voice recognition.”
“Who is he?”
“David Slater, ever hear of him?”
“Not a word. Should I know of him?”
“No. He is the under boss of the largest crime family in Colorado.”
“Crime family like The Godfather crime family?” she asked obviously concerned.
“Don’t panic, but yes, exactly like that,” he said holding her arms.
“I just identified a murderer that belongs to a family that murders people for just about any reason.”
“Yes. Remember they don’t know you saw anything. They don’t know who you are. His wife was the one that turned him in. By now, his family has figured that out, because she is in hiding with us. Her phone has been ringing since we picked him up. We have the phone so they can track it right here. They’ll figure the rest out.”
“What will happen when they find out about me?”
“You are the witness Jane Doe. No name and no identity. You will testify under Jane Doe with a disguise. We’ll protect you. You trust me, right?”
“I trust you. I just don’t know if you’re big and bad enough to protect me from him and what’s behind him,” she said visibly shaken.
“It’s not just me. It’s the whole department now. Remember, you’re one of us. I have some paperwork to finish up. Pete will get him booked in. He’ll be arraigned in the morning and be bailed out by noon.
“The DA will insist on a monitor. Hopefully, he’ll be granted it. If not, maybe I’ll be sleeping on your couch for a few months.”
“I think we could arrange something a little more comfortable,” she said grinning.
“What do you have in mind,” he said almost breathless.
“I could get twin beds,” she said turning around so he wouldn’t see her face. She was trying so hard not to laugh. He started to tickle her ribs. She burst out laughing and tried to pull away.
“Twin beds! Is that right?” he said continuing to torture her.
“Stop, stop! You’re going to make me pee!” she screamed.
“You started it, wise ass! Maybe you can sleep on the couch,” he said, stopping to look at her. They both were breathless from their play. She looked so beautiful with her face flushed with color, he almost said it again.
Briah saw hunger in his eyes. She had kept them from moving their relationship forward, mostly because of this thing hanging over her head. Now that he was under arrest, maybe it was time. She swallowed hard and said, “Maybe…you could sleep in the bed…with me.”
Aiden was trying to rush through the paperwork that had to be done before the arraignment in the morning. He was spelling everything wrong, putting it in the wrong spot and having to retype it, repeatedly.
Briah said he could sleep with her and BAM~he was seventeen~ right back in high school again, getting ready for a date and contemplating touching his first boob. He had to get this under control or he was going to blow the whole damn evening.
He didn’t have any condoms. The guy was supposed to have the condoms. He was sure Briah wouldn’t have any. His were at his apartment. He wouldn’t have time to go back there first. Maybe he should talk her into going there for the night. That was dumb; naturally, she would want to be at her place. That way she can kick me out when I blow it. He was thinking to himself. He kept shaking his head.
I know, I can ask Pete if he has any on him. Oh yeah! That’s a bright idea. Pete will bust my chops for a month with that one.
I know, maybe the bar has them in the men’s room. Practice safe sex in our lavatories. You’re a moron, Aiden. If they have a dispenser, it will be empty.
I know, I’ll just say something clever like ‘I don’t have any raincoats so I need to stop at the pharmacy to pick some up.’ No, I’d better say I need one. I don’t want her to think I’ll never let her get up.
I’m such a jerk. She isn’t the first woman I’ve slept with. Hell, she isn’t even the tenth. She’s simply the last one that I want to sleep with. The only one.
Aiden finally joined the party at the bar. Pete had a line of five shots of Tequila spaced out in front of him and a wide grin on his face. The half-empty saltshaker was on his right and the bowl of lime quarters on his left.
Briah was at the table with the women from her floor. She had a glass of red wine in front of her. She gave him a mischievous smile as he passed her.
When Aiden made these plans with Pete, he thought he would get stinking drunk and party the night away. After the conversation with Briah, he wasn’t going to drink at all. His night with her was far more important than a few drinks and a hangover. “Looks like you started without me,” he said as he sat down next to Pete.
“All work and no play, yadda, yadda. I’m here to play. Order! You’re behind!” Pete yelled waving to the bartender.
“I’m good. I just came to relax for a few minutes.”
“What the hell are you talking about? We’re here to celebrate, bro. The good guys won today. We’re going to drink until we can’t stand up.”
“Not for me tonight. I’ve had a change of plans,” Aiden said sneaking a look at Briah. She winked at him and his heart skipped a beat. She got up from the table and was talking to her tablemates. Then she began to walk to the door.
“Sounds like you have a promise,” Pete said slapping Aiden’s back. Aiden shot him a look but said nothing. “Shit, you have a promise?” Pete continued. Aiden smiled but still said nothing. “Fucking A! What the hell are you doing sitting here? If I had a promise, I would have ditched you in a heartbeat. Get the hell out of here!” Pete said smiling.
“Thanks for understanding,” Aiden said.
“Understanding, shit, I’m jealous.”
Aiden tore out of there. He got to his car figuring she had a few minutes’ head start on him. He sure didn’t want to keep her waiting but he was going to stop and pick up the condoms. He had never been with a skank in his life. But even the clean “good” girls he had been with could have a problem they weren’t aware of. He wasn’t taking that chance with Briah. If he had been given more of a warning, he would have been tested to be sure. He’d do that on Monday.
He pulled into the pharmacy just down the street from the bar. Smiling, he found the display of condoms, remembering his father telling him the story of having to ask the pharmacist for them when he was young. Now they practically shove them in your pockets for you.
With his purchase securely in his pocket, he drove the rest of the way to Briah’s place. He parked and took the stair
s two at a time. He steadied himself at her door before knocking. She opened the door saying, “There you are. What took you so long?” He took her hand and pulled her to him.
“I had to give an excuse and then stop to get something,” he said before kissing her. She pressed against him. She reached back to grab the doorknob so they could go in. His hand stopped her.
“I need something first,” he said beginning a slow line of kisses down her face. “I need you to invite me in.” He kissed her neck and moved to her ear.
“Silly, you’ve been to my apartment fifty times. You know you’re welcome here,” she said clinging to him.
Whispering in her ear as he continued kissing her he said, “I need the words, Briah. Invite me in. I need to know this is what you want. That I’m not in this alone.” Sensing this was important to him, but not knowing why; she took his face in her hands and said, “Aiden, would you please join me in my apartment.”
“Thank you. It will be my pleasure, and hopefully yours, to do so.”
Chapter Eight
Aiden felt her beginning to stir. She had fallen asleep against his chest with his arm around her. His eyes were still closed as he felt a timid small hand caressing his chest. He flexed his pectoral and she giggled.
Her hand continued its descent over his stomach, feeling the dips and shallows of his cut abs. He took in a sharp breath as her hand encountered his fifth and most prized appendage. “Careful…if you wake the beast it will require taming,” he whispered with one eye looking in her direction.
“I thought you said I was a good tamer,” she whispered back.
“No. I said fantastic, superb, fucking awesome and unforgettable,” he said rolling to his side to kiss her.
After the taming, they sat on Briah’s couch sipping coffee. Aiden’s fingers traveled up and down her arm feeling her skin. “Can I ask you something?” she pondered.
“Sure, anything.”
“I’m embarrassed to ask.”
