by Ronica Black
The face grinned and raised a serrated knife. Maria yelled again, but the figure charged her, and Maria pulled the trigger, but the pop and the bullets did nothing to stop the figure from advancing. She tried to scream and emptied her chamber while stumbling backward. The figure continued, and Maria felt the whoosh of air as the figure swung with the knife and missed.
Maria turned fully and tried to run, but her leg was numb and she felt as if she were running in lava. She just couldn’t run fast enough. She cried out as she felt a slice to her back. Another slash and she felt the tearing of her shirt. Onward she moved, as slow as a snail. She closed her eyes and willed with all her might to move. But she couldn’t, and at last she cringed and jerked as she felt the figure tackle her and push the air from her lungs.
Maria sat up in bed with her hand to her chest. Her heart was careening, and she was struggling for breath. She glanced at the clock. Six thirty in the morning. She threw back her covers and placed her feet on the floor. Thankfully, she could see clearly, but her left leg was tingling and numb just as it had been in her dream. Regardless, she stood and walked unaided into the living room. Horace followed, prancing in front of her with his tail held high. He jumped onto the couch as if he knew where she was headed. Finley was sitting under her corner lamp, engrossed in paperwork.
“When did you get here?” He’d been keeping a near constant eye on her since she’d left the hospital. If she didn’t make him leave at night, she was sure he’d insist on sleeping on the couch as well.
“About ten minutes ago.” His hair was slicked back and clean; she could smell his spicy, freshly showered scent. He’d shaved and left a bit of tissue on a small cut on his right cheek. She sat on the opposite end of her sectional and yawned.
“What’ve you got?”
“We got the phone records on Ashland.”
Maria’s spine straightened on its own accord. “Oh?” She could’ve sworn she saw Avery Ashland driving away from her home two days before. Had it been her imagination? Someone had definitely slid an envelope under the door. Could it have been her? If so, why?
“Yes.” He handed them over and removed his readers to rub his eyes. “There are a few we still need to look into, but it looks like a whole lotta nothing to me.”
Maria took the pages and switched on the lamp next to her. She scanned the list of numbers, some of them highlighted with names by them, some of them not. She didn’t recognize any of them. One thing was fishy.
“Lana’s number isn’t on here?” She knew he’d have checked that first.
He shook his head.
Maria tossed the papers aside. “She’s got another phone. Probably a burner.”
“Yep.”
She pushed out a sigh. “And Lana’s phone?”
He dug in his leather satchel and handed her a similar stack. She unclipped the holder and scanned through them. Lana’s phone list wasn’t as lengthy as Ashland’s and it harbored little information.
“She didn’t call Ashland, ever?”
“Seems not.”
“Bullshit. They’ve got other phones.”
“We need a search warrant,” Finley said. “We put in for it.”
“The DNA on the fiber we found should be enough to get us in her place.”
“Yes.”
“What’s the holdup?”
Finley rubbed his jaw. “Not sure. We should get the go-ahead today.”
“I’m coming with.”
He made a noise like a grunt. “I’m not going to argue with you.”
“Good.”
“But the sarge might say different.”
Maria inwardly cringed. She had a meeting scheduled with him as soon as she felt well enough. She knew he’d want answers about her health. Answers she couldn’t yet give.
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Finley merely shook his head. They’d argued a lot the past few days, and she’d always won with the last word. She was determined to work the case and he was determined to baby her.
“I thought you might say that.” He flipped through another file. “Why don’t you go shower and get ready?”
She stared at him with surprise. “I think I just might do that. In case that warrant comes in.”
She walked to the bathroom. She stripped out of her pajamas and grabbed the stabilizing bars Finley had installed for her. He’d also brought her a shower chair, but she had refused to use it. She could still stand.
She stepped in and soaped herself slowly, rinsed, and killed the water. Dressing took her a little longer than usual, and by the time she returned to the living room, her hip on her left side hurt from favoring her leg. She stopped in her tracks when she heard Finley speak to someone other than her.
“See, she’s hanging in there, doing quite well.”
Her sarge stood and towered over her. He held out his hand.
“Maria.”
She placed her hand in his large one and felt hers get swallowed whole as he squeezed.
“Sarge.” She eyed Finley, but he raised his shoulders in innocence.
“Finley said it would be easier if I stopped by early this morning.”
“He did, did he.”
The sarge sat and encouraged Maria to do the same.
“We need to discuss your condition. I understand you may need some more time off?”
“I—I’m on the mend, sir. The medication is helping a great deal.”
“Do you mind if I ask what’s wrong?”
She felt her eyes close. This was the moment she’d been dreading. Everything rode on this very moment.
“They think I have MS.”
His eyebrows rose. “I’m very sorry to hear that.”
“But—my symptoms are clearing and I’m ready and willing to work.”
“I noticed you’re limping a bit.”
“That’s no big deal. Just some residual hip pain.”
“Can you run?”
She looked to Finley.
“I haven’t tried.”
The sarge cleared his throat. “I understand you’ve had a vision problem as well?”
She swallowed the rising lump in her throat. “Yes, sir. But it’s cleared up.”
“There’s no way to know if and when it might return though, correct?”
“Correct.”
“I’m not quite sure what to do here, Maria. We obviously need to get a professional opinion.”
She thought fast, sensing his hesitation. “For now, I’ll take it easy, let Finley handle the physical stuff. I really would like to go if we get a warrant on Ashland’s place though.”
He rubbed his heavy looking jaw and looked to Finley. “You’re with her the most, what do you think?”
“She’s not going to stop until she gets her way. Trust me on that.”
He nodded. “I thought as much. After the whole newspaper disaster and all. We didn’t get a chance to discuss that. Things have been so crazy. Why did you go in alone?”
“Ashland doesn’t care for Finley.”
He glanced at him. “But you didn’t even tell anyone you were going in.”
“No, sir.”
“You know how I feel about that.”
“Yes, sir.”
He sighed. “Maria, you’re one of my best detectives. You’re damn good, have excellent instincts. I’d hate to have to reprimand you on something stupid. Or worse, lose you completely because you played fast and loose with a murder suspect.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We’re a team. Treat us as such. Finley and I only have your best interest at heart.”
“I understand, sir.”
He stood. “Okay, you can go if we get a warrant, and you can do desk work. That’s it until we get a doctor’s professional opinion. Got it?”
“Got it.”
She smiled at the small victory, but she knew she had to try harder to prove to him she could handle the fieldwork. Her dream, however, resonated, and she panicked a li
ttle at the thought of not being able to run.
She walked her sarge to the door, thanked him for coming, and closed the door. She turned to find Finley stroking Horace.
“That was sneaky as shit, Fins.” She stalked as best she could to the kitchen and turned on the coffee maker. She stood shaking out her tingling leg, trying to force feeling. Finley approached and leaned against the doorframe. He crossed his arms.
“It might have been, I’ll give you that. But it might’ve just saved your life.”
Chapter Twenty-four
The large bell clock in the lobby struck eight, and Avery maneuvered through the crowd feeling like a queen among her subjects. She felt especially elegant in her ivory silk dress and matching heels, expensive pearls tied in a loose knot cascading down the center of her chest. She’d lain in her tanning bed for thirty minutes earlier, and after her shower she’d applied a rich moisturizer, causing her skin to glow. She felt magnificent, and she only wished Maria were there to see it.
But as things were she didn’t invite her, mainly because she knew she was ill, but also because she was trying to follow Bryce’s advice. The whole idea was ridiculous and pointless, and she didn’t like the jealousy she felt when it came to Maria. The only other lover she’d ever felt anything close to that with had been Bryce. And that had ended in catastrophe with Bryce cheating on her. Completely wrecked, Avery had left her and they’d been playing cat and mouse ever since. Until now where it seemed Bryce had turned her down for good. And she couldn’t lie, that had pinpricked her ego just enough to cause a blood flow. And while she’d avoided thinking about it as best she could, the blood flow continued, leading into the evening where she knew she had to find a way to stop the leak.
She walked her best seductive walk up to a small group of familiar women, with her eye on a petite brunette, one she hadn’t seen since Hale’s death.
“Melanie, hello.” She leaned in and said it from behind while lightly stroking her outer arm with her fingertips.
Melanie Prague, Hale’s long-time assistant, turned with a sly smile. “Avery, so good to see you.”
“Where on earth have you been?” Avery asked. “I thought I’d see much more of you after, you know, Hale.”
She turned, and Avery led them away from the others.
“I’ve been busy,” she said. “Closing up his affairs and, you know, relaxing.” She brushed her raven hair away from her fiery green eyes.
“Sounds nice. Maybe we could pick up where we left off?”
“Perhaps.”
“Perhaps?” Melanie had been eager, even begging before.
“Things have changed, Avery. I’ve changed. Hale’s death…oh, never mind. I don’t expect anyone to understand.”
“Are you seeing someone?”
“Mm. Off and on.”
Avery took two glasses of champagne and handed one to Melanie. She walked her to the elevator. “My place? To catch up?”
“Sure.”
“You look fantastic,” Avery said, sizing up her red mini dress and black heels. Her hair was short, shaved in back, and longer on top, resting at a sharp angle on her left side. Her lips, though thin, looked edible in matching red lipstick.
“Thank you, so do you.”
They exited the elevator and walked the hall to Avery’s main door. She pressed her finger to the keypad on the door and it clicked open. Melanie walked in ahead of her, and they settled near the grand piano in the front room.
“So tell me. Have the cops been all over you since Hale’s death?”
Melanie seemed surprised. “Mm, I don’t think anything more than they usually would. They came by sometime after with questions, but I simply handed them Hale’s planner and itinerary. Things have been a mess, with me scrambling to answer phone calls and trying to get a funeral arranged.”
Avery glanced away. “I wish I could say the same. They haven’t left me alone yet.”
Melanie sipped her drink and raised her eyebrows. She lit a long brown cigarette. “You? Why?”
“I guess because everyone knows I hate Hale.”
She laughed. “Yes, everyone does know that, don’t they?”
“God, I wish I’d never met the bastard.”
“Mm, hear hear. I’ll drink to that.”
They clinked glasses and smiled.
Melanie set down her glass. “Do you mind if I use your restroom?”
“Of course not. You know where it is.”
She rose and left the room, and Avery sat back to relax, trying to find a way to convince her to stay the night. They’d had a tumultuous affair before Hale’s death, and while it had exhausted Avery, it had also kept her ravenous libido fed. Avery had been Melanie’s first experience with a woman, and she’d wanted more from her. A relationship, something meaningful. She’d even left her husband. But Avery had refused, and they had gone back and forth between fucking and fighting. And then, one day, Melanie had just stopped calling. She’d sent her a letter saying she understood and that she had no hard feelings, that they just weren’t right for each other. Avery had been grateful and she’d left it alone. But now, with her confusing feelings for Maria, she thought it might be good to have someone in her bed again. Maybe this time Melanie could agree to a casual affair. But as she set her glass down, she knew deep inside she’d still think of Maria. How could she ever stop?
She rose to fetch more champagne when her alarm chimed letting her know someone had stepped off the elevator. She crossed to the security monitors and saw both Detectives Finley and Maria step into the hallway. One of her employees had escorted them up. She swallowed the anger trying to rise and instead wondered about the well-being of Maria. She hurried to the door and pulled it open before they could ring the bell.
“Detectives. You came despite having no invitation. How delightful.” She forced a smile and focused on Maria who was staring at her coldly. “Detective.” Avery nodded toward her. “How are you feeling?”
Maria ignored her and showed her badge as if Avery didn’t know they were cops. “We’d like to have a word if possible.”
Avery cocked her head. So it was more harassment. She wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction.
“Actually, I’m entertaining a guest at the moment.”
“Who? Lana Gold?” Maria asked with bitterness dripping off the words.
“Noooo.”
Maria tsked. “Oh, that’s right. You’ve turned on each other. How interesting.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? Lana says she left you alone with Hale the night of his death, which places you as the last one to be with him before he died.”
Avery reared back. “She’s lying.” She felt her face redden and she squeezed the doorknob still in her hand.
“Can we take this inside?” Finley asked. “We’d like to discuss it with you.”
Avery wanted to tell them to fuck off, to slam the door in their face, but she couldn’t. She had to defend herself. She couldn’t let Maria think she killed Hale. Even if there was to be nothing between them, it sickened her to think that Maria might always wonder.
Avery pulled open the door and allowed them to enter. She motioned toward the couch where both detectives sat. She watched Finley smooth down his tie over and over, and she wondered why he seemed nervous. Then she saw him glance at his watch.
“Am I keeping you, Detective?”
She sat across from them without offering them a drink.
He sat straighter and again smoothed his tie. “Not at all.”
“What’s the deal then? Why are you so nervous?”
He smiled. “Just a little excited. In seeing you again, you know?” He winked and she wanted to vomit. She looked away from his shit eating grin and focused on Maria who appeared calm and collected. Yet the chill coming off her could almost be seen.
Avery decided to save them the trouble of asking. “I wasn’t with Hale the night he died. I was here.”
“Not with Lana?”
“No.”
“Not at all?”
“No.”
“Yet you once agreed that you were with her.”
“I was not. I was here. All night.”
“And your surveillance could prove it. Right. Only the tape you so graciously gave us shows static. How could that be?”
“I don’t know.” Avery was about to light into them when Finley looked beyond her and stood. Avery turned and saw Melanie walking back in from the restroom. She was moving slowly and she paused at the grand piano.
“I should see myself out.”
Avery rose and crossed to her. “No. Please stay. I’ll get rid of them.” She leaned in and lightly kissed her neck. Melanie pulled away.
“Detectives, nice to see you again,” Melanie said. She grabbed her clasp purse.
“And you,” Finley said. “I didn’t know you two were…friends,” he said.
Melanie stiffened. “We know each other through Hale of course,” she said.
“Yes, yes. You being his assistant and all. Still…interesting that you two are tight.” He looked to Maria who was boring her gaze into Avery. Avery crossed her arms, suddenly cold.
“Especially since you told us before that you didn’t know Ms. Ashland,” Maria said.
Avery tried to control the chill that went through her. Why would Melanie say such a thing? Was she really that over her? She forced a smile and shoved away rising thoughts of Bryce and her cold treatment of her as well.
“Our relationship should mean nothing to you, Detective,” Avery said.
Melanie turned slightly. “You can trust her on that one. It meant nothing to her too.” She smiled at the detectives. “I’ll show myself out.” She left before Avery could think of something to say. Instead she watched helplessly as the door closed behind her.
“Wow, rough night,” Finley said.
“Fuck you.” Avery returned to her seat.
