by J. E. Taylor
“You see why your girlfriend is the perfect model for this, yes?”
Randy nodded. “I get it and while I know this is Olivia’s gig, I have a feeling Carolyn’s going to be the one to steal the show.”
“Yes, well, I’ll have to do something creative with her forehead if that purple bruise doesn’t fade by Saturday.”
“The show’s this weekend?”
“Yes.”
“Are you okay with this?” Carolyn asked.
Her voice echoed in the vast room and he glanced over his shoulder at her standing in the entryway and offered her a smile before turning his attention to Damon once again. “How do you get these models in position at the gallery?”
Damon walked to a curtain and pulled it aside, revealing glass display cases holding various scenes.
The apple tree with a swing was easy to spot among the mobile sets and Randy crossed to it, studying the setup, the details of the set design right down to the tree roots and painted apples littering the ground under the swing. He reached out and ran his fingers down the chains and cool metal met his touch. While it looked like a real apple tree, he was surprised to find the rough edging of bark under his hands and he looked up at the chains anchored in the branch covering the ceiling of the case. “Is that real or are these anchored into the casing?”
“Both. The setup is engineered to take up to two hundred and fifty pounds. I don’t think that will be an issue in Carolyn’s case.”
Randy laughed. “Yeah, she doesn’t even weigh one-twenty soaking wet.” He turned and smiled at her, feeling more at ease with the situation than he had when he stepped into the house.
“You are a lucky man,” Damon said and offered his hand.
“I know.” Randy shook Damon’s hand and they headed back into the small studio.
“I’ll have the painting delivered to your home after the show,” Damon directed toward Carolyn. “I’ll just need the address.”
Carolyn took out a pad and scribbled their address, handing it to Damon. “What time do you need me here on Saturday?”
“Nine, at the latest. We have a great deal of work to do to get everyone ready and then transported to the gallery.”
“Do you need a hand?” Randy asked.
“I don’t allow anyone but the artists here that day, but…” Damon raised a finger and then disappeared for a moment. When he returned, he had a VIP ticket for the event in his hand. “This will allow you into the gallery early.”
“Thank you,” Randy said and slid the ticket into his coat pocket before he and Carolyn headed for the nearest subway station.
* * * *
“You’re really okay with all this now?” Carolyn asked. His behavior at Damon’s impressed her and she couldn’t tell if it was just for her benefit or if he really warmed up to the artist.
“I’m okay with the live art concept.”
“But?”
“But you being alone and naked with him yesterday still doesn’t sit well.”
“Are you really that insecure?”
Randy raised his eyebrows and hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “Come on, he looks like he stepped out of the pages of Greek Mythology. If I wasn’t straighter than an arrow, I might be inclined to sleep with the man.”
Carolyn couldn’t help it; she burst out laughing at the thought. “I guess he is eye candy, but honey, have you looked in the mirror lately?”
Pink hues dotted his cheeks and he glanced in her direction, offering a crooked smile that shot straight to her heart. “Are you going back to City Hall?”
“Yes, I’ve got some forms to fill out with Jim and he’s got some case files he wants me to look at.”
Randy walked her into City Hall, kissing her in the atrium before he walked out the door. Carolyn sighed and headed back to Jim’s office. This time she knocked and waited for his invitation.
“Come in.”
She opened the door and stepped inside. “Do I still have an office?”
Jim looked up from his desk and shook his head. “No, and I’m not sure this is such a good idea.”
“We’ve worked together for years Jim. I can do this if you can.”
He leaned back in his seat and studied her. “It was easier to ignore how I felt when Linda and I still had some semblance of a marriage,” he said.
“Well, you need to get over it because it just isn’t going to happen. Don’t get me wrong, I care about you. You’ve been my best friend and confidant for a long time but I can’t see it going beyond that.”
He inhaled, his chest puffing with the intake and then exhaled, nodding. “You’ve always been honest with me and I appreciate that.” He stood, handing her a stack of paper. “Reinstatement forms for you to sign. It will take a couple of days to get you back online, and I need to do some shuffling around to get you office space.”
“Who’s got my office now?”
“Bev Sinclaire.”
“Who?”
“One of the attorney’s I brought in a month or so ago.”
“How come I don’t know her?”
“I’m not sure. She did a great deal of legwork for Trent, so maybe he was hoarding her.”
“Could be. So what’s her specialty?”
“White collar crime, but she was willing to step into the juvenile arena if necessary.”
“Ah, I take it from your tone you didn’t think she was ready for that.”
Jim smiled. “She doesn’t have your flare or your compassion.”
“So, where do you want me to sit until you can finagle an office for me?”
“I’ll have everything all set for you on Monday. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of today and tomorrow.”
Carolyn didn’t want to sit idle for the next couple of days. “You said you had a couple of files for me to look at?”
“You sure you don’t want to relax before I throw you into some tough cases?”
“Thanks for the thought, but I’ve had a couple of days to rest already. I’m good to go.”
“I’ll tell you what, I’ll send Jason over with the files after lunch. How’s that sound?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“In the meantime, let me introduce you to Bev,” he said and crossed to the door, waiting for her to follow.
Carolyn’s old office was still barren except for a couple of pads on the desk and the unmanned computer monitor propped to the side. No personality had been incorporated by the new occupant and a chill played on Carolyn’s spine as she glanced at the bare bookshelves. She traded a glance with Jim as they stood in the empty office.
“I thought I saw her this morning,” Jim said glancing at the sitting area behind the door.
“She sure hasn’t done a lot with the place,” Carolyn said and turned to leave the office. She stepped back at the sight of the Amazon in the doorway. At close to six feet tall, Bev Sinclaire towered over Carolyn. Her black hair was pulled into a tight bun, giving her a severe and unfeminine look. Her dark eyes squinted at Carolyn and her lips pressed into a thin slit before her gaze traveled to Jim. “What can I do for you, sir?” Even her voice was deep and disturbingly masculine.
“Bev, I’d like you to meet Carolyn Hastings. She’s returning to work on Monday.”
Carolyn tried to smile, but the absence of any thoughts or static coming from Bev unnerved her as much as the lack of personality did.
“Does this mean I should move my things out of this office?” she asked, dismissing Carolyn all together.
“I haven’t looked at the office arrangements yet, but it may mean some shifting around. I’ll have that ironed out by tomorrow.”
Bev turned her attention to Carolyn and offered a tight smile. “It’s nice to meet you.” She extended her hand and it engulfed Carolyn’s in a hard squeeze meant to inflict pain.
Carolyn had to clamp her teeth together to keep from wincing. “Nice to meet you, too,” she said after their hands disengaged. She forced herself not to rub her hand until she was
safely in Jim’s office and the door closed behind her.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met someone with such a lack of personality before.”
Jim raised an eyebrow. “She does impeccable research.”
“I’m sure she does,” Carolyn conceded and let it go. “Jason knows where I live, so…”
“I’ll send him over with the files,” Jim said and scooted behind his desk putting distance between them.
“Thank you,” Carolyn said and waited until he met her gaze before turning and heading home.
* * * *
Carolyn sat at the kitchen table with her soup and sandwich spread out before her. Before she was able to take a bite, a knock on the door interrupted her. She folded her napkin and crossed the living room, taking a peek out the peep hole.
Jason stood staring up at the ceiling waiting for her to answer.
Carolyn smiled and opened the door, waiving him inside. “That was fast.”
Jason nodded. “I hear you’re coming back,” he said, handing Carolyn a couple of legal folders.
“That’s the consensus, although I’m not sure where Jim will put me.”
“It hasn’t been the same without you.”
“I’ve only been gone a couple of days.”
“Yes, but you really added something to the office…” he trailed off. “I know I’m not supposed to say anything, but that woman who took your office is no more than a computer with human skin. She has no personality and she honestly creeps the hell out of me.”
“I understand she’s good at research,” Carolyn said. She wasn’t one for office gossip and while she shared Jason’s opinion of Bev Sinclaire, she wasn’t about to voice it.
Jason laughed and nodded. “I’ll give her that.”
Carolyn held up the files. “Have you taken a look at these?”
“Yes, and one is really sensitive. I’m not sure why Mr. Britt gave it to you considering your connections with Cameron Unger.”
Carolyn blanched and flipped open the case file. “Shit,” she said and took a seat, waving to the couch next to her for Jason to sit. “This isn’t good.”
“I didn’t think so either.”
“It says here that his sister didn’t know what was happening. That each count of abuse occurred while she was at work.”
“Yeah, but isn’t that what they all say?”
Carolyn met his gaze and nodded. “If she knew her husband was abusing her daughter and didn’t speak up, it could screw up Cameron’s bid for office.” She shook her head and dropped the file on the coffee table. “Jesus, that makes this one so much messier.”
Jason offered a slight smile. “I’m sure you can handle it. My notes are in the files and if you need me, give me a yell.”
Carolyn nodded. “Thanks for delivering the case file.”
Jason gave her a nod and paused by the door. “They found another victim.” He shot a glance over his shoulder.
“I know, I’m working with the FBI, so I’ve got the inside scoop,” she said and Jason hesitated, his mouth popping open but no words came out.
He seemed to reconsider and gave her a wave before he shut the door behind him.
Carolyn sat staring at the file in front of her, wondering how Olivia was going to take her going after Cameron’s family. With a sigh, she started culling through the different pieces of information, categorizing what they had put together. After a while, she sat back into the couch, her palms pressing into her tired eyes.
* * * *
Randy walked into the apartment at a little after 4:30, stopping in the doorway to stifle a laugh. Papers were all over the glass table, the couches, and the floor and Carolyn was sitting in the middle of them, scribbling notes madly on the yellow steno pad in her hands. She didn’t even look up when he cleared his throat; she only raised her index finger and continued writing.
He closed the door and disappeared to change out of his suit and returned, moving some papers aside to take a seat on the couch until she was done with her case notes. He had seen that look before when he picked her up at the office, and there was little he could do to dissuade her when she was in the zone. Sometimes it frustrated him, but tonight, as he watched her intensity, it moved him.
Carolyn raised her eyes, meeting Randy’s gaze. “Really, this turns you on?” She waived at the calamity of paper surrounding her.
Randy slowly smiled. The color that surfaced in Carolyn’s cheeks put him in motion, and by the time he reached her, she had tossed the pad aside. He kissed her, pushing her back on the plush carpet and sliding his hand up her tight sweater. Her skin, warm and soft set him on fire and he stripped the cashmere off her, freeing her flesh for exploration.
Chapter 43
Steve stood outside the apartment door with his knuckles poised to knock on the wood and he hesitated, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks at the dirty thoughts transmitting through the door. He thought twice about interrupting them and then looked at the zip drive in his hand. Finding this killer was more important than Carolyn’s sex life so he rapped on the door.
He stifled a chuckle at the sudden rustling behind the door, remembering those impulsive days with Jennifer before everything turned upside down. For a moment, he wished he could go back and change the course of their lives, starting with their first trip to Maine. If he could do it all over again, he would have kept Jennifer away from Brooksfield until after the end of hazing week.
That still wouldn’t have changed your fate. The voice accompanied by the shuffle of wings interrupted his thought process.
“Shut up,” he whispered to his less than silent guardian angel.
He received a chuckle in response just as the door opened in front of him. Carolyn’s wide eyes greeted him and then scanned the hallway before landing back on him. “Who are you talking to?”
“No one,” he said and raised the flash drive. “I hope you have a computer here.” He stepped into the apartment and glanced at the papers spread out over the living room table and couch. “Looks like the paper fairy vomited all over your living room.”
Randy snorted a chuckle and threaded the last button of his shirt, trying to straighten it without being obvious. “And we do have a computer in the office.” He hooked his thumb over his shoulder toward the hallway.
Steve raised the large plastic bag dangling from his hand. “Food first?”
Carolyn licked her lips and nodded.
Pocketing the zip drive, Steve headed toward the kitchen with the take out bag. “I wasn’t sure what everyone liked, so I got a little of everything.” He took out box after box, lining them up on the counter.
“Jesus, that must have cost a fortune,” Randy said at the more than two dozen boxes.
Steve shrugged. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“The FBI pays that well?”
“No. But I don’t need the paycheck these days.” He offered a smile and rubbed his hands together. “Dig in,” he said to the two of them, waving toward the containers.
Randy grabbed three plates, serving spoons and silverware and then let Carolyn serve herself first. After they all piled food on their plates, they took a seat at the kitchen table.
“So, any breaks in the case?” Randy asked before shoveling a forkful in his mouth.
Steve debated, and picked up a fork instead of the chopsticks. Jesus, do you not remember how to use those things?
Carolyn cocked her head, staring at him with her food halfway to her mouth. She put her fork down. “Are you hearing that?”
Steve sighed and nodded, digging into his food without further comment.
“Hearing what?”
“I think someone’s talking to Agent Williams. Are you wearing a wire?”
Steve closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened them, meeting her gaze. “No, I’m not wearing a wire.”
“Then who am I hearing?”
“I have a very opinionated, somewhat of a pain in the ass guardian angel.”
Both Randy and
Carolyn stared at him. Their thoughts swarmed with doubt followed by suspicion. Finally Carolyn spoke. “Can I see your badge again?”
The laugh from beyond irritated him but he forced a smile and pulled out his badge. “If you want to call the local FBI office, they can confirm I’m an agent. You can even ask to speak to assistant director Ronald Cleary. I report directly to him.”
Carolyn studied the badge and then Steve before nodding and leaving the room.
“I guess she isn’t that trusting,” Steve said to Randy.
Randy sat rigid, his gaze hard and unreadable, but his thoughts betrayed him. The idea that Steve may be the killer swirled in his head and his hand clasped the knife in a death grip.
“I’m not the Scarlet Psychopath, Randy,” he said, exploiting the fact that he could easily read the man’s mind. “Enjoy your food, Carolyn’s checking my credentials, and if she gets hold of my boss, he’ll ease her mind.”
“You can hear your guardian angel?”
“I call him my guardian angel for lack of a better description. Does the name Chris Ryan ring a bell?”
Randy nearly choked on his dinner and after a couple of hearty coughs, he nodded. His firm handled the Ryan estate. He remembered seeing the transfer requests come in after their deaths and the name of the new trustee. “Steve Williams. Holy shit. You’re that Steve Williams?”
“The one and only.” He grinned and took a forkful of Szechwan chicken.
“You’re worth billions.”
“No, Chris’s kids are worth billions. I’m only worth a few million.”
Randy sat back in the seat. “I’ve done some work on your accounts with one of the partners at the firm.”
“I know. I looked into it after your name came up in this case.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I’ve been a little busy tracking down a killer. Besides, until I ruled you out as a suspect, I didn’t think a personal conversation regarding my finances was in order.”
Carolyn stepped back into the kitchen and quietly handed the badge back to Steve and took a seat.
Randy’s mind began to wrap around the conversation and his eyes narrowed. “So you’re hearing Chris Ryan?”
