The Killing Room

by Gerri Hill

  Jake turned in her seat and grabbed Nicole’s arm and shook her lightly. “Calm down. I’m sorry, but…”

  “I know. You probably get a lot of crazies in your line of work. But I’m not one of them.”

  “Okay. Sit tight. I’m going to check it out.”

  “What? The house? No, you’re not.”

  “You’ll be fine. Lock the door after I leave.” Jake handed her keys to Nicole. “Push the panic button if anything happens.”

  “No, I mean, I don’t think you should go in there. Shouldn’t you call your partner or… or backup?”

  “And tell them what?”

  Nicole nodded. “I see.” Her eyes locked on Jake’s. “We could just leave,” she suggested.

  Jake smiled. “You’re worried about me?”

  “Yes. Don’t take it personally.”

  “I’ll be fine. Whoever was here is gone. But I need to make sure. Then you’ll have to come in and look around, see if anything is disturbed. Can you do that?”

  Nicole nodded. “Just be careful.”

  Jake raised an eyebrow.

  “What?”

  “Key to the front door?”

  “Oh. Right.” Nicole opened the tiny, black handbag she carried and pulled out her keys. Then she looked at Jake, brows drawn together. “The alarm. Why didn’t the alarm go off?”

  Jake sighed. “He must know the code. What is it?”

  “Pound key, then one, zero, five, two, eight.”

  She took the keys from Nicole’s hand and opened the door, then ruffled Cheyenne’s fur. “Look after her.”

  Nicole watched as Jake lifted her sweatshirt and pulled out a gun, holding it in front of her as she walked. Nicole swallowed with nervousness, her eyes glued to the woman. She was… magnificent. Long legs covered by loose-fitting jeans, dark sweatshirt that hugged her upper body, she moved with the grace of a panther stalking its prey.

  Jake’s eyes never stopped moving, and Nicole waited anxiously as she disappeared inside.

  “Why doesn’t she put a light on, Cheyenne?”

  Finally, long minutes later, lights came on, and Nicole relaxed. Then Jake came jogging back, gun again tucked away. Nicole unlocked the door and waited.

  “All clear. I need you to come inside now.”

  “Okay. Cheyenne, too?”

  Jake shook her head. “No. She’ll be fine.”

  “Did you find anything?” Nicole asked as she followed Jake to her house.

  “There’s… there’s something in your bedroom.”

  Once inside the house, Nicole stayed close to Jake. She’d lived in the house over six years and only one time previously had she been afraid. But she was nearly terrified now. She was grateful when Jake took her hand.

  Looking around the living room, nothing seemed disturbed, but Jake didn’t stop long enough for Nicole to be sure. Jake led her down the hallway to her bedroom at the back of the house. There on the bed lay dozens and dozens of wilted roses, some of their shriveled red petals tossed about haphazardly on the pale carpet.

  “There’s a note,” Jake said.

  “What… what did it say?”

  “Be careful. I’m watching you,” Jake quoted.

  Nicole met Jake’s eyes, frowning.

  “He’s just fucking with you,” Jake said. “I’ve called Rick and the crime lab. We might get lucky on some prints, although I doubt it. If he’s savvy enough to know your alarm code, then most likely, he left without a trace.”

  “And the lights?”

  “I think he knows you. Knows you wouldn’t come inside if something was out of order. Again, he’s playing you.”

  “So what do I do now?”

  “You’re coming home with me tonight. Tomorrow we’ll decide about surveillance.”

  “Well, don’t think I’m going to argue with you. There’s no way I’m staying here tonight.”

  “Why don’t you pack a bag? Get enough clothes for a couple of days.”

  Nicole nodded and moved past Jake, pausing to squeeze her arm. “Is this normal?”

  “Normal?”

  “You taking a scared lady home with you?”

  Jake grinned. “No. Normally Rick does that.”

  “Thank you, Jake. I know this isn’t exactly procedure. If you’d rather, I could call someone.”

  “No. I’d feel better if you were with me. That way, I won’t spend the whole night worrying about you.”

  Nicole went into her closet to get an overnight bag, ignoring as best she could the decaying roses. They seemed to be everywhere. She heard voices and recognized Rick’s. Jake walked back in with three guys. They immediately went to work, and Jake motioned for Nicole to follow her.

  “Let’s get out of their hair, huh?” Jake took the bag from Nicole and led her into the living room where Rick waited.

  “Dr. Westbrook, glad you’re okay.”

  “Thank you, Detective.”

  “Jake’s left me in charge of locking up the place after we’re done. I also have your alarm code. I’ll be sure to set it when we leave.”

  Nicole looked at Jake. “My car?”

  “Someone will bring it by my place tonight. Is that okay?”

  “Yes. I’m suddenly very tired.”

  “I know. Come on.” Jake looked at Rick and nodded. “Thanks, buddy.”

  “Wasn’t like I had anything else to do tonight.”

  “Don’t forget. We’re checking with Nichols’s PO in the morning.”

  “Right. You want to just meet at his office?”

  Jake nodded. “See you then.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  The ride to Jake’s duplex was made in silence. Nicole sat staring straight ahead, and Jake looked at her often, wondering if she should say something, anything. But, before she could decide, she exited off the interstate and headed to her small duplex. It occurred to her then that one of them would have to sleep on the sofa. Jake would offer her bed. Nicole was probably in more need of rest.

  “Who do you think it is, Jake?”

  “We’re thinking it’s a husband of one of your patients. Frankie Nichols was released just six months ago. We’re meeting with his PO—his probation officer—first thing in the morning.”

  “But I don’t know him. And I wasn’t involved in his trial,” Nicole said quietly.

  “I’m sorry, but it’s all we’ve got.”

  “And if it’s not him?”

  Jake glanced at her quickly. “We wait.”

  “Until he does it again?”

  Jake nodded. “He dumps his victims. Usually a day or two after he kills them. My theory is he washes them before he dumps them. None of them have had any trace evidence. They are totally clean.”

  Nicole slowly moved her hand across the console and touched Jake’s arm. “I’m really glad I know you. If not, I have this fear I’d be at my house alone tonight.”

  “I hate to say it, but yeah, you’d be pretty much on your own. Because, Nicole, really, we got shit on this case.”

  “And it’s just your gut feeling that I’m in danger?”

  “Yeah. Up until tonight, of course.”

  Nicole took a deep breath. “I was parked in the street, watching my house, wondering if I should wait for you there or drive off, when I saw this… this shadow cross the window from the inside of my house. It was just like before,” she said quietly.

  “Before?”

  “The stalker I told you about. The night he was at my house, it was just the opposite. I was inside, and I saw his shadow in the window as he walked in front.”

  “That’s the night you called the cops?”

  “Yes.”

  Jake pulled into her driveway and cut the engine. She opened the back, letting Cheyenne jump out before grabbing Nicole’s overnight bag. The chill hit her immediately, and she watched as Nicole wrapped her arms around herself trying to keep warm.

  “Why in the world would you wear something like that this time of year?”

&nbs
p; “Don’t ask.”

  Jake shook her head. “I never understood that… that fashion thing,” she said. “If high heels and pointed toes make your feet hurt, why do women wear them?”

  “Why do women do most things? To please a man.”

  “And your reason would be?”

  Nicole sighed. “I’ll blame Catherine. She wouldn’t let me wear the suit I had on.”

  Jake walked quickly to the front door, Nicole right beside her. Cheyenne waited patiently for the door to open, then preceded them both inside. Jake went around and turned on lights, then made sure the door was locked. Nicole stood at the edge of the living room, watching her.

  “Jake? Can I change?”

  “I’m sorry. Of course. The bedroom’s in there,” she pointed.

  Nicole picked up her bag from the sofa where Jake had tossed it and walked quietly into the room. It wasn’t much different from the rest of the house although there was a lovely print hanging on one wall, a mountain scene, and Nicole stared at it for the longest. It brought a sense of peace, and she could almost smell the forest. She took a deep breath, then sat her overnight bag on the neatly made bed. Kicking off her shoes, she looked around, looking for anything personal of Jake’s, something to shed a little light on her personality. But there was nothing. The dresser was clean, except for a wristwatch and two framed pictures. Before changing, she walked closer, bending over to peer at the pictures. One was of a cabin, tucked into the forest. Nicole smiled fondly. Cheyenne was on the porch, staring at the camera.

  “Jake’s cabin,” Nicole murmured. Beautiful. The other, the falls at sunrise. One of Jake’s attempts to capture the colors, no doubt. It was beautiful, yes. But Nicole knew, having seen it in person, the picture just didn’t do the falls justice, as Jake had said.

  After changing into sweat pants, Nicole went into the bathroom. It, too, was neat, clean. She splashed water on her face, then took out her facial soap and washed off what was left of her makeup.

  She found Jake and Cheyenne on the sofa. Jake’s feet were rest-ing on the coffee table, and Cheyenne was lying half on her lap, eyes closed as Jake rubbed her ear.

  “She looks comfortable,” Nicole said.

  Jake smiled. “There’s room for you, too.”

  Nicole sat on the other side of Cheyenne and mimicked Jake’s posture. She let out a contented sigh.

  “Long day?”

  “Yes.” Nicole turned her head to look at Jake. “Thank you. I feel… safe here. With you.”

  Jake only nodded. She was thankful Cheyenne was there to separate them, because right now, Nicole looked too enticing to resist. Her face looked clean, soft, her hair still damp. She finally pulled her eyes away. “We need to get out of here early in the morning. You’ll go straight to your office, right?”

  “Yes, provided I have a car.”

  “Rick is having someone bring it by tonight. I’ll talk to my lieutenant about having a patrol assigned to you.”

  “The thought of going to my house and staying there alone is frightening. I’m not sure I can do that.”

  Jake nodded. “We’ll work something out. Let me talk to my lieutenant first.” She gently lifted Cheyenne’s head off her lap and stood, her leg cramping just a little as she put weight on it. “You look beat.” Jake held out her hand to Nicole, who took it and let herself be pulled to her feet.

  They stood together, hands still clasped. Nicole had this nearly overwhelming desire to nestle in Jake’s arms and burrow herself against the other woman, where it was safe.

  “Just let me grab a blanket and pillow, then it’s all yours,” Jake said, pulling her hand away and leaving Nicole standing alone.

  “Your bed? Jake, I can take the sofa,” Nicole offered.

  “You’ll be more comfortable in a bed. The sheets are clean. Well, two days clean. I can change them if you want.”

  “No, that’s fine.” She watched as Jake came out, limping slightly, and tossed the pillow and blanket on the sofa next to Cheyenne, who hadn’t budged. “Is your leg bothering you?”

  “It stiffens up on me when I sit.”

  Nicole nodded. “Well, thanks for your bed. I…”

  “It’s okay. I seldom sleep through the night anyway.”

  Nicole was about to ask why, then remembered Jake’s aversion to personal questions and answers. But she asked anyway. “Why don’t you sleep through the night?”

  Jake just shrugged. “Dreams.”

  Nicole remembered another time when Jake had woken them both. And all Jake had said was “damn dream.” But she wouldn’t pry. Not now. So, she moved to walk past Jake, then she stopped and leaned over, lightly kissing Jake’s cheek. “Thank you for coming to my rescue.”

  Jake took a step away from Nicole and simply nodded. “Good night.”

  As soon as Nicole was settled, Jake stretched out on the sofa and pulled the blanket over her, eyes wide open. Cheyenne lay on the floor next to her, and she let her hand drop, fingers curling into soft fur. No doubt her resolve was about to be tested by Nicole’s nearness. A kiss on the cheek and you’re getting all gooey-eyed? Geez.

  Nicole snuggled under the covers, eyes closed contentedly. Jake’s scent nearly overwhelmed her. It was a scent she remem-bered distinctly from another time… and another place. And despite her assertion that Jake was not her type—at all—she still couldn’t fight the attraction she had for the other woman.

  A cop. You’re attracted to a cop. Could it be any worse?

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Jake glared at the young blond, tapping her fingers impatiently on her slacks. Rick finally nudged her.

  “Relax, will you?”

  “It’s five after eight.”

  “So he’s not a clock watcher.”

  Jake stood and walked to the desk, towering over the young girl. “When do you expect him?”

  “Any minute.”

  “Can you call his cell phone?”

  “Well, I can, but really, I’m sure… oh, there he is. Thank God,” she murmured.

  Jake turned, her eyes narrowing as a middle-aged man maneuvered his ample weight through the door. He was breathing heavily as he walked to the desk and held out his hand.

  “Messages?”

  “Well, no, but these police officers have been waiting to see you, Mr. Taggert.”

  He looked at both Jake and Rick, nodding. “I got a few minutes. What you need?”

  “I’m Detective McCoy, this is Detective Chase. We need some info on one of your clients.”

  “Sure, sure. Come on inside.”

  Jake and Rick exchanged glances, then followed the huge man into an office.

  “Susie? Coffee?” the man bellowed.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You two want any?”

  “No thanks. We want to know about Frankie Nichols,” Jake said. “Employment and residence.”

  “Nichols? Why?”

  “We just want to question him,” Rick said.

  “Whatever it is, he didn’t do it. I’ve been at this job a lot of years, and Frankie ranks right up there with the best. He’s never missed an appointment.”

  Jake leaned on his desk and met his eyes. “His wife was found raped and murdered. As I’m sure you know, he was convicted of raping and assaulting his wife.” She stood up. “Now, employment?”

  “No problem. But I’m telling you, he’s not your guy.”

  Jake watched as his pudgy fingers moved over the keyboard, waiting until Frankie Nichols’s file appeared on the screen. “Can you print that?”

  “Sure.”

  “Where does he work?” Rick asked.

  “He is a janitor for Rocky Mountain Solutions.”

  “Janitor?”

  “Custodian. They clean office buildings in the downtown area at night.”

  Jake and Rick exchanged glances.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” Jake reached across the desk and grabbed the papers off the printer, scanning them quickly. “This h
ome address good?”

  “Yeah.”

  Jake again glanced at Rick. “Thanks, Mr. Taggert. Appreciate it.”

  ———

  “Oh my God! No wonder you freaked. And you spent the night at Jake’s?”

  “Yes, Catherine. And even though she’s denied it, I know you told her that I was at Sullivan’s.”

  “It’s hard to keep things from her.”

  “Well, I suppose I’m thankful that you did. But I don’t know exactly what this all means. I only know that I don’t want to stay at my house alone.”

  Catherine followed Nicole into her office and hung Nicole’s gym bag behind the door for her.

  “So what happens now?”

  Nicole stood at the window and looked out over downtown Denver. “I don’t really know. Jake said she’d be in touch today and let me know what’s going on.” She turned and faced Catherine. “I know one thing. I’m not up for a group session today.”

  Catherine looked at her watch. “Thirty minutes.”

  “I know. I’ll muddle through.” She pulled out her chair and sat down, flipping on her computer at the same time. “You might want to call Dorothy. See if she’d be up to covering for me this week if it’s necessary. I’d rather do that than have to cancel sessions.”

  “Cancel? Is it that serious?”

  Nicole shrugged. “I only know that last night, it all seemed very real. So if Jake insists I stay away, I guess I’ll stay away. We’ll see.”

  “It’s not like you to run, Nicole. Like you said, we get threats all the time.”

  “The man running behind my car last night was not just a threat.”

  Jake and Rick stood on either side of the door. Jake had her badge out and Rick’s hand was touching his weapon. She nodded, and he banged on the door.

  “Frankie Nichols? Open up. Police.” He waited a few seconds before knocking again. “Open up.”

  They heard shuffling inside, then the sound of the dead bolt being unlocked. The door opened and a sleepy Frankie Nichols looked at them as he rubbed his eyes.

  “What the hell you want?”

  “Bad time?” Jake asked, as she pushed her way into the room.

  “I got off work at six, so yeah, bad time. What do you want?”