by Melissa Seal
He decided it wasn’t any of his business, so he inquired, “What’s for lunch partner?”
The question seemed to pull Dani out of whatever world she was lost in, “How about a couple of hotdogs from the cart out by the park?”
“Sounds yummy!”
Dani thought it would be a good idea to canvass the park again and see if they could find anyone willing to talk to them about the attack earlier that morning.
Lexie ran straight to Captain Harris’s office with all the necessary paperwork to put her back on full duty. The captain was pleased to see that his best detective was healthy and ready to hit the ground running. Since Dani was already out with Derrick working the park assault case, Lexie planned to work at her desk and check on the FBI’s progress with the Last Call Killer.
She turned her computer as Captain Harris forcefully commanded her and Detective Jake Owens to get to his office as fast as humanly possible. Harris briefly introduced the detectives and then sent them out to investigate a murder that had just been reported. Detective Owens had transferred from the Vice squad while Lexie was on convalescent leave. He was a handsome man by anyone’s standards, and many women had been known to get lost in those vast, sexy russet eyes. The man’s body was a combination of Channing Tatum and Christian Grey. Lexie wasn’t interested in any of that. She was interested in getting back to work.
They made small talk during the elevator ride, and after getting in the car, Lexie told her new partner to buckle up and hang on as she flew out of the parking lot. They arrived at the murder scene, and there were hundreds of bystanders, some crying, others yelling at the patrol cops, and some videoing everything on their cell phones. Lexie and Jake pushed their way through the crowd and finally made it to the body of what appeared to be a male in his late teens or very early twenties. The victim appeared to have been beaten to death right there in the park. There were puddles of blood all around the man, and his face was so badly beaten that he was unrecognizable.
The medical examiner showed up to collect the body. She informed the detectives she would call with her findings as soon as she was finished with the autopsy. The detectives began their investigation by interviewing as many possible witnesses as they could. It was late when they got back to the station, and Lexie had left her cell phone on her desk. Dani had text numerous times and called twice. Lexie didn’t want her to worry so she called her and explained where she had been, and that she would be home in less than forty-five minutes.
As promised, forty-five minutes after she called, Lexie walked through the front door with a satisfied expression Dani hadn’t seen in months. Dinner was almost done, so Dani brought out the wine and the two ladies toasted Lexie’s first official day back. Lexie talked a mile a minute, she hadn’t been this excited about anything in so long. Dani was torn, I am so happy she is back doing what she loves but I am scared everything is going to change now. Lexie is so concerned about people finding out about us that I am not sure what to expect. She decided to put it out of her mind and focus on the here and now and her soulmate was here and now! I have fallen hard for this woman, and all I want is a lifetime with her, and I am planning to do everything I can do to make sure we get to have our lifetime together.
After dinner, Dani took a long, hot bath while Lexie read about her new case. Finishing her bath and nightly routine, Dani went to see what Lexie was doing because she was way too quiet. Dani found her fast asleep on the couch with all the paperwork from the murder case spread out around her. Lexie’s first day back had taken a lot out of her, and Dani was worried. She knew no one could slow Lexie down, so she would support and love her as much as possible. She cleaned up the paperwork and told Lexie to go to bed. There was no arguing from the older detective, she was bushed.
The morning came too soon. Lexie was more fatigued than she had anticipated, I’m not ready to face today day like I was yesterday. Yesterday must have been all adrenaline. I will get justice for that kid. It’s so sad, he had such a promising future, and this is why I became a cop in the first place, to help those who could not help themselves. Like Serena.
The ladies were up, dressed, and eating breakfast when Dani asked, “Hey sweetie, are we going to drive to the station together?”
“Babe, I am sorry, but I don’t think it is the best idea for us to drive together because it may give some people the wrong impression.”
“What would the wrong impression be?”
Lexie paused for a moment, then changed her mind, “It’s a good idea sweetie, let’s take your jeep.”
Dani was pleasantly shocked as the two detectives drove to the station together. They arrived at work and instinctively Lexie kissed Dani goodbye before getting out of the car. Dani was stunned, and Lexie thought, I hope this small act is going to be enough to pacify her for a while. I just don’t understand how she can be so okay with people knowing about us. I’m not sure I’m okay with it but I do love her. Lexie knew no one would be in the parking garage at this time of the morning, so it wasn’t a risk to kiss Dani. She was unaware of the man lurking in the shadows, watching their every move.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Chris had procured the ideal place for him and Dani to spend her last days. He returned to Norfolk and waited for an opportunity to make his move. He had found a small shack near the water covered by trees and bushes in the mountains. He was fueled by his rage and hatred of this woman, not only had she cost him his chance to spend quality time with Tiffany Decker, but she also stole his wife. They were acting as if he never even existed. That was unacceptable, and someone was going to pay. Chris spent countless hours sharpening his plan for Dani. After he saw his wife kissing that bitch earlier, he thought of including her as well. He balked at that idea; he knew kidnapping one detective would be difficult enough.
After the detectives left the parking lot, Chris went to work on his master plan. First, he would need to know Dani’s every move, so he put a small black tracker on her jeep and left the parking garage undetected. His next stop was Dani’s condo. The killer broke into the young detective’s home and placed cameras in several different places, so he could watch her. The cameras did not record sound, so he would have to make do with just the video. Satisfied with his handiwork, Chris left the apartment and went back to his hide a way. He was living on the streets in Norfolk, so he could roam about anonymously. The entire country was looking for Chris Fleming, but no one was looking for a homeless man living on the streets. Chris had let his hair grow out and had grown a beard that would rival Santa Clause, with the exception that his was dark brown instead of white. He was so unrecognizable that he had walked right past Lexie, and she didn’t look twice. His plan was coming together flawlessly, but then again, why wouldn’t it? He was, after all, the smartest guy he knew.
Lexie and Dani entered the station together and found their respective partners at their desks. Derrick greeted Dani, he was fond of the enthusiastic detective, and she loved him and his family. They had invited her over several times for dinner and had a great time together.
Dani noticed Jake Owen’s acknowledgement of Lexie. She was instantly jealous until she reminded herself that he was only there temporarily, and Lexie loved her and was too focused on the job to be able to focus on Jake as well. Derrick noticed the sad look in his partner’s eyes when she watched Jake and Lexie smiling and walking to the break area to get coffee.
Dani approached her, “Can I talk to you privately?”
“I can’t believe you are acting this way Dani; you are going to make people think we have something to hide.”
She rushed the conversation and didn’t really listen to what Dani was saying, and then she was out the door towards the elevator with her new partner. Meanwhile, Derrick waited for Dani so they could go talk to the assault victim at the hospital again.
The ride to the hospital was a long and silent, Dani was lost in thought the entire drive over. Derrick had tried to start a conversation a few times, but she did not
seem interested in anything he had to say , so he figured she would talk when she was ready.
Once they were in the hospital, Dani finally spoke up and said, “I’m sorry for being so rude in the car.”
“No worries partner just want to know that you are okay.”
They exchanged smiles and continued to Lorenzo’s room. Considering the beating he took in the park; Lorenzo was recovering surprisingly well.
“It is good to see you up and around young man,” greeted Dani.
“It is good to be seen, especially by someone as fine as you detective!”
Derrick told him to watch himself, and the young boy apologized quickly but continued to grin. He was good kid and had never been in any trouble as far as they could tell. So, was his attack just a random gang attack, or was this young boy targeted for some reason they had yet to figure out?
Dani and Derrick went to the park where Lorenzo had been attacked looking for witnesses when they ran into Lexie and Jake. Lexie and Dani instantly fell into a conversation while the “boys” talked about the case. After a few minutes, all four detectives were hot on the trail of several new witnesses, and the ladies were glad to be working together again.
The “fantastic four,” as Captain Harris called them, had located an older lady that had seen the attack from the beginning and was willing to testify to what she saw. Not ten minutes after the lady left the police station, she was accosted by a group of teens and was threatened to keep her big mouth shut or else. She immediately called Dani to report the threat. Dani informed her captain and he suggested they take Mrs. Murphy to a safe house and take shifts protecting her until they could get a solid case built against the punks who had threatened her and nearly beaten Lorenzo to death. The more they dug, the more the detectives realized that not only had these four guys brutally attack young Lorenzo and threatened Mrs. Murphy, but it looked like they may be prime suspects in the case that Lexie and Jake were working.
Now that they are looking at these guys for murder, the stakes had risen, and all four detectives are on high alert. Lexie and Jake took the night shift, and Dani and Derrick the day shift. This meant they would not be alone together until the case was solved.
Lexie got home, and Dani was already deep into a bubble bath, she walked into the bathroom, “Would you like some company?”
“It depends on how fast you can get out of those clothes!”
Without missing a beat, Lexie was undressed and in the tub before Dani finished her sentence. Both women were laughing when Lexie slipped and fell on top on her girlfriend. They locked eyes, and Lexie leaned down and kissed Dani.
They spent quite some time in the bathtub before Lexie spoke, “I am sorry babe, but I need to get back to the safe house.”
Dani wanted to ask her to stay and let Derrick spend the night guarding Mrs. Murphy with Jake, but she didn’t want to ruin what had just transpired, so she let it go, “Please be safe, and I will see bright and early tomorrow.”
Lexie grabbed her glasses and her contact case, got dressed, and kissed her lover goodbye, leaving Dani lying naked on the bed wishing things were different.
Chris watched the ladies on the camera feed on his phone, but he couldn’t hear them. The fact that he did not have sound drove him crazy. He had rented a seedy motel room because he hated all the vagrants and the constant smell of defeat and despair. He loathed his beard, it made him feel dirty all the time, and even though it was a great disguise, he couldn’t handle it anymore. Once checked into the motel, he took a shower, shaved, and recognized himself.
Chris was more determined than ever to get his hands on Dani. Especially after what he had seen earlier, and he wasn’t going to let anything stop him. His anger was inflamed after watching his wife with that woman, even though he couldn’t hear them, he could see how much Lexie enjoyed sex with Dani. He also noticed that she never moved that way with him. His ego was severely bruised, and he was quickly coming unglued. He knew he was going to have to kill again before he could get to Dani, so Chris left the motel in search of an easy victim.
He went to a bar near Norfolk State University, where he had first seen Laci the track star, who had later become one of his “Last Call” victims. The bar would be packed with drunk, vulnerable young woman. This wouldn’t be a routine kill. He needed a quick fix to watch the life drain from someone’s eyes. He spotted Angie Sanders, the prettiest girl in the bar. She was visiting her older sister at college. Chris waited for an opening and joined Angie on the dance floor. She was mesmerized by his charming words and smoldering dark eyes. She wasn’t thinking straight, what the hell! I’m single and drunk, and this guy is so freaking hot, its only sex! She left the bar without telling her sister. Chris convinced her to let him drive her car because she had been drinking. Chris drove the girl’s car to an empty parking lot where he began to seduce her, but she was too willing. He liked his girls a bit more uncooperative, so he went straight for the kill. He wrapped both gloved hands around her neck and squeezed until he saw the light go out in her eyes. He dropped the dead girl right there and walked away.
Lexie and Jake spent the night at the safehouse while Dani spent the night alone wondering, are we going to make it? Is it even worth the fight? Will Lexie ever be okay with people knowing about our relationship? After the shift change Lexie had gone back to the condo that she now shared with her girlfriend and took a shower to wash the night off and then went straight to bed. She grabbed Dani’s pillow, why is this hard for me? I really do love her, and I don’t want to lose her but I’m not sure if I can be what she wants me to be. My family will never accept me this way. I can’t handle knowing they would all look at me differently. She snuggled up to the pillow and drifted off to sleep. While Lexie slept, Dani chased a carload of bullies that had been paid to scare a little old lady from testifying. The safehouse was compromised, so they had to move to a new location.
The new safehouse was ready for them at shift change. Dani and Derrick got their witness settled in as Detective Owens and Fleming showed up to take over for the night. Lexie had been briefed on the day’s events, and she was relieved to see that her girlfriend was safe.
She wanted to hold her tight, but she knew she couldn’t, so she smiled, “Great job this afternoon, Supergirl!”
Dani flashed a shy smile, “Thanks, partner.”
After the debriefing, the day shift detectives left, and the night shift detectives took charge telling Mrs. Murphy to stay away from all the windows. It was another quiet night which meant Lexie and Jake had plenty of time to talk after Mrs. Murphy turned in around 9 pm. Lexie and Jake talked quietly in the living room and then took turns walking the perimeter around the yard.
During their shift, Lexie broke down, “I am in love with Dani, and we have been living together for a while now. I have never loved another person the way I love her, and I am scared I’m going to push her away because of my fear over what the rest of the world will think if they find out.”
Jake looked shocked, “Damn Fleming, you sure know how to crush a man’s dreams don’t you? I was going to ask you out once this case was closed. Seriously, if you love her, and you want to be with her, you have to embrace all that comes with that.”
“Thanks for listening and not being a supreme ass.”
“Wait a minute, am I the only person you’ve told about this?”
“Yes, man child, and you better not tell a soul. Understand?”
Dani and Lexie fought about the way Lexie behaved around other people, especially Jake.
“You realize that Jake has a reputation of being a lady’s man, right? He has slept with half the women in the department, and it seems you may be willing to sleep with him just to prove to yourself and everyone else that you are not a lesbian.” accused Dani.
“Jake is a colleague and a friend, that’s all. I feel comfortable around him in public. Being with you has been a struggle for me, not because I don’t love you or want to be with you, but because you are a woman
and sometimes it feels wrong. Every time I try to tell you how I feel, you just tell me I am being a chicken shit and letting the world dictate my life but that is not true! I am so tired of arguing with you about this!”
Lexie was at a crossroads because when she was with Dani in private, her world felt perfect, but in public she felt embarrassed and ashamed of the how she felt. She didn’t want to lose Dani, but she wasn’t sure she could stay with her either.
With the protection detail over, the ladies scheduled a “date night” to have a heart to heart to clear the air and figure out where to go from there. When Lexie came home, Dani was standing in the kitchen with nothing on but an apron. The sight of her standing there vulnerable, made Lexie love her even more. She kissed her forcefully all the way to the bedroom. In that moment, all that had happened in the past two weeks was forgotten as the two women fell into each other.
Chris watched intently as the two women made love. Without audio, he could see the passion and desire between his wife and her partner. He was fuming, but because of his recent kill, he was able to keep it together. His anger toward Dani fueled his resolve to stay patient and wait to catch her alone.
Since the ladies were off the next day, they spent it in bed, until around dinner time when they got hungry for something besides each other. They went to a small café on the water and enjoyed a delicious meal. They laughed and talked for hours until the manager told them the café was closing. It was a beautiful night, so they took a walk and stood under the stars with the moonlight shining on the water.
Before the evening was over, Dani confided, “I told Derrick and Ellie about us. I know you want to keep our relationship a secret, but I needed people to talk to. Please don’t be mad.”
Lexie took her lovers head in her hands and whispered, “Dani I don’t know how this happened, but I have fallen head over heels in love with your crazy ass.”
