by Jessica Snow
Before Melanie could ponder anything else, she felt her motion come to a stop and she was released. Staggering a step back, she blinked twice, quickly. Standing in front of her was perhaps the most athletic looking man she had ever seen. Six foot four, with massively broad shoulders and chest. He was feral-looking and handsome, with brown-black shoulder length hair, amber eyes, and impossibly white teeth bared in either a grin or a grimace, Melanie wasn't sure which. He was wearing an open black leather trench coat, brown cargo pants, hiking boots, and a white silk shirt.
"Are you hit?" the man asked, his rich baritone voice strained and gasping.
Mel could only nod in shocked amazement. She glanced around and realized that she was standing on a rooftop, most likely the warehouse next to the alleyway she expected to die in. The scenario was too much for Melanie, and the combined shock of the gunshot, her rescue, and now suddenly on the rooftop was too much for her brain to handle. She felt the darkness closing in, and her last thought was relief that something caught her again.
Chapter 2
"Detective Richter? Detective Melanie Richter?"
Melanie groaned and tried to open her eyes. It took a moment, and even after she did, she had to double check she wasn't in a dream. Mel found herself in a palatial bed, softer than any she had ever slept in before. She was covered to her chin by black silk sheets, and she could feel the whisper of silk pajamas against her skin.
"If you're up for it, I'd like to talk."
Melanie blinked again and focused on the source of the voice. With a swallowed gasp, she saw it was the same man who had rescued her from the alleyway. In the gentle afternoon light coming in through the floor to ceiling windows behind her, he was even more impressive and more handsome than before. He had changed clothes, wearing a charcoal wool suit, black shirt, and blood red tie. He radiated power."Who are you?"
The man smiled, and Mel was again amazed at how white and how long his teeth were. His dark brown eyebrows were large, but not unkempt in any way, and as he smiled, they seemed to curl up on the sides in imitation. His nose was regal, straight and strong. He had a cleft chin, what Mel's father had always referred to as a "butt chin," and a strong jaw line. He was cleanly shaved, and the first word that came to mind to describe the man was powerful. Despite her nervousness and fear, she felt a surge of attraction towards him. "Well, I am glad you can talk," the man replied instead of answering. "If you had stayed unconscious for much longer, we would have had to put in an IV line."
"Who are you?" Melanie repeated, struggling to sit up. She gasped as her left shoulder flexed, and pain flared throughout her body. "Where am I?"
"Please, relax," the man said, gently laying one hand on her right shoulder and urging her down. Melanie could feel an electric tingle in her skin where he had touched her shoulder."I promise, no harm will come to you here. If you struggle, though, you will tear your sutures, and you are already going to have an impressive enough scar as it is. My name is Keith Waldwyck. Welcome to Lockwood Towers. You're in the penthouse, currently."
Lockwood Towers. Melanie knew that name. It was one of the most expensive real estate locations in the entire tri-county area and had won numerous awards for its environmentally friendly design and structure. Rumors about the developer were abound, but nobody knew anything for certain. "Why am I in a high-rise instead of at a hospital?"
"For your safety, Officer Richter. After we escaped last night, those other police officers called in the death of your comrades. You are currently wanted on suspicion of a double cop killing. Their official story was very different from what I observed and know, so I decided to keep you here until you could explain things to me."
"Oh God," Melanie despaired, closing her eyes and leaning back into her pillows. "I'm a dead woman."
"Would you mind explaining to me what you were doing running from six other officers, including a silberjager?"
"A what?"
"Later. You first."
Melanie pondered for a second, then decided she had nothing to lose. "Two months ago, I was working on a kidnapping case in Washington Heights when I observed two police officers conduct a deal with suspected Triads. I later followed the Triads and figured out that they were kidnapping college girls from near the university for sex slavery in China. These Triads were paying off a group of corrupt cops to derail investigations, dispose of bodies, and basically cover it all up."
"Go on."
"What I didn't know was just how big the conspiracy was. When I brought the whole thing to my Lieutenant and Internal Affairs, I found myself transferred to the Southside. There, I found out that most of the precinct was dirty, and last night they figured was as good a time as any to hunt me down. They wanted to pin a drug deal on me, but when I figured out their plan, it turned into what you dropped into the middle of. Speaking of which, where did you come from last night? And how did we get up to the roof so quickly?"
"I'm a..... naturally good jumper," Keith replied. Mel's cop instincts rang. He was hiding something. "As for where I came from, I tend to go walking when the sky is clear. And finally, it was two nights ago, not last night."
Melanie gasped, her head spinning. Two nights? No wonder she felt so weak. "So what now?"
"Now, it is time for trust. I must reveal to you Detective Richter that I am well aware of the corrupt nature of the police force in this city. I am the leader of a group that has had dealings with these corrupt individuals before. We try to remove them from power, but their influence is strong within the political sphere."
"I see,” Melanie said, noting the cryptic way Keith was talking. She was a little suspicious, but for now, she’d have to trust him.
"Unfortunately, you do not yet, but time will come. For now, rest. I must go, there are things I must do. Someone will bring you food, or you may use the rest of the penthouse as you wish. I only have one request."
"What's that?"
"For your safety tonight, please don’t try to leave the penthouse. I can only assure your safety inside this suite." Keith got up to leave, powerfully striding towards the oaken bedroom door. Melanie admired the man's build, which she could see clearly for the first time in his tailored Italian suit. Keith was masculine, she decided. It was the only word that could fit him.
"I'm not worried about those cops. I have friends."
Keith stopped, the doorknob held within his powerful hand, and looked back over his shoulder. There was a mysterious light in his amber eyes. "It is not the corrupt police you should worry about. There are greater dangers this night. I shall see you tomorrow."
Keith opened the door and walked through, closing it softly behind him. Mel felt a shiver course down her spine at his last words. She lay there for another ten minutes before her body demanded she get up. Moving gingerly so as to avoid jostling her throbbing shoulder, Melanie found her bearings before standing up on the warm dark oak floor. After a moment of dizziness passed, she walked out the door she had seen Keith leave through earlier and found herself in a dark green paneled hallway, which seemed to lead to the main living area. While Melanie wanted to explore, first things first. She had to use the bathroom, her bladder was about to burst.
The bathroom was huge, easily larger than the living room of her own small apartment. Like everything she had seen so far in the penthouse, it had a dark forest motif. The bathtub and shower in the corner were done in beautiful granite flecked with gold, while the sink was done in black marble. Melanie took care of her needs and took a deep drink of water from the sink. It was filtered somehow, tasting purer and sweeter than even the Evian she would occasionally indulge in.
Melanie made her way to the main living space, where she was knocked breathless by the opulent decor. Whoever Keith Waldwyck was, the man had money and taste. Every item, from the raw stone fire pit that adorned the center of the room, to the rugged leather couches that surrounded the fire pit, and the bookshelves that lined three of the walls, spoke of a rugged, intelligent mind at work. It bespoke of
a more natural time, a more primal, yet no less intelligent era. Melanie was impressed.
As she made her way down into the center circle, Melanie heard a discreet cough coming from off to her left. Startled, she whirled to see a woman standing in a small doorway off to her left. How did she sneak up on her? Melanie was a cop, trained to listen to every sound, but that woman was silent. She was obviously related to Keith, with the same brown hair streaked with black, amber eyes, and pale skin. But where Keith was the epitome of manhood, this woman appeared to be the feminine version of him. Easily six feet tall, she dwarfed Melanie's five foot eight.
"I apologize for startling you, Miss Richter," the woman said. Mel shook her head, waving off the apology.
"It's not your fault. And please, call me Melanie, or Mel if you like. You are...?"
"I am Kimberly Waldwyck, Keith's sister. Keith asked me to make sure you were cared for tonight. I’m sure you’re hungry, would you like something to eat?"
Melanie was thrilled as her stomach reminded her of its presence. "I would love that. What do you have?"
"I do hope you’re not vegetarian, but we do have quite a selection of meats. Any favorites?"
Melanie thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. Any pastrami?"
She thought she could see Kimberly smile slightly. "Pastrami it is. I can make a grilled pastrami on rye with sauerkraut. How does that sound?"
Mel smiled but held her hands up. "You don't need to go through all the trouble. If you point me in the direction of the kitchen, I can make it."
Kimberly shook her head firmly. "That wouldn’t do. It isn't correct to have a guest do such things. Please, sit and enjoy the fire, and I’ll be back quickly. I haven’t eaten either, so if you do not mind, I’ll join you."
“Um, of course." Mel turned back to the fire pit area and settled herself down onto the plush brown sofa. Now that she had a moment, she carefully prodded at her left shoulder. It was encased in gauze, so there wasn't much she could directly feel, but she was sure there were stitches underneath the bandage. She could move her arm, though, which meant that the bullet hadn't cracked any bones. That was lucky at least.
Within five minutes, Kimberly was back with two plates, both holding sandwiches. While Melanie thought her sandwich was large, it was nothing compared to Kimberly's, whose overflowing monster of a sandwich had to contain at least a pound of pastrami. How in the hell she maintained her figure while eating like that, she couldn’t fathom. "I have a high metabolism," Kimberly said in way of explanation, handing Mel her own plate.
Mel shrugged and tore in. She was ravenous, and for the next few minutes, the only sounds in the room were the two women tearing into their food with relish. Finally, Mel sat back, her growling stomach satiated for the moment. "Thank you, Kim, that was delicious."
"You’re welcome. It is not often I get to make food for others. I enjoyed it."
"So you live here with your brother?"
"Here and at our family estate in the mountains."
Family estate, huh? This family had to have more money than Mel could even imagine. "So what do you do?"
"Do?" Kimberly looked confused. Mel nodded.
"Yeah, you know. Are you a student, a lawyer, a painter, do you play with children all day?"
Kimberly nodded in understanding. "I assist my brother with the family business."
"Which is what exactly?”
"Mostly real estate, but we’re involved with some natural resource ventures as well. Sustainable forestry, alternative energy research, and other such things. Keith handles most of that, I assist in the real estate issues."
"I see. Any projects I know of?"
"Well, you're sitting in one of them," Kimberly said matter of factly. "We have not publicized our names in the investment, but that's how we like it."
"How mysterious."
"We prefer to be anonymous. Fame is too constricting for my brother and me."
The two continued to talk long into the night, swapping stories and information. Melanie was surprised to learn that Kimberly was much older than she thought, almost 40, while Mel was only 29. As physically different as they were, however, they shared much in common, with both of them enjoying nature, culinary arts, and a physical lifestyle, although Kimberly preferred yoga to Mel's Jeet Kun Do. "You must share with my brother," Kimberly said after Mel told her about her experience in the martial arts. "He’s also a warrior, and you two would have a lot to talk about."
"I might enjoy that," Mel said, yawning as fatigue washed over her. As intriguing as Kim made him sound, she was still a bit skeptical about her surroundings. “Why am I so tired? I've been asleep for two days."
"Stress, physical injury, and a huge sandwich in your stomach can do that," Kimberly replied. "Here, let me help you to your room."
"But I have so many more questions. Where is Keith? Why are you protecting me?
"He is out for the night, we’re protecting you because you are a good person, and you and my brother can discuss that in the morning," Kimberly said in way of answer, helping Mel to her feet. While she may have looked willowy and slender, Kimberly's pull was strong.
"Thank you," Mel quietly said, turning and heading back towards the bedroom. "Will I see you tomorrow?"
"If you wish," Kimberly replied, gathering up the plates. "Good night, Melanie."
"Good night, Kimberly."
Chapter 3
For the next two weeks, Melanie found herself a welcome, sometimes bordering on pampered guest in the Lockwood Towers. As Kimberly had told her the first night, by the next morning Keith had returned, and the two began a regular habit of eating breakfast together. The first morning had been mostly serious discussion, as Keith outlined the facts of the past few days.
Melanie was now wanted by the police. In fact, she was the focus of a state-wide manhunt, or in her case, woman-hunt. Keith had used some connections, just what those were he would not say, to back check Melanie's story. He apparently knew some people who could help her, but it would take time. In the meantime, she was welcome to stay here and recuperate. Following breakfast, Keith disappeared for the rest of the day doing work.
Starting the second day, however, Melanie discovered that more and more of their conversation turned personal and humorous. For all of his intimidating physique and rugged exterior, she found him to be a sensitive, intelligent man. She was drawn to his sense of harmony, power, and self-determination. Up until that point, Melanie still had her reservations about Keith, but now, she was starting to let her guard down.
Keith also had a wickedly attractive sense of humor. One morning, about a week after Melanie's arrival, he was telling her about a trip he took to Asia during his university days. "So, there I was, the tallest person along the entire riverside, dancing around with a giant paper octopus on my head," he said, laughing the laugh that Melanie found increasingly sexy. "When suddenly, the music stops, and this old woman rips off her robe and jumps off of the nearby bridge into the water. I was sure she had lost her mind and was committing suicide."
"Wow, so what did you do?" Melanie asked, sipping her orange juice. They were sitting in the kitchen now, each of them pulled up to the full sized granite island in the middle of the chrome and steel technological masterpiece. It was the only room in the penthouse that felt antiseptic in nature.
"Well, I’m not one to let an old woman drown, so with a mighty yell of what roughly translates to 'don't worry grandma, here I come!' I jumped in after her, paper octopus and all! When I finally get to her, she's angry with me, and I end up getting chased around the riverbank with a wet, naked old woman who kept slapping me!"
Melanie laughed heartily at the image in her mind. "What? Why was she so angry?"
"Come to find out, she was supposed to be the star of this entire festival, and she was supposed to swim from that bridge to the bridge on the other side of town. Town custom said you were only allowed to try it once, and she had been waiting thirty years for her chance. I had t
o use all my charm to get her to leave me alone!"
"Did she?"
"Eventually, although I think I'm supposed to either buy her a chicken or betroth my first born to one of her granddaughters or something. The local dialect was really hard to understand."
In the afternoons, Melanie exercised her body. The penthouse had a fully equipped home gym, and she made sure to put all of the equipment to good use. Starting with stretching to loosen the shoulder, she would work her way up to using weights, calisthenics, and power yoga to rehabilitate her shoulder and work the rest of her body. She watched in the mirror as her body would warm, then start to glisten as the sweat popped out on her skin. Kimberly had delivered her some clothing, and the white tank tops she wore during these exercise sessions quickly turned translucent as she worked herself harder and harder. In her mind, she was recalling the pain and agony of getting shot, and at the same time, her mind kept replaying her own two bullets that ended Gladstone and Ramirez's lives. Now she was on the run, she was angry, and she was still in pain. Both mental and physical.
On a Friday, exactly two and a half weeks after coming to Lockwood Towers, Melanie was in another session. She was so focused on her mental dialogue that she wasn't paying attention as she ran on the treadmill when suddenly she heard a sound behind her. Startled, her feet tangled up on themselves, and she tumbled to the belt, banging her left shoulder as she impacted. "Ah, dammit!" she yelled, clutching at the tender joint in agony.
In a flash, she felt someone at her side. It was Keith. "Melanie, I’m so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," he said, kneeling down next to her. His strong hands slid under her shoulders, and he lifted her easily in his arms as he carried her over to a massage table in the corner. "Are you injured?"
