Guarding Light

by Mckoy, Cate

  "You have an angle?"

  "Yes, I've already rented an apartment not too far from the other agents and I will be waitressing at the bar and grill on the waterfront."

  "You already knew the women were being targeted on the waterfront?"

  Catlyn nodded. "Like you said, the victims' lives didn't intersect anywhere. The only common denominator is the Newburgh waterfront."

  Tasha who until now had remained deep in the files looked up. "I think I found something, another common denominator."

  The law officials returned to the table. "What'd you find, Tash?" Jack asked.

  "Well, get this, Ashley Ford, wasn't all black." Tasha said hopefully.

  "So." Catlyn shrugged.

  Tasha gave her a dirty look. Catlyn gave her one right back.

  "No, wait a minute, go on Tasha, what are you trying to say?" Jack encouraged.

  "Well, Ashley Ford was part Mexican, Becky Lions was part Hawaiian, Carrie Stint part Jewish, Deanna Manelli part Italian and Ebeth Troy was part Puerto Rican. Although they are mixed, you can't tell right away because their skin is darker than the majority of mixed races."

  Sanchez catching on to the theme went through his hard copy case file. "Another thing, each woman had been seen on a date at the waterfront with a white guy."

  Jack was now studying his copy of the case file while the others talked.

  "Those agents you got there in the Flats are they mixed?" Tasha wanted to know.

  Catlyn shook her head. "I don't believe so." She nodded at Sanchez. "We'll need to ask them."

  "Their names too." Tasha added.

  Now all the law enforcement officials were looking at Tasha strangely.

  Catlyn smirked. "Ok, I'll bite whose name and what of it?"

  "Well, the agents have ethnic names, but all of your victims have white-girl names."

  Catlyn rolled her eyes. "That is so ridiculous."

  Sanchez agreed with and defended Tasha. "Come on, Cat, how many black girls do you know with the name Ebeth or Deanna?"

  Jack looked up. "Tash, you might be on to something. All of the girls had been dating a white guy but there was also some kind of event regarding each couple on the waterfront within two weeks of each girl's murder."

  "What kind of event?" Catlyn asked.

  "Ashley Ford and her date won a big prize at Gully's, some sort of raffle. The prize was free docking rights at the Newburgh Yacht Club for a year. Becky Lions' date is a Newburgh fire fighter and he dove in and saved a kid that had fallen off the pier while waiting for the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry on their date. Carrie Stint and her date actually had a birthday celebration at BJ's Barbecue. The entire staff sung happy birthday when they brought out the cake Carrie's date had arranged for her. Carrie had just turned twenty-six. Deanna Manelli and her date won some race that supported breast cancer. The finish line was Gully's. Deanna's date was first place and Deanna was second. Ebeth Troy had her purse stolen while she and her date were walking along the pier. Thief just grabbed her bag and took off. Ebeth's date gave chase but the guy was never caught. But the police were called."

  "Did all these events make the paper?" Catlyn asked.

  Jack nodded. "Yes ranging from front page to page eleven."

  "Which of those made the front page?" Tasha wanted to know.

  "The fireman's rescue." Catlyn guessed.

  Jack confirmed with a nod. "That's right. David Lyle was touted as a hero, rightfully so."

  Sanchez held up his cell. "I just received an answering text from Jabaria. Neither she or Sharonda are mixed with anything."

  The room was silent, each with their own thoughts on the case. Tasha broke the silence.

  Tasha was giving Catlyn a sly look. "Kitty Cat, aren't you mixed with Cherokee Indian?"

  Both Jack and Sanchez turned surprised eyes on Catlyn.

  Catlyn sighed before nodding and looking at the two men. "Yes, I am mixed with Cherokee Indian. My paternal grandfather was 100% Cherokee. He had my dad with a black woman, my paternal grandmother."

  Sanchez nodded. "Now it's beginning to make more sense, it's why you look more like the victims than either Sharonda or Jabaria. You have that exotic look about you that each of the victims had."

  "You're also downright gorgeous like the victims." Jack added.

  Catlyn blushed.

  Sanchez smiled broadly. "I didn't want to be the one to mention that or I might get accused of sexual harassment of a colleague."

  "Plus, I don't think either of your agents is dating a white guy." Jack added wanting to get the attention off Catlyn.

  Sanchez shook his head. "We were trying to make Sharonda and Jabaria as close to the victims. All the victims were single. We made them roommates for backup. We didn't put together the victims dating white guys sooner because they were only dates not relationships." Sanchez gave Catlyn a considering look. "We'll need to take a closer look at their dates. And we need to get a white agent down here to pose as your 'new love interest'."

  Catlyn nodded. "Yes. And, I'll sign up for any and every event on the waterfront that we can participate in and make some sort of public display."

  Jack didn't want to get out of line with Catlyn again but he'd be damn he'd have some other guy partnering Catlyn while he was here. "You don't need to call a white agent. You have a white Chief of Detectives right here."

  Both agents swung surprised eyes his way. "It makes sense." Jack insisted.

  Catlyn's brow furrowed. "How does it make sense? You're a public figure. A lot of people have got to know you're the Chief of Detectives."

  Sanchez sounded in. "Yeah, chief, I am going to have to agree with Catlyn. You're too well known. Plus you're a military-local hero."

  Jack waved that away. Not liking being reminded of his time in Desert Storm and the, he felt, undeserved medal. He had lost some very good men. "That will work in concert with Catlyn's return."

  Confused Catlyn lifted her shoulders. "How do you figure?"

  Jack moved to stand directly in front of Catlyn, only a few inches separated them. He wanted to touch her so much, but he kept his urges under control this time after his colossal fuck up earlier. "Catlyn you're using your status as a returning local as cover for this job. And it's a good cover because people will remember you, people like you." Catlyn was holding his gaze, looking so much like the younger version of herself when she used to look up at him as well as look up to him. "All those people will also remember our friendship. How strong it was. How we were constantly in each other's company. How we danced together at parties you were allowed to go. How at barbecues we sat together. How at lunch we sat together. And all those nights at your place when your mother was at work or school, they will remember it all." Sanchez's eyes bulged as Jack made his argument.

  "I thought you two didn't know one another?" Sanchez gave his partner a teasing smirk.

  "Shut up, Sanchez." Catlyn never took her eyes off Jack.

  Catlyn whispered. "But, they will also remember what happened? We didn't part on the best of terms. And it's dangerous for me. It's best if I have someone I am use to working with on a regular basis."

  Hate seeing doubt in her eyes, Jack stepped closer, his chest brushing hers, cupping her cheek he whispered back. "I will protect you. No one, I mean, no one is going to get near you unless it's over my dead body. And if anyone dangerous looking gets near you, I'll knee-cap them."

  Catlyn had started to tremble when Jack started to caress her cheek. Now, she gave a shaky smile. "Chief Gard, that's against the law."

  Jack shrugged. "I don't care." He tilted his forehead until it rested gently against hers. "Anyone who remembers us is going to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if Catlyn Lyte returns to town unattached and Jack Gard is also unattached that he would move heaven and earth to get close to her."

  Sanchez stared in wonder at the oblivious couple. He couldn't hear what they whispered but he didn't need to hear. The picture they struck was poignant. They were the epitome of man an
d woman, protector and the protected, two halves of a whole. Sanchez had never seen his partner looking so femininely vulnerable, so soft. Nor had he ever seen such a strong display of the desire to guard, protect and to keep safe. It was coming off the chief in waves. Sanchez felt very sorry for anyone who would try to harm Catlyn.

  Sanchez suddenly realized that the couple didn't just look oblivious, but, that they were totally and completely oblivious. They had totally forgotten he and Tasha were in the room. Wow! He gave Tasha a can-you-believe-this look.

  Tasha gave an evilly gleeful smile and made loud clearing throat noises. "Chief, should I clear the conference table, looks like y'all are gonna be needin' it again?"

  Sanchez didn't think his eyes could get any bigger but they did. When had his quiet partner and the muscled C of Ds used the conference table?

  Jack and Catlyn separated. They both seemed surprised there was anyone else in the room.

  Jack cleared his throat as he continued. "My being a police official is secondary, this will work. People will remember us." He indicated with a finger wagging between him and Catlyn.

  Sanchez looked to Catlyn. "Well, do you think it will work? It's your call."

  Catlyn closed her eyes while she considered partnering herself with someone she didn't entirely trust. But with what they learned it seemed as though she could be their best chance of encountering the killer currently running loose in Newburgh. Giving a resigned sigh she answered, "I think it could be our best chance right now. If for some reason it doesn't work out, we can call in another agent."

  Jack let go of the breath he was holding. At least now he could protect her. And he would not fail like he did twentyfive years ago.

  Jack smiled as he split a look between the agents. "Let's go get this fucker!"

  Chapter 6

  Catlyn had started her day early. She had already checked out of the hotel and rented a U-Haul truck. Now she needed to work on filling her empty apartment before she checked in at her waitressing job on the waterfront. Just as she walked out of the manager's office at the U-Haul company, a dark sedan pulled up in front of her.

  Jack alighted from the passenger seat, waved the driver on and walked up to her. He was dressed similarly to her in dark jeans, collared t-shirt and a windbreaker. He looked incredibly sexy. Displaying all his masculine assets to their best effect, Catlyn's heart stuttered before continuing just a little bit faster. He still had the power to take her breath.

  "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in the profiling briefing with the task force and then dealing with the media afterwards?"

  "The commissioner and your partner are handling it all. We thought the less I am in front of the cameras the better." He walked directly into her personal space and then quickly dipped his head, touching his mouth to hers, gently rubbing their lips together before pulling back.

  Catlyn gasped from the surprise of his action and from the resulting tingle. She just looked up at him, made speechless.

  He put his hands at her waist, looking deeply into her eyes. "Do you always do that? I like it." His voice had gone husky, giving her shivers.

  Confused, not sure she hadn't missed something in her dazed state. "Do I always do what?"

  He leaned towards her ear and whispered, "Part your lips and make that sexy little sound when you're kissed." He kissed her just beneath her ear and then lower to her neck and then back up. "It sounds and feels as though you've been waiting for and wanting my kisses for forever."

  She gasped again as she felt his tongue tip take the same path his lips had. Her nipples responded instantly, getting hard. "Mmm, yes, that's the sound." Jack huskily whispered before taking her mouth in a deep, wet, hot kiss.

  "Dude, get a room!" Pierced Catlyn's euphoria, turning her mouth away, she pushed against his chest until he dropped his hands from her waist. Catlyn looked over Jack's shoulder at the group of twenty-something boys getting in one of the trucks and felt herself blushing as they gave her leering smiles and winks. Jack glared over at them.

  Catlyn turned and briskly walked to the truck assigned her. Jack followed to the driver's door, holding his hand out. "Keys please."

  Catlyn was about to argue but decided to pick her fights with this man that could make her tremble with a look. She slapped the keys into his hand and got in on the passenger side.

  "Do you always maul unsuspecting women in public parking lots?" Catlyn snippily asked.

  Jack swung widen eyes on her as he closed the driver's door. "Hey lady all I wanted was to give you a hello kiss, you know, behave like a 'new love interest'. How was I to know you were going to go from zero to smoking hot in nothing flat? You were all soft, sexy and making those fuck-me-now noises with hot, dark bedroom eyes."

  Catlyn nearly choked on her disbelief. They were almost nose to nose as she imparted, "Chief Gard, your cockiness knows no bounds."

  He gave her a wink. "Well, if anyone should know about my cock…iness, it would definitely be you Agent Lyte."

  Catlyn narrowed her eyes on him and said through clenched teeth. "Neanderthal."

  Jack gave a shout of laughter, gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "Buckle up Kitten, before you blow a gasket. And tell me our destination."

  Catlyn took a deep breath, buckled her seatbelt and told him the furniture store she wanted to go to.

  It seemed, like all other things, Jack was a very good driver. He handled the truck as though he could do it in his sleep. Surprisingly, Catlyn enjoyed the day with Jack. They made the stop at the furniture store first. Catlyn picked out furniture for a living room, kitchen and bedroom all the while Jack joked and laughed, getting Catlyn to laugh as well.

  Jack worked with one of the movers in the furniture store, carrying and loading everything Catlyn purchased. They then went to the local Wal Mart as she bought groceries and other items. Bed & Bath was their last stop. Catlyn stocked up on all linens, curtains, towels and other household products.

  They were in the McDonald's parking lot eating their meal they just got from the drive-thru. Catlyn was thinking about the waitressing job when Jack interrupted her thoughts.

  "Catlyn?"

  She turned to look at Jack his tone was serious. "Yes?"

  He looked at her then looked down. He swallowed a couple of times before continuing. "Where'd you go?"

  Catlyn didn't pretend to not know what he was talking about. He wanted to know where she went after the rape. Losing her appetite she balled up her meal, putting it in the bag for the trash.

  "Mama had relatives in Virginia, a great-uncle on her mother's side. W-when he heard what had happened to me he told Mama to come to Virginia." Her voice was low. Jack had to lean forward to catch every word.

  "During graduation they mentioned that although you were not able to attend you had graduated with honors." Jack's voice was just as solemn. "God, I felt so horrible. They had listed you with all the kids that had died in car accidents before graduation."

  Catlyn turned away from him, looking out the window at the activity in the mall parking lot across from McDonald's. "You felt horrible? Why? For lying?" Pain and betrayal laced her words.

  Catlyn startled. She turned at the loud crashing sound. There was a splintered crack in the windshield starting just below the rearview mirror to about midway, tiny spidery cracks forming around a centered crack about the size of a fist. Catlyn looked at Jack's hand. His right hand was still in a fist, the knuckles raw and bleeding.

  "Jack-"

  "Don't!" Emerald green eyes flashed at her, very angry green eyes. He started the truck, slamming it into gear.

  The ride to her cover-apartment was done in complete silence. Jack parked expertly in front of her building. She figured he knew her address from Jose just as he knew where to find her that morning.

  It was late afternoon and unseasonably warm for February. Jack got out of the truck, opening the back he said in a clipped tone. "I will unload the truck and set up your bed while you get ready for work, fir
st floor, right?"

  Jack already had several of the bags from Wal Mart in his hands when Catlyn got the outside security door open and then her apartment. It wasn't a bad apartment. Just in a bad part of town.

  Catlyn went to her bedroom and opened the duffle bag she had left earlier. Grabbing the required black skirt and white blouse for her job and underthings, she headed to the shower. She already had toiletries unpacked in the small bathroom. She took a quick shower, thankful for the hot water relaxing her body. It was one state her body could not accomplish while in Jack's company.