by Mckoy, Cate
"Then I spooned her. And she sighed and moaned." Jack looked at the man as he said that. As he thought, the man's eyes turned cold and there wasn't a sign of mirth. The woman bowed her head in shame and Jack felt like a heel. Well, better her shame than Catlyn believe he would knowingly caress another woman.
Giving his attention back to Catlyn he continued. "But then I touched her breasts and her pus, uh, between her legs and knew instantly it wasn't you."
"Instantly?" Catlyn asked skeptically.
"Yes, baby, I knew she wasn't you."
"How?"
Looking at the couple and seeing their still interested stares, Jack lowered his voice. "Kitten, I know what you feel like down there. It was a no brainer."
Not satisfied, Catlyn insisted. "How, Jack?"
Sighing deeply, he took Catlyn back into his arms and put his mouth against her ear and whispered, "Kitten, you are sporting a Brazilian, she is not. Your nipples are bigger than hers and your breasts are heavier."
Jack hid his smiled. Catlyn was blushing now. He loved it when she blushed. She stepped out of his arms, standing straighter.
"I believe introductions are in order. S.S.A Ashley Mackenzie of the FBI and Asst. Director of the FBI Kyle Strong please meet Jack Gard, Chief of Detectives of the city of Newburgh, NY"
Amazement all around was the order of the day. Catlyn looked around at her totally trashed bedroom and took charge, seeing as the other three still seemed to be in shock. "Jack, why don't you grab your clothes and get dressed in the bathroom, Mack you can get dressed in here. Sir, if you could wait for us in the living room. Please help yourself to anything in the kitchen."
They all moved at the same time. Jack grabbed his clothes. In the bathroom he quickly dressed. Grabbing the first aid kit, he pushed his nose back into place as best he could and shoved cotton into the right nostril. He washed his hands and face. He looked in the mirror. He looked like hell. He had a black eye that was beginning to really shine. His ribs ached something fierce. The Assistant Director packed quite a punch. Actually so did S.S.A Mackenzie.
Jack had a bone to pick with Catlyn. She had allowed him to believe Mackenzie was a man. If he had known she was a woman, a gorgeous black woman, he would have insisted Mackenzie stay hell and gone from Newburgh. Jack assumed it was his fate to be surrounded by beautiful, bossy, black women. He took the first aid kit with him as he made his way to the living room.
The assistant director was currently shoving pieces of paper towels up his left nostril. His shirt had blood on it. Jack had washed the blood from his nose off his bare chest. Wordlessly he walked over to the director and handed him the first aid box.
The man paused but then grabbed the box. He pulled the pieces of paper towel from his nose and replaced them with the cotton. When he was done he set the box down on the coffee table.
The two men stared at one another, taking each other's measure.
After a few minutes of trading glares, Jack spoke first. "Marines '88-'97."
"Navy '89-'94." He countered.
"Fast-tracked the police academy, patrol, narcotics, homicide, sgt, lt, and chief."
"Honor recruit, FBI training academy, Quantico, Virginia, probationary agent, special agent, supervisory special agent, assistant director, bank robbery, rapid response, BAU, HCD."
"Nice upper cut."
"Great drop kick."
A slight pause, Jack offered his hand. "Call me Jack."
The other man shook his hand. "Call me Kyle."
"Sorry about touching your lady. But, in my defense, she was in my woman's bed."
"S.S.A. Mackenzie is not my lady."
Jack gave a bark of laughter before he took in Kyle's somber expression. "You're serious?"
"Yes I am. My girlfriend's name is Bunny."
Again Jack laughed, "Right."
"It's true."
Jack studied Kyle closer. The man was seriously delusional. Kyle had been ready to kill him for touching Mackenzie. Boy was he in for a rude awakening. Jack smiled thinking there was no reason he couldn't help the poor guy out.
"When I was accidently feeling up Mackenzie, she moaned-"
"I don't need details. You made it quite clear the lady enjoyed your touch."
"Dude, she was sleeping, probably dreaming and she did say she took pain meds so her reflexes were dulled. But, she did try to cuddle closer and moaned--"
"I don't want to he--"
"'Oh, Kyle.'"
Kyle froze. "What?"
"When I touched her, she cuddled closer and moaned 'Oh, Kyle'. The very second she came awake and knew I wasn't 'Oh, Kyle', she went ballistic. I mean she nearly kicked my ass."
Jack could see from Kyle's expression he liked what Jack told him. But then he quickly fixed his face. "I am sure you are mistaken."
Jack shook his head. Whatever, he had tried to help the dude out. Let him find out the hard way. Poor Bunny, she doesn't have a chance.
The women entered the living room. Jack studied them as they stood side by side. They were almost the same height. Catlyn was maybe half an inch taller. They both had good bodies but again Catlyn's curves were just a shade fuller, lusher. They both had smooth, silky looking complexions of even brown skin. Jack knew both women felt like silk. They both were now dressed similarly in black leggings and a large T-shirt that hid their shapely forms. Catlyn's hair was dyed so it was lighter. Mackenzie's hair was jet black. Both wore a neat ponytail on the top of their heads. Catlyn's eyes were a deep brown but Mackenzie's looked almost black. And although both women had the same G.D. and both were strikingly beautiful, they did not look alike. They could never pass for one another. Well, not unless it was in a darkened room, in his girlfriend's bed, after they had had an argument, then they could pass for one another.
Kyle moved in front of the ladies. "Agents when I give you an order I expect it to be obeyed. Agent Lyte you were told to stop including Agent Mackenzie in full active duty tasks." Kyle's cool eyes stared Catlyn down before switching to Mackenzie. "And, Agent Mackenzie you were ordered to light duty at your desk until further notice."
Catlyn remained quiet her eyes impassive. Jack thought, nice trick. What's your secret Kyle and can I have it? However, Mackenzie's eyes flashed up at the assistant director. "I am perfectly capable of being returned to full active duty. You're just being difficult about it and I have no idea why? "
The assistant director moved directly in front of Mackenzie. "Is that so? Full active duty?"
"Yes. Medical has cleared me. Psych has cleared me. You're being obtuse because you didn't like me telling your girlfriend off."
From his vantage point Jack saw Kyle's eyes glitter and his jawline tighten. Yup, the man was in trouble. The lady pushed his buttons.
"First off, my girlfriend has nothing at all to do with any administrative decision I make. Second you are not fit to return to full active duty."
Stubbornly, Mackenzie countered, "Am too."
Suddenly, Kyle grabbed Mackenzie around the waist, pulling her close to him. With one hand resting at her hip, he used the other to give Mackenzie a slight, precise jab to her stomach. Kyle's hit was barely anything but Mackenzie's knees buckled as she sucked in air with tears in her eyes. Jack knew immense pain when he saw it. She had some sort of injury. Jack immediately felt bad, thinking of the shoulder ram he had given her stomach and he hoped like hell he hadn't made her injury worse.
Kyle caught, held and supported Mackenzie's body. Her head lay against his chest as he pulled her completely into his arms and then began to tenderly sooth the area he had hit. His hand gently rubbed her stomach. Mackenzie raised her face to Kyle's while still keeping her head against his chest. Kyle looked down into her eyes. His eyes went from cold to hot. Devouring Mackenzie with his eyes, Kyle mouthed the words 'I'm sorry'. If Jack hadn't been watching the couple so closely, he would have missed it entirely.
Kyle's hand stopped moving but still lay against Mackenzie's flat belly. Mackenzie, gasped, "Kyle?" Her li
ps glistened invitingly. And it looked like Kyle was going to accept the invitation. He whispered as his head began to lower towards Mackenzie's mouth. "Yes, Ashley?"
With the quick assessment Jack had made of Kyle, he figured the guy was decent and didn't need any added Mackenzie trouble especially with Buffy, Bambi, or whatever. He liked Kyle, so he opened his mouth before the couple's mouths could connect.
Clearing his throat, Jack said. "Assistant Director Strong, why don't we catch you up to speed so you can see that your agents haven't been resting on their laurels and Mackenzie can tell us why she came, disobeying a direct order."
The couple jerked as though they had been doused with a bucket of cold water. Kyle stepped back from Mackenzie, ensuring her balance before dropping his hands from her body.
The women sent him a livid glower. Kyle gave him a grateful glance, letting his head drop in a thank you nod.
Ignoring the ladies' evil eye, Jack smiled at Kyle. "I am actually starving now. Can I interest anyone else in a very early breakfast?" The other 3 all agreed with nods or a 'yes'.
Catlyn led the way into her small neat kitchen. Working in tandem, they prepared a simple fare of scramble eggs, bacon, toast and orange juice.
Kyle opened the conversation as he finished putting food on his plate. "Brief me S.S.A. Lyte on what's been going on and Sanchez reported you were attacked?"
"Yes, sir, but, not our guy, it was a common thief, purse snatcher."
"And, are you alright?"
Catlyn smiled looking at Jack, touching his arm. "Thanks to Chief Gard I am very alright."
Kyle looked from Catlyn to Jack. "Well, let me add my thanks to you Chief Gard."
Jack returned Catlyn's smile. "It was my pleasure. Believe me."
"You can tell me to mind my business S.S.A. Lyte and Chief Gard, but it seems as though your relationship is more than business."
Jack took Catlyn's hand in his and kissed the palm, "Way more than business."
Mackenzie jumped in with guns blazing. "Kinda quick ain't it slick?"
Ignoring the bite in Mackenzie's words, Jack answered affably. "Some would say it's 25 years too slow."
Mackenzie choked on her juice, setting the cup down, she looked at Catlyn. "Jack Gard? He's that Jack?"
Catlyn confirmed with a nod.
Mackenzie turned almost black eyes on Jack. "I knew I should have gouged your eyes when I had the chance."
Without missing a beat Jack replied, "I am really surprised psych cleared you S.S.A. Mackenzie. You seem kind of hostile. Perhaps it's a lingering effect from your injury."
Mackenzie bowed her head at the mention of her injury, and whispered, unconvincingly, "It's nothing. I am fine."
Kyle took pity on her, drawing attention back to Jack and Catlyn. "You guys have known each other a long time?"
Jack answered. "Yes, since we were kids. Catlyn was in my honors class when she was 12 years old."
Kyle looked at Catlyn. "I knew you were impressive S.S.A Lyte but I had no idea just how impressive. A successful, active field agent, a profiler, can sub for any tech in our IT department and if I remember correctly from our office holiday party, you make a mean brownie."
Catlyn laughed. "Thank you, sir."
"Since I am enjoying your hospitality, why don't we make it Kyle?"
Surprised Catlyn complied. "Kyle it is."
"Now, then, Catlyn, what's been happening in the Slasher case?"
Between Catlyn and Jack they filled Kyle in on everything that had been discovered since the agents arrived in town. And, they also explained about the victims all being black plus another race.
"So, you are saying all the victims are mixed with black and something else and each have above average looks?"
At both Jack's and Catlyn's nod, Kyle instantly looked at Mackenzie. "Did you know this before you came barreling down here?"
Discomfiture clearly in her body language, Mackenzie didn't quite meet the director's eyes. "Catlyn did mention it but I was only doing the research and besides, all the victims were beautiful, far above average in looks, like Catlyn. I am nothing if not average as the day is long."
It was Kyle's turn to choke on his drink. His eyes pinned Mackenzie. "I know you came down here to get into the thick of things. I don't know where your propensity for getting into trouble comes from, but, I am well acquainted with it." Then turning his eyes to his plate he added, "And, you damn well know there is nothing average about your looks. You're definitely above average, if not downright stunning, and you are black and mixed with some other race."
Mackenzie gaped. "How do you know I am mixed with anything? My skin is as dark as Catlyn's."
Kyle regarded her with eyes that roamed her facial features. "Are you telling me you are not?"
Mackenzie sighed. "Ok, I am mixed with Chinese. My great grandfather was from China."
"Actually, Catlyn is mixed with Cherokee Indian." Jack added to reduce some of the heat that was sparking between the other couple.
The director turned his eyes on Catlyn. "I don't believe it. I separate you two and you still manage to get into trouble together."
"We can't control who our parents are." Mackenzie spat.
Kyle sighed. "No, you can't control who your parents are. But, you can control whether or not you put yourself dead center of a town where young, beautiful black women are getting raped, mutilated and murdered."
There was a ting to the director's voice that both women knew meant he was none to please with either of them and the only thing to do was to keep quiet.
Jack saw that Kyle was only seconds away from losing his cool. "Agent Mackenzie, there must have been a reason you came to Newburgh other than to put yourself in the 'thick of things'."
Mackenzie threw Jack a glance and then jumped up. She ran into Catlyn's living room. She was back at the kitchen table with a laptop and a lipstick?
As she turned the laptop on, she indicated that they should gather round. "I think I found the original case which started it all."
Mackenzie picked up the lipstick, Jack quirked an eyebrow. "Agent do you really think this is the time to groom?"
All the agents gave him a look, Catlyn smiled as she explained, "Sweetheart it's not a lipstick."
Mackenzie gave him a glare before giving the small cylinder a slight twist. A USB connector slid smoothly from the tip. Mackenzie plugged in the USB drive and called up several files.
On screen was an old case file from 1969, a murder suicide.
"Miles Dalton, broke into his ex-wife's house, raped and tortured her for hours before slitting her throat and then shooting himself."
"Agent Mackenzie, how does this tie in to the current case. Both parties are dead."
Mackenzie smiled before answering Kyle. "That is what I thought. But the torture and mutilations were so similar I did some more digging." Pressing keys on the laptop she bought up 2 more files. Each was a record of vital statistics. One was a divorce decree and the other was a marriage license.
The divorce document proclaimed the ending of a marriage between Miles Dalton and Allison Jane Dalton. The marriage license announced the union of Allison Jane Vickers Dalton to a David Macson.
"It appears that while Miles Dalton was stationed overseas, his wife met and fell in love with her employer, David Macson." Mackenzie flicked through more files. "She sent Miles a 'Dear John' letter late in 1967. Miles came state-side, signed the divorce papers, citing irreconcilable differences. And, everything is smiles and sunshine, right? Wrong. It appears Allison married Macson just days after the divorce was final. Allison and Macson move into his big fancy house to live happily ever after."
Mackenzie gave Catlyn a look, Catlyn smiled and picked up the story, "Let me guess, Macson is white. Allison is black mixed with another race. Then one day when Macson isn't at home, possibly out of town?" Catlyn looked to Mackenzie for verification.
"He was on a business trip to Chicago."
Nodding Catlyn continued, "With
Macson out of town, Dalton comes to call and starts his own twisted version of a reunion with the ex."
Jack's brow creased. "So everyone in this scenario is dead. Who's our killer and are they ready for the old folks' home?"
Mackenzie tapped a few more keys, yet another document was put on screen. There was a highlighted portion. "There was a sole survivor that day." Mackenzie pointed to the screen.
"Son of a bitch! They had a son." Kyle swore. "Dalton made the kid watch him do all those awful things to his mother." Looking closer at the screen, he added. "The kid was only 6 years old."
Jack gave a weary sigh. "Talk about your psycho in the making. Well, looks like we have our killer. Miles Dalton Jr."
