Thrown Adrift

by Combs, Sasha

  **********

  0200

  Linda and Hayford had been in Elizabeth’s penthouse for nearly an hour. She had searched every room...finding bits and pieces of information that didn’t make a great deal of sense. She had copied down the last phone numbers called on the dead woman’s telephone. She’d called the CSI team to see if any of the telephone numbers matched up with numbers on her cellular phone. Linda had been disappointed to hear that except for her clothing; Elizabeth didn’t have any other personal items on her when she’d been fished out of the river. This finding was crucial because it meant that more than likely, Elizabeth’s body had been moved and she had not jumped into the water to kill herself, as some had theorized.

  Hayford had toured the penthouse with Linda...guiding her through the expansive space because he admitted coming here on multiple occasions. Linda had quietly walked while stopping periodically to bag and tag items she believed essential to solving this case. As she moved through the penthouse, on more than once occasion, Linda questioned her actions. The department had crime scene investigators trained to comb through scenes like this one. She wondered if perhaps she was overstepping her authority by not calling them. She questioned, just maybe, she’d been spooked due to Hayford. He had told her that Elizabeth’s father had paid off policemen. She couldn’t substantiate his claim but she wasn’t in a position to dispute it either. On the surface, Hayford had no reason to lie to her. On the other hand, he had also admitted his role in certain coverups. Hayford had said that on occasions, he would omit Elizabeth’s name from his stories to prevent her family’s name from being drawn into her shenanigans. Whatever her reasons were; at the moment, Linda knew only one thing for sure. She trusted herself and before anyone entered this penthouse, she wanted to be here alone to collect evidence.

  As she followed in the rear of him; Hayford would switch on lights in darkened rooms with ease and when he did this Linda found herself wondering how much time had he spent in this house with Elizabeth Van Wilson. He walked through the place in the same manner she used when she strolled throughout her own apartment. People did these kind of things based on memory; they did these things due to their familiarity. Linda’s frustration had been mounting...fueled by a curious jealousy she still didn’t understand. She couldn’t help what her body was telling her and she couldn't control how she felt towards Hayford. As she followed him through the penthouse, she could feel the looming presence of the dead woman. She had told herself that Hayford and Elizabeth had not been lovers but Linda didn’t like the idea of him spending time in this lionesses den.

  Hayford had been quiet as they roamed through the house, and Linda had been waiting for him to fill in the gaping holes in his stories. It was obvious to Linda that Hayford was holding back information. He knew things about Elizabeth...things about her father as well as his connections with the police force but for some odd reason he felt playing a cat and mouse game was in order. Linda’s annoyance had reached its zenith. A combination of arousal and vexation had melded together making her determined to get answers.

  As they finished searching Elizabeth’s massive bedroom, Linda’s composure melted away, right along with her false calm. She had done this Hayford’s way all evening and now it was time to get to the bottom of things. She wanted to know about his involvement with Elizabeth as well as the dirty secrets he knew about his dead friend.

  Linda spoke and her voice broke through the eery silence that dominated the penthouse.

  “Why are you playing games Hayford? If you know something, why don’t you just come right out and say it? I don’t have time for games. The clock started ticking the moment Elizabeth’s body hit the water.”

  “You’re asking the wrong questions Linda...you’re smarter than that.”

  Throwing her hands up in the air, Linda turned to leave Hayford in Elizabeth’s bedroom. When she’d used the clock as a metaphor she had been trying to emphasize her point. But the clock was ticking and she hadn’t made much ground in this case. She knew currently time wasn’t her ally and wasting precious seconds could mean the killer would get away. She needed to piece this puzzle together and currently she wasn’t doing a great job. As she made her way to the door Hayford caught up to her...turning her around to face him. His steel blue eye’s pierced right through her chilly body. She knew there was an attraction between them but she’d never entertained the idea of seeing where that attraction would lead them. He was still holding her arm with his fingers gently squeezing her flesh to reassure her.

  Looking into her brown eyes he said...

  “Linda...”

  His voice was much gentler and his tone was calm. To her ears her name had sounded like sweet honey as it dripped from his lips. She tried to focus on the words that were being formed by his mouth and not the way him saying her name had made her feel. She didn’t understand much of tonights events and she truly didn’t understand why her brain was reacting so strangely towards Hayford’s every gesture and every word that fell from his mouth.

  While he still held her attention, Hayford forced himself to remain disconnected from Elizabeth’s life. His mind was on Linda now...and he truly was committed to help her solve this case.

  “Ask yourself...” he said while still holding on to her “Why did they put you in charge of this case? Why did Chief Billings call you, instead of another detective with more experience? When you answer that question...then and only then will you be moving in the right direction.”

  Linda’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. This question had been a done deal. They had already had this conversation before she left the crime scene on the island. She’d been clear when she told him about her qualifications, but it would appear that Hayford had not been satisfied with her response. Yet, she still didn’t understand what he was talking about but she knew Hayford believed he had just given her a golden clue. From the moment he followed her to her car along the riverside...to the point where he found her beached at her desk in her cubical; Hayford had been there. It wasn’t until now, that Linda finally realized this blazing connection couldn’t have been a mere coincidence.

  Looking at him; Linda wanted to clear. There could be no room for confusion. Her eyes focused in on his blue stare while saying... “Hayford...if you know something...tell me...help me.” She pleaded. “Don’t throw me to the wolves like you did when you wrote that bogus story years ago. Help me if you know something...help me find Elizabeths killer.”

  Hayford keenly felt the sting of her words. Considering her comments, he now knew with certainty; Linda had not forgiven him for the part he played in delaying her dreams. Years ago, through a series of contacts, and loose connections; Hayford had uncovered abuses and corruption on a state level. He’d just started out and he’d only been working at his fathers paper for less than a year. There was much he still needed to learn and his investigation skills had not been the best but his efforts had panned out. The information he’d gleaned had led him to a cancer. When all was said and done, he had unearthed gross misconduct linked to key officials. In his zeal to get his story to press, Hayford had not reviewed his notes and after his story had been printed, nearly every other paper wrote their own versions. This went on for weeks and that one leak had led to several other unsettling discoveries. Hayford’s work had won him an award but the aftereffects had not been good for Linda. As the state rocked due to the scandal; Linda’s name had been tied to the primary suspects in the case. Judgments were swiftly handed down in a series of fines, sentences, and an array of colorful punishments. Hayford had heard about Linda and the defense she’d attempted to mount while insisting that she was innocent; and it wasn’t until then that he reviewed his notes. After listening to his taped conversations with her; Hayford realized that her name should never have been grouped with the others. Hayford had tried to undo his mistake but his efforts had not produced the outcome he’d been looking for. Even when he attempted to contact Linda, she refused to talk to him. She didn’t want to
hear about errors or mistakes because her life had been ruined.

  After that debacle, Hayford made every attempt to get his sources straight. But none of that mattered now. At least not when it came to Linda. That had been an awful time in his life and he still felt guilty for the part he played but it was obvious by her words; Linda believed Hayford owed her something more than just an apology. He knew she had every right to feel as she did but he also knew there was only so much he could do to help her in this case.

  As Hayford was just about to explain this to her, they each heard the entry lock as it clicked, turning the tumblers over within the doors locking mechanism. When the door finally opened then shut closed; Hayford made the quick decision to pull Linda tight into his body while directing them both to the seclusion of Elizabeth’s enormous closet.

  **********

  0230

  Hayford wrapped his arms around Linda’s waist...pulling her body firmly into his. The melding that had gone on between both of their forms had made his firmness to difficult to easily explain away. The person that had gained entry into Elizabeth’s home had been pointedly making their way to specific area’s to address specific things of concern. They each heard the telephone as its receiver was being picked up...the pushing of button’s indicating that the memory of numbers were more than likely being erased. The intruder looked through her nightstand...pulling out items then after leaving her bedroom, the person left the upper floor of the penthouse; taking the stairs back to the lower level. Linda had wanted to pull her gun out of its holster but Hayford had held her so tight; his restraining move had tempered any ideas that might have gotten them both killed.

  As the bedroom became quiet while the intruder rummaged through the house on the first level; Linda whispered in a low tone, but loud enough for Hayford to hear.

  “I need to see who this person is...”

  When she attempted to break free from his hold; Hayford pulled her back saying...

  “Linda...it’s to dangerous. If this is the same person that killed Elizabeth, imagine what they might do if they feel cornered. If they believe that we’ve staked out this penthouse, waiting for them to return; what would prevent them from using whatever force they possess to get out of here. In this situation...what would they have to lose?”

  The thought of her getting hurt was to much for him to fathom. He knew she was a cop...but before his awful story, Hayford knew she more than likely would have been practicing law as a city attorney like her father had.

  Linda placed her hand on the closet door but Hayford’s grip wouldn’t allow her to leave. She had felt his erection as it pushed into her back. The idea that Hayford thought of her in that way had made Linda’s mind cloud over with heady ideas. She wanted to ponder on the possibilities...ponder on what could be...but she also knew she had a job to do, which meant there was no time to imagine why Hayford’s body responded as it had towards her presence. Pushing back with greater force, Linda felt Hayford’s body hold her with a stronger grasp. This time she said...

  “Hayford...let me go. I’ve got to see who is in this house.”

  Hayford shook his head saying...

  “It’s to dangerous Linda...it isn’t worth the risk. I don’t have a gun...and I’m sure I heard more than one set of shoes walking on the lower level.”

  Linda frowned. She had not been able to discern more than one set of shoes. But she considered one thing...she had not been trying to detect how many people were in the house. She had only wanted to see who was rampaging in Elizabeth’s bedroom. In spite of that, and her missed opportunity to prove herself to Hayford; Linda didn’t care how many people were inside of the penthouse. She had a job to do and she couldn’t allow Hayford’s concerns to interfere with this investigation.

  Speaking sternly, she stated her point.

  “I can’t allow myself to be concerned about the danger that might be out there waiting for me. That doesn’t matter Hayford... I can’t allow it to matter. The second I do that; fear creeps in. I’ve trained for situations like this. I know how to keep myself safe and I still need to see who is in this house.”

  Hayford’s grip was so tight, he was certain his hold would leave her with an ugly bruise. But at this juncture, he didn’t give a damn. One of his friends had already been killed tonight and Hayford was determined to keep Linda from being this killers next victim. Sternly he said...

  “You’re not going out there. No way Linda...it’s not worth it and I don’t care how trained or prepared you think you are.”

  Linda jerked her arm, testing his hold. Hayford didn’t let up. There was very little light in the closet, but she twisted her body in his direction; trying her best to see his face.

  “What aren’t you telling me Hayford?”

  They had been whispering back and forth until they heard the footsteps coming back in the direction of the bedroom. This time, Linda turned her ears into precision instruments...making them act like a tuning fork as she narrowed in on the sound of feet. One set...she had told herself; just as she felt the clasping of hands on her waist from behind her. Hayford pulled Linda so close to his body; he knew if he pulled her any closer, the contact might be more than he could physically bear. From the moment he’d yanked her inside of the closet with him; everything about Linda had been nearly pushing his restraint over the edge and it didn’t seem to matter that their lives were on the line. Not only did he want to keep her safe; Hayford wanted to be with her intimately. It was plain and simple, even though it made little sense to him. Given their predicament, he should have been attempting to figure out ways to defend her if the intruders discovered them hiding out in the closet. But instead, his brain was dreaming up ways to please her.

  As the sounds in the bedroom gave no hint, telling either of them what the intruder was doing, Linda tried to peek through the seam where the two closet doors met. But Hayford’s hold was preventing her from doing this. It was obvious whatever this person was looking for couldn’t be found and she was hoping the evidence that she’d already bagged and labeled...storing the items away in her purse; Linda was hoping whatever this person was looking for had already been collected.

  **********

  0245

  When the door on the lower level could be heard closing and with more than a few tensed moments now behind them; Linda pushed the double doors to Elizabeth’s closet wide open. Hayford was closely walking behind her and she chose this moment to force him to share what he was obviously keeping from her.

  As the intruder made one final sweep, combing through Elizabeth’s bedroom; Hayford and Linda nearly released their breath in horror, when the double doors to the closet had swung open. Due to the walls being lined with racks of clothing; they had easily hid behind the cover of Elizabeth’s wardrobe.

  When the intruder left the bedroom cursing, it was obvious by his behavior that he had not found whatever he’d risked returning to retrieve. But Linda had gotten a quick side glance while they stood hidden behind the garments. She still didn’t understand why this person was inside of Elizabeth’s home but what is more important; she knew she’d be forced to confront him before the night was over.

  Walking down the stairs to the lower level, Linda began talking because she knew Hayford was close on her heels.

  “I want you to tell me about Elizabeth’s father...I want to know how he was able to keep her from getting in trouble with the police. I want to know who his contacts are...or if he allows his attorney’s to clean up his daughter’s mess. I want you to explain to me how you knew Billings was at the mayors mansion tonight and I also want to know how you knew nearly every judge in the city wouldn’t be reachable by telephone.”

  She glared at him once she reached the bottom step of the staircase. She had been working this case for nearly three hours and she wasn’t any closer to solving it even though she knew by industry standards...it was still to early to think the guilty party would be found. But Linda did think she should have the answers. So f
ar, she had managed to collect all the pieces to assemble this puzzle but she lacked the information that would help her understand how all the pieces fit. And currently one of the key players wasn’t playing by the rules. Hayford was creating a problem for her because he was choosing what he wanted to share and when he would share it.

  Hayford looked at her for a moment, then continued down the stairs in the direction of Elizabeth’s kitchen. As she followed behind him, Linda could feel her anger soaring. Just when she thought her cork would pop; Hayford looked at her with a stare of resignation. She saw the words from his mouth beginning to form but his answer was cut short due to a chiming tune coming from her cellular phone. Pulling it out of her pocket, she looked at the screen. She recognized the number and she knew that the call was coming from the medical examiners office.

  “Detective Mead...” she said because she didn’t know what kind of mood Gregory was in, after he’d blasted her at the crime scene.

  Gregory quickly recited rhyme and verse and in quick order, he ended the call. Linda stared out into the distance as she added this new piece of information too the scattered puzzle pieces she already had. This new piece put a different spin on her case...leading Linda to believe she knew how and why Linda had been murdered.

  Hayford had seen that look before...not just on Linda...but on most detectives when they had information that would help them solve their case.

  Staring at her he said...

  “Who was that Linda...? Was it Jeff from the crime lab?”

  Linda furrowed her eyebrows in disgust because she hated that Hayford knew everyone in the city who had anything to do with her department. She wondered if Hayford had greased Jeff’s palm with twenties or hundred dollar bills...and she was certain that Gregory had been bribed by Hayford based on the tilt of his stories whenever he reported on homicides in his daily column.