Insight

by Jennis Slaughter

  The agent looked at her. “Did you not get information from Jenny’s mother stating that Miss Montrose was a person of trust for the girl? Any good detective would have considered Raelin a person of interest in a missing person’s case. Why didn’t you question her? You have potentially sunk this case before we’ve started it. Any evidence you’ve gotten might not be admissible in court thanks to your over inflated ego and weakness for pretty faces.”

  “Excuse me Agent Sumners,” Jasper interrupted. “I’m the one that introduced these two, and it was before Delaney had even talked to Jenny’s mother. I’m the one that brought her in one the missing girls. It is because of her and Raelin that we have the information that we have now.”

  “Do you think a defense attorney is going to care that you played matchmaker? Do you really think they aren’t going to question the credibility of an arrogant P.I. who probably shouldn’t have her license after the shit she pulled here, and her lesbian voodoo lover? I’m surprised God hasn’t struck them dead where they stand already.”

  Del’s hand reached out to grab the agent’s collar, her free hand balled into a fist, ready to connect with his face if needed. “You mind repeating that for me?”

  Electricity filled the air as Raelin pulled power of the lines and held it like a ball in the palm of her hand. “Delaney, step back now.” Keeping her eyes lock on Agent Sumners, the witch slowly circled the table. “Agent Sumners, I invited you into my home, but you say one more word against anyone else in this house, and I will personally toss you out. Once again, do I make myself perfectly clear?”

  The agent gulped at the sight of the ball of energy crackling in the woman’s palm and he nodded his understanding. Del let him go, smiling when Rori jumped up on the table to glare at the man. “Now, Agent Sumners, I suggest you stop arguing about stuff that only you care about and get to the important things. Like the fact that there have been women disappearing in this area for years and none of you have managed to stop it.”

  Raelin stared at the man for a few more moments before she closed her palm and banked the power. She could hold it for a little while before it started to affect her, besides she really didn’t trust the man. Going back around the table, she took her seat.

  Jenny had watched the activity in amazement and then interest as the other agent just took Raelin’s display of power like it was nothing. Taking a better look at the young woman, Jenny decided that she liked what she saw.

  Del had glanced over to check on Raelin, knowing she wasn’t able to release the power in front of everyone. “Jasper, can you get the files out and show them the parchment?” She leaned over, whispering in Raelin’s ear. “How long you think you can hold that power in before it starts to hurt you?” She noticed Jenny’s intent stare directed at the female agent and smiled a little. “Also, I thought Jenny was straight, she’s been staring at Spaulding almost since she sat down.”

  Reaching out, Raelin picked up Rori and held him close. “An hour is the max, and I’m as surprised as you are about Jenny.” Turning to Jenny, she asked. “Where did you put the envelope I brought in last night?”

  Jenny looked startled that she was being spoken to. “Oh...umm...I put it in that drawer behind Agent Spaulding.”

  “I’ll grab it,” came the soft voice of agent Spaulding. She’d been keeping a close eye on her partner, knowing his conservative views and hadn’t been surprised at the witches display, knowing her partner had a bad habit of pushing the boundaries with the wrong people...on the other hand; the eye not occupied with her partner had been focused discreetly on the pretty girl across from her. Not her usual type, but the girl was pretty with her auburn hair and soft hazel eyes. Definitely, someone she could be interested in. She turned without leaving her seat and opened the drawer, grabbing the envelope and handing it to the witch.

  “Thank you Agent Spaulding. I found this yesterday in my mother’s old desk when I was cleaning it, and I believe, along with Jasper, that this is how the Kingsleys got the town folks to go along with the trafficking.” Raelin took the map and the deed, and spread them open on the table.

  Del stood up and leaned over the table, her eyes running over the map and the deed. “Jesus, the Kingsleys own nearly the entire town. They must be blackmailing the most of them into doing their dirty work. Raelin, this is brilliant. This is that missing piece I’ve been looking for,” she flashed a warm smile at the witch.

  “Yes well, the question is what, or who put the Kingsleys up to this?” mentioned the older agent, scratching at his chin.

  Raelin offered her opinion. “I think that they came up with it on their own. Arthur Kingsley Senior has been gone for about five years, so Regina and her son don’t have an additional income coming in other than his wage from his job at the furniture store.”

  “But why go into something like this though. They wouldn’t unless they needed a whole lot of money. The house is paid off, and AJ’s wages at the furniture store are enough to cover the utilities and living expenses since they wouldn’t have a mortgage,” Del mentioned, sitting back down next to Raelin, resting her hand casually on her thigh, knowing the witch would be struggling with the power running through her by now.

  Jasper jumped in, “From what I have observed during the time that I’ve been here, Regina likes to give off the impression that she is better than anyone else in town. I think that’s the reason she married Arthur Senior was because of the family. I believe that her mother and father used to own the diner.”

  “I already pulled her family history. There are no large debts that would warrant the kind of money trafficking pulls in. The diner paid itself off shortly before her father died,” Agent Spaulding added. “You say nothing has been heard from Arthur since he left? Has anyone checked his records?”

  “I did. Couldn’t find a thing. Like he dropped off the planet,” Del said, her fingers tracing small designs on Raelin’s thigh as she thought.

  Jenny spoke up, “Did anyone check on AJ? He used to go to the casinos all the time, or at least that’s what I heard. Maybe he owes someone a lot of money.”

  “I checked him though, nothing of interest,” Del paused, her hand stilling momentarily. “Does AJ’s boy have a trust fund? I wasn’t able to get his records because he’s only eighteen. I’d have to get his father’s permission because I’m not a cop. It would have raised too much suspicion”

  Raelin shook her head, while the younger woman thought for a moment. “I think Trey said that he did. He liked to brag that as soon as he was twenty-one, he was going to have a huge party.”

  Del looked to the agents, “You guys should pull the bank records for the kid. It’s possible that AJ knew we wouldn’t be able to pull his kid’s records without the proper authorities. And since we all know the local Chief wouldn’t allow any suspicions to be raised, AJ probably thought he was safe. I’ll bet he’s using the trust fund as the cover. You’ll probably find some pretty hefty withdrawals. And while you're at it, you can hurry them up with some current records I asked Jasper for. The bank statements he gave me were a couple years out of date. You know how banks like to give us the run around and the sooner I can get them, the sooner I get a timeline figured out.”

  She once again leaned into Raelin’s ear as the three agents discussed protocol for pulling records. “How you making out Darlin’? You can use me if you need to. You aren’t going to hurt me if I’m as sensitive to the lines as you think right?”

  Swallowing, Raelin shook her head. “I’m good for a bit longer. I don’t want to do anything while they are here.”

  Del flashed that signature grin of hers. “Okay, let’s see if we can’t get them some busy work,” she sat back up, squeezing Raelin’s hand in reassurance. “Okay so you guys can go get the bank statements. I also want you guys to bring the two men who assaulted Raelin in. Jenny can confirm that they are the same men who attacked her. I think if we play it right, we might be able to get them to turn on each other. Besides, I wouldn’t mind a fe
w minutes to talk with them, man to man as they say,” grumbled Del, her knuckles nearly white where she was gripping the edge of the table, trying to hold the fury back for Raelin’s sake.

  Raelin held up a hand. “I have a question...how are you going to pick them up without alerting the Chief? He’s not a stupid man, and if he thinks that something is up, he might run.”

  Del muttered a curse, realizing Raelin had a point.

  “Not to worry, we have a few accounts on the Chief that we found when we were tracing some of the Kingsley accounts. Seems our Chief likes to accept lots of money from the people who elected him. Not only that, but using taxpayers money at the local tracks is illegal last time I checked,” chuckled Sumners.

  Standing up, Raelin put Rori on his bench, and went over to the refrigerator. Opening it up, she took out a pitcher of orange juice and poured herself a glass. With her back to the table, she chugged it down before she poured herself another. This one she sipped as she turned back around. “Wouldn’t it be better if you picked him up first and did it very publicly? That way anyone else involved won’t be suspicious. They will think that he got himself in trouble and continue as normal.”

  Kasey thought about it for a moment, turning to her partner she nodded. “That could work Jake, and then we could grab the other two quietly in the middle of the night.”

  Del thought it sounded pretty smart and she flashed Raelin a proud smile. “Yeah, just make sure I’m around for the questioning.”

  Jenny spoke up. “When do you think that we could tell my mom that I'm all right? I'm sure that she's going out of her mind with worry.”

  “Not until we’ve taken in Mack and the other guy. They seem to be the ringleaders. Once we get them, it should be okay if Jasper delivered the message. I don’t think it’s safe for me to be seen in town right now,” Del answered, keeping a careful eye on Raelin.

  Raelin shook her head. “What if Jasper goes by and asks Amelia to come over here? He can tell her that I want to do a reading for her to help find Jenny. She can see Jenny, and if you have to, you can get them both out of town at that time.”

  Del stood, heading to Raelin’s side and stealing a sip of her juice. “I think that is probably a much better idea,” she gave Raelin’s side a playful poke.

  “What you mean like a tarot card thing? Like how you can pay to go see some guy behind a curtain and he pretends to read your future or some silly thing like that?” asked Jake. “You think people would believe that story? We need something better than that.”

  Raelin’s eyes narrowed as she handed Del her glass and reached for a deck of cards that she kept in a special location. Walking over to the table, she placed the deck in front of him and told him to cut it into three stacks and then hand the deck back to her.

  Taking the top three cards, she laid them out. Staring at them, she started. “Your father was very influential in your life. He didn’t suffer fools lightly and you are the same way. You think with your head and then with your heart.” Moving to the second card, she continued, “You have something going on at home and you are allowing it to come into your work. If you continue to do this, there are others beneath you that will try and take your place. You have a vantage point with your partner, and you must use her to succeed. In the near future, you will meet or work with someone who will teach you something that you had never thought of. Even though you abide by the rules, there will be times that you need to go outside the lines to get what you want,” she was about to stop when she looked closer at one card, “Congratulations are in order. Your wife is pregnant and you will have a son.”

  Jake sputtered, and huffed indignantly, trying not to show his shock. “Yes well, thank you. She’s due later this year.”

  Jenny and Jasper both laughed at the look on the senior agents face. Kasey managed to catch Jenny’s gaze and offered a shy smile, amused at her partner’s embarrassment.

  Del walked over and handed Raelin her glass of orange juice, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. “Way to show him Darlin’, now let me send them on their way so you can take care of the power you’ve been keeping cooped up for a bit too long.”

  “Now you guys should start heading into town. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on things. Just remember, when you bring them in, I want a piece.”

  Jasper caught the strained look on Raelin’s face and knew that Del was trying to get them out for a reason. “Okay you two. We’re heading out, unless you’d rather walk back to town. I just wish that I could be there when you arrest the Chief. I have a feeling that he was involved in what happened yesterday,” he stood and headed for the door, making sure the other two agents followed. “Raelin, thanks for the hospitality and all. We’ll see you around.”

  A Chapter 14 a

  As the agents walked out, Raelin grabbed Del's hand and quickly pulled her into the side office and closed the door. Barely giving the blonde time to get in the door; she whirled Del around and pressed her against the door, kissing her as hard as she could. She fumbled at the buttons of her shirt, needing to touch Del's skin.

  Del gasped at the sudden kiss, but moaned when Raelin took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. She grasped desperately at Raelin’s shirt, pulling her flush against her, melting into the taller woman’s curves. She broke away gasping. “Oh God,” she breathed

  Growling, Raelin restrained herself from ripping off the blonde’s clothes. “Shirt...off...NOW!” Her heart was racing and her breath was coming in gasps.

  Del wasn’t quite sure what had gotten into her lover, but she wasn’t about to complain. She quickly grabbed the two half open sides of her shirt and let it hang loosely off her hips. “What’s gotten into you?” she groaned

  “I need to do something with the power...” Raelin leaned down to draw one breast between her lips while her hand teased at the other. “And you kept touching me in the kitchen.”

  Del’s her head fall back, hitting the door with a soft thud. “I didn’t even realize I was doing it. Sometimes I just need to touch you, make sure you’re real or something,” she arched into Raelin’s touch when she found a particularly sensitive spot.

  Letting her lips travel down past a toned abdomen, Raelin dropped to her knees and began to work on the buttons on Del’s pants. “I need your touch Delaney...always.”

  Letting her hand tangle in dark hair, she let Raelin do as she pleased, knowing she’d be safe with this woman. “I need you too, please Darlin’.”

  Finally releasing the pants, Rae pushed them to the floor before she leaned forward to taste her lover, moaning at the slickness she found. Making sure that Del’s feet were free, she placed one of the blonde’s legs over her shoulder so that she could lick deeper.

  The rest of the world slipped away as Raelin drove her closer to the edge. God, this woman did things to her that she didn’t think were possible. Her hips moved on their own, encouraging Raelin, the hand buried in dark hair holding her in place. “Jesus, please don’t stop.”

  Withdrawing briefly, the witch growled, “Hold on.” Going back in, she lifted Del’s other leg over her other shoulder, effectively pinning the woman to the door. Carefully she slid up one hand so that she could slide in three fingers, filling her lover and began to thrust.

  Unable to hold back the cry, she bit her lip to try and muffle the sounds, knowing that Jenny and Rori were still in the kitchen. She pressed her heels into Rae’s back, desperate for more contact. She rode it out, letting the sensations build until it felt like she was going to come apart at the seams. Knowing Raelin could hold her there on the edge for hours, she pressed against Raelin’s shoulders, nails digging in, hoping Raelin would get the message. She’d tried to form words, but all that came out were broken syllables.

  Pulling her mouth a hairbreadth away from Del’s clit, Rae looked up as she flicked the little nub with her thumbnail. “Cum for me Del...give me yourself...give me your energy.”

  That was all Del needed and body locked for few split seconds before she
shuddered through her release, the keening wail that bubbled up through her throat foreign to her ears. She gasped for breath as spots danced across her vision, and she was sure that nothing existed outside of Raelin and the talented hand working her core. Long moments later her body finally relaxed, jolts of pleasure still rocking her slight frame as she went boneless, Rae being the only thing keeping her from slumping to the floor.

  Slowly withdrawing, Raelin cleaned her fingers after she cleaned the slick folds in front of her. She could feel the tiny tremors still going through Delaney and she gently pulled the legs from her shoulders and guided the limp body into her lap. Holding her within her embrace, she pressed gentle kisses over Del’s face. “Thank you...thank you for trusting me with your heart, body, and soul. I will love them all with every breath that I take.”

  Del let the thrumming in her head fade a little before she tried to talk. She pressed herself closer to Raelin, her body cooling as the breeze from the open windows blew across the thin sheen of sweat coating her skin.

  “That was, I don’t even know. The things you do to me Raelin. It was like, for those few moments, I felt you inside me, in my head like we were connected on a deeper level than just physically. Like if I tried, I could have spoken to you without actually speaking. I can’t even explain it; it was the single most intense thing that’s ever happened to me,” she clutched the brunette closer, needing to ground herself. It felt like her whole body humming with energy, despite being completely sated.

  Running her fingers along the blonde’s back, Raelin could feel the remnants of energy around the edges of her and Del’s auras, and she trembled with the memory of her own release that had happened simultaneously with the blonde. It was still sending tiny ripples throughout her body, and as intense as it was, Raelin couldn’t believe that it would be better once Delaney made love to her.

  “I’ve never felt anything like what I feel with you before with the power. When I use it normally, like I did in the kitchen, I usually feel connected with the earth. I feel the wind, the waves, and all the creatures that move on it. However, this with you, I feel YOU...all of you. Your heart beat, the blood rushing through your veins, even the breath that you took, I felt it all,” shaking her head, she bent to brush her lips against Del’s. “I am meant to be with you and you with me. If you being able to speak with Rori didn’t convenience me; this certainly did.”