Sinner Repent

by Morgan Kelley

  When Callie returned to the kitchen, she noticed that Quinn was on the phone and her brother was reading over a file. At least the lack of her refereeing didn't lead to a brother instigated bloodbath.

  Watching her warily, Nate was unsure if his sister would still be pissed or had finally calmed down. “I’m sorry,” he quietly offered. “I crossed a line.”

  Callie went right into her brother’s arms, unable to remain angry at him. “It’s okay, but don’t screw this up for me, Nate.”

  “I promise that I won’t.” Obviously, his sister was feeling pretty much the same thing as the sheriff. Like it or not, he had to accept it.

  Callie sat down in her chair as Quinn materialized by her side. Picking up his pen, he began scribbling information on the paper. He said a few more things before hanging up the phone.

  When Luke returned, Quinn began, “Good, we’re all here. I have more information on our third victim.”

  “Spill it, big guy,” she said, resting her fingers on his thigh.

  Quinn placed his larger hand over Callie’s before he continued, “The coroner sent the samples of shards he found to the lab and the results are back.”

  “What was it?”

  “It’s wood with a polyurethane coating.”

  “Okay, well that could be just about anything,” admitted Callie.

  Quinn added, “You would think that to be true, but it was a very unique polyurethane. It’s used only on bats.”

  “Baseball bats?” Nate asked, needing to clarify.

  “Yep, and it’s a sporting good grade chemical.”

  Luke scratched his chin. “Isn’t there a store right here in town?”

  “Yeah, and we need to get a list of all the baseball bats bought in the last few months.”

  “Yeah, but if it was bought with cash, won’t that make us miss a big chunk of potential people to question? There won’t be a record of those sales,” Nate added.

  Callie and Quinn grinned at that.

  “Oh, yeah, there will be. Old man Larson makes his people write out an invoice for each sale, regardless of method of payment. He likes the old-fashioned feel it gives the customer.”

  “Don’t even tease us, Callie,” said Nate.

  “She’s tellin’ the God’s honest truth,” added Quinn. “I can call the store and ask Ellen Crouse to get me copies.”

  “Who’s that?” asked Luke.

  Callie tried to explain, “She’s the manager of Larson’s. I do believe that she’s dating Jimmy Lee, isn’t she?” she asked, turning to Quinn.

  “Yeah, they’re pretty serious. She dotes on him like crazy,” said Quinn. That always amazed him, but now he had a woman who did the same thing. It was a pretty spectacular feeling.

  “Well if there was wood found inside her body, then there’s the possibility that she wasn’t raped,” added Nate.

  “Okay, so this one is different how?”

  Callie started ticking points off her fingers. “First, she was hit in the skull with a baseball bat, where the others, according to tox reports, were drugged. Then, she was sodomized viciously with the bat.”

  “It all seems to come back to anger,” said Quinn. “It’s rage and the Seven Deadly Sins. Now, there’s a great combination for you,” he muttered.

  Callie had an idea. “What if none of the victims were raped?” She watched their faces. “What if it’s not a crime of male sexual aggression but symbolic of something?”

  “Yeah, baby, but the coroner said they were assaulted sexually.”

  “No, Quinn. The report said there was vigorous sexual activity. No semen, no skin, and no hair. How the hell do you rape someone and not transfer even a hair?”

  Quinn contemplated it. “Could we have a man who’s trying to mess with us? By switching it up and making it seem impossible? Could all of this be to point it away from him?”

  Callie nodded.

  Luke glanced over. “Or maybe the bodies were washed?”

  Callie shook her head. “I doubt it. The blood from the carvings was dried to the wounds. There wouldn’t have been enough blood if the jugular was cut, then the body cleaned. I’m leaning more toward Quinn’s theory that this is to trip us up. The killer knows that sexual assault will risk leaving trace, so he uses the bat to keep us guessing.”

  “We need the coroner to go back to look for fragments in the first two victims,” said Nate. “And we need a warrant for the sales records at Larson’s.”

  Quinn stood. “I guess I’ll go make a few phone calls and try to charm a warrant out of a judge,” he said, leaning down to kiss Callie on the lips. Who knew when he was going to get another chance to breathe in her scent the rest of today? Already, it was fast becoming an addiction, and he never wanted to get over it.

  “I have to make these two breakfast, before they fade away,” she said, laughing.

  “Best idea yet today,” Luke admitted.

  Callie stirred more batter, and then poured the corn cakes onto the griddle. When they were ready, she served the men and nearly got her hand bit when she stole one of the blueberry corn cakes from Nate’s plate. “Zeke wants one,” she said, laughing as she broke the corn cake into pieces to feed the dog.

  “He’s going to get fat,” stated Quinn, walking into the room. It was hard not to be enamored by Callie when he saw her hand feeding his mutt.

  “Uh, darlin’, it’s too late to worry about that,” she replied, pointing out the obvious. “How did the call to the judge go?”

  “They’ll both be ready tomorrow morning. Tommy offered to do the exams again tonight. Right now, he has some other bodies on the slab from an accidental fire.”

  “Okay, what are you two doing tonight?” asked Luke, glancing over at Callie.

  “I have a date with the sheriff,” she answered.

  Nate lifted an eyebrow. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m taking Callie to the carnival fireworks tonight. We’re going to have a picnic to celebrate Independence Day.” When he wigged his eyebrows at her lecherously, she giggled.

  “Sounds like fun,” said Nate, trying to stay calm at the idea of his baby sister lying on a blanket with any man.

  It wasn’t personal.

  This was his kid sister. He remembered her with pigtails and scuffed up knees.

  “We need to get back to your place, Callie. There are a few things we should take care of today. I have office work that I’m still responsible for, and a conference call with Ethan Blackhawk and Gabe Rothschild.”

  Luke started snickering. “At least it’s not the female director. Last time, she nearly handed you your balls when you called her ‘sugar’.”

  How could he forget?

  “Yeah, lesson learned on that one. She may be from the south, but she doesn’t appreciate my southern charm.” Nate was going to avoid Elizabeth like the plague.

  Callie snorted. “Can I have a ride back there? I need new clothes for my date. What I packed isn't appropriate,” she added.

  “I’ll bring you home, baby,” Quinn offered.

  Callie wanted to have time to primp, do her hair, and makeup. “No, thank you. I’ll force the Neanderthals to guard me until you come pick me up.”

  “I’ll bring you a surprise,” he said, pulling her into his arms to kiss her softly.

  “Mmmmm… Okay, well then, I’ll make the food for the picnic.”

  “Deal,” he whispered in her ear, intentionally trying to send shivers down her spine.

  This was going to be one hell of a date.

  He was sure of it.

  * * *

  Quinn wandered around the house feeling out of sorts. Even Zeke was miserable in her absence. It was lonely without Callie’s voice and smile to brighten up the place. At one point, he found himself lying face down on her pillow, just to catch her scent. Callie’s lingering perfume caused his whole body to react as his stomach clenched.

  “Oh, yeah, Zeke. We need to reel this one in. Tonight, we have to pull out all the s
tops and impress our girl.” Sitting up from the bed, he headed into work to take care of business. It wasn’t going to be easy to focus, since the only thing on his mind was Callie and sealing the deal.

  * * *

  She had a very hectic afternoon making the perfect picnic menu. Callie fried up chicken, placing it in the refrigerator along with watermelon wedges, bottles of root beer, and thick chunks of corn bread. She threatened Luke and Nate’s lives if they even breathed on any of it. Then, Callie went to get ready for her date with Quinn.

  After showering, she dug around in her closet for the perfect attire. Part of her wanted to throw on flip-flops and shorts, but this was a date. In the back of her mind, she wanted to catch Quinn’s eye, making him focus on no one but her.

  Finally, she located the perfect sleeveless red polka dot shirt and a tiny little skirt that she knew would make Quinn crazy. They pretty much screamed one thing, and that was Callie’s intent. Leaving her hair loose, she used a headband to keep it in place. Once her contact lenses were in, and sandals were on, she was ready to go.

  At the mirror, Callie inspected the woman staring back. Her curves worked to her advantage, and the color played off her skin and hair perfectly. Callie dabbed on her perfume before heading down to the kitchen to make sure her brother and Luke had left the food alone.

  Tonight was going to be a huge part of their courtship. It may seem silly, or old fashioned, but seeing a guy get dressed up as he tried to impress, was alluring to her.

  She wanted the romance.

  Most importantly, she wanted the man.

  When it came down to it, tonight was very important. Every minute she could spend with him, while death remained at bay, was a gift.

  Callie couldn’t wait.

  She had a long-awaited date redo with a sexy sheriff.

  * * *

  Quinn glanced at his watch as he pulled into Callie’s driveway. He was right on time. Pointing at Zeke, he warned him. “Behave in this car.”

  The dog whimpered but stayed where he was, not even moving his tongue.

  Quinn glanced in the rear-view mirror to make sure he looked presentable, just before hopping out of the car. “I mean it,” he warned the dog.

  Zeke barked, but sat completely still.

  Quinn truly hoped that Callie would be as impressed with the surprise he had in store for her. Heading up the walkway, he was nervous as hell. This was like going to his high school prom all over again, except this time the woman mattered so much more.

  Taking a deep breath, he knocked. It didn't take long, and when she opened the door, his heart was completely stolen. The woman who stood in front of him was nothing less than amazing.

  “Wow, you look… gorgeous,” he said, taking off his sunglasses so he could really check her out. She was radiant in red, and her hair was a mass of sexy curls.

  Damn!

  His body began stirring as he took in the tiny skirt, which made her lean runner’s legs look even longer, if that was possible.

  Suddenly, he realized how lucky he was.

  Callie took that moment to observe the man standing in front of her. He was clean shaven and wearing snug jeans that showed off his impressive form. She found herself wanting to run her fingers down his torso, right to his belt buckle. Moving closer to him, she placed her hand on his hip and positioned herself so her body was touching his.

  Quinn was already enjoying this date.

  What man wouldn’t?

  As she pulled him down so she could kiss him deeply, he swore he was going to melt into one big puddle.

  When his arms wrapped securely around her waist to hold her to him, Callie’s heart pounded. From the tautness of his body, she could tell that she wasn’t the only one excited about their evening.

  Quinn pulled away from her as his control began wearing thin. He didn’t think that taking her on the foyer floor was a good opening for their evening. Now to end it? Well, that was a whole different story.

  “You clean up really good, big guy,” she whispered, blowing warm breath across the skin sticking out of his shirt by his throat.

  “You taste amazing-like cherries.”

  “It’s lip gloss.”

  He swallowed as she licked her lips. The simple act was maddening.

  “Let me get the food, and we can go,” she said, taking his hand in hers.

  He probably should warn her. “Callie, I had to bring Zeke. He’s been moping since you left this morning.” What he wanted to admit was that so was he, and that, without her, it was the longest afternoon of his life.

  “I don’t mind if my furry buddy joins us. Come into the kitchen while I get ready to go. I’ll pack up the picnic basket, and in the meantime, Nate and Luke can give you dirty looks and tell you not to take advantage of me.”

  Quinn laughed. “Now, that sounds like a plan.” He corrected himself, “I meant the taking advantage of you part, not the dirty looks from Nate and Luke. Although, I have to admit that I’m getting used to them.”

  In the kitchen, Callie packed up a genuine picnic basket and folded a checkered blanket over her arm. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the men staring at her. “I didn't forget you two, so relax. I left you enough food in the refrigerator to hold you over for the night,” she offered, heading back to her date.

  “Thanks, gorgeous,” Luke said, winking. “Have fun, and don’t do anything that I wouldn’t do.”

  Nate punched him in the ribs.

  “What?”

  Callie snickered as she handed Quinn the basket. When he took her hand in his, leading her out of the house, her heart was skipping in her chest.

  “Close your eyes,” he requested, blocking her view of the car in the driveway.

  “Okay,” she answered, doing just that.

  As he led her toward it, he found the perfect spot, and moved out of her way. “Okay, open them.”

  She wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but in the driveway was a nineteen sixty-six Ford Mustang convertible. “Quinn, it’s amazing.”

  “I restored it myself, and I rarely take it out of the garage. Tonight, I wanted to take you to the carnival, and then to the fireworks in it.”

  Callie kissed him again. “I love it, and the color matches my lips.”

  Yeah, he was already well aware. Her lips were still on his mind from that one taste.

  As they approached the car, Zeke got excited and jumped from the back to race at Callie. Miraculously, he stopped at her feet as he waited for her attention.

  “Oh, you’re my good Zekey,” she crooned lovingly. “Let’s go have a picnic,” she said, getting into the car as Quinn closed the door for her. As usual, he was the perfect gentleman. Callie slid on her sunglasses, waiting for him to start it up.

  “I know I told you this already, but you look amazing. Thank you for going with me.”

  Callie leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Keep sweet talking me, big guy, and you might just get lucky in this car,” she teased as he tensed.

  “God, that is my fondest wish, baby,” he said, laughing. He could pretend that wasn’t his intent, but it had been on his mind.

  “Okay, I have to ask. Why a cherry red Ford Mustang, other than the obvious? You’re definitely a truck kind of guy.”

  Quinn glanced over at her. “Do you really want to know?”

  Callie nodded.

  He offered up the entire tale. “My mom and dad had the exact same one for years, and let’s just say that I was born nine months after they took it to these same fireworks.”

  Callie stared at him. “Are you serious?”

  “Uh huh, so I thought it was appropriate, and it’s in honor of my momma. She would have gotten a kick out of me taking my girl for a ride in it.”

  She started laughing at his terminology. If she had her way, there’d be more than a ride going on later. “Well, I think it’s pretty fantastic.”

  “Oh, yeah, baby, me too.” Yeah, it had always been missing something, until just now. Cal
lie made it perfect.

  Driving to the picnic grounds, they didn't stop laughing the entire time. When he stopped the car, Quinn came around to open the door for her. Again, he tried to be the perfect gentleman as he spread out the blanket. Nothing was going to ruin his date redo.

  “Okay, so it’s your turn to impress me,” he said, pointing at the picnic basket as he rubbed his hands together.

  “I don’t know if I can beat a Ford Mustang, but how about homemade fried chicken that’s made with my momma’s secret recipe, freshly made corn bread, and watermelon? Then, for dessert, there may be warm chocolate chip cookies.”

  “Don’t torture me, Callie. If that’s all in there, I’ll fall to my knees and worship you.”

  Callie teasingly took out the containers of food and opened them one by one, as she continued watching his face. It was hard not to laugh. “Are you going to be okay, big guy?”

  “I’m not sure. I have a hot woman, home cooked food, and a convertible. This is one hell of a night for me.”

  Callie put food on the plates she brought and handed one to Quinn. Then, not to leave him out, she tossed Zeke a hunk of cornbread, to which he fell on top of and swallowed in one big bite. Callie waited for Quinn to taste the cold fried chicken, and it looked like he had reached Nirvana.

  “Baby, this is amazing,” he said, taking another bite.

  “That chicken is how my momma got my daddy to marry her. He took one bite, and he never left her side. They’ve been together for forty years now.”

  Quinn stared at her, desperately wanting to tell Callie everything that was on his mind. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her before the chicken, but now it felt more urgent that she know his true feelings. But, where to start?

  “Are you okay?” she asked when he stopped chewing.

  “Yeah, baby, I am.”

  Callie smiled at him. When Zeke whined, she tossed a hunk of her chicken, and he went wild. “You two are a matched set when it comes to food.”

  “Uh huh,” he said, knowing that he had just fallen that much harder for her. He put his chicken down and wiped his fingers on a napkin. “Callie, I have to say something and I don’t know how you’re going to react.”