Cop Tales an Anthology for a Cause

by T. R. Cupak

  Chapter Five

  “It’s Theo. What do I say?” Kayla stood at the threshold of my bedroom doorway. “I thought you were supposed to go to his place.”

  “He’s here?” I jumped out of bed. “I texted him back to let him know I wasn’t feeling well. I don’t know how he got my number.”

  “He’s a cop.” She shrugged and then covered her mouth. “I didn’t mean to bring that up.”

  “It’s fine. You don’t have to apologize. What should I do?”

  “For starters…” She ruffled my hair. “You need to look sick. But you look beautiful without makeup, so sorry, you don’t pass as someone sick. You’ll either lie to his face or tell him the truth. I suggest the latter. Just be easy on him. He brought you flowers. He probably came early to pick you up.”

  “You’re right.” I sighed through my nose, dragged my feet, and opened the door. “Hi.”

  His beaming smile turned sour when his eyes roamed down from my eyes to my feet. “You’re wearing PJs. What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

  Through his jeans and black sweater, all I saw was his cop uniform. “Theo, I need to talk to you.”

  “Okay.”

  “Let’s go to my room.”

  “Here. These are for you.”

  Purple roses. How did he know those were my favorite?

  “Thank you. They’re beautiful, but I can’t take them until you hear what I have to say. Come in, please.”

  After Theo followed me to my bedroom, I closed the door and sat on my bed. Theo opted to stand by the door, but he placed the roses on my desk.

  Acid filled my stomach and something hard settled in my throat. “I want to let you know that I have nothing against you being a cop. And—”

  Theo leaned his back against the wall and crossed his arms. “But you don’t want to date one.” His forehead creased as he rubbed his chin with his forefinger and thumb. “It’s fine. Thank you for letting me know. I appreciate your honesty. If that is all you have to say, then I’ll go.” He turned the doorknob, his back toward me.

  The hurt in his eyes was palpable, and I felt like shit. I could have let him go without any explanation, but something in my gut told me I would regret it.

  “No, there’s more. I need to explain.” My heart thudded out of my chest. Every time I had to explain to people what had happened to my brother, the pain ripped through me as if it happened yesterday.

  He slowly turned on his heel and waited.

  I curled into a ball around my pillow. After building up the courage to be strong and not cry, I told him how my brother died.

  “I think I could really like you, Theo, and that is why I think it’s best I don’t get close to you.”

  Theo’s shoulders stiffened, and his fists clenched and unclenched. I’d thought he was going to bail and never speak to me again. Instead, he sat on my bed and held me in his arms.

  “I’m so sorry, Nikki.”

  His heartfelt words reached to the depth of my core, and his embrace brought me comfort and solace I shouldn’t feel from this man I hardly knew. Slowly, Theo pulled away and held my hands in his as he glued his eyes on mine.

  “I think I could really like you too. In fact, I don’t know where this is coming from, but I feel a connection with you. A comfort. Like I’m home. It’s not a pick-up line. I’m just putting my heart out there for you. And I believe I can help you heal from the loss of your brother. We can do this two ways. One, I walk out that door and never bother you again. Or two, we can go very, very slow and see where this ends up. I could beg and give you a long speech and remind you that I could just as easily die from getting hit by a car while crossing the street and so on, but I won’t bother. Only you know. I want you to look into your heart and do what it tells you to do. My heart is telling me not to let you go, to fight for what we could have together. So now it’s up to you.”

  I couldn’t believe the words pouring out of him. His confession and his patience were more than I could ask of him.

  “I—I don’t know. I’m confused. You happened so fast.”

  “I understand. You’re still healing from the loss of your brother. I don’t want to downplay that. What happened to him sucks, but that doesn’t mean it will happen to me.”

  “I know.”

  I sensed he felt the uncertainty in my words.

  “I see.” He sighed as if he’d lost his heart. “I think you just answered me. Then I’ll go.” He rose and strolled toward the front door.

  My heart frantically thudded in my chest as I watched him leave me. Once he walked out, he would be out of my life. Did I want that regret hanging over my shoulder? Was I really going to let my brother’s death stop me from dating this man who happened to be everything I wanted?

  Brad had been half the man Theo was, and I certainly didn’t feel the powerful draw to Brad like I did with Theo. At that moment, I didn’t care about Theo being a cop.

  Damn it. Life was too short. I had to live my life to the fullest.

  There were no guarantees in life. No guarantees I wouldn’t die. Theo had as much to lose as me. Cop or no cop, I felt Theo could be my forever.

  “Theo.” I jumped out of bed and wrapped my arms around him as he turned.

  “Yes,” he breathed.

  “Number two. I pick number two.”

  His grin reached his ears. “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  “Good. ’Cause I have dinner waiting. I’m going to pick you up now and carry you to my place. I promise to be gentle with your heart.”

  “Damn, Theo. Now I understand how you broke Nikki’s writer’s block.”

  I hadn’t seen Kayla sitting on the sofa, sipping her coffee and reading a book.

  Theo winked. “You haven’t seen anything yet. I’ll give her plenty of material.”

  “You two kids have fun now.” She waved as if we were a nuisance. “Go.”

  “You want to join us for dinner?” Theo asked.

  I appreciated that he thought of Kayla too.

  “Nah. I’m really hooked on this book I’m reading. I expect Nikki to be home at a decent hour since this is her first date with you.” She snorted.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Then Theo whisked me into his arms and carried me to his condo.

  Being with Theo felt right. Sometimes you have to let go and let fate lead you. I never wanted to date a cop ever since my brother died, but I never thought I would meet someone like Theo.

  About M. Clarke

  International Bestselling, Award Winning, Author M. Clarke resides in Southern California. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great.

  BLUE | Christine Besze

  Chapter One

  Claire

  Georgia clay squishes underneath the soles of my boots as I traipse through the thicket of river birch trees. Everything is dense and green, but still covered in the fresh morning dew.

  My dark hair is pulled up in a neat bun, making it open season on my neck. The damn bugs are out of control this time of year. The humidity is so thick, it feels like a wet blanket suffocating me. Sweat saturates my black dress slacks. Gotta love summers in the South. Shoving a stick of Big Red gum in my mouth, I proceed with caution the rest of the way down.

  “Detective! Over here.”

  I follow the rocky path toward the sound of the officer’s voice, until I cross the yellow tape and reach the blue tarp. When I pull it back, an odor—one I’m all too familiar with—punches me in the face. I bury my nose in the crook of my arm to lessen the blow, but it doesn’t help. Death has a unique smell, one that buries itself so deep inside your lungs you’ll never forget it.

  I squat down and use a nearby stick to move aside a small strand of blonde hair. The second her face comes into view, the cinnamon flavor of my gum tastes like acid on my tongue. “Damn it.” Her vacant green eyes stare back at me. They’re eerily similar to the color of m
y own, which is a bit unnerving, but I push that feeling aside and keep focused on my job.

  “Another one?” Officer Miller asks from next to me.

  “It is. The signature’s the same. Ligature marks on her neck”—I point with the stick—“here and here. And the number eight drawn on her forehead.” My eyes zero in on her broken fingernails and find the similar markings on her wrists. Whoever this girl was, she put up one hell of a struggle.

  “We patrolled this area last night and didn’t find anything.” Officer Miller’s brown eyes glance over her body a beat before he roughly wipes the sweat away from his bald head. I don’t blame him one bit for being frustrated because we don’t see this kind of thing around here. It just doesn’t happen.

  White Oak is such a small town that most folks around here don’t even lock their doors. There’s no need to. Everyone knows everyone. And if they don’t, they’ll bake you a peach cobbler and pester you with questions until they do.

  “There’s no sign of decomp, which means she hasn’t been out here long.” My hands press against my thighs as I slide up to my feet. I ignore the beads of sweat dripping down my face and take in the rest of the crime scene. Most of the surrounding area looks undisturbed, but I’m not taking any chances. “Bag everything up and I’ll meet y’all back at the station.”

  “You think we’ll find anything at this one?”

  “The bastard’s bound to slip up sometime, Miller.” I toss the stick to the ground and head toward my car. There’s nothing more I can do here.

  Back at the station, my desk is a mess of crime scene photos and paperwork. I go over each file and piece of evidence with a fine tooth comb. There has to be a connection among all of them, something that I’m missing, and it’s driving me crazy. I chomp on a fresh piece of gum, as I keep at it. Hours later, the flavor’s gone and I’m still coming up empty. I’m ready to bang my head against my desk.

  “Coffee?”

  A mug is shoved into my line of sight and I take it without looking away. “Thanks, Captain.”

  “Don’t mention it.” He leans against my desk, legs crossed at the ankles. When his silver eyebrows rise and he stays there sipping his coffee, I know something’s up.

  “What?” My eyes narrow at the attention.

  “It’s late. You should go home and get some rest.” Wrinkles surround his blue eyes as he runs a hand through his salt and pepper hair.

  “You buttering me up?” I arch a dark eyebrow at him. I’m not buying his good guy act. There’s more to it.

  “Sort of.” He smiles and shrugs.

  “Out with it.” My lips purse, and I blow a bit of the steam away from my mug before I take a small sip.

  “They’re bringing someone in from the GBI to help us with this case.”

  I damn near spit out my coffee at that little tidbit of info. “No way! The last thing we need is the Georgia Bureau of Investigation coming in and taking over. I can handle this on my own.” I set my mug down, lean back in my chair, and cross my arms over my chest. Maybe I’m acting like a spoiled child, but this is my case and I’m going to see it through to the end.

  “We live in White Oak, Claire. Our town is so small that we’re not even on the damn map. Hell, I’ve only lived here three years and know the most crime we’ve had to deal with is Mrs. Kroger’s parrot swearing in church.”

  A snort escapes me. I love that damn bird.

  He ignores my outburst and keeps on going. “There’s no way we’re equipped to handle this. We need someone with more experience.”

  “I can handle it!” My hand slams down against the desk, as my emotions get the best of me. He may be right, but I’m too stubborn to admit defeat.

  His face softens at my outburst. “Got no choice, Anderson. Go home.” He raps a knuckle on the top of my desk before walking away. “That’s a direct order,” he calls from over his shoulder.

  I glance down at the mess on my desk and sigh. Tomorrow is a new day. And it might not be so bad having a fresh pair of eyes, as long as they don’t take over my case. I hit the lights and head home. Things always look better in the morning.

  Chapter Two

  Claire

  After hitting snooze for the third time, I’m finally up and out of bed. I groan the entire way to the bathroom. Every bone in my body protests with each step. Even the hot water of my shower does little to soothe the ache inside of me. I slept like crap. If I wasn’t dreaming of the case then my mind was consumed with a certain blue-eyed devil who’s been haunting my dreams for the past seven years. Seven years of failed dating attempts all thanks to him. I shake my head. The bastard doesn’t deserve another second of my time. He made his choice and it’s clear it wasn’t me. I finish up my morning routine, shove a fresh stick of gum in my mouth, and hit the road.

  I’m in zombie mode the entire drive to the station. From the time I drive through to grab my breakfast—coffee and a blueberry muffin—to the time I walk through the doors, nothing registers. Even the strange looks I’m getting from the other officers isn’t setting off any alarm bells. That all comes to an end the second I reach my desk.

  Tan combat boots connected to a pair of masculine khaki-clad legs are resting on top of my files. An olive t-shirt hugs a pair of the biggest biceps I’ve ever seen. They’re sexy enough to make my mouth water. I damn near choke on my gum at the sight before me. As I glance up to see if his face is as hot as the rest of his body, I find it hidden behind a folder—a folder that contains one of my case files. Oh, hell no!

  “You lost?” My fingers dig into the styrofoam of my cup as I fight to keep my cool. The nerve of this asshole. He comes from the big city and thinks us small townies should do a damn parade for him. I don’t care if his body looks like sex on a stick, he has no right to invade my work space. None at all. Then the folder moves and I swear time stands still.

  “Hello, Claire Bear.” Blue eyes, the ones nightmares are made of, stare back at me. He grins as he plops my secret stash of Big Red on top of my desk. The bastard’s been through my drawers. “I see you’re still addicted to this stuff.”

  A scream escapes me. It’s so loud that every gun is out and aimed at the bastard in front of me before I can blink. And I really wish they’d shoot his ass. If my hands weren’t full, I’d be reaching for my gun to do it myself. Seven years. Seven years of silence and he just appears out of thin air like it’s no big deal. Screw it, maybe I will shoot him.

  Chapter Three

  Jared

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Her green eyes darken into a deep emerald the angrier she becomes. Every muscle on her body tightens. If looks could kill, I’d be dead where I stand.

  “To assist with this case.” And for you. I’m not going to voice that last thought out loud or I might wind up losing a testicle. Besides, the less she knows the better for right now.

  “I see you’ve met your new partner, Agent Blue.” Captain Keller comes around the corner, wearing a wide smile, and saves me from more of her wrath.

  “Oh, we’ve met.” Her nostrils flare, as her hands ball into tiny fists. My lips twitch, fighting the smile that wants to break free. It’s been seven years and things haven’t changed. She still gets my blood pumping like no one else. Everything, from the way she wears her attitude like a second skin down to the way she’s chewing that damn gum like it’s her lifeline, is setting my body on fire. Her heart-shaped face and high cheek bones beg my fingertips to linger against them. Those bee-stung lips and what she can do with them taunt me like a forbidden fruit.

  “That all right with you, Blue?” Captain Keller grunts.

  “Uh, sure.” What was the question? I clear my throat and pretend I wasn’t just eye-fucking my ex-girlfriend in the middle of a police station.

  Captain Keller stares at me like I’ve lost my mind and I’m left wondering what the hell I just agreed to? A corner of his mouth twists up as he waves a finger from me to Claire. “You two play nice.”

  Judging by the icy
glare Claire’s shooting my way, that’s not even a remote possibility. For the longest time she doesn’t say a word, just calmly sets her coffee and bag down on her desk like it’s a normal day—which is far scarier than it sounds—and stares back. A woman screaming at me I can handle; it’s the silence that terrifies the shit out of me.

  “So…” My voice cracks and I have to clear my throat a couple of times before I don’t sound like my balls are dropping. “Shall we?” I hold my hand out like the good Southern gentleman my mama taught me to be and let her lead the way. Okay, that’s only a partial truth. I also want to stare at her ass without losing a limb.

  It’s firm and perfect. Also, it’s the only thing I can focus on from the time we leave the station until we enter the parking lot and approach an unmarked car. The second she reaches for the driver’s side door, all bets are off.

  “Whoa! What are you doing?” My body cuts in front of hers.

  “I’m driving. What’s it look like I’m doing?” Her eyes narrow, giving me that same ball-cringing glare.

  “No way. Not happening.” My hand comes down blocking her from opening the door.

  “Why? Because I don’t have a penis?”

  She leans in so close I’m briefly distracted by the scent of cinnamon, but quickly shake my head out of it. “No, because you’re a shit driver.”

  Pink colors her cheeks.

  Yeah, that’s right. I haven’t forgotten any of our time together, sweetheart.

  “That was high school and completely your fault. I’m sure it happens to everyone.”

  “Right. Mailboxes jump out in front of cars all the time.” A grin spreads across my face at the memory.

  “My driving has improved since then.”

  At that moment a fellow uniform walks by and chokes on a laugh. My eyes shoot back to her. “I rest my case.”