by Amy Briggs
“All right, will do. Viv is going up north to visit her parents in like a week or so and that would be a good time. I’ll hit you up about it,” Jax said. “So what brought you by today?”
“Oh yea, I was stopping by to brief the Chief, and I wanted to get the hell away from my desk actually. That’s the one thing about this desk job man, it’s not like we have investigations all day every day, so it can get a little boring from time to time. Plus, I’m a little stumped on some shit with this one, so I figured I’d swing down, say hey, and give him the lowdown on where we’re at so far.” Scott had forgotten for a moment why he was there after he’d been shooting the breeze with Jax talking about Viv and Dani.
“Well, you just missed him. He’s down at the commissioner’s for the rest of the day going over budget shit,” Jax replied.
“Let me guess, you asked for a bunch of fun new toys this year?” Scott joked.
“Of course I did. Always ask for way more than you need, so when they make cuts, you still get some of the goodies,” Jax laughed.
“Fair enough,” Scott replied, chuckling. “Well, I’m gonna head out and get back to the office, I need to finish up some shit so I can get out on time.”
“Yea, and you have a hot date tonight,” Jax sang like a song at him, laughing.
“Yea, yea, fuck you. I’ll catch you later. Let me know about poker so I can take your money,” Scott waved on his way out of the engine bay, leaving Jax to finish installing the magnets in his compartment.
11
Since there were no fresh leads, and he still hadn’t figured out what kind of gun the assailant used, Clayton decided to go bother the lab guys and toss ideas around with them while waiting on their next round of test results.
Oddly, Dani had decided not to come to the office with him that day. It was the first time since her attack that she had done that. In fact, she informed him over morning coffee that she’d be going to her own house, and having dinner there, with Scott. Clayton was grateful that whatever was going on between his sister and Scott was bringing her out of her despondent misery. He wanted her to have whatever time she needed to heal of course, but after a few months had passed, his concern increased over her hopeless attitude about moving forward.
Clayton found Melvin sitting in front of his computer, staring at what appeared to be a bunch of numbers. “Hey man, what’s going on down here? Anything new?”
“Hey Moore, good timing. We were just talking about your case,” he replied, waving in the direction of Arti who was cleaning a revolver on the other side of the room.
“Well, lucky me. Find anything useful?” Clayton had become increasingly aggravated over the number of loose ends with the case.
“Meh, we’re still working a lot of different angles down here, but nothing solid just yet. Come on over and we’ll show you some of what we’ve found so far, maybe it’ll help us narrow down what the fuck kind of weapon was used,” Arti waved Clayton over.
In front of Arti, alongside a long aluminum table were several firearms of varying caliber and size, all laid out next to each other. “What have we got here?” Clayton asked, pointing to the arsenal before him.
“As you can see, we’ve been trying to narrow down the type of firearm used to commit the murder. We even made some ice bullets of our own - from water, not blood I’d like to add - so that we could try shooting them to see what would happen,” Arti explained.
“Ok, and what have we figured out?” Clayton’s impatience grew.
“Well, frankly, we’ve figured out that there’s no fucking way for a bullet made of ice - or frozen anything - to exit a gun successfully enough to kill someone without shattering or melting on it’s way out of the weapon. Which means, while we’ve definitely determined that this guy’s body was punctured with a projectile made of blood at a velocity and ‘caliber’ high enough to kill him, there’s no way it was shot out of a traditionally manufactured handgun. We’ve tried them all as you can see from the display before you.” Arti pushed his glasses back up to the bridge of his nose and waited for Clayton’s response. They’d been firing ice bullets at ballistics gel all day, and in every instance, even with an icy cold gun, the piston and firing action from every weapon immediately shattered the bullet.
“So, could it be from some other kind of firing device? What if it wasn’t a gun at all?” Clayton suggested.
“Well, what do you mean? Like a bow and arrow, crossbow or even a sling shot?” Melvin rolled his eyes, huffing. “C’mon detective, let’s be real.”
“Well I’m just saying, if it’s not a gun, something shoved that bullet inside this guy,” Clayton replied.
“There’s no way that something like a bow and arrow, a sling shot or even throwing the fucking projectile is gonna kill the dude and leave a hole gaping in his chest. Besides, we’ve already determined using traditional methods that it was identical to a gunshot, it just wasn’t an actual gunshot. Besides, if it was an arrow, how the fuck is this guy gonna carry a frozen quiver around full of ice arrows? Seems fucking improbable and certainly inefficient. He’d be dripping blood all over the place as they started melting, which they would, as soon as they’re out of the fucking freezer,” Melvin was also becoming hostile; not being able to crack a case more quickly was annoying if not downright maddening for a guy like him who prided himself on his ingenuity.
“So, we’re looking for something that would shoot out a projectile or bullet in a non-traditional way that wouldn’t shatter it,” he summarized with an exasperated tone. “Thanks a lot guys, I guess it’s back to the drawing board. I’m gonna go stare at the ceiling in my office now.”
12
Dani had spent the day cleaning her apartment, which had become completely covered in dust since she’d barely gone there in almost six months. Once she’d adjusted to being by herself, she seemed to settle back in comfortably; the anxiety she’d had about being home was washed away by her enthusiasm for seeing Scott. She’d hoped that her minor freak out the night before wouldn’t continue to be an obstacle in getting closer to him. I really like him, and it’s time for me to move forward with my life. A man like Scott doesn’t come along that often. He is funny and kind, and Goddamn is he good looking. Keep your shit together on this one.
Not being a particularly good cook, coupled with the fact she had no real groceries, she settled on making a simple pasta. She decided that she would take the jar of sauce that was in the barren pantry, and dress it up with some spices and such to give it a more homemade taste, and just throw it over some spaghetti she rustled up. Since they were staying in, she didn’t want to get too dressed up, so she decided to wear a simple pair of skinny jeans and a fitted black v-neck t-shirt that showed just enough cleavage to be enticing, without sending a ‘fuck me right now’ vibe. Dani unquestionably wanted Scott’s hands on her that night, but she didn’t feel quite ready for full on intimacy just yet, particularly after her little panic attack the previous night.
Scott went home after work for a quick shower and shave before making his way over to the address that Dani texted him earlier. She’d also asked him if he had any food allergies, which he considered thoughtful as he wondered what she was making, considering he was hungry. He stopped to grab a bottle of wine on the way, even though Jack and Coke was her drink of choice, his mom always told him to not show up somewhere for dinner empty handed, and he felt like a bottle of Jack sent the wrong message, even though it would have been pretty funny. He made a note to bring her a bottle of Jack on another date night in the future.
With a little bit of nervousness setting in, he made his way to her front door, wine and flowers he’d picked up in hand. Scott’s palms were sweating, and he suddenly felt like he was in high school all over again, debating if the flowers were a stupid idea, and then thinking he should have brought flowers on their first date instead. Still questioning all of his decisions on her porch, she opened the door for him with a broad smile, snapping him back into the moment.
Waving him in, she focused excitedly at the flowers, her eyes beaming. “Are those for me?”
“Oh, yes! Yes they are,” he replied.
“They’re absolutely beautiful Scott, thank you,” she edged herself up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. The arrangement was a variety of all white flowers of different kinds, Dani’s favorite. She loved the clean and simple beauty of a one color arrangement like that. “Come in, please. Make yourself comfortable, I was just finishing up dinner. I’ll put these in some water.”
Scott felt a slight electric buzz on his cheek as she kissed it, stirring up his growing desire for her. “Can I help you with anything?” He asked. “I brought this bottle of wine - mostly because my mom trained me to when I go somewhere for dinner,” he laughed nervously.
Laughing, Dani replied, “That’s super thoughtful. I don’t need any help at all, but if you want to open the wine, the opener is in the drawer by the fridge and the glasses are next to the sink in the cabinet.”
“Ok great, I’m on it,” he replied, brushing by her gently where she was stirring pasta sauce on the stovetop. “Umm, I think I brought the wrong kind of wine,” he said thoughtfully. “I think you’re supposed to have red with pasta?” He asked her.
She turned and grinned at him, shrugging her shoulders, “Well, let’s buck the system and drink the white anyway. We’ll do things how we want to,” she winked, then turned back to stirring the pot, drawing Scott’s attention down her backside where he stopped to gaze at her beautiful round ass. Her jeans were just tight enough that he had a perfect view of his favorite thing, he was definitely an ass man. Unable to control himself, he stepped behind her, placing his hands on her hips, leaning over her shoulder.
“Smells good,” he said huskily into her ear.
“Thank you,” she replied, leaning back into him slightly.
“The sauce too,” he whispered, letting his lips graze her exposed neck, giving Dani the chills, and causing her heart rate to increase dramatically.
“Thank you,” she whispered, tilting her head to the side slightly, allowing him just a bit more access as his grip on her hips tightened. As he gently kissed her neck again, she stopped stirring and spun around to face him, her eyes hooded with lust.
He raised his hand to her neck, pulling her in and bringing her lips to meet his. As they kissed, he drew her into him while she wrapped her arms around his waist, letting him drink her in. She didn’t push away this time, in fact she pressed herself against him, enjoying his touch completely as the sauce bubbled away behind her. It wasn’t until they could hear the pasta begin to boil over that they broke their kiss, and Dani returned to her dinner cooking immediately.
Scott made his way over to the glasses, pouring them both some wine, and handing her a glass. “Here you go,” he said, raising it in a toast.
“To a do over,” she raised hers, clinking it with his.
“We didn’t need a do over, it’s a second date, that’s all,” he replied before taking a sip. As the wine touched his palate he realized how little he liked wine, and this one in particular. In an attempt to keep a straight face from the sour tasting wine, he smiled at her, and took a seat at the table.
“Okay, so I didn’t have a whole lot to work with, I haven’t been staying here as you know, so it was slim pickings. I didn’t leave myself enough time to go do some real food shopping, so I hope this is okay,” Dani said as she got plates out and began piling pasta and sauce on them. She wasn’t much of a cook anyway, but she wanted to do something nice to make up for the night before, and the way to a man’s heart is his stomach, she thought to herself.
“I’m sure it’s great,” he replied. “I haven’t had anyone cook for me besides my mom when I was a kid, so this is a real treat for me,” he said, awaiting the pasta to get the taste of the god awful wine out of his mouth.
Dani took a quick sip of the wine, trying to enjoy it as well, and wishing that it was a Jack and Coke instead. She’d never been much of a wine drinker, especially not white, but his thoughtfulness hadn’t gone unnoticed, and she’d choke down some wine in gratitude, even if it was painful and disgusting gratitude in her mouth.
She placed a plate in front of him, and then sat across from him with hers. Taking in a deep sigh as he took his first mouthful, she decided to simply jump into the elephant in the room. “I know that my brother told you I was attacked, and I want you to know what happened, so you understand why I bugged out last night, and just kind of where I’m at emotionally.”
Scott’s eyes became huge with surprise at her blunt introduction to the topic, but he appreciated that she wanted to share. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” he replied, taking a gulp of the horrible wine, to wash down what was now the worst pasta sauce he’d ever had. Caught in this terrible moment of horrible flavors battling each other, while she was trying to share with him, he focused on being attentive to the best of his ability, setting down his fork.
Dani had also taken a bite of the sauce she’d doctored up, and prayed to God that it tasted better to Scott than it did to her, as she took a sip of that terrible wine before continuing. “No, I want to. I like you Scott, so you deserve to know what my hang ups are without any bullshit or wondering what the hell is going on if I have a moment where I’m not myself. I’m working on being me again, but it’s been a difficult road.”
“I totally understand,” Scott replied.
“About six months ago, I was sexually assaulted. It was pretty bad, I was in the hospital for a couple of days. I got beat up on top of it.” She watched as Scott’s expression changed from intently listening, to shock as his face went pale, and his mouth fell open. She continued, wanting to get it all out, “when I finally got out of the hospital, I went to stay with my brother while they tried to catch the guy that did it. It went on for a bit while the investigation was happening, and Seth Lane, who I think you know, took on the case and helped me out. Clayton struggled as well, being a cop, and having something like this happen to his sister that he simply couldn’t prevent. It’s just been hard for both of us, and it’s been a long time that I’ve just closed myself off a bit, and it’s difficult for me to shake it. I’ve not been intimate with anyone since then, and I don’t want that to be a problem for you, but I feel like you deserve to know.” Having said most of that in one breath while Scott stared at her intently, had her grabbing her wineglass and drinking down the rest of the rancid sugar water that was in it.
Following suit, Scott drained his glass of piss down before replying, almost getting the chills as if it were a shot of back room Mexican tequila. Shocked, and with furrowed eyebrows, angry for what happened to her, he said, “Jesus Christ.. I.. Dani..,” he paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. “I’m not sure what to say Dani, except that I’m not the kind of guy that is in some kind of hurry to get in your pants. Don’t get me wrong now,” he put his hands up in surrender, “I want you. Bad. But I’m more than okay going at whatever pace is right for you.” He truly wanted her to feel wanted by him, but certainly didn’t want to make her feel anxious or pressured with him in any way.
“Okay, well on that note, this pasta is fucking terrible,” she blurted out.
Laughing hysterically, Scott chimed in, “this is the worst fucking wine I’ve ever tasted in my life. I’m literally tempted to wash my mouth out in the toilet right now.”
As the mood lifted, and they laughed hysterically at the epic dinner fail, Scott suggested an alternative. “How about we go get you a Jack and Coke and some pizza?”
“Oh dear God yes, please,” she quickly blurted out, taking the plates and tossing them in her sink with a grin.
Scott stood up and walked over to her at the kitchen sink where they were both still laughing about their series of mishaps. “I’m glad we had this talk. Let’s get the fuck out of here.” He leaned in to plant a small kiss on her lips, reassuring her that
he would be there. Truthfully, he hadn’t navigated a relationship in a long time, and she was the type of woman that was worth waiting for in his eyes.
“Yes, please.” She smiled up at him, starting to giggle again. She couldn’t believe how fucking terrible that dinner was. He was right, toilet water would have been better, good God. She would order out next time and not even pretend she made it herself.
13
Still laughing over the terrifically awful dinner, Dani and Scott headed out for pizza at a little spot not too far from her house. Their attraction had already grown to where they had playful banter, and Dani was becoming more comfortable being on her own away from her brother for the first time in months. Scott made her feel safe, something that she hadn’t thought would ever be possible again. In turn, Scott knew that Dani had reservations, and at the forefront of his mind was making her feel at ease with him.
Scott never imagined that meeting someone would happen just as he was getting settled into his new job, but he thought that just maybe this was a sign of things finally coming together for him. After sacrificing any thoughts of a personal life for so long while working and going to school, it was a pleasant change to be spending time with such an interesting and sassy chick. Not to mention how damn sexy she was.
An alert on Scott’s phone began to squeal loudly, indicating that the fire department had been dispatched somewhere; he reached over to the console to stop the high pitched noise when Dani glanced over at him.
