by Tl Reeve
“I’m not.”
“I promise I won’t go on any more wild goose chases.” She gathered up all the work she’d compiled on the case and meant to shred it, not having any desire to see it ever again. Poor little Piper Thomas. Can’t even figure out one unsolved case by herself.
“We’ll stay,” he said, grabbing the stack from her hands. “You’ve got all the answers here. We have to figure out what we’re missing and grab our killer.”
Hope bloomed with the conviction in his voice. “Might be nothing though.”
“I think it’s something, Piper.”
“You’re only saying such because we argued.”
He threw the papers onto the table, then grabbed her shoulders, holding her tight. “You listen to me, Piper Thomas. I don’t do anything I don’t want to or see some merit in. You gave us a scare. One I don’t think I will be over for a very long time.” And, with that, he slanted his mouth over hers. The brutal kiss lit a raging fire in her belly.
Unlike Julian who coaxed and teased her arousal to the surface, Theo latched onto it and drug her kicking and screaming, metaphorically speaking, into the pleasure-filled waves of arousal. Teeth clashed and tongues tangled as he dug his fingers into her hair and tugged. He directed her mouth to where he wanted, then plundered her depths.
When he pulled back he was breathing hard; his wild gaze stalked her as she gathered her tattered wits. What did one say after a kiss like that? Thank you? Do it again? Call him a pervert? She touched her lips, and he groaned.
“Don’t,” he whispered. “It’s taking all of my willpower to stand here and not throw you over my shoulder and take you to bed.”
Her heart tripped a beat, and her sex clenched at the idea of him fucking her senseless. “We shouldn’t.”
“On that, I agree.” He scrubbed his face. “Piper, I’m not going to lie, I want you. I know Julian does too. We will have you eventually. We will give into this burning lust between us.”
“We’re on a case and have no time for sex or who’s going to do what with whom.” She wouldn’t say later, and she wouldn’t even broach the idea of Heath. There was something building between them too, but for all she knew, he wanted to be her friend, not her lover.
“We will.” He smoothed out the fine wrinkles in his waistcoat. “Until then, I will find Julian, and we will begin working the case. We’ll start at the beginning and go from there. With three sets of eyes, something new is bound to turn up.”
Yes. Maybe. She nodded, unable to say anything at his declaration. Piper kept her eyes locked on a spot on the floor in front of her feet. She didn’t dare glance up at him for fear she’d say screw it and give into whatever this was between them. It crawled through her veins, searing her as it went until it filled her soul and showed no sign of leaving.
* * *
“I heard you kissed and made up.” Julian.
Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t heard Theo or Julian return. “Sorry, I was thinking.”
“Oh, what were you thinking, sparrow?” Theo stepped beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder, drawing her attention to him.
“Sparrow?”
He nodded. “You flutter around, picking apart clues. Dissecting everything. Then you painstakingly build a nest out of said evidence, in hopes of finding the golden egg to crack the investigation with.”
Well…when he put it that way…. “I was thinking about the scarf. How the DNA on the secondary spot was contaminated.”
Julian pulled up a stool and sat beside her. “And?”
“What if I tested the wrong sample?”
Theo folded his arms, so his hand rested against his chin. He rubbed at his salt and pepper scruff. “Wouldn’t hurt to try.”
Her thought precisely. “I’ll get it started if you two want to go through the case notes and the information Heath and I were able to dig up.”
Both men glanced at each other. “I’ll let the help know to leave the food in the shitty kitchen.” Theo shook his head. “I can’t believe people thought this was high society living.
She laughed. “You have to remember, any house with a wood floor and partial electricity was a modern marvel to them. This is luxury.
“I’d rather have my big screen and a game on,” he quipped, heading for the door.
When he left, Julian turned to her. “Everything better?”
“Yes. I’m sorry for being so…bitchy and shitty.”
“Hey, don’t take all the credit. I came on a little strong too.” He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the crown of her head. “I’m sorry, Piper.”
“Don’t be.” She eased out of his hold. “Now, let’s get to work. From the looks of it, we’re going to be pulling an all-nighter.”
Chapter 3
Julian woke early and headed to the small kitchen in their living quarters. The night before had been a whirlwind of activity. Most of it had been them going over the evidence Piper had collected and what they had from historical documents and articles. Heath had even joined them to help out occasionally, before recusing himself. The man was on a deadline for a book after all, and it would have been a little unfair to him if they dominated all of his time.
By the time they shut down for the evening, they were no closer to the answers they needed. Nor did the sequencer give them the answers they’d hoped for. Oh sure, it spat out a DNA profile, but it had been the victims. Blood type AB was still an unknown. She deflated a bit after that, and, instead of pressing harder on the case, they all called it a night, going their separate ways.
As he scooped the coffee into the filter, he went over the concrete facts of the case, and one point stuck out like a sore thumb. The killings stopped after Mary Pearcey’s arrest and subsequent death. Had their Piper been on the right trail all along, and they’d dismissed her? Anger filled him as he poured the bottle of water into the carafe before pressing start on the coffee maker.
This whole time he’d been so sure she’d been on the wrong track, he didn’t consider thinking outside the box. Once everyone was dressed and had a cup of coffee, they’d head out and retrace every victim’s steps and Mary’s as well. It would also mean talking to Heath again to get the file on the Mary Pearcey case.
He rubbed the back of his neck, at some point they were going to have to talk to Heath too. His long, soulful stares at Piper when he didn’t think she was looking gave him away. Big time. The guy had it bad for her, and he didn’t blame Heath. She was gorgeous. Perfect in every way. He waited for the jealousy to fill him when the realization of what was happening between them reared its head, but none came. However, a peacefulness he hadn’t experienced in a long time settled on his shoulders—until he acted like a possessive prick.
“Morning. Is the coffee ready?” Piper stood beside him wearing a cami and shorts. Her lush locks were bed-tussled, and her eyes were sleep heavy.
His body tensed as he stood there staring at her. Did she have any inkling of how she teased him? “Morning.” He bent to her and brushed his lips over hers. “Yes, just finished. Would you like something to eat?”
She glared at him. “Why did you kiss me?”
“It was either kiss you or ravage you. I went with the more appropriate.” He grinned, grabbing a cup out of the cupboard.
“You could have just said good morning and left it.” She crossed her arms, putting her supple breasts on display.
“I did.” He passed her the cup; her coffee made how she liked it. “Did you sleep well?”
She frowned and took the cup. “No. This case has been chasing me in my dreams.”
“Then it’s time to put it to bed.” Julian guided her over to the table. “I need to apologize again.”
“For the kiss?” She quirked a brow as she took a sip of her beverage.
He chuckled. “No. I was going over the case in my head, and a thought occurred to me.”
She sat forward slightly and placed her mug on the table. “What?”
“You could
be onto something. In all of your research, did you find that the murders stop after Mary Pearcey was captured and later put to death?”
“I believe so, but I’d have to check to be sure.”
He nodded. “I think you’re right.”
She shook her head. “No, this honor would go to Dr. Findley. He is the one who found the evidence and presented it. I am only trying to prove his case.”
“Then we’ll work with his case first. Lay it all out and why he thought she was the Ripper, then layer it with your thoughts and evidence.”
“Okay. Sure.” She toyed with the cup in front of her. “What changed your mind?”
He shrugged. “I got to thinking about it. If you push aside the cases, and you focus on Mary and when the Metropolitan Police arrested her, then subsequently hung her, I believe it matches up to when the Ripper disappeared. Also, while we were working, I happened to spy the letter sent to the newspaper from the Ripper. It’s too pretty of handwriting to be a man’s.”
She blinked. “Too pretty?”
“Yes.”
“You’re basing your answers and conjectures on an arrest and handwriting?” Her tone indicated she didn’t believe him, yet she watched him with an innate curiosity which countered her demeanor.
“Yes.”
“Good morning everyone.” Theo entered the kitchen in fresh clothes looking like he’d had no issue sleeping the night before. “Sparrow.” He bussed a kiss at her temple before heading to the coffeemaker. “Did you sleep well?”
“Uh…” She glanced between them, before pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. “This is getting weird.”
Theo’s head popped up. “Did I miss something?”
“No…well, yes.” Julian finished his cup then walked to the sink to rinse it, before putting it into the soapy water. “I have informed Piper I’d like to follow her lead on the case with Mary Pearcey.”
Theo took a drink from his mug. “Do you agree?” He cut his gaze to Piper, who stared at them with a dumbfounded expression on her face.
“Well, I guess.” She hitched her thumb toward the hall. “I’m going to get dressed.” She pushed away from the table, her eyes still locked on them, before pivoting to walk away.
“Care to explain what happened?” Theo asked once they’d heard her door close.
“I got to thinking about what she said last night, and it kind of falls into place. I told her my theory, but she wants to use Dr. Findley’s information for this part since he led her in this direction.”
“Ah. Makes sense.”
“I thought so. I believe she’s surprised and a little hesitant.” Julian moved past Theo. “We should go on a tour of the city. Visit each of the grizzly sites.”
“Don’t you think it’ll be…suspicious?”
“Walking around the city?”
Theo gave a curt nod.
“With Piper at our side, we won’t need a map, so it’ll take away any misgivings someone might have.” He paused at the table. “I think we should bring Heath in on this. See if he’s dug up any other information we could use.”
“Are you sure it’s wise?”
“Yes. He stares at her like a lost puppy, hoping she’ll pay some attention to him.” He continued toward his room. “Make the call. I’ll be ready in fifteen.”
For the earliness of the morning, the streets of White Chapel were packed. No wonder someone could be murdered and no one would notice. They kept Piper between them as they strolled down Mills Court. Heath politely declined to join them but agreed to take a look at the case after he finished with his rewrites, and would report any discrepancies.
“Here,” she said. “This is the last scene.”
“This is where you came two nights ago?” Theo stepped forward and gazed up at the apartment building. “Shitty.”
“Thanks for the obvious. It’s a tenement. It’s not supposed to be pretty.” She rolled her eyes and pointed to the alley beside the building. “I waited there, and you know the rest.”
“Stupid question.” Julian wrapped her hand over his forearm. “Before the incident, did you happen to see either person enter the building?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s what raised my suspicion.”
They continued down the lane. “I thought about the time back then…now….” She scrubbed her forehead. “Anyway, being out at midnight didn’t fit. People are up with the sun. It’s how it works. So, a sensible bedtime might be nine p.m. or ten. I figure if I waited from five p.m. to at least eight, I would catch someone sneaking in. Hear a scream. Something.”
“Nothing though?” Julian found the idea that someone wouldn’t hear anything suspicious. They had to have.
“No, and with the drunken asshole, I couldn’t stick around. When I made a full circuit of the street, I found the scarf. I picked it up and took it with me.” The police report they read over, stated that one had been found by the entrance of the building. Later, the police stated blood had been found on the fabric. A potential for the victim and the suspect.
“And when we found out about a redhead with curly hair being the victim...” Theo frowned.
“Let’s not start that again,” Piper replied.
“I agree,” Julian stated.
“We should go to the other sites. People are going to start staring at us.” She tugged at Julian.
“Yes, we don’t need to make the same mistakes of Berlin.”
Theo’s tone rubbed him the wrong way. “Don’t start. We apologized last night.”
“I’m only pointing out the similarities right now,” Theo said. “I’m not trying to be a prick.” He reached for her, and she retreated into Julian’s hard body.
Julian wrapped a protective arm around her, splaying his hand across her stomach. A clear sign she belonged to Julian, and he would do whatever it took to protect her. “I believe we agreed to table this portion of the discussion and move forward. How is this moving forward?” He leaned into Theo, boxing Piper in. “Apologize, and this time, mean it.”
* * *
Piper pulled out of Julian’s embrace, even though he protested, and gave an exasperated sigh. “If I needed your help I’d tell you.” She took a few steps away from them, at her wits ends with both men. How stupid of her to believe either one of them would do anything to help her without having an agenda of his own. “If this is your attempt to apologize or win me over, you’re both losers. Your game sucks, and you need to learn manners!” She waggled her finger at both of them. Damn men. Assholes. Both of them. Yet, the niggle of awareness she experienced anytime she was in their vicinity left a trail of gooseflesh along her arms as she stomped off.
They turned her insides to mush, and if it weren’t for the starch in her spine, she’d have stayed right there with them, allowing them to pull the bullshit card of Berlin. Was she never going to live it down? And Julian? She glanced over her shoulder and watched as the imposing man got into Theo’s face and read him the riot act. Damn...talk about sexy as hell. A welling of some foreign emotion filled her. She appreciated his support more than she’d ever tell him.
Still, taking the first step to exploring what he’d expressed every time they saw each other meant trusting him, and she was in short supply after everything. The thought of taking the leap made her sick to her stomach and her body shake with anxiety. No, she couldn’t allow it. Not now. Probably not ever. As she continued down the path, no destination in mind, she thought about the way her body reacted to being near both men and the way they’d inserted themselves into her life.
“Great, I’m a glutton for punishment.” She kicked a rock on the path, and it hit one of the discrete trash boxes strewn along the street and bounced back, hitting her in the shin. She yelped and grabbed her leg. “Perfect. I’m convinced the Fates are out to get me now!”
A single tear became a steady fall as she pulled her knees to her chest and finally allowed herself to cry. Great, now people will think I’m gutter trash.
* * *<
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Julian watched as Piper stomped away and turned the full brunt of his ire back on the man standing in front of him. For months, he’d been trying to break through her shell, to delve deep to figure what made her tick. Every time they made gainful strides with her, something went wrong, or better yet, someone did something wrong.
Theo stared at him, the passive expression on his face only amped up the anger coursing through Julian. What the hell is wrong with this guy? He should be telling me to fuck the hell off and yet, he’s standing here.
He left Theo where he stood and went in search of Piper. A conversation at this point would be futile. “Go back to the house, Theo, we’ll talk later.” If the man spoke, Julian didn’t hear him. He could use the convenient excuse of pedestrian conversations carried along the narrow road, and Theo would be none the wiser.
As the crowd thinned, he spied Piper, sitting among the trash boxes, holding her knee. Her sobs broke his heart. However, what pissed him off was the oblivious nature of those surrounding her. Were people so callus during this time period they wouldn’t help a lady in distress? He hurried to her side, skidding to a halt in front of her. Julian went to his knees and began his examination before she even acknowledged his arrival. A spot of blood dotted the left leg of her stockings. He tried to ease the material down so he could see what caused the cut, but she pulled away.
“Don’t touch it. You have no right to touch me. I didn’t tell you to.” The anxiety along with a bit of fear in her voice surprised him.
“Hey now, it’s me you’re talking to.” He placed his hand on her foot and squeezed gently. “You’re hurt.”
“I know,” she whimpered. “Did it to myself.”
“What? Why?” Since she wouldn’t let him touch the injured leg, he took the other in hand and began massaging her calf, trying to release the tension building in her body. “Talk to me.”
“No.” She refused to look at him.
“Theo will not bother you. I promise.” He used the soothing tone his father used with his mother.
