by Jamie Hill
Mel squeezed her phone and smiled.
* * * *
Nate clutched his phone tightly before setting it on the table in front of him. Each time he talked to Mel, he had to fight the emotions that bubbled in his gut. He'd come close to saying 'I love you' a couple of times, but had resisted the urge. The timing hadn't been right. When he said the words, and he felt sure he would, he wanted the setting to be perfect.
Stone entered the war room and sat across from him, depositing an armload of papers on the table. "This sucks."
"Something specific or life in general?"
"Both." Stone shook his head. "I'm not even sure what I'm looking for. Digging into the lives of my co-workers and other cops. Nothing seems pertinent to the case, but like I said, I'm not really sure what I'm after."
Nate leaned back and flexed his fingers together. "Anyone with a grudge against Mel? She tick anybody off lately? Unusual or suspicious behavior?"
Stone rolled his eyes.
Nate smiled. "I know. One man's unusual is another man's ordinary. I never said it was going to be easy. We just have to keep digging for Mel's sake."
Stone shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable. "There might be one thing. I've been thinking about Tanner. Besides the night Mel embarrassed him at Morgan's, something happened at work here the other day."
"Like what?"
"I was just getting in to the office and I overheard Mel and Tanner talking. Seems he needed her expense report. When she wasn't here, he logged on to her computer and downloaded it. She was pretty unhappy. Told him that wasn't within the scope his responsibility. He reminded her that he has clearance and access to everyone's computers, but she told him never to do it again."
"She was upset, huh?" Nate mulled it over.
"Very. I thought she might report him, but we were busy and I guess she decided to let it go."
"So Tanner has access to everyone's computers. Being in Admin, he has access to personal records, too. And stuff like bank accounts."
Stone nodded.
"Interesting." Nate smiled. "See, Henry, you do know what you're looking for after all."
His phone rang and he grabbed it up. "Willis."
"Hey, it's Marshall. I found Sheila. She's on her way to the hospital in an ambulance."
Nate's gut clenched. "What happened?"
"Not sure. Found her on a scuzzy old sofa in her crummy little apartment. Looks like she's been on a bender all night. Heroin, cocaine, crack and weed all over the coffee table. What's left of about five grand in cash there, too."
"Is she going to make it?"
"Don't know. Even if she does, her credibility as a witness is shot."
"Webb could have set her up. Pumped her full of shit to make it look like she OD'd."
"No way to prove that. They'll say she used the money he paid her for the night to get lit up."
"No way he gave her five thousand dollars for one night."
"The uniforms on duty at the hospital yesterday said she didn't have any visitors. But there was some confusion in the hallway during the shift change and she might have been left alone for five to ten minutes."
"Some confusion?" Nate shouted into the phone. He stood and paced as he fumed. "This thing has turned into a cluster fuck from one end to the other."
"I know," Marshall agreed. "Confusion at Webb's house when the neighbor's dog got loose. Confusion in the hallway at the hospital. It's almost like someone was one step ahead of the police, wreaking havoc as he went."
"Burton Webb."
"Burton Webb," Marshall confirmed.
Nate rubbed a hand over his face. "I've got to tell you, this doesn't look all that good for the WPD either."
"Roger that. We look like a bunch of bumbling idiots."
"Now that you mention it, that's exactly what I was thinking."
"Okay, so I'm following the bus to the hospital. I'll stay with Sheila until we know more."
"Keep me posted."
"Will do." Marshall disconnected the call.
Nate relayed the information to Stone. They went over the all the files they had and Nate made calls to Steve, the FBI analyst who'd successfully tracked down Webb. By late in the afternoon they were all tired and slightly testy because they seemed no closer to the truth then where they'd been that morning.
Becker prepared to leave at the same time they did. From what Nate could tell, she'd been keeping an eye on them most of the day. Stone admitted she was curious about what they were working on, but he kept her in the dark.
"See you tomorrow," she called, tossing a fashionable gold and white bag over her shoulder before heading out.
Nate scratched his chin. "Cops in Wichita get paid better than cops in San Antonio?"
"I doubt it." Stone said. "Why?"
"That was a Prada handbag she was carrying. Last time I checked, those started somewhere around fifteen hundred bucks and went well over three thousand."
"Should your knowing that bother me?"
Nate chuckled. "I had a girlfriend once that obsessed over Prada. I satisfied her with Coach handbags. They were still pricey at three hundred, but more in my range."
"Three hundred dollars for a purse?" Stone blinked.
"For a Coach," Nate reiterated. "The Prada ones like Becker was carrying cost in the thousands. She have money?"
Stone seemed surprised, and had to think about it. "She's always dressed nicely, but she doesn't come from money. I don't know Prada from Walmart, so I couldn't tell you if the bag is new."
"I'll ask Mel. I imagine she knows Prada from Walmart."
"Probably so. I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Night." Nate watched him go and placed one more call to Steve. When he was done, he checked in with Marshall to get an update on Sheila. No change. Marshall was calling it a day, and said he'd go back to the hospital in the morning.
Thoughts rolled through Nate's mind as he drove to Mel's place. No word yet on when the IA hearing might be, but he suspected it would be soon. Tomorrow is Thursday. How much longer could they keep Mel's name away from the press?
He scanned the neighborhood as he approached and everything looked normal. Parking in the driveway, he locked his vehicle and entered the house using his key. "Hello?"
No answer.
"Mel?" Nate announced himself walking down the hall. He didn't want to come face to face with the barrel end of a Smith and Wesson. "Mel?"
She wasn't in the bedroom, or either of the bathrooms.
His gut clenched. Nate rushed down the hall and searched the kitchen. The table was set for two with his roses as the centerpiece, but there was no sign of Mel. He searched the spare room and double checked to make sure her car was in the garage. It was there. She wasn't.
The back door stood slightly ajar. "Damn it!" he swore. The door was open, and Mel was gone.
Chapter Eleven
Nate raced to the door and threw it open. Mel stood on the patio in front of a smoking barbecue grill. Relief mixed with irritation flooded through him. "What the hell are you doing?"
She glanced up, a surprised expression on her face. "What kind of a greeting is that?"
He stomped over to the grill, looking around the yard as he did. "You shouldn't be out here. That freaking creepy jackass of an asshole Webb knows where you live."
Mel chuckled. "Your love for him hasn't grown much today."
"I'm serious, Melanie." He clutched her arm.
"I know you are because you're calling me 'Melanie' and using your 'I'm serious' voice." She piled two steaks onto a plate and thrust it at him. "Take these inside while I turn off the grill."
He rolled his eyes and stayed beside her while she did what she needed to do, then escorted her in.
Mel locked the door behind them. "I know it was stupid to go outside, but I wanted to make you a nice dinner. The more I thought about it, the more I decided I will not let Webb make me a prisoner in my own home."
Nate set the plate on the table and shook his head. "We've got
a lot to figure out, then. I can't imagine leaving Wichita knowing that maniac is still on the loose, and driving down your street every day."
"He did it once."
"That you know of."
She placed two potatoes on the table and got condiments from the fridge. "I hope steak and baked potatoes is okay with you."
Nate sighed. He pulled her into his arms and spoke directly in her ear. "Whatever you made is fine with me. You scared me, Mel. I'm not sure how we've come so far so fast in this relationship, but I'm head over heels for you. I can't imagine not being with you. When I thought, for an instant, that you were gone, I about went out of my mind."
She wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sorry I scared you. I am wearing my gun and my phone, I hope you noticed."
"I did. But the first thing an attacker's going to do is disarm you."
Mel kissed his earlobe. "Stop worrying so much. No one's going to disarm me. Well, maybe you, if you come across with those chocolates you promised."
He smiled and captured her lips in a kiss. His hands ran through her hair and down her backside, where he drew her ass firmly against him.
She ground her hips into his.
His erection grew. He opened his mouth and deepened the kiss, hungry for more than the dinner she'd prepared. He wanted as much of Mel as she had to give.
She pressed her hands against his shoulders and pushed him back. Panting, she smiled. "We need to eat first. We'll definitely pick this up where we left off, but let's eat while it's hot."
Nate grabbed her ass one more time and squeezed. "You're hot."
Mel laughed, running a finger over his stubbly cheek. "You're smokin' hot. I love this facial hair. Never shave, okay?"
He released his grip and held a chair out for her. "No promises. Eventually I'd look like Grizzly Adams, and I doubt the bureau would appreciate that." He took a seat and they began to eat.
"This is wonderful." He savored each bite.
"Thank you. So admit it, grilling steaks was a good idea."
"Going outside was a lousy idea. The fact that it worked out okay is pure luck. And these steaks are purely amazing." He reached over and traced a line up her arm. "You're a great cop, an excellent cook, a dynamo in the bedroom—is there anything you can't do?"
She nearly choked on her mouthful of food from laughing so hard. "Wow, you make me sound like quite a catch."
"You are," he said sincerely. "I've started thanking God every day that I'm the one who caught you."
"Awww." She smiled. "Such a sweet talker. But I still haven't seen the aforementioned chocolates."
He feigned a grumble. "Women. Give them roses, and they still want chocolates."
"Damn right." Mel continued eating.
A thought occurred to Nate and he added, "Give them Coach and they still want Prada."
Her eyes sparkled. "I'd be happy with Coach. I don't need a bag that cost more than a month's pay. My luck, I'd spill a latte on it."
He chuckled. "Ever notice Becker having an affinity toward Prada?"
"Becker? No way. She's a rookie, the newest detective in the unit. Before that she walked a beat. I'd be surprised if she could afford Coach."
Nate finished his steak and pushed his plate back. "She was sporting a stylish Prada bag today. Stone and I saw it."
"Stone wouldn't know Prada from Hello Kitty. How do you know it?"
He shrugged. "Remember I told you about Rita, the girlfriend who left when I entered the bureau?"
Mel nodded.
"She had a thing for Prada. I satisfied her with Coach, but just barely."
Mel's gaze ran down his body. "That's not what satisfied her."
He shoved his chair away from the table and reached for her.
Mel straddled him and wiggled her ass into his crotch.
Groaning, Nate nibbled her neck. "Hope you were done eating."
"For now."
His mouth moved lower and he mumbled, "Want me to clear these dishes?"
"Later." She unbuttoned his shirt and shoved it off his shoulders.
"Want me to shut up and put my talents to better use?"
"Most definitely."
They necked for a few minutes then she rose and motioned for him to follow. Mel left her gun and half her clothes in the dining room. The rest littered the floor, leaving a trail down the hall. By the time she reached the bed she was naked and as beautiful a sight as Nate had ever seen.
He scrambled to undress, taking longer because he had two holsters to remove. He left his Glock on the nightstand and tucked his smaller gun into a dresser drawer closer to the bathroom.
Mel had thrown the covers off and flopped onto the bed, wiggling one knee back and forth suggestively. The mere vision had him rock hard and ready to go. He rolled on a condom and grabbed her by the legs, flipping her over on her belly.
"Oh!" she exclaimed.
Nate knelt behind her and raised her hips to meet his. He paused before progressing to the next step. "Something to say?"
"God yes," she grunted, her voice muffled when she buried it in the pillow. "Take me."
He plunged forward and entered in one smooth stroke.
Mel gasped and pressed her ass against him.
"Good?" They hadn't tried this position yet and he wanted to make sure she was comfortable.
"Yeah." Her head nodded vigorously.
He chuckled and plunged home again. Each thrust sent her reeling harder against him and he could tell neither of them would last long. Fine with me. He only needed to last long enough to satisfy her. That was his new goal in life. Do whatever it takes to make Mel happy.
She obviously agreed with his plan, and was soon gasping and groaning through an intense climax.
"Damn, you're beautiful," he muttered through gritted teeth when she quieted down.
"You're killing me." She gasped as his pummeling continued.
"Nah, you got one more in you. I know you do."
"Nate, stop," she murmured without conviction.
He froze. "That what you really want?"
"No!"
He grinned and picked up the motion once again. In a matter of minutes she cried out louder than the time before, clutching the sheets in her clenched fingers.
Nate couldn't hold back any longer. Surrendering to the release, he grasped her hips and groaned while the best feelings in the world encompassed him. Unable to remain kneeling, he dropped to his side and rolled her with him.
They lay, panting, until he finally said, "I should take care of the rubber."
"You move and I swear I'll find my gun."
He chuckled. "Not moving."
Mel wrapped his arms around her. "Never move. I never want to lose this feeling."
He kissed her earlobe. "What if I promised to find those chocolates when I get up?"
She held his arms tight. "Got everything I need, right here."
"Mmm, me too. I love … being with you like this Mel."
She glanced at him over her shoulder. "Oh, that was so close!"
Nate grinned. "Damn it, I know. What was I thinking?" He kissed her ear once more then pulled away. "Gotta go, babe. I'll be back."
Mel sighed but released her grip.
He took care of the condom and washed up, then gathered the gifts he'd gotten for her and took them to the bed.
"What's all this?" She sat up, cross-legged. "I asked for candy, not the candy store."
He slid in next to her and shrugged. "Just a few tokens for the fairest damsel in the land."
She gazed at him. "Keep talking like that and I might just let you sully my virtue, good sir."
Nate snorted. "Well, that ship has sailed, I hate to tell you. But I might want to do it again in a little while."
Mel cupped his cheek lovingly. "You got it, big boy. So these are all for me, huh? Can I open them?"
"No, I'm just going to make you look. Of course you can open them. This one first." He handed her the box with the bubble bath.
She
unwrapped the bottle and smiled. "Ooh, I love it!"
He raised his brows. "That was close."
She grinned slyly and reached for the next gift.
He handed over the candy, delighting in their banter. It was obvious that both of them wanted to exchange 'I love you's', and they both also knew it was probably too soon. The time was coming, though, and they'd enjoy themselves while they worked up to it.
She ripped open the chocolates and purred with delight. "Mmm, my favorites. I really love these. You did good."
"Great. I just took a shot."
Mel twirled her hair around one finger. "Your shots are amazing."
He reached out and tweaked her nipple. "You're a flirt and a tease. If you don't watch it, I'm going to have my way with you again very soon."
Her face lit up. "Promise?"
Nate groaned and handed her the gift of lingerie.
Mel ripped into it and sighed when she saw the slinky, sexy peach-colored teddy. "This is fabulous! I can't wait to try it on for you."
He shook his head. "Don't bother. I'll just be yanking it off again."
"Maybe later," she agreed.
"Last one." He offered her the small jeweler's box.
"Ooh, a ring? Yes, I accept!" she squealed.
"You suck," he teased. "There might be a ring in our future, but we should probably know each other longer than five days."
"Buzz kill." Mel pretended to pout, but her expression changed when she saw the diamond pendant. "Oh, Nate. It's exquisite. You shouldn't have."
He took the chain and fastened it around her neck. "I thought it was beautiful. It'll look even better on the sexiest neck I've ever had the pleasure of kissing."
Mel jumped up and examined herself in the mirror. When she turned to face him, she glowed with what he could only describe as the same happiness he felt. "It's perfect. Thank you so much, Nathan. I love … it." She batted her lashes coyly.
She approached him slowly, a seductive look in her eye.
He leaned back and smiled.
* * * *
They ate chocolates and did the dishes a few hours later, and ended up back in bed, lying facing each other in the dim, moonlit room.
"I need to tell you something about myself," Nate said. "It's a biggie, maybe even a deal breaker. I probably should have told you before now, but there never seemed to be a right time."
