Melody (THE LOGAN FAMILY)

by Stacy-Deanne

  “Yeah, but it’s hard to believe isn’t it? But maybe it explains why it’s taken them so damn long to find the guy. I always had my suspicions that something was going on with the police. Like they might have not been doing their best to catch this guy.”

  “You mean, like they may have known it was a cop and are protecting him?” Lucas shrugged. “Oh no, I don’t believe that, Lucas. I mean, I don’t think they would go that far. Granted, some forces are quite corrupt, but I’ve never heard much about Albany’s department being that way.”

  “Just because you don’t know the cat ate the fish doesn’t mean he didn’t eat it, right?” She sighed. “How long can all of this go on? I barely recognize my own hometown now. Seems like everything’s at a standstill because of this guy. I hope they find this bastard. How can someone be so hateful? How are these women going to deal with this for the rest of their lives? Some of them were married and have kids. I just can’t see how people can be so…so heartless. These women didn’t do a damn thing to him but he’s ruining everything for them, Mel.”

  “You really think the police are hiding something?”

  He scratched his head. “Who knows? I wouldn’t be surprised at anything that people do these days. Shit, the main ones you think you can trust are the ones you can’t.

  “I know they are hiding something big, though.” He nodded. “See, my father has a friend on the force at the precinct that’s handling this case. He says that the lady detective investigating the case was attacked by the rapist herself.”

  “What?” Melody covered her mouth.

  “Uh-huh, and the police hid it from the public. Now what kind of shit is that? Why hide that when it can make people more aware of what’s going on? If a policewoman is not even safe from this guy, then who is?”

  “Oh my God.” Melody looked at the television. “So he raped her and…”

  “No, he didn’t rape her. He broke into her home and she fought him or something, and he got away.” Lucas sighed. “I heard he tried to make her give him a blowjob. He’s one sick motherfucker. My father’s friend says it’s other things they’re not sharing with the media, too.”

  “Well, Lucas I know a little about police investigations.” She thought of her favorite pastime of watching cop shows. “They can’t just go blabbing everything because it could hurt the investigation. The key is to stay one step ahead of this guy. How could they do that if they tell the public every damn thing? You know how the media takes things and runs with it. The situation would get even more out of control. Also, they have to worry about copycats and…” She rubbed her face. “Especially since that other lady was murdered.”

  “Monica Cartwright wasn’t murdered.” Lucas straightened up. “Turns out she had a heart attack when the rapist came back. He raped her after she died.” Melody held her stomach for fear of vomiting all over the floor. “They just thought he’d killed her at first. I can see you haven’t been watching the news, huh?”

  “I can’t believe someone could be so sick.”

  “Can you imagine how frightening it is for them to be face to face with this guy? I mean, have you ever met someone who scared you beyond comprehension?”

  Melody thought of Keith. She decided to keep her opinion to herself. “Is the lady detective black, too?” she asked.

  “Yeah, from what I hear, this man is dangling the cops from a string. I mean, he’s pulling all the shots. Makes me wonder if this will go on forever. Will he be caught, or will he just move to another place and continue? It’s some scary shit for me and I’m not even a woman. I can imagine how they feel.”

  “I’m so scared about what I’ve been feeling, Lucas. I hate women’s intuition, sometimes. And you know I can predict things more than most. I hope to God that it’s wrong this time. I can’t bear to think what I’m feeling will come true.”

  “What are you feeling?” He rubbed her shoulders. She looked at him.

  “That Aileen might be next.”

  “I’m worried, too, but just because you think something will happen doesn’t mean it will.” He smiled. “You trust me?” She nodded. “Then believe it when I say that Aileen will be okay.” He held her. In his arms everything seemed okay.

  His hands suggested that he wanted more than to hold her. She sure as hell wanted the same. But every time she thought of taking him without thinking twice, something inside screamed it wasn’t the right time. She didn’t know how long she could hold out. She longed to have her body smashed against his in a heated frenzy. How long would cold showers do the trick?

  Lucas’s patience had been what she appreciated the most. But sometimes, a small part of her wished he could be more like Keith. She ached at the thought. Keith was an asshole hands down, but he knew passion. Melody could tell by the way Sarah whimpered every time Keith walked into the room. She couldn’t imagine Sarah having any complaints.

  Even though Keith went out of bounds, Melody liked how he took charge when it came to romance. If he wanted Sarah, nothing stood in his way. The time or place didn’t matter. He didn’t even care if others were in the room. Many times he grabbed Sarah and kissed her into undying passion right in front of Melody. He did anything he damned near pleased to put out that fire Sarah ignited in him. Melody hated to admit that she admired that about him.

  She looked at Lucas. He kissed her forehead. Patience also had its rewards. The lovemaking would have no choice but to be perfect if they waited. He took her hand.

  Deep down she knew she had the better man. She imagined him picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder like the sex-crazed bucks in old western movies. She laughed as if it were true.

  Melody wasn’t surprised that Keith hadn’t left when she returned home. He was massaging Sarah’s feet on the couch. He flashed that sickening grin when he looked up and saw Melody. She fought the urge to puke. Every time she looked at Sarah, she remembered their argument. She advised Melody to stay away from Keith. How could she when the man practically lived at their place?

  Sarah waved a bowl of chips. “Chip, Mel?” She smiled.

  “No thanks. Good night.” She made sure not to look Keith’s way.

  “Good night? Mel, this is your favorite movie.” Sarah grinned. Melody caught a scene with Mimi Rogers flicking a cigarette. “You love Mimi Rogers, right?”

  She scoffed. “Yeah, maybe in the early nineties.” She headed toward the stairs. Sarah rushed after her.

  “Mel, wait, please.”

  Keith waved. “Sarah, let her go. She needs her rest.”

  Melody couldn’t take his sly attitude any longer. She wouldn’t even pretend to be polite from now on. If Sarah intended on bringing Keith to the house, Melody would make it damn tough on the both of them. She turned around.

  “Yeah, I do need my rest, which is something I can’t get since you’re always here.” She walked toward him. “You think you’re so smart, don’t you, Keith? Running and lying to Sarah when you know damn well what happened in my office yesterday!”

  “Let me guess.” He crossed his arms. “In a bad mood again, Mel? What, the time with Lucas didn’t go well? Did something spoil it, like your attitude?”

  “Keith,” Sarah sighed.

  “No, my attitude isn’t the problem here, Keith. You may have Sarah believing you shit gold, but I know different.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah! I’m not going to let you manipulate me like you manipulate her.”

  “He doesn’t manipulate me, Melody!” Sarah huffed. “Look, I want us to forget about the argument we had last night, okay? I’m sorry for how I talked to you but you had no business asking questions about Keith.”

  “And why is that?” Melody squinted. “Why is it so horrible for me to know more about this guy? Keith, it’s bad enough that you act a jerk when Sarah’s back is turned, but it’s completely unreasonable to expect me not to want to know things about you.”

  “Well, I tried to be nice and let you get to know me, didn’t I?” he
scoffed. “You didn’t want to be nice, Melody. Why didn’t you just ask me what you wanted to know, instead of harassing the people at my job?”

  “Because I don’t believe a thing you say.”

  “You know, Mel, I don’t give a shit what you think of me.”

  “Keith, please.” Sarah moved in front of him.

  “No, that’s the problem, Sarah! Why do you feel you gotta do everything to suit her? It’s not your fault how things turned out for Melody! If she’s not happy, I can see why. How could she be?” He chuckled. “She’s so wrapped up in your life she can’t have one of her own! You’re pathetic, Melody.”

  “Keith!” Sarah shoved him.

  “She is, and we all know it!” He looked at Melody. “Say I’m wrong. You wish you could be half the person Sarah is, don’t you? Well, you can forget it because you’re nothing like her, Melody. You’re not even fit to be in the same family with her.”

  “Keith, stop!” Sarah shook her head. “I don’t understand what it is about you two but I don’t want to be caught in the middle anymore. Can’t we just let things pass and start over?”

  “If you can still be with him after the nasty things he just said about me, then there’s no way in hell we can come to common ground, Sarah.”

  “Melody, please.” Sarah took her hand. “You’re not being fair. I really think you and Keith could settle things if you got to know each other. Please, just give it a chance. I love him, Melody.”

  Melody moved away. “Then you should be ashamed of yourself, Sarah. Keith is going to ruin your life. How many times do I have to say it?” She went to the front door.

  “Where are you going, Mel?” Sarah exhaled.

  “I can’t stay here another minute with him around. I hope you two have a nice night.” She opened the door.

  “Melody, where are you going?” Sarah ran to the door.

  “Let her go.” Keith sat on the couch. He turned around. “I really do want to be your friend, Mel. I hope you realize that before it’s too late.”

  “You’re something else, Keith. I wish I knew how to lie as well as you do.”

  He scoffed. “See, Sarah? What good is it to be nice to her when she’s gonna hate me no matter what?” He stood. “Melody, what in the hell do I have to do for you to accept me?”

  “Leave.” She glared. “And never come back. That’s the only way I can accept you, Keith.”

  “Well, I guess we just have to learn to be civil because I’m not going anywhere.” He held his waist.

  Sarah took Melody’s hand. “Melody, he’s trying to make an effort. Please do the same.”

  “I honestly don’t know if I can, Sarah.” She kissed Sarah’s cheek. “I’m going to Craig’s if you need me.” She left.

  Chapter Eight

  “Let me handle this.” Steven held the door of the Flamingo open for Brianna later that night.

  “Why should you handle this when we’re on a case together?” She walked inside. She felt she could at least get to the bar without bumping into someone. She’d made a terrible assumption. The Flamingo seemed to live up to its reputation of being wild and popular. Groups of people crowded the floors. Beautiful, busty ladies of all nationalities stood on a stage twisting to Prince’s “1999.” Brianna could barely hear it for the men howling.

  Steven clapped to the music. For someone who claimed he didn’t frequent the place he sure seemed comfortable.

  “I know you’re uncomfortable, right?” Steven yelled over the music. Brianna watched a big-busted blonde swing her thong-covered behind in twelve different directions. “That’s why I said you should let me handle this, you know?” Steven winked at a topless waitress. She offered him and Brianna drinks. They quickly announced that they were on duty.

  “Well…” Brianna shouted over the music. “This is some kind of place!” A group of rowdy men bumped into her. One winked on his way to a dinky table in the corner. “Doesn’t look like much! I mean, the bar itself, you know?”

  “Nah, it’s a dump!” Steven snapped his fingers to the music. “But the people don’t come here for the bar itself, know what I mean, Bree?” He winked. “Like I said…” He twirled to the music. “You should let me handle this if it bothers you, you know?” A big-busted redhead ripped off a leather bra. She threw it toward the bar. The men howled. A man wrapped the sweaty garment around his face.

  “Steven, I don’t know why you think I can’t handle this!” Brianna moved for people to pass. “I’ve been in strip bars before.”

  “Oh really?” He grinned. “Care to elaborate?”

  She grinned. “Maybe later if we have the time. We need to get to work and get the hell out of here. My ears are beginning to pop.” Brianna scoped the place. “I can’t imagine any of these people being too cooperative with the cops. Can you, Steven?” A man slapped another man on the head with a beer bottle. They rolled around on the floor laughing.

  “Hell no!” Steven laughed. “But that’s what I love about being a cop the most, Bree. Making folks cooperate!”

  They went to the bar. Steven quickly made himself at home on a center stool.

  “You sure you don’t come to this place often?” Brianna sneered.

  “No, I mean, I’ve been here before but a long time ago.”

  Brianna grinned. “Uh-huh.”

  A man scooted beside her. “Can I buy a beautiful lady a drink tonight?” He winked at her.

  She rolled her eyes. “Sure, if you can find one that will let you buy her a drink tonight.” The man moved to another lady at the end of the bar.

  “Ouch.” Steven grinned. “Glad I didn’t ask to buy you a drink.”

  She laughed. “That’s why I hate bars. A woman can’t be in one for two seconds without some creep hitting on her.”

  “He only asked to buy you a drink, Bree.”

  “Yeah, but we both know he wants more.” She turned to see the man laughing it up with the woman at the bar. “I guess she’ll be the one to give it to him.” Brianna grinned.

  The flabby bartender turned around. Sweat dribbled from his bald head. All the men sweated. Brianna wondered if the cause had been the lights, or the naked girls. “Hey, Detective Kemp!” the bartender guffawed. “How you doing, Steve?”

  “Uh…” Steven looked at Brianna. She crossed her arms. “How you doing, Tim?”

  “Fine, man!” The bartender slapped Steven’s arm. “The usual?”

  “Usual?” Brianna gaped.

  “Uh.” Steven straightened his collar. “No, I’m on duty tonight, Tim.”

  “Ah, what a shame. Some of the girls will be disappointed. Especially Sunshine.” Tim pointed to the busty blonde dancing at the end of the stage. She waved at Steven.

  “You know she’s got a big case for you, Steve.” Tim cackled.

  “Really? Seems interesting.” Brianna sat down.

  “Uh…” Steven grinned. “He’s just playing, you know?”

  Brianna smiled at Tim. “He was just telling me he never hardly comes in here, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

  “He used to come in here all the time! Right, Steve?” Tim laughed. “He started a couple of years back. See, he had this bitchy girlfriend he used to complain about. Said he’d come here to get some peace.” Tim chuckled. “I think the lady’s name was ‘Brenda’ or…no ‘Brianna’! That’s right, huh, Steve? According to him, she was a real bitch.”

  Steven groaned.

  “Oh?” Brianna ogled Steven. “Well, if he thought she was a bitch back then, I’m sure it doesn’t compare to what she’ll be from now on.”

  “I’ll bet.” Steven sighed.

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Tim.” Brianna held out her hand.

  Tim kissed it. “Always nice to meet such a lovely woman, too, ma’am. I didn’t catch your name.”

  “Detective Brianna Morris.” She looked at Steven. He turned away.

  “Bri…” Tim looked at Steven. “Oh, ha, ha, ha! Know what I just said? I think I got tha
t wrong, you know? He actually said you were the best girlfriend he ever had. Yep, I think so.” Tim wiped sweat from his forehead.

  “Yeah, I’m sure.” Brianna grinned.

  “Tim, can I get some help here or what? The place is packed.” A female bartender passed truckloads of drinks to groups of men.

  “In a minute. Got a special customer.”

  “Hey Steve, good to see you!” The female bartender winked. Brianna looked at him. Steven once again avoided her gaze.

  Steven cleared his throat. “Uh, Tim, we’re investigating the rape of Cheyenne Wilson. We wanted to ask some quick questions.”

  “It’s a damn shame.” He sighed. “Cheyenne’s probably the sweetest thing to walk in here. She never said a bad word about anyone. The customers go crazy over her routine even though she doesn’t strip. She keeps her act clean and is just here to pay off some college loans or something. Says she’s heading for New York City as soon as she gets the cash.”

  Brianna looked at Steven. “Well, uh, were you working yesterday?” she asked.

  Tim nodded. “But I worked only about an hour yesterday evening because I had a doctor’s appointment. I was probably gone around seven. Cheyenne hadn’t even come in then. She usually comes in at eight and dances for about an hour, so she’s usually done by nine.”

  “Shit. So you weren’t here to see if she may have caught the eye of the Albany Predator, huh?” Steven sighed.

  “So it is the same guy? Why the hell can’t you catch him?”

  “Well, it takes time, Tim.” Brianna smiled.

  “All I know is that Cheyenne didn’t deserve to be beaten and raped like that. She’s a good girl, even if she is working in a place like this. But who can judge her, you know? Shit, she’s probably the only person I know who’s already got a roundtrip ticket to Heaven.” Brianna and Steven exchanged glances. “I wish I’d been here to see if this guy had been in the bar.”

  “Well, was anyone here that may have been here last night?”