Big Girls Don't Cry

by Taylor Lee

  ~~~

  Chief Burton’s frown bordered on a scowl as he glared at Lexie.

  Jake interrupted what was sure to be a tirade.

  “Look, John, nobody likes to think they’ve got a viper in the nest. Unfortunately, in my line of work, we always suspect the home team first. What Bella told Lexie were Bella’s suspicions with no corroborating data. Brady’s information is more compelling.”

  Brady nodded. “Yeah, Chief. After Lexie turned us on to the fucker, we planned to be on the “Watcher” like white on rice. Unfortunately, for some reason, the Watcher didn’t show last night. The girls confirmed the fucker doesn’t miss his little personal fetish breaks, come hell or high water. Last night he did.”

  Jake leaned forward, resting his arms on the kitchen table, putting a barrier between Lexie and the Chief. He kept his hand on her knee, gratified that she didn’t pull away. If anything, she’d moved in closer. He wished like hell that everyone was gone and he could wrap her in his arms and do what he could to erase the agonized pain straining her face and body.

  But they had a murder to solve and a drug ring to bust. Jake’s neck was alive with prickling sensations. He was missing something, something big. And it was close. So damn close he could almost taste it. The chief shattered his reverie and brought the conversation to a standstill.

  “So you’re saying this ‘Watcher’ fucker is one of my men?”

  Jake shrugged. “It’s looking like a good bet, John. There’s a quick way we can test it. Did anybody call in sick today or hell is just missing?

  The Chief looked to his lieutenant. “Nick…”

  Before he could finish his sentence, Lt. Thomas was on his feet placing a call.

  The chief focused a hard glare on Lexie, then looked to Jake. He jerked his head at Lexie.

  “Any thought why the asshole who killed the girl said it was her who should have been killed”

  Lexie gasped.

  “Me? What…what do you mean, Chief? How do know that.”

  Jake coughed and shook his head.

  “Uh, John, we haven’t brought that up yet.” He sighed and turned to Lexie.

  “I’d hoped I could avoid telling you this, but…”

  Lexie glared at him.

  “Tell me what, Jake?”

  Jake tried to take hold of her hand but she jerked it away.

  “Lexie, there was a note by Bella’s body. It said, ‘It should have been you, Blondie.’ Look, Lexie, I’m sorry as hell that you had to find this out…I’d hoped we could…”

  Lexie jumped to her feet. Her face was pale as a ghost, except for the two bright red splotches flaming her cheeks. She glared at Jake. Her voice was icy cold.

  “The murderer wanted to kill me, but instead killed Bella? Is that what you are telling me? And you neglected to tell me that? ”

  Jake stood up and took hold of her arm, but she jerked it away.

  “So much for being a team, right, Colonel? Apparently your concept of team is closer to mine than I realized. When it’s convenient – for you that is, we’re a team. When it’s not—poof--there goes the team.”

  She tried to move around him, but Jake blocked her.

  “Uh uh, Lexie. Sit down, darlin’.”

  Jake ignored the chief’s snort and raised eyebrows at the endearment. He tightened his grip on Lexie’s arm and eased her back into her chair. His tone was crisp, unwavering.

  “I admit it. I should have told you. I apologize. You were in bad straits when I arrived. I’d hoped we could figure out what the hell the note meant before we burdened you with it. And, yes, we do need to figure out what the fucker meant by the note.”

  He hadn’t thought her face could pale more, but her soft skin could have been carved from alabaster. She shook her head, gnawing on her bottom lip.

  ”It’s him, Jake. The Watcher. He killed her. But he didn’t want to. If you saw the way he looked at her, you would know. He loved her.” She gazed up at him. “He…he wanted to kill me.”

  “Damn, Lexie. You might be right.”

  “But why? Why would he kill her if he didn’t want to?” Brady asked.

  Jake quirked a brow.

  “Because he was ordered to.”

  The silence following his cool assertion was broken when Lt. Thomas came to the door.

  “We have a hit, Chief.”

  Chief Burton’s face grayed.

  “One of ours?’

  Lt. Thomas shrugged. “Yes, YPD, but not one of us. Walt Cochran didn’t make it in today.”

  “Who the hell is Walt Cochran?” the chief blustered, his brows knit in a fierce scowl.

  “Used to be active duty. A patrolman, low level traffic stuff his whole career. Couldn’t advance through the ranks. Ran into a major problems about five years ago. Went through several bouts of forced rehab. Never got clearance to go back on active. Been working as an evidence clerk for the last five years. I guess waiting out his retirement.”

  Jake held Lt. Thomas’s gaze. “Description?”

  “Matches. Except Walt’s hair is grey and he doesn’t have a mustache. Duty clerk said he didn’t come in today. Didn’t call in either. They didn’t think much of it. Seems he misses a lot of work. Sounds as though the rehab didn’t take.”

  The lieutenant turned to the chief. “We have three squads on their way over to his apartment. A dump close to the barrio. Told dispatch to assume hostile. ”

  ~~~

  Jake leaned against the jeep, his one foot on the nerf bar and grinned at her. “Sorry, darlin’. Only big tough men with guns are going in. You’re going to have to wait in the jeep until we do a sit-rep.”

  Lexie glowered at him, but sat back against the hard backrest next to Clint. She frowned at him.

  “How did you get relegated to babysitting your team member, Clint? What did you do wrong? Not jump fast enough to wipe the big man’s ass?”

  Jake roared. “Hell no, sugar. Clint never misses that opportunity. But two weeks ago, he forgot to put creamer in my morning coffee. That’s rises to the level of a court martial charge.

  Clint smiled at her.

  “No, Alexis. Being asked to stay with you means I’m at the top of the heap. You notice the big guy didn’t trust that insufferable surfer dude with you. I’m proud. Could mean a promotion is coming my way.”

  Jake smiled to himself when Lexie’s cheeks flushed. She hadn’t missed the implication of Clint’s response. And hell, Clint was right. Being responsible for her safety was his number one priority and every man on his team knew it.

  Brady and the Chief walked up. Both were frowning.

  The chief spoke first.

  “Guess the fucker likes to write notes. This one didn’t leave anything to the imagination. He explained how sorry he was that he had killed Sgt. Beloi and Bella. That was before he ate his gun.”

  Chapter 28

  “It’s over when I say it’s over, Colonel.” General Peters’ tone and stern expression brooked no disagreement.

  Jake met his gaze through narrowed eyes.

  The general softened his tone.

  “Look, Jake. I know this is hard. Sgt. Beloi was your friend, as well as your team member. Hell, do you think I don’t know how hard it is to let go of a guy that meant that much to you? But this investigation is finished. Done. They got the guy who did it. Turns out he was a crazy mixed up drunk, a psycho. Hell, he even cut up that stripper. And son, we can count ourselves damn lucky. I don’t mind telling you. We’ve all had some hard moments over this. For a while there, it was getting too damn close to the base”

  The general looked around the table, including each of the men in his assertion.

  “Hell, Mike here has practically gone without sleep for ten days trying to keep this investigation under wraps. You think he is an ornery son of a bitch, try him without sleep for twenty-four hours at a time.

  Mike Pierce gave a snort.

  “Who’s calling who a son of a bitch, General? But the general’s right,
Jake. Christ, all you have to do is look at the way the press is raking the YPD over the coals. Hell, the only thing worse than a cop killing a cop is the army being involved in the death of one of its own, especially a war hero like Beloi. Fuck, can you imagine what the press would do to us? They’d fucking crucify us. Don’t want hurt your feelings, Colonel, but I won’t be sad to see you go.”

  Jake quirked a brow.

  “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me, Colonel. But what about the drug ring? None of you can be blind to the fact that if it was any closer, it’d bite every one of us on the ass.”

  Dirk broke in. “Jake, this is what we do. It’s part of life on the border. Those gangs live to make us squirm. Let us handle it. This is what we do every damn day of the year. Take some time off. You deserve it. Take that beautiful sister of Beloi’s and go somewhere special. I‘ve got a place in Belize that’s standing empty now. You’re welcome to it.”

  “Thanks, Dirk. I might take you up on that.”

  Jake surveyed the men in the room. He’d never stepped back from a fight in his life. But even he admitted, this dog wouldn’t hunt. Every one of these fuckers was counting the minutes until he was gone. May as well leave them with a bone to chew on. Hope they don’t choke on it.

  “One thing you should know, gentlemen. I’ve requested a leave of absence from C.I.D. Looks like it’ll be confirmed quickly.” He grinned as he stood up, underscoring he was the one ending the meeting. “As you all know, rank does have its privileges.”

  He stopped in the doorway.

  “I’m posting with the YPD for the next several months. I’m not satisfied that we’ve reached the end of the road on this investigation. Chief Burton agrees with me.”

  Mike Pierce’s ruddy face flushed dangerously.

  “Fuck, Jake. Burton would do anything to take the heat off his guys. You know that. What’s got the bug up your ass, if it’s not too much to ask? Sure as hell hope it has nothing to do with the base.”

  “It’s like this, Mike,” Jake grinned to himself when the colonel scowled at the use of his first name, “We Southern boys don’t give up easy. My uncle Peter Tom used to say even a blind hog finds a nut every now and then. And there’s enough loose ends in this investigation that convinces me we just might find a whole bag of nuts. In answer to your question, as I told you before, I’ll follow this investigation wherever it leads.”

  General Peters voice was icy. “I’m with Mike, Colonel Gardner. Do you have specific information that you haven’t shared with us? By the way, your answer to that question damn well better be no.”

  Jake gave him an easy smile. “No, sir. Nothing specific. Just the fact that neither Chief Burton nor I believe that Walter Cochran is smart enough to mastermind a snake pit this convoluted, one that has such far reaching implications. ”

  He added with a wicked smile. “And for better or worse, I have a tell-tale symptom that clues me in when something isn’t right. I’ve learned when those nerve endings on the back of my neck start to prickle or shriek the way they are now, I’m on to something.” He added with the hint of a threat, “And nothing and no one is gonna pull me off.”

  Mike Pierce looked apoplectic. Jake thought if that vein at his temple throbbed any harder that the damn thing might explode.

  “You are one arrogant son if a bitch, Gardner.”

  “So I’ve been told.” Jake dragged his gaze around the table, then saluted smartly.

  “Good day, gentlemen.”

  ~~~

  Lexie waited for Jake outside of the MMA center. He’d tried to convince her to stay at home, but she knew herself well enough to know she’d go stir crazy staying all day in the empty house. Jake did convince her not to go into the club tonight. He said there were news people twenty deep in the parking lot. Eager to discover a new hook to keep the story alive, they virtually accosted anyone going in to the club. Apparently, the waitresses and the strippers were their primary targets.

  She thought she’d been over her nausea until they started flashing the pictures of Walter Cochran. Giving him a name didn’t help, didn’t make him a person. Rather than a heavy set nondescript gray haired man, she saw him as he was--the man who’d killed Anthony and Bella. Looking at a mug shot, she tried to see in his eyes. To see how she’d missed the evil. She’d thought he was pathetic, disgusting. But she hadn’t seen the man who dismembered her brother and set him on fire.

  She’d almost fainted when she first saw Bella’s face. But that was nothing compared to seeing Anthony. The first time his picture flashed on the screen, she screamed. He looked real, alive. Crouched next to an Army jeep, his dark brown eyes flashing and tufts of blond hair showing under his beret, he looked as he did the last time she saw him--vibrant, young, handsome. And now dead.

  Jake rushed in the room when she screamed. He held her in his arms. For many long moments, she buried her face against his shoulder, listening to the voice of the television anchor breaking the news of Anthony’s death. Listening to the professional voices describing the way he’d been killed, as though they were reading from a menu in a restaurant, Lexie thought she might throw up. When she managed to pull away from Jake long enough to look up at him, she was struck by grief on his face. He looked as broken as she felt. The pain on his face, the tears in his eyes, reminded her that other than her and Master Wan, no one had been closer to Anthony than Jake. By mutual agreement, they turned off the television. Lexie didn’t know when, if ever, she would look at it again.

  ~~~

  Seeing his Jeep pull up, she marveled at the rush of excitement she felt. His mirrored sunglasses added a rakish touch to his regulation camouflage. And the smile that broke across his face when he saw her made her heart skip a beat. God, he’d only been gone a couple of hours and she’d missed him, as though she hadn’t seen him for days.

  He hopped out of the Jeep and came toward her, his grin broadening more if possible. He took hold of her arm and leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. She felt her cheeks heat, surprised at his open show of affection. But she didn’t mind. In fact, she wished she had the nerve to kiss him back. The memory of last night came flooding back. The horrific events of the day had blocked the memory of their tryst on the kitchen counter. But the smell of his subtle cologne and unique male odor sent shivers up her spine.

  Jake must have been thinking about the same thing because he pulled her closer to him and said in a husky voice, “How about we get out of here, sugar, before we give those guys over there with their tongues hanging out more of a show than they already have playing in their minds?”

  Lexie nodded startled at how shy she felt. It was impossible to believe that it had been barely a week since she met Jake. And now he was the most important person in her life. The realization was shocking.

  Inside the jeep, he reached across and buckled the seat belt across her lap. This casual show of protective possessiveness should have annoyed her. It would have if it had been anyone else. But, instead, she thrilled at his touch, remembering with a start how she’d felt when he handcuffed her to him on the back of the motorcycle. When she looked up at him, trying to hide the jolt of desire zinging through her, his lips twitched in a knowing smile.

  “I’ve been thinking, darlin’, if it’s all right with you, maybe we could stay in tonight. I’m not much up for a restaurant. But I sure as hell could go for some great Thai food and a bottle of wine. Let’s face it, darlin’, we’ve had a hell of a day. How about it, sugar? Think you can handle a horny guy who doesn’t want to share you with anyone, especially the vultures circling around anyone associated with the club?”

  Lexie breathed a sigh of relief. The idea of going out where they were sure to meet curiosity seekers horrified her. Everyone on the base knew Jake. And, of course, after her escapade dancing at the bar, she had a following of her own. So far, her relationship to Anthony hadn’t surfaced, but she knew it was only a matter of time. She tried to decide if the twinge in her belly telegraphed fear or excitement at
the thought of spending the evening alone with Jake. Seeing the wicked grin on his face, she decided it was some of both.

  Determined not to let him intimidate her, she tossed her head and gave him a sly smile. “Sounds, great, Jake, I love Thai food.”

  His laugh was low and deep. Words weren’t necessary. His smile and that soft sexy laugh said it all. Her body responded as if he’d kissed her. In a way he had.

  Chapter 29

  The alluring aroma of Thai food drew Lexie forward. Her mouth watered at the smell of curry, coconut milk and lemon grass. The silky spiciness of the subtle aromas was intoxicating. Just what she needed, she thought, with a shiver for a night alone with Jake. He was crouched in front of the fireplace, fanning the beginning of a small fire. He smiled at her over his shoulder.

  “I know it’s ninety degrees outside, but this is why we have air conditioning, right? So we can have a fire in the middle of the desert in May. ”

  She smiled at him, intent on ignoring the way his uniform hugged his strong thighs and strained across his broad shoulders. She chastised herself. She had to keep her wits about her. She was already embarrassed that it had taken her over an hour to shower and dress, especially since the shower had taken no more than five minutes and the rest of the time she’d agonized over what to wear. She didn’t want to give away the trepidation she felt. How much she cared about what he thought. Seeing the appreciative look in his eyes as he looked her up and down, she was reassured. Apparently, the flirty short skirt and lacy camisole did the trick. The five inch platform sandals were over the top, but she’d seen the way Jake looked at her red stilettos. Clearly, the guy liked women in sexy shoes.