Sinful (Goddaughter Book 2)

by Raven Crow

  “Let’s not go there, Ellie…what’s done is done.” He paused briefly while I tried to see what was causing their silence.

  With a jerk the sliding double-doors slid open causing me to nearly fall forward into my father’s study.

  “Hi Dad and Mom, I was about to knock.” I choked out a lie.

  “Well, don’t just stand out there in the hallway come on in Saxon, so you can hear us better.” My dad smirked.

  I had been busted but my dad had decided not to push the issue. They both looked exhausted like they had been working the case for hours nonstop. There were post mortem photos, notes and other varies forensic papers on the desk which they were standing around.

  “Ok, you know the rules Saxon—what is said in the study stays in the study, remember?” My mom reminded me of the family’s rule on sharing police business in our household.

  “Yes—I remember the house rules, mom.”

  My dad’s cell phone chimed which prompted him to look at it.

  “Finally, the toxicology report is back on victim number two.” He barked while reading.

  “Do you mean—Daphne Bissett?”

  “Yes…I’m sorry I meant to say Daphne Bissett.” He looked up at me. “Well, there were no drugs or alcohol found in her system. I guess we wait for the lab to examine her stomach contains to see if she had anything else besides food that night.”

  “That’s the thing that could help me understand the steps leading up to the time of death. Why did she have a meal with someone that she clearly wasn’t afraid of?” Mom jumped in.

  I wanted so badly to ask some questions on behalf of Pen and Jo seems how they were friends with Daphne, victim number two.

  “I’m still stuck on victim number one; why dump the body in Becker’s Pond? It is very hard to get to; you would have had to walk on the pathways behind several homes which would be rather risky. Also, the perpetrator would have had to carry the victim to the location in the dark.” Dad’s voice cracked.

  “Unless—she walked herself to the pond, (mom started shuffling through the papers on the desk before stopping to read one of them) just like I thought there was dirt and debris on the victim’s shoes which is consistent with the terrain surrounding the pond. Additionally, there were no high traces levels of the stress hormone cortisol found in her bloodstream which suggests that she wasn’t scared, she knew her would-be killer, and she died without pain.”

  “That might explain why the victim had seamen on her genital. Maybe she and the perp were taking a romantic stroll after intimacy and something went wrong which lead to her untimely death.”

  “No—I’m leaning more towards permeation. I think the perp had this planned from the beginning. (Mom pointed to the sketches on the desk) The post mortem showed a small abrasion on the victim’s neck which could be a possible injection site. The two abrasions on the right cheek along with the two other abrasions on the right knee might be the result of a fall, possibly after the toxin took effect.” She paused to make eye contact with my dad. “The victim was dead before she hit the ground.”

  Her words made me sick. How could anyone do this to someone they knew or possibly liked? I couldn’t imagine what was going through my parents’ heads by the looks on their faces. They both looked worried. This case had them worried which made me even more concerned for Pen.

  I moved closer to the desk so I could see the post mortem for myself. I was used to seeing these types of graphic sketches since I was young. This would be the first homicide post mortem that I had seen on my parents’ desk. My stomach started to turn a bit as I looked down gripped by the horrific reality of it all.

  -----**-----

  Victim number one

  Name: Jamie ChrisAge: 23

  Hair color: brownEye color: Blue

  Height: 67 inchesEthnicity: European

  May, 17 (believed day of death)

  Time of death: 1:23 a.m.

  Discovery date: May, 18Time: 9:42 a.m.

  Cause of death: unknown toxin

  Manners of Death

  Homicide

  “How long will the lab take on those fabrics found under the victim’s left index fingernail, the makeup on the face, and the contents in the stomach?”

  “Normally, I’d say three days at most but seems how it is Bakersfield who’s performing the testing and they are notorious for stalling our requests; I have no definitive answer for you, sweetheart. I also had the victim’s clothing sent to the lab. I want to check for hair, skin, or anything we can find on the dress. She was wearing Panda; I don’t think that she could afford that outfit on the tips from Billy’s Club.” She sighed before sitting in the chair.

  “In the morning I am going to start the destructive profile. I want to know anything there is to know about, these two girls. Who were the last people to see them? Were they seeing anyone, maybe a secret boyfriend or girlfriend? Who would have a motive and opportunity? I want to get this asshole!” He snarled.

  “And I want to find out which unknown toxin that was used.” She muttered as she closed her eyes while sitting back in the chair.

  My dad came around the desk to her backside to rub my mom’s neck. Even in the darkest, of times my parents could always find comfort in each other’s company. I had hoped to have just a small fraction of the support and love they had for one another someday.

  I trailed off into the living room to sneak some candy from the candy tray. Upon reaching into the dish on the table I spotted mine and Tristan’s graduation pictures. He looked so happy and confident. The picture was taken on the one and only day that my brother and I had ever fought. I could never understand how such a kind, intelligent, and giving person like him could have surrounded himself with the likes of Paul Richards the polar opposite of that. The man who would make tormenting the non-elite ones a sport which he personally would keep score of. Paul had a legion of followers who’d do anything to catch his attention which would include all manners of cruelty towards the small ones. We gypsies were at the top of Paul’s hit list all but Tristan would be brutally ridiculed or physically punished.

  Chapter 5

  Gio

  After parking my car out in front of Pen’s house I realized that I hadn’t texted or called Jo to see if she was even still awake. I wanted to go through the letters to see if I could find out anything about my birth mom. I reached behind the seat to grab the letters before putting them on my lap.

  “Shit… I need my phone to translate these.”

  I reached in my pocket to pull out my phone but a horrific scream from inside the house stopped me.

  I put the letters away. I ran to the door to knock before I tried to open the door both things got me nowhere. I’d have to try the backdoor or a window. I’d break a window to get in if necessary before I would let anything happen to Jo. I wasn’t sure who had screamed but I was going to help no matter what.

  I set off around the side of the house checking each window as I went. I saw no open windows by the time I reached more than halfway to the backdoor so I ran faster to get to Jo. I noticed that a light was on inside of the house as I made it to the back porch. I saw two darken silhouettes standing on the porch I assumed it to be them. I reached for the porch door which was already wide open. Before I could walk through I was shoved out of the way nearly falling down to the side.

  Without thinking I jetted off after whoever had pushed past me. Pen’s yard was unlit making it hard for me to clearly see who I was chasing. I knew it was a man by his size and speed. I sped up hoping to grab his shirt which was just a few feet ahead of me. He had made it about twenty feet from the porch door before he tripped causing him to crash down landing flat on his front side.

  I sprinted over to him before grabbing a hold of his neck from the back. I yanked his arm while gripping hard around his neck bringing him up off the ground. He seemed surprised by my strength as he didn’t fight back.

  “Get off of me man I’m not doing anything!” He yelled but I kept a
hold of him.

  The ladies joined me in the yard.

  “Who are you? What are you doing here? Answer me or I will break your arm!” I shouted back at him while I yanked his arm back a bit.

  He yelled out but didn’t answer.

  “Wait, stop I know him.” Pen demanded.

  I reluctantly let go of him while I stayed prepared to fight if he moved even an inch.

  “Who is he, Pen?” Jo asked. She looked scared which enraged me and I was already having trouble containing the beast within me. “Gio, are you alright did he hurt you?”

  “No—he didn’t do shit to me but I’m going do something to him if he doesn’t start talking.” I moved towards him causing him to cower a bit.

  “I was only trying to give her something but you all came out onto the porch and I got spooked. I didn’t mean to scare anyone. I shouldn’t have come.” He choked before trying to leave which I stopped.

  “Oh—no you’re not going anywhere.”

  “Give me what—what did you want to give me, Sergio?” Pen said his name. “And why would you come over here in the middle of the night? I haven’t seen you for years.” She moved towards him.

  I backed out of the way as they came together. Jo joined me in shock while we both watched them unsure what to think.

  “I was cleaning out my attic when I found one of your things from back in the day. I didn’t want Tiffany to see it or she’d throw it out. I left it on the porch for you. Can I go now?” He turned to me. “I haven’t done anything wrong and my wife will kill me if she wakes up and I’m not there.”

  “Pen?” I looked at Pen, she nodded. “Go ahead—but next time you want to bring over something for Pen, do so during the daytime.” I snapped. He slowly started to walk away.

  “There won’t be a next time. Bye Pen, take care.” He voiced before disappearing off in the darkness.

  “Well I just have to see what was so damned important that he had to bring it over in middle of the night.” Pen coughed before heading back towards the house.

  We followed her both of us looking at one another.

  Once we were all inside, I closed and locked the door. Pen turned on the porch light. There was a shoe-size box on a rocking chair which she grabbed up.

  (Ding Dong)

  “Now who’s here?” I asked after the doorbell tolled. “You two stay here, I’ll get it.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “Me too.” Jo grabbed a hold of my hand.

  Pen led the way through the house turning on lights as we went before arriving at the front door. I could see Sax’s familiar shape through the glass in the door. I guess Sax had the same idea as me.

  “Let me get it.” I demanded before stepping in front of the door to open it.

  Sax’s face looked twisted by my presents at Pen’s door.

  “What the hell—did I miss the after party or something?” He laughed before walking in. He looked at Pen then at the box in her hands. “Are you guys playing dress up, if so you can count me out? I probably will look fat in tight clothing and I’m not wearing heels, period.”

  Jo’s hand was still gripped on to my arm which made me look at her. She seemed off, her balance was unsteady and her eyes were glossed over.

  “Are you two drunk?” I guessed.

  Jo looked at me. “We had some wine earlier why do I look drunk?”

  “Oh yeah, you look smashed sweetheart.” I pulled her closer. “I came over to check on you because I was worried and now I’m glad that I did.”

  “Why what is going on?” Sax asked.

  “Some dick tried to help himself inside the back porch just now and I had to chase him down to find out who he was.”

  “Huh—where is he now?”

  “Long gone.”

  “It was Sergio, he lives next door. You probably scared him more then he scared us, Gio.” Pen answered. “Why are you here, Sax?”

  “I wanted to check on you. Sorry I should have called first.” He kissed her on the forehead.

  “You don’t have to call first, you are welcome anytime.” She set the box down on a table before hugging Sax.

  By the way Pen stumbled a little I could tell that she was about ten more minutes or less away from passing out.

  “Woo—now you are pretty hammered aren’t you?” Sax wrapped his arm around Pen’s waist while leading her towards the stairs. “How about we take this party upstairs where you can lie down, before you fall down?”

  “Yeah—because I think I might be a little drunk.” She slurred.

  Once Pen and Sax started up the stairs I pulled Jo into the parlor to talk in private. She looked at me like she was confused. I smiled at her hoping to put her mind at ease.

  “How are you feeling are you feeling sick or anything Jo?”

  “No I am feeling fine. How are you feeling?”

  “I am little out of it honestly. My dad hit me with some news earlier tonight that I needed to share with you.”

  “Is that right, what news do you have to tell me Gio?”

  “My dad wants us to go and stay with my mothers in the country for the summer. I told him that I was going to be too busy at work but he didn’t care about that seems how I work for him.”

  “Doing what exactly?”

  “I am an accountant…a forensic accountant to be more precise.”

  Her face remained emotionless.

  “I think I should go up stairs and lie down.” She moved towards the stairs while I helped her. “I bet that you were a really cute little boy. You probably followed all of the directions.”

  “Huh…me follow directions?” I choked if she’d only known me back then, I was a little hell child. “Sure I was cute as a little boy.” I was cute but full of rage.

  “I knew it. Gio I think you are superman—I mean you are super cool.” She burped. “Gio why are do you have three eyes on your face?”

  “Sweetheart I don’t have three eyes but you have had far too much wine I believe.”

  “No—no I want to know about your childhood. What was your gypsy boy life like?”

  “Huh…ha-ha that’s funny. Well it was shitty honestly. I mean you think that being rich would have helped me to fit in but quite the opposite was true. I was the king’s only son and I was adopted too. The people around here are very good at hiding their real feelings about how they think about you. They will smile at you in the streets or at the parties but when it comes to being supportive or a true friend this community didn’t offer that to me.” I confessed to a tipsy Jo who grinned at me.

  As I glided her carefully up the stairs one step at a time I thought about how much I wanted her, not just in a lustful way but in a more meaningful way. She had no idea the insurmountable amount of rules that I have had to follow in order to please my father. All of the pleasures I’ve been kept from and all the dreams that I’ve never allowed to grow inside of me. To most people that I have met no amount of training, schooling or experience would change my genes, I was always going to be the son of the poor farmer girl from France. I wanted to know that poor farmer girl for myself.

  “I’m so glad you came over tonight I was starting to miss you.” She whispered. “This stairs are never going to end I swear that we have been walking up them forever. Guess what, me and Pen are now sisters…not real sisters but friend sisters.” She rambled.

  I chuckled at her. “Sisters you say, well lucky you. We are nearly to the top of the stairs just another few steps and we’ll be finished Jo.”

  She leaned her head over my shoulder. “You smell so good. I’m hungry.”

  “Well don’t eat me.” I joked before laughing.

  Chapter 6

  Jo

  My heart hadn’t stopped racing even with Sax’s arrival. I hadn’t realized just how much the wine had my mind swimming in a blurry sea of confusion until Gio showed up and chased that guy. I had not been able maintain my mask. All I could think about was his arms around my body, his lips on my mine and f
eeling his bareness on top of me again. I was horny and in love, not a good combination while drinking.

  Pen and Sax had already made it up the stairs and were far ahead of us while we were slowly making our way down the long hallway behind them.

  I felt Gio’s eyes on me so I turned to look at him, he had a huge smile on his face.

  “I like your PJ’s.” He tugged at my PJ top a little. “I’m sorry but I couldn’t stay away from you not with a killer on the loose.”

  “I’m so glad that you showed up when you did I was completely terrified when that dude came out of nowhere.” I gasped.

  “Was that you that screamed? I heard one of you scream as I came around the back of the house.”

  “No that was Pen that screamed. I had spotted that guy standing behind her which startled her and made her scream. I was completely useless while I ended up freezing up unable to move.”

  We entered Pen’s room where they were sitting on the bed. The fire was going but it had died down and the room had started to cool down.

  “Man it’s getting cold in here again I need to put another log on the fire.” Pen moaned while she tried to stand and Sax stopped her.

  “Hold on, you stay here on the bed I will build the fire.” Sax softly instructed her while placing a blanket over her. “Here cover up I’ll be right back.” He quickly moved from the bed over to the fireplace.

  “I will help you bro.” Gio offered. “Jo you should go and join Pen on the bed.”

  He helped me over to the bed before placing me down. He was so gentle it was hard to believe that he was the same man who had snapped up a stranger with his bare hands fully prepared to kill him if necessary. He smiled before joining Sax.

  “I think that I should have eaten something before we started drinking.” Pen sighed while placing her face onto my shoulder. I patted her back.