As the car pulled in front of her condo, Andrea asked him, “Would you like to come in for a drink? It’s still early, and I could make us my frozen specialty.”
“That would be great, Andi, but I’d like to take a shower first. It was pretty hot out there today. How about I go home, change clothes and pick us up some dinner while you shower and mix the drinks?” Dan countered.
“Your idea sounds even better. I do feel pretty nasty.”
“I’ll be back in about an hour and a half. Would that give you enough time?”
“Sounds perfect. Just to warn you, I’ll be very casual when you get here.” Seeing the look that crossed Dan’s face, Andrea smiled and clarified, “T-shirt and shorts.”
Dan swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and hoped Andrea didn’t glance downwards to see the evidence of where his mind had wandered. Judging by the smile on her face, she had guessed his thoughts. “Casual sounds great. See you soon.”
Andrea got out of the car and hurried to her front door. What am I going to wear? I’ve got an hour and a half to shower, change clothes and find something that looks smashing, though casual. “Damn,” she muttered as she entered her condo and raced to her bedroom.
When Andrea closed the door, Dan floored the accelerator and drove as fast as he dared to his apartment. After a quick shower, he changed into a police academy t-shirt and khaki shorts, then sat down on his bed to contemplate his next decision.
Should I take a condom? I’m aching to make love to her tonight. But if I take some, she’ll think I expected this. If I don’t take one, we won’t be able to... Dan groaned as his mind continued down the path it had taken earlier today. Damn! And women think they’ve got it tough. Maybe Andi’s got some at her place if we decide to take it that far tonight. I don’t want to push her if she’s not ready, but I’d like to be prepared if she is.
Dan walked into the kitchen to order some Chinese food to pick up on the way to her condo. After he hung up, he reasoned with himself. Forget it, Dan. Let’s just see what the night brings. If she’s all right with it, there’s always the next time. As long as it’s been, one more day without sex won’t kill you. Dan adjusted himself as his body fought against that last rationalization.
Dan questioned his judgment when Andrea opened the door twenty minutes later. He nearly dropped the food when she smiled and invited him in. She was wearing a coral tank top that molded against her figure perfectly. The white jean miniskirt hugged her hips and showed off her newly tanned legs. Her hair, which she had brushed to a shine, had lightened from the sun and softly framed her face. Damn, she was beautiful. If she says ‘yes’, I can always run to the store.
“The drinks are ready. What did you bring us to eat?” Andrea asked as she led him into the kitchen.
“I hope you like Chinese food. I brought us some sesame chicken and some sweet and sour pork. And, of course, the shrimp fried rice.” He held each thing up as he pulled the cartons from the paper sack. “And I didn’t forget the fortune cookies.”
“That sounds wonderful. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I smelled the food. Mmmmm,” Andrea said as she sniffed the air.
Dan wondered if his hard-on would ever go down or if he’d have to stand behind the counter the entire night. Maybe Andrea would do something to help him with this. It’s going to be a long night if you keep your thoughts running down this path. That other part of him argued back, But look at her! She looks like she could...
“Dan?” Andrea’s voice brought him back to her.
“Sorry, Andi, my mind just wandered for a moment. What did you say?”
“I asked you if you wanted to try my special drink I made for us. Actually, it’s a concoction that Cindi and I created one day at the lake. It’s got several different types of liquors, but it won’t make you crazy. Just a little warm and fuzzy. Would you like to try some, or do you want me to pour you some Chivas?”
“I think your drink sounds pretty good. Warm and fuzzy, huh?”
Andrea grinned back at him as she poured the mixture into two glasses. “And, Dan? No working tonight, okay? Keep the Avenger downtown and concentrate on me this evening.”
What Avenger? Dan responded. If she kept talking like this, he’d have to use her bathroom and take another cold shower before he could eat his dinner. What’s going on with me? I’m not some young kid any more. I’m thirty-eight years old, for God’s sake. Maybe it was all the talk of my college days today, but I’ve got to get a grip and control myself tonight. Dan took the offered glass from Andrea and realized control was going to be very hard to come by with her around.
Andrea began to spoon some of the food on their plates as she asked, “Is it any good? Do you like it?”
Dan nearly choked before responding, “It’s wonderful. What’s in here?”
“It’s a secret, but if you’re a very good boy tonight, I promise to make you some more,” she teased.
“I promise to be very good,” Dan responded, desire lowering his voice.
Andrea felt a shiver run down her spine. This little game they were playing with each other was making her warm and fuzzy without the drink. How far should I let this go tonight? I don’t want him to think I’m easy, but I bet he’d be a wonderful lover. I know Cindi would encourage me to go for it. After all, it is the nineties and women are allowed to have their needs met without being considered a slut any more. Then again, we are in the South and things still move a little slower here.
Andrea took their plates to the table while Dan brought their drinks. Each was lost in thought as they sat down to eat. Soon, the tension in the air eased and they were laughing and telling other tales from childhood. Dan told her about some of his encounters as a young police officer on the streets in New York after she finished telling him about her surprise thirtieth birthday bash.
“Let’s do our fortune cookies now,” Andrea suggested as she put their dishes in the kitchen. She walked back to the table with them and asked, “Which one do you want?”
“Ladies choice,” Dan responded.
“Okay, here’s yours. But you have to go first, since I picked.”
Dan broke his cookie in half and read, “‘Keep going forward on your chosen path and you will find what you are looking for.’ I hope that refers to the Avenger.”
“Dan! You promised no work talk tonight. I thought you were going to say something nice about me.” She playfully sent him a pout before she read the small slip of paper in her hands. “You must decide what price you are willing to pay to get the things you want.’ It must be referring to law school. I know it’s expensive and there’s a lot of sacrifice involved in achieving that goal. I hope I can make it.”
“You will, Andi. Besides, everything in life involves a sacrifice of some kind. Anything of value, that is.”
“What do you value in life, Dan?”
“My family, my friends, my job. Making things right in a world gone bad. How about you?”
“My family passed away, but I’ve made great friends. My job would have to come second to that. Putting something back into the community.”
“And I thought you were going to say something nice about me,” Dan tossed Andrea’s words back to her.
“You’re impossible. Cute, but impossible. Would you like some more to drink?” she motioned to his now empty glass.
“No, thanks. I need to head home. I’ve got to be downtown early tomorrow morning and it’s been a long day.”
“Thanks a lot.”
Dan reached over and pulled Andrea into his arms. As he locked his fingers behind her waist, he whispered, “This has been one of the best days I’ve had in a long time. I’ve really enjoyed your company, and I know Mory and Janie liked you, too. I’m just sorry it took so long for us to meet. No telling how many times we just missed each other in a hallway or a store or any place in town. God, you’re so beautiful. Your eyes sparkle when you smile and it lights up your whole face.”
Dan touched her hai
r, then ran his finger along her chin. He gently lifted it until she raised her eyes to meet the question in his. Dan read the permission before lowering his lips to hers. As Andrea’s mouth touched his, he felt himself grow hard again. Damn, she smelled good. She tasted good. She felt good. As he pulled her tighter against him, Dan heard her soft moan.
Andrea’s body responded automatically to his touch. She felt the wet heat between her legs and moaned deep in her throat. When he pressed his hardness against her stomach, she thought she would melt like butter under a hot sun.
Dan reached his hand underneath her top and cupped one of her breasts. She was perfect. Not too big and not too small. He trailed his fingers down her rib cage and back to her breast, circling its taut peak with his thumb. When she tossed her head back, his lips made a path down her throat to her exposed shoulder.
Andrea ran her fingers through his thick hair and pulled him closer against her. She lifted her arms as Dan removed her top, then she pulled his shirt over his head. When his bare skin touched hers, the heat seemed to burst within her.
Dan quickly unfastened the hooks on her bra and lowered his head to allow his mouth and tongue to continue what his hands had started. He placed warm kisses down her stomach to the top of her waistband, then stood up and looked into her eyes. “I want you, Andi, but I don’t want to move too fast. I don’t want you to think I expect—“
Andrea silenced him with her lips as she arched her body against his. She smiled when he flattened his hands against her bare back and pressed her tightly against him. Her mouth began to follow a course down his neck, to his shoulder, down his chest to the place where a patch of hair formed a trail down below. Then she stood and looked into his face and repeated his words back to him. “I want you, Dan, but I don’t want to move too fast. I don’t want you to think I expect—” She nearly screamed as Dan picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, silently thanking the builder for placing it next to the kitchen.
As he lowered her onto the bed, a cold realization dampened his passion. “Wait a minute, Andi. I didn’t bring anything with me. I wasn’t sure if... And I didn’t want to appear...”
Andrea smiled as she reached into the nightstand beside the bed. “Cindi gave these to me as a gag gift for my thirtieth birthday.” She pulled a box out of the bottom drawer and tore open the cellophane wrapping. She grinned at him as she held up a small circular object. “That is, if you don’t mind being green.”
Dan fell back on the bed and laughed. Damn, this woman was good for him. He looked over at her tear-streaked face and said, “Just one more thing I’ll need to thank Cindi for.”
Andrea squealed, “Dan! Don’t you dare tell her. I’d die if—“
Dan silenced her protests with a sound kiss before he promised, “Andi, I’d never tell anyone anything that happened between us. Especially not in the bedroom. I don’t kiss and tell. But you have to promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t laugh when I put it on. Laughing when a man is at his most vulnerable could have devastating consequences for any further activities.”
Andrea touched his chin and responded, “Dan, the way you make my body sing, I promise the color of your condom will not be noticed.”
Dan’s male pride well stroked, he leaned over to make her vow good.
Throughout the night, they made love and each kept their promises. Andrea didn’t laugh whenever he pulled out another neon color, and Dan made her weak and tingly as he drove them repeatedly over the edge in various positions.
Wednesday morning, July 4th
Since they had spent the entire weekend together and he had been busy working on the case and sidestepping James Starr, it was Wednesday morning before Dan called Andrea. She didn’t answer the phone. Hoping she might be working in her yard, washing her car, or sunbathing, he drove to her condo. She wasn’t home or at the pool. Maybe she had gone to the lake with Cindi and Brian or other friends. He wanted to kick himself for being too cautious and waiting two days to phone her. Of course she had plans. Who, besides him, hadn’t made plans for the Fourth of July?
He went to Mory and Janie’s house for an afternoon cookout, but kept calling Andrea’s number. He wished either of them had suggested he bring Andrea along today. They had laughed and told him they’d assumed he didn’t need a reminder. Mory teased him unmercifully about being whipped and enslaved after only a few dates. He fumed at his partner for not teasing or probing him with a zillion questions on Monday and Tuesday to break his concentration on the entwined cases. Mory and Janie confessed they had intentionally avoided mentioning Andrea and the “long sultry weekend” so as not to spook Dan on her and romance. Janie seemed delighted that Mory had taken her advice, but disappointed Dan had been too caught up in grisly murder cases to call Andrea and invite her to join them today.
Later, they went to the mall to watch the fireworks, but he didn’t see her in the massive crowd. At ten thirty, he left a message on her answering machine asking her to call him when she got in. As he prepared for bed at nearly eleven o’clock, he was edgy and mad with himself for spending most of the holiday trying to reach her. He shouldn’t have ignored her or waited so late to ask her to spend today with them. After all, he couldn’t work on a holiday when places were closed and people were gone unless a crime was committed or the Avenger struck again. The realization that Andrea hadn’t contacted him either or included him in on her plans for the day increased his disappointment and concern. It was the nineties, women asked men out, too. He felt frustrated, worried.
Dan tossed and turned as the horror movie his mind created for him played havoc with his sleep. Instead of “Charlie” chasing him through the Vietnam jungle, it was the Avenger playing cat and mouse with him in dark alleys. Over and over again, the killer lured him into pits lined with sticks and the mutilated bodies of his victims. Large hands would point to one corpse and the Avenger would describe in detail the way he had tortured the man. Suddenly, the victim’s image would be replaced with that of his female victim’s face. Every time Dan tried to run away, every time he turned a corner, there was another one. How long could this go on? How many people would suffer and die before the system did what it was created to do? Before he could capture his target?
Dan was finally able to break the trance when the face of seventeen-year-old Susan flashed before his eyes and stuck the knife deep into his heart. He awoke, shaking and bathed in sweat. Even the bed sheets were soaked. How could he bring this vigilante to justice when he understood the motive behind the Avenger’s actions? He couldn’t help but wonder if the self-appointed Sword of Justice had slain his last target or if the bringer of necessary evil was just getting started on his ride to doom and glory.
Thursday morning, July 5th
Dan went to the District Attorney’s office to return the borrowed files and to ask Andrea out to lunch.
Cindi overheard him talking to the receptionist and heard the disappointment in his voice when he learned Andrea had already left for an early lunch. She sensed his frustration, smiled and decided that Andrea was playing the situation right. She knew they had slept together over the weekend and that Dan had waited until Wednesday to call. The sleeping bird misses the juicy worm and has to work harder to get a meal, so wake up and get hopping, man. She waved as she approached him and grasped his outstretched hand. “Dan, it’s good to see you again. Everyone had so much fun Friday night and really enjoyed meeting you. I’m sorry you missed Andi; she left earlier than usual today and is taking a few hours off this afternoon. Did you two have plans for a meeting or lunch?”
Dan shook his head. “No, we didn’t. I just hoped I’d be able to catch her before she left. How are you and Brian doing?”
“We’re great. I’ve got an errand to run for lunch today, or I’d ask you to join me. Would you like me to give Andi a message for you?”
“Just tell her I stopped by and to call me if she gets the chance. She can page me if she wants.
Here, let me give you the number,” Dan said as he did so.
“I’ll give this to her and tell her you stopped by. See you around, Dan.”
“Bye, Cindi.” A disheartened Dan worried that Andrea might have had a date yesterday and for lunch today. Why shouldn’t she? She’s an attractive woman and there isn’t any commitment between us. He’d finally found a woman he liked, and he was probably screwing it up by not giving her the consideration and attention she deserved and needed. He promised himself to correct that oversight pronto.
He returned to his office where he and Mory continued to follow up on the Avenger case. So far, they had no leads on the rope, typewriter, paper or potassium chloride. None of the same policemen had worked the females’ rape cases. They couldn’t find any record of a local officer whose loved one had been raped to give that lawman a motive for a single murder or a grisly rampage. Only one lawyer had two of the male victims as clients, something Dan and Mory went to check out at three o’clock.
At six o’clock, Dan decided to call it a day, so Mory could go home to his wife and escape his partner’s grouchiness. Dan knew he needed to get some food in his house very soon, but he needed to go home first and get a shower. He really didn’t feel like eating out alone, and cooking for one didn’t hold any appeal. Maybe he’d order a pizza, then do his grocery shopping on Saturday.
As Dan sipped a scotch and lazed in his chair, someone knocked at the door. He cursed and hoped it wasn’t James Starr or he may bite off his head. He opened the door to find Andrea—smiling, beautiful, fresh and desirable.
“Well, Lieutenant Mallory, are you going to stand there and stare at me or invite me inside? Your note said you wanted to see me.” She lifted her shoulders slightly and opened her palms in invitation. “Here I am.”
Dan wanted to grab her and throw her to the floor, but managed to catch himself before he acted on his imagination. “I wasn’t expecting anyone; the place is trashed—”
Necessary Evil Page 15
