Stripped

by Stacy-Deanne

  “Who you asking?” Dee swallowed, catching her breath. “Every time is better than the last.”

  “I’m glad I relaxed you.” He lay beside her, kissing her sweaty arm. “With all that’s happened you’ve been so tense.”

  Dee put her hands over her face, exhaling.

  “You okay?” Winston rested against the headboard. “Something on your mind?”

  “I need to tell you something.” She pushed hair away from her face. “We promised never to hide things from each other.”

  His face contorted, wrinkles indenting his forehead. “What is it?”

  “I saw Grayson tonight. He had something to tell me that might help my case.”

  He sucked his lip, nodding. “Okay. He’s a part of your case so you gotta see him.” He rubbed her stomach. “No big deal.”

  “That’s not all.” She stared at the TV behind the foot of her bed. “Something happened.”

  He studied her face and a scowl slowly appeared. “Did you sleep with Grayson?”

  “No.” She stroked the tiny hairs on his arm. “We kissed.”

  “You kissed?” He pointed at her. “Did he kiss you or you kissed him?”

  “What difference does it make?”

  “It makes a damn big difference, Dee.”

  “He kissed me.” She scratched between her breasts. “But, I let him.”

  He leaned forward, holding a fist to his mouth.

  “I love you.” She pressed her head to his back. “You’re the only man I want. Please, don’t get upset—”

  “How can I not get upset?” He ripped the covers off and got out of bed. “How could you kiss him, Dee?”

  “It was a huge mistake.” She wrapped herself in the sheet. “A moment of weakness.”

  “I’m sick of this.” He turned, gripping his head. “Grayson is always hanging around. I’m wondering if you like him pining for you.”

  “Now wait just a damn minute here.” She pointed toward the ceiling. “I’ve been honest with him from the beginning.”

  He swiped his hand through the air. “I don’t want you seeing Grayson outside this case. You got that?”

  “He had information—”

  “Don’t go to his goddamn house anymore.” He bent over the bed, eyes bulging. “That’s it, Dee. I’ve been more than patient but I’m your man.”

  She plopped her head on the pillow. “Don’t I get points for being honest?”

  “No, because you kissed the son of a bitch.” He stood by the cream vanity desk. “I’m not asking or pleading anymore, Dee. I mean it. If you do this again then it’s over.”

  “Winston.” She moved the sheet off, getting on her knees in the bed. “You don’t mean that.”

  “I mean it.” His voice cracked. “I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but I won’t share you anymore.”

  “You haven’t been sharing me.”

  “He’s always there.” Sweat subdued his curls. “Every damn time we make a move in our relationship here comes, Grayson. I’m sick of him! When will it be over for good?”

  “It’s over.” Dee rushed to him, voice shaking. “I can’t lose you, Winston.” She hugged him. “I need you, please. I’ve lost so many people I’ve loved. Don’t leave me.” She looked him in the eyes. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

  She waited for a sign of softness in his face or at least for him to touch her but he didn’t.

  “Winston?”

  “I mean it, Dee.” His eyebrows rose. “If this happens again, it’s over.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Three days later, Connie and Dee arrived at Jonathan’s compound at his invitation. Tran met them at the entrance and escorted them to the massive garden. Plants of various shades of green and patches of red, yellow, purple, and white flowers surrounded them.

  “The sitting area is over here.” Tran led them underneath a huge arch made of flowers.

  The contrasting scents from the different flowers made Dee’s head ache.

  “Dee, it’s huge,” Connie said.

  They walked through a cement path engulfed in towering hedges and trees that smothered the sunlight.

  Dee glanced up, her breath dwindling when she only saw trees above her. “Oh.” She took Connie’s hand, stopping her.

  Connie held her. “You okay?”

  Dee leaned over, slowing her breathing. “I feel like I’m suffocating.”

  “Are you claustrophobic?” Connie asked.

  Dee did a quick nod.

  “Come here.” Tran took Dee’s hand. “It happens to many people when they first come out here. It’s overwhelming to look around and see nothing but trees and plants.”

  Dee calmed as her breathing normalized.

  “Maybe sitting down will help.” With his arm around her waist, Tran helped Dee to the gorgeous, off-white daybed shielded with canopy curtains and string lights.

  “Oh, this is beautiful.” Dee sat on the silky, soft material decorated with brown and beige striped pillows.

  “Ooh, wee.” Connie tugged on the curtains. “Just when I think this place can’t blow me away anymore, it does.” She plopped beside Dee, kicking. “I could live here forever.”

  “Don’t get used to it.” Dee tried her best to ignore the captivating scenery.

  “Are you better, Detective Quarter?” Tran asked.

  “Yes, thanks. I looked up too fast and there was all this green and I felt trapped.”

  A minute later, two women in white dresses with their hair in angelic buns emerged with refreshments.

  “Maybe this will make you feel better.” Tran smiled at Dee.

  With the grace of a swan, the dark-skinned black woman set the tray of cheese and chilled fruit on the table, and the sensuous Asian placed a pitcher of lemonade beside it, looking neither at Dee nor Connie.

  “Thank you,” Tran told them.

  Connie smiled at the women. “That fruit looks amazing.”

  They bowed and drifted through the greenery.

  “Well, that’s unique service you got there.” Dee got a slice of watermelon while Connie grabbed a handful of green grapes.

  “Jonathan should be out in a moment,” Tran said. “Just holler if you need anything else.”

  “Thanks,” the women said as he left.

  “My god.” Connie shoved grapes into her mouth and stretched on the daybed. “It’s like a wonderland out here. Have you ever seen anything like it?”

  Dee shook her head, eating a chunk of brie cheese.

  “I’m gonna look around.” Connie stood, still chewing grapes. “Let’s see what’s over there.” She pointed at the path. “I hear water.” She gasped. “Oh, it might be a waterfall or something.”

  “And, you asked if I’d be the one taken in?” Dee ate a fat strawberry, the juice seducing her taste buds. “Looks like you’re ready to move in.”

  “Live a little won’t you?” She poked Dee’s shoulder. “I want to see what else is in this garden. I’ll be back.” She scampered away.

  “Jesus.” Dee lay back with her arms folded behind her head, grinning to herself. “I could get used to this life.”

  “Could you?” a medium-deep male voice asked.

  Dee shrieked, rising from her position.

  A white man around six two or three with long, straight black hair and a thick, stiff beard, stood on the walkway.

  “Hello.” Shades covered his eyes.

  “Hello.” Dee observed him. “Who are you?”

  He snickered, his nose buried under hair. “I’m a guard here. Did I frighten you?”

  She patted her crinkles. “I’m—”

  “You don’t have to fix your hair.” His words held a sensual intonation. “Trust me. You’re perfect.”

  Dee got a chill. “I’m Detective Quarter.”

  “I know.” He lowered his head as if he were checking her out. “It’s nice to meet you, Detective.”

  “Don’t you have a name?”

  “My
name isn’t important.” He sauntered toward her in loose black slacks and an oversized gray shirt where his muscles fought for attention. “How do you feel about all this?” He sat beside her, tempting her with his honeysuckle scent. “Be honest.”

  “You mean the compound?”

  He nodded, hair blowing in the mild breeze.

  “I think it’s bullshit. Absolute bullshit.”

  He licked his lips, moaning. “Why?”

  “Because your boss is manipulating people to get what he wants. Sorry, but I have to be honest.”

  “Jonathan feels he’s rescued these women.” He flexed his smooth, delicate-looking fingers wearing a gold, ruby ring on his right hand. “You don’t understand what some of them have been through.”

  “This is a cult no matter how he dresses it up. He’s using these women.”

  “Using them how?” The beard shifted on his lip. “He doesn’t force them into doing anything they don’t want to. They come to him willingly and submit.”

  “He manipulates vulnerable women into thinking they need him to act out his twisted fantasy.”

  The man sighed, shaking his head. “You don’t understand.”

  “He’s taking advantage of weak women and it’s sick.”

  “So you can’t believe these women would be here on their own?”

  “No.” She slammed her eyes shut. “I sure as hell wouldn’t.”

  “You wouldn’t wanna live on the compound?” He raised an eyebrow. “Get a taste of what Jonathan can offer?”

  “He uses these women as his personal sex objects, and I can’t see why they’d be taken in unless something is wrong with them.”

  “I suppose you wouldn’t be taken in by him.”

  “Hell no.” She looked at him.

  “Hm.” He stroked the beard. “Your life’s perfect?”

  “No one’s life is perfect but being in a cult isn’t the answer.”

  “It’s not a cult,” he shouted and then softened his voice. “This is a wonderful, magical place, Detective Quarter.” He touched her hand, causing her to shiver. “Give it a chance.”

  She tried to decipher his features underneath the hair. “Who are you, again?”

  “Dee!” Connie ran up, pointing behind her. “There’s a waterfall,” she squealed, clasping her hands. “A little waterfall and pond in the middle of the garden. It’s so beautiful.” She focused on the man next to Dee. “I’m sorry.” She smiled. “I’m Detective Connie Wilks.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “He’s a guard here,” Dee interjected. “Who refuses to give his name.”

  Connie checked her watch. “Is Jonathan coming out or not?”

  “I don’t know.” Dee got a strawberry and rose from the daybed. “But, I’m about to go drag him out myself—”

  “No need to drag.” The man removed the long hair and beard, revealing a coal-black buzz cut and clean-shaven face. “He’s already here.”

  Dee gasped, stomach pounding. “Jonathan?”

  “In the flesh.” He whipped off the shades, his small, silver-gray, deep-set eyes sending currents through Dee’s body. “Did I frighten you?”

  Connie gaped, holding her stomach. “Um—”

  “Is this your idea of a joke?” Dee sat.

  “I like to shake things up.” He grinned, his aquiline nose twitching. “Nothing wrong with that, is there?”

  “This isn’t a game, Jonathan,” Dee said. “A murder investigation is nothing to play with.”

  “I apologize if I offended you.”

  “You didn’t.” Connie swallowed, staring at him. “It’s just weird to meet you. Kinda like a celebrity.”

  “I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “I’ve done a couple TV interviews about The Circle but other than that, nothing.”

  Dee worked through her rapid breathing as she got over the shock.

  “Are you okay?” He touched her back. “Funny, I thought you couldn’t be taken in by me.”

  “I’m not.” She pushed his hand away. “It’ll take more than you in a wig and fake beard to get to me.”

  He snickered, nodding. “I look forward to the challenge.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” She got her pencil. “If you think you have any chance of pulling me into this, you’re crazy.”

  “And, if I had a nickel for every woman who said that yet ended up here.” He shrugged.

  “I’m not like these women.”

  “Detective Quarter?” He leaned into her, his eyes widening. “All women are like these women.”

  “Let’s get this over with so we can leave,” she said.

  Connie sat on the opposite of Dee, her gaze frozen on Jonathan.

  “When’s the last time you saw Autumn?” Dee asked.

  “A few weeks before her death, and I cared about her very much,” Jonathan said. “But, Autumn wasn’t ready to be a part of this. She needed to commit and she couldn’t do it.”

  “Did that make you angry?” Dee lifted her head. “Didn’t you want her here?”

  “I only want women here who want to be here.” He smiled. “I’m not playing mind games or brainwashing anyone.”

  “The jury’s out on that one,” Dee said. “Do you know of anyone who might want Autumn dead?”

  “Grayson Paul, perhaps? She broke things off with him, she said. Isn’t that motive?”

  Dee twitched as she wrote.

  “Is something wrong, Detective?” Jonathan’s full lips evened out. “Did I strike a nerve?”

  “I’m acquainted with Grayson, that’s all. He wouldn’t kill anyone.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t either and I have no reason to.”

  “You said Autumn was waffling on joining The Circle,” Connie said. “How do we know that wouldn’t make you mad?”

  “Because there are women from all over the country dying to be a part of this so, I wouldn’t need to force anyone.”

  Dee crossed her legs. “Why can’t men be in your community?”

  “I find women easier to lead.”

  “I bet you do,” Dee said. “And I suppose the perks of having sex with all the women you want has nothing to do with it either?”

  “Is that all this brings to mind? Sex?” He grimaced. “The physical is just a tiny part of the equation. It’s a divine connection that bonds us. This is our family, and no one understands us as much as we understand each other.”

  Dee grinned. “Whatever you say.”

  “I shouldn’t be shocked by your reaction, Detective Quarter. You’re from the outside world where everything’s on the surface.” He gestured to nothing in particular. “Here, everything is spiritual. Not religious but spiritual. You know why the women wear white? I’m sure you’ve been wondering.”

  “Why?” Dee asked in a sarcastic manner.

  “Purity.” He licked his lips, staring at hers. “When you become a part of The Circle, you strip yourself of everything negative and any insecurities holding you back. All that comes with spiritual teachings and meditation. It’s like being born again and starting over. Freeing the mind is the most important thing.”

  His voice shot butterflies into Dee’s stomach as if someone tossed her from a cliff.

  “You know why women join us?” He nudged Dee’s thigh. “Curiosity. That’s what you’re feeling now.”

  “I’m not curious but amazed at how good you must be to pull this off.” She faked a chuckle. “Like I said, it could never happen to me.”

  “Hm.” He curved his lips into his mouth. “We’ll see.”

  “It might help us understand Autumn better if we knew more about your community,” Connie said. “How does one become a part of The Circle? Your website mentions recruiting.”

  “We recruit but you have to be special to join.” He watched Dee. “I have to get a genuine feeling about you. We also have rules everyone must commit to.”

  Connie wiggled her shoulders. “Like what?”

  “Once you’re a member, you never
leave the compound.”

  “You never leave?” Dee asked.

  “I can leave as I please and Shauna can run errands with my permission but the other women cannot.”

  “Why can’t they leave?” Connie asked.

  “Because once they’re stripped, which means evolved, they have no need for anything outside the compound. Everything they need or want is here.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “Interesting that Shauna can leave the compound,” Dee said.

  “She didn’t have anything to do with Autumn’s murder.” Jonathan sighed. “Anyway, she can’t just leave any time she wants. It’s on special occasions if I approve.”

  Dee raised her eyebrows. “What else is not allowed around here?”

  “There’s no TV or music other than what I approve of, and they can get online a few times a week but I monitor what they do online. It’s for their own goods.”

  “Yeah.” Dee nodded with sarcasm. “Is that it or do they have to have blood tests every day too?”

  Connie sipped lemonade. “What if people get sick?”

  “We have a doctor here at the compound.” Jonathan smiled at Connie. “The only medicines we use are organic and herbal medicines. I create most of the medicines we use from the plants I study.”

  “You mean, they can’t even leave if they get sick?” Dee batted her eyes. “What if someone needs to go to the hospital?”

  “We have an infirmary on the compound that can envy any hospital.”

  Dee stared at Jonathan in awe. “What if they need medical treatment you can’t provide?”

  “Being in The Circle means sacrifice and everyone understands that when they agree to be here. It’s how I run things and there’s no negotiation.”

  “Can members leave the group?” Connie chewed cheese. “If they don’t want to be a part of it anymore?”

  “Sure.” Jonathan’s rigid voice wasn’t convincing. “But, no woman’s ever wanted to leave.”

  “What about Prisha Banerjee?” Dee asked. “Did she wanna leave?”

  “Prisha had a problem.” He sat erect, squinting. “She couldn’t stick to the rules.”

  “Is that why she’s no longer here?”

  Jonathan wiggled his head. “Next question, Detective Quarter.”