Stripped

by Stacy-Deanne

  “Damn.” Dee rubbed her hair. “I never looked at it that way.”

  “You have an irrational fear of being alone like many people do. I’d like to dig further into this.”

  “I can’t right now.” Dee stood. “Gotta get back.”

  “How about you think on this arrangement and see if it will help you?” Guzman took off her glasses. “I’m already seeing underground issues that would help if you work through them.”

  Dee nodded on her way out the door. “I’ll think about it.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “Ms. North?” Winston caught her outside her front door as she locked up to leave.

  She stepped off the porch. “May I help you?”

  “I’m Detective Winston Lewis, homicide. May I speak to you for a moment?”

  “I was just heading out.” She pointed toward her car with her keys. “Is this about Autumn?”

  “Yes.” He squinted from the sunlight. “It’ll only take a few minutes.”

  “Isn’t this Detective Wilks and Quarter’s case?” She gave him a once-over.

  “I’m helping out.” He smiled. “Can we talk?”

  She sighed, sliding her purse from her shoulder. “I only have a minute.” She sat on the green loveseat.

  “I’d like to ask questions about LJ Witt.”

  “LJ?” Her forehead puckered.

  “He lived at Autumn’s before she moved in.” Winston pulled his pants up at the thighs and sat. “He was thirty-two, black, worked at the hardware store—”

  “Yeah, he was a tenant.” She frowned. “What are you asking about him for?”

  “What happened to him?”

  “Um, he left.”

  Winston got out his notepad. “Do you know where he went because from what I’ve seen he disappeared off the face of the earth.”

  “He went back home to Illinois is what he told me.” She scratched the side of her head. “Why are you asking about LJ?”

  “Where in Illinois?”

  “I don’t know which city, but I think his mother was sick or something.”

  “That would’ve been a year ago?”

  She swallowed loud. “Yes.”

  Winston wrote on his pad. “Can you tell me anything about his mother or his relatives?”

  “No.” She grimaced. “We weren’t friends or anything. I had nothing to do with him except getting the rent.”

  “Is there anything else you can tell me—”

  “I’m sorry, Detective.” She jumped up. “I gotta go. Is there a reason you’re asking about LJ? Does it have something to do with Autumn’s murder?”

  “His name came up during research, and we have to check any angle, that’s all.”

  Nelda pushed her curls underneath her tam. “I know nothing about LJ besides what I told you.”

  “I’ll let you go then.” Winston stood, smiling. “Have a nice day.”

  ****

  “Nelda claims LJ went home to Illinois or something.” Winston opened a can of grape soda in his living room that night. “She seemed kinda tense.”

  Grayson sat on Winston’s plaid couch, studying the picture of the light-skinned, buff black man with his hair in small twists. “Weird how someone just disappears.”

  “I spoke to the manager of the hardware store where LJ worked.” Winston gulped soda and let out a loud breath. “He said he didn’t know what happened to him but he never came back.”

  “It’s not normal for someone to leave and not tell their boss.”

  “Well, the manager said LJ was kinda flakey and often would not show up for work without calling so he wasn’t surprised he left telling no one.” Winston sat beside Grayson and took the photo. “I’m gonna talk to Hart Carroll tomorrow.”

  “Who is that?”

  “He owns the property where LJ and Autumn stayed. Owns tons of property on that side of Baltimore.” Winston propped his foot on the coffee table. “Maybe he can give insight into what happened to LJ.”

  “Why does this even matter? You think LJ’s disappearance is connected to Autumn’s murder?”

  Winston took a long sip. “Possibly.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “I’m not expecting anyone.” Winston left the living room, reached the front door and checked the peephole. “Oh, it’s my baby.” He opened the door and pulled Dee into a smothering kiss. “To what do I owe this fabulous surprise?”

  “Why’s Grayson’s car outside?” She sashayed past Winston and into the living room, her tight indigo jeans hugging her delicious hips.

  “Shit.” Winston rushed behind her.

  “What’s this?” Dee pointed to Grayson. “What’s going on here?”

  “Let me explain,” Winston said.

  “Oh, I want to hear this.” She wobbled her head, ponytail waving. “Why in the world is my ex-boyfriend in my current boyfriend’s living room?”

  “Why are you always so paranoid?” Winston sat on the couch. “There’s no big conspiracy, and it’s got nothing to do with you.”

  “Then what does it have to do with?” She rolled her eyes, lips pursed.

  “I’ve been helping Grayson.” He got his soda and sipped it to avoid her tense glare.

  “I’m confused as hell.” She laid her purse on the table.

  “I didn’t attack Nelda or do any of the other shit she said,” Grayson said. “You didn’t believe me so Winston offered his help.”

  “Oh, he did, did he? Why are you sticking your nose in my case, Winston?”

  “Because I hate to see an innocent man dragged through the coals. Come on, Dee. Grayson wouldn’t kill anyone.”

  “Nor would I attack a woman.”

  “I don’t wanna believe Grayson did those things,” she said. “But, why would Nelda lie?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to find out,” Winston said. “I found out about a tenant of hers named LJ Witt.” He passed Dee the photo. “He lived in Autumn’s place for three years prior to Autumn and a year ago, just left. Didn’t return to his job or anything and Nelda says he went home to Illinois to be with his sick mother.”

  “So?”

  “Doesn’t that seem odd to you?” Winston asked. “It seems like he disappeared. At least that’s what his friends are saying.”

  “That is strange.” Dee studied LJ’s photo. “But, sometimes people have to leave quickly.”

  “But, to never call your friends or to tell your boss you won’t return?” Grayson asked. “It makes little sense.”

  “What does this have to do with Autumn?” Dee tossed the photo on the table and sat by the entertainment system.

  “Heard of Hart Carroll?” Winston asked.

  She rubbed her forehead. “No.”

  “He owns the property Autumn stayed in,” Winston said. “I’m going to see him tomorrow and ask him about Autumn and LJ.”

  “The hell you will.” Dee batted her eyes. “Connie and I will see him tomorrow. Stay out my case, Winston. I mean it. Let me handle this.”

  “Okay.”

  Grayson’s face lit up. “Thanks, Dee.”

  She stood. “Don’t thank me yet.”

  ****

  The next day, Dee and Connie waited in the empty parking lot of a desolate, white building with tinted windows and chains across the doors.

  Dee surveyed the 9000-square foot structure from her car window. “Didn’t this used to be a strip mall back in the day?”

  Connie looked at the sign where half the letters had fallen off. “Where is Carroll?” She checked the clock on the dashboard. “It’s nine fifty, and he said he’d be here by nine.”

  A shiny, black Porsche Panamera turned into the lot, jamming 80’s soft rock music.

  “Man.” Connie whistled. “Look at that car.”

  “That must be him.”

  The car came to a smooth stop and a lean man around 6’5 with sleek brown hair and long sideburns stepped out of it.

  “He’s huge,” Connie whispered.

&nbs
p; “Are you the detectives?” He wore a light-blue shirt with a red tie and suspenders.

  “Yes, we are.” Dee opened her door. “Hart Carroll?”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” He strutted toward them in cherry-brown, leather wingtips. “How are you?” He took his shades off when he approached, his eyes widening. “You’ve got to be the best-looking cops I’ve ever seen.” He did a deep laugh that shook his small belly.

  “Thanks.” Dee introduced herself and then Connie. “We appreciate you taking time to talk to us.”

  “No problem, Pretty Lady.” He hooked his shades on his pocket. “I hope you don’t mind meeting me out here. I plan on purchasing this property and have a meeting with the current owner here in a few minutes.”

  “We won’t take up much of your time,” Connie said.

  “Believe me, Cutie.” He leaned into her, his ivory skin shimmering in the sunlight. “I wouldn’t mind if you gals took all day.” Another obnoxious laugh escaped him. “Woo, you’re both something else.”

  Dee sighed, playing off her dislike for Carroll. “Let’s get to Autumn Stuart.”

  He nodded with lips tight. “It’s horrible what happened to her.”

  “We read the statement you gave to the other officer. You said you have no dealings at all with your tenants, Autumn included?”

  “None. Don’t even know their names. Detective Quarter, I own tons of commercial properties and rental homes. I have many managers who handle that side of things for me so I’m never involved with the tenants.”

  “Why did you and LJ Witt have that big fight?” Connie cocked her head to the side.

  Dee smirked at Connie’s attempt to trick Carroll.

  “I never had a fight with LJ.” Carroll frowned, teeth showing. “Who the hell told you that?”

  “So.” Dee rocked on her heels. “You at least know some of your tenants’ names, huh?”

  Carroll’s eyebrows creased. “That was clever, Detective.”

  Connie smiled.

  “LJ left without paying his rent so I’m familiar with him.” He pulled at his collar. “I never had contact with him but Nelda says he was an okay person. Isn’t this about Autumn?”

  “What did Nelda tell you about why LJ left?” Connie asked.

  “Hm.” He slid his fingertips through his greasy hair. “Said he left to be with family.”

  Dee nodded. “Some people say he disappeared.”

  He let out a nervous chuckle. “What does LJ have to do with Autumn when he was a tenant before she even moved in? I’m confused, Brown Sugar.”

  “Excuse me?” Dee did a double take. “Who you calling ‘Brown Sugar’?”

  He gaped, batting his eyes. “Sorry.”

  “You called us ‘gals’ before, and I should’ve checked your ass then.” Dee exhaled. “Watch it, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Put your shades back on, Mr. Carroll,” Dee grumbled. “We’re done here.”

  “Are we?” He touched his top lip with his tongue. “Before you two head off would you like a snack? I could use a chocolate and vanilla swirl right about now.” He winked at Connie. “Made with a scoop of you two and me in the middle.” He cackled, putting on his shades. “Yeah, I’d like that very much.”

  Connie gasped. “How dare you?”

  “Mr. Carroll, don’t you ever talk to us like this again,” Dee said. “You got that?”

  He stopped smiling.

  Dee poked his chest. “When female detectives question you about a murder it’s best not to be a sexist, horny pig.”

  “I apologize.” He straightened his tie.

  “And, you wouldn’t have a chance with either of us in your dreams so don’t even go there,” Connie said.

  “Whatever you say, Blondie.”

  Connie scoffed, gripping her gun. “Did you call me ‘Blondie’? Dee, we gotta get out of here. I’m about to lose it.”

  “Apologies again.” That slimy smirk still on his lips. “When I see beautiful women I lose my manners.”

  “If we see you again,” Connie said. “You’d better have found them.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Hart Carroll?” Jonathan sat at the table in his lab, scribbling figures in a notebook. “Never heard of him.”

  “He owns the property Autumn lived in.” Connie walked through the aisles of plants, peeking inside the plastic bins.

  Jonathan turned his chair straight ahead, shooting a lustful gaze at Dee. “What does this have to do with Autumn’s murder?”

  “We spoke to her neighbor.” Dee faked a cough, the scene of Jonathan pleasuring Asia flashing in her head. “She says LJ Witt, the man who lived in the house before Autumn and Carroll didn’t get along. Yet, Carroll acted like he barely knew Witt.” She moved from the door but kept her distance. “We wondered if Autumn mentioned anything to you about Witt or Carroll.”

  “Nope.” He shook his head.

  “We found out Carroll lied about not being in contact with LJ,” Dee said. “Suzanne, Autumn’s neighbor, said Witt and Carroll had a fist fight. Autumn told her.”

  Connie popped from behind the plants. “We have a strong feeling that Witt’s disappearance and Autumn’s murder is connected.”

  Jonathan clasped his hands, wearing a relaxed expression. “Is Carroll a suspect or something?”

  Dee smiled.

  “Ah, right. You can’t tell me anything about the case. Am I still a suspect?”

  She smiled again.

  “That’s unfortunate.” He stood from the stool. “I was hoping you’d know me better than that.”

  “I don’t know you at all.”

  “Sure you do.”

  Connie walked from the aisles, glaring.

  Dee caught Connie’s expression and cleared her throat. “Thanks for your cooperation, Jonathan. Ready, Connie?”

  “Deidra?” Jonathan rushed after Dee, grabbing her arm.

  Connie gaped.

  “May I speak to you for a moment?”

  “We have to go,” Dee said.

  “Just for a moment.” He let her go. “Please wait outside, Detective Wilks.”

  Connie hesitated and then left.

  “What the hell are you doing, Jonathan?” Dee pointed to the door. “The last thing I need is her more suspicious—”

  With a deep growl, Jonathan smashed his mouth over hers. “Mm.”

  Dee clawed at his shirt, trying to push him away.

  He shoved her to the wall and forced his hand up her blouse, caressing her breast through the bra.

  Dee moaned as World War III broke out between her mind telling her to leave and her pussy begging her to stay.

  Jonathan ran his hand across the back of her bra, pulling at the snaps.

  Not sure of how far she’d let things go if he didn’t stop, Dee pushed him as hard as she could but it didn’t move him. “Jonathan. No.” She grunted, thoughts of Winston forcing their way into her head.

  Yet, Jonathan’s kisses felt so damn good.

  I can’t do this to Winston.

  I won’t.

  “Stop.” She pushed Jonathan off, breathless.

  He stood back, huffing and puffing and wearing her lipstick.

  She wiped her mouth.

  “When I was pleasuring Asia, you watched.” His eyes darkened. “And, you liked it.” His voice held an authoritative edge. “You wanted that to be you.” He licked his mouth clean of her lipstick. “You want this.” He turned, the imprint of his giant boner displayed in the center of his black slacks. “I want you in The Circle, Deidra.”

  She ran to the door, reaching for it.

  Jonathan walked toward her as she closed the door in his face. “You belong here!”

  Dee collapsed on the wall when she got into the hall.

  “It’s too late, isn’t it, Dee?” Connie sighed. “You going tell me again that you won’t get hooked?”

  “Leave me alone, Connie.” Dee pushed away from the wall. “You have no right to judge me.”
r />   “I’ve been here, remember? What you’re going through.”

  Dee passed her. “I’m not you, Connie.”

  “Yes, you are.” Connie caught up with her. “You’re exactly like me.”

  ****

  “Ah, shit!” Winston grabbed Dee that night as they watched Final Destination III. “Man, how can you watch this gruesome stuff? Ugh.”

  Dee chewed popcorn, her mind still on Jonathan’s advances.

  “Oh.” Winston wrapped his arm around Dee, crushing her.

  “I can’t breathe.”

  “Sorry.” He slapped his hands over his eyes. “I can’t take any more of this.” He turned the channel. “How can you watch those over and over?”

  “You see how you get all scared and grabby?” She snickered, chewing. “That’s why.”

  “So, you like it when I grab you?” He took the bowl of popcorn and set it on the table. “I can do a lot more grabbing.” He tried to kiss her and all she thought about was how she’d betrayed him in Jonathan’s lab.

  As soon as Winston’s lips touched hers, she turned her head. “We need to talk.”

  He stretched out his legs underneath her. “Sounds serious.”

  “It is.” She slid off his lap and turned on the lamp next to the couch. “I’ve been hiding things from you.”

  His eyebrows rose.

  “I love you very much.”

  “Dee.” He laid his arm on the back of the sofa. “Did you cheat on me?”

  “No.” She slammed her eyes shut.

  “Do you...” His voice cracked. “Do you want to cheat on me?”

  “No.” She leapt on him, grabbing his T-shirt. “I swear I don’t want any man but you.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “I’ve been going to Jonathan’s compound.”

  “You mean besides for the case?”

  “I’m sorry, Winston.”

  “Wait, a minute.” He stood, leaning over her. “Explain this.”

  “I’ve seen Jonathan outside the investigation.”

  “You what?” His forehead crinkled. “Why?”