“Remember, there’s that festival thing going on this weekend and the Mayor hates it?” Mike asked.
Jax racked his brain. “It’s an art show at the park for God’s sake. What the hell does that have to do with the Mayor or the radio station?”
“Dunno all of it but I hear that the show is very erotic and not the first one scheduled either. You know all that kinky shit like bondage and stuff. Not that I wouldn’t enjoy being tied up by a hot blond but I don’t wanna see it all up in your face in vibrant colors, ya know?”
“Come on and be nice.” Climbing out of the car, Jax knew there was much more to the story but did it fit in? While he had heard about the controversy with the show, punching out a guy because of it was out of the ordinary especially for the host at a popular station. As he rang the doorbell, he eyed the neighbor’s houses. Each house was similar to the other.
“I couldn’t live in a stuffy place like this.”
“Might do you some good,” Jax smiled. Mike was in desperate need of a woman’s touch or perhaps a bulldozer.
The woman answering the door smiled yet her swollen eyes noted her extreme sadness. “You must be Detectives Steele and Tomlin. Please come in. I’m Stacy’s mother, Sheila. Stacy is expecting you. She’s quite a bit better today.”
“Thank you for seeing us, Mrs. Wheeler,” Jax said quietly.
Eyeing Mike, she smirked. “Certainly. We realize that information is very important in a murder investigation.”
Slicing his gaze in Mike’s direction, he narrowed his eyes. He was going to have to have a chat with his partner.
“Come.” Sheila glided toward the back of the house.
Jax couldn’t help but notice the lush surroundings as she led them to the vibrantly furnished sunroom that flanked the entire back of the house. Seeing the lovely girl, he smiled. “You must be Stacy.”
She nodded and held out her hand. “What…what do you want to know? I don’t know if I can tell you very much.” Her voice ragged, Stacy nibbled on her bottom lip.
“Don’t worry, I won’t force you to go through all the details, Stacy. I’m just curious if Greg acted any differently before he died or perhaps if he developed a new set of friends.”
Stacy sighed. “He wasn’t himself lately but he never said anything to me. I tried to get him to talk but we were in the middle of finals. I thought he was just buried, you know?”
“Have you two ever been to Dark Towers together?”
“The Goth club? He told me one night that he had been invited there by somebody, but I didn’t want to go. Heard they um…do some kind of kinky things there.” Glancing toward her mother, Stacy blushed.
“Do you know why he went there the night of his murder?” Mike asked.
“I…I don’t know. We were supposed to have a date that night…you know to celebrate him graduating and he called at the last minute and said he had to do something.” Stacy sniffed and looked down at her hands.
“Any idea?” Jax asked. He had the distinct impression she was holding something back.
Stacy shook her head. “Not really but…I don’t know, he acted really odd.”
“Odd?” Mike glanced toward Jax.
“Was he angry or upset or frightened?” Jax could tell that if Greg was in the middle of something he had told Stacy little if anything.
Stacy hesitated. “Scared. He seemed scared. I kept asking him what was wrong and he just said he didn’t want me involved. I had no idea what was going on either.”
“When did his behavior change?” Mike started to ask another question but Jax held his hand out.
“Is it possible he was working somewhere else?”
Stacy shrugged. “I guess but the exams were pretty rough on him. He needed money cause he wanted to go to Europe this summer but he never said anything.” She looked away, her eyes darting to the floor.
“What is it?” Jax inched forward.
“It’s nothing,” Stacy clipped.
“Stacy, even if you have a indistinct feeling, tell me what you’re thinking,” Jax dropped his voice. The girl was awfully nervous.
Opening and closing her mouth, Stacy finally gazed into Jax’ eyes. “It was something he said right at the end of our conversation. I tried to ask him about what he meant but he laughed and God, I just shut up.”
Jax stole a glance at Mike and nodded.
“It was something like he was going to be able to have the world take notice of him finally and be himself. And then…he said…that no one would ever make fun of him again”
As a shiver ran down Jax’s spine, he inhaled, his blood turning to ice.
Chapter Five
“Where are we going again?” Amanda asked as she and Jax sauntered out onto the front porch. The evening was warm, yet a crisp breeze blew as the last trail of twilight flashed across the sky.
“Gallery showing for a photographer. I have a feeling his work might have something to do with the investigation.” Jax realized dragging her along was not the best idea but from his past experiences in working with the artistic community on several cases, appearing as a couple on a date would be the best way to obtain additional information. Besides, she was an excellent observer of all people and had a keen eye for anything outside of the norm.
“And this is some kinky art thing?”
“Erotic.”
“Hmmm…interesting.” She moved toward him, her grin mischievous, and slid her hand across his thigh, caressing as she feathered kisses across the underside of his chin. Lifting her head, Amanda licked his earlobe with two tiny pulses, giggling as she moved back. “Then it’ll be a fun and naughty evening.”
Jax sighed as electric sensations danced all the way down to his toes. He loved her playful side, sinful yet sweet. As her hand slid toward his crotch, he wanted nothing more than to yank her back inside and ravage her body. Dressed to kill for the night in dazzling emerald silk, even her stockings glistened in the glowing light of the moon. Damn if he wasn’t horny as hell.
“And um, what’s my role tonight?” Amanda pressed her body to his, her hand wrapping around his cock.
“Submissive.”
She chuckled and gave him an intense stare. “Now you know I don’t play that role very easily.”
“A guy can dream, can’t he?”
Amanda hesitated as she looked away at the oncoming traffic.
“I know that look, what’s wrong?”
“Look, I might get called into work tonight. I know what I said to you but I can’t help it. It’s been just crazy lately, you know? There has just been a rash of crazy accidents lately. I have no idea why people go a little crazy in spring and do completely ridiculous things to their bodies. The emergency room was full last night for seven hours. God, just nutty.”
“I thought you had the night off,” Jax breathed.
“I know and I did, but we have a couple of people out sick and I don’t have a choice so I think I should drive too.”
Jax sighed. “No problem lady. You work too hard.” He kissed the top of her head and opened her car door. “I honestly don’t know what to expect with this so perhaps you driving isn’t a bad idea.”
“I think I can handle myself, sexy man.” Amanda teased, pressing her finger over his mouth.
“I don’t think it’s you I’m worried about.” Jax shook his head and nipped her finger. No, he suddenly had a very bad feeling.
***
Audax was nestled into the lower boughs of Shockoe Slip, one of the most fashionable areas in the city of Richmond, just off the cobblestoned vestibule that encased several thriving specialty stores and neighborhood bars. The entire area had been refurbished years before to resemble the aged days of glory in the city around the turn of the century and several festivals were held in and around the area during the warm months. The weathered mid-rise brownstones were well adorned with luminescent lighting and the unique businesses encasing the area were frequented by many walks of life. Teeming with activity all hours of the day and into
the wee hours of the morning, the long several block one-way street was perused by natives and tourists alike.
It was a favorite spot for Jax to grab a beer and reflect on what he had lost and what was most important to him. The only trouble lately had been he was no longer sure of what was important. As the scattered sounds of various strains of music from eclectic nightclubs drifted across the night sky, Jax breathed in the scents of the city and sighed. It had been a long few months and perhaps when this case was over he would finally take the vacation he had promised himself.
Parking in a pre-paid side lot, he and Amanda walked hand-in-hand toward the entrance that was shrouded in a warm glow from the twinkling moonlight and the festive ambiance of the open doors. Inviting all who would enjoy the showing, laughter filled the warm night. Strategically positioned across the sidewalk were numerous café tables filled with people dressed in illustrious attire, champagne flowing, as the lilting sounds of string jazz music wafted across the courtyard.
“Whoa, I don’t think I’m dressed appropriately,” Amanda whispered as they stood holding hands by the cascading fountain that was the centerpiece for the open area and the entire courtyard sparkled with festive lights, shimmering in the breeze.
“You look beautiful.” Jax’s eyes darted back and forth across the sea of people and while he wasn’t certain what to expect, the group before him was a bit of a surprise. Ranging in age from early twenties to at least mid sixties, by the diverse look of the group, there didn’t seem to be any significant commonality. For some reason he’d anticipated leather and chains. Instead, the beautiful people appeared as socialites coming to a sought after event unlike any others he had heard about in the city. He had no idea that erotic art had such a following. The realization was fascinating and it meant that the artist held credence. “Come on, let’s go inside.”
“What’s our cover?”
“We’re just enjoying an evening together and appreciating art.”
“Do you know anything about the artist?” Amanda glanced into the joyous crowd, her eyes wide.
“Just a little.” Even with his limited experience with art appreciation, Jax could easily tell the players from the revelers as they milled in and out of the gallery. Some were admiring and others were simply drinking.
The moment they walked in through the double doors, their eyes were drawn to the sensuous surroundings of soft hued lighting and crimson velvet textured walls. The scent of exotic flowers and the subtle hint of vanilla filtered throughout the large modern gallery rimmed with brushed steel and mahogany. Black and white photographs in various sizes were hung on nearly every vertical surface while others were placed on freestanding burnished metal easels. Waiters milled through the subdued crowd holding trays filled with glistening crystal champagne glasses offering the bubbly freely. All eyes were peeled to the art itself. From where they stood, Jax was immediately impressed by the photography. The photos bold and daring, every piece was filled with a haunting angst. “Amazing.” Jax eyed the series of waiters milling through the crowd. Champagne, salmon and caviar was being served and everyone was partaking in the festivities.
“You’re right, impressive showing. Who is this artist?” Amanda took the glass being offered as she eased away from his arms, pressing her way toward a bank of photographs.
“Aleksandr Vasiliev. He’s from Russian decent, trained at Oxford and until about a year ago lived in the United Kingdom. In just glancing at his website, he is well known throughout Europe as a premier photographer.” The brochure had given him the web address for the artist and while his accomplishments were well established, the man himself remained shrouded in mystery. From the little he had been able to glean about Aleksandr, he had only recently moved to Richmond and established his studio close to the river. He was nothing more than an enigma. Needing more information, Jax finally contacted a friend in Europe who he’d worked with on a case several years before and found out some additional information. Unfortunately it was little more than what would be covered in a glossy.
Moving toward the closest picture, a slight gasp escaped her lips. “For this? Shit. Who does this kind of…art?” Amanda glanced around the room, her face wearing a jolt of shock as she licked her lips nervously.
“I should have warned you.” The stunning photographs were similar to the ones at the club in their dark and dangerous tone but each was much edgier, sensual and raw in sexuality. From what Jax could see, all were of men depicting various sexual acts and while blatant in nature, Aleksandr had managed to capture merely the haunting essence of each scintillating act with his work. In some odd way, they were beautiful and enlightening.
“This is…I don’t think I like this very much.” Taking a sip of her champagne, Amanda’s hand shook. “It’s very disconcerting. I don’t think I could…I would like…”
“I find it fascinating.” Jax moved toward another group in a series and was drawn immediately to the brutal quality of extreme bondage. Mesmerized, for several minutes he refused to take his eyes off the face of the young man. His glistening eyes were staring almost peacefully into the camera while the obvious level of near torture being inflicted on his chiseled body drove him into anguish, or perhaps ecstasy. The dichotomy of the two was poignant. The model’s supple muscles arched in clear defiance to the act and even while clenching his hands, he was succumbing to the master that wielded the crop.
“Jax, is this really art? Jesus, how can people tolerate this?” Her voice quivering, Amanda’s voice was merely a scattered whisper.
“To some this is more than just art. To some this is a lifestyle my lady and one that they relish. It’s about trust in pain and play.” The man’s baritone voice didn’t fit his small frame. Smiling, he held out his gnarled hand. “Of course Aleksandr’s art is not for every taste but I assure you that he has clients all over the world that appreciate his work and in truth wait for the perfect peace to speak to their very soul.”
“And you are?” Jax asked as he shook the older man’s hand. The crisp Armani suit suggested money, the Rolo watch suggested ownership. The young man dressed in all black flanking his back stated clearly…possession.
“I apologize. I’m Stuart Joyner, the owner of this establishment. Welcome to my gallery. I don’t believe either one of you have been here before. I take pride in knowing all my clients and I would have remembered you.”
“No, we haven’t been here before. This is lovely.” Jax wrapped his arm around Amanda and sensed instinctively they were being checked over very carefully. Jax was also aware that the sexual innuendo was directed at him only. “He’s very talented indeed. I’m fascinated at his visions. They’re extraordinary and beautiful capturing an almost innocent quality. I appreciate the way he shadows his subjects drawing the beholder to examine more carefully.”
“Ah, I can see you enjoy a touch of the erotic sir and that you appreciate and value such a wonderful artist. If you will, allow me to show you some of Aleksandr’s finest works. We keep those in another location in the gallery, as they are somewhat more…sexual in nature. However, I can tell that’s something you would appreciate. They’re all for sale of course and if you see a piece that you like, I will mark it sold for you.” Stuart glanced at Amanda who stood quietly looking at everything but the pictures. “If of course it has not already been sold and if your lady friend would approve.” He glanced over his shoulder at the young man who nodded and walked toward a waiter.
“That would be wonderful and I’m sure my lovely lady will enjoy whatever I might select. Amanda?”
“Um…you go ahead. I’ll come and find you. I think I need a bit of air. It’s a little warm in here.” Amanda eyed both men before she frowned and walked toward the door without looking back.
Jax sighed and shook his head watching her stiff gait.
“As I said, some are very uncomfortable with Aleks’ captivating erotic pieces but in my opinion they are scintillating. However, few women are enchanted with men pleasuring themse
lves in such a delicious erotic fashion. Don’t you agree?”
“I can understand why some women would be put off by the level of hunger.”
Stuart chuckled. “Hunger, yes. I can clearly see your interest and your level of desire to find out more.”
“I thoroughly enjoy art in many genres. My girlfriend is not as interested as some but she allows me my passion, my verve if you will. I’ve been looking forward to the showing since I found out about it. In truth, I would love to own a piece or two of his work but am not sure I’ll be able to afford such delectable work.”
Stuart cocked his head and slowly eased his gaze toward the front door and back to allow a deliberate trail of his eyes to venture down the length of Jax’s body. “Aleksandr has been known to make special arrangements for some of my best clients. Perhaps I can have a talk with him.”
“Is he anticipated to attend this evening?” Jax noticed the subtle yet overtly sexual glance. Intrigued, he pushed further.
Stuart smiled. “In truth, I don’t know. Our passionate artist is quite elusive and his art keeps him quite busy. Aleksandr is also the consummate professional and yet has trouble dealing with his fans at times. They can be quite overzealous I’m afraid.”
“I’m certain. Tell me, do you anticipate many sales this evening?” Jax smiled coyly.
“As I mentioned, several of these pieces have already been sold to individual owners either over the Internet while others were commissioned and allowed Aleks to show them as an entire collection. Don’t worry as he has many other pieces to choose from. I’m certain that given the outpouring of the love that you see here, he’ll indeed have another showing. I really had to work to convince him to show off his pieces. Imagine that.” Stuart gazed at several pieces licking his lips before he continued. “Please, come with me and I’ll show you his most provocative pieces. These are truly some of the finest I have ever seen.”
“How does he select his models?” Jax asked as he trailed behind. Every piece he passed seemed more brutal in nature.
Surrender Page 7
