“I know,” she said. “There is an ongoing investigation, but her sister keeps crying foul against the police when they aren’t at fault. You can’t blame her—that’s what a good sister does, but hers was a tramp. She has to accept that she was lying about the police.”
“I guess those new cams will come in handy,” Darice said. “The mayor is right to try to get them.”
“Oh. Yeah. I know. She’s worried this will impact her career and so is the sheriff, but they’re standing behind the chief.”
“I guess that makes sense,” Darice commented. She didn’t believe much of what the girl had said, but it was clear Rebecca was from a cop family and thought they could do no wrong.
****
“Nice flowers,” Jasmia Anderson gushed, as she sat in the single guest chair in front of Chloe’s desk. “I guess Darice sent them.”
“I don’t know,” Chloe said with a smile as she reached for the card. The lovely bouquet of roses had just arrived. She opened the small envelope. “Darice isn’t really the flowers type, but I’m sure Ace is.”
“Not really.” Jasmia chuckled. “But she’s getting better.”
I had a wonderful night just watching you, Chloe. I’ll see you soon.
M
Chloe dropped the card, hands shaking as her mind flashed back to the man who’d been watching her in the parking lot today. Not even six months ago, she’d nearly been raped and beaten, and she was still a little cautious.
“Are you okay?” Jasmia asked, getting to her feet. “You look pale. What did the note say?”
“Nothing,” she said quickly as she attempted to grab the note, but Jasmia beat her to it.
“Who is M?” Jasmia asked carefully.
There was accusation in her eyes that made Chloe glare at her. “I don’t know,” she snapped, her stomach twisting into a knot that made her nauseous. “It’s probably nothing.”
“Really? Unless you’re cheating on Darice, which is going to be a mess, then this is something,” Jasmia insisted.
“Maybe it’s a fan,” Chloe said wanting that to be it, but her gut told her she was wrong.
“We all get fan mail, but you look as if you think that could be something more,” Jasmia said. “Or maybe you’re terrified I’ll mention it to Darice, and she’ll think you’re fooling around.”
“I’m still a little prickly after what happened a few months back, Jas,” she insisted.
But this had more to do with the man she’d seen watching her last night. That it looked like the same man she’d seen in the parking lot this morning was too close for comfort for her.
“I mean, the whole thing could have turned really nasty, and Marie isn’t in jail, even though the guy she hired to do her dirty work is,” Chloe told her, barely restraining the fear that made her cold.
Marie St.Claire had wanted to terrorize her into leaving Darice so Marie could have her. The games she’d started to play had caused Chloe to doubt Darice’s love for her and had nearly driven them apart.
“You think she might be attempting to get at you again?” Jasmia asked.
“I don’t know.” She shook her head, her stomach burning. Her relationship with Darice was strong, but she’d always thought Marie must have had a reason for thinking she could have Darice.
“I’m calling Ace. She could look into this,” Jasmia said. Jasmia picked up her phone from Chloe’s desk. “This needs to be handled immediately in case Marie is behind it.”
“It could be nothing, and I’d feel like an idiot.” At the same time, Chloe wanted assurance this wasn’t about to turn into an even bigger nightmare than six months ago. At the same time, she didn’t want to sound like an alarmist.
“It’s better to feel like an idiot than be sorry later,” Jasmia assured her. “Let’s let Ace decide. We can leave Darice out of it for now.”
Chloe sat back in her chair. The irony was that Ace had been her bodyguard six months ago after she was attacked. She rubbed her arms, a feeling of foreboding washing over her.
“Can’t you come?” Jasmia asked and then her lips twitched. “Chloe can’t wait, Ace.” She ended the call. “Ace is coming to handle it herself. Tell her everything. Otherwise she can’t help you, but if you had a one nighter—oh boy!”
“I didn’t,” Chloe snapped. “I’d never cheat on Darice.”
“I better get back to my office,” Jasmia said. “I have a few stories to finish up and a call to return. Talk to you later and tell Sabrina what’s going on. I’m sure she’ll want to make sure no one gets up here to you.”
“Right.” It wasn’t someone getting up here to her that Chloe was worried about. It was what would happen to her when she left work that had her on edge.
Chapter Three
“Hey, Cat,” Darice said as the other woman entered her office. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“It’s my job,” she said with a smile.
The other woman was tall like her with chestnut eyes that always seemed to glow when the light hit them just right. Darice had often wondered what made those eyes do that, and she had learned the truth one night when she’d witnessed Cattail taking out a target in cat form.
She was a shifter like a few others in the agency, but Darice didn’t fear her. She had secrets of her own that she still hadn’t shared with Chloe for fear of frightening her.
“So, what’s so important that it couldn’t wait until an hour from now?” Cattail took a seat across from her, her copper eyes bright with interest.
Darice removed her cell phone from her desk drawer. “I had a meet at the country club a few hours ago, and guess who was there?”
“Uh, you?”
She made a face. “The mayor was dining with the sheriff,” Darice told her. “But the good part came later when I was leaving.”
“They argued?” Cattail asked with a lifted brow.
“Kind of, but the chief of detectives showed up and the three of them had a little chat in the lobby.”
“Did they let slip anything we can use?”
She held up her phone. “I pretended to be on the phone but I was close enough to get most of what they said on the record.”
“You sound like Bri,” she teased. “So, let’s here it.”
Darice hit play and set the phone on her desk.
“This mess with Collier is really starting to cause more than a few whispers,” the mayor said.
“I know, but there isn’t much we can do but ride it out,” the chief of detectives said.
“Have you talked to him?” the sheriff asked and doubt clearly lingered in his tone.
“He said he was innocent,” the chief of detectives replied. “And the coroner’s report doesn’t incriminate him.”
“What about the rape kit? What evidence does this girl have that could turn this into a cesspool?” the mayor asked.
She clearly had questions, Darice thought as she rubbed her hand along the edge of her desk.
“She didn’t have anything,” the chief of detectives insisted. “The rape didn’t turn up any DNA and it was done two days after the alleged event took place.”
“Are we certain?” the sheriff asked. “I don’t see this girl having sex with Collier and then just going two days later to get a rape kit done knowing there would be no evidence.”
“I want you to look into this,” the mayor said. “I’m just not convinced. This woman isn’t threatening to sue the city on supposition and no evidence. She has proof of something and I don’t want to be blind-sided.”
“No one’s going to take her case because Collier’s record is clean,” he insisted. “Let’s just allow the police to do their job.”
“Resting on our laurels could cause not only my approval rating to slip, but all of ours. Not only that, we could all be in jeopardy of losing our jobs if it turns out we’ve backed a losing horse.”
“I agree,” the sheriff said grimly. “The backlash will be detrimental to all our careers, and I for one will distance myself from yo
u and Collier to prevent myself from being dragged down with you.”
At the conversation’s end, Darice reached for her phone. “I think it’s safe to say the mayor and sheriff aren’t completely on board even though they seem to be backing this guy.”
“They’re being cautious,” Cattail replied with a shrug. “They’re still on his side.”
“Yeah, but they doubt, and they’ll throw him under the bus if he’s proven guilty. So, I need you to get some intel on the coroner. He could have faked that report to cover something up like the girl being pregnant.”
“Right.”
“And find out about the rape kit’s actual record date,” Darice said. “I think she reported that rape, and there might even have been more than one attacker. Talk to the sister again.”
“I’m all over it,” Cattail told Darice with a nod.
“I’m pretty sure this guy is guilty, and those cops either kidnapped that girl or lured her to that road where she was found.”
“Best guess?”
“I’m thinking they took her to him,” Darice said coldly. “Once I get the rest of the facts and the layout of the building, I’ll be ready to take care of business.”
“Our girl inside is working with the caterer,” Cattail told her. “So, we’ll have the building plans in a day or two.”
“Good.”
“Ace said she wanted to talk to you later. Give her a call.”
“I will. I have a meeting in ten, so I’m going to have to cut this thing short.”
“Not a prob, Bob.” Cattail rose from the guest chair in Darice’s office. “I’m going to see what Zy’s up to, and then I’m hitting the road.”
She grimaced. “Zyra’s in a mood today,” she warned.
Zyra was Darice’s closest and oldest friend. They’d both worked for Ace and Devin at Mojo’s back when it had no name or true base of operations. They were just faceless, nameless women who carried out orders without ever being seen.
“What’s stuck in her craw?”
Darice snorted. “I’m not sure, but I think something has Simone in a snit. So, Zy isn’t a happy camper.”
“I won’t stay long then,” Cattail said. “Call you as soon as I have something.” She got to her feet and so did Darice. They bumped fists and Cattail was gone.
Darice sat down at the knock on her door only to rise again. “Come in.”
Her client stepped in. The man was clad in a suit wearing a slightly irritated expression, cell phone in hand.
“Mr. Andrews.” She held out her hand to him, and he accepted it, his softer than her own. He was lean, though she wouldn’t call him fit, and the tie was definitely silk while the suit screamed tailor-made.
Darice had nothing against a man in nice clothes, but flash almost made the hair on the back of her neck raise.
“Ms. McMasters. Have you had time to go over the proposal I sent?”
“I have,” she said motioning him to a chair. “I don’t understand why you’d want me for the job though. Frankl is very competent.”
“He’s also been hit with a charges of income tax evasion as well as child pornography and trafficking.”
“I see,” she said carefully, having read about the story in this morning’s paper.
Frankl was a big name in commercials. He’d even been up for a few awards in the indie film industry.
“So, I get your business by default?” Darice didn’t mind being second fiddle, but she knew Frankl had connections and plenty of friends in Hollywood as well as here who’d be more than willing to help him out of this mess, which meant he’d be back to work.
“You’re the best in town,” he said grudgingly. “Frankl is a good friend, and I’d do anything to help him. However, I’ve done all I can do for now, so I’m here to get on with the business of having my commercial shot.”
“I’m sure since your company is a producer of children’s wear, he can’t be within spitting distance,” Darice said, still at a loss for why the man had come to her. “But I’m sure he knows a few people that could stand in for him.”
Frankl didn’t even live in the city. He worked here on occasion and had offices here, but his main residence was in LA.
“He recommended a few people but I can’t take the risk they’re like him,” he replied.
She motioned him to a chair. “Can I offer you something to drink?”
“No.” He shook his head. “A few sources here in town recommended you. And there is no reason you can’t fly out to LA to shoot the ad.”
“That’s true.” She took a seat behind her desk, still holding his gaze. His brown eyes held a hint of a secret that intrigued yet sent warning bells off in her head.
“That’s a must,” he said.
“I’ve seen some of your ads and commercials. What do you want to change?”
He chuckled. “I heard you had a way with these kinds of things. No script necessary.”
“I still need a concept to work with,” she said, her back teeth hurting as if she’d been grinding them together. That wasn’t a good sign, but she was prepared to hear him out and proceed with caution.
****
Going out for her interview with an up-and-coming businesswoman after getting that note left Chloe a little on edge. If it had been the same man from last night, he could be stalking her, and she knew how that could end.
Ace had assured her she’d get someone to protect her within a few hours and cautioned Chloe to postpone the meeting. However, there was no way to put this off when she had deadlines and a boss who didn’t accept excuses.
Chloe entered the office building, the reception area visible from the street through the wide plate glass window. The woman behind it gave her a smile. Her dark eyes held a hint of humor as if she had a secret.
“I’m here to see Anne Collins.”
“Go on back.” She motioned to the door separating the reception room from the main offices, and Chloe stood there staring at it.
Her instincts were screaming at her not to go behind that door, but she forced her feet to move, carrying her forward.
Get over it, she snapped at herself. You’ve got a job to do, and you confirmed. So you know this isn’t a trick.
The corridor was eerily quiet, and her heart beat faster, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.
“Chloe.” A woman stepped out into the hall, red lips tugging into a smile. She was shorter than her, though she wore heels with her black business suit and red blouse that was cut too low.
“Hi. Anne?”
“Yes. Come in.” She motioned her to the office she’d exited, and Chloe stepped inside.
“Kaw.”
The bird call raised the hairs on the back of her head.
Run, her instincts told her, but before she could turn, Chloe was shoved and landed face down on the carpeted floor. Then, she was kicked in her side and a rough hand locked in her hair and jerked her head back.
“You’re beautiful. It’s a shame to have to pluck you from her fold,” Anne said, her tone icy.
She looked up, shock reverberating through her to find a man there. He threw something in her face. The warm liquid had the metallic tang of blood as she drew the scent in.
She gasped. “Who are you? Why are you doing this?”
“Think of us as collection and disposal,” the man said. “Sometimes we even like to have a little fun with beautiful things.”
“I’m going to give you to him when I’m done with you,” Anne whispered in her ear from behind. She kicked Chloe and grabbed her hair while the man released his control. “You shouldn’t have made yourself a problem.”
“A problem for who?” Chloe demanded. “What are you talking about?”
“For a good friend of his,” she said in Chloe’s ear. “You have something she wants to play with.”
“So, this was a trick? You contacted the magazine to lure me into a trap?” Chloe demanded, outraged and full of fear.
“Yep.”
Anne bit her ear. Then, she rolled Chloe over and hit her in the stomach before straddling her. She closed her hands around her throat, and Chloe saw what looked like a black wing on her neck. However, the thought fled as the woman began choking her.
“Do you like sex games, Chloe?” she asked breathlessly, her dark eyes filling with lust. “I do. Erotic asphyxiation is one of my favorites because it increases ecstasy, making the sex so much better.”
Chloe panicked, her breath lodging in her lungs as air was succinctly prevented from flowing evenly through her.
A cold wave raced over her, and she reached up to grab at the woman’s hands, scratching her as she struggled.
“Die, simpering little rat.” She laughed.
“Enough,” the man said. “We want to prolong it just a little more.” He grinned, and she saw the same mark on his neck. His eyes were filled with a cruel glee that made her stomach roil.
Chloe tore her gaze from him and drove the heel of her hand into the woman’s nose. Anne let out a cry, releasing her hold, and Chloe shoved her off before rolling out of reach when Anne would have grabbed her.
She crawled away, managing to get to her feet and her purse.
“You’re not going anywhere, simpering little rat,” the man murmured. “I’ve enjoyed watching you the last few days, but it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty.” He laughed and so did the woman.
“We had no idea you’d be such good fun,” Anne said as she leered at her. “Don’t worry, we’ll send your girlfriend flowers.”
Her heart almost stopped even as Chloe ripped the zipper of her purse open and jerked out the stun gun Ace had given her. It looked like nothing more than a cute little lipstick.
The man laughed and reached for her, and she tried to push the button as soon as his hand came into contact with the stunner, but her finger slipped off.
“You bitch.” He hit her across the cheek and pain exploded through her face as she reeled backward.
He came at her, and with tears in her eyes, she tried to stun him again, but he knocked the electric tool away.
“I’ve got you now, little rat.” He gripped her by the collar of her blouse.
Chloe drove her knee into his groin, and he groaned and backed away. She grabbed her stunner and purse, and Anne grabbed her arm.
Blood for Her Page 2
