Conviction: Book 3 of the Detective Ryan Series (15 page)

“I’ve been miserable without you at the house. Ask Amanda, she’ll tell you. I’ve been going out every night trying to drink you out of my mind. To be honest, I don’t even remember meeting that girl. Waking up next to her was the first memory I have of her.”

“Is that all? Is that all you have to say to me?”

I saw him mulling over his words in his head. “Yeah, I think.”

“Good, because now I’m going to have my say.” I cracked my knuckles to illustrate the severity of how I felt. “You came into my life acting like this cocky, arrogant prick, and expected me to fall in line just like every other woman. I got news for you pal, I’m nothing like any of them.” I saw him open his mouth to speak, but cut him off. “You were a pain in the ass to work with, but I dealt with it. Then my boyfriend died, and you were the nicest guy to Amanda and me. The hardest part of grieving was knowing I had an amazing guy waiting for me to get over my loss. The only thing that helped was working the case. So I threw my everything into it, despite you trying to get me to walk away from it.”

“Ali, I never wanted you to walk away from it. I only wanted you to take a breather.”

“I did what I needed to find myself again, only to find the person I hoped was waiting for me had moved on to some other bitch.”

“It wasn’t like that.”

“I wanted to beat the hell out of whoever that woman was, but now I want to channel my anger in a different way.”

I grabbed James by the shirt with my left hand while my right fist clenched. I pulled back to hit him, but stopped at the last second. I pulled him closer, and smashed my lips against his. We stood there locked in a wild passionate embrace. Our tongues wrestling each other for complete domination.

“What the hell was that?” he asked while take a deep breath.

“Something I’ve wanted to do for a while.” I pulled him towards the door. My fingers worked the buttons on his shirt as we entered the house.

He had a fistful of my hair as he arched my head back. His tongue seductively toyed with my neck working me into a frenzy.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

I nodded while grabbing his hand. “Come on; the bedroom is down the hall.” I took another step before I felt the pull on my arm. I looked back and saw a hunger in James’ eyes. “What’s wrong?”

He scooped me into his arms, smothering my lips with his own. Marching down the hall, he entered my bedroom and gently placed me on the mattress. He savored every moment as he slowly unbuttoned my shirt.

“You are gorgeous, Ali.”

With his shirt open, I could see his chiseled chest and six pack abs. My fingers softly traced over his muscles. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

He smiled in reply. “I want you to know this isn’t a one-time thing for me. I want you, Ali. I want us to be together.”

I didn’t know how to respond. I couldn’t express the words to say I wanted the same thing. Deep down I could feel the struggle, the internal war I fought between my feelings for James and Matthew. So I did the only thing I could think of. I pulled his body on top of me.

“Just shut up and make love to me.”

Chapter 27-Ali

The next morning, I awoke to the sound of someone knocking on the front door and ringing the bell. My wild hair pooled around my head as it lay comfortably on James’ bare chest. I didn’t want to get up, but it didn’t sound like the person at the door was leaving any time soon. Tearing myself away from the bed, I realized the curtains were missing from the windows, and I was standing butt naked in the middle of the bedroom. Dropping to my knees, I searched the floor for my clothes from the night before.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to find something to wear. Someone’s at the door and I packed all my blinds and curtains yesterday.”

James laughed as he proudly stood on the bed, posing while he stood fully erect. “I think the view is better up here.”

“James, get down. The neighbors will see you.”

“So what? You’re moving today.”

Shit, the movers
! Crawling on my hands and knees, I found my bra and underwear first, throwing them on as my pants and shirt were easier to find. Stumbling through the house, I made it to the front door just as the movers were walking back to the truck. “Wait,” I shouted while fastening the last button that covered my cleavage.

They turned and saw me working on my shirt. Their smiles clearly displayed their knowledge of why I was late getting to the door. I could already feel them undressing me with their eyes. Luckily, James appeared behind me as they approached the door.

“Morning gentlemen,” he said while greeting the movers. We stepped aside and let them in.

“Everything’s out here except for the furniture. Those were left in the bedrooms.” They nodded along with everything I said, but I knew they weren’t listening. Their minds were either set on doing things their way, or they were thinking of what happened in the house while they were at the front door.

As the movers began to move the boxes and furniture to the truck, I felt a hand slide onto my hip. Pivoting my body, I stumbled into James.

“Hey, I have to go check on a few things for work. Text me the address of the new place and I’ll come by to help you unpack tonight.”

“Okay, but I wanna get caught up on those other cases.” He gave me a disapproving look. “You need me on those cases, and I need to know everything about them. It’s the only way we’re going to catch this guy.”

“I’ll talk to my lieutenant today about bringing you in for the briefing tomorrow. For now, just take the day to focus on the move. It’ll be good for you.”

“If I had to take a day away from these cases, I’d rather spend it like we did last night.”

He pulled me in for a long passionate kiss that almost made me drop to my knees. “Later, baby. I promise to take good care of you tonight.”

I could see the movers eying me up after James left. Wanting to send them a message, I placed my belt around my waist, ensuring the badge and glock were prominently displayed. Once they saw the badge, they moved a bit faster.

A few hours later, I got in my car and led the truck to my old house in Highland. Amanda was sitting on the porch waiting for me to get there.

“You seem like you’re in a better mood,” she said as I walked up to the front door.

“Thanks. My day had a surprising upswing to it.”

Amanda had plastered a fake smile on her face as if she were afraid to tell me something. “Well, I hate to bring you down from your good mood, but James never came home last night.”

“Oh,” I replied.

“You need to do something about it. Talk to him; tell him how you feel before you lose your chance.”

“I don’t think I need to.” I watched Amanda stop as she looked to beg me to listen to her. “I know exactly where he was last night.”

“Where?” she asked.

“He was with me at the other house.”

“What was he doing there?”

“I don’t think you really want to know.”

“Ugh gross, Ali.” She shook her head while sticking out her tongue. “I really didn’t need to know that.”

“You asked.”

After letting her try to shake the mental images from her mind, Amanda decided to open up her line of questioning again. “So what does this make you guys? Are you a couple?”

“We want to be with each other, but I think we need to discuss the whole thing a little more.”

“I hope by discussing you mean talk, otherwise I’m crashing at whatever house you’re not staying in tonight.”

“That just means we can be extra loud.”

The movers strolled by as I made the last comment. Of course they did. They had a knack of walking by or interrupting embarrassing moments all day, but I wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of knowing it bothered me. Instead, I bossed them around, telling them where to place the furniture and boxes.

I waited until the movers were just about finished before calling Rodney to set up a meeting. “Hey partner, can you talk?” I asked in a low voice as I entered my bedroom.

“I’ve got all the time in the world right now. What’s up?”

“I think I found some evidence that might help your defense.”

“Why not show it to the D.A. and get me cleared?”

“I did, but just in case it doesn’t work, I wanted to make sure you and your attorney have access to the same info. Maybe you can build a defense from it.”

“Okay, what do ya got?”

“Esposito and I had a team of analysts survey the crime scene. I had them look into a few things and had them run simulations on how the crime scene could have happened. It negated the possibilities of several theories including the initial one of you firing your weapon while falling to the ground.”

“And you have proof of this?”

“Dr. Woo presented it to the D.A. yesterday. He is having his people check the validity of the simulation. He said he would get back to me with his decision. In the meantime, Dr. Woo gave me a copy of the data on a flash drive. It’s yours if you want it.”

“Okay, let me call my lawyer and arrange a meeting.”

“Sure, but let’s meet at his office.”

“You got it, Ali. I’ll text you the time and place.”

I walked back to the living room and found boxes piled next to the couches. Everything else was put in place. The end tables, chairs, ottoman, coffee table, and entertainment center was set up the exact way I had it when I previously lived there.

“How did they…”

“I remember your house, Ali,” Amanda said. “I told them where to put everything and the way you wanted it set up.”

I placed my arm around her shoulder. “You’re the best little sister I could’ve asked for.”

I heard someone walking up the porch and turned to see the movers were on their way back in. “That’s the last of it,” one of the men said.

I paid them for their time and gave them each a tip. Once they were gone I plopped down on the couch, feeling relieved to be back in my home. The opportunity to revel in the comfort quickly dissipated with the buzzing of my cell. Rodney was calling, which meant he spoke with his attorney.

“Hey, Rodney. Are we all set?”

“Not quite. My lawyer can’t do tonight. He offered to meet first thing in the morning at his office.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” I replied. Although, in my head I was questioning why Rodney’s lawyer wasn’t jumping at the chance to get evidence that could exonerate his client. “Hey, we just finished moving our stuff back. You should come over for some pizza.”

“Moved your stuff where? You’re not staying with James?”

“I moved back to my old house in Highland.”

“Ali, that’s not a smart idea. If you’re right about this guy, you’re a sitting duck. He’ll know where to find you.”

“He finds me no matter where I live. It’s about time I get my life back to normal and take the fight to him.”

“Well, if you need any help, you know who to call.”

“I take it you’re not coming over for dinner then.”

“Not tonight. I promised Mia we would go out as a family.”

Time with the family was what Rodney needed. He spent too much time worrying about cases and criminals, and doing what was needed to make money to support his family. After saying goodnight to Rodney, I heard a knock on my door. The opening revealed a tall man carrying two large boxes.

“What the hell?”

“Did someone call for a dashingly handsome mover?” James said as he entered the house and placed the boxes off to the side.

“I did, but you need to go back. They sent the wrong model. I asked for dashingly handsome, not an arrogant pretty boy.”

“Hmm, maybe I should leave then.”

“Get your ass over here,” I commanded.

“Gladly.” He placed his hands on my waist and pulled me to his chest. Our lips were inches from each other when I heard Amanda let out a cough.

“I think it’s time for me to leave,” she said.

“Why? I thought we were gonna order pizza.”

“Not if I have to watch you two acting like that all night. I’ll be throwing up all night.”

I shook my head with the desire to gross my sister out a little more. “Sit down and help unpack. We’ll get pizza and eat in a bit.” Amanda shot us both a look that asked if we could behave ourselves. “I promise; nothing will happen tonight.” I leaned into James and whispered, “at least not while she’s awake.”

Chapter 28-PM

The meeting between Rebecca Reynolds and Stacey Reed went off without a hitch. They met at the prison where Dr. Cain finally told the attorneys what she knew about the man known as the Puppet Master, at least that’s what he assumed she was talking about. Access had been restricted to all officers other than the guards escorting Claire to a room for the meeting.

The closest the Puppet Master got was the main desk. When asked why he was there, the Puppet Master said he was there to have lunch with an old friend. That’s when they informed him the lunch would have to wait, but wouldn’t give any reason why.

Walking back out to his car, the Puppet Master sat and waited for one of the attorneys to emerge. It took an hour and a half before the doors opened.

“I’m guessing someone was a little chatter-box today,” he whispered to himself as the tall woman with short blond hair walked across the parking lot in her pantsuit.

He wanted to put an end to her before she had a chance to do anything with the information Claire may have given her. But that would require a bit of planning to ensure he wasn’t fingered for her homicide. Rebecca was a different story. He already tested the water by breaking into her house and drugging her. The first night was a test, but the second and third nights were for his pure enjoyment. He kept close watch on her to make sure she wasn’t growing suspicious of waking up not remembering anything from the night before. Apparently her drinking provided the perfect explanation for her confusion.

He watched Ms. Reed’s car back out of the parking lot and onto the street. His opportunity to follow her was slipping through his fingers, but he had something better in mind. Ms. Reynolds had outlived her usefulness, and it was time to dispose of another liability.

He waited for Rebecca to walk out the prison doors, strutting around in a pair of six inch heels while trying to present herself in a professional manner. She ditched her typical short skirt and low cut top for a knee length pencil skirt and matching blazer. Once she was safely in her car, the Puppet Master started his engine. He pulled onto the street, making sure to keep a safe distance from Rebecca’s car.

He watched her stop at the liquor store first. Knowing the cameras would pick him up, the Puppet Master waited in his car on the side of the building. It didn’t take Rebecca long to return with three plastic bags filled with bottles.

“More wine,” he said with a smile. “That addiction will be the death of you. I’ll make sure of it.”

The next stop on the road home was the grocery store. After spending more than a week following Rebecca, the Puppet Master knew her routines, cooking was never part of them. She was always the one getting Chinese takeout, getting salads from diners and fast food restaurants. To see her shopping was confusing.

“Did she see me following her?”

He debated going inside to see what she was up to, but wondered if it was a ploy to lose him in the grocery store. The frustration of not knowing was sucking the air right out of him. The panic of his plan going wrong seemed imminent. The decision had to be made. He threw open the driver’s side door and stormed through the parking lot.

Pacing the aisles with purpose, he searched for Rebecca, finding her hanging out by the deli section. He slowed down, controlling his breathing as he placed himself behind his target.

“What can I get for you, Miss?” the man behind the counter asked as he slid a ham under the Plexiglas.

“I need a pound of turkey, a pound of Swiss, and a pound roast beef.” The Puppet Master saw she had a list written on a piece of paper and had checked off a few items.

“You sure you want a pound of each?”

“Yeah a friend is staying with me for a while and I need to make sure there’s enough food in the house.”

A friend
.
Does that mean Claire is getting out soon?
The idea of Claire’s release gave him renewed hope and a bit of fear. She was the only person alive that could reveal his real identity, a feat that not even the great Detective Ryan had been able to do. If she gave up his name, the police would be at his door before the night ended. He needed to make sure that didn’t happen. He needed to ensure her silence, which meant Rebecca Reynolds needed to die.

Following Rebecca around the supermarket, the Puppet Master noticed the little odds and ends dropped into the shopping cart were nothing more than food items to get them by for a week or two with nothing of real sustenance being added.

The Puppet Master decided it was best to leave the store before Rebecca caught sight of him. Relief hit him the moment he entered the car.

He opened the glove box and held out his hand. A small bottle rolled out from him to grab. He held it up to examine. “It’s been fun toying with you, but tonight’s the night for the real fun to begin.”

Parked in front of Rebecca’s house, the Puppet Master watched eagerly as his target completed her nightly ritual. He counted the glasses of wine she poured, waiting for the opportune time to break into the house. When he saw her pour the fourth glass, he readied himself to run across the street.

With the bathroom closed, the Puppet Master used his spare key to enter the house. Tiptoeing around the living room, he noticed the wine glass was missing from its usual spot.

Where the fuck is it?
The panic was setting in. He paced the house looking for the wine, finding the bottle was in the recyclables, but the glass was still missing.
She had to have taken it inside the bathroom with her
. He listened, but there was no sound of water running. He started walking towards the closet, thinking the bathroom door would open at any moment. Instead, he heard the sound of someone dipping their body into water.
She’s taking a bath.

Creeping to the door, he noticed the sliver of light peeking through. It was his way in, but he needed to choose his moment carefully. He sat idly by, watching Rebecca’s every movement.

The warm water must have felt relaxing
, he thought while watching her melt deeper into the tub. Her face was a few inches above the water. It would be easy for him to dunk her under the water, but she would’ve fought him. Her screams would alert the neighbors. Water would spill from the tub, and a mountain of evidence would pile up against him in an instant.

Once he felt comfortable with the situation, the Puppet Master quietly opened the bathroom door. He cautiously stepped towards the tub, finding his victim submerged under a cloud of bubbles. He watched her, ensuring she did not open an eye as he twisted the cap off the small bottle he took from his car. Four little drops into her wine, and the trap was set.

After making his way out of the bathroom, he closed the door, leaving it open as much as she did. Then it was business as usual. He hid inside her bedroom closet, waiting for her to emerge from the shower, consuming the rest of her wine before turning in for the night.

He watched her drain the last drop from her glass as she sat in the bedroom. The drug was laced with a bit from Blake Ambrose’s supply to give her a momentary feel of bliss before the venom slithered its way through her blood stream.

Rebecca laid back on the bed feeling the warm sensation take her into the euphoric sleep she had become accustomed to all week. Then, as if someone turned on a switch, her eyes widened as if she knew something was wrong. Her hands were clutching her throat as the Puppet Master watched from the now open closet. Rebecca was scrambling to get to her phone, but he was much too fast for her. His hands were pinning hers to the bed while he sat on her stomach.

“Sorry, sweetness; we won’t be playing tonight or ever again for that matter.” He lowered his lips to her ear. “I enjoyed toying with you, and I will miss the way you feel beneath me. But now, you will serve a new purpose. Tonight, you deliver a message to our dear sweet Claire. I warned her not to talk. Now you will suffer for it.