Grace (11 page)

Mary stayed silent another moment.

"Celina was at the club the night before she disappeared."

"Oh, my God, Mary. Who was she with? Did you find out who she was with?"

Again Mary said nothing for a few moments.

"The Master. She was last seen headed to one of the back rooms with the Master."

Grace's stomach hurt and her heart dropped all at once. Frightened, Grace really didn't want to ask the next question and as she began to speak, Mary cut her off.

"Before you ask, I don't know who the Master is. He always wears that mask and he owns the place. He owns all the clubs."

"So how do we find out who this Master guy is?"

"We don't.” Mary attempted to exit the car but Grace quickly touched her arm stopping her.

"What the hell do you mean we don't?"

"I tried to explain a lot of the things that go on in places like this, Grace. There's just too much to explain everything."

"Well try, Mary. I want to find out what happened to Celina. This guy could be responsible for her disappearance. There are other girls still missing, some murdered. If this guy is responsible, then we have to find out."

Grace was angry and Mary just stood there, pale, frightened, and unwilling to continue.

Is the Master responsible for Celina's disappearance? Did he kill the other girls?

As Grace asked the questions, the reality that she was that close to their only suspect was disturbing to say the least.

"I have to tell Felix and Frank something. My commander will want a detailed report on his desk by tomorrow morning."

"I understand that, Grace. Just give me until tomorrow. I need to gather my thoughts. Please hold them off until tomorrow."

Grace's cell-phone rang again. This time, it was Felix.

"Grace! Are you all right? We lost you there for a while. Where are you now?” Grace heard the concern in her partner's voice.

"We're fine. Mary's a little shaken up. We're both exhausted, though."

"What happened?"

"I'll call you in a little bit and update you. I'm just getting ready to leave The Cave parking lot. We'll meet tomorrow morning and go over everything with Mary.” Grace eyed Mary, and Mary whispered a thank you, then bowed her head.

"What do you mean tomorrow morning?” Felix was annoyed.

"I mean this will have to wait until morning. We're fine and I'll call you back. We can start to write up the report after we interview Mary tomorrow."

"Fine. You're right. It's late and you're tired. I'll see you in the morning. You sure you're okay?"

Grace smiled. “Yes, Felix, thanks."

Grace hung up the phone, then leaned her head back against the headrest.
Am I really fine? Is Mary hiding information?

She looked at Mary. “Tell me more about tonight. I need to tell my commander this wasn't a waste of time. This is a police investigation, Mary..."

"There are ... people ... who pay for certain unobtainable things,” Mary finally said.

"Prostitution?"

"Beyond that, Grace ... sex slaves."

"Are you kidding me? Celina was kidnapped and sold to someone as a sex slave?” Nausea set in and bile attempted to make its way to her mouth. She covered her mouth with her hand, closed her eyes a moment and tried to compose herself.

This was awful, heart wrenching, and a despicable crime.

"It's something the Master came up with. From what I was told, it's something new. The word is that someone contacted the Master and he chose Celina. He probably figured she wouldn't be missed since she had only gone to the club twice. She was ... lured ... by him."

"The same guy who cornered me?"

"Yes, Grace. Now let's call it a night."

"There's nothing more you can tell me? This is what you found out?"

"Exactly."

It was obvious to Grace that Mary was finished talking. If she pushed, Mary might close up entirely and refuse to help.

"What about the clothes?” Grace asked.

"Keep them, you never know when they might come in handy,” Mary teased and the small smile on her lips disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared.

They exited the car, both silent. Grace felt the beginning of a migraine.

Grace thanked her and Mary promised she would call tomorrow. Grace figured Mary needed some space. Obviously, the news upset her. After all, Celina was Mary's friend, but Grace didn't want to give the other woman space. She wanted answers and she wanted to go back to the club, drag the so-called Master out by his neck and hand him over to the cops. But what real evidence did they have?

None.

She hoped by the following morning, Mary would explain more.

"I'll stop by tomorrow and we'll talk some more. You know Mathews and Johnson are going to want to talk to you, don't you?"

"I know that, Grace. Just don't let them come here. I'll meet you somewhere. I'll call you tomorrow."

Grace hesitated a moment until Mary forced a small smile. Then she waved goodbye and headed home.

Grace called Felix back as she drove home and they made plans to meet in the morning and question Mary.

Grace couldn't help but feel uneasy and guarded, so she drove a different way home, watching for suspicious vehicles, but none seemed to follow her.

The Master was intimidating, intense, and now the events of the night finally sunk in. She recalled the secret locations where they stopped and were given new directions, then Mary had Grace cover her eyes with a blindfold, as the guards had demanded. Mary had been there before. They knew her, but Grace wasn't known. It was all part of the fantasy and a way for the Master to stay in control. Grace would definitely make Mary tell her the location of the club. With all the people involved and working for the Master, this had to be a multi million dollar business.

Grace recalled observing the many strange people who were there, the peep show, the onlookers, even the elf. Why would the Master have to resort to forcing women to become sex slaves when there seemed to be enough in that club alone who were willing?

She was shocked at the displays of aggression as well as the number of exhibitionists. This was crazy, ludicrous and made absolutely no sense to Grace. How could places like this exist, go undetected and keep doing business?

Grace suddenly thought about the chance she took tonight along with the what ifs. What if the Master chose to take her to the back room? What if she was taken prisoner and the whole club was some kind of front for the illegal sex slave business? No one would have been there to help her or save her. The fear of being forced into such a serious and uncontrollable situation made her body shake.

She thought about the past, her childhood, and the time she spent as a prisoner.

God that was insane! What the hell have I gotten myself into?

Grace pulled down the road then into the large gravel parking lot near her studio apartment building. At first, she was startled to see the black blazer parked in front.

Immediately, she placed her revolver on her lap.

Then Max emerged with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He was at the driver's side door before she could put the car in park.

She hated to admit it but considering the events of the evening, she was grateful Max was there since she wouldn't have to enter her home alone. Then she pushed the thoughts aside.
What is wrong with me?
She was independent, a loner, and she definitely didn't need a man, especially one like Max Mathews, a street cop. Specially trained, she could handle this.

Grace didn't have time to prepare for Max's verbal assault. He pulled the door open, and she placed her revolver back into her purse before she stepped out of the car.

"What the hell is going on?” Max yelled.

"Hello to you, too.” Grace didn't hide her annoyance, but her voice faltered slightly at the end due to the migraine.

"Mary was upset and she needs some space."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Max raised his voice again as Grace closed and locked the car door.

Max looked her over. He obviously was worried about her and damned if she wasn't acting like she didn't give a shit. Grace knew he had seen her revolver sitting on her lap when he opened the driver's side door. All the while in her mind, she tried to minimize the repercussions of the evening's events. The possibility of having to convince Max as well brought on the pounding sensation in both her temples. If she could just get him to leave so she could gather her thoughts then maybe by morning she could explain. Max followed Grace as she walked toward her front door.

"There's nothing to talk about. I'm going inside now. It's pretty damn cold out here.” She held the coat tightly against her body.

Max grabbed her arm as she headed closer to the front door. “You're going to tell me what went down tonight."

Grace froze a moment. Those damn blue eyes of his pierced through to her soul. She promised Mary she wouldn't tell Max anything, but that wasn't her style. This was a police investigation, and she may have just had a conversation with their only suspect.

Turning her face away from Max, Grace tried to hide the sensations of fear that engulfed her body at the touch of the so-called Master.

"What is it, Grace?” he asked softly, holding the collar of her winter coat.

Grace turned away.

"I'm freezing.” Her voice shook.

Max followed her inside, through the metal entrance, then up the enclosed staircase to her front door.

"Wow! This is one hell of an apartment."

"Thanks. Do you want a drink?” She walked past the refrigerator, not waiting for his response and continued to the dining room to the small liquor cabinet.

Her hands shook, her body was cold and she was scared. She still felt the control the Master had restrained her with.

Anger built up inside her. She had vowed a long time ago to not allow her past to resurface and become a barrier in her life or her work. Now in one brief encounter with a possible killer, she was losing her fight against past demons.

Grace kept her coat on and poured herself a snifter of brandy.

After she took a deep long drink, she added some more. She held the table a moment, knowing damn well Max Mathews watched her every move. She glanced toward him just as he removed his coat and draped it over the back of the stool nearest to the counter.

"So when are you going to tell me what happened?” he asked.

Grace wasn't stupid and she suspected Max read her body language and her lack of enthusiasm at his presence. She purposely avoided making eye contact with him as she started to head in his direction. Grace immediately brushed past him and further across the kitchen. The dim light above the cabinets shone in her eyes.

"I'm fine.” She leaned against the island and held the snifter with two hands.

"I have to wind down and get out of my undercover mode ... you know what I mean?” She took another sip of brandy and avoided eye contact.

Why am I suddenly so scared? What is it about the man in the mask?

Max stood in front of her, silent. She feared she would give in to his demands, any of them. He had a way with those deep blue eyes of his, as well as those long, carved legs, trim waist, and muscular chest she could make out through his white dress shirt. She tried avoiding his eyes, but as she scanned his body, their gazes locked.

He was handsome, yet rugged with strong features and white teeth. But for some reason when he got angry, she felt like running and hiding, or just taking cover as fast as possible.

Max stood only a few feet across from her, leaning against the counter eyeing her as a suspicious detective would eye a guilty person. She looked away.

She tried to ignore her body's response to the closeness of his as she attempted an escape.

"Tell me what happened."

It was too late. Now Max was right in front of her with one hand against the counter, the other lightly on her hipbone. The burning desire traveled down to her thighs as she fantasized about the detective.

Grace gave into the fear and intimidation, telling herself it was only to avoid her sexual attraction to Max. At first, she stuttered, then regained some composure. She began to describe the club, the patrons who frequented it, the things she observed and finally, the Master.

"Did he hurt you?” Max asked, full of concern. He pushed the sleeves of her coat up to see her wrists.

They were red but no bruising.

"I didn't want you going there. I told you this was dangerous.” He raised his voice but still held her hand.

Grace turned her head to the side. “I'm fine."

Max moved closer.

Although their legs weren't touching, Grace felt his body heat against the nylon stockings covering her legs ... that began to shake.

Max cupped Grace's chin in his hand and turned her head so she would have to look into his eyes. “You're not fine. He scared you."

She tried to pull away, but Max held his position close to her, with his hand still holding her face. He stared at her as if reading the fear in her eyes. Her hands were shaking, too.

"Don't pull away. It's all right. Tell me what went down,” he whispered.

Grace didn't want to give in to his seductive methods of getting her to talk since he made it clear at the office the other day that this was his case.

Her body couldn't help but want him closer. What sane woman in her right mind wouldn't be attracted to such a charismatic man?

She would fight his low-down tactics.

Grace tried to push him away.

"Nice try, Lieutenant, but your tactics won't work with this woman. Let go of me."

Max pulled her against him.
Did I misinterpret his intentions? Did he really care or did he just want information for ‘his’ case?

It felt good to be in his arms.

"You're wrong, Grace, and I'm interested to know what guy caused you to have enough distrust to fog your ability to see when a real man is honestly showing concern?” he challenged her, prepared to engage in the fight she started.

Once again, she tried to wiggle her way free, but it was no use as Max pinned his body against hers and the counter.