Smash Cut (26 page)
Authors: Sandra Brown
Tags: #Legal, #Suspense, #Fiction, #General, #Georgia, #Thrillers, #Rich people, #Atlanta (Ga.), #Trials (Murder), #Legal stories, #Rich People - Georgia
Right.
What were you doing there?
Dodge had sniffed him out. He called me. I called Sanford. He and Kimball charged to the scene, and werent at all happy to see us there. Even more frustrating to them, Dukes room had been cleared out. No trash, no trace of him.
Or of Creighton.
He shook his head. I suggested they check the DVD player. Empty.
Theres no link between him and Billy Duke.
Doesnt look that way.
But the police can link Billy Duke to me.
You said you didnt want to talk about it. He lowered his feet from the ottoman and pulled himself out of the chair. Why dont you try and get some sleep? He nodded toward the bedroom. Ill take the sofa.
Do you want to use the bathroom?
Thanks.
He disappeared through the French doors.
Feeling at a loss, Julie moved to the window and opened the louvers of one of the wood shutters. The night sky was clear. There was a three-quarter moon. The street below was quiet and, as far as she could tell, empty of anyone who was curious about them.
Derek emerged from the bedroom. All yours.
She closed the louvers and turned to him. I was thinking about Creighton following us here the night of the storm. He could be out there now. I hate to think of him watching me, watching us. Hes no longer simply a nuisance, Derek. Hes gone from obnoxious to sinister.
Had he ever laid a hand on you before today at the gallery?
Not like that. At Christys, he squeezed my arm, backed me into the wall. Today was different. It wasnt just manhandling, it was aggression.
During our encounter in Athens, he was snide and sarcastic. He issued some threats, talked big, but beheading Maggie was quite a leap. I asked Dodge to see if he could unearth juvenile records on him. He said hed try but wasnt optimistic.
Julie had been sifting through what they did know about Creighton. You know how they say serial killers accelerate? The more they kill, the more frequent the killings become?
He nodded.
Should we tell Sanford and Kimball about Creightons visit to the gallery? Tell them what he said and how he behaved.
They know about Maggie. They offered condolences but didnt mention Creighton in connection to it. He placed his finger beneath her chin and tipped her head back, turning it from one side to the other, looking at her neck. Theres no bruising.
He didnt apply that much pressure to my neck. He was pressing me against the wall with his body.
If we reported it, and the detectives questioned him, he would admit to being there but deny that anything untoward had taken place. Stalemate.
But you believe me, dont you?
He smiled. I wish I had a nickel for every time a client has asked me that. He dropped his hand to his side. Try and get some sleep.
She went into the bedroom and pulled the French doors closed behind her, well aware that he had avoided giving a direct answer to her question. That was his special gift.
Fortunately, it was also hers.
What were you doing there?
Dodge had sniffed him out. He called me. I called Sanford. He and Kimball charged to the scene, and werent at all happy to see us there. Even more frustrating to them, Dukes room had been cleared out. No trash, no trace of him.
Or of Creighton.
He shook his head. I suggested they check the DVD player. Empty.
Theres no link between him and Billy Duke.
Doesnt look that way.
But the police can link Billy Duke to me.
You said you didnt want to talk about it. He lowered his feet from the ottoman and pulled himself out of the chair. Why dont you try and get some sleep? He nodded toward the bedroom. Ill take the sofa.
Do you want to use the bathroom?
Thanks.
He disappeared through the French doors.
Feeling at a loss, Julie moved to the window and opened the louvers of one of the wood shutters. The night sky was clear. There was a three-quarter moon. The street below was quiet and, as far as she could tell, empty of anyone who was curious about them.
Derek emerged from the bedroom. All yours.
She closed the louvers and turned to him. I was thinking about Creighton following us here the night of the storm. He could be out there now. I hate to think of him watching me, watching us. Hes no longer simply a nuisance, Derek. Hes gone from obnoxious to sinister.
Had he ever laid a hand on you before today at the gallery?
Not like that. At Christys, he squeezed my arm, backed me into the wall. Today was different. It wasnt just manhandling, it was aggression.
During our encounter in Athens, he was snide and sarcastic. He issued some threats, talked big, but beheading Maggie was quite a leap. I asked Dodge to see if he could unearth juvenile records on him. He said hed try but wasnt optimistic.
Julie had been sifting through what they did know about Creighton. You know how they say serial killers accelerate? The more they kill, the more frequent the killings become?
He nodded.
Should we tell Sanford and Kimball about Creightons visit to the gallery? Tell them what he said and how he behaved.
They know about Maggie. They offered condolences but didnt mention Creighton in connection to it. He placed his finger beneath her chin and tipped her head back, turning it from one side to the other, looking at her neck. Theres no bruising.
He didnt apply that much pressure to my neck. He was pressing me against the wall with his body.
If we reported it, and the detectives questioned him, he would admit to being there but deny that anything untoward had taken place. Stalemate.
But you believe me, dont you?
He smiled. I wish I had a nickel for every time a client has asked me that. He dropped his hand to his side. Try and get some sleep.
She went into the bedroom and pulled the French doors closed behind her, well aware that he had avoided giving a direct answer to her question. That was his special gift.
Fortunately, it was also hers.
For half an hour Derek lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, trying to talk himself to sleep. It didnt work. The sofa was too short for him, but it wasnt the accommodations that were keeping him awake. It was sharing them with Julie.
He hadnt heard a sound from the bedroom for the past twenty minutes, and yet he sensed she wasnt sleeping, either. He saw no light or movement through the sheer fabric over the French doors, but somehow he knew that she was awake and as restless as he.
Cursing in whispers, he threw back the light blanket, swung his feet to the floor, and stood up. He reached for his shirt, then changed his mind and left it lying on the chair. In bare feet he walked to the French doors and eased them open. They made no sound, but immediately she turned away from the window, where she was standing, looking out as though on watch. She was swaddled in a white terry-cloth robe provided for hotel guests. It covered her from earlobes to ankles.
For what seemed to him an eternity, they stood on opposite sides of the room, looking at each other. Later, he didnt remember walking toward her. He only remembered reaching her and fearing what she would say when he asked, If I touch you, are you going to push me away?
She took a quick breath and shook her head.
Slowly, expecting her to bolt at any second, he untied the belt of the robe and placed his hands inside. He brushed his knuckles over her bare tummy, and she shivered. Are you afraid, Julie?
Very.
Of?
Her eyes closed briefly, then opened when she replied, Mostly of this.
But she didnt object, didnt flinch, when he pushed the robe off her shoulders. It slid down her arms and onto the carpeted floor. Her bra was lacy, the same kind shed been wearing on the airplane. Her breasts swelled above the cups. He drew his finger across the smooth slopes, then took her face between his hands. Lie to me about anything else. Dont lie to me about this.
Im not. I wont.
Her voice was tremulous, and so were her lips as he lowered his to them. Unlike before, they started slowly and carefully, exchanging breaths, their lips glancing and pulling away, testing. But without either initiating it, the kiss became deep. Reservation and timidity deserted them. His memory had locked in how good she tasted. Often, since that return flight from France, hed been bedeviled by sudden and ill-timed recollections of how sexily her mouth had responded to his kiss.
But as sharp as his memory had been, it didnt compare with the reality.
He reached around and unhooked her bra. It went the way of the hotel robe. He enfolded her, hugging her to him. Feeling her breasts full and soft against his chest, he groaned, lost to the sensations of being flesh to flesh with her.
For an endless time they kissed. Just that, but passionately, breathlessly, until they were finally forced to break away. While they caught their breath, she rested her forehead against his sternum and rolled it from side to side, brushing her damp lips against his chest. Then she reached up and threaded her fingers into his hair, drawing him down for more.
There wasnt much to the back of her panties. His hands felt hot against her skin as he tightly squeezed her ass, securing her lower body against his. She made a low sound that vibrated out of her throat, into her mouth, against his tongue, driving him mad.
He raised his head and locked gazes with her as he unbuttoned his trousers and slid down the zipper. She moved away from him, and by the time he was out of his clothes, she was on the bed, on her back, reaching for him.
He bent over her, slid the panties down her legs, then placed his hand between her thighs, cupping her sex in his palm. And for several seconds, their eyes communicated an intimacy more fervent than mere touch. The heel of his hand ground against her where she was most sensitive. Her breath caught, and the small of her back arched up.
Then he covered her. As he sank into her, his hands slid over hers where they lay supine on either side of her head. Their fingers interlocked, and moments later, when they came, he was uncertain if he was trying to hold on to her or on to his own soul as it was launched into a free fall.
He hadnt heard a sound from the bedroom for the past twenty minutes, and yet he sensed she wasnt sleeping, either. He saw no light or movement through the sheer fabric over the French doors, but somehow he knew that she was awake and as restless as he.
Cursing in whispers, he threw back the light blanket, swung his feet to the floor, and stood up. He reached for his shirt, then changed his mind and left it lying on the chair. In bare feet he walked to the French doors and eased them open. They made no sound, but immediately she turned away from the window, where she was standing, looking out as though on watch. She was swaddled in a white terry-cloth robe provided for hotel guests. It covered her from earlobes to ankles.
For what seemed to him an eternity, they stood on opposite sides of the room, looking at each other. Later, he didnt remember walking toward her. He only remembered reaching her and fearing what she would say when he asked, If I touch you, are you going to push me away?
She took a quick breath and shook her head.
Slowly, expecting her to bolt at any second, he untied the belt of the robe and placed his hands inside. He brushed his knuckles over her bare tummy, and she shivered. Are you afraid, Julie?
Very.
Of?
Her eyes closed briefly, then opened when she replied, Mostly of this.
But she didnt object, didnt flinch, when he pushed the robe off her shoulders. It slid down her arms and onto the carpeted floor. Her bra was lacy, the same kind shed been wearing on the airplane. Her breasts swelled above the cups. He drew his finger across the smooth slopes, then took her face between his hands. Lie to me about anything else. Dont lie to me about this.
Im not. I wont.
Her voice was tremulous, and so were her lips as he lowered his to them. Unlike before, they started slowly and carefully, exchanging breaths, their lips glancing and pulling away, testing. But without either initiating it, the kiss became deep. Reservation and timidity deserted them. His memory had locked in how good she tasted. Often, since that return flight from France, hed been bedeviled by sudden and ill-timed recollections of how sexily her mouth had responded to his kiss.
But as sharp as his memory had been, it didnt compare with the reality.
He reached around and unhooked her bra. It went the way of the hotel robe. He enfolded her, hugging her to him. Feeling her breasts full and soft against his chest, he groaned, lost to the sensations of being flesh to flesh with her.
For an endless time they kissed. Just that, but passionately, breathlessly, until they were finally forced to break away. While they caught their breath, she rested her forehead against his sternum and rolled it from side to side, brushing her damp lips against his chest. Then she reached up and threaded her fingers into his hair, drawing him down for more.
There wasnt much to the back of her panties. His hands felt hot against her skin as he tightly squeezed her ass, securing her lower body against his. She made a low sound that vibrated out of her throat, into her mouth, against his tongue, driving him mad.
He raised his head and locked gazes with her as he unbuttoned his trousers and slid down the zipper. She moved away from him, and by the time he was out of his clothes, she was on the bed, on her back, reaching for him.
He bent over her, slid the panties down her legs, then placed his hand between her thighs, cupping her sex in his palm. And for several seconds, their eyes communicated an intimacy more fervent than mere touch. The heel of his hand ground against her where she was most sensitive. Her breath caught, and the small of her back arched up.
Then he covered her. As he sank into her, his hands slid over hers where they lay supine on either side of her head. Their fingers interlocked, and moments later, when they came, he was uncertain if he was trying to hold on to her or on to his own soul as it was launched into a free fall.
Are you going to sleep there?
I may die here, he mumbled. Happily.
She laughed softly and sifted strands of his hair through her fingers. I like the way you dress.
Huh?
I like your clothes. Youre one of the best-dressed men Ive ever seen.
Were sated from a fabulous bout of fucking, and thats whats on your mind? My
clothes
?
Another laugh bubbled out of her. I also like how you look without them.
Oh yeah?
Yeah.
After a beat, he said, I think I prefer you naked. He raised his head and surveyed the territory on which he was sprawled. Yeah, definitely. Naked.
He pressed a kiss into the soft hair on which his cheek had been resting, then kissed his way up her belly. She sucked in her tummy when he rubbed it with his stubbled chin. Sorry about that, he murmured.
Im not. I like the scratchiness.
Even on ?
Her face filled with heat. Especially on
I was afraid it might be too abrasive for those tenderest spots.
Not the way you did it.
Matching the huskiness of her voice, he said, Good to know.
He kissed her breasts in turn, then remained focused on one and played his tongue over the tip. Julie watched him as he caressed her. She touched his face, ran her thumb across his well-defined cheekbone. Like a sail, her whole being seemed to billow with emotion. Derek?
Hmm?
Derek?
Dont distract me. I could do this for a week.
I cant wait a week.
He raised his head and looked into her face, and her need must have been apparent because he responded immediately. In one fluid motion, he levered himself above her and buried himself inside her again.
She splayed her hands over his butt. Dont move. Not yet. I just want to feel you.
He did as she asked, except that he dipped his head and kissed her slowly and evocatively. When he finally angled his head back, he was startled to see tears streaking her cheeks. Christ, Julie. Am I hurting you?
No.
No
. She clutched him when he tried to withdraw.
Then what?
I
Wheeler? His voice was filled with uncertainty and dread. Are you crying because of him?
No, she whispered. Because of
you.
Me?
This was the last thing I thought would happen to me now. I didnt She paused to lick a tear from the corner of her mouth.
What? You didnt what?
I didnt count on this. She smoothed her hands up his back and across his shoulders. She touched his hair, his eyebrows, finally his lips, where her fingertips stayed. In a voice barely audible, she said, I didnt count on you.
I may die here, he mumbled. Happily.
She laughed softly and sifted strands of his hair through her fingers. I like the way you dress.
Huh?
I like your clothes. Youre one of the best-dressed men Ive ever seen.
Were sated from a fabulous bout of fucking, and thats whats on your mind? My
clothes
?
Another laugh bubbled out of her. I also like how you look without them.
Oh yeah?
Yeah.
After a beat, he said, I think I prefer you naked. He raised his head and surveyed the territory on which he was sprawled. Yeah, definitely. Naked.
He pressed a kiss into the soft hair on which his cheek had been resting, then kissed his way up her belly. She sucked in her tummy when he rubbed it with his stubbled chin. Sorry about that, he murmured.
Im not. I like the scratchiness.
Even on ?
Her face filled with heat. Especially on
I was afraid it might be too abrasive for those tenderest spots.
Not the way you did it.
Matching the huskiness of her voice, he said, Good to know.
He kissed her breasts in turn, then remained focused on one and played his tongue over the tip. Julie watched him as he caressed her. She touched his face, ran her thumb across his well-defined cheekbone. Like a sail, her whole being seemed to billow with emotion. Derek?
Hmm?
Derek?
Dont distract me. I could do this for a week.
I cant wait a week.
He raised his head and looked into her face, and her need must have been apparent because he responded immediately. In one fluid motion, he levered himself above her and buried himself inside her again.
She splayed her hands over his butt. Dont move. Not yet. I just want to feel you.
He did as she asked, except that he dipped his head and kissed her slowly and evocatively. When he finally angled his head back, he was startled to see tears streaking her cheeks. Christ, Julie. Am I hurting you?
No.
No
. She clutched him when he tried to withdraw.
Then what?
I
Wheeler? His voice was filled with uncertainty and dread. Are you crying because of him?
No, she whispered. Because of
you.
Me?
This was the last thing I thought would happen to me now. I didnt She paused to lick a tear from the corner of her mouth.
What? You didnt what?
I didnt count on this. She smoothed her hands up his back and across his shoulders. She touched his hair, his eyebrows, finally his lips, where her fingertips stayed. In a voice barely audible, she said, I didnt count on you.
When she woke up, the bathroom door was closed and she could hear the shower running. She stretched and yawned and wished she had the day in which to be lazy and reflect on what had happened last night, to relive each precious moment of it. Shed thought she was replete, but thinking about Dereks hands, his mouth, caused her body to tingle with erotic memories and renewed desire. Wanting him again made her feel rosy and sappy.
And terribly sad.
A cloud of steam followed him out of the bathroom. He was naked, and totally blasé about it, while her cheeks burned with sudden self-consciousness. She raised the sheet to cover her breasts, and her misplaced shyness caused him to grin.
Too late. I already peeked.
That alone, and the inflection with which he said it, caused a fillip of sensation in her lower belly. Good morning. How long have you been up?
About ten seconds.
His arousal evident, he walked to the bed, sat down on the edge of it, and peeled back the sheet. He slid one hand between her thighs and with the other guided hers to his penis. She stroked the swollen head. Do we have time for this?
Itll have to be quick.
He applied his thumb to her, causing her breath to catch. That wont be a problem.
And terribly sad.
A cloud of steam followed him out of the bathroom. He was naked, and totally blasé about it, while her cheeks burned with sudden self-consciousness. She raised the sheet to cover her breasts, and her misplaced shyness caused him to grin.
Too late. I already peeked.
That alone, and the inflection with which he said it, caused a fillip of sensation in her lower belly. Good morning. How long have you been up?
About ten seconds.
His arousal evident, he walked to the bed, sat down on the edge of it, and peeled back the sheet. He slid one hand between her thighs and with the other guided hers to his penis. She stroked the swollen head. Do we have time for this?
Itll have to be quick.
He applied his thumb to her, causing her breath to catch. That wont be a problem.
When he came out of the bathroom after his second shower, he was wearing his boxers. She pulled the sheet over her and kept it there. Is there any news? she asked.
You made the news.
She glanced beyond the French doors into the sitting room, where there was a TV.
Her eyes moved back to Derek. I woke up an hour before you. I caught the newscasts. He came over to the bed, leaned down, and cradled her face between his hands. News teams from all the local stations are parked outside your house, where, theyre reporting, Paul Wheelers suspected killer died mysteriously yesterday evening. Doug was ambushed by reporters as he left his house for work.
She moaned miserably.
His statement to them was that he was astonished to learn that his brothers close personal friend, you, may have known his killer.
This is a nightmare.
It may get worse before it gets better, Julie.
Thats why I feel ill.
He dropped his hands from her face. Wishing it away wont make it go away. Today will be an ordeal, Im afraid. Youd better get up.
I only have the clothes I arrived in. She looked around for them.
I asked the valet service to press them for you. He kissed her briefly, then moved toward the French doors. Ill order us some breakfast.
She couldnt possibly eat, but she didnt argue as she slipped from the bed and went into the bathroom. She took a shower, washed her hair with the hotel shampoo, and used the hair dryer. She didnt have any cosmetics beyond what she carried in her purse for touch-ups. She applied some powder to her nose, blusher to her cheeks, and lip gloss. It would have to do.
Since her clothes were still with the valet, she pulled on the robe shed wrapped herself in last night and joined Derek in the sitting room. Room service had already delivered the order. He removed the silver lid from one of the dishes. Their cheese blintzes are worth the calories.
Derek, I cant eat.
Thats what you said last night.
He held out a chair for her. He poured coffee from a thermal carafe. And he was right, even her nervous stomach couldnt resist a few bites of the blintzes. Whats your plan? she asked him while she sipped her second cup of coffee.
Wait and see what happens. I dont want you exposed until I have a fair idea of what youll be facing.
She looked toward the door. Will the staff here squeal on me?
He shook his head. They dont ask about the people I put up here, and I dont tell. They boast of their discretion. Besides, Ive spent a small fortune with them over the years. They owe me.
She picked at one of the blintzes with the tines of her fork. Are they accustomed to you spending the night with your female clients?
He set his cup in his saucer and waited until she met his eyes. Its never happened before.
To cover her pleased embarrassment, she took a sip of coffee. He reached across the table for her other hand and studied it as he stroked her fingers. I wonder what would have happened if wed met before you went to France. Before you met Paul Wheeler.
We might have despised each other on sight.
I doubt that, he said softly.
So do I, she whispered.
We might have fallen in love, got married, had kids.
Her throat became too tight to speak.
He reached across the table and touched her cheek. It could still happen, Julie. When all this is past, we could have a life together.
The moment was shattered by the ringing of the room phone. Each of them looked at it, then back at each other, warily. Derek got up and answered. He listened for a moment, his eyes never wavering from Julies, then he said a brusque Okay and hung up. That was Dodge. Hes downstairs. Hes coming up.
You made the news.
She glanced beyond the French doors into the sitting room, where there was a TV.
Her eyes moved back to Derek. I woke up an hour before you. I caught the newscasts. He came over to the bed, leaned down, and cradled her face between his hands. News teams from all the local stations are parked outside your house, where, theyre reporting, Paul Wheelers suspected killer died mysteriously yesterday evening. Doug was ambushed by reporters as he left his house for work.
She moaned miserably.
His statement to them was that he was astonished to learn that his brothers close personal friend, you, may have known his killer.
This is a nightmare.
It may get worse before it gets better, Julie.
Thats why I feel ill.
He dropped his hands from her face. Wishing it away wont make it go away. Today will be an ordeal, Im afraid. Youd better get up.
I only have the clothes I arrived in. She looked around for them.
I asked the valet service to press them for you. He kissed her briefly, then moved toward the French doors. Ill order us some breakfast.
She couldnt possibly eat, but she didnt argue as she slipped from the bed and went into the bathroom. She took a shower, washed her hair with the hotel shampoo, and used the hair dryer. She didnt have any cosmetics beyond what she carried in her purse for touch-ups. She applied some powder to her nose, blusher to her cheeks, and lip gloss. It would have to do.
Since her clothes were still with the valet, she pulled on the robe shed wrapped herself in last night and joined Derek in the sitting room. Room service had already delivered the order. He removed the silver lid from one of the dishes. Their cheese blintzes are worth the calories.
Derek, I cant eat.
Thats what you said last night.
He held out a chair for her. He poured coffee from a thermal carafe. And he was right, even her nervous stomach couldnt resist a few bites of the blintzes. Whats your plan? she asked him while she sipped her second cup of coffee.
Wait and see what happens. I dont want you exposed until I have a fair idea of what youll be facing.
She looked toward the door. Will the staff here squeal on me?
He shook his head. They dont ask about the people I put up here, and I dont tell. They boast of their discretion. Besides, Ive spent a small fortune with them over the years. They owe me.
She picked at one of the blintzes with the tines of her fork. Are they accustomed to you spending the night with your female clients?
He set his cup in his saucer and waited until she met his eyes. Its never happened before.
To cover her pleased embarrassment, she took a sip of coffee. He reached across the table for her other hand and studied it as he stroked her fingers. I wonder what would have happened if wed met before you went to France. Before you met Paul Wheeler.
We might have despised each other on sight.
I doubt that, he said softly.
So do I, she whispered.
We might have fallen in love, got married, had kids.
Her throat became too tight to speak.
He reached across the table and touched her cheek. It could still happen, Julie. When all this is past, we could have a life together.
The moment was shattered by the ringing of the room phone. Each of them looked at it, then back at each other, warily. Derek got up and answered. He listened for a moment, his eyes never wavering from Julies, then he said a brusque Okay and hung up. That was Dodge. Hes downstairs. Hes coming up.
CHAPTER
23
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