The Brass Ring (40 page)

Jamie turned in CC’s arms and smiled at the woman who had once again claimed her heart. "Good morning," Jamie responded before stealing a kiss.

"It’s good to see you smile," CC commented thoughtfully.

"It feels good to smile," Jamie confessed as she laughed at her lover’s appearance. CC’s long hair was flying everywhere. "And why shouldn’t I smile when I get to wake up next to you?"

"You’re going to need to talk to someone," CC said hesitantly.

Jamie felt her anger rise at the comment. CC’s arms wrapped her up in a warm embrace and the anger melted. "You’re right," she conceded, not really wanting to relive what had happened. She knew her resistance to speak to a professional was normal. "I hate what he’s done to us," Jamie spat out as CC’s hands continued to make circles along her back. "I think you should speak to someone as well," Jamie suggested; she felt CC’s body tense at the suggestion. "I saw where you hand was heading when you and the rest of the cavalry burst in last night."

"I wanted to kill him," CC stated bluntly. Jamie could feel the muscles in CC’s body relaxing. "Then I looked into your eyes and the only thing that mattered was holding you."

"Do you want to go through the department or should I find someone at the hospital for both of us?" Jamie asked, not really looking forward at the prospect of seeking professional help.

"Hospital," CC agreed as she snuggled closer to Jamie’s body. "There are no secrets at the station. I’d prefer no one knowing. Maybe we can get a group rate?" she added playfully.

Jamie allowed her fingers to begin exploring her lover’s body. She loved the way CC’s body reacted to her touch. "Now that’s settled," Jamie began in an amused tone. "There’s something else we need to talk about." Jamie smiled at the puzzled look her lover directed towards her. "You might have noticed that my little home is still a little unsettled. I haven’t finished unpacking or decorating."

"I’ve noticed," CC responded wryly. "I was wondering if perhaps you weren’t planning on staying."

"I’m staying," Jamie reassured her as she nestled her head against CC’s chest. "And since I’m staying I think you should help me with the unpacking and decorating."

"Should I?" CC teased as Jamie’s hand slipped to the curve of the brunette’s hip.

"Yes," Jamie responded firmly. "Since I expect you to be spending a lot more time here."

"Okay," CC responded gleefully. "Hey, that wouldn’t include shopping, would it?"

"Yes." Jamie laughed as she rolled CC onto her back and straddled her body. "Some big tough cop you are - afraid of a little trip to the mall," she teased her lover as she began to tickle her ribs.

"I’m not afraid," CC protested as she tried to swat Jamie’s hands away. "And it’s never just a little trip to the mall with you. It is more like an expedition to the moon."

"Sweet talker," Jamie teased as she poked her lover in the ribs.

CC yelped at Jamie’s assault before capturing the doctor in her arms. Jamie relaxed into the feel of her lover’s naked body pressing against her own. "We should try and get some more sleep," CC suggested. "We both have to go to work later." Jamie grumbled, not looking forward to facing the looks and questions from her co-workers.

"You can always take the night off," CC’s offered.

It was tempting but Jamie wasn’t going to stop living her life. Simon had disrupted it enough and she wasn’t going to let him win. "I have to," Jamie asserted as she snuggled against CC. Soon both women drifted off into a blissful slumber.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

C
C WAS GROWING more and more agitated with each passing moment. The lawyers had arrived and now everyone was circling their respective wagons. The team of lawyers Simon’s father had assembled was an impressive lot, each one dressed in a suit that was worth more than her yearly salary. There was one woman who troubled CC. She knew she recognized the woman who kept giving her icy glares, but for the life of her she couldn’t figure out who she was.

The detective was becoming increasing aware that everyone on both sides was doing everything possible to drag the case out. She hated the effect it was having on her lover and decided to do something completely reckless. She gathered up her files and photos and went over to the hospital. CC marched down the hallway, noting the weary look on the police officer stationed outside of Simon’s hospital room. On one side of the corridor stood the group of expensive suits crowded around a very distinguished-looking gentleman with a sorrowful look in his dark brown eyes. On the other side was her team. CC took one look at both packs of vultures and decided that she’d had enough.

CC held up her badge to the uniformed officer. "I’m going in to talk to him. Anyone care to join me?" she shouted and both camps seemed stunned. Suddenly both sides erupted in chaos as they argued over whether or not CC should be allowed to enter Simon’s room. CC locked eyes with the only other person in the crowded hallway besides herself that wasn’t speaking.

The man looked as if he was suffering from battle fatigue. His dark eyes were filled with a lost sorrowful expression. At times CC thought about the parents and families of those who kept her employed. It was unsettling because half of her experiences of coming face-to-face with the family of a killer ended with her understanding why they were the way they were. She knew that if someone out there had reached out and gotten them away from their loving families sooner, they might have been all right. The other half of the time she found herself looking into the same sadness she was looking at this moment. A confused parent who did everything humanly possible to raise their child right who was now wondering how their sweet child had become a monster.

"Annoying, aren’t they?" CC addressed Mr. Fisher.

He blinked in surprise. She understood his confusion. He’d probably heard the whole story by now and was wondering why she didn’t hate or blame him for his son’s sickness.

"Yes," he finally responded in a weak pleading voice.

"Don’t speak to her," the familiar large woman chided her.

"Excuse me," CC snapped at the annoying woman. "She works for you, isn’t that correct, sir?" she addressed the man. A faint flicker of a smile emerged on his lips.

"Yes, she does," he confirmed.

"Would you like to talk to me, Mr. Fisher?" CC asked him gently, fully prepared for his refusal.

"I just want to understand," he responded in a desperate voice.

"I think we all want that," CC concurred. She watched as Dr. Richards nodded to her, confirming that she was doing the right thing. "And you want to know about Janie."

"Yes," he choked out. "She was such a sweet girl. Her parents have been through hell. I can’t believe that he would hurt her. But when I asked him, it was like the time I asked him if he’d dented his mother’s car. His denial was very convincing, but he was holding the keys in his hand." His voice trailed off and CC could see the conflict waging in his eyes.

"Malcolm," one of the suits cautioned him.

"I have an idea," CC suggested as she ignored the arrogant lawyer. "When Janie disappeared, the police never suspect Simon."

"That’s right," Mr. Fisher confirmed confidently.

CC could see the glimmer of hope rising in the man as he thought that perhaps this had all been some kind of horrible mistake. "That’s because Simon decided to take an unexpected trip to the family cabin at Lake Tahoe and wasn’t around when Janie disappeared," CC explained. "I just discovered this information in an old report this afternoon." CC continued as eager ears listened to her conversation with Simon’s father. "With your permission, the FBI could search the cabin and the surrounding area."

The team of lawyers instantly shouted their objections, as Mr. Fisher mulled over the idea. CC simply stood there holding his gaze, allowing him to consider the idea while the others argued the point. A nurse finally stormed down the hallway and told everyone to be quiet. Something about the nurse’s size and demeanor instantly quieted them. "Do it," Mr. Fisher finally agreed in a nervous tone.

"Mallory, get on it," CC instructed the agent firmly. Mallory stood there for a moment with a look of complete amazement as Simon’s lawyers protested. "Mallory, do it," CC fumed as she shoved the address into his hand. He snapped to attention and ran off while the lawyers continued to grouse about illegal search and seizure.

"I’d like to speak to your son. Would you care to join me?" CC said to Mr. Fisher in the same comforting tone she’d used throughout their entire encounter. "Maybe we can finally get some answers."

"Absolutely not," the woman shouted in a shrill tone.

"Who are you?" CC finally snapped in disgust.

The woman’s beady eyes narrowed at CC’s question. "Claudia," she grumbled.

"She can’t work on this case," CC said to the most elegant man in the group, assuming that he was the one in charge. The way he looked them both over confirmed her suspicions. "She was Dr. Jameson’s roommate in college and I have first hand knowledge of her dislike for Dr. Jameson and her lifestyle." The other lawyers looked at Claudia with concern. "Come on, boys. She’ll just try to make it look like the victims had it coming. You know that crap won’t fly here."

"Excuse me?" Claudia snarled. "You’re the depraved one who walked out on her."

CC smiled confidently as she heard Max growl behind her. "Actually I didn’t," CC explained dryly. "I was wounded in the line of duty, and because of people like you, Jamie never knew because we had to keep our relationship a secret." Claudia and her co-workers seemed stunned.

"It’s true," Max confirmed smugly.

CC and Mr. Fisher watched as the older attorney pulled Claudia aside. By the way she stormed off CC had a feeling that she wasn’t very happy at the moment. "Good call," CC informed the lead attorney. "You were probably unaware that she’s a homophobic religious zealot that could only hurt your case."

"You’re still not going in there," the man chastised her with a smirk.

CC couldn’t help smiling in response, as she liked this man; he’d seemed genuinely shocked by Claudia’s views. "Why not?" CC reasoned, noticing that everyone’s attention was focused on her. "Let’s all be reasonable and put the yardsticks away for a moment." She watched as every man, with the exception of Mr. Fisher, seemed miffed by her comment. Mr. Fisher seemed amused. "Your client was caught trying to attack Dr. Jameson. We found Ellen Murdock’s and Sandra Bernstein’s blood and glass from Dr. Jameson’s front window on his tire iron and one of his jackets. His car was pulled over in the area where Sandra Bernstein’s body was found. He was the only one seen in the parking garage at the time Sandra’s tire was flattened."

She watched as Simon’s lawyers grew paler as she revealed each detail. "And I think that we’ll find Janie’s body up at the cabin," she added in an apologetic tone to Mr. Fisher.

"But . . ." the lead attorney began.

"He’s nuts," CC cut him off. "Sorry, sir," she quickly apologized to Mr. Fisher. "It’s true. Your son is very sick. But honestly do you think he’ll allow his lawyers to enter an insanity plea? It doesn’t matter what you think," she added before he could object. "You may be paying the bill, but at this moment he’s their client." She saw the understanding dawn on his face. "Now boys, even if you get to enter that plea, which you probably won’t, juries these days are pretty fed up with it. You know this. The jurors and everyone watching on Court TV will think you’re a bunch of morons. Or do you want to wrap this whole thing up and provide some closure for the nine families of his victims? All I’m asking is a chance. It will just be you and your second chair." CC nodded to the lead attorney. "The federal prosecutor, our DA, Mr. Fisher, and myself. Come on. Wouldn’t hammering out a deal now be in the best interest of your client?"

"You should run for office, Detective Calloway," the older man acknowledged with a smile.

"No, thank you." CC grimaced at the idea.

"Malcolm?" the man addressed Mr. Fisher.

"I agree with Detective Calloway," Mr. Fisher confirmed. "I just want some answers."

"I have to warn you that we may not get them," CC cautioned him. "Simon has a very slanted view of reality."

"I’m just finding that out," Mr. Fisher responded absently. "He told me that he and Dr. Jameson were a couple. It wasn’t ever true?"

"No, sir," CC answered with a slight shiver. "Shall we?"

The six of them piled into the room as Simon sat up, his face still marred from Jamie’s defense and his wrist handcuffed to the bed. "What do you want?" he snapped at CC.

After meeting his father CC couldn’t understand how Simon ended up the way he did. She offered Simon a friendly smile as she took a seat next to his bed. He flinched away from her as his father stood next to him on the opposite side. "I have to remind you, Simon, that you are under no obligation to answer my questions," CC explained in a gentle tone. She no longer possessed the strength to hold onto her anger.

"That’s right, Simon," the lead attorney reminded him. "But it might be in your best interest to cooperate."

"I didn’t do anything," Simon flared, directing his tirade towards his father.

"Listen to Mr. Getz," Mr. Fisher instructed his son.

"Dad," Simon pleaded, "I just went to visit my girlfriend and the next thing I know this one barges in and arrests me. I think we should sue."

Mr. Fisher’s mouth hung open in disbelief. CC calmed herself, recalling what the shrinks had said about Simon’s subconscious defenses. "Simon, if you think that you should, then file a complaint," CC offered in a sincere voice. "Bring it all out into the open so Jamie can stand up in court and tell everyone that she loves me and not you."

"Lying bitch," Simon hissed as he strained against his shackled wrist to grab her.

Mr. Fisher simply stared in disbelief; CC didn’t even flinch. "Calm down, Simon; your father is watching," she instructed him gently. She watched as Simon instantly calmed himself. "Simon, do you want to tell us what really happened to Janie?"