The Straight Crimes (17 page)

There was sweetness in the moment that turned him on more. He caressed Harper’s porcelain skin with his determined fingers, slowly massaging the small of her back and pulling her into his warmth. Her soft curves against his flesh electrified his hard body, making his mouth water and his appetite ache for more.

Harper grabbed the second blanket and lifted it over them. Each passing second sent sweet aches across her entire body that caused her mind to go blank and her breath to escape. She craved his taste so badly she couldn’t stand it.

With uninhi
bited passion, Nik carefully unzipped Harper’s tight jeans and pulled them off. Then he flipped her onto her back while running his stubbly mouth down her neck.

Harper gasped. She pulled him in close, trembling from his intoxicating touch. Her head began to swell as she felt the strength of his fingers sliding between her legs. His mighty hands were so commanding that she bit her lip to keep from screaming.

Then Nik’s mouth cascaded down her trembling flesh, making their way between her thighs.

Harper’s flinched, letting out several ragged gasps.

He looked up and smiled.

“I’m sorry,” she laughed.

“Don’t be, babe.”

“You’ve never done that before.” She blushed, resting her hand on her heaving chest. “But I like it.”

“I just want you to feel good.”

“Then I won’t stop you.” Harper cradled Nik’s head while he resumed his amatory mission.

Her sweet taste made his eyes roll in the back of his head. All he could think about was pleasing her. It was so exhilarating to watch her body writhe in pleasure from his talented lips and tongue that he continued kissing with his wanting mouth until she could hardly stand it.

Then he reached down and tore off his jeans, unleashing his aching bulge.

Harper softly whimpered from Nik’s commanding force. Never in her life had she known such pleasure. Her body tensed and relaxed between each unimaginable convulsion. She laid her head down and arched her back in ecstasy.

With his grip forcing her in place, he delicately rubbed her tight stomach.

She reached down and squeezed his big hands as he explored her body in ways he’d never done before.

After bringing Harper close to the brink, Nik crawled back on top of her. He ran his fingers through her wavy red hair, massaging her scalp while tilting her head back.

“I need you,” she whispered. Harper grasped onto his built upper body, pulling him against her heaving chest. Without warning, she wrapped her legs around his waist like ivy entwining some massive branch and took his pulsating manhood inside of her.

Feeling Nik’s warmth pound against her body, Harper whimpered in sheer delight. His offering caused her body to tremble, provoking a deep ache in the pit of her stomach.

Nik looked at her in wonderment as they made passionate love. He needed to see her beautiful face and feel their deep connection, transcending beyond physicality. It was as if their heartbeats had become one. His breaths grew short and his muscles flexed, pumping her with all his strength.

It was reminiscent of their first time, only better. Their bond was stronger, and their sexual cravings were unrivaled.

Nik was the man Harper wanted to be with for the rest of time. Knowing that scared her to death. However, she couldn’t imagine anyone ever fulfilling her desires and knowing everything she needed. No one else could ever ignite her soul on fire and make her heart skip a beat. No one else could make her want to cry from such desperate thirsts, and no one else could ever be what Nik meant to her. It was at that moment that she knew she’d never let him go.

Nik sensually caressed Harper’s ivory skin and lifted her, holding her in his strong, assured grip. Standing in the middle of the boat, he brazenly continued thrusting his maleness inside of her, pounding with volcanic intensity—blanketed only by the darkness of the night and the cool touch of the breeze. It was insanely hot.

She bit her finger, stunned by his imaginative sexual eagerness. Then she threw her head down, whipping her hair over his broad shoulder and hugging against his smooth chest. The feeling of his hands, cupped beneath her upper thighs as he offered his virility, made Harper lick her lips and twitch.

As his stamina reached an irrefutable peak, Nik’s fervent body shuddered until he couldn’t fight it any longer. He pulled out and released himself against her steaming body.

Nik covered Harper’s mouth in overzealous kisses, scooping her into his cradled arms and gently bringing her to the floor, where he studied her unparalleled perfection.

She nestled against his chest, listening to his wild heartbeat strum in her ear. It was a steady sound that reassured her of their hunger for one another.

As they lay satisfied in each other’s arms, Harper’s mind wandered. When she was with him, it erased all the ugliness that surrounded her existence. She wasn’t thinking about arson, lies, or mind games. It was always just them.

Nik had grown so much that she completely trusted in his strength and believed his sincerity. It was all the assurance she’d ever need.

He covered them back up with the blanket, cradled Harper in the crook of his arm, and kissed her forehead. Then he rested his lips there while staring up into the night.

“What are you thinkin’ about?” she asked.

“About how good you make me feel…and how much I love this, just being here with you.”

“That’s a real good answer.”

“It’s the truth. This is all I ever want.”

She looked up at him. “Really?”

“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.” Nik scooted down to Harper, tilting his head to the side with his electrifying eyes.

When he looked at her that way, it made her heart faint. It made her want to cry. It evoked the undeniable feelings that reassured her certainty. “You promise?” she asked.

“I swear. What’s wrong, babe?”

“I’m scared.”

“What’s there to be scared about? I thought we were done with all of that.”

“No, not like before.”

“Then what is it?”

“Never mind, it’s stupid.”

“Nothing you say is ever stupid. What’s wrong?”

She thought for a moment before forming her thoughts. “I’m afraid that I’ll be left behind.”

“Why do you think that?”

“’Cause everyone’s already gone. I never knew my mother, Mama ran off, and Aunt Faye was murdered. I just don’t wanna be left alone again. I couldn’t stand livin’ if I lost you too.”

“I don’t plan on going anywhere. I’m still here, aren’t I?”

“You mean it?”

“I’m never gonna leave your side.”

“You promise?”

He ran his finger in a cross over his chest. “I’ll never let you feel alone again as long as I live. I promise.” Then, he whispered in his deep, soothing voice, “I love you, Harper.”

Overcome with emotions, she couldn’t form a sentence—let alone a thought. Harper was so taken aback that the only certainty of that moment was the staggering expression she couldn’t hide.

“I love you,” he assured her, with an amused smile.

How she’d longed to hear that sweet expression, those perfect words rolling off his tongue for the first time. She closed her eyes and kissed him tenderly. “I do too, Nik. I love you so much.”

He wiped the tears from her cheeks and cradled her face against him. Never in his entire existence had Nik felt more complete than he did at that moment.

The pair lay blissfully in each other’s arms under the starlit sky, cradled in their picturesque love nest. The icy breeze blew across their exhausted vessels, casting shadows off the dancing candlelight as they fell asleep.

After their brief respite, Nik was abruptly woken to the sound of a roaring engine. Without standing or drawing attention, he carefully opened his eyes and scanned the perimeter.

In the distance, he spotted a black SUV parked along the boardwalk. Nik hadn't noticed it earlier, but felt the weight of their stare. He was certain someone was inside, watching them. It was the same ominous feeling that overcame him the night of the fire, when he’d been alone in the woods.

Mindful not to wake Harper, Nik propped himself up and reached for the nautical telescope tucked under his bag.

Looking into the lens, he detected a shadowy figure in the driver’s seat. It didn’t take long for him to realize the stranger was staring back through a pair of binoculars.

Without giving it a second thought, he threw his clothes on, leapt off the boat, and raced down the boardwalk.

As soon as Nik was spotted approaching, the driver immediately threw the vehicle into reverse and squealed the tires against the pavement. In the quick retreat, the stranger knocked over a trash can and peeled out of the parking lot.

“Get back here, asshole!” N
ik shouted. He chased after the driver, furiously pumping his toned arms and stomping against the ground like a black stallion.

He pursued the vehicle
until the taillights vanished into the darkness. Whoever it was did not want to be seen.

Nik wasn’t sure who was watching them, or why. The only thing he was certain of was that he had to protect Harper.

On the way back to the boat, he contemplated whether or not to tell her what happened, ultimately deciding against it. He’d already vowed not to let anything ruin their perfect evening—even if meant ignoring a stranger, stalking them in the night.

SIXTEEN

H
arper let out a maddening huff. “Detective Harris, may I have some water, please?”

“Of course.” Tonya excused herself from the desolate interrogation room.

The austere surroundings of the police station did little to ease Harper’s nerves. Tiny beads of perspiration swelled at her temples as she looked down, nervously strumming her fingers against her quivering knee. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping it would end. However, the haunting memories invaded her mind as if they were some unforgiving disease, desperate to paralyze her entire existence.

The immeasurable pain had softened since Faye’s murder. Harper worked tirelessly to keep it from the forefront of her mind, but rehashing everything with the police served as a perpetual reminder that Faye was never coming back.

“Here you go.” Tonya placed the tall glass of ice cold water directly in front of Harper’s somber face.

“Thanks.”

“I appreciate you meeting me again.”

“As hard as is it, I want justice for my Aunt Faye.”

“As do I. Over the past month, we’ve done an exhausting search into her past. Finding someone with a motive has been a challenge. There’s an ex-girlfriend of Faye’s, Mary Kamp, but she has an air tight alibi for that evening.”

“Oh my God, you found Aunt Mary?” Hope twinkled in her eyes.

“I did, yes.”

“I can’t believe it. I haven’t seen her since I was a lil’ girl. She used to braid my hair ‘cause Mama never would.”

Tonya cracked a smile. “Mary sends her deepest condolences.”

“Did she say anything else?”

“Nothing pertinent to the case.”

“Where is she?”

“Boca Raton, Florida. She was a hard woman to track down, but not to worry. We cleared her as a suspect.”

“Mary would never hurt a soul.” Harper grabbed a tissue and dabbed her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t. It just brought up a lot of memories.”

“I understand.” Tonya cracked her neck, rubbing her exhausted shoulders. “As you’re well aware, I have very few leads. The list of suspects is extremely short.”

“I know.” Harper bit her thumbnail.

“You know where I’m headed, right?”

“Yeah, I do.” The hollowness in Harper’s stomach rumbled, facing the grim reality of the deadly proposition. “You haven’t found Mama yet, have you?”

“No, we haven’t.”

“I figured.”

“We interviewed your former neighbors, Bill Winston and his worker, Gage Black. Both men witnessed a heated altercation between Mindi and Faye on the day you were evicted from the house. Their accounts painted a dark picture of your mom, much darker than you led us to believe.”

“I’m not surprised. Old Man Winston hates Mama.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“He calls her a ‘crazy ass with no class.’”

“You’ve heard him say that?”

“A few times. We didn’t talk much. Aunt Faye knew him real well, but I mostly just waved at him when I saw him in the yard. Once in a while I’d go over and see what he’s buildin’ in his workshop.”

“I didn’t know he had a workshop.”

“Yes, he makes all kinds of things.”

“Like what?”

“Any creation you can imagine outta wood: breadboxes, garbage cans, and tiny figurines. He sells all that junk at his pumpkin stand during Halloween.”

“He sounds talented.”

“Yeah, the man’s real good with a knife.”

Tonya leaned forward intently. “Let’s back track a little. Tell me more about this animosity between your mom and Bill Winston.”

“She’s done all kinds of crap to make him mad, like throwin’ her cigarette butts on his driveway, runnin’ her car into his lawn, and havin’ loud parties at night while he was tryin’ to sleep. Those two were always facin’ off over somethin’.”

“But he and Faye were friends?

“Yeah, they always seemed to get along.”

Tonya rubbed her chin. “While you were living with your aunt, did you ever catch him trespassing at her house?”

“No. Why do you keep askin’ about Old Man Winston?”

“He’s been sifting through the wreckage and wandering around Faye’s property.”

“Maybe he’s tryin’ to help? That’s just the kind of guy he is.”

“We believe he may be tampering with evidence. Faye’s house is still blocked off with tape. Not to mention, he was there the night of the fire until everyone cleared out. Since then, he’s called the police station almost every week for updates on the case. His obsessive behavior has raised more than one eyebrow.”

“C’mon, he ain’t harmful. He’s just an old busy body. Besides, Old Man Winston bailed Nik outta jail and got Officer Brown to drop the assault charges against him.”

“Why would he do that? Nik’s not his responsibility.”

“I told you, he’s just a nice guy.”

“You don’t think it was a possible diversion?”

“You can’t possibly think he did this to Aunt Faye. He likes everybody.”

“He doesn’t like your mom…”

“But Mama has a way of gettin’ under everyone’s skin.”

“So you don’t agree that his behavior is unusual?”

“I don’t know. Like I said, I don’t speak to him that often. People around here are always worried about what everyone else is doin’. I don’t think it’s that strange that he’s so concerned, especially ‘cause he lives across the street.”

Tonya grew irritated. “I’m gonna be direct. Has he ever made a pass at Faye?”

“Excuse me?”

“Did he ever make any romantic innuendoes towards her?”

“No, of course not. Why would you say that?”

“Everyone knows Bill Winston is straight. He dated a woman named Gail Fall for years. After Mary left, he must’ve known Faye was alone. In that time, you don’t think he would’ve ever tried to pursue more than a friendship with your aunt?”

“What is this, some sort of witch hunt ‘cause he’s straight?”

“This has nothing to do with his sexuality.”

“C’mon, I’m straight. Give me a lil’ more credit. I deal with this crap almost every day. That’s exactly what you’re doin’.”

“Harper, I’m trying to establish motive, that’s all. I don’t care about anyone’s sexuality. I assure you, my only concern is solving this crime.”

“It sounds like you’re clutchin’ at straws. Besides, Auntie would’ve told me if he tried makin’ a pass at her, especially ‘cause she loved Mary.”

“You’re sure there’s no connection there?”

“Their only connection was that they were neighbors—”

“No, there was also your mom, who drove him crazy. When he talked about the fight between Faye and Mindi on the day of your eviction, he had a scowl on his face. He described Mindi’s behavior as ‘erratic.’”

“How would he know? He wasn’t there. It was just Mama, Faye, Gage, and me.”

“Bill Winston claims he watched the altercation from across the street, every second, right down to Mindi threatening Gage and Faye. According to Gage, her exact words were, ‘I ain’t got a sister no more. You’re dead to me.’”

The recollection made her cringe. It was a moment seared in Harper’s mind, replaying in her dreams incessantly. She could recount every second down to the very breaths she took. “Yeah, Mama was outta line that day.”

“Do you think it was the drugs she was on?”

“With Mama, I wouldn’t doubt it.”

“Harper, I need you to close your eyes a minute and think back to that day. Can you remember her saying anything about where she was going? Did she give you any clue that might help us find her?”

“I’ve already answered this question a million times. I don’t know why y’all keep askin’ me. I have no idea where she is or where she went.”

“What about Fire Brush?”

“Louisiana?”

“Isn’t that where you both lived before coming here?”

“Yeah.”

“So why wouldn’t she go back?”

“I guess it’s possible, but I don’t know where she’d stay.”

“You mean because she burnt down your trailer?”

The question caught Harper by surprise. “It did burn down.” She inquisitively watched Tonya’s face. “Who told you about that?”

“Your friend, Traci Galva.”

“How does Traci know what happened?”

“Miss Galva said you confided in her. She claims that the fire is the reason you guys moved back to Michigan. So is it true, did Mindi burn down your trailer?”

“I never said that happened for sure. There’s no actual proof.”

“Really, then why would Miss Galva make such a bold accusation?”

“I told Traci that Mama
 
may
 have burnt it down to collect some insurance money.”

“So what was stopping her?”

“I don’t know.”

“You both moved back here during troubled times in the past. Why would this time be any different?”

“I ain’t sure.”

Tonya grumbled. “What’d she need the money for?”

“To pay some people back.”

“Drug dealers?”

“Yeah, most of them are.”

“How much does she owe?”

“I don’t even wanna know.”

“How much would you guess?”

“I really don’t know, just that it’s a lot. She’s always bitchin’ about money.”

“What kind of things has she said?”

“Just that if she didn’t get those ‘damn scumbags’ off our backs, we’d be up a creek. She’s always paranoid that someone’s comin’ after us. Back in Fire Brush, I wasn’t even allowed to answer the phone. We kept the blinds sealed up all the time, and she was careful about who she brought back to our place.”

“You didn’t find that strange?”

“Of course I did, but that was only towards the end of our time there.”

“What’d she do for a living?”

“Mama worked as a clerk at a gas station during the day and bartended at night. At least that’s what she said she was doin’.”

“What was she really doing?” Tonya asked.

“Hookin’.”

“Mindi was a prostitute?”

“Yeah.”

“How’d you find that out?”

“Mama was arrested for it a couple times and called me to bail her out. I overheard the police talkin’ about her. She even slept with my friend’s mother. It was real embarrasin’ when everyone at school was talkin’ about it.”

“I bet.”

“She never wanted me to know what she was doin’, so I pretended I believed her when she’d say she was headed to the bar. She loved Shreveport’s nightlife. Mama always talked about the casinos and the big tips she got at the bar. However, I never saw any money. I think she was doin’ it mostly in exchange for heroin.”

“Did she use drugs in front of you?”

She nodded. “I’ve also seen Mama smoking marijuana and snorting cocaine. It caused lots of problems. Eventually she lost her real job at the gas station. That’s when she started gettin’ paranoid about people comin’ after us. We got all kinds of letters from the mortgage company, sayin’ Mama was behind on the trailer payments.”             

“When did she lose her job?”

“It was a few months before the trailer burnt down.”

“Would you say she was pretty desperate by that point?”

“Yeah, very desperate.”

“So how much money did she get from the insurance company?”

“None. They wouldn’t pay out the claim.”

“Why not?”

“’Cause the fire’s still under investigation.” The realization hit Harper as she whispered, “Just like the fire at Aunt Faye’s.”

Seeing that she’d connected the dots, Tonya ran her hand across her chin in satisfaction. “You know, Mindi’s been a very busy woman. I’ve spoken with the police department in Fire Brush. Does she know there’s a warrant out for her arrest in Caddo Parish?”

“I’m sure she does.”

“She’s kind of a runaway, burning down her trailer and hiding in Michigan to evade the police.”

“It ain’t like that. We needed a place to go, so we came here. Besides, if there’s a warrant for her arrest in Louisiana, like you said, why would she go back there now?”

“Mindi doesn’t have many connections here, but she certainly knows a lot of people in Fire Brush. She’s a desperate woman. She needed somewhere to hide, especially if she was trying to get away with murdering her sister.”

“Mama didn’t kill Aunt Faye!” Harper cried.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Mama’s crazy, but she ain’t 
that
 crazy.”

“She’s a suspect, Harper.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“C’mon Harper, don’t act so naïve. The woman has several motives. You even said she was desperate to repay her debts. Without the money from your trailer, what better opportunity is there than to collect from her sister’s estate and burn her house down?”