20
Familiar Territory
“This is the fourth robbery in the area in the same number of weeks,” he began once she’d finally caught up to him and joined him in the car. “The first two were straight forward robberies, both jewellery stores without casualties. The last two, the proprietor or manager in both incidences was stabbed, not critically but wounded quite badly. The file is there,” he pointed to the file lodged down the side of her seat, “if you want to read over it. The call that just came in said that two victims were killed, probably last evening as they were closing up. What does this indicate to you?”
“Um, they are either escalating or the two last evening along with the previous victims, resisted in some way. There are a few files here, are they all related?”
“There are two others which may be relevant to our case. One has a string of robberies which occurred over a number of weeks and the other was a murder which eventuated from a similar robbery.”
“These are from ten years ago,” she said after noting the date on the outside of the files.
“Yeah I know but the MO is similar and it’s quite possible they’re being committed by the same people.”
“Why the gap? Were they inside?”
“That’s one of my theories. Compare the files, you’ll see. I believe the scene we’re about to attend could be the same ...” he stopped.
Maggie turned to study him a moment. He seemed to be working his jaw and his face had become even harsher than before, if at all possible.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah,” he snapped.
When he turned to look at her, his expression, although masked, held something, especially his eyes. He frowned at her again.
“Is there anything you want to tell me?” she asked.
Lucas tapped impatiently on the steering wheel, waiting for his stunning partner to join him in the car. His instant attraction and craving to ... do unspeakable things had to be controlled. He’d watched her in the break room and desired had surged through his veins. What cruel twist of fate had sent her to him?
Patterson and O’Conner obviously amused themselves at her expense until she’d put them in their place. He’d smiled when he witnessed the exchange and as he remembered it now, found he was doing it again. Not only was she beautiful, she had a little sass, which was only going to make it even more difficult to control himself.
When she pulled open the door and jumped in her aroma tickled his nostrils. The feminine flowery scent surprised him and sent his pulse racing. How was he going to do this day after day? Deciding it best to talk shop he told her about the case and other similar ones. He could feel her eyes studying him as he spoke so he avoided her absorbing blue eyes. Why was she looking at him like that?
When she asked him if he was alright, it surprised him. How did she know he was bothered? When he’d told her he didn’t have the details regarding the murders they were about to attend he hadn’t told her the complete truth. He knew exactly what they were about to face and it had caused his heart to lunge into his throat. It was going to be all too familiar.
“Why would I have anything to tell you?” he snapped. “It’s just around the corner. We’ll get further details when we get there.”
“The names in this file are the same as yours.” Dammit.
He hadn’t wanted her to look at that file. He’d forgotten it was in the car. It usually stayed home but he must have picked it up with the others by accident.
“Yeah,” he answered.
“Are you going to tell me?”
“Why does it matter? It’s a cold case and may not have anything to do with this case or the other cases.”
Though he had a strong feeling that wouldn’t be the case.
“Who were they?”
“Why do you need to know?”
She dropped it and he was relieved, until they arrived. He slowly climbed out of the car as she came round to meet him. It was obvious, even from the outside, that the shop was destroyed; displays smashed and shelves missing items. Images flew into his mind and he bit down hard, urging them aside. His heart raced and his throat tightened. Clearing his throat and swallowing hard, he prepared himself. It had been ten years, he seen many awful images and scenes since then, the nightmares had stopped, he could handle it.
Without saying a word to Maggie he walked towards the entrance and she trailed behind. He wasn’t being helpful or a very good example for a newbie but she was too damn irresistible and pushing him to the limit of his self-control. He’d worked so hard over the past two years to distance himself from temptation and then fate sent Maggie.
As they entered the building the unmistakable metallic smell of blood was thick in the air. Both victims, one male and one female, were sprawled awkwardly on the floor. The male was lying in a doorway which led to what appeared to be a storeroom, with his feet facing the rear. The female was behind the counter, near the open register. She’d probably opened it for them prior to being killed. Both their necks were bloody and gaping. Suddenly he was seventeen again.
“Hudson,” he heard her speak again and he shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind. “The ME’s here.”
“You can handle it. I’ll be outside.”
He was on his third smoke when she emerged and walked with a determined stride towards him.
“Look, I don’t know what your problem is but I don’t appreciate you leaving me to do this alone, especially on my first day! I’ve heard you can be ...difficult but ...”
“I’m sorry,” he spoke before she could finish.
“Okay ...”
“It was my parents and I found them the night it happened. They were killed the same way. I should’ve told you before we went in.”
“Oh, how awful, I’m so sorry. It must have been terrible.”
“It was ten years ago and I’ve been doing fine with it for a while now but that was pushing my limits a little too far.”
“It’s alright, I understand.”
She touched his arm. Lucas looked up and met her eyes. When he saw his desire for her mirrored in her eyes, he pulled back and shut down.
“Anyway, have we got all we need?”
“I think so.”
“Alright, first thing we need to do is interview the owners of the surrounding shops.”
When he strode off she found herself trailing him again.