Chapter 10
“How did it go with Magdalene and the girls?” Jones asks while we are in our office typing up our reports for the week.
“It wasn’t very helpful. I made it seem like I was just curious because of the news, so I wouldn’t look suspicious. Heather is the one who sets up all the appointments that are made. She said on each day of the murders it was never the same man who called—she would have recognized who she was talking to, she said—it was like he uses accents. I’m assuming since he uses a different number every time and that he also uses a different alias and disguises his voice. How did it go with the phones?”
“All of them are no longer working.” He runs a hand over his short salt-and-pepper hair.
“Jesus, are we ever going to catch a break?” I question with a deep sigh.
“It doesn’t look like it right now, but we sure in the hell need one.” He sits back in his chair. “It’s good to have you in the office today. It’s been kind of lonely working alone.”
“Aww, are you missing me?” I tease with a smile.
He chuckles. “Yeah, I guess maybe a little.” His phone starts ringing, and I turn back to my computer. Jones doesn’t say anything for a few minutes, then I hear, “I’ll be right there.” He disconnects the call. “Kylie, we have another victim.” He stands from his desk and starts grabbing his belongings.
“Shit!” I wish I could go with him to see which girl it is and to investigate the scene, but I can’t. If I did, it could potentially blow my cover. “Call me with an update.”
“Will do.” Jones shuts the door behind him.
I stay in the office until I finish up my reports and email them to the lieutenant, then print a copy for our files. Grabbing my things, I lock up our office and head out of the department, but I run into Smith right outside the front doors.
“Hey, how’s your case going?” I ask. I’m genuinely curious if they’ve had any new developments. Even though the case isn’t mine anymore, I’m still invested in it.
“Besides getting another body, we don’t have much.” He shakes his head and looks out at the street.
“Us, either.” I think we are all feeling a little defeated as the bodies keep piling up.
His gaze turns back to me. “Good luck. I know we are all hoping a miracle happens or they slip up just once.”
Giving him a kind smile, I reply, “We sure are! Good luck to you guys too.” I stand there for a few seconds longer while he goes inside the building. I’m so happy I’ll be with Jessie tonight for her birthday.
I need a night to let loose.
I pick out a simple coral maxi dress and sandals to wear tonight for Jessie’s birthday party. I’ve pulled my hair up into a messy bun and put on a small amount of makeup, giving myself a natural look. Grabbing my purse with everything including her present, I lock up my apartment and head to my car.
Making it to Jake’s bar right on time, I shut off the ignition and once again grab everything I need. Jessie meets me at the front entrance and gives me a side hug because of the box I’m carrying.
“Here, this is for you. Happy birthday!”
“Thank you!” Both of our smiles are beaming. She takes the box from me and we head inside. Jake sectioned off a part of his seating for the party and she sets the present down on a table. We order drinks; she introduces me to some of her coworkers and friends, and I talk with her family that I already know.
She starts to open presents, receiving a lot of gift cards, wine, and a new Kindle before she opens my present. “Kylie! I love it!” She comes over and hugs me.
“I knew you would,” I respond with a laugh. I know how much Jessie loves makeup, so I bought her the new palette from our favorite high-end makeup boutique. It has everything from correctors to lip gloss.
With her arm still around my shoulder and her drink in hand, she addresses her guests. “Thank you everyone! I love all the gifts and love that you all could be here to celebrate my birthday with me. Now, let’s get wasted and inappropriate!” Jessie downs her whole drink in one gulp. I laugh at her craziness.
She slams the glass on the table. “Come on, Kylie, let’s get another round and see if sexy bartender is here.”
We push through the crowd, but when we finally make it to the bar, sexy bartender is nowhere to be seen. “No such luck tonight, Jessie.”
She shrugs her shoulder. “Oh well, I have his number—I’ll call him to get a birthday lay.”
Laughing, I respond, “Just be careful. You don’t really know him.” Like I have much room to talk, but I can’t let her know about Mr. Freedman or the undercover job.
“I wouldn’t say that.” She winks at me. “We may have talked a time or two.” Hmm, is my friend actually interested in more than sex with this guy?
We get our drinks from tonight’s female bartender and go back to Jessie’s guests. As the night progresses, we are having a blast as we dance and order drink after drink.
I’m hot and sweaty and need to take a break, I move through everyone and sit at an empty table. My next move is probably a stupid one, but right now I’m too drunk to care. I take the burner phone out of my purse and send a text.
Me: I wanna see you.
I bite my lip and wait. A few minutes pass, but he finally replies.
F: I’m the one who decides when and where.
Poking out my bottom lip to pout even though he can’t see me, I reply.
Me: But what about my needs?
F: Have I not taken care of your needs when we meet?
Me: Yes but you aren’t now
F: Where are you?
Me: At Jake’s bar
F: Are you drunk, Ms. Bridges?
Me: Maybe
F: How are you getting home?
Me: Why do you care
I bite down on my bottom lip and smile while anticipating his response.
F: Don’t test me, answer the fucking question.
Me: I will walk outside and get a taxi
F: Do not go outside by yourself.
Me: I’ll be right outside the door
I know I’m egging him on to be pissed, but it’s giving me a thrill to see how far I can push him.
F: I don’t care if you are one foot outside that fucking door, you do not step outside by yourself! Do you understand? Don’t make me angry.
Me: Sounds like you already are :(
F: It’s just very important to me that you listen and do what you are told.
Me: Ok I won’t
F: Thank you! We will see each other soon.
I put the phone back in my purse and decide I need another drink.
Why does he have to be so demanding? I won’t let Mr. Dark and Dangerous Freedman ruin my night! The bartender makes me another and Jessie slides up next to me.
“Why you look so sad all of a sudden? No being sad at my party!” She bumps my shoulder with hers.
“I’m okay, I promise.” I smile, giving her the reassurance she needs. Someone calls her name, so I watch her walk over to them. I turn back around and Jameson Kincaid is sitting next to me. “Jameson?”
He is a sexy man! His eyes so dark and intimidating, he has this fierceness about him; his dress shirt looks like it could bust at the seams any minute with the amount of muscle he has. His five o’clock shadow gives him that dark, mysterious appeal. I wouldn’t mind at all if Mr. Freedman looked half as good as Jameson Kincaid.
He turns his attention to me. “Rayven, what a nice surprise to see you here.” He smiles, showing off all his sexiness.
Shaking those thoughts away, I ask, “What are you doing here?”
“I come here occasionally to relax and have a beer. What are you doing here?”
With my thumb, I point behind me. “Celebrating my best friend’s birthday.”
“Sounds like fun.” He laughs lightly.
“Yeah, it has been. Well, I’m going to go join the party again. It was good to see you.” I stand, but my legs are wobbly. I think all the alcohol is finally catching up to me.
Jameson catches me before I land on my ass. “Whoa.”
“Thanks!” I giggle and right myself. “I think it may be time for me to call it a night.”
When he knows I’m stable, he releases his hold on me. “Go say goodbye and I’ll take you home.”
I wave him off. “No, I’ll take a taxi.”
“I insist. That way I know you will make it home safely.” His eyes bore into mine and I know he’s not going to drop it.
“Okay.” I narrow my eyes and point my finger at him. “But...you should know I carry a taser and pepper spray.”
He laughs harder this time. “Good to know.” He nods in the direction Jessie went. “Go say goodbye.” Well, isn’t he a little demanding? I do as I’m told, though, because it really is time for me to go home.
I find Jessie talking with the few guests left and she turns to me. “I’m going home,” I say loudly over the music.
“No, you can’t leave yet.” She pouts much like I was earlier. She looks at the bar. “Were you talking to Jameson Kincaid?”
My gaze follows hers. “Yeah, I met him at that ball I went to. Why?”
“Girl, he is New York’s sexiest bachelor. Get you some of that!” She wiggles her eyebrows.
I laugh and hug her. “I’ve had too much and I’m not getting none of nothing except sleep. Happy birthday; I love you and I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She dramatically sighs. “Fine.” Her smile reappears. “I love you too, and yes call me!”
Since I carry my purse everywhere with me, I am ready to go. I walk back to Jameson, and he directs me out the door. He has a car waiting, we get in the backseat, and I give the first direction to my house to his driver. My eyes slowly start to close once we are on the road. And…after that everything goes black as I fall asleep.