CHAPTER 9

The heat was stifling. Cole had forgotten how humid and hot Miami could be even when fall had started to take over most of the country. He tugged at the tie that felt like a noose around his neck. He had been in meetings with new investors for most of the week.

He had managed to put Rose and the events of the weekend in the back of his mind every time he did his presentation, but every time he headed back to the four star hotel he was staying at, it all came rushing back.

Emmaline murdered across the road from him, Rose’s pain and tears over the loss of her friend. He had phoned the detective on the case numerous times since Monday and every time he received the same answer. “We are doing everything we can to pursue the culprit.”

That didn’t tell him shit, Cole thought as he hailed a cab back to his hotel. As soon as he was done with his meeting, tomorrow morning he planned on heading back to the Hamptons. It was late Thursday afternoon which meant the funeral would more than likely be tomorrow.

Cole had never before felt the need to offer support for someone. Since he had never been in relationship the feeling was as foreign to him as the need to phone Rose. He had his assistant get her number for him on Monday but he hadn’t yet managed to dial the number.

Rose had enough on her plate at the moment without having Cole checking up on her and giving her false hope. She had made it clear Saturday evening that she wanted him, and although he wanted her just as much Cole knew Rose wasn’t the one night stand type.

A cab pulled up to the curb, Cole got in and gave the cabbie the address of his hotel. As the cabbie drove through down town Miami, Cole hoped he would get a good night’s sleep. He had woken most of the week churned up and throbbing for Rose. The memory of her sweet body over his, her soft lips against his own had haunted his dreams all week.

Another reason why he couldn’t phone her, Cole thought as the cabbie stopped in front of his hotel. He didn’t want to give her false hope of a relationship when he knew he wasn’t ready for one.

He stepped out and was chocked again by the suffocating heat. He moved straight into the air conditioned building towards the elevators. Once in his suite he poured himself a stiff scotch and pulled off his tie. He moved to the windows and gazed out over Miami’s skyline even as his thoughts travelled back to what was going on in the quiet suburbs of the Hamptons.

As he finished the scotch he placed the crystal on the side table before pulling out his laptop. He would rather do anything at the moment than draw up another investment proposal, but he pushed all thoughts of Rose and Emmaline to the back of his mind and started working. Rose was just a neighbor, nothing more he tried to convince himself as he starting jotting down figures.

Cole had just hand delivered the investment proposal to the client he had met with the previous day when his phone rang. It was Friday morning and for some inexplicable reason Cole wanted to get back to the Hamptons. Even if it meant a three hour flight to the city and another two hour drive to the Hamptons.

“Cole speaking.” He said into the phone as he rushed out to the cabbie who was waiting to take him to the airport.

“It’s Garret. Listen I thought you needed to hear it from me before you saw it on the news.”

“What?” Cole asked as he climbed into the cab. He checked his watch; his flight was in fifty minutes. The cabbie needed to hurry or he’ll miss his flight to New York.

“There was another murder.” Garret said solemnly.

Cole felt his blood turn cold, the cars rushing by faded from view as he felt his chest contract. Rose.

“When?” He asked choking down the fear that had its icy fingers clutched around his heart.

“Last night. Listen Cole, it was in your neighborhood again.”

The only coherent thought passing through Cole’s mind was Rose. She lived alone, right next door to the previous victim. “Have they released the victim’s name?”

“No, why?” Garret asked confused.

Cole closed his eyes, rubbing his forehead. “No reason. Did they mention cause of death?”

“No. Cole what’s going on?” Garret asked confused.

“Nothing. Listen I’m in Miami, but I’ll be back in the Hamptons…” Cole checked his watch. “Late afternoon, earlier if I can manage.”

“Why? Frankly, isn’t it safer for you to stay in the city?”

“No, I need to be there.” Cole said firmly, brooking no argument.

“Has this got anything to do with your neighbor?”

“No, nothing happened Saturday night.”

“Saturday night? Wasn’t she dead by then?”

“Yes, Emmaline was dead by then. I meant my other neighbor.”

“Cole you’re confusing the shit out of me. I’m going to let you go now but I expect a full explanation when you get here.”

“Fine.” Cole said as he ended the call. “Step on it.” He demanded the cabbie, even though his flight wouldn’t depart earlier if he reached the airport quicker. He needed to get to the Hamptons and make sure Rose hadn’t been the next victim.