Trystan
SHE’S HERE. I know we have business to attend to, but a small part of me hopes we will finally have the conversation we should have had so many years ago. I could have gone down and got her, but I needed a moment to calm my nerves. Yes, even I get nervous at times. After an amazing breakthrough the other night, I need more than ever to keep moving on that track. I spent some time cleaning my office, which makes me laugh now thinking about it. Truly I don’t need to impress Camryn, but for some reason I want to. She has yet to see me in my work element, or to see all I have accomplished over the years, career wise. Growing up I always wanted to be a police officer. The detective gig kind of fell in my lap after several years as a beat officer. It was a better financial opportunity and also afforded me more time to spend with Caleb. Taking this role was a no-brainer.
A knock sounds on the door. “Come in.”
The door opens and in walks Camryn, looking as gorgeous as ever. She is wearing a simple maxi skirt, with a fitted top, and sandals. Her toes are painted pink and this makes me smile. I love pink polish on her toes. She is understated elegance and beautiful always. The wound on her head is healing, but still very prevalent, and makes me cringe a bit on the inside. The thought of her being hurt in any way doesn’t sit well with me. Her hands are full with two iced coffees. Either she was thinking of me or she is in need of some serious caffeine.
“Hey, Sunshine. How are you feeling? Thanks for coming today. I will be getting one of the guys to take your statement in a bit, but first I thought we could go over some videos, and also see what you remember from that night. Does that work?” Walking over to her, I stop right in front of her. I want to wrap my arms around her and hug her, but I am not sure how we she will react, so I stop just in front of her.
Her eyes take me in. Starting at my feet, she peruses the length of my body, slowly. Her eyes on me stirs emotions deep inside me.
“You wore a suit?” she inquires.
“It’s my uniform for the detective gig I have. Suits pretty much every day I am in the office or in court. If I am on assignment, or doing a stakeout, casual is fine.”
“You look.” She pauses as if she is thinking about what she wants to say. “You look all professional. And the plan you mention sounds great. I am a little foggy still from that night. Bits and pieces I remember, but most of it is a blur.” She sighs in frustration. “Oh yeah, I brought you a coffee. Not sure if you still take it the same, but Avery didn’t correct me so I assumed it was okay.” Her rambling is endearing as hell.
“First off, thank you for the coffee. Caffeine is a staple in this job. And my tastes haven’t changed over the years. For many things.” Her cheeks redden at that statement. “Maybe watching the film will jar something. We have several angles, and I tried to focus on your interactions solely. But if nothing comes, no worries. We will get the information another way. Okay? So just relax, no pressure. I set up a TV in here for viewing. Figured it would be easier than having interruptions all around in the normal viewing room.” She doesn’t need to know that I wanted her all for myself.
“Oh, that sounds good. Should I tell you what I remember? Or should we just dive into the videos?”
“I am thinking we start with videos. I don’t want you to have to repeat yourself again. Unless you don’t mind if I tape this so I get your comments correctly on record?”
Relief seems to wash over her. “Record it. That way I can talk freely, and if something pops up you will have it. If a headache or dizziness starts, we may need to take some breaks. If that’s okay?” The last question is barely a whisper. It is like she is embarrassed by the effects of her accident. That infuriates me. Not at her, but at the assholes responsible for this whole mess.
“We can take as many breaks as you need, and we can even stop and resume tomorrow or another day if it becomes too much. Your health is most important. Now tell me how often are you getting headaches and dizziness?”
Giggling she responds, “You sound like, Hunter. He’s been like an overbearing parent, hovering all over me for days.”
“It’s because he cares, you know? He was beyond consolation while you weren’t awake. That man thinks you hung the moon and the stars.”
“I know he was inconsolable,” she interrupts.
“And how do you know that?” I quip.
“I could hear you guys. Like when you were talking, I could hear portions of the conversation.”
Surprise must be evident on my face, because her face lights up in a smile. My imagination is running wild, wondering if she heard me. So much was said that night.
“And I will not be divulging just yet, all that was heard,” she states matter-of-factly. “Let’s watch some film. But I do have a question first. Do you have the list of men who were at the event and who would have visited my table? Based on the timeline I have heard; Preston was third or fourth to my table. I do remember Jase was there. So that leaves one to two potential men who were at my table that I can’t recall.”
Letting her ramble on, I realize she makes an excellent point. “Sunshine, are you sure you aren’t a cop?” I joke. “We have a list of all men and women who were part of the event. But what we didn’t ask for was the projected path each person took. Who was first at your table? That will probably be our best chance to find who spiked the drink.”
“Hunter said we had a few drinks at the bar. He was very specific about the fact they came directly from the bartender and were always in our hands.”
“Yeah, you guys were knocking them back a bit.”
“Wait, how do you know that?”
“Oh, I guess you don’t know that part. I was there that night and watched you for a bit. I was hoping to get an opportunity to talk to you. Ten minutes was better than what I was getting, so I signed up for that ridiculous speed-dating event. I was a few tables away when the call came in from Preston.”
She ponders this information for a moment. Disbelief mars the features of her face. The wrinkles that appear on her forehead when she is thinking are prevalent.
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. But it makes sense now that Preston called Maggie’s to reach you. I guess I assumed you happened to pop in for a drink and he saw you.”
“Actually, your very amazing best friend, who happens to be my fabulous baby sister, spilled the beans that you were attending the event. When I first heard, I was angry at the thought of you ‘dating’ thirty men in one night. But realistically, I know I don’t have that right. Yet,” I stress. “So I decided to try to be one of the thirty so I could get some time to talk to you.”
“I am not sure what to say, Trystan. I had no idea. I thought I saw the back of your head earlier in the night, but then my thoughts were all jumbled and confused. I assumed I was mixing things up.” She has contemplation in her voice. “Let me say this, and then we can proceed with why I am actually here. I want to hear your story. I need to know what you think will change my mind about our situation. The other night scared the living shit out me. Life is finite. We never know what can happen from one day to the next. Maybe I will still think poorly of you—but the bottom line is—I am ready to listen.”
Without thinking, I grab her and crush her in my arms. Kissing the top of her head, I offer my thanks to God she is finally willing to listen. Hesitantly she returns my hug. Breakthroughs. We are having breakthroughs.
“You don’t know how happy that makes me, Sunshine. Let’s do what we have to do here, and then maybe you can give me some time tonight. Caleb is at a friend’s house, so I am flying solo tonight. Sorry if I seem anxious, but I have been waiting twelve years for this. I am more than fucking ready.”
“Slow down there, Detective. Let’s see how this goes first. I may need to rest. Ya know head injury and all. But I can promise you this, we will have a little chat and it will happen sooner, rather than later.”
We watch through several loops of film for a few hours, and so far nothing has stood out. Unfortunately, where she was sitting for the blind dates only provides us with a lovely view of her face and the backs of those who were at her table. After her suggestion about the order dates went, I made a call to Maggie’s and was assured they would get it together and send it my way via email. While watching a clip, Camryn tenses up beside me.
“Him.” She points to the screen. “I remember him for some reason, but I can’t make sense of all the details.”
I pause the video and at the same time my phone goes off, indicating an incoming email. Glancing down, I see an email coming from Andrew, the bartender from Maggie’s. He has been amazing through this whole process. I think he takes some culpability because he was serving drinks that night. Regardless of that fact, there is nothing he could have done. Rohypnol can be detected in lighter color drinks as most strands leave a blue filmy substance in the drink after it dissolved. Darker drinks aren’t as easy to detect. And from what we have gathered, most of the women drugged have been drinking drinks, dark in color. While I am opening the email and trying to look through the document sent to me, Camryn touches my arm.
“Trystan, his name was Mike. That name is being played over and over in my head for some reason, and I just know that was name he gave me.”
“Sunshine, I have no idea why that just popped in your head, but according to this list, the first person to visit you on that night was named Michael Johnson. It’s a start.” This could have all probably been resolved without her, if I had gotten the dating plan. Why didn’t I think of that? Well, actually, I know why. My head has been consumed with the beauty in front of me. That’s no excuse though. This case has been months in the making, and this is a real break for us.
She smiles triumphantly at me. Her smile is my kryptonite. Always has been. It is enough to make me weak in my knees.
“This makes me happy. A start is better than nothing. I had to give my identification to sign up, and I am sure the guys did too. All of his information, as long as it is legit, should be on those files.”
“How are you feeling, Camryn? Tired? Headache? Any dizziness?”
“I am actually feeling pretty good. If you need to do more work on this, I can call Avery and have her come and get me.”
“Not a chance, darlin’. I will be taking you home. Let me get one my guys to follow up on Michael Johnson. We can do a few things on our end if his name is not valid. We have facial recognition software and other high tech equipment that can help identify people. None of that you need to worry about. Are you up for that talk tonight? It is still kind of early, and I do not get many nights without Caleb.”
She ponders my question for longer than I would like. Thinking she is about to shoot me down, I am shocked when she replies, “Actually, I think that is a very good idea. Where did you have in mind?”
Elation is coursing through my body. “I know just the place. Are you okay if I make it a surprise?”
“A surprise, huh? Sure, why not? Surprise me, Detective.”
Hearing her call me detective stirs something primal and carnal within me. My cock likes it too, because it starts to tent my pants. Readjusting myself without her noticing is not an easy task.
“Wait here for a few minutes. I am going to lose the suit and get into something more comfortable. Oh, by the way, are you hungry? Thirsty? We can grab some sandwiches on the way.”
“Hungry? Not a chance. I ate my weight in shrimp and grits, followed up by a plate of Lynn’s chocolate chip pecan cookies.”
Moaning at the thought of both of those things, I reply, “Jealous, doesn’t even describe how I feel right now. Two of my favorites. Sit tight for a few, okay? I will be back in ten minutes, tops.”
“Don’t really have a choice, now do I?” sassily she responds. “I am at your mercy, and without a car. Just go. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Be careful, Sunshine. At my mercy, is exactly where I want you.” With that parting statement, I exit my office. Leaving her with that thought can be a very good thing or a very bad thing. A very good thing, is my hope. My heart is racing and there isn’t a chance the smile will be wiped off my face.
My phone vibrating in my pocket interrupts my happy thoughts.
“Detective Harrison,” I answer.
“T man, it’s Andrew from Maggie’s. The guy who was the first person on Cam’s list from the dating event is here again. Sitting right at the bar. He looked familiar, but it was confirmed when I asked for his ID. Fucker has a death wish coming in here again. As much as I want to throttle him, I figured calling you was best.”
“Fucking hell!” I exclaim. “How long has he been there? Can you distract him? Give me ten minutes and I will be there.”
“You got it, man. If he tries to leave, we’ll intervene. And watching him won’t be an issue. He won’t be slipping drugs in any drinks tonight. Not on my fucking watch.”
“Thanks, man. I will be there in a flash with plenty of backup in tow. It might get a little crazy there tonight.”
While I am thankful for a break in the case, and for getting to put my hands on the fucker who tried to hurt Cam, part of me is filled with apprehension. She was agreeable. Finally willing to listen. I only hope delaying it a bit won’t change her mind. Dialing my sister quickly, I fill her in on the details and ask her to come get Cam from the station. She assures me she is on her way. The only thing left to do is let my Sunshine know and hope she understands.
“Do you want the good news or the bad news, darlin’?”
Cam peeks up at me and her face is wrought with concern. “Give them both to me, Trystan. Is everything okay?”
“Well, the bad news is we will have to have our chat another time. And soon, I promise you that. The good news is, we found one Michael Johnson and I need to go pick him up, bring him in for some questioning, and hopefully get a fuckton of answers about these drugs and where they are coming from. I called Avery on my way back here, and she is on her way to come get you. I have to run and take care of this as soon as possible.”
“Oh my God. Go! Take care of this. Please be careful and don’t do anything stupid, okay?” She bends down over my desk, writes something on a piece of paper, and hands it to me. “It’s my cell phone number. Call me or text me and let me know you are all right. We can figure the rest out from there.”
Elation takes over. Avery wouldn’t give me her number every time I asked, because she was playing Switzerland, staying neutral. She thought giving me her number would be betraying Camryn. I didn’t agree with her, but I understood where she was coming from. After the accident, I would contact her through her home phone, which seemed crazy and archaic to me, but it was the only number I had.
“You better believe we will be figuring out the rest. I have to go.”
“Trystan, promise me you will be careful. And that you will text me later, so I know you are all right.”
Her concern fills my heart with so much hope. So much has changed and shifted between us in the last few days. Walking over to her, I place a kiss on her forehead, right next to her wound. “Sunshine, I promise. On both things. You have my word I will be careful, and that I will reach out later so you know that I am home and fine. And we will have that talk. So just know, I am coming for you.”
With that friendly warning, I rush out of my office. Backup has been called to Maggie’s. Mentally I talk myself down, because the reality is my fist wants to meet this asshole’s face. But months and months of work hinge on this. There can be zero fuck-ups.