CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Angel frowned at the words on his screen and deleted several lines. His phone rang and he answered it. “Garcia,” he said, absently.
There was a silence.
“Angel?” It was her voice.
His heart took a sudden lurch, pounded his ribs. “Yes, it’s me, baby. Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. I just...I missed you.”
A floodgate ripped loose as all his pent-up emotions came washing over him. He swallowed. “That’s good, Mia. I was afraid you’d climbed into that big limo and I’d never see you again.”
“Idiot,” she said softly.
He grinned. “I love you.”
“You’d better,” she said. “When will you come home?’
The word ‘home’ suffused him with a feeling of warmth. Angel felt as though a tight band around his chest had been cut loose. “I’ll have to finish this report and I’ll be right there. Do you want to go out for dinner?”
“No, I want to stay in,” she said. “I’ll go to the market and pick up something. Is there anything in particular you want?”
“I was in the mood for hot blonde.” When he hung up he couldn’t stop grinning.
“Garcia, do you have something going on with that Teri Slaughter?”
Angel spun around on his chair and found Captain Benson glaring down at him.
He took a deep breath, his stomach clenched in a knot. “As a matter of fact, Sir, I do.”
“Step into my office.” Captain Benson led the way and ordered him to close the door.
For the next half hour Angel explained how he happened to meet and fall in love with the witness he’d been assigned to locate and return to New York. He skimmed over the details, hoping the Captain could read the report and realize he’d done his job well, arresting the men responsible for the homicide he’d been investigating.
When he finished his tale, Captain Benson stood shaking his head. “You mean, a beautiful and famous woman gives a rat’s ass about you, a lowly Homicide Detective?”
“Difficult as it may be to believe, Captain, we’re in love.”
The Captain stared at him for a long moment. “And you didn’t do anything to compromise the case?”
“I solved the case and kept her from being killed.”
“And so, what happens now between beauty and the cop?”
“When I finish writing my report, I go to her place and have dinner,” he said. “She’s shopping now.”
A wide grin spread across Captain Benson’s face. “Finish your report tomorrow, Garcia. Go be with your girl. This is the stuff a cop’s dreams are made of.”
Angel stood up. “Yes sir.” He grabbed his jacket and took the stairs two at a time. He hailed a cab and, once inside, leaned back against the seat, grinning in anticipation of being with Teri. He’d had to do his job, but so far, everything was falling into place. Teri was free and Captain Benson was okay with him seeing her. He’d have to thank Kelso for bringing that lawyer. Of course, no one had asked about the money, yet. If they could get over that hurdle, they might just slide into home plate.
#
Teri bought too much food. She’d gotten eggs and fresh bread and juice for breakfast and for dinner she’d purchased a rotisserie chicken, salad ingredients, fresh pasta and a bottle of decent pinot grigio.
The market was two blocks away and the bags were getting heavy.
“Here, let me help you with that.”
Teri looked up as Martin Kelso took one of the bags. He held a large bouquet of peach-colored roses in his other arm.
“Martin, what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to give you these roses as a way to welcome you back to the city. You’ve been greatly missed, my dear.” He handed her the bouquet and relieved her of the other grocery bag.
“They’re lovely.” She inhaled the rich fragrance. “But, you’ve done enough. Coming to my rescue with an attorney was what I needed most. You didn’t have to do this.”
“Yes I did, Teri,” he said. They’d arrived at her building and the doorman held the door open for them. “You don’t know how much you mean to me.”
“You’re too kind, Martin,” she said. “I’m sure all your employees are as fond of you as I am.” Teri knew Martin harbored a not so secret crush on her, but she’d always managed to sidestep the issue. It had been easier when Colin was close at hand.
“But I’m not as fond of them as I am of you,” he insisted. “You’re a special girl, Teri. Very special.”
When they arrived at the door to her condo Teri felt compelled to invite him in. He put her groceries on the counter as she located a vase for the roses.
“Sit down, Martin. Talk to me.” She pointed to one of the cream leather barstools on the other side of the counter. “My refrigerator is disgusting and I have to get rid of everything before I put anything fresh in there.”
“I love a domestic woman,” he said enthusiastically.
“I’m just a country girl, remember?” She pulled the trash can close to the open refrigerator and tossed everything from the crisper and the meat drawer. She discarded condiments that were open and tried to remember what other staples she would have to purchase.
“What’s going on with the firm? Did Jeanne go on maternity leave?” Teri wiped down the glass shelves as she spoke.
“Yes, she’s out for a while,” he said. “Don’t you have a cleaning woman for that?”
“I used to, but I guess she stopped coming when I wasn’t around to leave a check for her. I like to clean,” she said. “It’s therapeutic.”
“Yes, my dear. You have been through a lot.”
Teri gave the refrigerator a final rinse and placed her few groceries inside. She turned to Martin with a smile.
“You look radiant, dear one, considering what you’ve been through.” He sat with his arms folded upon her counter top. His manicured nails drummed idly making a clicking noise against the polished granite.
“Well, I survived.” She brushed a lock of hair back from her face.
“I can’t get used to your hair,” he said. “I loved the way you used to wear it. It was the stuff of men’s fantasies.”
“Long hair is a lot of trouble. But, I may grow it out again.” Teri shrugged. “Or not. Who knows?”
“Are you planning on returning to the agency soon? I saved your position for you.” He raised a speculative eyebrow.
She frowned. “I don’t know. Colin was brutally murdered. His image is permanently etched on my brain. I was nearly killed. I’m not the same person. I can’t just pick up where I left off.”
“I understand, my dear. You have plenty of time.” His fingers drummed again. “Speaking of Colin, did he give you a present when you were on your trip? Perhaps some little memento you’ve forgotten about?”
“I can’t think of anything,” she said. “We went island hopping and we ate and danced and shopped everywhere we went.”
“But he didn’t give you something special? Something to which he attached some special sentimental significance?”
She considered a moment. “No, Colin wasn’t sentimental. You know how he was.” She smiled, pleased that she could talk about him without tearing up. “I can’t remember him ever giving me a present unless it was for a special occasion. Why do you ask?”
“I know what was in the bag, Teri.”
His softly uttered words sent a whisper of fear skittering along her spine. She turned to give him her full attention. A little smile played around his mouth. “Did you know that Colin was laundering money?”
She felt the air sucked out of her lungs. She shook her head, staring at Kelso as though he’d been replaced by an alien.
“He was quite an enterprising boy, our Colin. He set up a series of accounts and funneled money into them from a particular client with unsavory business dealings under the guise of legitimate advertising.
Teri felt like she was choking on bile. “And you were a part of this?”
“No. Colin obtained a client with drug connections all on his own. They used the agency to divert funds and Colin made the fatal mistake of trying to skim. He set up a fund for himself and with every deposit, he gave himself a percentage. That was the money he left in the bag.”
“And they killed him for it?”
“They couldn’t let him get away with ripping them off. He was well paid for his talents. He shouldn’t have been so greedy.”
Teri glanced down at her hands. They were trembling. “What do you mean?”
“The vacation was a cover for his actual purpose and I’m sorry to say you were victimized, my dear.” He sent her a sympathetic gaze.
“How do you know all this?” Teri steeled herself for the answer.
“Right after you took off I was contacted by a man who assumed I was in on it. He threatened me.”
“Oh, Martin, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” She put her hand on his forearm and he covered it with his own.
“I didn’t think you were in on Colin’s scheme. You’re too innocent.” He squeezed her hand.
“You have to tell Angel.”
“Angel? Are you talking about that young detective?”
“Yes. He’s amazing, really. He’ll know what to do. I don’t want you to be in danger.”
“Just tell me where the money is. That’s all I need to know. Where is Colin’s bag?”
“I don’t know. I threw it at the killers in San Antonio. I guess the police got it.”
“The money, Teri. I know the police don’t have it.” A knife-hard edge to Kelso’s voice caused her to stare into his eyes. He regarded her without compassion, as a hawk might regard a mouse in its talons. “Where is the money?”
“It’s gone,” she whispered.
“Gone where?”
“I,…I can’t tell you,” she said. The fine hairs on the back of her neck were standing at attention
“You can tell me anything, Teri. I have to know where the money is or they’ll kill me. You don’t want that now, do you?” The blue marble eyes held hers as in a steel trap.
“No, of course not. Angel can protect you.”
Kelso’s grim expression was in keeping with his cold tone. “You seem to have infinite faith in this young man’s abilities. Is there something more between the two of you?”
“That’s not a factor in his job performance. He can protect you.”
Kelso offered a chilling smile. “But who will protect you, my dear?”
#
Seymour, the doorman, called Teri’s phone. He refused to allow Angel access to the building unannounced.
Angel raised an eyebrow as he glared at the man. “You saw me with her yesterday. I brought her home in a taxi and we went in together.”
“And she might not want you here today. This is a high security building and we can’t let just anyone in.”
Angel could hear Teri’s phone ringing through the receiver glued to Seymour’s ear. “She’s home. Why isn’t she answering?” He frowned at the uniformed man.
Seymour shrugged his epaulet-dressed shoulders and hung up the phone. “Sorry, sir. I guess she’s not receiving this evening.”
Angel reached for his identification and showed it to the attendant. “Something’s wrong. Open the door.”
“Whoa. Officer, I can’t allow you to enter because you have a badge. Our residents are entitled to their privacy. Perhaps you can call back tomorrow.”
Angel gave him a hard look. He rested his hand on his weapon. “How about if I shoot you tonight?”
Seymour winced, holding his hands out in an effort to stave off impending bullets. “Look, man...She has another visitor. About four-o’-clock this afternoon an older dude came with an armload of roses and they went in together. She had the groceries. They were laughing and talking. I figured she wouldn’t want you to crash her party.”
“Let me in,” Angel said.
“Okay, okay. No trouble. I tried to warn you, man.” He stepped back and Angel strode past him to the elevators.
He paced back and forth as he waited. It has to be Kelso. He’s one of her friends. She’s safe with him .But some inner radar was sending out a warning. He jammed his finger on the up button again.
The elevator door opened silently and he stepped inside, pushing the number for Teri’s floor. It was a smooth silent ride, stopping once to admit an elderly couple who thought the elevator should be going down. After pushing buttons and frowning they turned to glare disapprovingly at Angel who had the nerve to be going in the opposite direction.
Angel stepped out on the top floor and the doors closed silently on the scowling couple. There was nothing overtly amiss, but he was on alert. He opened the safety catch on his holster and approached her condo. He leaned his head against the door and listened, but heard nothing.
He recalled Teri’s face when he burst in on her with his mother and great-grandmother. If she and Kelso were having a friendly chat and he burst in with his weapon drawn it would be one more instance to focus her attention on their many differences. He pushed the doorbell and waited.
#
He’d tied her wrists and ankles together with the sash to her silk robe. Terrified, she lay on the floor of her bathroom.
Kelso had the water running in her tub. Removing his jacket, he folded it neatly over her vanity chair and loosened his tie. He turned to her with an earnest expression on his face. “Teri, don’t force me to hurt you. Make it easy on yourself and give me the information I need.” He leaned close, peering into her eyes as though he might find the answer there.
“Martin, I don’t know what information you’re talking about. The money is gone and I can’t get it back.”
He laughed, a dry mirthless chuckle. “That money was just a drop in the proverbial bucket, my dear. There are so many millions tucked away in those accounts. I must have access to them.” He turned off the water and rolled up his shirt sleeves.
“I don’t know what you want from me.” She heard the terror in her own voice and tried to steady it. “Colin didn’t tell me anything.”
“But he must have told you. He trusted you with his skim money.” Martin pulled her up by her shoulders.
“I promise you, Martin,” she said. “I didn’t know anything about the money until after Colin was dead and I opened the bag. By that time I was on the run myself.”
“Don’t lie to me. There has to be something, a notebook, a disc. Think, Teri!” He hoisted her to a standing position and lifted her into the water. Her feet slid out from under her and she was sitting in shoulder deep water. Her throat ached with fear. “Martin, please don’t do this.”
“Oh, my dear, I don’t want to hurt you. I wanted you to turn to me after Colin’s death. I wanted to comfort and protect you.” His eyes hardened as he gripped her shoulders. “Now I realize that you have jumped from one pretty boy to another. I just want the numbers and access codes for the off shore accounts.”
Slowly, he lowered her into the water. His fingers formed cruel vises, digging into her shoulders, as he pushed her down and held her under the surface.
Petrified by fear, she stared up through the water at the man she’d thought of affectionately as an alternative father figure. She held her breath as best she could. Her lungs burned and she had to let the air out. Her chest felt as if was being crushed.
Suddenly he dragged her, coughing and sputtering, to the surface.
She gasped for air and blinked away the water clinging to her lashes. Her heart pounded in her ears as she gazed into the eyes of the man who would kill her.
A flash of anger displaced her fear. “Alright, I’ll tell you.”
“I knew we could reach an understanding,” he said. “Tell me where it is.”
“I’ll show you when you untie me.” She glared at him with as much dignity as she could muster.
“Brava! That was excellent, my dear. You must think I’m a complete fool.”
“No,” she said. “I think you’re brilliant. It was you all along. Colin wasn’t smart enough to do this by himself.”
Martin raised his eyebrows. “Absolutely right, my dear. It was I who brought the unsavory client into the mix. Poor Colin’s only talent was his computer knowledge and his greed.”
“I remember when you took him under your wing,” she said. “He was so proud that you’d taken notice of him. He used to run up those damned stairs because you told him it was the habit of a winner.”
“He was my puppet.” Martin’s smile had the effect of chilling her to the bone.
“What happened? How did he cut the strings?”
“He got too greedy. He suffered from hubris, thinking he could step in and take over my operation.” Gripping her shoulders, he shouted in her face, the veins in his neck extended, “My operation!”
He pushed her back under the surface.
Teri held her breath and struggled to break his grip. She kicked both feet and the silky sash came loose from her ankles, but couldn’t get a foothold inside the deep and long ceramic tub.
She jackknifed her body and pulled Kelso forward into the water. He released his hold on her to grab the side of the tub. She sat up, filling her lungs with air, glowering at her former boss.
A look of panic replaced the snide superiority on Kelso’s face. Teri threw her leg around his neck, pulling him face first into the water.
Although he outweighed her by a considerable amount, the choke hold she maintained kept him off balance and he wasn’t able to raise his head above the water line. Teri howled in anger. She was filled with rage and she let it all out, her rage resounding off the hard surfaces.
A round of gunfire splintered her heavy outer door and, moments later, Angel burst into the bathroom with his gun pointed at the individuals in the tub.
“Teri? What’s this?” He holstered his gun and lifted her from the water.
“It’s Martin,” she gasped. “He tried to kill me.”
Angel dragged Kelso’s body from the tub and began to perform CPR. “Call 911,” he instructed.
Teri loosened the wet sash from her wrists. She felt lightheaded but, as she tried to make the emergency call from her bedroom. Within minutes, her condo filled with uniformed police officers responding to a ‘shots fired’ call.
Angel gave the care of Martin Kelso over to emergency personnel and folded Teri into his arms.
She leaned against him weeping, her arms around his neck. “Will it ever be over?”
“What happened?” he asked. “I thought Kelso was your friend.”
“I thought so too.” She shivered as she clung to Angel, pressing her face against his chest. She lifted her gaze to watch as Martin Kelso was removed from her bathroom on a gurney with an oxygen mask covering his face.
Angel brushed her damp hair out of her eyes. “Friends don’t try to drown you, Teri”
“He knew about the money all along. That’s why he was so anxious to find me. He was the real boss of this money laundering scheme. Colin wasn’t in the least bit creative, but he was a brilliant tech guy. Kelso brought him in to manage the IT. Kelso said Colin got greedy and tried to rip him off.”
Angel motioned the emergency medical tech over. “Is Kelso going to be okay?” he asked. The EMT shrugged. Angel turned to the officer accompanying the gurney. “This man is under arrest. He tried to kill my fiancée. Make sure to read him his rights and keep him under guard until he’s in a cell or in the morgue.”
“Your fiancée?” A grin spread across her face.
He turned on her, his hands on his hips. “Just who did you think you were? Do you imagine that I go around seducing witnesses with no thought to the future?”
She felt a bubble of joy rise in her chest. “I was hoping for a romantic proposal. Do you think I could get that, you know, to tell our children?”
Angel gathered her in his arms. “Yeah, I can give you that...when the time is right.”
“What will make it the right time?” she asked.
“When someone hasn’t just tried to murder you.”
“Okay, then,” she said. “I have two things to look forward to.”
A uniformed officer accompanied the gurney to the ambulance. Another police officer was assigned to guard the damaged door and Seymour managed to locate someone who would replace it at that late hour.
Angel supervised the people coming and going and held on to Teri as though she might evaporate if he let go. When the locksmith had gone, he secured the new door.
“I know what Mr. Kelso wanted.” Teri whispered. “Angel, I know what he was looking for. I had it all along but I didn’t know what it was until tonight.”
“What are you talking about?” He cupped her chin in his palm.
“The list. I found it in the blue bag, but I didn’t know what it was. It’s Colin’s handwriting so I kept it. Apparently it’s part of this whole mess.”
She related what Kelso told her about the money and the accounts. Retrieving the list from under the tube of Thalo Blue paint, she held it out to Angel.
He took the paper from her and tucked it behind his badge. “We’ll figure this out tomorrow. This will probably get you off the hook for the cash you so generously donated to the church. In the meantime, I’m starving.”
“I cleaned out the refrigerator.”
“Wonderful,” he said, grinning at her.
“I bought groceries. I was going to cook.”
“I can cook,” he said.
“We can do it together,” she said.
He dropped a kiss on her lips and said, “I think we’re alone now.”
“And the new door is locked.”
He dropped down on one knee. “Is this romantic enough for you?”
Teri grinned as he reached in the pocket of his pants. “Yes, I think this is romantic enough.”
“Will you, Teresa Slaughter, do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She giggled. “Do you mean forever and ever until death do us part?”
“That’s what I’m proposing,” he said.
“Yes, I want you to be my husband, my forever man.”
“I didn’t have time to shop for a ring, but, as a token of my love, I offer you these earrings that have been worn by two previous generations of Garcia brides.”
“Your grandmother’s earrings,” Teri said. “How come you have them?”
“My mother gave them to me...for you, Mia.”
“Why do you keep calling me Mia?” she asked.
“I’ve been telling you all along that you’re mine.”
A flush of pleasure swept through her. “I guess you’re right. I’ve been yours from the start.
#####
About the author:
J.D. Faver lives near Houston, Texas with two spoiled, rotten cats, Emily and Daisy, and a rescue dog, affectionately called Heart of Darkness, Horrible/Adorable, or Minx for short. She writes humorous contemporary romance and romantic suspense, both seasoned with plenty of steamy passion. Even the darkest murder/suspense is riddled with numerous snarky sentiments. She is actively involved in several writer’s organizations, including National RWA and three of its local chapters, West Houston RWA, Houston Bay Area RWA and Northwest Houston RWA. She also belongs to Bay Area Writer’s League and Houston Writer’s Guild. She loves to spend time with family and friends. She writes daily but has time for other interests including painting, cooking and gardening.
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She loves to hear from readers. jdfaver.com
#
Available soon from Smashwords:
TEMPTING FATE
By J.D. Faver
Worlds collide when a Sex in the City girl meets a little House on the Prairie guy. Mel Hannigan is a slick, savvy New York City commercial photographer who knows what she’s doing and where she’s going…that is, until she heads upstate for a little drive time and ends up with her sports car in a ditch. That’s where Helmut Engle finds her. He is a solid, down to earth farmer. In spite of their differences, Mel and Helmut give in to an irresistible magnetic attraction and share an exciting, intimate interlude. She returns to the city but can’t get him out of her mind. She attempts to drag him into her world by the scruff of his red neck and he tries to remodel his world to suit her.