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  Winston broke his stare from the door.

  “Don’t feel guilty. She’s a beautiful woman. She had me speechless the first time I met her.”

  “I have no interest in anyone here. What you’re doing to Dee, it’s not happening, Jonathan. I’m not standing by while you manipulate her.”

  “Are we talking about the same woman?” His brows met his forehead. “Because the Deidra Quarter I know wouldn’t let anyone manipulate her.”

  “You don’t know a damn thing about her.”

  “Did Tran offer you any refreshments—”

  “I’m not playing with you.” Winston stood chest-to-chest with him. “Dee’s my woman, and I’m not letting any man take her away from me.”

  “Does she realize you think of her as property?” Jonathan sauntered across the stone floor. “I’m flattered to see I threaten you.”

  “Kiss my ass. I’m not threatened but you will be if you don’t leave Dee alone.”

  “What am I doing to her?” Jonathan stood by the chimney with his arm propped on the mantel. “She’s the one who keeps coming by even when it has nothing to do with the case. You should have this conversation with her.”

  “I’m having it with you.” Winston lifted his chin. “You don’t wanna go there with me. I will do whatever I have to, to protect my relationship.”

  “Well.” Jonathan made a fist, mocking. “Deidra brings out the animal in you, huh? She’s a grown woman who makes her own decisions. If she wants to see me, then she’ll see me and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

  “Why am I getting so worked up?” Winston chuckled. “It’s obvious you’re the killer and doing this to throw Dee off her case.”

  “Oh, no.” Jonathan rubbed his buzz cut. “I’m a lover, not a killer. My interest in Deidra has nothing to do with the investigation.”

  “I’m warning you.” Winston rushed toward him. “Stay the hell out of our lives.”

  “Does Deidra love you?”

  Winston gaped, wondering what his angle was for the question. “Of course.”

  “Then why so upset?”

  “Because you can make her believe anything. That’s what you do with women isn’t it, Jonathan? You got self-esteem issues or something? Think a woman won’t want you unless you manipulate her and lock her in your compound?”

  He lowered his head, smirking. “These women beg for my attention.”

  “Yeah, because they’re brainwashed and can’t tell if they’re coming or going.”

  Jonathan passed a dirty look. “Most times they’re coming.”

  Winston grimaced at the lewd punch line. “That’s all women are to you? Just objects to keep for your pleasure?”

  “I love these women. I give them everything and I’m the only one who they can depend on. We’re a family.”

  “It’s a crock of shit.”

  “You don’t understand me at all do you, Detective? Let me show you something.” Jonathan went to the door. “Come on.”

  Winston followed Jonathan through the coral-pink hall enclosed in Victorian-style portraits, antique mirrors and garish fixtures.

  They turned a corner, the sound of women laughing and water splashing filled the hallway.

  Jonathan stopped at glass double-doors that led to the indoor pool.

  Winston pressed his hand to the glass, mesmerized by the oasis of feminine beauty.

  At least fifteen, stunning women of various races in white bikinis, splashed around in the square-shaped pool, a grand atrium above them.

  A black woman with braids laughed as she doused water onto two blonde women.

  Another group of women played with a beach ball at the other end of the pool.

  “It’s a sight, isn’t it?” Jonathan put his arm around Winston’s shoulders. “Every man’s dream, right?”

  Winston’s member throbbed as the women wrestled with each other, pulling at each other’s bathing suits.

  “I get to wake up to this view every single day,” Jonathan said. “They’re some of the most beautiful women you’ve ever seen, aren’t they?”

  Winston’s face muscles clenched, and he removed his hand from the glass.

  “Hey, it’s okay to be honest. What man wouldn’t want all the women he could have for himself?” Jonathan gestured toward the window. “Winston, they could be yours too.”

  “Get off me.” He knocked down Jonathan’s arm. “You’re sick.”

  “And, you’re hard.” He pointed to Winston’s crotch.

  “Dee’s the only woman I want.”

  “I’m just saying.” Jonathan looked at the women. “If you’re interested, I can make it happen. They do whatever I say, Winston. Look at them.”

  Winston kept his head low.

  “Don’t want to? Afraid you won’t be able to control yourself if one looked back at you?”

  One-by-one the women took notice of the stranger and abandoned their games.

  “Uh-oh.” Jonathan laughed. “Looks like they’ve noticed you. I should introduce you.”

  “Don’t bother and you’re wasting your time.” Winston stepped back. “This won’t work on me. You can’t manipulate everyone, Jonathan.”

  “You could have any one of them you want. Or all of them if you choose to and it would be between us.”

  Winston straightened the collar of his blazer. “Some men have scruples.”

  “Drop the martyr act. You’d fuck them if you were sure Deidra wouldn’t find out.”

  “No, you want me to do that so you can cause trouble between me and Dee, but it’s not gonna work.”

  “Hm.” Jonathan twiddled his fingers. “Tits and ass, tits and ass, tits and ass—”

  “Keep your women because I doubt they’d be able to handle me, anyway.”

  Jonathan cackled. “You might be wrong about that, Detective.”

  “It’s over, Jonathan.” Winston stabbed his finger at him. “Put your hands on Dee again and you’re going to see how far I’ll go.” He headed out the hall, bumping into Shauna.

  “Detective, leaving so soon?” She stuck out her bosom. “I was hoping you’d join us for a swim.”

  He scoffed, continuing on his way.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  “Hello, is this Mrs. Jacinta Witt?” Dee asked the woman on the phone as Connie sat on the edge of Dee’s desk.

  “Yes, it is,” the woman answered. “Who’s asking?”

  “Mrs. Witt, I’m Detective Dee Quarter from Baltimore. Homicide.”

  “Homicide?”

  “You have a son named LJ Witt, do you not?” Dee made eye contact with Connie.

  “Yes, I do.” Her voice shook. “Is something wrong?”

  “We caught up with a friend of LJ’s who gave us your name and number. We’re trying to contact LJ. Is he staying in Aurora, Illinois with you?”

  “I haven’t heard from LJ in at least twelve years.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t speak to my son, Detective. We fell out years ago. He left Aurora and that’s the last time I saw him.”

  Dee blew out a breath. “We heard he moved back to Illinois about a year ago because you were sick.”

  “Who told you that? I’ve never been sick. Did something happen to LJ?”

  Dee sighed, grabbing her pen. “He’s missing. The property manager of where he was staying said he told her he went to Illinois.”

  “If he’s back here, he hasn’t told me. I think that manager lied to you, Detective Quarter.”

  “That’s unfortunate.” Dee tapped the pen on the desk. “I’m sorry to bother you—”

  “Wait, shit. My son is missing? What’s going on?”

  “That’s what we’d like to know.” Dee gave Jacinta her contact information. “We’ll be in touch if we hear anything.”

  “I can’t believe this.” The woman’s breathing sped up. “Lord, please let him be all right. We didn’t get along, but that’s still my baby.”

  “We’re gonna do all we can to
sort this out, Mrs. Witt. Thanks for your time.” Dee hung up. “Holy shit.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She and LJ are estranged, and she hasn’t heard from him in years.”

  Connie scowled. “What?”

  “She’s never been sick either.”

  “People just don’t disappear into thin air.” Connie swung her legs. “Either LJ lied to Nelda, or she made the whole thing up.”

  Dee rubbed her mouth. “Only one way to find out.”

  Connie jumped off the desk. “Let’s go.”

  ****

  “His mother hasn’t heard from him?” Nelda sipped iced tea, face snow white. “That’s strange. I don’t know what to say.”

  Dee stood over her, gripping her holster. “Are you sure LJ told you from his own lips he was going to Illinois to be with his sick mother?”

  “Yes.” Nelda crossed her legs at the ankles, feet shaking. “Maybe he didn’t make it.”

  Connie glanced at Dee with upturned lips.

  “Detectives, why would I lie about LJ? I still don’t see what this has to do with Autumn’s murder.”

  “LJ and his mother are estranged,” Connie said. “It would make no sense for him to tell you he was going there.”

  “Well, he did.” Nelda’s voice rose at the end of the sentence. “I’m as confused as you two are.”

  “Do you understand what a big deal this is?” Dee asked. “LJ was your tenant, and he disappeared off the face of the earth it looks like.”

  Connie nodded. “And you told us something that doesn’t appear true.”

  “I didn’t tell a lie on purpose.” Nelda scooted to the end of her couch. “I wish I could help.”

  Dee rocked forward. “Mind going over when Grayson attacked you again?”

  Nelda’s head swiveled. “Excuse me?”

  “Tell us about when he attacked you,” Connie said. “Because it seems to be another thing that’s not adding up.”

  “Grayson Paul is a lunatic.” Nelda stood. “What else would you call someone who would hit a woman my age? You both were here when he came back. He was out of control. Why do I feel like the bad guy?”

  “Why would Grayson attack you?”

  “Isn’t it obvious, Detective Quarter?” Nelda’s mouth fell open. “He killed Autumn.”

  Dee sighed, scratching her cheek. “This just doesn’t look good for you, Nelda.”

  “You think I killed Autumn or something?”

  “You know something,” Connie said. “The smart thing would be to come clean.”

  “I’m not hiding a damn thing.” Her top lip trembled. “And, I’m not gonna let you accuse me of lying when all I was doing was trying to help. If you want anything else speak to my lawyer.”

  “It’s like that?”

  “Yes, Detective Quarter.” Nelda plopped on the couch. “It’s like that.”

  ****

  “Dee.”

  “Oh!” She turned from the cabinet in the station file room to see Winston standing in the door. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.”

  He smiled, pushing his hands in his pockets. “Sorry.”

  “Man.” Dee stooped over, exhaling. “What are you still doing here, anyway?”

  “I knew you were staying late.” He scooted on top of the table. “Stayed to surprise you.”

  She closed the cabinet, holding her breath as she looked at him. “Something you needed?”

  “I’m sorry for how I acted last night.”

  “You had every right to be upset.” She approached the table. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  “I wasn’t just hurt but scared.”

  “Scared?” She batted her eyes.

  “I can’t lose you, Dee.” He rubbed his thighs.

  “Sh.” She put her finger on his lips. “I love you.” She hugged him. “I won’t see Jonathan alone again.” She pulled away from him. “But, for the case I might have to go with Connie.”

  He nodded, exhaling. “I saw him earlier today.” He scratched his arm. “It’s easy to see how he sucks people in. He has a way of twisting things and he knows how to get to your vulnerabilities.”

  Dee crossed her arms. “Are you speaking from experience?”

  “Let’s say he tried to play mind tricks on me.” He wiggled his butt on the table. “But, he lost the battle.”

  “After this case...” She tugged on his button. “We can forget about Jonathan Wild.”

  “I hope so.” He brought her into his warm arms, his coconut cologne fascinating her.

  “I think Autumn’s murder starts and ends with Nelda.” Dee put her arm around his waist. “She’s lying her ass off.”

  “Well, you’ll crack the case.” He kissed her forehead. “You always do.”

  “Meanwhile, how about we go to my place and you make things up to me?”

  He snickered, kissing her. “Who’s making it up to who?”

  “I love you.” She stroked his cheeks. “Remember that even if I make a mistake.”

  He flinched, sticking in his neck. “Do you plan on making a mistake?”

  “No.” She hugged him, thoughts of Jonathan’s kiss sneaking into her head. “I need to make sure you’ll love me no matter what.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Five Days Later

  Dee and Connie strutted into the double-doors of Brown Landscaping and stopped at the receptionist’s desk.

  “Hello.” The bubbly brunette woman beamed. “You must be Detectives Quarter and Wilks.”

  “Hello,” Connie said. “Is Mr. Brown in?”

  “He’s expecting you. Just a second.” She lifted the receiver off her phone, pushed a button, and informed Brown of the officers’ arrival.

  Moments later the elevator dinged and a medium-built white man with a large belly stuffed in a plaid shirt and worn jeans, approached Dee and Connie.

  They exchanged introductions.

  “What can I do for you?” Mr. Brown squinted at Dee as if he couldn’t see.

  “We’re investing the murder of a young woman who lived in one of Hart Carroll’s rent homes,” Connie said.

  “Wow.” He stroked his chin, forehead lifting. “Okay.”

  “We found out you did backyard work at the home she used to stay in.” Connie told him the address. “Does that sound familiar?”

  “This would’ve been about a year ago,” Dee said.

  “Okay, let’s check.” Brown told the receptionist to find the information on the computer. “I have many crews so have to see who might’ve been in charge for a particular job.”

  She searched for a moment and then said, “Pablo and Cody supervised that job.”

  “Cody is no longer with us.” Brown pulled on his suspenders. “He died in a car accident about six months back.”

  “That’s horrible,” Dee said.

  “Pablo’s on a job now but let me call him.”

  Connie nodded. “We appreciate it.”

  Brown made the call and handed the phone to Connie.

  “Hello?” She put the phone on speaker. “Pablo?”

  “Yes.” His Spanish accent was so thick Dee couldn’t understand what he said.

  Connie said who she was and asked about the job they did at Autumn’s.

  “Yes, I remember,” Pablo spoke amongst drilling and hammering in the background. “We dug a space in the backyard for a garden. But, we never planted the garden.”

  “Excuse me?” Connie scrunched her face, suggesting she couldn’t understand him either.

  “We never planted the garden,” Pablo yelled as if that made his words clearer. “Mr. Carroll had us clear it out but never called us back to finish the work.”

  “And, this was about a year ago, right?” Dee asked.

  “Yes,” Pablo replied. “I’m about to leave the crew for break. I could go to the property and show you the space we cleared if you want.”

  “That would be great,” Connie said. “We’ll be there waiting for you.”
/>   ****

  Dee and Connie bumped into Winston after they returned to the station.

  “Did you check out that landscaping place?” he asked, holding a folder.

  “Yep.” Connie took her blazer off and hung it on the back of her chair. “They dug space for a garden about the same time LJ left but Carroll changed his mind and told them not to do the garden.”

  “It was in the backyard.” Dee sat and pushed her chair up to her desk. “The guy who did the job took us over there to see it.”

  “We’re betting the space wasn’t for a garden.” Connie gave Winston a suggestive look. “It was about three feet wide and eight feet long.”

  Winston gaped. “Those are grave measurements.”

  “Hm-mm.” Dee sipped her old coffee from that morning. “Ugh.” She licked the bitter liquid from her lips. “The plot thickens, huh?”

  “Literally,” Connie said.

  “Whoa.” Winston blinked. “So, LJ might be in that grave?”

  Dee nodded. “We have to get a warrant so we can dig up the backyard.”

  Winston looked through his folder. “It’s gonna be hard as hell to convince a judge LJ’s disappearance is connected to Autumn’s death without evidence.”

  “We’ll get that warrant.” Dee pulled a bag of cheesy chips out her drawer. “If I have to suck the judge’s dick to get it.”

  Winston smirked. “What if the judge is a woman?”

  She grinned, popping a chip into her mouth. “Then I might have to learn how to eat coochie.”

  “Dee.” Connie grimaced. “Gross.”

  ****

  A Week Later

  Nelda’s neighbor, Odina Kuri parked herself at the table in the interrogation room, face flushed with fear. “Thanks for agreeing to meet with me.”

  “Thanks for coming.” Dee and Connie sat across from her. “What did you wanna tell us?”

  “I lied when I said I witnessed Grayson Paul hit Nelda.” She lowered her voice, fingers trembling. “It never happened.”

  Dee exhaled, exchanging glances with Connie.

  “Nelda paid my cousin to hit her and make it look like Grayson did it.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Connie said. “Back up. What did you say?”

  “She paid my cousin Eddie to hit her so she could say Grayson did it.”