Damaged Page 5

  “I’m confused,” Connie said. “CeCe has a pattern of harassing women tenants yet Ms. Kachel doesn’t have an issue with that?”

  “She won’t do nothing because he’s her nephew.” She swept around the corner and the officers followed her.

  “What did you say?” Connie asked.

  The woman got the dustpan from her cart. “CeCe Babbitt is Ms. Kachel’s nephew and she’ll do all she can to protect him.”

  “Another piece of the puzzle, huh?” Connie glanced up at Winston.

  He nodded. “Time to have another talk with Ms. Kachel.”

  ****

  “This is ridiculous.” Ms. Kachel sat in her carpeted office, scratching underneath her blue and white headscarf. “I’m sick and tired of people making up stories about CeCe.”

  Winston looked over his notes. “So what Prisha, the cleaning lady and some of the other ladies said about CeCe being weird toward women isn’t true?”

  “God, he’s introverted.” Ms. Kachel rolled her eyes. “He works and when he comes home, he stays to himself. That’s why people think he’s weird.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with being an introvert,” Connie said. “I’m introverted but I don’t harass women.”

  Ms. Kachel jumped up, slapping her pale, wrinkled hands upon the desk. “My nephew does not harass women.” Her eyes narrowed. “He’s a man in his prime and he has a fondness of women. Since when is that wrong?”

  “You hid this from us,” Winston said. “We asked you if there was anything pertaining to Prisha we should know and you didn’t once mention this issue with your nephew. That’s a problem.”

  “All right.” She sat, sighing. “I should’ve told you but Prisha blew things out of proportion. He asked her out a few times that’s it. He wasn’t harassing her. I’m telling you people don’t like CeCe because he’s different.” Gray curls peeked from underneath the scarf. “CeCe is like a son. I raised him. My sister got married to some loser who beat the hell out of her and ran off when CeCe was ten. His no-good daddy didn’t want him so I got custody of him.” Her dainty nose dropped. “We’re all the family we’ve got, and I love him with all my heart.”

  “That’s no excuse for hiding this and your nephew has a shaky alibi during the time Prisha was killed,” Connie said.

  Ms. Kachel switched her eyes between the detectives. “Is he a suspect?”

  Connie scoffed as she followed Winston to the door. “We’ll let you know.”

  ****

  “I’m dead serious.” Lydia followed Sergeant Canary of the Broadville Port Police to his messy desk, fanning dust. “You don’t do something about Jonathan Wild then you’ll be sorry.”

  “Is that so?” Canary plopped himself into the squeaky chair, his blue uniform shirt squeezing his potbelly for dear life. “I don’t take to threats, Miss Quarter.” He unwrapped a greasy burrito. “Now, I understand this is your sister and you’re worried but there’s protocol to this.”

  “This is protocol?” She gestured to the burrito. “You stuffing your face like you got nothing better to do?”

  His eyes rolled skyward as he grabbed the half-empty bottle of hot sauce out the drawer. “I’ll tell you what I’ve told Detective Lewis, Captain Salinger, Jake Jenson and Lisa Swanson. As long as your sister says she wants to be with Jonathan Wild there’s nothing I can do.” He doused hot sauce on the burrito. “I need proof that she’s being held against her will.”

  “This man runs a cult for god’s sake. You’re not the least bit suspicious?”

  He chewed with greasy lips. “I can’t even get a warrant unless I have substantial evidence that there’s been a crime.”

  “Sergeant, please.” Lydia exhaled. “Jonathan is dangerous. Do you know a woman who used to be in his cult was murdered?”

  He gaped, chewing.

  “I don’t want that to be my sister.” She sobbed. “Please, can’t you go check on things again? Just go over there and see what you can find out.”

  “Miss Quarter, I sympathize with you but my hands are tied.” He dabbed his mouth. “There’s nothing I can do at this point.”

  She left, huffing.

  ****

  “You have a record,” Connie informed Charlie later that evening in the

  interrogation room. “Interesting thing to hide, huh?”

  “It’s not a record.” He pulled at the pencil behind his ear. “No charges were filed.”

  “You were arrested for assault.” Winston leaned over Charlie’s chair. “A woman said you slapped her in a bar.”

  “She was drunk as hell.” He held out his hands. “It was a misunderstanding. I didn’t hit her. I pushed her off me. She was the one who attacked me.”

  “I’d give you the benefit of the doubt if I hadn’t seen evidence of you abusing women myself.” Connie gripped her waist, over her gun belt. “I saw the bruise on Susan’s wrist.”

  “I didn’t do that!”

  “Then who did?” Winston sat on the table.

  Charlie acted as he’d speak then tightened his lips.

  “You should be ashamed of yourself,” Connie said.

  “You’re wrong.” He breathed through his nostrils. “I’d never hit a woman, and I didn’t kill Prisha.”

  Someone knocked on the door.

  “Come in.” Winston stood from the table.

  A redheaded, female officer entered. “His girlfriend is here and asking if you’re almost done.”

  “Get her in here.” Charlie nodded. “Yeah, ask Susan if I hit her.”

  “Which will prove nothing.” Connie squinted. “Most abuse victims won’t admit it’s happening.”

  “I’m not an abuser.” Charlie jumped out the seat.

  Winston marched toward him. “You better sit your ass down before I give you a real reason to be angry.”

  Charlie’s demeanor relaxed as he sat.

  Winston rocked, nostrils flaring. “I have a deep, deep disgust for women beaters. My mother is a domestic violence survivor.”

  “Please, get Susan in here,” Charlie said.

  Connie shrugged. “Bring her in,” she told the officer.

  The cop left and came back a minute later with Susan.

  “Charlie.” She rushed to him and they locked hands. “Why do you have him here?”

  Winston gripped his holster. “We found out he was arrested for assaulting a woman.”

  “That was a mistake.” Susan closed her eyes. “Charlie went to a bar and a drunk woman attacked him and things got blown out of proportion.”

  “What about your wrist?” Connie pointed to it. “I noticed the bruise the first time I saw you.”

  Susan looked at the fading bruise and then at Charlie. “Charlie never laid a finger on me in violence.”

  He smiled.

  “I fell in the garage.” She lowered her arm, avoiding eye contact. “I hit my wrist on something. I don’t remember.”

  Connie shook her head.

  “It’s the truth, Detectives,” Susan said. “Charlie loves me and he didn’t kill Prisha either if that’s what you’re thinking. Can he go?”

  Winston sighed, rubbing his curls. “Yeah.”

  Charlie glared at the detectives as he shuffled to the door.

  Connie grabbed Susan’s arm as she passed. “If you need someone to talk to, call me anytime,” she whispered.

  “I appreciate that.” Susan showed a tense smile. “But, I’m fine, Detective Wilks.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  A Week Later

  “Knock, knock.”

  Winston looked up from the computer in his office at the police station, his eyes settling on the gorgeous brunette in the skintight, aqua-blue jumpsuit and white pumps.

  “Hey.” Shauna sashayed inside, her curves swerving from left to right.

  He groaned. “To what do I owe this surprise?”

  She slinked to his desk and leaned over. “You wanna see Dee?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”


  “Rena is having her thirty-first birthday this Friday. Jonathan goes all out for his parties so it’ll be something else.”

  “What does this have to do with me?”

  “Well.” Shauna rocked her head, watching him underneath her sweeping lashes. “He invited me and said I could bring a companion and I chose you.”

  A grin eased onto Winston’s lips. “I’m not sure Jonathan would be too happy about that.”

  “It was his idea.” She walked around the office, giving Winston a chance to check out her voluptuous ass. “He wants to throw he and Dee’s relationship in your face.”

  “Sounds like Jonathan to a T. If that’s the case why should I give him the satisfaction?”

  “Because you’ll see Dee and you want that more than anything.”

  “I’m tired of going over there and banging my head into the wall and still coming home without Dee.”

  “But, you love her.” She approached the desk again. “In The Circle, love is eternal. It should be like that in this world too. Besides...” She lowered her zipper, exposing her cleavage. “I can keep Jonathan busy while you whisk Dee off in private. You and Dee could have a good, long talk.” She stood back, clutching her backside. “Maybe you can persuade her to leave him if you get her alone.”

  “Why are you doing this? I still don’t buy that it’s just to get revenge on Jonathan.”

  She held a catlike grin. “There could be other reasons.”

  “Like what?”

  She licked her lips, adding sheen to her red lipstick. “Time will tell.”

  ****

  “He’s coming.” Shauna drifted through the freezing aisles of Jonathan’s plant lab. “You thought he’d say no?”

  He turned from the table as Shauna walked out the aisle. “Good girl.”

  “Hopefully during this party, Winston and I can get closer. The closer we get, the more I can find out. We talked , and he doesn’t give an inch but he very much thinks you killed Prisha.”

  “Did he say anything else about the case?”

  “No. He doesn’t trust me but I’ll break that wall.” She smiled. “And, it’ll be fun trying.”

  “I need to find out what he’s planning concerning Deidra. That’s what’s important.”

  “How are things between you and Deidra?” She raised her chin. “Trouble in paradise?”

  “No.” He held a plastered smile that suggested bluffing. “She’s fitting in well.”

  “I heard she hasn’t been consummated yet.” Shauna grinned, mockingly. “Is that true? It’s been three months and you haven’t had sex with her yet? What’s the hold up?”

  “Nothing.” He groaned.

  “Doesn’t she love you?” She laughed. “Course she doesn’t. Jonathan’s Web is what loves you.”

  He scrunched his face.

  “Maybe you need to up her dosage and she’ll open her legs.”

  “Shut up.” He replaced the slide on the microscope. “I’ll have Dee, and she’ll be my Head Mistress.”

  “What?” Shauna curled her fingers into fists. “It took me years to be Head Mistress, and I was the first to join The Circle.”

  “You’re not Deidra. I told you she’s special.”

  “And, I wasn’t?” She stuck out her bosom. “I will become a part of The Circle again and I’ll be Head Mistress.”

  He laughed. “Will you?”

  She stomped to the doorway. “Watch me.”

  ****

  Friday night, Dee wandered through Jonathan’s crowded ballroom as the guests danced and ate, celebrating Rena’s birthday.

  In her white, off-the-shoulder dress with the snug bodice, Dee sat at the center table, wondering if anyone could notice her apprehension.

  The women of The Circle stood around the massive room in various styles of white gowns while Jonathan entertained a group of flirtatious women.

  After he pried himself from the beauties, he walked up behind Dee’s chair and gripped her shoulders. “Miss me?”

  She faked a smile, touching the white satin bow that accented her hair bun. “You seem to be having fun.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” He sat in the designated chair beside her as if he were a king. “It’s a party isn’t it?”

  Dee watched Rena dancing with her curves looking amazing in the white gown with the long train.

  “This means the world to her,” Jonathan said. “Not just the party but because you’re here. She’s grown so close to you.”

  “She’s become a great friend.” Dee sighed, gazing at the centerpiece of white and yellow flowers lit by a strand of lights.

  Jonathan leaned into her smelling of the pineapple drink he’d been nursing all night. “What’s wrong?”

  She touched his ruby ring. “I don’t know.”

  “I want you to always be honest with me.” He tapped her nose. “How can I help you if you’re not?”

  She lowered her head, chandelier earrings tapping her cheeks. “I feel like I don’t belong here. Something’s off.”

  Jonathan grimaced.

  “Like there’s a hole inside me and something’s missing.”

  A vein throbbed in his neck. “That’s not very reassuring.”

  “I hope I haven’t offended you.”

  “What are you saying? That you wanna leave?”

  “No.” She grabbed his arm. “I’m just confused.”

  “You’re a part of us. Then again...” He let her chair go. “Maybe this is because you haven’t given yourself to the cause. You’ve been resistant.”

  She became tense. “Sex again?”

  “Giving your body to me means giving it to all of us.”

  “I want to but something’s holding me back.” She fought tears. “Like it’s wrong.”

  “How can it be wrong if you love me?” He turned her toward him. “Fate brought you here to be with me. You weren’t happy in your other life.”

  “That’s not true.”

  His voice rose, but the music prevented others from hearing it. “What’s changed?”

  “I don’t know.” She put her palms over her face, sobbing. “Now you’re mad at me. This is why I didn’t want to say anything.”

  “I’m not mad,” he whispered, pulling down her hands. “I’m frustrated because I’ve given you everything and nothing’s enough. Just tell me what else I can do, Deidra.”

  She wiped her eyes with a napkin, careful not to mess up her makeup. “I guess I’m scared.”

  “Don’t be.” He kissed her hand. “Look around.” He pointed to the people. “They’re smiling and having fun. No doubts. Look at the women of The Circle. Happier than ever. They gave everything to The Circle and never looked back. Once you do that, you’ll understand you’ve done the right thing.”

  She caught sight of Shauna and the gorgeous, curly-haired man beside her at the doorway. His red shirt made his blue eyes even more dashing if that were possible.

  “God.” Dee dropped her napkin on the lavender tablecloth. “What is this?”

  Shauna flounced around, clutching Winston’s arm. The peach jersey dress with a deep waist fit tight around her large bust and then flowed out at the hips, making her curves even more noticeable.

  “Um.” Dee batted her eyes. “Am I seeing things here?”

  “Ah, yes.” Jonathan smiled. “I offered an olive branch to Winston.”

  Shauna took Winston to the food table where they scanned the elegant snacks made of ingredients from Jonathan’s garden.

  “Why on earth would you do that?” Dee’s blood pressure rose. “What are you up to, Jonathan?”

  “Nothing. You wanted me to give Shauna another chance, so I invited her to the party. She wanted to bring Winston.” He shrugged a shoulder. “I’m tired of the fighting and want a truce.”

  “Bull. You want to shove our relationship in his face.”

  He grabbed a fat strawberry out the fruit bowl. “Why are you so suspicious of my motives?”

  “You hate
Winston and gloating’s the only reason you’d tolerate him.” Dee groaned as Shauna pushed a cracker in his mouth. “This is a party and how am I gonna have fun with them here?”

  “Why is it uncomfortable having Winston here?”

  “I don’t trust him.” She crossed her legs. “Just like you have a motive for letting him come, he has one for being here. Believe me.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Shauna rambled about the party decorations but Winston’s mind remained on the sexy black woman at the center table who outshined every other beauty in the room.

  “I’m not that impressed.” Shauna bit into a cracker with vegetable spread on top of it. “The decorations look kind of childish.”

  Winston stared at Dee as Jonathan whispered something in her ear.

  “Winston?” Shauna snapped her fingers, breaking his trance. “I’m not used to being ignored.”

  “She looks amazing.” Tiny drops of sweat formed on the back of his neck.

  Shauna turned in Dee’s direction. “She has on a white dress with a bow in her head. So?”

  “She’s the most beautiful woman in here.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far.” Shauna chewed. “Well, you’re here and I made it happen.” She touched his cheek. “I hope you’ll remember that.”

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the table, causing her to stumble.

  “Hey, I have on heels.” Shauna struggled as they stopped in front of Jonathan and Dee.

  “Hey, Dee.” Winston licked his lips. “You look great.”

  “Why are you here?”

  “Deidra.” Jonathan chuckled. “Don’t be rude to our guests.”

  “I wasn’t aware that my presence would upset you.” Winston stared at her diamond necklace, wishing his hand could replace it. “Shauna invited me.”

  “And, you jumped to come, right?” Dee asked. “Why would you want to be here? You don’t even know Rena.”

  “Deidra, retract the claws,” Shauna said. “You’re with Jonathan now, right? So why should you care if Winston is here?” She put her arm around his waist. “Does it bother you he’s here with me?”

  “I couldn’t care less.” Dee stood, grabbing her dress as she moved from the table. “I’m going to the garden. I need a breather.”