When the sun set, and it was late into the evening, I came back from the underworld and tended to Nat. The opportunity to enjoy a bath had passed but having some compassion, I took her a packet of crackers, a wet wash rag, and her bucket.
Chapter Eleven
Natalie
It stunk bad in the room and my back was stiff from sitting against the wall, but I refused to mess up the bed with the stench that covered me since it was the only haven I had at that moment.
The wait killed me, but I knew he would return at some point. He always did, and I would remain sitting directly across from the door until he did. I wanted him to know he could degrade me, but I would still stand strong until the bitter end.
The mental pep talk ran through my mind over and over until finally the door screeched open. My resolve was solid.
We faced each other, me from my place on the floor and him from the doorway. The fight for power sizzled between us.
The repulsion was written all over his face.
I’m sure I looked a mess, but at that point, what did I care?
Survival.
I cared about survival.
The bucket swinging from his hand caught my attention. It was a small win when the contents had spilled all over him, but then I stared at it, ominously, wondering how he would retaliate.
He released it to the floor where it landed with a bang, breaking the silence. He kicked it away from him. “For you if you choose.”
I waited until he left and then crawled to the bucket, relieved at being able to release my bladder again. Inside was a surprise, a packet of crackers and a wet wash rag. Carefully, I pulled the crackers out, grateful that they were still sealed in the package, and not considering where they came from, ripped them open only to realize how dirty my hands were. Using the wash rag, I washed my hands, my face, then finally my hands, and when I was as clean as I could be, I dove into the crackers.
There was a small balance between the strength and energy the measly food I was given provided, but I needed things to keep my mind going, or I’d let it fall into a dark spot, and I would give into it. I used the time alone to walk about the room, and do sit ups and pushups, expelling some of the energy I had but knowing that if I was going to ward Duke off, I needed to maintain my stamina. This was turning into a long game.
I resumed my position on the floor opposite the door and dozed in and out of consciousness, remembering the first time I met Duke and actually thought he was a good guy.
Silent tears ran down my cheeks at how far we’d come.
THE DREARY DAY HAD finished with an onslaught of rain, and I ran from the taxi to the entrance of the bar, covering my head with a loose newspaper that had been laying in the backseat of the car, trying to keep my hair and makeup intact.
I shook the water off, and one glimpse around the large space showed that it would be a hopping night.
It was already in full swing for my group of friends, and they waved me over. The six of us gals had been together since college after having all lived in the same dorm our first year. Our group had expanded with all but two of us in serious relationships. Alyssa’s and my turn would come hopefully sooner rather than later.
The penetrating eyes from the stranger across the dance floor, weaving in and out of my vision depending on how the dancers were moving, sent a shiver of excitement down my spine.
Our eyes would meet, his gaze intense and mine inviting, and when his arm came around my waist from behind when my group was cutting loose on the dance floor, I thought I would melt right into him.
Chapter Twelve
Duke
The angry feeling was dissipating when I checked on Natalie only to be provoked again by how she sat and stared, begging me to take her on. She needed to submit to what was happening, before she’d be able to have more. I’d give her more, and this experience wouldn’t be so terrible. There wasn’t time to deal with her shenanigans when things with Morton were about to go down.
After I returned from my meeting, I’d see if Natalie was ready to try cleaning up again without any challenges; in the meantime, I needed to get to town.
Tara was waiting at the booth, skimming the menu with a steaming cup of coffee. It had been years since I’d seen Tara, the last time being when she was a newbie to the team. She’d been green, and I really had no time for that. Then she was a seasoned vet, and rumor had it, craftier than harsh men. Ruthless to the max. The exact type of person I needed to bait Morton.
I slide into the booth opposite Tara. She lowered the menu enough to glance over the top to confirm who had joined her. Despite her hardened reputation, time had been good to her, and if we were meeting under different circumstances, I could imagine seeing her socially and taking her home with me.
“Duke,” she greeted me, putting the menu down and giving a nod of acknowledgement. All business. Exactly what I needed. No nonsense and straight to the point.
“Tara,” I gave her the same greeting.
We made small talk while we waited for our food to arrive, and after a few bites in silence, we got down to it.
“I was surprised and intrigued by your call. What are you up too?” she asked, leaning forward on the table, closing the space between to make our conversation more intimate.
I began, “You remember the Lipstick Killer?”
“That case went cold after you were taken off of it, right? I was new to the team and didn’t have much to do with that one,” she said, recalling the details she remembered from it.
“I’ve been working on it on the side.”
“All these years?” She raised her eyebrow in question, and I nodded to confirm that I had indeed been working on it for many years. “I heard through the grapevine that you’ve been working underground,” she added, and I nodded again.
“I got a huge lead that could blow this thing wide open, but I need help.”
“Ah. That’s where I come in.”
“Exactly. I need someone who is still connected, and well, tough and female.”
“What do you have in mind?” she asked, and I shared with her the lead that led me to Morton and how I met with him and put into motion the dealings that would hopefully gain us access to his lair, where if we were lucky, there would be evidence to connect him to the victims. She knew that I had a personal connection in the case. It was written all over her face as she listened. It was part of the reason I couldn’t, and didn’t, give up on it even after being taken off of it because what drove me to find the madman came from a dark and hard place, and facts and my own emotions became too intermixed to distinguish between.
“You need bait? Someone who’d interest a retired murderer and to tempt him into taking one last thrill,” she commented, sitting back in her seat with her arms crossed, considering the proposition.
“Someone who can hold her own, so they don’t become the next victim,” I corrected her, banking on the fact she’d like the thrill of it too and, as a woman understand my need to finish it right.
“I’m intrigued. You’ve definitely piqued my curiosity. Let me do a little digging, and I’ll get back to you.” It was exactly what I’d hoped she’d say, and we agreed to meet again soon to work out the details.
Chapter Thirteen
Natalie