Dancing In Darkness (13 page)

As he sat her down, she wrapped her arms around his neck and asked him to hold her. With more tenderness in his voice than she had ever heard, he told her, “Absolutely.”

When they both had caught their breath and regained their bearings, he held her and kissed her. She had offered so much of herself to him simply to make him happy. He knew what he had to do soon. “Thank you.” He told her. “Thank you for doing this for me.”

“I did it for us. The both of us.” She admitted. “Is it normal for me to be so exhausted?” She asked him. She was afraid that she had been a failure.

“Yes it is. Very much so. You use a lot of energy and pull on those restraints.” He explained.

“Oh, okay, I thought I had done something wrong or that I wasn’t cut out for this.” She said.

“Oh baby, you are more than cut out for this. Maybe not on a regular basis, but we have a lot of avenues to explore.” He told her with love in his voice.

“For now, let’s get you up to bed. You need to rest. Is your bottom okay or do you want me to rub some lotion into it for you?” He asked genuinely concerned.

“I’m okay, thank you.” She smiled at him.

Scooping her up off the sofa he carried her out of the room. She started to protest because she was still naked.

“Relax, no one will see anything between here and the bedroom.” He assured her. He walked out the door and turned the opposite direction than they had come in. He carried her past the stage and past the dressing room. In the very far end she could now see the panel that presumably held an elevator to the bedroom. She was going to have to learn all of these tricks and hidden passages.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

In a small interrogation room at the downtown precinct, Detectives Ward and Tony were in the process of questioning Michael Lange about the attempted kidnapping of Abi Martinez and the murders of Zena Wilkins, Diamond Jacquere and Megan Dryer. He had readily admitted that it could have been misconstrued as an attempted kidnapping, but stated it was only to rob her of her bag and not actually kidnap anyone. He vehemently denied anything to do with the murders. He didn’t know who any of the women were or where they worked. Nothing about them. He also said that he had no clue the woman he tried to rob was in any way related to the deaths.

“Mr. Lange, if you are going to get your attorney we will hold off on questions until he or she arrives.” Tony told him.

“I can’t afford an attorney.” He muttered.

“Then you can sit until you see a judge on Monday morning. If you qualify, they will appoint one to you.” She continued. “I need to ask you again and you need to be honest with us, it will be in your best interest.”

“Look, I’m telling you, I have a drug problem. I tried to rob the woman because she had a designer bag and I thought she would have cash. I didn’t want to kidnap that woman, not at all, and I for damn sure didn’t kill anyone or anything like that.” He looked confused and genuinely upset.

Detective Ward broke in, “Of course you didn’t kill anyone. Especially these three women, am I right?”

“Yeah, you are. I’m telling you, all I wanted was a little cash. Lock me up. I didn’t try to fucking kidnap that woman and I didn’t kill the other three. Holy shit, you people are thick in the head.” He was beginning to get angry.

The downside to the night, was that he was telling the truth about being an addict. There were multiple arrests and convictions on misdemeanor drug charges, along with a few theft charges. There was nothing that would implicate him in three serial homicides, threatening another possible victim and trying to kidnap yet another.

“You’re going to be a guest of the county again for a while, Mr. Lange. Everything has to check out with you. Since you are being arrested and charged with three counts of homicide, one count of attempted kidnapping, you might want to consider finding a way to acquire an attorney. We can contact the Public Defender’s office if you like.” Ward went on.

Beth Tony was tired of playing with this kid tonight. She called the uniformed officer in to take him back to holding. He would get a cell in the morning at some point. She needed to get some sleep, Ward needed to get some sleep but he appeared to be wide awake at the moment. There was nothing else they could do, until the kid had an attorney. With the seriousness of the charges she wasn’t concerned with him getting bail and if he did, he wouldn’t be able to make it anyway, after all, he had tried to rob the woman of her bag.

Something in the back of her mind was eating at her. She didn’t think this kid was lying. There was no way that she wanted her name associated with a false arrest, but for right now, if they put it out on the news that they had indeed captured the killer, maybe it would lure the actual killer out to where he thought he was safe. All they needed for him to do was mess up without killing someone. One fingerprint, one anything. Several months after the first homicide and they had no greater knowledge than they had before.

Beth Tony got into her car to go home. She hadn’t seen her family in almost two days. Leaving before they were awake and returning after they were in bed. There was something about this case that wasn’t right. She was determined to find out. Priscilla Barnes would need to be notified that she might not be out of the woods just yet.

As the sun came up over the gardens at the Linston Estate, Priscilla was sitting on the patio enjoying a cup of coffee. Contemplating how her life had changed overnight. She went from struggling to surviving, to living in the lap of luxury. It was something that she could get used to, but would never lose sight of where she came from. Now that the killer was behind bars, she was going to have Adam take her home today. She didn’t want to leave him. But she had been here only for protective reasons. There was no logical reason why she couldn’t. Something told her this was not going to play out very well.

“Good morning, love.” He said as he walked out to join her.

“Good morning.” She smiled.

“Did you sleep well last night?” He winked at her already knowing the answer.

“Yes, yes I did.” She couldn’t hide the grin or the flush in her face.

There was no better time than the present to get a heavy subject out in the open, she took a deep breath and started to speak.

“I need you to take me home today, Adam.” She said quietly.

He looked at her, stunned, but aware that this moment was going to happen sooner or later.

“If that’s what you want, I can do that.” He answered. “You don’t have to go if you do not want to however. I mean, just because this mess is over, doesn’t mean that we have to be.”

“I’m not saying that we have to be over. All I am saying is that I have my home and you have your home and I am way out of my league here.” She was honest.

“What? Out of your league? Last night you weren’t out of your league. All of the other nights you weren’t out of your league. I don’t understand what this is all about.” He started to sound upset.

“I’m not from here. This is an amazing home you have and it’s absolutely beautiful. My home, is a small apartment that would fit in your bathroom. I can’t just stay here. I have a job. I’m a stripper, remember, that’s where you found me to hire me.” She replied.

“I know you didn’t go there.” He snapped. “If I didn’t want you around, you wouldn’t be around. I don’t pick up just anyone. I might have hired you to dance, but you damn sure wouldn’t have stayed, and I do not give one fuck that you are a stripper, Quit belittling yourself.

She looked down at the ground beneath her and closed her eyes. “This wasn’t supposed to be a fight. I just want to go home.”

“Fine, gather your things and I will take you whenever you are ready.” He told her. “I think you should know something first. I love you, Priscilla. I love you.”

As he said the words he long said he wouldn’t use, he turned and walked away. The tears began to flow from her eyes. She knew that she loved him also, she couldn’t make herself say it.

Quietly retreating back to the room that they had shared for all of these nights, she looked around and realized that nothing here was hers. It was to the extent that they had purchased it for her, there was nothing for her to pack. She turned the water on and stepped into the shower. Leaning against the wall she allowed the tears to flow. In here, she was alone and no one would see her. When she had cried herself out and shut off the water, she made herself as presentable as she could. It was time for her to leave. Fighting with everything she had to hold those feelings at bay, it was useless. She loved this man. Completely.

Adam walked through the house like he was on a mission. He was focused and had one thing in mind. If she was going to leave, she was not going to forget where he had been. Of course he would try to talk sensibly with her first.

Meeting him on the stairs as she was returning to the main living room, he stopped in his tracks. “Why won’t you consider staying?”

“I have considered staying and I chose to return home. It doesn’t mean that we can’t see each other, it only means that I will be living full time at my place. You are welcome there and I will come visit you, but living arrangements were never meant to become permanent residency.” She snipped.

“I suggest you watch your tone. You are free to do as you wish, but you won’t talk to me with that attitude.” He looked at her and she could see the iris’ darken in color.

“I didn’t do a damn thing to you. All I wanted was to go home to my world now that this monster was caught.” She told him, her voice toned down.

“Are you ready?” He asked her, changing his mind in regards to his earlier plan.

“Yes sir, I am.” She said knowing it would affect him.

As they drove back into the city they sat silently. Neither of them offering any argumentative material. Blue skies and puffy white clouds made for a picture perfect day. There was no point ruining that. This trip seemed shorter than their other ventures into the city. Whether it was due to the fact that neither of them truly wanted to part ways or he had drove faster than usual. He parked the car in the lot and they both stepped out.

“I’m going to walk you up to be safe.” He was the first to speak.

“That’s fine.” She acquiesced.

Opening the door to her apartment she could smell the odor a place took on when it was closed up for a lengthy time. She would have to open the windows and doors to air it out. He walked in immediately after her, this time checking everywhere for something amiss. When he was satisfied that the apartment was clear of danger, he crossed the room to her. She felt the weight of his hand on her shoulder and it sent a warmth coursing through her body. Turning her to face him, he leaned down and kissed her. “I meant it Priscilla, I love you. It’s fast I know, but I do.” He told her when his lips had parted from hers.

“Adam.” Was all she that she could manage.

“If you need anything at all, please call me right away. I’ll text and call you soon. I’m going to miss you Priscilla.” The sincerity plainly clear.

“I’m going to miss you too.” She whispered.

Closing the door behind him, she plopped onto the sofa. Her heart hurt and her head hurt. All she wanted was to be with him and yet here she was in this apartment.

Smiling to himself from the parking lot, the man in the Honda had went unnoticed as he pulled in behind them and parked the car. Now, he would wait. She would know what it felt like to suffer tonight. What she wouldn’t know, is that she would never have been targeted at all until she went to work at Nina’s. Even more exhilarating would be the look on her face when she recognized him. His plan had been flawless. She was at home and alone while an innocent kid sat in jail for murders he didn’t commit.

Watching the Mercedes pull away from the apartment complex he shook his head. “This really should not be this easy.” He thought to himself.

Priscilla went about opening the windows and the door to let some fresh air in to the closed up apartment. For the first time in a long time she had her music on and felt a wave of happiness wash over her. She knew that she had to call Nina to let her know she was home and to find out if she was going to reopen for the night. “Relax for a minute,” She was telling herself.

With the music blaring some Maroon 5 throughout the apartment, she barely heard the ringing of the phone.

“Hello? One second let me turn the music down, I can’t hear.” She answered it. “Okay, sorry, hello?”

Detective Mike Ward had called to check up on her, she considered it a thoughtful gesture on his part, considering the last interaction they had.

“Ms. Barnes, I want to offer my apologies for our last meeting. It was a stressful day for all involved and I let it get the better of me.” He offered her the apology.

“No worries,” She told him. “We all have bad days and those were exceptionally bad for everyone.”

“Will you be staying at your place now or still going to be out at the Linston Estate?” He questioned her casually.

“I’ll be here at my place. No reason for me to intrude anywhere else at the moment. Since you and Det. Tony have the man responsible.” She told him. “It was such a relief to know that it was over. Did he give any indication why he did this?”

“No, he’s declaring his innocence, but we all understand that everyone is innocent.” He said with a hint of disdain in his voice.

“Hopefully it will come out, I know how you feel about ‘strippers’ but we aren’t all like that. Those were good girls trying to support themselves and their families. It makes me sad to know that they are gone for no reason.” The sorrow filling her words.

“Alright, I wanted to check on you and offer my apologies.” He replied. “If you need anything do not hesitate to contact myself or Det. Tony.”

“Thank you. Good bye.” As she hung up the phone she thought it was nice of him to at least offer a somewhat half-assed apology. She knew what he thought about her, but it wasn’t very professional to come out and say it.

“Might as well call Nina while the music is off.” She said to no one.

With the phone ringing and no answer, she waited for it to go to voicemail. She wanted to at least touch base with her to let her know where she was. “Hey Nina, its Priscilla. Wanted to let you know that I am at home now. Was wondering if you were going to open tonight and if I should go ahead and come in. You know, try to get back to some kind of normalcy. Anyway, call me when you get this. Love ya. Bye.” Hanging up the phone she wondered why Nina hadn’t answered. She always answers. Oh hell…maybe she’s finally freaking relaxing after this mess. Priscilla could see the hurt in her eyes every time they were together. Three of her girls that she thought of as adopted daughters were gone. Ripped away unnecessarily.

Priscilla went on with her day, cleaning out the refrigerator where food had been left when she fled from the apartment. The milk curdling in the container and a few other things that had become alien life forms, adding a grocery trip to her list of things to do. Adam Linston kept crawling through her mind, it didn’t matter what she was doing he was all she could think of. She knew that she was going to have to share her feelings with him one day. Priscilla Barnes, like it or not, had fallen in love.