Heart of Fire (3 page)

“Nope, I want to drink and dance.  I want to forget about the case, the outside world and just have some fun for once,” she said avoiding eye contact, but her own pain was apparent and she knew if she stood there and allowed herself to get caught off guard she would tell Danni everything about her and the pain that had been building in her stomach since the day she returned, would turn into panic and it would all be over.  All her secrets would be out and her life would be over as she knew it.

CHAPTER FOUR

By midnight, Danni dug in her pocket for what change she had left.  She ordered her last drink for the night.  She could feel the effects of the alcohol run through her veins.  Dizzy with drink, the beams of lights that shined from the ceiling and the base that pounded into her chest urged her to commit to dance.  She stormed through the floor of sweaty youths, which ground against one another.  She could feel her pulse quicken when Annabel came up from behind her and matched her rhythm, she attempted to pull away, but was held in place. 

“Dance with me,” Annabel purred in her ear, her voice raspy and enticing, Danni leaned in and let her lead the way.

As their bodies connected, she felt the excitement build in her and had to fight off the urge to kiss her.  Danni’s drunken state ceased when Annabel moved in closer and locked eyes with her, before Danni knew what was happening their lips were connecting.  Instinctively Danni parted her lips and allowed the kiss to increase.  First gently, then with a little force, Annabel pulled her closer.  They moved together like a body of water, its fluidity deliberate as though choreographed.  The room became hot and thick with sweat and rhythm.  Danni could not take anymore.  It had been years since she allowed herself to desire another woman.  With a gentle nudge she urged Annabel off the floor and out of the club into her car.  She was not thinking, only feeling the need to make love to her. 

“I want you,” the velvety words escaped as she nibbled on Danni’s ear.  The electricity between them overpowered the need for comfort.  Danni pulled into a parking lot and put the seat back and pulled Annabel onto her lap, she could feel her heart race against her own and it excited her even more.  She moved her hand down into Annabel’s jeans and gasped when the wet center beneath the folds greeted her.  She could feel the velvety center pulsate as she stroked in and out.  Her nerve ending were on the edge and she couldn’t wait any longer, she took Annabel’s hand in her own and slid it into her own pants directing her fingers over her swollen mound.  As soon as she felt Annabel’s walls constrict, she placed her thumb over the swollen clit and massaged harder, soon her own body stiffened as if on command as the orgasm ripped through her.  It was like nothing she felt before and she didn’t want it to stop. 

The phone blared, Danni sat erect, startled by the ringing phone.  She looked around.  Her heart pounded from the vivid memories.  Then it occurred to her.  It was all a dream.  What the hell? Danni thought getting out of the bed.  She paced the room for a few moments, trying to make sense out of it, it all seemed so real.  Danni paused long enough to steady her breathing, and then grabbed the phone and dialed Annabel’s number.  The phone rang several times and just before she was going to close it, a scratchy voice came across on the other end.

“Hey, did I wake you up?” Danni asked cautiously. 

“Yeah, but it’s okay, what up?”

“I don’t remember much about last night.  How did I get home?” Danni needed to know but was afraid of the answer.

“Oh.”  Annabel laughed.  “You were pretty drunk,” she gulped to avoid giving her a hard time.  “I offered to drive you home, but you said no and called a cab.”

“Shit,” Danni scratched her head trying to recall the night. 

“Did I do anything I should know about or apologize for anything.”

“No, you danced with a few people and when some girl Stacy tried to walk you out the door with her, you pulled back and walked away,” Annabel explained, how the girl stood there disappointed, and then stormed off after Danni took her by the hand and whispered save me, and then drug her out onto the dance floor for the rest of the night.

“Oh did I now?” Danni laughed as she tried to visualize it.

“Yup, you sure did,” she laughed.  “By the way, what time you want me to pick you up?”

“Come again?”

“Your car silly, you asked me last night to pick you up to get your car today.”

“My car?  Shit!” Danni repeated feeling overwhelmed by the dream.  “Um, I can get a cab.  I don’t want to be a bother.”

“No, I said I would take you and I will.  Give me ten minutes to get dressed and I will be right over.”  Annabel was not taking no for an answer and hung up before Danni could object further.

Danni paced back and forth.  The images flashed before her, she could still feel the soft lips upon hers.  The throbbing between her legs still lingered.  She had to shake the image before Annabel showed up, how could she look at her in the face if all she could see was her eyes piercing her own, the lips she so wanted to touch and kiss.  Danni could never allow anything like that to happen between them.  She looked at herself in the mirror.  Shit, get it out of your mind, Danni Marie Pacelli! she scolded herself; besides what would Annabel want with someone my age?  She is young, beautiful and can have anyone she wants. 

Danni recalled how the other women in the bar salivated over the young detective and remembered being one of those women.  How could she not?  Annabel wore an attractive form fitted pair of jeans and a tank top; her cleavage slightly exposed which showed the bronze colored tan.  Her hair was fixed and curled and the light eye makeup made her blue eyes sparkle and her lips colored a soft peach, Danni had imaged several times that night if her lips tasted as good as they looked. 

She had to scold herself several times through the evening.  It upset her when women would send Annabel drinks, or ask her to dance.  Danni could feel the jealousy build.  She had to fight the urge to walk up to them and tell them to back off.  Danni knew she had no right to feel that way.  She had to keep reminding herself that she was her partner, and as her partner, she needed to keep that distance.  But, now she was dreaming of her, Danni knew she was in trouble.  She would have to find a way to work through her attraction and keep it only business and, she would need to avoid the club when Annabel was there. 

The doorbell rang, Danni felt like a school girl as she ran down the stairs.  She had to stop herself in mid-stream to take took a deep breath and run her fingers through her hair.  I can do this, she convinced herself as she opened the door with a smile.  However, she did not expect to find Annabel on the other end wearing a pair of tight shorts and a fitted T-shirt, and then there were those blue eyes.  Danni immediately looked away and fought to regain her composure.

“You going to let me in, or are we going to stand out here all morning?” Annabel inquired half smiling as she chuckled.

“Shit, sorry, come on in.  I’m almost ready,” she sighed trying not to look stupider than she felt at that moment.  “I was about to brush my teeth.”  Avoiding eye contact, she led the way in.  “Make yourself comfortable I’ll only be a few more minutes,” she added and disappeared out of the room and down the hall.

Annabel looked around the living room admiring all the family pictures, but the one on the mantel caught her attention.  It was a much younger version of Danni in her official police uniform.  Annabel concluded it must have been taken right out of the academy.  She smiled and traced the picture with her fingers.  This is the officer I remember she thought, and she is still as beautiful as she was then.  If you only knew Danni, the crush I had on you, she kissed the picture and just as she placed it back, she heard the door to the bathroom open.  She didn’t want Danni to think she was snooping, so she quickly found a seat on the leather couch. 

“Ready,” she heard Danni’s voice come from the other room. 

“Hey Pacelli,” she raised her voice to be heard.  “I was thinking after we go get your car we could follow up on a few of the leads we have.

“Which ones?” Danni’s voice echoed down the hall.

“We could set up surveillance on the strip and see who goes with whom, and watch the girls to make sure they are not attacked,” she paused, waiting for an objection and when none came she continued, “We both have the next few days off and it would be the perfect time.  What do you think?”

“I think that would be a great idea.”  Danni smiled as she walked in the room.  “Let’s get going then, we’ll drop your car off at your house, and then grab something to eat on the way.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.  Do you think we should warn the Mayor about the surveillance?”

“Hell, no, if he decides to pick one of the women up, we’ll follow him.  He may not be our prime suspect, but I’ve not totally ruled him out yet,” Danni searched for the words, and realized how harsh she sounded.  “He is still a politician, and they like to talk and brag, what if the person trying to set him up is someone close to him?”

“That’s why you’re so good at your job Detective Pacelli, you’re always thinking outside the box.”  Annabel locked eyes with her for a brief second then turned her head away.  “I wouldn’t of thought of it.”

“Don’t beat yourself up.  I made a lot of bad calls when I was learning the ropes.  It comes with years on the force.”  Danni felt bad when she observed the shame in her partners’ eyes.  “Let’s get going before we lose an opportunity,” she concluded with a playful wink.

CHAPTER FIVE

The sun set beneath the dark cloud as the night sky blanketed the city, the stars shined bright upon the streets below which gave enough light for Danni to see.  Camera in her lap and binoculars in her hand, she perched in her car and waited impatiently for the Mayor to leave the motel.  This was part of the detail she hated.  Bored and fighting sleep, she occasionally looked at Annabel through the corner of her eye.  She smiled when she saw her eyes were closed.  She looks so peaceful, Danni thought.  She could still vividly remember the dream, no matter how much she tried to erase it from her memory.  The images plagued her every thought.

Danni could tell by her breathing that she was in a somber sleep.  She was mesmerized by her striking features; her small but pretty nose, her cleft chin and full lips.  Danni imagined what it would be like to kiss them, if only for a few seconds to know what she was missing, she could feel her body react as she visualized holding her in her arms. She took a deep breath ashamed of having the thoughts, but it was short lived when she saw the door to the hotel room open.

The woman exited first with the Mayor following close behind.  He looked around to ensure his anonymity, and then hurried down the flight of stairs behind her.  Danni snapped several pictures of the two leaving the motel.  She had never been a fan of the Mayor, but she figured if anyone did try to accuse him of killing the woman, she had solid proof when the two of them left.  They left together alive.

Danni followed behind the pair at a distance.  She witnessed the Mayor stroke the back of the woman’s head.  A sentimental gesture that showed affection towards her, not aggression which would be expected of a serial killer, she thought.  Just then the car ahead came to a stop and the prostitute stepped out with the assistance of the Mayor.  Her hand delicately taken in his own and he gently raised it to his lips.  If Danni did not know better, she would have thought he was taking a date home after a night of dinner and dancing. 

Just as the Mayor drove off, Annabel opened her eyes and smiled shyly when she realized she had fallen asleep.

“Look who decided to join the land of the living.” 
Danni laughed when she witnessed the puzzled look on Annabel’s face.

“Wow.  How long have I been out?”
she wiped the sleep from her eyes struggling to regain consciousness, her body still peaceful while her mind tried urgently to extract itself from sleep.

“You missed it all,”
Danni snapped but the truth was, she really did not mind the time of solitude to think.

“I’m sorry.  I guess I don’t make a good detective after all.” 
Annabel pouted.

“It’s okay.  You really didn’t miss much.  I got pictures and we know where she lives.  Now the fun begins.” 
Danni laughed nudging Annabel in the ribs.

“Gotcha.”  She giggled knowing this was going to be her detail for the next few days.

As Danni pulled into Annabel’s driveway she felt sad.  She would not admit it, but the stake out with her new partner was the best evening she had in a long time.  Reluctantly, she gave detailed instructions; where to park and how to go unnoticed.  Annabel nodded as a cool breeze blew past her as she was getting out of the car.  She shivered as she listened.  Danni was giving her the opportunity to prove herself and she was determined not to let her down. 

Less than twenty four hours passed and Annabel stood near the towering church adjacent from the apartment complex where the prostitute lived.  She looked over the notes and the pictures that Danni gave her.  She had a visual using the binoculars her partner handed her.  She hid in the dark of the entrance of the gothic structure of the cathedral.  She could clearly see the woman as she walked from room to room.

Annabel wondered why the woman looked so sad, she could see from the distance as she paced back and forth and ran her fingers through her hair.  The display tore at her heart.  How can she live like this?  She sent the question into the obis not expecting an answer.  It disgusted her as she tried to understand how a woman could sleep with men to pay her bills.  That is when she saw him, a figure of a man on the fire escape.  She tried to get a better look at him, but when he turned his head in her direction, the view was obscured by the bars.  She took several pictures, but his pace picked up as he carefully climbed the steps.  He was only two floors from the prostitute’s window.  Her heart pounded in her chest. She ran across the street all the while dialing Danni’s cell to advise she was in pursuit of the suspect.

The dagger in the hooded figures hand still grasped its hilt, but now they moved to jerk it from it nest in the woman’s chest, which convulsed in response.  The woman watched in terror as the dark liquid flowed easily from her to the floor while the killer drew the weapon further out.  The noise from the television muffle the blood curdling scream, the hooded figure laughed when the sharp edge slid across her throat and the last thing the woman saw was her attacker’s eyes before all went black. 

Footsteps from the stairs echoed into the apartment.  The killer looked out the window to flee but a body climbing the staircase halted the escape.  The hooded killer ran to the door to flee but the footsteps got closer and closer. 

Just as Flanery reached the door, she opened it slowly, from the entrance she could see the woman lying on the floor.  She stepped in slowly gun drawn.  She took three steps forward unaware she was not alone.  She heard a shuffling noise behind her, but before she could turn, a sharp pain shot into her head, and the room around her began to spin, she tried to focus to shoot her attacker, but was struck again.  Then all went black. 

Danni told her not to enter the apartment until she arrived.  But Annabel already ended the call as she ran up the five flights of stairs.

“Shit.  .  .  Shit!”
Danni cussed as she ran from the restaurant leaving her and Annabel’s bag of food on the counter.  She dialed the number back several times but no answer.  She drove the three blocks and pulled outside of the building with her police light flashing. 

The hooded figure laughed again, this time louder than before.  Two for one the voice said as the knife hilt was pulled from its holster.  Before the kill could be completed, flashing police lights were visible from the open window.  “Next time!” The killer hissed upset that the kill was interrupted then ran out the open door and hid in the darkness of the hallway until the officer who ran past was in the apartment.

The street was empty and the silence that followed as she entered the building was deafening.  The only sound was her heart as it pounded in her ears.  Carefully she inched her way up the staircase but as she reached the last few steps, her feet became too weak to support her.  She looked down the hall.  No one was in sight.  She pulled her revolver from its case and crept slowly to the open door.  She found Annabel on the floor with blood stains on her blonde hair.  Gun in hand she pointed it in each direction she scanned.

She reached down, still holding her gun and pointing it upwards.  She felt for a pulse and sighed as Annabel grunted.  She scanned the room, but there was no movement.  Half in and half out of the window the body of the prostitute sat hunched over.  Blood spurted from an open wound in her throat.  The closer she got, she could see the woman’s eyes, the brilliant luster was lost as all life was stripped away.  Danni was panicked.  She scanned the room again then looked out the window and down the fire escape.  There was no one in sight.  She quickly called for backup as she knelt down on the floor next to Annabel.  The temporary paralysis wore off.  Annabel opened her eyes and saw the look of despair in Danni’s eyes.

The look of panic and uncertainty on Annabel’s face as it twisted in shame frightened Danni.  She had seen that look before.  Her heart plummeted when it occurred to her where she had seen those eyes before.  Annabel, reminded her of the girl Annie.  No way, it can’t be.  Danni peered down into the blue eyes again.  She had to remind herself where she was.  This is not the time for this.  She had an officer down, a woman dead and the suspect was getting away.

Annabel sat against the door as she held her head.  She attempted to collect her thoughts, but the room was spinning, and the wave of nausea took control.  She tried to give her description of the events to the officer who was the first on the scene, but, her memory was failing her.

“Relax, the ambulance will be here in a few minutes and we will get you to the hospital.”  Danni choked away the tears.  “It’s going to be okay Annabel,” Danni whispered when she heard the sirens in the distance.

She hunched over, emotionally drained when her partner was loaded into the ambulance.  She gathered the camera and binoculars that had been in Annabel’s possession.  “
Please say you got a picture of the son of a bitch!” she growled and flipped through the recent pictures on the digital camera as she sped past the ambulance with her lights on.  She successfully cleared the path to the hospital while she eyed the dark figure on the steel stair case.  Danni took mental notes as she guessed the assailant weighed approximately one hundred fifty pounds, and maybe five foot ten.  She calculated as she viewed the height of the railings from the distance of the man’s shoulders.  She was satisfied that she had a physical description and knew once the pictures were sent to the lab; she might even get a look at his face.

Danni wanted justice and no matter how much she loved the law, one of her own was hurt, and she knew the justice system was slow.  This was one of the few times she agreed with the unwritten code of justice the police officers had when an officer was either hurt or killed.  He would not live to go to trial; she would be the judge, jury and executioner. 

“Detective Pacelli?” a woman’s voice echoed from the distance.  Danni looked up when a woman in a lab coat approached.

“Can I go back now?” The question came across more like a demand.

In broken English, the woman managed a smile as she approached.  “Hi, I am Doctor Kieslowski.  You must be Detective Flanery’s partner.  She said you would be v’here waiting.  You can see her once we transport v’her.  She has a concussion and we will need to monitor v’her overnight.”  Dr. Kieslowski looked down at the chart, her features became serious.  “I have a v’few questions.

“I will tell you anything I can.” 
Danni fidgeted knowing she did not know any of Annabel’s medical history.

“She said she lost conscience.  V’we needs to know how long she was unresponsive,” t
he Doctor.  inquired, her broken English making it hard for Danni to understand.

“Um, maybe five minutes.  It all happened so fast and she was already unconscious when I arrived.” 
Danni wracked her brain trying to calculate the time it took for her to get to the apartment and the time it would have taken Flanery to climb the stairs, and the time it took once she saw the jagged tip of the steeple against the night sky as she turned the corner from the restaurant.  She recalled putting on her siren and flashed her lights as she ran the red lights.  Danni agreed with her first calculation.  “She couldn’t have been out more than five minutes,” Danni concluded.

“I will have a nurse inform you when she is settled.” 
The Doctor smiled and walked away.

While Danni waited, she made several calls.  She requested a rush to be put on the digital enhancement of the photos.  On faith, she left a message for the church across the street from the apartment building.  Danni noticed security cameras on each corner of the church.  She prayed the cameras were recording live feed.  She measured the distance between the window and the three visual cameras.  She could see from the metal stair landing outside of the window that the camera on the north corner appeared to be facing in the direction of the building, and the others faced the surrounding streets.  Danni figured it had to have caught the assailant either walking or driving.  And if he was driving, she could easily run the tag and get the serial killers identity.

Tired she found a place in the chair next to Annabel’s bedside.  She watched as she slept.  Alarmed by her labored breathing, she swore revenge on the man who inflicted the pain.  A few moments later, the night nurse entered the room.  She took the young detectives vitals and gestured for Danni to follow her into the hall.

“Visiting hours are over Detective.  I’m going to have to ask you to check back on her in the morning,”
the tall blonde haired women said as she pointed in the direction of the exit sign.

Danni stood in defiance, she struggled with the urge to put the woman into a sleeper hold and place her in a broom closet.  She took a deep breath as she gathered her anger.  “
The emergency room doctor  said I could be in her room.  I need to get her statement when she wakes up.”

“The statement can wait for the morning,” t
he nurse said holding her ground.  “You can come back at nine o’clock in the morning when visiting hours start.  Have a good night Detective,” the woman spouted as she walked off never looking back

“Bitch!”
Danni snarled as she walked down the hall.




Danni woke in a cold sweat.  She sat erect trying to shake the images from her dream, but they replayed in her mind.  In her nightmare she stood statuette like as she watched the man in the black hooded jacket hit Annabel over the head.  She stood paralyzed as she watched her fall to the floor, blood oozing from her head.  The man laughed, demonic in sound.  He taunted her as he walked up to the screaming woman at the window.  He pulled her head back by her hair as he slid the knife across her throat with such ease as if it was slicing through butter.  All Danni could do is watch as he laughed in her face.  Her dream shifted and it was no longer the man in a black hooded jacket she was watching, the man transformed in front of her.  He was suddenly a man dressed in a police uniform.  She tried to see his face, but when he looked at her, he did not have one.  His head looked like a ball of play dough.  No features, just holes where his eyes, mouth and nose would have been.