case and I need to get a look at the information from the Higgins investigation.”
“I’m sorry Andrew,” Darcy pulled back. “We have orders from the Sheriff not to share any of that information with you.” Andrew walked around to Darcy’s side of the desk. He pulled her and the chair away from the desk and swung Darcy to face him. Andrew got down on one knee and leaned in closer. Darcy’s face flushed and her heart started beating a bit faster.
“The woman I’m working for asked me to find her son,” Andrew explained and peered directly into Darcy’s blue eyes. “I need those reports to help me understand what happened at the Higgins house and provide me with a start on this case.” Andrew drew his face and body even closer to Darcy. He knew she had a crush on him and he was going to use every tool available to him to get the job done. Even if that meant he had to flirt with Darcy to get his way.
“But,” Darcy protested.
“Please,” Andrew begged with sad eyes.
“Alright,” Darcy finally gave in. She surprised them both when she gave Andrew a sudden kiss on the lips. Darcy’s face turned red again, and she pushed her chair away and back to the desk. Andrew rose to his feet, his face was red too. Darcy logged into the file with the information from the Higgins investigation. Soon she had the files up and pressed the key to send them to the printer.
Sheriff Delsmann had just finished logging off her computer. When she stood up to leave, Sheriff Delsmann saw that Andrew’s car was still there.
“Damn it,” Talia cursed. She went to her desk and picked up the phone. “This is Sheriff Delsmann,” Talia said. “I want you to get down to the records department immediately.” She stopped to listen to the person on the other end. She continued, “Andrew Knight is still in the building and I think he is down there trying to get information on the Higgins case. Stop him at all costs. He is not to leave the building!” Talia slammed down the receiver. She knew Andrew was going to be a thorn in her side, just like all the other private investigators she had dealt with before. No regards to the law. Talia opened the right bottom desk drawer and took out her clip on holster with service weapon. She clipped it to her belt and rushed out the door. Talia wanted to be the one to see the surprised look on Andrew’s face when he was arrested for tampering with an ongoing investigation.
Darcy went to the printer and gathered all of the papers she had printed for Andrew. She returned to her desk and put them in a large manila envelope. Andrew thanked Darcy with a hug. Darcy held onto him a bit longer, drinking in his scent. She let go. Andrew opened the outer door and was just about to step into the hallway when he saw the elevator doors open. It was Sheriff Delsmann and several deputies. Fortunately, he ducked back in the records room before they saw him.
“We have company,” Andrew looked at Darcy.
“I’ll get fired,” Darcy complained.
“Don’t worry,” Andrew reassured.
“There is a fire exit,” Darcy suggested.
“You have a key, don’t you?” Andrew asked.
“Yes,” Darcy remembered. “I can unlock this door.”
Darcy used a key to unlock the door and then opened it. Andrew peered inside the unlit stairwell.
Sheriff Delsmann and the deputies with her, burst into the room. The deputies immediately secured the room while at the same time, Talia walked up to Darcy, whom was sitting at her station.
“Where is he?” Talia barked accusingly at Darcy.
“What are you talking about?” Darcy replied when she looked up calmly from her computer screen. “I’m alone.” Talia wasn’t convinced.
“If we find Andrew Knight anywhere in here,” Talia said sternly. “You will be fired.”
Talia surveyed the room. The only way out was the emergency door, but the alarm hadn’t sounded. “Did you unlock the door for him?” Talia further accused.
“Like I said Sheriff,” Darcy answered. “I am alone.”
Talia walked over and used her key to turn off the alarm and open the door. She looked over to the two deputies. “Watch her.”
Talia left the door open to provide enough light to see by as she started up the stairs. But the further she ascended, the less the light helped. Talia used the handrail as her guide in the total darkness. Eventually, Talia got to the door. With both hands, she opened it.
The bright sunshine blinded Talia when she stepped onto the roof. She was blinded for a few minutes as she had turned away from the open doorway. When Talia opened her eyes again; she drew her weapon and approached the open door. She stepped inside. Talia searched the stairwell from top to bottom. There was no sign of Andrew anywhere to be seen. Could he have been hiding in the dark? If he was, she didn’t hear his breathing.
Talia called down for the two deputies to join her to search the roof. They joined her immediately. All three started to search the roof. Talia and the two deputies checked out every possible hiding place and finally found themselves standing at the short block wall that framed the entire roof. A short distance away was an access ladder. Talia rushed over and climbed up the first few steps. She peered over the edge to see if the emergency ladder had been deployed; it had not! Talia could see the street in front of the station. Andrew’s car was still there. Talia scanned the length of the street, searching the shops and Marettti’s deli store fronts. She saw Andrew come out of the deli carrying what she assumed to be a doggie bag. It appeared that all this time, Andrew had been in the deli having a meal. Talia cursed and climbed back down on the surface of the roof. She put away her weapon, and with a look of disappointment etched on her face, entered the stairwell and closed the door behind her.
Andrew had just come out of Marettti’s deli. He looked up and saw Sheriff Delsmann peering down at him. He wondered if she was trying to figure out how he did it. Andrew turned and smiled at Rachel, who was behind the deli counter. It was nice to have friends in all kinds of places. Andrew waved at her, and she did the same in return. Andrew had scored one against Sheriff Delsmann, but he wasn’t finished with her yet. The next place he had to search was the Higgins crime scene. Andrew drove off with thoughts of which friend’s help he would need next.
Talia and her deputies returned to the records area.
She walked up to Darcy and roughly grabbed her by the arm. Talia forced Darcy into the chair by the desk.
“What did you give him?” Talia’s said through clenched teeth. “You need to tell me, now!”
“I gave him nothing,” Darcy defended.
“I know you did.” Talia pointed an accusing finger at her. “Either you tell, or spend some time in a cell.” Talia motioned for the deputies with her to place Darcy in custody. They hesitated at first, but when Talia glared at them, they did as requested. Darcy still proclaimed her innocence as she was led away.
Chapter 3
The red AC Cobra came to a screeching halt in the circular driveway. Andrew jumped out and bolted inside the house with his ill-gotten gains. He slammed the door closed behind him and flew upstairs to his office.
Andrew removed the manila envelope from his overcoat. Andrew hung up his coat and sat down at his desk. He immediately opened the manila envelope and removed the report. Andrew started with the father, Jonathan Higgins. He was found dead outside in the front yard. He died from multiple slash and stab wounds. Jonathan had a successful web-based business based on the vampirism culture. Andrew read that Jonathan’s business grossed nearly one million dollars last year. Next was Natasha Higgins. She died as a result of severe trauma to the lungs and heart from being struck with two wooden arrows. Natasha had her own catering business with mostly clients that were also involved with vampirism. Peter Higgins, their son, died as a result of an arrow to the heart. He was attending Washington High School in Bayport. He was in his senior year. He was a straight ‘A’ student and on the honor roll. The report mentioned that he had a girlfriend by the name of Ashley Matthias. According to the report, they were so far, unable to locate Ashley for questioning. Peter was found lying a few feet from his father.
Andrew pulled the page about Storm Higgins. Storm also attended Washington High School and was in her sophomore year. She was also an honor roll student. The report indicated that her boyfriend, Wyatt Collins, was considered a person of great interest. Again, it stated that they could not locate him. Andrew read about Storm. He
