Killer Scents

Becca looked at the light purple corsage on the victim’s wrist. “What kind of flowers are they?”

“Asters.” Jerry crouched next to the discarded box. “Why did he leave the box behind this time?”

Randy traced the delicate petals with a gloved finger. “What’s with the change to a box in the first place?”

“I’m sure it has to do with the kind of guy Kevin is, I mean was. I don’t think he would’ve opened the door to a guy holding a flower in his hands.”

“Jerry, go clear a path to the coroner’s wagon.”

The officer nodded and went straight outside.

“Who called it in?” Randy left the body and now stood beside Becca.

“An anonymous call from a disposable phone,” replied Chief Thomson.

Becca surveyed the room. There really wasn’t much for them to do. The forensic team would clear the house once the corpse had been removed. It took four guys to lift Kevin onto a gurney. A dark stain on his jeans revealed how he’d peed his pants.

She shuddered. What a way to go.

Randy laid her jacket over her shoulders and ushered her from the house. “Here, you look cold.”

She moved to shrug the jacket off only to be stopped by his hand on her shoulder.

“Take the jacket, Becca. We need to talk.”

She stepped forward, and he blocked her path. “We’re going to talk now. Your choice—here or back at your place.”

Becca sighed. “If I have this talk with you, will you please leave me alone?”

“If you feel the same way after we talk, yes, I’ll leave you alone.”

“We can talk at my place.”

Randy put a finger under her chin and looked deep into her eyes.

“Thank you.”

It was a bold move on his part, but he couldn’t resist—just like he couldn’t resist fucking with Detective Talbot’s mind a little. He quickly hid a smile behind his hand. He blended right in with the TV crews and officers littering the front lawn. Even if they noticed him they wouldn’t question why he was there.

A shiver ran up his spine, and he briefly closed his eyes to savor the moment. Mmm. It excited him to be this close to them undetected. Those dumb asses don’t have a frickin’ clue.

He stifled the urge to laugh as he savored the memory of the detective stepping out of the shower, each of her tattoos emblazoned in his memory.

I can’t let her get in the way. I’ve come too far to let a nosy detective ruin everything.

She’s definitely trouble.

An unnecessary distraction.

A distraction that needs to be eliminated.

Chapter Fifteen

Becca hadn’t been on the back of a bike in at least ten years. Randy conveniently left out the part of riding back to her place. She’d never admit to him how good the breeze felt on her face. One of the advantages of being the passenger was the freedom to enjoy the ride with no distractions.

It didn’t take long before she gave into the governing impulse to stretch out her arms and close her eyes. She didn’t care if he saw or not. It had nothing to do with him and everything to do with letting the wind work its magic and carry all of her troubles in the breeze, if only for a little while.

All too soon Randy geared down, dragging her back to reality as he turned into her driveway. Feeling vulnerable, she climbed off and gave him his helmet the second his feet hit the ground

“Can you open the garage door?  It’s probably best if my ride isn’t visible from the road.”

Her brow creased. “I think it will be okay there. You won’t be staying very long.”

She imagined his eyes boring holes in her back on the way up to unlock the door.

Randy nudged her aside. “Let me take a look first.” He planted his feet firmly, not budging one inch no matter how hard she tried to push him out of the way.

“For your information, I’m quite capable of opening my door.”

Randy took hold of her arms and stared directly into her eyes. “I know you are. Just humor me this one time.”

Becca stepped back. “Knock yourself out!”

“You stay right here.”

Who died and voted you Cop of the Year? Becca followed him into the house and proceeded to put on some coffee. Where does he get off bossing me around in my own home?

“Wow, you’re such a good listener.” Randy stepped through the doorway, holstering his gun.

Becca spun around and jabbed a finger at his chest. “Do not talk to me like I’m a two year old. If this is how things are going to go, you can leave right now.”

He raised his hands in defense. “Whoa, chill out. I didn’t mean to talk down to you. I’m just trying to keep you safe.”

“I’ve been a cop for almost twenty years. I think I can take care of myself.” She glared at him.

Randy made a T with his hands. “Time out...okay? Can we have a talk without all of this anger and bullshit?”

She leaned back against the counter, resisting the urge to throw herself at him and let him kiss it all better. Defiantly, she folded her arms across her chest. “It’s your dime. Talk, I’m listening.”

Her partner blew out a rush of air and sat at the table. “Come sit with me.” He pulled out the chair next to him.

She huffed and stomped to the opposite side of the table and sat. “I’m all ears.”

Randy chuckled and looked sideways at her. “You know, you can be a real bitch when you want to be.”

Becca tossed her head back. “Hah! That’s a good start. If you want me to sit here quietly, you might want to shove your idea of compliments up your ass.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled, and a slow smile spread across his tanned face. “I guess I should start with an apology. I probably could’ve handled things better than I have been.”

She cast him a sideways glance. “Ya think?”

The coffeemaker let out its final gurgles, and she jumped up, happy for the break to regain some semblance of composure. Steam rose from the mug she set on the table.

“Black, right?”

His strong hands engulfed the mug. “Thank you. You remembered.”

Becca kept her gaze diverted and sipped her coffee, mindful of the temperature and the sultry tone of his voice. “So, are you going to tell me why you were acting like such a jerk, or are we going to play a round of Twenty Questions?”

“I’ve never met anyone quite like you. One minute I want to strangle you, and the next, I want to take you in my arms and never let you go.”

Shit, I never saw this coming.

She felt like a caged animal with no means of escape. Both of them stood at the same time.

“Don’t.” Her hand shot up between them to halt his advances. “I can’t do this right now. I need to find Susan’s killer. I can’t.... No, I won’t be distracted by you and your childish mind games. One minute you’re seducing me, and the next you won’t even glance my way. ” Becca looked into his big brown eyes. “I think it’s best if you leave now.”

Randy pulled her into his arms, backing her up and wedging her in the corner of the cupboards with no way out.

“Let me go—”