Cut to the Chase (25 page)

M
ia felt overwhelming relief when she received Paul's phone call. Although she knew from the start that Josh didn't meet the profile, evidence had been brought forth suggesting that he might be the man they were looking for. Paul didn't tell Mia exactly how they extracted information from Josh, satisfying Paul, Erin and Andrew that Josh was innocent, but she didn't care. Right now, the focus needed to be on their one and only suspect.

Paul and Erin were on their way back to the hospital when Frank called in, as directed. Morris's car was still parked next to Jennifer Freehold's little yellow Beetle in her apartment parking lot. Neither Jennifer nor Morris had emerged since he had arrived at her place after work.

Mia was beyond frustrated, which caused her to formulate a plan that might upset those around her, including the man she was falling madly in love with. No doubt he would try to stop her, maybe even physically if necessary. So if she was going to do this, it had to be now.

Mia walked out into the hallway and fortunately found Chase's doctor at the nurses' station. He appeared concerned that she had sought him out, so Mia quickly said, “Do you expect Mr. Montclair to wake anytime soon? I was going to run down to the cafeteria for a sandwich.” She was lying through her teeth.

“Not with the level of meds we gave him. He will most likely sleep through the night, which is for the best. I think it's safe for you to go to the cafeteria, though I don't know how safe it is to eat a sandwich from there. Stick with the soup,” he said, his eyes kind.

“Thanks for the warning. I'll be back,” she said, turning to retrieve her bodyguard and almost slamming into a very angry-looking Paul.

He had been closer to the hospital than she thought when he had called her. “Going somewhere?” Paul asked, his eyes dark.

Yeah, he was definitely furious with her. And how in God's name did he know that she was sneaking away to pay Jennifer Freehold and her boyfriend a visit?

It didn't matter, because now she was going to have to backpedal…and fast. “I was going to grab something to eat. But now, I'd rather hear about what happened with Josh,” she said, hoping he was buying even an ounce of her bullshit.

Paul took her by the hand and led her back into Chase's hospital room. Erin and Uncle Drew followed them into the room. Paul shut the door behind them and said, “Mia, tell me you weren't planning to go rogue on me. Tell me that you weren't going to take matters into your own hands and slip away, putting your life in even more danger than it already is? Because if you need a clear picture of just how serious this situation is then all you have to do is look at Chase.”

“Yeah, I don't mind being the reminder you apparently need, Mia,” Chase said, his voice gruff.

Erin ran over and hugged him, though she was cautious to steer clear of his left shoulder. She was kissing him and crawling into his bed when he said, “Careful, Erin.”

“Oh, I'm sorry, did I hurt you?” Erin asked, her eyes worried and full of panic.

“No. I'm fine. But you need to be careful. Those little peanuts shouldn't be jostled around,” Chase said, kissing her lovingly.

“Little peanuts? Erin?” Paul asked, looking from Chase to his sister.

“You didn't tell them?” Chase asked with a smile so big it took up his entire face.

Erin shook her head and then looked at her brother. “I'm pregnant.”

“With twins,” Chase added, as if he couldn't contain himself any longer.

Mia was on the verge of squealing with delight when Paul crushed the moment by saying, “If I would have known you were pregnant, I would never have allowed you to confront Josh tonight.”

“How long have I been out of it? You went to Philly to see Josh?” Chase asked, his tone laced with anger. Gone was the love and playful giddiness.

“Josh was in New York tonight to see his mother, but had stopped by my old apartment to see me. Paul and I went with Andrew to the apartment to rule Josh out as a suspect,” Erin said. Mia felt bad for Erin; dealing with one domineering man was hard enough, but two was exhausting.

“And?”

“And he's not our guy,” Paul said, interjecting.

“How can you be so sure?” Chase asked, still not convinced, and still very pissed off that all this had happened while he was lying on his back in a hospital room.

“He was too busy being hauled in by the police for fighting with his then-girlfriend's husband that night. He was in jail during the time in question. Andrew called in a favor with a buddy of his at that particular precinct to confirm Josh's alibi.”

Chase went silent, as he was most likely digesting what they had already had time to process. His eyes narrowed and he looked at Erin. “What do Paul and I have to do to keep you two safe? Lock you both in my penthouse and throw away the key?” Chase asked, only half kidding. Mia had the feeling that he would do just that if it came down to it.

“That's the best plan I've heard all day. Speaking of locking you in the penthouse, let's head home and leave these parents-to-be alone,” Paul said, taking Mia by the hand.

“Newly
engaged
parents-to-be,” Erin said, sliding off Chase's bed and holding up her left hand. The sparkling diamond was breathtaking, and this time Mia did squeal for joy.

A
lex escorted Mia and Paul to Chase's apartment, where he would remain on high alert indefinitely. Uncle Drew stayed behind with Erin and Chase, guarding that hospital room with his life. Mia got the sense when she had told her uncle good-bye for the night that he had blamed himself for what had happened to Chase. But Chase wasn't his assignment, Erin was. And she and the two babies growing inside her were safe and sound.

As much as she wanted a night alone with Paul, Mia wasn't sure where Paul's head was at the moment. Between Josh's interrogation and discovering that his sister was engaged and having twins, his mind had to be teeming with emotions. Playing it safe, she quickly showered and retired for the night while Paul discussed security with Alex in the living room.

Paul entered the bedroom with a level of hunger he had never experienced before. And what he craved was the woman who lay asleep in the plush king-sized bed. Wearing just a t-shirt, her mahogany hair draped across the satin pillow, she was breathtaking, and in every way his.

He too showered, washing away his experiences of the day, and returned to the bed. Mia hadn't moved and as he slid in next to her, she sighed and nestled closer, bringing her back firmly against his chest. Lying on her side, Paul looked down at her curvy hip and appreciated the fact that she wasn't sickly thin, that she was lush and all woman. He wove one of his legs through hers and enjoyed just how well she fit, molded around his body. His arousal was pressed against her lower back, aching to take her, and that was when he heard her whisper, “Love me tonight.”

“Every night,” he said, rolling her over onto her back and kissing her fiercely.

Her t-shirt and panties flew away and he was inside her in moments. He would have loved to have taken her slowly, spending hours pleasuring every inch of her body with his tongue, massaging her clit with his fingers in slow, rhythmic strokes, but he needed to be inside her now.

And the way she writhed beneath him, grasping his ass as he slammed into her, suggested that she wanted him just as much. He loved the sounds she made, that she was comfortable enough to tell him to go slow or give it to her harder. Her body was made to take what he so wanted to give her. But was her heart ready? There was only one way to find out. And as recent events proved, life was short, demanding one not to be foolish and put off what may not be there tomorrow.

Mia moaned as her tight channel clenched around his cock. Her climax, as was his, was close. “Feels so good!” she groaned, against his ear. Her hot breath against his skin almost put him over the edge. Paul pulled out of her, until just the tip remained, and then thrust into her, making her back arch. She was screaming for him to take her, to give her more. With their fingers entwined, he placed her hands firmly above her head as he continued with his deep thrusts.

“I'll love you tonight, every night if you'll have me,” he said, pushing into her.

“Every night,” she said, breathless, her body quivering.

He forced himself to slow down, though he remained deep inside her. She needed to know exactly what he meant, that there was no turning back. Paul kissed her and she welcomed his greedy tongue. He moaned, knowing that he wasn't going to last. She felt that good.

“You're mine, baby.” He slid out and then plunged back into her, taking her by surprise and sending her into an immediate orgasm. She screamed his name as she climaxed again and again.

He watched her body shake, riding out each glorious wave. She was beautiful. “I love you, Mia,” he said.

Mia wrapped her legs around him and brought him even closer. “I love you,” she said, taking him deeper than he ever thought possible.

S
cott's day had started off shitty and as he listened to his voice mail, he determined that it may have gotten worse. His father's attorney, Roger Epstein, wanted to discuss his father's will as soon as possible. The tone of the message did not sit well with him. Something was wrong.

And he'd thought that learning his attempt to put Chase Montclair six feet under had failed was going to be the most frustrating part of his day. Now, he actually considered Montclair's survival to be the least of his worries. Ironically enough, his deceased father was up to something. Angry, but not wanting to neglect his health, he shut down his computer and left to have lunch at his usual Friday hot spot.

Mia had one hour to find and dine with the devil, which wouldn't be too difficult since Morris was a creature of habit. According to Frank, he would be at the Fine Meadow, an organic beans-and-greens type of establishment, for a late lunch.

As her last student exited the back door to the playground, Mia grabbed her purse and took to the street with bodyguard in tow. She lied to Alex and told him that she was in the mood for a Carmen's sub like nobody's business. Alex looked excited and in need of a foot-long sandwich. But as she walked past the famous deli, leaving Alex confused and now two steps behind her, she hustled ahead and entered the Fine Meadow.

And just like Frank had said, Morris was there and standing in a surprisingly long line. Mia had no idea so many people loved bean sprouts. Mia turned around and told Alex, who looked understandably annoyed, to grab a table for the two of them. He was definitely smarter than he looked because within a moment of scanning the small restaurant, Alex knew what she had done. “We are leaving,” he said, while staring at the back of Morris's head.

“No, we're not. He's defenseless here. Trust me,” Mia said, taking her place in line before Alex could stop her. She turned to Alex and mouthed that she was sorry, but he was not in a forgiving mood. Instead, he looked downright pissed as he stood by the door. Mia also caught Frank's disapproving eye from across the restaurant and she quickly turned away.

With her gut twisted in knots and in no way able to ingest something that looked like weeds, she moved closer to Morris. There were so many things that could go wrong, but it was worth the gamble…and Paul and her uncle's wrath when they found out about what she had done. Their meager list of suspects had been cut down to one and everything, all her experience, told her that Scott Morris was the psychopath they had been hunting. Despite Frank telling her that Morris had been at Jennifer Freehold's apartment during the shooting, somehow, Morris had managed to be in two places at once.

Mia leaned in, close enough to breathe in his scent. He smelled of soap and aftershave. Clean and kept. “Would an angel recognize her demon?” she whispered.

Mia watched his back go rigid as he continued to stare ahead. When he didn't answer her, she pressed on and said, “Let me see you.”

His fists clenched at his sides and then relaxed. “Please,” she uttered, her voice breathy.

Finally, he turned and gave her a smile that would captivate and melt any woman in the room. But Mia was not deceived by his handsome face or his sophisticated attire. She had seen the look he was giving her more times than she cared to admit. It was the look of a killer.

“Why don't you tell me, Mia?” he said, moving so close she could smell his minty mouthwash. “Do angels sense evil?”

Mia knew this confrontation could only go one of two ways. Morris was either going to pretend he didn't know her or succumb to temptation and expose himself, all the while doing it with a smile. Mia was hoping for the latter, which would throw him off his game and make him readjust. It appeared she was getting her wish.

“Apparently, both kinds sense it, can feel it deep within,” Mia said, her eyes locked on Morris's. She licked her lips and his gaze drifted to her mouth. His breathing hitched in his throat and she thought she heard a hint of a groan. Mia knew she was baiting him, pushing him to see just how far he would go, how close he was to breaking.

“Both kinds?” he asked.

“Yes. The pristine and the fallen.” she said. And then she dropped the hammer. She shook her head, as if she felt sorry for him. “Are you telling me that you no longer can detect a fallen angel when you see one? Even when she is standing directly in front of you?”

His eyes grew even darker. The lust she had seen in them just moments ago had been replaced by something sinister and threatening. Despite her bodyguard only being several feet away, fear overtook her. She was looking at someone, something that murdered without rational cause and preyed on women. Scott's features morphed and she found herself staring at the man who she had let get away with murder. Scott's clean-shaven face was now marred with a scar across his right cheek, though week-old stubble concealed it a bit. His cheeks were sunken in and his hazel eyes were bloodshot. Although his brown hair flowed past his shoulders, it was scraggly and thinning on top. He smiled. Perfect teeth no longer greeted her. His remaining teeth were now stained and decaying from years of neglect and drug use.

Mia's heart pounded. She knew her mind was playing tricks on her. Scott was not the man who murdered and raped her mother. But there he stood, resembling the man Mia faced in that courtroom, the man she had made certain would never leave his prison cell. Mia's head started to spin and she stumbled backward.

Scott's smile grew and he once again was the animal who had attacked Erin and not her mother. Scott took a step toward her. He leaned in and whispered, “I can smell him on you.”

Her pulse was racing. But before she could speak, he continued and said, “Where is Paul, Mia? Have you seen him lately?” His smug grin sent her into a panic.

Paul.

She hadn't spoken to him since he kissed her good-bye this morning before he dropped her off at work. Mia shook her head. No. Paul is fine. He's at work, exactly where he should be in the middle of the day. I'm the target. Not Paul. He's just fine. This is what psychopaths do best. They manipulate and play mind games.

Scott's smile was all encompassing. Despite her time on the force and all those years profiling sick, soulless killers with her dad and her uncle, dread seized her and wouldn't let go. She needed to get to Paul. Mia tore away from Scott and flew out of the restaurant. Mia was gasping for air and trying to gain her sense of balance when Alex joined her on the sidewalk.

“When's the last time you spoke to Paul!” she screamed. Mia started to rummage through her purse in search of her cell phone.

“I checked in with him at ten this morning. Why, Mia? What's happened?” Alex asked.

“That was two hours ago!” She was still wrestling with her purse when Alex retrieved his cell phone and started to dial.

Mia was hysterical. Sobbing and feeling completely helpless, she threw her purse on the ground and started to run in the direction of Paul's office building.

Paul had sprinted two city blocks before he spotted her. She turned and looked at him with both fear and relief in her eyes. The woman he was in love with was either out of her mind for confronting Morris or she had a plan that no one in their group was privy to. He thought he had made himself clear last night at the hospital, but apparently he had been mistaken.

Alex appeared frustrated and pissed, as he should for being duped by his assignment. Andrew was definitely going to hear about this.

“You're okay,” she said. Mia fell into his arms and sobbed.

“I'm fine, Mia. What happened? Why the hell did you confront Morris?”

She wiggled out of his grasp and stood before him. “Paul, let me explain why I did what I did,” Mia pleaded.

“You will…later,” he said. Paul took her by the arm and led her in the opposite direction from the restaurant. He was so angry with her at the moment that he could barely get out the words.

“Wait, Paul, I know you're mad but if you knew why…”

Paul stopped and pulled her under the awning of the closest shop. Alex maintained his distance and gave them some privacy. “Mad? You can't begin to know just how furious I am with you, how worried I was when Alex called me and told me that you approached Morris,” he whispered.

“I'm so sorry. But I had to know, we had to know for sure. I couldn't wait another day, another hour. I was afraid I would be too late…again.”

Paul felt his anger recede somewhat as he looked into her haunted eyes. He didn't realize how important this case was to her, how connected she felt to it, until now. Although Mia had found her mother's killer, her dad had already given up on life, no longer wanting to live in a world without his wife. Paul could now sympathize, as he couldn't imagine spending even a day without Mia.

“Come here,” he said, pulling her into his arms. He kissed her forehead and stroked her hair. “Mia, you know you have nothing to prove. You did everything you could to catch your mother's killer,” he said.

“But it wasn't enough and because I couldn't put two and two together quicker, my dad had no other alternative than to join his wife.”

“I have some news for you, Mia. And please don't take this the wrong way. But your dad died the day your mother did, maybe not physically, but in every other sense of the word. It probably wouldn't have mattered if you had found her killer within twelve hours of the murder or twelve months later. The end result was always going to be the same and he couldn't live with that.”

Mia was crying into his chest, a sight he had rarely seen. She had always been so strong, the most put-together and level-headed member of their small group. But now, every emotion bubbled up to the surface and Paul was thankful that she had chosen him to unload upon. “How do you know that?” she asked, sniffling, her voice broken.

Paul backed away and lifted her chin with two fingers. Gazing into her eyes, he said, “If anything ever happened to you, I would be forever lost. I meant what I said last night and this morning when you awoke in my arms. I love you, Mia.”

With tears streaming down her face, she threw her arms around his neck and told him she loved him and how sorry she was for taking matters into her own hands. All the anger he had felt just minutes ago dissipated and he held on to her tightly, as if his life depended on it. Paul didn't care that people may have overheard their declaration of love for each other, but it did concern him that Mia was standing on the sidewalk of a busy New York City street, exposed and vulnerable. “Let's get you home,” he said, unwrapping himself from arms that he never wanted to leave.

Paul hailed a cab and was thankful to see one skid to a stop within seconds. He ushered her into the cab and Alex followed. “This will end soon,” he said, pulling her so close that she was practically sitting on his lap.

Mia looked up at him. “You're right.” she said. Mia leaned in and whispered, “Especially since he has made himself known.”

Paul hadn't forgotten about Mia's luncheon with Morris or why she had gone there in the first place, but even that had taken a backseat to the important discussion they had had on the street. It was just further confirmation that he was in love with her, that nothing else mattered. “Mia, are you telling me that he admitted to…everything? That he's the one?”

“That's exactly what I'm saying,” she said.

Paul had been dreaming of the moment when he knew with absolute certainty who had hurt his sister, the coward behind the mask. With the fucker now exposed, he and Chase, and the rest of Andrew's small army, could convene and finalize their plan to rid the world of Scott Morris.

Paul knocked on the plastic between the front and back seats. “Change of plans. Take us to Mercy General,” Paul said to the driver. He withdrew his phone and within seconds, Mia could hear a man's voice on the other end. “Frank, where is Morris?” Mia couldn't make out what Frank had said, but it couldn't have been good. Paul's jaw was clenched and his fingers gripped the phone so tightly she swore he was going to crush it. “He's not in the bathroom, he's running. Find him!” he spat, through gritted teeth.