Full On (8 page)

“Again…clueless.”

“Don’t play fucking games with me, Valerie. My inside
sources tell me the DA’s looking to add you to their team.”

Whoa.
“What?”

“Deacon just about confirmed it to me last night when he was
looking for you at the party.”

“Odd that he didn’t say anything to me at the police station
hours later.” He’d been barely civil. “Which was most likely why he was looking
for me in the first place. Or didn’t any of your many sources tell you
Estavarez was picked up last night?”

“I got the word. Nice move scaring them with Casey
Sullivan.” Praise? Oh he was desperate. Too bad he hadn’t opened the
conversation kissing her ass.

“You’re not the only one who has connections, Phil.”

“Yeah, well… So what the hell happened?” At least his tone
had changed from obnoxious to inquisitive. She almost told him to ask his
sources. Instead she opted to play nice and gave him a rundown of events as she
knew them related to Estavarez.

“And at no point was there any hint of a job offer from
Russell Cambridge or Dave Deacon,” she added. “Do you really think so little of
me? That I would back-door you that way?”

“I know you arrived at the police station with Cambridge.
What else should I think?” he snapped.

Telling him the truth was only going to make things worse at
this point, so she told him about the car accident first. Another detail his
sources
had neglected to pass on.

“Don’t you think it was a little odd him following you?”
Phil asked. “Or was that planned? I saw you leave the party. I saw him follow
you. Why else would he—”

“Oh for pity’s sake, Phil.” He was going to find out sooner
or later. It was best to get it out there before he found out from someone
else.

“Maybe you haven’t been approached yet,” he said before she
could get a word in edgewise. “But look at it this way. You and Russell have
been going for blood in the courtroom. You’re the last person he’d want to be
around, unless he had another objective. What better way to eliminate a fierce
opponent than to bring her on to their side? Why else would he leave a high-profile
party right behind you? And I’m not the only one talking. The two of you had
the place buzzing last night wondering how soon you’d come to blows.”

“He’s my boyfriend, Phil. We’ve been on time-out for the
duration of the trial. It hasn’t been easy and—”

He burst out laughing, not the reaction Valerie expected.

“That might have been true six months ago,” he said. “But no
man likes to put up with the crap you threw at him during that trial. You
kicked his ass all over the place. Trust me, a job offer’s coming. It’s the
only way for him to win and save face.”

Valerie clamped her mouth shut on a response. He’d sown
enough doubt to make her wonder.

“Looks like you’re the one who needs to watch her back,
Val,” he said. “Sorry I went ape-shit crazy. I don’t want to lose my best
asset. Whatever they offer, give me a chance to match it. See you on Monday.”

And like that she was left staring at the phone again.
Valerie warned herself against knee-jerk reactions. Phil was talking from his
own selfish perspective. He didn’t know the relationship she and Russell had.
No one did.
Had
, her conscience chided. A lot had happened. Words
stabbed deep enough to fester, despite the fact they’d been said in the course
of their respective jobs.

Well, they’d talk it out, that’s all. Lay all the cards out
there.

She rubbed a sudden headache crawling down the back of her
skull and returned to the kitchen. Russell sat there, massaging his temples. He
looked up when she walked in.

“About that elephant in the room,” he said.

Which one?
They were multiplying like rabbits.

“There was a voice mail from Dave. Teri Trent died last
night.”

Her headache before was nothing compared to now. A part of
her longed to say this wasn’t her business. Her conscience wouldn’t allow it,
not if there was a chance Bev Renard knew something about the attack on Teri.
“How do you want to handle this?” She set her phone on the table and started to
clear from breakfast.

Russell’s chair skidded backward. “I don’t know. It’s tricky
no matter which way we go.” He took the plates from her. “I’ll get this. You
pack up your baking for the sale.”

She mumbled a thanks and focused on that task. Her mind was
still a mish-mash of theories and worry. “It’s a huge coincidence to have Teri
attack Estavarez only to wind up a victim in a crime that pointed a finger in
his direction.”

He stacked the dishwasher. “I can see Bev wanting to teach
her a lesson, but not to that extent. And why involve Estavarez? There’s a
bigger picture here. We’re just not seeing it.”

“Can any of the previous victims be linked to Teri?” She
turned in time to see him shrug.

“That would be one option to explore. Makes more sense than
thinking Bev had anything to do with it. It would explain why Teri went after
him. That opened the door to the real perp going after her and framing
Estavarez.”

“Which doesn’t make much sense either,” she said. “Granted,
I’m not a profiler but this man has had to lay low all this time while
Estavarez went to trial. There’s been no activity in our area of a similar
nature. You’d think he’d be chomping at the bit now that Estavarez was free. If
only because it allowed him to get back out there while another man could be
suspected.”

“Unless he went outside this jurisdiction to commit his
crimes. Or maybe Estavarez—”

“Don’t even say it,” she snapped.

Arms crossed, Russell braced against the counter. “Someone
wants him back in jail. Someone wants him to go down for this. Maybe Estavarez
has enemies closer than he thinks.” His eyebrows arched, both accusing her of
jumping to conclusions and daring her to refute his supposition.

“Someone in his family? A friend?”

“Or someone close to the other victims who will stop at
nothing to put him in jail, even if he didn’t do the crime. Someone who has
something to lose by him being found not guilty. And if they’re that determined
they won’t stop until they get what they want or are found.”

“Poor guy exchanged one prison cell for another. At least
he’ll be more comfortable at home.” She plated and wrapped the last of the
treats, then wiped down the table.

“He might be more comfortable but I doubt he’d be any
safer.”

“There aren’t any other options. My office won’t pay to put
him in a safe house and his family certainly can’t afford it.” Valerie skirted
around him to wipe the counter while he stared off into space.

“Maybe Casey can think of something. She’s got connections
with deep pockets.” Still that vacant stare while he puzzled out a solution. It
was as good a time as any to trot out the other elephant. Catch Russell
unaware.

Go for the throat.
Valerie cringed at the thought,
but if Phil was right…hell yeah. She slapped the washcloth into the sink and
turned to face him. Instinct made her cross her arms in standard defensive
mode. She forced herself to lower them, to appear nonthreatening when she felt
anything but.

“Rumor has it that the DA is courting me for a position in
your office. True or false?” She cocked her head, waiting for the answer.

Russell’s gaze shifted from foggy to locked on to her, then
honed to lethal laser-like intensity. “What? Is that what Phil called about?
Where did he hear that? Goddamn it.” He smacked his palm against the counter,
rattling the dishes that remained nearby.

Valerie’s heart raced. This was the side of him she’d seen
all too often in the courtroom, and she didn’t like it one bit. “His inside
sources—”

“Fuck.” He launched from his position and started to pace, a
tiger on the prowl. “This is bullshit and I’m not going to put up with it.”

“Well, I hardly think it has anything to do with you, now
does it?” She waited for guilt to flicker over his face. Anger did so instead.

“The hell it doesn’t.” He jabbed his finger in his chest.
“Deacon’s going to fire me and hire you?” And now that finger pointed her way.

Valerie didn’t see that one coming. No wonder he was pissed.
She’d be livid too. “Just because I’m offered a position doesn’t mean I’ll take
it.” Though it would beat the hell out of the public defender’s office. “And it
doesn’t mean he’ll be firing you.”

“Seriously?” Mock humor filled his expression. “I just lost
a big case no thanks to you. Someone’s got to take the fall.”

Phil’s words haunted her.
No man likes to put up with the
crap you threw at him during that trial. You kicked his ass all over the place…
It’s the only way for him to win and save face.

Valerie assumed that defensive pose. This time it was more
to protect her heart than to attack. “You lost the case because you had no
evidence. You lost the case because my client wasn’t guilty. You lost the case
because the people you depended on let you down.”

“Remember that when they’re dangling money and promises in
front of you.”

“No worries there. I remember
everything
. Want a
list?”

That jerked his pacing to a halt. He met her stare for
stare, no doubt piecing together past events. She wished she could banish those
memories and replace them with the time before.

“No, I don’t,” he finally said. “Let’s deal with one problem
at a time. The priorities now are keeping Estavarez safe, hooking you up with
transportation and getting your goodies delivered so we can focus on doing the
first two. Agreed?”

She tilted a nod his way, but when she started to pass he
hooked her arm and pulled her to a stop, anchored her to his body and claimed
her mouth in a deep kiss she wished she could refuse. It melted her anger,
dredged up tears and the emotions that went with them, called to her body in
ways only Russell could fulfill. If only her heart didn’t hurt so much.

Hot hands palmed her ass. That’s when she managed to wedge
her hands between them and shove some distance between them.

“You can’t fix what’s wrong between us with sex, Russell.”
She expected him to deny there was a problem. Instead, his shoulders drooped on
a long sigh.

“I know.” He kissed her forehead. “Come on. One priority at
a time.”

She didn’t know whether to be sad the highest priority
wasn’t their relationship, or proud that he put the welfare of another person
before anything else.

Russell felt like a first-class ass. Nothing was more
important than Valerie. Yet all the crap from the case that had torn them apart
in the first place kept resurfacing. It was as if the gods defied them. Overly
dramatic, but how else was he supposed to feel? The hell of it was, he had only
himself to blame for this latest roadblock. Like that he was throwing the trial
back in her face when the night before he’d lauded her victory with pride in
Dave’s face. The harsh words came from a part of himself Russell wasn’t very
proud to own right now.

They’d never fought before this damn case. Now it seemed they
did little else. Both of them too competitive, too stubborn to back down. This
latest rumor only added insult to injury. Why couldn’t he treat it like it was?
An unsubstantiated rumor with no evidence to support it. He knew that
answer—because it made perfect sense and would be the kind of political move
for which Dave Deacon was infamous. People up the chain were pissed Russell
lost the trial. They didn’t care that he’d never lost a case before. He’d lost
this one. They couldn’t care less a guilty verdict would have be unjust. All
they wanted was a check in the box to appease the public and to move on.

“Casey’s going to meet us at the museum.” Valerie dropped
her phone in her purse. “She’s got a place in the desert near Twentynine Palms
we can use and agrees Estavarez’s safety is paramount. She’ll give us the key
then.”

“Good.” One less thing to worry about. “I’ll drive him up
later. I’ll use your rental car. There’ll be less chance of being followed that
way. No one would expect him to leave with me.”

“They will if they’re watching his house and see him leave
with you,” she pointed out.

True. “You or Casey will have to pick him up and take him to
a hotel. Then I’ll sneak him out the back door.”

“It seems you’ve thought of everything.”

If only that were true. He spared a glance her way at the
stoplight. She was dressed in white capris and sandals with a yellow blouse.
Bright like a summer day. No, he couldn’t fix their problem with sex, but sex
sure as hell couldn’t hurt. He wanted her with an ache that was unrelenting.
Like he’d die if he couldn’t have her. That how this rift felt—like a slow
death.

“It’s about a three-hour drive up to Casey’s place. I need a
little leeway to get him settled and emotionally secure.”

Valerie snorted. “Good luck with that.”

What did… No, he wouldn’t ask. “It could wind up being a
late night.”

“Then I’ll see you in the morning.” He felt the spikes with
that barb.

“You’ll see me tonight. I’ve spent too many nights without
you by my side. I’m not going to do it again.” He accelerated slowly through
the green light. If only life were that simple. “It has nothing to do with sex
and everything to do with needing to be near you.” Now how could he prove that
when he couldn’t keep his hands off her?

Valerie didn’t respond. Glancing over for clues on how she
reacted to the demand could be seen as a sign of weakness. Russell couldn’t
risk it. He was supposed to be a Dom, for god’s sake. His mouth disagreed.

“We can’t work things out by being apart.”

That brought out a soft sigh. “You’re right. Shall I wait on
dinner for you? How late do you think you’ll be?”

Telling her the only thing he wanted to eat was her? Bad
move. “It depends on how quickly we can get this plan in motion.”

“We’ll play that one by ear then. Something quick to warm perhaps.”

“I’ll have to drop by my place for a few things first.” He
drove into the museum’s crowded parking lot. A few heads jerked toward his car
when they pulled up, yet each person quickly dismissed their arrival. Men and
women alike scurried about to prepare for the event. A white banner proclaimed
“First Annual Bake and Craft Sale”.

Valerie unhooked her seat belt. “I’ll take care of that for
you. The sooner you get back…”

He couldn’t agree more. They exited at the same time only to
open the rear doors to retrieve the baked goods. He happened to glance up as
she bent over and caught a nice view of her
weapons
. Willing an erection
away had never worked before. It didn’t work now. Essentially he was frozen in
place, trying to decide which box could provide the best cover.

“I’ll take care of that for you too.” Her voice was smooth
as silk, whiskey deep and laden with sex.

“Tease,” he muttered.

“Never.” She smiled, leaned closer and kissed him. “Okay, so
sex can’t fix things but it sure doesn’t hurt, right?”

Russell grinned. “Only if you want it to.”

“Oooo.” She left giggles in her wake as she drew back,
taking one small cardboard box with her. “I’ll leave the big one for you,
seeing how you’ve got the big
muscles
to handle it.”

“Woman, when I get you alone…”

She was behind him before he realized she’d moved. “Alden
Baker is here.”

That took the joy out of the moment. It also helped deflate
his problem child. Scowling, Russell studied the crowd. Sure enough the judge
who’d presided over the Estavarez case barreled their way. A Lakers ball cap
covered his bald head. Sunglasses hid his eyes. But there was no mistaking the
rage in his clenched jaw. Russell had seen that look more times than he could
count.

“My guess would be that he saw us kissing,” Valerie said. “We
really have to stop doing that in public.”

“Over my dead body.” He was done hiding.

“Considering how fast he’s moving, that might be imminent,”
she said. “I’d suggest we try to head him off to avoid a confrontation, but
somehow I doubt that would work.”

Not with a bull-headed man like that. Still, they went
through the motions—gathering the boxes, locking the car and starting in the
general direction of the tables. Baker cut them off before they got twenty
feet.

“What the fuck was that?” Though kept low, there was a
definite shout in the demand. Sweat trickled down from beneath his ball cap.
Anger reddened his face. “Well, that makes sense now, doesn’t it? I always
thought she was a looker but she must be one damn fine piece of ass for you to
throw a case for her.”

Russell shoved between him and Valerie. “With all due
respect,
Your Honor
, that was uncalled for. She fought the good fight.
She presented her case well. She defended her client with facts and evidence. I
had shit to work with and we all know that. Give defense counsel her due.”

Baker’s lip curled in a sneer. “Looks like you’re already
doing that.” He butted Russell’s shoulder as he walked up. It took every ounce
of willpower Russell possessed to not call the man out.

Valerie shifted her box to one hip and pressed her hand to
Russell’s back. “I don’t think we need to worry about any job offer for me.
Come Monday we’ll both be looking for work.”

He snickered. “Fuck them all. We’ll start our own practice.”

“I don’t know whether to be scared or excited.”

“Me either. One problem at a time.” He lifted his box. “Lead
the way.”

Considering all the press they’d gotten over the last six
months, introductions weren’t necessary. Neither of them addressed the odd
looks that flashed their way. People had eyes. They would have caught the kiss
just like Alden Baker did. Just like Dave had the night before. For all they
knew their kiss last night could have made the morning news. So be it.

Casey’s arrival helped diffuse the gawkers, who merely
scattered to gossip amongst themselves. Russell hated that behind-the-back
crap. Valerie had worked hard for this museum. She didn’t deserve to be treated
with anything less than respect. If it wouldn’t have made things worse, he
would have told them that too.

“All set?” Casey placed her baked goods contribution on the
nearest table.

“Ready whenever you are,” Valerie replied.

It took a bit more chatting among the volunteers before they
aimed toward the parking lot.

“What burr does Baker have up his ass this time?” Casey
asked when they were out of earshot of the group.

“Us.” Valerie’s stride lengthened. “You talk to Estavarez?”

“Shortly after you did. He’s on the fence. I have a room
reserved at the Suites in my name just in case. But it’s going to take some
convincing.”

Valerie shook her head. “He doesn’t want to leave his
family, specifically his mother. Jail was very hard on him.”

“Bringing her along isn’t going to work.” Considering this
information, Russell wasn’t sure how hiding Estavarez was going to work either.
How long before he called his mother or some other family member for company?
“We’re going to have to appeal to her to keep him safe.”

“Good. Very good.” Valerie gave a nod with each word. “She’s
a strong woman dedicated to her family. They do what she says.”

In the end that’s exactly what happened. The whole setup
went more smoothly than Russell anticipated. In less than three hours he had
Valerie’s rental pointed toward the desert with a sniveling Ricardo Estavarez
in the passenger seat. It was going to be a long trip.

* * * * *

“They’ve cleared San Bernardino with no sign of anyone
following.”

Valerie tucked her phone into her purse, standing as she did
so. At this stage of the game there wasn’t much sense in her staying in the
hotel room with Casey. They’d passed the intervening two hours in near silence
as it was with Casey locked into the depths of whatever enthralled her on the
computer—work, most likely—while Valerie occupied her time with solitaire and
daydreaming. Now that Russell and his charge were clear, she had other
priorities…like cornering Bev for information.

“You staying?”

Casey pulled her head up at the question, yet the vacant
look in her eyes indicated she hadn’t processed any of what Valerie had said.
“Staying? Russell’s good?”

She almost laughed. “He’s good.”

“I should go then. I have work to do.” She shut down her
laptop.

“Don’t you always?”

A sly grin crept across her face. “Not always.”

“I’m heading over to Bev’s to see what she might know about
the attack on Teri Trent. Want to come with?”

“I take it you didn’t tell the police about their
relationship.” Casey shuffled papers together and stuffed them in her laptop
case.

“How could I? It’s too big a risk. I had hoped to convince
Bev to come forward if she knew anything.”

Casey added her laptop to the case, snapped it closed, then
stood with it clutched in one hand and her tote in the other. “Either way is
risky once they start delving into Bev’s business. She’s discreet, yes. But
someone’s bound to start spilling their guts the second they hear she’s gone to
the police. Anyone involved in group activity…”

Was screwed. “When did life get to be so complicated?”

“Oh sweetie,” Casey patted Valerie’s cheek, “it’s always
been complicated. I’ll follow you over. Maybe between the two of us we can do
damage control before there’s too much damage.”

Valerie headed for the door. “Do you always expect the
worst?”

“Always. That way I’m not disappointed when it happens.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “And when it doesn’t?”

Casey tilted her head to one side. “Profound relief, then
it’s on to the next obstacle.”

“Some would call them opportunities,” Valerie pointed out.

“Indeed.” Casey gave her a nod. “For both good and evil.”
She grinned. “That’s where my superpowers come in.”

“Someday you’ll have to share your secrets with me.” They
were out the door and headed for the elevator.

“Not even on my grave, dear friend.” There was no humor in
the statement. As the elevator doors opened, Casey’s dour expression was
reflected in the mirrored wall that faced them.

That was the end of any conversation. They rode in silence,
then separated to their respective vehicles. In thirty minutes they pulled into
Bev’s gated compound one at a time as the gates granted access. Bev’s residence
was the three-story Victorian painted lilac with pale-yellow trim nestled in a
copse of trees at the rear of the property. The tires rumbled on the brick
drive leading to it. No one else seemed to be around. Bev’s staff was as
discreet as the woman herself. Work got done, but it might as well have been by
elves.

A fountain bubbled merrily in the center of the circular
drive. Valerie parked at the head with Casey right behind her. They reached the
foot of the porch steps at the same time and trotted in tandem up to the
deep-set veranda. Cushioned rattan furniture invited visitors to sit.
Hummingbirds flitted to feeders. In the distance a lawnmower came to life, then
faded as the gardener headed to other parts of the property.

Valerie lifted a knocker as big as her hand and rapped it
three times. The door whipped open to a wide-eyed Mexican woman.

“Come quickly. She hurt.” The woman zipped away, expecting
Valerie and Casey to follow. They were hot on her heels. “I find like this.”
She ran through the foyer to the adjoining parlor.

Bev lay curled in the fetal position on the blue Persian
carpet, beaten, bloodied and crying. Welts marked her exposed skin. Blood
seeped through her sheer sundress where her attacker had opened wounds. Cane?
Whip?
Asshole.

Valerie and Casey skittered to their knees on either side of
her. “Call 9-1-1.”

“No.” Bev coughed around the word, bringing up spatters of
blood with it.

“She no let me,” the woman added.

“You’re hurt.” Casey’s fingers fluttered over her. “You need
help.”

“Who did this?” Valerie asked.

“No doctors. No hospital. No police. Just help me,” she
whimpered.

Why? Had a scene gone bad? When word got out… “Let’s get you
someplace more comfortable.” Bev needed help standing. Valerie didn’t know
where to touch her that wouldn’t cause more pain.