Disclaimers: See Chapter One If you have good or bad things to say feel free to email me at henleyac@yahoo.com.
Chapter Twelve
Brandon Crane's body washed up on a Lake Michigan beach two days later. His throat had been slashed, and the knife plunged deep into his heart. Two days later Clara O'Malley was charged with first degree murder with special circumstances. She was also charged with a slew of other crimes that would almost certainly guarantee she would never see daylight again. Marco DeLeon was charged with rape and drug trafficking, his injuries would delay his trial for some months.
The PI and the former detective were sitting together quietly in a white Crown Victoria they had rented shortly after landing in Detroit . Quin had sent her plane with Grams aboard back to Los Angeles . Anthony Davis had reported in, informing Quin the elderly woman had been safely retrieved from the airport and was settling in nicely. Quin still had no idea how to approach the woman with her new found information. Mary McKee was the only family she had counted since her grandfather turned father's passing. Could life be any more complicated? Quin thought. She glanced to her left at Vivian, who was inspecting a brand new Heckler and Koch, Mark 23 .45 ACP pistol, the gun permit laid across her lap. "Is it okay?" Quin asked, concerned over her lover's silence.
"It's a very nice gun." Vivian pronounced as she released the full clip.
McKee watched in silence as the blonde inspected every inch of the weapon
Vivian reinserted the clip, checked the safety and then eased the .45 into the new shoulder holster Quin had also given her. In the driver's seat, She leaned forward just enough to pull on the holster and settle the gun under her left arm. It was a bit bulky, but she was sure with some adjustments she would get use to the gun resting there. Vivian picked up the permit. "How did you manage to obtain a gun permit for Michigan just a few hours after landing in the state?"
Quin shrugged, "I know people."
Vivian chuckled at her lover's standard vague response.
"How do you feel?" Quin asked the question she had been holding on to for almost a week. Maybe moments before entering a dangerous situation wasn't the best time and place to ask, but Quin needed to know if Vivian was in the right frame of mind to carry through with the evening's activities.
"I'm a little edgy,." Vivian admitted. "I'm pissed too." She fell silent for a long moment as she stared out at the quickly fading day. "I feel raw."
Quin turned in her seat and cupped Vivian's face in her hands. "If I could take it away I would. I'm in love with you, Vivian. I'll be right here for you." She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on the blonde's lips.
"You talked to Ruth didn't you?" Vivian asked with a soft smile.
Quin blushed. "I don't want to fuck up. You mean everything to me and I don't want to lose you."
Vivian patted Quin's knee, "You're doing great. I'm in for the long haul, sweetheart. I just need a little time to work through this."
Quin nodded her acceptance.
"Ms. Smith sure about this place?" Vivian asked, looking out her car window at the abandoned building across the street. Quin had sent the blonde and her Southside counterpart, Horatio Macks, to Detroit to locate Jacob O'Malley. It seemed the two gang leaders had not only been able to locate the young man but had come to an amicable alliance. There was a lot of territory up for grabs in Chicago and the two newly minted allies were going to cash in on that fact.
Quin pulled her own gun from behind her back and checked the clip. "She and Horatio were certain he's here. They didn't want to step on any toes by getting involved."
Vivian shook her head. The inner workings of gangs and organized crime was beyond her sometimes. The fact that Quin could coerce these people into doing anything at all was incredible. "I'm ready whenever you are."
Quin leaned forward and placed her own .45 back in its spot. "Let's try and stay close in there." Vivian answered her with a nod. "He's not going to look like his picture and I doubt he'll answer to his name, so take good hard looks. Let them know you're carrying; That .45 should deter almost anyone from messing with you."
The blonde held up a hand to forestall any further words from her lover. "Quin. I have been in similar situations."
"Yes, I'm sure you have." Quin agreed, then added. "Please be safe."
"You too." Vivian smiled.
They exited the car and walked across the street together, Vivian pulling her leather coat close against the cold. She couldn't wait to get back to California and milder temperatures; It seemed like forever since she was truly warm. Quin led them around a corner to a row of boarded doorways. They passed three before finding one that was obviously rigged to allow entry to the four story brick building. Vivian entered first followed closely by Quin, who produced two penlights. She handed one to Vivian, who shook her head. "What?" Quin questioned, perplexed by her lover's reaction.
"Do you always have everything you need when you need it?" The blonde clicked on the small light and illuminated Quin's face. She wasn't surprised to see the cockiness rise to the surface of the brunette's features as she answered.
"I simply believe in being prepared."
Vivian growled, reached out and grabbed a handful of Quin's jacket. She hauled the smaller woman toward her until she was able to press her nose to Quin's "I'll figure you out someday. I'll know all your secrets. Then, Quinlan McKee, I'll know you." She lowered her lips and began a deep passionate kiss, breaking it off when the brunette whimpered into her mouth. She licked her buzzing lips and smiled. "Now let's go find this kid so I can go home and get warm."
Quin stumbled a little as she was released by the blonde. She blinked, still stunned, "M'kay.", said mostly to herself as she pulled her jacket down.
Vivian's smile faded as they turned to begin their search. This place was a hell hole if ever there was one. The stench grew as they got deeper into the building. The first floor was empty so they climbed the steps to the second level. Vivian could hear the murmurs of conversation from various rooms. She tapped Quin's shoulder and pointed to the first door on the left; Quin nodded and tossed her head to the right. Vivian knew they had come to an agreement. She peeked around the door. There were at least a half dozen people huddled around a small metal trashcan burning bright with fire. Just on the edge of the glowing fire were two women. One was injecting the other with some substance that, if Vivian had to guess, was probably heroin. Taking a deep breath, she entered the room, holding up her hands as the occupants of the room started to scatter. "I'm just looking. I'm not a cop." The wide, wild eyes staring back at her were anything but trusting "I'm looking for a kid from Chicago ." The silence was broken only by the popping of the fire. Then a disembodied voice spoke out.
"He's upstairs paying."
Vivian cringed. She knew exactly what paying meant. She dropped her hands and rushed back into the hall. "Quin!" She yelled as she took the stairs two at a time to the top, pulling her gun as she reached the third floor landing. She would do anything to spare Jacob another moment of torment. Quin arrived just a moment later. Vivian closed her eyes and listened. She heard a thump and a whimper from somewhere above and was off at a run again.
Quin put her trust and faith in her lover and followed her up to the top floor of the building. She tried to slow her breathing to almost normal as Vivian once again came to a stop, listening. She didn't stay still for long. Quin watched as the blonde took two long strides to the left. Vivian raised one long leg and kicked down a door that was obviously between her and her objective. Quin followed her lover into the room, taking a quick look around, a naked light bulb swung from the ceiling illuminating the dingy interior. They had interrupted something, that much was obvious. Vivian had one participant frozen in her sites; The other two people in the room were in a somewhat compromising position. Then it happened. A moment of recognition that jumped up and slapped Quin. She growled viciously just before kicking the man off Jacob. Quin held her gun on the man, who was now reaching for anything to cover himself. Kneeling, she turned Jacob's head so she could see his face. His large eyes, blank and glassy, stared back at her with no recognition. She searched around for his clothes.
Vivian sneered at the man she held at gun point as she pressed the barrel of her new HK into his forehead. "The boy's coming with us."
"He belongs to me, he owes me big time." The man managed with a bravado which was lost on Vivian.
"You'll have to write it off as a loss." Vivian tapped the barrel against the man's head. "He's coming with us. Now you can be alive when we leave or you can be dead; no one is going to care but you." This seemed to make the man rethink his case. Vivian moved so she could see what was going on behind her. She saw Quin helping her Jacob get dressed, the man who had violated him having disappeared. "Are we in agreement?" She asked with another tap of the gun.
"He's leaving with you." The man grunted.
Vivian's lips quirked into a mean smile. "I'm so glad you could see it my way." She looked over at the PI, who had managed to get Jacob standing. "No one follows us out." She warned, moving to hook her arm around Jacob and help Quin. She kept the gun trained on the man as they exited the room. They didn't waste any time getting out of the building and into the car.
Vivian sat in the back seat gently cradling Jacob's head in her lap as Quin drove. They didn't stop until the sun was rising. Quin found a clean roadside motel more interested in money than asking questions. They had driven for twelve hours, and Jacob was becoming combative as he begged for a fix. It was going to be a long day in Iowa .
"I need you to get some junk food, Quin." Vivian stretched her long body out beside a restless Jacob. "Anything with sugar."
Quin blinked at her lover. "How…?"
Vivian's head rested on Jacob's shoulder as her hand moved across the boy's chest in soothing circles. "I've been here, Quin; I know what he feels. The desperation, the longing, sugar will help; caffeine too." Jacob rolled on his side and curled up into a ball. Vivian followed him and wrapped her own body around his. "We have about thirty hours or so before he'll be ready to move again, so you'll want to bring us something to eat too."
Stunned, Quin left without another word. She found the local supercenter and gathered a good amount of food with no evident nutritional value. She also grabbed bottled water and soda pop, and detoured through men's clothing for some new outfits and winter gear for Jacob. Satisfied that all bases were covered she went back to the motel.
Upon her return, Quin was pushed into service as orderly. Vivian insisted they give Jacob a bath, and Quin did exactly as ordered. Something told her not to question the blonde. Bathing Jacob wasn't an easy task. It took a fully clothed Vivian, in the tub, with the young man before they could make any progress. Quin was in awe of the blonde's patience and compassion, and she fell deeper in love as the moments passed.
A clean and exhausted Jacob O'Malley passed out shortly after being dressed. Vivian curled protectively around the boy, while Quin snuggled as close as possible to her lover.
Two more baths and three more trips to the store were required before the sun rose again. Quin was quietly coaxing Jacob to eat and drink as Vivian slept.
"Who is she?" Jacob managed after forcing down a bite of pancakes his Aunt had produced from somewhere. He felt his empty, aching stomach begin to rebel as soon as the food hit bottom.
Quin looked over at her lightly snoring lover. "I don't really know much about her at all. I do know she's an awesome person, and I know I love her."
Jacob nodded as he concentrated on keeping the food down. The truth was he didn't have any appetite, but his Aunt wasn't giving up. She offered him a small cup of 7up.
"Vivian said to drink this because your sugars are all messed up."
Jacob accepted the cup and downed it in several small sips. He would do just about anything to feel normal again. "Why is she helping me? She doesn't even know me."
Quin shrugged. "She has her reasons, comma Jake; I'm not privy to them just yet. How are you feeling?"
Jacob groaned. "Like I was hit by a train." Running his hands across his short kinky hair, he peered into his Aunt's clear gray eyes. "I feel alive; I haven't felt anything for weeks." He looked over at the sleeping woman who had kept him company during the lowest point of his life. "She's beautiful. You lucked out twice, Aunt Quin."
The PI smiled. "Don't I know it, kid."
Another twelve hours passed before Vivian pronounced Jacob fit for travel. The trio headed west across the plains, Jake even taking a turn at the wheel while Quin and Vivian took a short backseat snuggle.
They debated stopping in Utah for a rest, but after much discussion it was decided they would drive straight through. Truthfully, it wasn't so much a discussion as it was Vivian taking the car keys and ensconcing herself behind the steering wheel, the blonde mumbling something about "tired of being cold." Quin and Jacob shrugged at each other and raced for the front passenger seat, Jacob winning "shotgun." The PI's frown faded as she realized she could nearly stretch out her full length on the back seat of the big car. She quickly drifted off to sleep, lulled away by the simple tune of some country song on the radio. Several hours later she was roused by Vivian to share a fast food feast.
Vivian gave up the wheel in Sacramento and Quin drove the rest of the way. She nudged Vivian awake as the Los Angeles basin came into full view during their descent from the Grapevine. Vivian smiled over at the brunette. "We're home."
Pulling up in the driveway, Quin hurried into the house and headed directly for a shower, leaving Jacob and Vivian in awkward silence at the bottom of the stairs. Vivian spoke first. "I'm sure if you wanted to call your parents to tell them you're alive it would be welcomed."
Jacob looked around the entry way of the big house, finally meeting Vivian's blue eyes. "Maybe you could call them and tell them I'm okay. You know… so they won't worry." Truth was he wasn't really ready to talk to anyone.
Vivian slowly nodded. "I can do that. I'll let them know that you'll call them in a couple of days."
Jacob suddenly leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the tall blonde. Heartfelt and muffled words spilled out. "Thank you."
It was easy to return the hug. Vivian gave the young man a good squeeze, "You're welcome, Jacob O'Malley." She let the embrace go on a bit longer and then patted his back. "Come on. I'll show you where you'll sleep." She led him up the stairs. "I want you to know a few things, Jake. I know what you went through." She opened the bedroom door. "I know what you're going through now." She sat on the bed and patted the spot next to her. "I know what you will be going through."
Jacob sat on the bed next to the blonde. "You've been…"
"Yeah." Vivian admitted. "My drug was crack."
"Not many kick that one, huh?"
Vivian's blonde head shook. "No. And not a day goes by that I don't think about it."
Jacob nodded.
"So here's the deal. You need to come to me or your Aunt if you think you need a little help coping. These next few days are going to suck. Not as much as the last two days, but they are going to be rough. The good part is you are in a strange place with no connections; that'll help. You also have plenty of people who love you, and together we'll help you." Vivian looked around the room. It looked safe enough. "Any questions, friend?"
Jacob could feel the tears start to rise. "I'll do my best."
"I know you will, Jake." Vivian patted his knee. "Your Aunt will be in to check on you later. Is there anything you need?" A solid shake of his head answered her. "Okay. We're across the hall and two doors down. Knock before entering, and no teasing the adults if you hear things that make you blush." She smiled as she stood and walked to the door. Looking at the young man sitting on the bed, she knew from experience it was going to be a long hard road. She also knew that if Jacob truly wanted to be clean he could do it. She would be there to help him any way she could.
Quin took her time in the shower. The hot water would take awhile to replenish before anyone else could get a hot shower. Ruffling her hair with a towel as she exited the bathroom, her heart dropped as she found her lover curled up on their bed sobbing. Quin eased onto the bed and curled herself around Vivian. "I've got you."
Vivian twisted around in her lover's embrace and buried her face against Quin's chest.
"I've got you," Quin soothed again. "We'll get through this together."
Vivian let the tears fall. She had felt like crying for days but couldn't muster the energy to release the emotion. She cried for herself, and she cried for Quin and Jacob. "Please don't leave me again," She whispered with a shaky breath.
"Never." Quin promised.
Vivian's tears subsided after several minutes. She boldly wiped her face and nose on Quin's clean white t-shirt and smiled at her lover's groan.
"That's just gross." Quin stripped the shirt and handed it to the blonde. "Here. It's yours."
Vivian mustered a smile. "Thanks." She sniffled. "I needed that."
"I'm glad you shared it with me." Quin started to get up for a clean shirt only to be stopped by Vivian's firm hand.
"I like you the way you are." Vivian gently pulled her naked lover back down on the bed.
"Are you sure?"
The blonde nodded. "I need you. I need you to touch me. I need to touch you. I need to forget."
Quin leaned forward and pressed her lips to Vivian's. She gently began to relieve the blonde of her clothing until their skin met. The brunette continued her gentle ministrations much to Vivian's dismay. She growled and flipped Quin onto her back, pinning the smaller woman's wrist above her head. "I want you." Vivian took Quin's lips in a bruising kiss.
Quin strained a bit against Vivian's grasp as her lover stole her breath away with the fierce kiss. The brunette stopped her struggling and simply melted.
Vivian noticed the brunette relax beneath her and smiled. "You're beautiful, Quin McKee." She kissed a path from Quin's chin to her collar bone, then flattened her tongue and pressed it the length of the ridge to the brunette's shoulder, where she took a little nip of the flesh. She repeated the procedure in the opposite direction, stopping at the purplish pink star shaped scar. She took a long look at the mark before placing a soft wet kiss upon it.
Quin moaned and squirmed beneath Vivian at the attention her sensitive flesh was receiving. She freed her hands and grabbed two handfuls of Vivian's blonde hair, pulling the woman's lips back to her own, and flipping their bodies over once again. She slid her entire body up and down Vivian's, every nerve she possessed alert and aroused. Her center was wet and swollen, her breasts hard and tense. "I want you," Quin hissed through clenched teeth. She continued her thrusts against Vivian's long body, their mingled sweat easing her way.
Vivian captured one of Quin's thighs between her own and moaned at the contact on her heated sex. She pulled Quin's head down until she could meet her lips. With one hand firmly entwined in the brunette's thick spikes and the other on Quin's ass, Vivian broke the kiss just long enough to make a request. "Inside, Quin."
The PI stilled. "Are you sure?"
Vivian's hand cupped her lover's cheek. "I need you inside," She said softly. "Please."
Quin leaned down and placed a soft reassuring kiss on Vivian's lips. "If it hurts or you want me to stop…"
"I'll let you know." Vivian reassured with her own kiss.
Quin closed her eyes as she adjusted her position a bit to allow her hand access to Vivian's center. She gently parted her lover, her gray eyes opening again only to fall into the blue depths of Vivian's eyes. Slowly she entered her lover, breathless as her fingers connected her to the blonde. She set a gentle rhythm.
Vivian moved with Quin; slowly at first, letting her body adjust to the invasion of Quin's fingers. She had been worried she wouldn't be able to take the sensation, but her body didn't balk at all. She closed her eyes and moved a bit faster, urging Quin to increase her speed. The soft wet noise of sex and their mutual moans of pleasure obliterated any doubts lingering in her mind.
Quin increased her tempo as Vivian's thrusts demanded. She smiled as the blonde's head fell back and Vivian's long gorgeous neck was exposed to her lips. She pressed harder against Vivian's thigh as she marked the graceful neck, her breasts brushing back and forth against the blonde's on each thrust. She could feel her lover begin to shake and quiver beneath her; Vivian was close. Quin reluctantly left the tender flesh under her lips as she doubled her efforts, her arm muscles burning and her wrist beginning to cramp. She all but forgot her own pleasure as she reached for Vivian's.
"So close." Vivian exhaled.
"Come for me." Quin urged into her lover's ear. "All for me." She thrust hard twice more.
Vivian arched her back up off the bed, carrying Quin with her as her orgasm exploded through her. She sank back into the mattress, quivering from the little aftershocks of pleasure. Quin removed her hand from her with a wet moan and quickly positioned her hands on either side of Vivian's shoulders. The brunette's thrusts were hard and long as she raised herself again and again. Vivian reached down and assisted the brunette's efforts by grabbing Quin's ass and pressing up into her with her thigh. "That's it baby. Give it to me." Vivian whispered.
Eyes closed, Quin gritted her teeth as she worked, her breathing stopping as she crested to her own orgasm. She pressed hard into Vivian as she milked her own pleasure for all it was worth. Quin's sweat slick body finally came to rest atop her lover as her breathing struggled to return to normal. Her eyes blinked open to a still taut nipple, which she kissed. "I'm done." Her eyes slipped closed again.
Vivian chuckled. "I'd say so." She ran her fingers through Quin's damp hair. "I love you."
Quin's lips curved into a soft smile. "I love you too. Now stop moving, I'm trying to sleep." She jiggled up and down as Vivian laughed.
"Now who is the romantic?" The blonde teased.
"Shhh… Sleeping"
Vivian continued to run her fingers through Quin's hair. Everything was going to be alright, she thought, and smiled as Quin's soft snore blew across her nipple. She suppressed a moan as her rebellious body part became erect. She closed her own eyes and settled in for the night.
Tomorrow. She thought. Tomorrow they would begin again.
End book two
I would like just to put a little note here for my readers to consider. I'm forty years old and have Stage IV Ovarian/Uterine Cancer. I had no warning signs besides a heavy period. I am now going through treatment and fighting the fight of my life. Please, at your next physical ask for a sonogram. It may save your life.