"So, are you going to stay?" he asked hesitantly.
"Stay? Stay where?"
"With Homicide? With your partner?"
She set her cup down and stared at him. "Robert, what are you asking?"
"I just think maybe this is more than you bargained for," he said.
"Well, yes it is. We were helping out CIU. You remember, you thought CIU would be the perfect place for me," she reminded him. "And yes I'm staying." She leaned forward. "Robert, in all my years on the force, this is the most fun I've ever had."
"Fun?"
"Yes, fun. It was exhilarating. And you know what? There wasn't a single moment that I felt like we were in danger. Well, we were in danger, but I mean grave danger. She was amazing, totally amazing. Whatever she suggested we do, I trusted her. And she was right. She got us out of there."
"She got you in there," he said. "I've heard stories about her. She's dangerous."
"She's not dangerous. We were just doing our job, Robert."
"You could have been killed."
"Will you stop with that? I could be killed every time I go out."
"I just worry about you, honey." He sat down beside her and rubbed her thigh. "I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you."
"Oh, Robert." She leaned forward and kissed him. "I'm fine. Exhausted, but fine."
"You want me to stay with you tonight?" he asked quietly.
She shook her head. "No. I'm going to go to bed and crash. I wouldn't be great company."
"I hate to leave you. You know, if we lived together, I wouldn't have to leave," he said, moving over to kiss her again.
She wanted to tell him that even though they didn't live together, he still didn't have to leave. But she wanted him to leave. She wanted to be alone. Like she said, she was exhausted. The ordeal today and the endless questioning by CIU had lasted for hours.
"I just want to get some rest, Robert. Maybe tomorrow, I'll get away early and cook dinner for you. How does that sound?"
He put his arm around her and pulled her close, kissing her forehead.
"That sounds great."
Later, as she crawled under the covers alone, she wondered what Tori was doing. She wished she had her phone number. Surely, she wasn't at the station on the cot tonight. Surely she went home. Samantha lay back, her eyes wide open. Her new partner was most likely alone, with no one worrying over her well-being or bringing her a hot cup of tea. No one to fuss over her almost being killed. The thought saddened her. She hated to think of Tori being alone. Not after a day like today.
And why was she alone? Samantha didn't know anything about the gay lifestyle, but Tori was attractive. In fact, she was... gorgeous, with a body to go with it. Why didn't she have someone?
But Samantha knew the answer. Tori didn't want someone.
Tori flipped on the lights to her tiny apartment and looked around. She hadn't been there in nearly a week. She tossed her keys on the counter, opened the fridge and stared inside. Two beers and a carton of milk that had soured, nothing else. She slammed the door and opened a cabinet, taking out a bottle of scotch. She grabbed a large glass and filled it nearly to the top, then moved to her lone chair, a recliner.
"Hell of a day," she murmured to the empty room.
Chapter Ten
"Well, well, hero for a day," Sikes said as he walked over to Samantha and patted her shoulder. "Good job, Kennedy."
"Thanks, Sikes. All in a day's work," she said lightly.
"You looked great on the news, all wet with your hair slicked back," he continued, taking his usual perch on the corner of her desk.
"I didn't think you noticed things like that, Sikes."
He stood up quickly. "I told you, I'm not gay! I don't know where you got that from, but it better stop here."
She only smiled at him and nodded.
Tony Ramirez walked over then, sticking out his hand and shaking Samantha's.
"You guys were great," he said. "Good plug for Homicide. Can't believe Hunter did that."
"Well, CIU was acting like they busted the whole thing on their own," she said. She actually couldn't believe it either. When the TV crew had asked how long she'd been with CIU, Tori had laughed. "We're with Homicide, not CIU. They were too busy to check out this dead-end lead, so they had us run out here. Hell of a dead end, huh?"
"You should have heard Fisk when he was telling the story. 'Tell Malone to send the troops. Oh shit!'" Ramirez said, mimicking Tori.
Samantha laughed. That was only the beginning of their ordeal.
"Where is Hunter, anyway?" she asked.
"Haven't seen her."
"It's eight-thirty," Samantha said. "She's always here before me."
He shrugged. "She's probably out working already." Then he handed her something warm wrapped in foil. He laid an identical one on Tori's desk. "My mother made these. Tori loves them. Chorizo and eggs."
"Thanks, Tony. That was sweet of you."
She unwrapped hers, finding a warm tortilla rolled inside, bulging with eggs and Mexican sausage. She took a bite and moaned. Wonderful.
But it was another half hour before Tori walked in, looking like she'd hardly slept at all. She walked past Samantha's desk and straight to the coffee.
"Are you okay?" Samantha asked when Tori returned.
"Uh-huh," she said, sipping from the hot liquid. She looked at the foil on her desk and grinned. Tony's mother had no doubt cooked for her again.
"Where have you been?"
Tori raised her eyebrows.
"What? I can't ask that? I would think after yesterday, I could ask anything I damn well pleased."
Tori grinned. "That's what you think, huh?"
"Yes, that's what I think."
"Okay, fair enough. I was at my boat. I overslept," she said.
"Why don't I believe you?" She lowered her voice. "You look like you hardly slept at all, Tori."
"Oh, but I did. I went to my apartment first. There was nothing there but a bottle of scotch. About midnight, I went out and got something to eat, then drove to my boat. I fell asleep about four. Got caught in traffic."
Samantha stared at her. Four? She was asleep by ten. She was about to comment when the Lieutenant called for them.
"You two want to come in here?"
Tori sighed, then pushed away from her desk. She was used to existing on only a few hours' sleep each night but for some reason, she couldn't shake it this morning.
"Well, you had quite a day, Detectives," he said. "Congratulations. You made the department proud."
They both looked at him, saying nothing.
"CIU's got their panties in a wad, though. Press ate up your interview last night, Hunter."
She shrugged.
"I just wanted to tell you that you did a good job. Glad you made it back in one piece." He looked from Hunter to Kennedy, then back. Kennedy looked rested. Hunter looked like shit. "I guess it's back to your Jane Doe. The lab called this morning, Hunter. Fisk has the info. They found some matching fibers."
"Great. We'll check it out."
They got up to leave but Malone called Tori back.
"Hunter... a word?"
Samantha glanced at them both, then shut the door behind her. Tori sat back down, waiting.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine, Lieutenant."
He nodded. "How are things going with Kennedy?"
"Fine."
"Think it might work out?"
She nodded, then grinned. "I think it might work out. She was a real trouper out there yesterday. Only threatened to shoot me a couple of times."
"Go easy on this one, Hunter. She could be good for you."
"I think you may be right."
"How do you feel about letting me work out with you?" Samantha asked later as they drove toward Central.
"In the gym?"
"I realized yesterday that my upper body strength is a little lacking," she admitted.
"Maybe. But it'll cut into your time. I usually work out later in the evening, but we can arrange to go right after work a few days a week." Tori glanced at her quickly. "Don't you want to check with your boyfriend first?"
"Why would I need to do that?"
"Like I said, it'll cut into your time."
"Yes, but it's my time. Not his."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Samantha heard them echoing in her brain. Robert would be upset. Not mad. He didn't get mad. But it would take away from their time together and lately, that time had been stretched thin. Well, he would understand. Her job was important to her, just as his was to him. He had late nights, too. She always understood when he had a meeting after hours or had a case to prepare. She didn't complain. He would be just as understanding.
"Three nights a week? But Samantha, we hardly see each other as it is. And look at you. I hardly think you need to go to the gym," he said.
"I could barely climb that fence, Robert. Yes, I need to go to the gym. I'm not in great shape."
"I beg to differ. I think you have a great shape."
She smiled at him and handed him his plate.
"Thank you. But you know what I mean."
"Well, hopefully, you won't be climbing fences too often. Don't you think you're overreacting?"
They sat across from each other at her small table and she watched silently as he poured wine. Was she overreacting? It was just that Tori was in such good shape. Samantha didn't want to hold her back, didn't want Tori to feel like she had to help her over and through obstacles if they arose. Samantha should be able to keep up. And besides, if they worked out together, it would give her more time with her partner. More time to get to know her. Samantha suspected the Tori Hunter everyone knew was nothing like the Tori Hunter she had glimpsed that day in the tunnel. Tori had never lost her cool, had never gotten impatient with Samantha. In fact, she had been teasing, had acted like it was all a game. Maybe that's why Samantha had not really felt like they were in danger. Tori had simply taken charge and gotten them out of there. And it had been fun.
And Samantha wanted more of it.
Chapter Eleven
"You're killing me," Samantha complained as she attempted to lift the weights one more time.
"Two more."
"Two? You said one."
"I lied."
Samantha pushed up, straining. Was this really her idea? What had she been thinking? She took a deep breath, finally pushing the weights over her head.
"Great," Tori said, taking the bar from Sam. "Now, leg press."
Sam stood up, shaking her arms at her sides.
"You better hope I don't have to draw my weapon tomorrow," she said.
"Why's that?"
"Because I doubt I'll be able to lift my arms."
"Tomorrow will be fine. It'll be the next day," Tori said. She walked over to the leg press and pointed. "Sit."
Samantha did as she was told, lying back and bending her knees, resting her feet against the plate. She watched as Tori adjusted the weight.
"Try that."
She did. It moved only a few inches. Tori lightened it and Sam tried again. This time, she was able to extend her legs. With effort.
"Great. Ten."
"Why don't I believe you?" Sam murmured as she pushed down on the plate.
Tori watched, surprised at the thigh muscles that were well defined. She reached out a hand and touched Sam's leg lightly, feeling the muscles move under her hand.
"You jog?" she asked.
Sam was conscious of the hand that rested against her thigh as she breathed hard to finish the set. "Used to. But not in a couple of years. I make do with a stationary bike now."
"Better than nothing. Your legs look like they're in good shape."
"Thanks." For some reason, that made her feel better. Then she leaned up. "Why aren't you working out?"
"I'll do it later tonight. I promised I'd help you," she said.
"Can't we do both? I hate that you're just standing around watching me."
Tori raised her eyebrows. "Could be worse," she teased. "I could be stuck watching Sikes or somebody."
Samantha grinned. She loved it when Tori was relaxed and teasing. "Why don't you work out now with me? Then I'll treat you to dinner," Sam offered.
"Dinner?"
"Yes. I doubt you'll take the time to eat if you're planning on working out later. Come on, we'll get a burger or something."
Tori stared. She hadn't been asked out to dinner in so long, she hardly knew how to respond. Who knew? Apparently, Sam liked her. So she nodded.
Samantha flashed her a smile and reached out and squeezed her arm.
"Thanks."
"That doesn't mean you're getting off lightly," Tori said. She took the machine next to Sam. Leg curls. She stretched out on her stomach and hooked her ankles beneath the bar. She closed her eyes and took a breath, then curled her legs behind her in a steady rhythm, counting silently to herself.
Samantha stared at the legs stretched out beside her, calf muscles bulging with each repetition. She looked at her own thin legs, wondering if she'd ever have that much definition.
"Come on, Sam. Another set," Tori said beside her.
"Yeah, yeah," she mumbled.
They moved through the various weight machines, Tori helping Sam reacquaint herself with them. It had been years since she'd been in a gym. She actually felt invigorated by the exercise. She followed Tori's instructions, not at all self-conscious as she struggled through some of the weights. But later, in the locker room, shyness overtook her as she undressed only a few lockers down from Tori. Tori apparently didn't have a shy bone in her body. She stripped where she stood, walking naked into the shower.
"Good God," Sam murmured as she watched Tori walk away. The woman was a goddess, sculpted body head to toe. She looked down at her own body, still clad in sports bra and shorts. She certainly wasn't embarrassed by her body. In fact, Robert said on numerous occasions that she had a wonderful body. It just wasn't as defined as Tori's. Well, that's why she was here, she told herself. She slipped off her bra and shorts and grabbed a towel, walking quickly into a shower stall.
Tori was already dressed when she walked out. She was bending over tying her shoes, and she glanced once at Samantha, then away.
"I'll wait outside for you," she said.
"Okay. I'll just be a sec," Samantha said.
She dropped her towel as soon as Tori left, dressing quickly. She pulled on jeans and a sweatshirt, ran a brush through her damp hair and shoved everything into her gym bag. She found Tori sitting on a weight bench when she walked out.
"Better?" Tori asked.
Samantha smiled. "I feel great. Thank you."
Tori stood and shoved both hands in her pockets, waiting.
"How about Albert's over on Pearl?" Sam asked. "It's casual enough."
"Sure. I'll follow you."
Samantha was conscious of the Explorer behind her and she looked up several times in her mirror. She was nervous and she couldn't imagine why. Maybe because she hadn't told Robert. Then she glanced at her cell phone, which was off. She could call him, but she doubted it would be a short conversation. No, she would talk to him afterward.
Albert's was crowded for a weeknight and they had to sit at the bar until a table opened up. They both ordered a beer, then rested their arms casually on the bar top.
"Oh God, that is so good," Sam said after her first long drink.
"Mmm," Tori agreed.
"Thank you for doing this. The workout and dinner," Sam explained. "I really want us to be friends, Tori. I think it'll make it so much easier to work together."
"Is that right?"
"Yes." Samantha leaned her elbows on the table and looked at Tori. "You have to admit, this is much better than arguing and bickering or just plain not talking. Right?"
Tori smiled and nodded.
"I'm serious. You scared the hell out of me that first week, you know."
"Did I?" She shrugged. "I don't know why. I was just being me."
"Were you?" Sam asked. "Who are you being now?"
Tori flicked her gaze at Sam then went back to her beer, draining half of it in one swallow.
"It was like you wanted so badly for me not to like you," Sam continued. "I can't for the life of me figure out why."
"No one likes me, Sam."
"I like you."
"Why?"
Samantha shrugged, then smiled.
"Is it safe to tell you that I had more fun with you the other day than I've had in my whole life?"
"In the tunnel?" Tori asked with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah. The tunnel."
"Fun? You threatened to shoot me several times," Tori reminded her.
"Oh, I know. At the time, it seemed like a good idea," Samantha said with a laugh. "In fact, when I think about the water, I imagine it being a pretty aqua blue! Most likely, it was the color of coffee."
"Most likely."
"I mean, we were being chased and shot at and then you tried to drown me. Then there was the man-eating rat. Not to mention the thirty-foot drop into the creek."
"Don't forget the explosion."
Samantha laughed. "Yes. The only good thing is I'm not allergic to poison ivy."
It was Tori's turn to laugh. "I don't think you were there long enough to find out. You should have seen your face as you were falling."
"You should have seen your face when I dunked you under the water," Sam shot back.
Tori smiled and nodded. Yes, it had been fun. They could have been killed, but it was fun. And she couldn't remember the last time she'd had fun.
Chapter Twelve
Sam watched Tori pull away, then followed her onto the street. It was late. After ten. Robert would be furious. But she shrugged. She'd make it up to him. She had been enjoying herself too much to call an end to the evening. Tori had opened up. Not much, but some. She'd talked mostly about her boat. In fact, she'd invited Samantha-and Robert-to join her some weekend. That surprised Sam. She doubted Tori ever invited anyone to do anything with her. She didn't mention one word about her childhood or family, and Samantha didn't ask. If Tori wanted to share, she would. Samantha was just thankful they were talking at all. It would make working together so much easier.
Finally, she could put it off no longer. She turned on her cell phone. The insistent beeping told her she had messages. Four of them. She grabbed it and flipped through caller ID. All from Robert. She didn't bother listening to them. She punched out his number, waiting only one ring before he answered.
"Are you okay?" he asked quickly.
"Of course."
"Where are you?"
"I'm just leaving Albert's," she said.
"Albert's? What were you doing at Albert's?"
"We grabbed a burger after our workout. I'm sorry, I didn't have a chance to call you," she said, allowing herself that one small lie.
"I've been worried. I expected you home hours ago."
Home?
"Robert, I told you I was going to work out. I didn't think you'd be waiting for me."
"I thought you'd be through by seven, at the latest. I waited for you. I thought we could have dinner together," he said.
She groaned silently. She should have called him.
"I'm sorry," she said again. "Do you want me to come over?"
"That would be nice. Even nicer if you'd pick me up something to eat."
She nodded. "Okay. A burger?"
"Chicken sandwich would be better."
"Okay. I'll be there in about fifteen, twenty minutes," she said. She was tired and wanted nothing more than to go home and crawl into bed-alone. But she felt guilty for not calling Robert. She would go to him tonight, but she was not sorry she'd spent the evening with Tori Hunter.
Chapter Thirteen
Tori glanced up as the blond woman walked gingerly across the room. She set a tall cup on her desk and a matching one on Tori's, then bent slowly to her chair.
Tori grinned and reached for her coffee, pulling off the lid and sniffing. Cappuccino. Mmm.
"Thanks. I'm surprised you were able to lift two, though," Tori teased.
"Not one word," Samantha threatened.
"Got a little lactic acid buildup, do we?"
Sam glared at her. "I couldn't get off the toilet this morning, thank you," Samantha said. "My thighs refused to cooperate."
Tori laughed, causing several heads to turn their way. Even Adams and Donaldson looked up.
"You should've gotten on the stationary bike this morning, loosened up a little."
"Are you kidding?"
"Maybe you should've had Robert give you a massage," Tori suggested. "I hear that helps."
Samantha only grunted. Robert was still a little peeved at her. Not so peeved that he didn't want to sleep with her last night, but peeved enough not to want to talk about her night at the gym. She, however, was too tired for even a little snuggling much less making love.
"Hunter?"
Tori looked up as Fisk walked over, taking the note from his hands.
"Got another body. Little Mexico this time."
Tori glanced at the paper and nodded.
"Thanks, Fisk. Come on, Sam. Time to play cop."
Samantha squeezed her eyes shut as she stood, letting out a small groan at the burning in her thighs.
"Need help?" Tori offered. "Want me to carry you?"
"This is all your fault," she said. " 'One more set, Sam. One more set,'" she mimicked, following Tori out of the squad room.
They both slipped on gloves as they walked over to the Dumpster. The Medical Examiner was still standing over the victim, taking pictures.
"Same?" Tori asked Rita Spencer.
"Hardly. Take a look."
"Jesus," Samantha whispered and she gripped Tori's arm and squeezed hard.
Their girl was naked, covered in blood. Her stomach had been sliced open.
"There's a lot of blood," Tori said quietly. "Was she killed here?"
"Doubtful," Rita said. "The blood is all concentrated on the victim, a little where it seeped down here." She pointed into the trash bin. "They found a bloody footprint." She turned and pointed down the alleyway.
"I'll take a look," Samantha offered. Anything to avoid staring at the young girl.
"So, killed somewhere else and dumped. If there's this much blood here..."
"Yes, there'll be twice as much at the scene. I've bagged her hands. Broken nails. This one fought back. We might get a skin sample."
Tori shrugged. They already had DNA on a semen match on the first two. She stepped closer, looking around the Dumpster. There were drops of blood on the edge and a smear on the side.
"Any chance for prints?" she asked.
"No. The smear there is nothing. I'm sure he wore latex."
Tori reached in and brushed the matted hair away from the girl's face. Something wasn't right.
"Rita... no makeup," Tori said. She picked up the girl's arm, staring through the plastic bag Rita had put around her hand. "No painted nails."
"And?"
"I don't think she's a hooker."
"Tori, the print is from a sneaker," Samantha said as she walked back to them. She glanced once at the body, then back at Tori. "But, it's walking away, not to the Dumpster. Why would there be a bloody print there"-she pointed-"and not here?"
They all stepped back, looking on the ground around them. Tori calculated the print was a good twenty feet from the Dumpster. It was also going into the alley, not toward the street, where a car could be parked.
"How far does this alley go?" she asked one of the uniforms standing by.
"Three blocks. But there's a side entrance over there," he pointed. "It splits the bakery and the grocery store."
"Let's take a look."
Tori and Sam walked down the side alley, both looking at the ground for blood drops.
"Tori, a car would barely fit through here."
"Yes. Barely. Check the trash cans. Maybe we'll get a scratch."
Sam nodded, walking toward the street, checking the cans. Tori walked beside her, letting Sam take the lead. Most of the cans were dented.
"Green paint on this one," Sam said, pointing. "Could be anything, but it looks fresh."
"Yeah." Tori lifted the lid. The can was full. It smelled. "Great." She looked back at the two uniforms who were standing in the alley waiting. "Sam, what's that guy's name again?"
"Sanchez."
"Right." Tori motioned to the two guys. "Sanchez? Find out what store this belongs to. I want to take it. Send it to the lab. I want this paint."
"Yes, ma'am."
They squatted beside the trash can, looking at the small scrape of paint on the side.
"He drove in here," Tori said, "bumping the can as he tried to squeeze between it and the wall. Parked up there. Carried the body to the Dumpster. Laid her out like all the others, then walked back to his car, leaving the one footprint."
"Why just one?"
"And why that far from the Dumpster?"
"Maybe he left it on purpose," Samantha suggested.
"A clue? To tease us? Then we really have a sick bastard," Tori said.
"She was so much worse than the others," Sam said quietly. "Why?"
Tori shrugged. "Maybe she put up more of a fight. I don't think she was a hooker, Sam. Her face looked too clean. There was no makeup. Her nails were short, not painted."
"He could have cleaned her up."
"Why would he do that? The other two were made up. They looked the part. Not this one."
Sam shrugged. She didn't have an answer.
They had barely walked into the squad room when Malone called them into his office. He shut the door behind them.
"Captain called. Wants to know if it's a serial for sure. If we think it is, we need to call in a profiler from CIU."
"The first two are definitely linked. Won't have lab reports until tomorrow."
"What does your gut say, Hunter?"
"This one is different. I'm not certain she was a hooker. The first two were. The first two were strangled. This one had her belly ripped open. The first two had clothes on. This one was naked," Tori stated.
"Copycat? Two murdered hookers has barely made the papers. I doubt a copycat," he said.
"No. She was laid out in the Dumpster like the others. But maybe our angle of hookers is wrong."
"What makes you think she wasn't a hooker?"
"She was just different."
"She had no makeup, Lieutenant," Samantha said. "Her nails were short, not long and painted like the others."
"Hardly conclusive. Come up with something. Two hookers slipped through the papers. Three? It'll make front page. Mayor's office will be calling. They'll want to send someone over for a report. I'll try and stall them for a few days."
"At least until we get the lab results. I want to sit in on the autopsy tomorrow, too."
"You want a profiler?"
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