Merrville County

  Rachel Corbin's Apartment

  After spending what amounts to several hours crying, off and on, Rachel uncurls herself on the bathroom floor. Using the sink as a support, Rachel climbs to her feet. With frustration, she slams the medicine cabinet shut and gazes at her reflection in the mirror.

  "Stupid. That was so stupid!" Rachel chastises herself. "Why didn't I hide it somewhere else? How the hell did he even find it? I should've put it all in the account with the other money. Damn it! When would I have had the time?"

  "Don't beat yourself up about it!" Ned says, his voice sly and full of irony.

  Rachel turns around with a shocked gasp. Ned. Oh goodness. Oh no.

  Ned steps into the bathroom, his eyes narrowing further. He crosses to the sink and wraps both arms around Rachel's waist, pinning her in place. He softly kisses the left side of her neck before alternating to the right.

  "So...How much money are we talking about, Rachel?" Ned rasps. "Another three grand? Five? Ten?"

  "No. It's not even a grand," Rachel lies. "It's the money Lenny gave me last New Year's. It isn't much. I hadn't really thought about it until...Well, until I got that big tip the other night."

  "Hmmm. A big tip?" Ned muses, tracing his mouth up Rachel's chin towards her lips. "Tell me more. Who from?"

  "I don't...I don't know him," Rachel says around Ned's fumbling mouth. "He...All I know is...He was a sharp dresser. Cleanshaven. Obviously took very good care of himself. That's why I hid the money, Ned. It was going to be a surprise. That money was going to take care of us."

  Ned grips Rachel's chin firmly with one hand, kissing her with intense energy.

  "I'm sure it was," Ned intones. "Well, I don't need your money anymore. I'm doing real good now. I've got more than enough to take care of the two of us. And then, some. God, I love you."

  Rachel swallows hard as Ned releases her chin and stares down at her face. Something about the set of Ned's jaw tells Rachel he is thinking not so savory thoughts.

  "So...Which bank is the money in?" Ned asks. "I might need to open an account there? Or, we can lump it all together? After all, we are a couple...Aren't we? And couples share. What's mine is yours. And what's yours is mine. Right, Rachel?"

  Rachel simply nods, too afraid to say a word. Ned leans in and kisses her roughly, angling his head and adding suction to his kiss. He stares deep into Rachel's eyes as they part.

  "I've got an idea, Rach. Let me give you a ride in my new wheels? We can go down to the bank together before they close down business. What do you say?"

  Rachel's stomach flutters violently. Ned has a car? When the hell did that happen? With a vehicle, Ned can track her almost anywhere. No. This can't be.

  The evil grin which explodes onto Ned's face tells Rachel that he has already considered this angle.

  -

  -

  Castleton Police Department

  Police Chief Paul O'Leary's Office

  "Now, Mackey. I don't want you to think that I haven't thought on this for quite some time. I don't take what I have to do lightly. As I said to you before, you're one of my best detectives. No, I take that back. You're the best detective this department has ever had. You've been an important asset from the beginning. We damn sure woulda never caught that Aquarius bastard without your expert knowledge and some damn fine police work."

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Chief O'Leary takes a moment to compose himself, uncomfortably clearing his throat. He looks around at each of the three men seated in front of him. Deputy Chastain recognizes this as his cue to stand. The junior deputy eases behind his former chair, one hand subtly positioned near his holster. Detective Samuels remains seated, shifting uneasily in his chair. Detective Mackey's blood runs cold.

  "However, Detective Mackey...None of that changes the facts in this case. We have eyewitnesses who can place you at a possible crime scene. And who claim you were seen with Officer Melbourne...Only days before her death. You say you didn't know Melbourne well. You also say you've never visited the Undying Rage Nightclub. Well, our witnesses say different. Your recent close proximity to the Mayor...And the sudden death of his secret lovechild...Can't just be coincidence. I don't believe in them. How Melbourne fits into this...I'm not for sure. But I'm gonna find out. Until we have more facts to go off of...Or until we have another suspect...I am relieving you of duty, Detective Mackey. Effective immediately. I'll need your gun and your badge."

  For a moment, Detective Mackey only stares at the Police Chief in surprise and disbelief. Finally, getting his emotions in check, Detective Mackey slowly stands from his chair. The detective tucks in his bottom lip, holding back the torrent of choice words which threatens to spill from his lips. Now isn't the time.

  James removes his department issued sidearm from its holster with one hand. With his other hand, he reaches into his breast pocket and retrieves his ID wallet. He places both items on the Police Chief's desk. O'Leary makes eye contact with the silently furious detective and shakes his head.

  "I'm sorry to do this to you, Mackey. But I have no other choice."

  Detective Mackey decides he can no longer stay silent and speaks just three words.

  "No, you're not"

  -

  -

  Operations Room

  Detective Mackey allows Deputy Chastain to lead him back to his desk. Retrieving his trenchcoat, James refuses to acknowledge the junior deputy as he tries to make peace.

  "So...You're not even gonna talk to me, Mack? What gives? I'm just doing my job. You'd do the same if you were in my shoes!"

  Detective Mackey whirls on the young deputy, eyes flashing with anger. He gestures with a finger towards the floor.

  "No, Morris...I wouldn't! I'd respectfully decline. I'd stand up for you. But, I wouldn't do this! You said...You believed me. You were in my house...Having coffee and donuts with me and my wife. You've heard everything I told you. Three times. You even said...'We think a lot alike.' What I just experienced in there...Was pure betrayal. Who needs enemies with friends like you."

  "That's unfair, Mack. The evidence is staring us right in the face. Until we have something better...It sure does look like you're hiding something."

  "Ah. So...Whatever happened to 'innocent until proven guilty is still the law of the land?' Have you conveniently forgotten that part, Morris? I haven't. Whoever faked that call from Melbourne could just as easily have tampered with any witnesses. It's happened before. Watching everyone in this department betray me because of a few random words thrown around by questionable witnesses is...Well, it would be laughable if it wasn't my life and my freedom on the line. Instead, it's just sad. Let's go, Deputy Chastain. I'm suspended... Remember. Can't spend all day here talking."

  "Actually...I'll see the detective out," Detective Samuels says, stepping up to Mackey's desk. "I'd like to take this moment to get some additional information anyway."

  "Okay," Deputy Morris agrees, feeling somewhat relieved to pass on the duty of escorting Detective Mackey from the building.

  Detective Samuels motions for Detective Mackey to walk in front of him. The two detectives exit the operations room at a swift gait.

  -

  -

  Once they reach the parking lot, Detective Samuels nods to a female officer passing by and continues on toward Mackey's Crown Vic. He turns to look at James as they approach the driver's side.

  "I want you to understand, Detective Mackey. I'm not here to make a name for myself by any means necessary," Detective Samuels says in a low voice. "I'd be lying if I didn't say I feel like a fish out of water on this case. I've studied your career, James. Especially, how you handled the Aquarius Killer case. You're a fine detective. I have no doubts about that."

  "Ha," Mackey laughs sardonically. "I've heard that before."

  "No, I mean it. I have a lot of respect for you, James. So...I'll tell you what," Detective Samuels says, moving in conspiratorially. "I have a hard time believing the man who brought us Aquarius' head on a silver platter, has become that which he fought against. Some may want to believe that. I don't. This is what I'm proposing. You help me find the real killer. The sonofabitch who murdered a fellow officer and mutilated a young woman. You'll act as my consultant. Unofficially, of course. Not a word of this to anyone. Until we've stretched the bastard out to dry. Deal?"

  James stares at Detective Samuels with enlarged unbelieving eyes.

  "Why would you do this, Samuels? You're jeopardizing your entire career."

  "Way I see it," Samuels says with a tiny chuckle. "Once we catch this sonofabitch...Nothing will be able to stop my ascent. You're in the clear, and I'm one step closer to making lead detective one day. May the odds be in our favor."