Corinne (Book One of The Red Diamond Saga)

Corinne

(Book One of The Red Diamond Saga)

Jennifer Janne

"Quixotic mystery turned action-adventure"
- James

"Riveting Crime Drama Great Characters & a Cool Scify Twist”
- Lisa

"Exciting, Romantic and Poignant all in one”
- Teresa

"Couldn't put it down!
- Steve

"Curiouser and curiouser... I found it hard to put the book away.” - Amanda Wade

"I Couldn't Stop Reading!" - Stuu3270

All contents copyright © 2012 by Jennifer Janne. All rights reserved. No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.

The soothing music that washed over her senses was meant to ease her into a place of deep relaxation. The warm water that surrounded her body and the scented oils that wafted beneath her nostrils were an additional attempt at getting her mind and emotions to calm down.

For years she had been going through this ritual. It was her way of handling the memories that were sometimes triggered and that threatened to disrupt the pristine surface of her life.

Corinne was determined that she would not allow her past to taint the promise of her future. She worked hard at overcoming the issues that were created by a childhood in the foster care system.

She had been bounced from home to home as she grew up. Some foster parents were simply neglectful. Others were more overtly abusive. She learned at a very young age, that affection was a tool used to manipulate, and that when she trusted someone, she was vulnerable.

Even though she did her best as an adult to ignore the memories that plagued her, she still had not found a way to control her dreams. It was while she slept that the monsters of her youth slunk out of the closet and tortured her subconscious.

This nightly ritual of a relaxing bath, with candles, and soothing music, was designed to prevent them. It had yet to work. In the end, the only thing that comforted her was that her apartment was across the street from her fiancé’s house, so that when she did awaken from nightmares, he was close by to reassure her that she was safe.

As Corinne sank down into the warm water, she let her eyes fall closed. She took in a deep breath of the scented oils and imagined herself peaceful and calm. It was beginning to work as spirals of her golden blonde hair slid beneath the water and her full rose hued lips slowly parted with a gentle sigh, when she sensed it.

Her heart began to pound as every muscle in her body tensed. She did not have to open her eyes. She could feel his eyes on her, as if they had a physical touch. Before she had the chance to reason with herself, she was elevating into panic. When her eyes snapped open, revealing their dark green shade, he was already crouched beside her.

Just over six foot, with dark brown hair that was carefully swept back from his forehead, except for one stubborn strand that always managed to hang down in his eyes, he was a slim, yet muscular man. His light blue eyes fixed comfortably onto hers, until he noted the fear that existed within her expression.

“Corinne?” He asked gently as he searched her wild gaze for any sign that she recognized him.

Corinne's breaths were now sharp as he reached one hand out to softly cup her cheek with the warmth of his palm. She shuddered at his touch and drew back into the water.

He realized his mistake and was immediately regretful of it. He knew that he should never sneak up on her, but she had looked so amazing in the candlelight. He wanted just a few moments to study her; to savor her before the mistrust took over. The moment she laid eyes on him, the fear surfaced.

“Corinne,” He whispered soothingly as he drew his hand back. “It's me, Daniel.” He murmured as he held her terrified gaze. Gradually, her horror melted into general suspicion as she managed to get her anxiety into check.

She forced a smile that only increased the beauty of her features, but did nothing to alter the truth in her eyes.

“I'm sorry.” She said with a hint of a tremor in her voice. She could sense his irritation. They were engaged to be married, and yet she still could not bring herself to trust him. They had argued about it a few days before. He had demanded that she explain why she could not simply trust him.

She knew he would never understand that trust is not something given from one person to another. It was something that a person had to first be capable of. She could not recall a time when she was capable of it. Their fight had ended with his feelings hurt, and a good amount of animosity between them.

Now, she wondered if they would have the same fight again as she studied his weary expression. It did not matter if he was angry, or disappointed, or overjoyed; he was handsome. His features were strong, from the rise of his cheekbones to the square of his jaw, and his eyes glimmered with a confidence that most men did their best to fake. It was his eyes that had drawn her in at first, the way he held her hostage with them, unblinking, without judgment, only certainty.

From the moment Sam had introduced them, Daniel had pursued her with dedication. He had been extremely patient, never pushing, never pressuring. He had done nothing but give her reasons to trust him. She could understand why he grew frustrated with what he saw as her refusal to do so.

As these thoughts flooded her mind, she did not want to fight again. She did not want to rehash her past and the difficulty she had believing his love was genuine. Instead she leaned over the side of the bathtub and pressed her lips to his. He was startled at first, but responded eagerly.

Corinne made sure that their evening was a pleasant one, rather than the same old argument.

The next morning Daniel was getting ready for a meeting at work. Every morning he would arrive at Corinne’s apartment to have breakfast with her. This morning, as he entered her room with coffee in hand, he watched her through the floor length mirror on the back of her bedroom door.

She was sitting up in bed, her nightgown draped loosely over her body, and as she took the coffee; the hot cup lingered beneath her pursed lips as she tried to cool it off.

He was amazed every time he looked at her. She had to be the most beautiful woman he had ever known, and she had absolutely no concept of it. When he turned around to face her, she offered him a lopsided smile.

“Are you sure you can't call in sick?” She asked invitingly as she set her coffee cup onto the bedside table and stood up.

He grinned as he slid his arms around her waist and drew her close to him. “If it were any other day.” He murmured as he placed a light kiss on her forehead. “What are you going to do today?” He asked as he released her to grab his suit jacket.

“I'm going on a ride along with Sam.” She said as she brushed her hair back from her face and picked up her coffee again. She was studying criminal justice. She hoped to one day become a judge, although she preferred to be in family court, but she wanted to explore all of her options.

Daniel glanced over at her with a faint frown. “Be careful.” He said flatly as he studied her. He hated the idea of her riding around in a cop car all day, but he knew that Sam was the closest thing she had to family.

“You too.” She shot back with a smirk. “Don't let those corporate sharks get you.”

Daniel's frown deepened at her teasing. Corinne believed he was just another paper pusher at a large manufacturing company. She would have to continue to believe that for at least a little longer. He repeated his words more firmly this time. “Be careful.”

Corinne's smirk faded as she sighed. She could never predict his sense of humor. “I'll be with Sam.” She said with exasperation as if being with Sam meant she was automatically safe. Daniel could not help but be jealous that she did not feel the same way about him.

“Hey,” He said as she brushed past him to head for the bathroom. “I still want to talk, tonight.” He watched her closely as she froze in the bathroom doorway. She thought she had avoided all of that the night before.

“About what?” She asked without turning. She knew what he wanted to talk about; it was the same thing he always wanted to talk about.

“Corinne, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Her shoulders slumped as he spoke. “I need you to trust me.” He added as he stepped up behind her and curved his hands across her shoulders in a gentle massage.

“I just need some time.” Corinne replied mildly as she enjoyed his touch.

Daniel lowered his forehead to the back of her head as he groaned at her words. “It's been a year Corinne, and you still treat me like you don’t know me.”

Corinne shrugged his hands off of her shoulders as she turned around to face him. “I’m sorry if you feel that way.” She hissed as her quick temper rose. “Any time this gets too tedious for you, you're free to walk away.” Her expression was defensive and her tone cold as she spoke to him. Almost instantly she regretted her words.

He took a step closer to her, so that she was caught between him and the door jamb of the bathroom. He settled his eyes heavily on hers and was silent for a long moment as if too furious to speak.

“I am not going anywhere.” He finally said, each word measured and stern. “You can push as hard as you need to, but I am not moving.” He murmured as he grasped her hand in his and drew it gently to his chest. “I get it, you can't trust anyone.” He tilted his chin slightly as he looked down at her. “But I am not anyone.” He lifted the back of her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. “Tonight.” He repeated, and then let her hand fall away. He did not look back as he left the bedroom.

Corinne was left staring after him, half full of fury, half full of self-loathing. She knew that he deserved so much better.

Sam was leaning against his patrol car waiting for her when she arrived at the police station. He cast her a light wink as he stood and offered her one of the cups of coffee he held. She remembered the first time she had met him. She was eight and a witness in a domestic assault case between her foster parents. He had handed her a juice box and sat beside her for over an hour before he asked her a single question. Instead he told her joke one after the other, until she finally cracked a smile.

“I'm Sam.” He had said as he studied her. Corinne had laid her head on his arm. She needed so badly to rest after a few months where the nights were filled with arguing.

Now she smiled at him as she accepted the coffee.

“Morning, Sam.”

He shook his head as he looked at her. “Not so good huh?” He could tell by the tension in her features that she was upset about something.

She shrugged as she took a sip of the coffee. “Just Daniel.” She muttered.

Sam frowned as he opened the car door for her and she climbed in. He shut it sharply and then walked around to his side. He was thirteen years older than Corinne but he did not look it. She accused him of having a baby face, which did not go over too well in his line of work. His dirty blonde hair was cut short, which only accented his deep brown eyes. His body was thick and broad, and though his expression was generally friendly and open when he was with Corinne, he was known on the police force as being one of the most effective interrogators.

As he closed the door behind him, he turned to look at her. “Maybe you should give him a break Cori.” Corinne scrunched up her nose at the nickname she was not very fond of but tolerated because Sam thought it was amusing to annoy her. She nearly spit out her coffee at his words.

“Me, give him a break?” She growled as she narrowed her lashes in a withering glare. “He's the one always wanting to 'talk'.” She shuddered at the thought.

Sam laughed as he drove down the street, his eyes watchful of the surroundings he passed. “That's marriage, Cori. Men can do a lot worse.” He said without thinking. When he stole a glance over at Corinne she was staring out the window, her face pale and her lips drawn into a thin line. He knew he had brought up a subject he should not have, but he saw so much as a police officer, sometimes he felt Corinne needed a reminder of how lucky she was to have Daniel.

He had known Daniel for a few years before he introduced him to Corinne. He appeared to be an honest man with genuine compassion. He knew Corinne could be very difficult to get along with. He suspected they would be a good fit, and he was right. It had taken Daniel quite some time to convince her, but Corinne had eventually let him into her life.

Other than himself, Sam did not know of a single friend that Corinne had. She kept herself as isolated as possible, he assumed to avoid being hurt. In life some people long for companionship, the love and comfort friendship can offer. All Corinne ever longed for was being left alone, to not be hurt any more. She never considered being in a relationship, or getting married, until she met Daniel.

“I tell him I trust him.” She whispered as she continued to stare out the window. “But he knows that I am lying. What else can I do?”

Sam frowned as he studied her before glancing back at the road. “Is it your wacky senses?” He asked. His words sounded silly, but his expression was serious.

Sam had noticed over the years that Corinne had good instincts that went beyond just being perceptive. He did not believe in psychics and such, so he simply termed her feelings, her wacky senses'. It was an inside joke between them, which Corinne took very lightly. She always thought if her instincts were so great, her life would have turned out a lot better.

Sam laughed along with her, but in truth her senses worried him. Suddenly, the background noise of his radio became much louder. The voice on the other end was barking out numbers and locations. Without hesitation Sam answered that he would respond. The sirens blared and the lights flashed as he raced down the road.

When they reached the location, which was a narrow alley between two large buildings, there were already three police cars present. Four officers were surrounding the entrance to the alley. Sam pulled the car to a screeching halt and jumped out of it. When he approached the other officers stepped aside respectfully.

“It's a bad one.” One of the officers muttered as an ambulance pulled up behind Sam's car. Corinne followed close behind Sam. As long she was with him none of the other officers objected, as they were used to her tagging along behind him.

The moment Sam laid eyes on the body being tended to by the first paramedics on the scene; he regretted allowing Corinne to follow him.

He crouched down beside the body of the woman, whose face was covered in streaks of blood from the cuts on her forehead and just above her eyes. He had seen beatings before, but this one was particularly vicious. Before Corinne could see too much he stood up and blocked her line of sight.

“Corinne, wait at the car.” He said in what she called his cop voice because it rang with authority.

Corinne tried to peer past him at the woman, but he placed his hand firmly on her shoulder and steered her back toward the entrance of the alley.

“Don't make me force you; this woman needs my attention more than you.” He spoke shortly just beside her ear.

Corinne did not argue, but rather than waiting at the car she paused right beside the other officers who were speaking in a low tone of voice.

“Third one this week.” The tall and lanky officer said as he shook his head. Corinne could see from the rose in his cheeks that he was disturbed by the scene. The other officer leaned back against the wall as he chewed on a toothpick.

“Well, you know if these girls would stop wandering around these streets dressed like that,” He muttered.

Corinne folded her arms across her chest and lifted a brow sharply in the direction of the officer. “What are you from a different lifetime?” She asked with a sneer. The officer clenched his teeth on the toothpick and stood up from the wall as he eyed her.

“Say what you want princess, but this guy hasn't attacked any girl not dressed like a street walker.” He raked his gaze over the clothing she wore, fitted jeans and a loose blouse with a v-neck that stopped just below her collar bone. She always dressed casually, and was never one to wear clothes that were too revealing, but she certainly did not like the notion of this officer blaming the victims of such a heinous crime for what they chose to wear.

“Watch it officer,” She said coolly as she met his dominant glare with an equally arrogant scowl. “Or the next victim might be you-”

“Corinne!” Sam said sharply as he walked in on their conversation. He shot a withering look at the officer who shrugged and walked away. “Could you please not threaten to assault a police officer?” He asked with irritation.

Corinne wanted to protest, but she knew better than to question Sam around the other officers.

While he was busy speaking with the other officers the injured woman was rushed by on a gurney headed for the waiting ambulance. Though Corinne only saw her briefly, she saw enough to know that whoever had hurt her had done it out of pure anger. She wondered if she would survive.

Once Sam and Corinne were back in the car, the silence between them was created by the recollection of the woman's injuries. Sam had found her like that once when she was a teenager, living in a group home. Some of the other girls had taken offense to her attitude and cornered her after lights went out. By the time Sam arrived, Corinne was so bruised that he could barely recognize her. The thing that struck him the hardest was the fact that she was not even crying. She was sitting there, with her head propped against the wall, her eyes nearly swollen shut, and her lips bleeding, and she had actually smiled.

Over the years since the first time they met, Sam had taken her under his wing. He had done his best to protect her when he could, but in the end the system always preyed on the vulnerable.

“Were they all attacked by the same man?” She asked as she took a sip of what remained of her coffee.

“Yeah.” Sam said as he stared out through the windshield. “Bastard is like a ghost.” He said and cleared his throat to cover the waver in his voice. “He tortures them.” He added as he pulled the car into the station parking lot. After he parked the car he stretched his arm across the seat and laid the back of his hand along the base of Corinne's neck. “I shouldn't have taken you there. Are you okay?”

Corinne glanced over at him, the warmth of his palm against her skin comforting to her. “Yeah, I just hope you catch him.”

He tightened his grasp slightly on her neck; to be sure she would not turn away as he bore his hardened gaze into hers and spoke firmly. “I will.”