Crime

Crime

BY

Sofia Cruz

PART 1

Chapter 1

Melanie muttered an oath under her breath as she pushed through the huge, glass double doors of Matthews Enterprises. Her plane arrived in New Orleans two hours late and, therefore, left her no time to change clothes, let alone fine a hotel. Melanie let out a small groan at the thought of meeting her new client in a few minutes, dressed in jeans, her beloved cowboy boots and a short-sleeved Henley. Oh well, I'm here to find an embezzler, not land a cushy job with a corner office, she thought.
She rushed up to the information desk in the lobby, suitcase in tow. "Where can I find David Matthews's office, please?" Melanie inquired of the security guard.
"Top floor," he offered, not once looking up.
Figures, Melanie thought, heading for the large bank of elevators in the back of the lobby. She pressed the up button, her foot tapping nervously as she waited for the doors to open. Rushing in as the heavy metal doors yawned open, she barreled into a young woman about to step out. Looking up, Melanie felt the apology die on the tip of her tongue. She suddenly found herself staring into the greenest eyes she'd ever seen, effectively frozen half way between the elevator doors.
"Excuse you, cher," said the red head, the sugary southern accent taking some of the sting out of the reprimand. Melanie came crashing back to reality as the doors banged into her back.
"Sorry. Late for a meeting."
"Typical Yank," came the sarcastic reply, rolling her eyes and sauntering out of the elevator and down towards the lobby. Melanie could only stare after the woman, drinking in the view of long legs, perfectly round ass and red, curly tresses spilling down her back. Just then the elevator doors snapped shut, cutting off her view of the southern beauty. Melanie let out a long sigh and marveled at the feeling of her heart vibrating inside her rib cage.
All thoughts of Red quickly vanished, though, as the doors reopened on the top floor. Melanie found herself directly across the hall from her client's office. Striding through the door, she quickly approached the secretary's desk off to her left.
"Hi. I'm Melanie Samson from Phoenix Investigations. I have a one o'clock appointment with Mr. Matthews."
"Afternoon cher," replied the blond behind the desk. "Mr. and Ms. Matthews are expecting you. Follow me please."
Melanie followed the secretary through the door and into a rather large office with an expansive view of the New Orleans skyline. Immediately in front of the windows stood a large, mahogany desk. As Melanie approached, the man behind it stood and offered his hand.
"Ms. Samson, I presume," inquired the older gentleman. He stood about six feet tall, his thick, black hair beginning to turn silver around the temples. Melanie guessed Matthews was in his fifties, as she accepted his handshake.
"Yes, Mr. Matthews. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"And I you. You came highly recommended and I appreciate you rushing down here on such short notice. I'd like to introduce you to my niece, Felicia," as he turned to indicate the raven-haired beauty who had been perched on the corner of his desk when Melanie walked in.
The women stood, turning to offer her hand in greeting. She stood about 5'8", giving her a couple inches of advantage over Melanie's 5'6" frame. Felicia's tailored suit hinted at the graceful curves of her body. Her easy smile spreading to the crystal blue eyes that were revealed as she brushed her hair away from her face.
With all this eye candy, I should consider moving south, Melanie thought. Visions of Red from the elevator flashing back as she took in the sexy figure of Matthews's niece, accepting Felicia's handshake.
"I understand you suspect an employee of embezzling from Matthews Enterprises, is that correct?"
"Yes. My other niece, Jessica, just returned from college with her master's degree and is preparing to take over the accounting department. She's been reviewing the books, getting familiar with the company, and noticed some discrepancies. She's not finished yet but, as far as we can tell, whoever it is has already siphed about $500,000.00 spread over several different departments."
"It seems like you're already on the trail of your culprit. Why then, Mr. Matthews, did you feel the need to hire a private investigator?"
"Are you familiar with the office rumor mill?" asked Felicia with a small smile.
"Isn't everyone?" Melanie replied, her eyes locking with Felicia's for just a few extra seconds.
"Well, it appears that said rumor mill has caught on to the fact that we've discovered the embezzling. My uncle, Jessica and myself have begun receiving threats," replied Felicia, ending on a sigh.
Matthews now spoke, "We were hoping you could assist Jessica with her investigation and assist us with security. I raised Jessica and Felicia since they were little girls. They're my daughters, as much as they are my nieces, and I'm very concerned for their safety. They each received a threatening email recently. I'm hiring you to insure that nothing happens to them while they track down whoever it is skimming from this company."
Just then the office door burst opened. "Uncle David, we do not need some knuckle dragging, too stupid to stay on the force, ex-copy turned PI stomping around the company while Felicia and I find out who's skimming. How dare you drag some PI in here behind my back," ranted the vaguely familiar newcomer.
At the sound of the door, Melanie had pivoted around, only to find herself face to face with Red. As the woman's tirade came to an end, their eyes locked. Melanie could feel a surge of electricity spike between them as the fiery beauty glared at her.
"You," she spat.
"I'm guessing you're Jessica Matthews."
"Yes I am. And who, exactly, are you?" Felicia demanded, eyeing Melanie top to bottom, giving a disapproving look to the casual clothing.
Melanie stepped towards Jessica, hand extended. "Melanie Samson. Knuckle dragging PI. For the record, I've never been a cop. Too many rules," Melanie replied with a smirk, which quickly spread into a wicked grin as she heard Felicia's snort of laughter behind her.
"Oh great, a cowboy with bad manners. In case you haven't noticed, cher, you're in New Orleans, not Texas," Jessica looking pointedly at Melanie's worn, black leather cowboy boots.
"Oh these," Melanie said looking down at her boots with a girlish smile. Then, raising her head, locking eyes with the petulant red head, Melanie took a small step closer. With her grin still in place, she baited the little brat, "Well, these are standard PI issue. You know, sometimes security just involves giving someone a good kick in the pants."
At this remark, Jessica's emerald eyes widen, a look of pure shock spreading across her face, rushing to keep up with the blush that was turning her cheeks the same striking shade of red as her hair. Unable to contain herself, Felicia burst into laughter, enjoying the sparing match between her baby sister and the PI. Felicia eyed the lean, brown haired woman, admiring the way Melanie stood almost toe to toe with her sister, not the least bit intimidated. Felicia had the passing thought that life was about to get a bit interesting.
Jessica was sputtering with indignation, yet unable to come up with a quick reply. Satisfied that she had taken the wind out of her sails, Melanie turned back towards Matthews and Felicia. "I'll need to know what type of security precautions you already have in place. I'll also need to see copies of the threats each of you have received and you'll need to brief me on where you're at with your internal investigation into the missing money. Where would you like to start?"
Matthews turned towards Felicia, "Could you please get copies of the letters and emails. Also, have Debbie bring us copies of the building blue prints and security procedures. Jessica, why don't you call out for some lunch. None of us have eaten yet and I'm sure Ms. Samson didn't get much in the way of lunch on her flight."
With that, Matthews walked toward the conference table, motioning Melanie to join him. Felicia flashed Melanie a quick grin as she grabbed Jessica's arm, dragging her sister out of the office with her. Melanie stood, enjoying her view of the two departing women, smirking at the memory of Jessica's shocked face. Taking a seat, she had the fleeting thought that New Orleans's women seem to be as spicy as its famous jambalaya.
###############
Several hours later, Melanie stood on a street corner in the heart of the French Quarter, eyeing a small neighborhood bar called Mama's. Matthews had mentioned that the owner was a friend of the family and would be happy to rent Melanie the apartment above the bar, since she hadn't had time to book a hotel room in her rush to get to New Orleans.
Crossing the street, Melanie pushed through the old saloon style doors. It was early evening, but the small bar was already starting to fill up. She stepped out of the way of an older man who came up behind her carrying a guitar case, the band for the evening already starting to file in. Spotting the bar on the far left, Melanie headed over, mentally crossing her fingers in the hopes that the rent wouldn't wreck havoc on her business's take for the month.
Nearing the bar, a large black woman stepped out from the kitchen, yelling to the old man with the guitar. "About time you showed up Otis. How am I supposed to run a blues joint with no blues?" The old man just waved her off, still heading for the stage. Just then, the woman turned toward Melanie, spotting her standing hesitantly at the end of the bar.
"What you drinkin' cher?"
"Nothing now. David Matthews sent me down. Said you might have an apartment to rent me, short term."
"You that PI from out east? David called just a little while ago, told me you might stop in."
"Yeah, that's me. Is the apartment available?"
"Sure thing cher. Just let me get the keys and I'll meet you out front. Door to the apartment is around the side."
Melanie headed back out. Looking around the corner she saw a small, dead end cobblestone alley and a set of steps about half way down. At the far end of the alley stood a small fountain, flowers planted along the fence at the U-shaped end of the alley. Well that's not so bad, she thought. God knows I've been in worse places. Just then she heard the swoosh of the saloon doors and turned to see the owner bustling towards her, the woman's large frame barely clearing the doorway.
"I'm Mama Dubois. Don't worry, I run a clean joint. Folks get a little rowdy from time to time, but this isn't some wild bar like what people hear stories about. You'll sleep just find up there and no one will bother you. Follow me, hon., and I'll show you the place. If you like it, I'll let you have it for $100 a week, since you're a friend of the Matthews's and all."
Melanie felt the grin spread across her face. This older woman with the booming voice seemed like good people and $100 a week was one hell of a deal. She followed the woman down the alley, hoping the apartment wasn't a hole in the wall. Looking up, she spotted a little balcony with a wrought iron railing and a few flower boxes filled with geraniums hanging over the sides. So far so good.
Mama hauled herself up the short flight of steps and opened the apartment door. She stepped inside and held the door open, waiting for Melanie to follow her inside. Stepping in, Melanie was shocked to find a darling little apartment. There was a small kitchen area off to the right, with a wooden breakfast nook in the far corner beside a small window. The hallway they stood in went straight back and she could see the bathroom through the open door. Off to her right was one large room, already furnished. A four-post canopy bed stood, the headboard pushed against the far wall so the bed faced towards the alley. A matching dresser stood beside it in matching cherry wood. In front of the bed, closer to the balcony, was a comfy looking couch with a small coffee table in front of it. The couch faced the glass French doors, which opened out onto the small balcony she had seen from the street. Melanie walked over to the French doors, pushing them open and walking out onto the balcony. There she found two lounge chairs and a little end table. The apartment had hard wood floors with a couple of throw rugs strategically placed.
Staring around in amazement, Melanie turned towards Mama. "Are you sure you only want $100 a week, or is there a catch," she asked, suspicious, eyes narrowed.
Mama let out a booming laugh. "No catch, cher. David told me you're down her to help out the family and protect his girls. I've known the Matthews's my whole life and those two girls are near and dear to me. If you're going to look out for them, then I've a mind to help you out. $100 a week, no strings. Unless something happens to those two sweet girls, then you and I will be having words."
"Sweet? Felicia, maybe, but sweet doesn't come to mind when describing Jessica Matthews," Melanie commented, her mind going back to the battle she had with Jessica just a few hours ago. Melanie had strongly suggested to Mr. Matthews that he hire bodyguards for Felicia and Jessica. Felicia had just made a face like biting into something sour. Jessica, however, had gone ballistic, flat out refusing to let some over grown thug follow her around all day. Melanie had then remarked that Jessica wouldn't be able to do much for Matthews Enterprises from the grave. At that, Jessica had announced the meeting was over and had stormed out of her uncle's office, Felicia following on her heels trying to calm her sister down.
Chuckling, Mama said, "Yeah, David mentioned that you two got off on the wrong foot. She's a real hell fire, that one, but mostly she's just gotten a bit of a chip on her shoulder as of late. Some folks at Matthews weren't happy when David handed over the financial reins to a 25 year old. They're both sweet girls, but Jessica's got a lot to prove and it's made her a little prickly."
"Just a little," Melanie said with a snort. Mama just gave her a knowing grin. "Ok, I'll take it. Here's the first $100 to cover this week. If it's ok, I'd like to just pay week to week, since I'm not sure how long I'll be around."