Heart of Fire (7 page)

“Oh no, you did not?”
Annabel blinked in shock.  “Oh, you can have this again and again, but right now your mine.”  She forcefully rolled Danni on her back.  “I want you to come in my mouth, and when you think you can’t take anymore, I am going to make you come again.”  The statement came across more like a challenge to Danni, but when Annabel deposited herself between her legs and rubbed her clit against her leg and suckled on her swollen breast, Danni could feel the orgasm already build.  Annabel skillfully pulled her into her connecting clit to clit as she pinched her nipple.  There was no stopping it, Danni exploded with pleasure.  She must have called out Annabel’s name several times before it was over.  Her breathing increased as Annabel moved down and took Danni’s clit within her mouth bringing her just as quickly to another orgasm.  It excited Annabel as she could feel the juice flow onto her chin.  “Again baby,” she ordered dipping first her tongue then her finger into her wet center.  Danni was lost in her touch.  Her body ached for her to go deeper.  She thought Annabel must have been able to read her mind, because her fingers skillfully slid in and out each time deeper.  Danni could feel it build again, but this time slowly until it flowed from her causing everything around her to fade.  Tears rolled down her face as she came the last time.  She had never let anyone take full control over her body, she had always held back and made excuses that she was the pleaser and that she would release herself while giving pleasure. 

“Oh baby, did I hurt you?”
Annabel quickly pulled herself up and held her close.  Concern filled her eyes as she tried to look into Danni’s eyes, but Danni kept turning her head to hide her shame.

Annabel just held her, and Danni allowed herself to cry this time.  Her heart filled with joy as Annabel held her tight.  She pushed Annabel up enough to look in her eyes.  “
I love you Annabel,” the words escaped before she could stop to think what she said.  But, the words she said were true, and she did not regret saying them.  She had not let herself feel anything for anyone since her past love died.  But, she could not stop what she was feeling for Annabel, it was as if they were made for one another and she knew it when their lips connected for the first time and making love with her only confirmed it.  Danni had never wanted someone as much as she has wanted her.  It scared her but it did not stop her from taking the chance to explore her feelings.

Only seconds passed, but it felt like hours as Annabel replayed the words.  She loves me, her heart filled with joy as the promise of love was professed.  “
I love you too Danni, I am so in love with you.  I have loved you since I was a kid,” she gasped when she realized what she said.

Danni looked at her with suspicious eyes.  “
Since you were a kid?  Is there something you need to tell me?” she questioned, but she already knew.  What she needed now was her to finally admit it.

The partial truth was out, and Annabel had no choice now but to tell her the rest. “
I have so much to tell you, but I’m scared.”

“Nothing you tell me could be that bad.  Don’t be scared,” s
he assured her brushing a kiss on her cheek.

Tears escaped and the droplets found their home as they formed a puddle in the creek of Danni’s neck.  Annabel explained how her dad used to drink.  He drank a lot, she went on.  “
One night when she I was eight, my mom loaded me in the car to go find him.  He was at the local bar drinking himself into a stupor.”  She steadied her breath as she recalled the accident.  “My mom pulled him out of the bar, but he became violent.  When she tried to get him in the car he refused and grabbed the car keys out of her hand and forced her in the car.  He peeled out of the parking lot and sped off.  He was going so fast, and the more my mom screamed for him to slow down, the faster he went.  He ran the red light on the corner of Buchanan and Amarillo Boulevard and the car crossing the intersection could not stop in time.  The car spun out of control until it flipped several times.  I don’t know how many times but when I came to I found my mom trapped underneath the car.  She must have been thrown and the car landed on her.” 

She was so angry, she
clenched and her long nails until they bit into the flesh of her palm, drawing blood.  “I only received cuts and bruises, and I know the only thing that saved me was I was buckled in.  I cried out for help, no one was there, the other drivers’ car also flipped and I couldn’t leave her.  When she told me to go get help I refused, but she begged so I ran to the first house and pounded on the door.  It took forever before anyone showed up.  Danni, there was so much blood, and when I got back with help, my mom was unconscious.  I tried to wake her up, but she wouldn’t move.  The whole time my dad sat on the curve holding his head, he didn’t help her Danni.  He just sat there and rocked.”  She sobbed uncontrollably.

“It’s okay sweetheart just breath.  Take your time.” 
She pulled her into her embrace and held her tight.  It was making sense now why her mother could not walk.

“Danni, I did something terrible.” 
She looked at her with sorrowful eyes.  She explained the night of the fire.  She walked in her mothers’ room to check on her, she found her dad with a pillow in hand.  He had it shoved it in her face and all she could do was gasp for air as she tried to stop him, but he over powered her. 

“I grabbed the first thing I could find.  I wasn’t thinking as I hit him with a brass candle stick.  The next thing I knew he was lying face down on the floor, and within seconds there was smoke and fire everywhere.  There must have been a lit candle in it and when I flung it at his head it must have went flying.  I was in a panic, I tried to lift her off the bed, but she was too heavy and when she told me to get help, it was too late.  Everything around us was on fire.  I was so scared.” 
She swallowed as she paused.  “I couldn’t leave her so I cradled her in my arms like a young child and would not move.  I was ready to die with her that night.  Then you came in I held on tight to her.  But she made me go with you, and the second we hit the ground outside and the roof collapsed I knew, I just knew she was gone.”  She looked at Danni for a long moment searching for understanding then lowered her eyes. 

“When I woke up in the hospital, I asked them to let me see you.  I wanted so bad to tell you thank you and to tell you what had really happened, but my Aunt and Uncle signed me out of the hospital before I could.  After the funeral, they moved me to Illinois with them.” 
She shook her head helplessly as she waited for Danni to say something.

But nothing came, Danni just sat there speechless.  She held her tight.  Every time she tried to speak the words would not come out.  She had been dealing with her own guilt over the death, and just had it confirmed that the girl who tormented her dreams each night for the past twelve years was snuggled in her arms. It all started to make sense now.  She could not get the nagging question out of her mind through the years how the man, her father was already dead before the house was engulfed in flames.  She was just a kid, Danni reasoned with herself, she was protecting her mother, and it was an accident.  Danni turned and looked at her.  “
Don’t blame yourself sweetheart.  If he succeeded in killing your mother, he could have turned on you next.  And, for the record, I read the report from the fire marshal.  There was gasoline burns throughout the house.  The fire was coded suspicious.”  She kissed the tears that still flowed from her eyes.

“Gasoline, he started the fire?”

“That’s the way it looks.  They never looked at you as you starting it since I had to pull you out, and my statement as to your reluctance and wanting to save your mom ended any suspicions.”

Annabel became visibly angry.  “He was trying to kill all of us?”

“I think so, but he failed and you lived.”

“But he didn’t fail Danni, my mom’s dead,” she sobbed

Danni held her tight and let her collapse in her arms. She allowed her to comfort her and leaned in closer.  The guilt subsided as she replayed what Danni had said.  She blamed herself for so many years and it was not her fault.  The weight suddenly dissipated.  “Thank you for listening and understanding.”  She concluded with a half-smile.  She was emotionally drained.  She never discussed that night with anyone.  And to face that night head on with the only other person who mattered to her.  It made the madness of the loss easier when she saw Danni’s reassuring smile.  Her heart lightened and for the first time, she smiled and meant it.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Danni woke up a few hours later when she heard what sounded like something moving in the room.  She immediately sat up and looked around the dark space.  She just sat in the bed as still as she could and controlled her breathing which slowed down her quickened heartbeat.  Still nothing moved, still nothing sprang out to confront her.  She frowned, and rested her head on her hands as she stared at the ceiling.  Guilt taunted her painfully as she digested everything Annabel said.  She understood that Annabel had to make a rash decision to save her mother.  But why become a cop?  Was it a way to make a mends for taking another life, or was it something she always wanted to do?  None of it made sense to her. 

She laid there a while longer, and started to get angry at herself for allowing what Annabel told her to make her upset.  She walked to the window and opened the curtains.  The sun was slowly beginning to rise and the dark clouds started to make way for the new day.  She turned back to the bed and watched Annabel sleep.  She had to make a decision about her and Annabel’s future, but the thought of being emotionally involved while they worked the case was not good for either of them, and she knew that’s how people got sloppy, but she also knew it was too late to turn back.  She sat on the end of the bed and tried to figure out what to do.  She already told Frank she would work the case with him while Annabel recovered.  She could not have her working the case while she was on leave.  She anticipated the fight they would have, but she needed to stand her ground.

Throughout the day Danni contemplated how Annabel would react with not being involved that evening.  She knew she would have to rationalize with her, and convince her if she was not her partner she would have been at home while the investigation continued.  The hand on the grandfather clock chimed seven times.  Danni heard Annabel moving through the house, she stepped out of the room and quietly placed her gear by the front door but when she turned around to grab her jacket Annabel was standing in the door frame looking at her in disbelief.

“Where are you going?”

“Frank is waiting for me to meet up with him.”

“When were you going to tell me?  Give me a minute to get my gear and we can go.”

“Oh no, doctors’ orders you have to rest,” she spouted never removing her eyes from the floor.  She knew if she looked at her, she would give in and let her go with.

Annabel shook her head firmly,
“Please!”

Danni opened the door then hesitated, “
Look, I don’t have to go back to work until Monday, but I want this solved before then.” Locking eyes she added, “I’ll call you later with an update.”

She did not say anything.  She just leaned against the wall in shock.  Even though she knew Danni was right.  This was her case too, and she wanted to see the bastard who put her in the hospital brought down.

Danni stopped abruptly.  She looked out the door and then back to Annabel.  “I don’t know what to do Annabel.  I know you want to come and I want you to come too,” she finally said and put her bag back down.  “If you want the honest truth I’m scared to death.  I was scared to let you close to me, and I was scared to push you away.  Everything has changed now.  I am scared to death to lose you.”  She slumped against the door frame and shook her head.  The frustration finally found an outlet.  She slammed her fist through the window sending glass shards everywhere.  She yelled in pain, and when she looked down  blood drained from her hand to the floor.  She quickly took off her jacket and wrapped it to stop the bleeding.  Annabel gasped at the sight and rushed to her.  She took her hand and led her into the kitchen.  She ran cold water at first then examined the open wound.  It was obvious she needed stitches, but there was no way under the circumstances they could go to the hospital.  Annabel stood for a moment and took a deep breath.  She retrieved the first aid kit from the cupboard.  As she sat Danni down, she placed the bandages, antiseptic wipes and some butterfly stitches on the table.

“I’m sorry Annabel.” 
Danni let out the tiniest of smirks before putting down the blood stained jacket.

Annabel disregarded the obvious attempt to smooth things over and continued to clean and bandage the deep cut.  When she finished, she lightly kissed it before setting it on her lap.  She was frustrated at Danni for the way she acted.  Her temper scared her, but she knew it was the circumstances that had her on edge.  She finally stood up from the table and softly put her hand on the small of Danni’s back.  “
I’ll send you the bill,” she laughed trying to lighten the mood but Danni just peered into her eyes.  Annabel gave a half smile of encouragement.  “Go get that SOB and then I will let you take me on that date.” 

“You got a deal.”  She wanted to reach out to her but figured it would be better not to so instead she slowly stood up and made her way to the staircase, as she left the kitchen she turned back for one more glance at her amazing partner.  “
I don’t deserve her,” she said aloud as she rushed to the stairs to change.

‘Time to go,’
she assured herself and shivered as the cool air whiped through the front door.  She wished she did not have to leave Annabel alone, but she needed to meet with Frank.  The plans were set in motion.  The Mayor was already in position, the trap was set.  She quickly stole a kiss and spun Annabel around.  “I love you,” she confessed.  “I will be back as soon as we’re done.”  Annabel smiled as she waved her off.  She was sad but understood the ins and outs of why she could not go.

The road leading off the property was dark and bumpy.  It was obvious to Danni why Frank used this house to hide them in.  There was no opportunity for a sneak attack since it was in the middle of nowhere, and had only one road that led to the property.  The phone on her belt buckle buzzed.  She could see the message flashed on the screen and had to pull to the right and read it.  It was from Frank.  Change of plans it read.  Meet me on the corner of Sixth and Polk. 

Danni sped down the gravel road.  She could see through her rear view the trail of dust she left behind.  The thumping of her own heart pounded in her ears.  The text Frank sent didn’t give her enough information, she hoped they would make an arrest - then the only decision she would have to make would be her future.  She was not sure what scared her the most, changing careers or loving Annabel.

The ride back to town was long but it gave her the time she needed to replay the events from the last week that led Annabel into her arms and into her heart.  She thought it was perfect to be in a relationship with another officer but the risks that came with the job would be more than what she could imagine.  She remembered a conversation she had with a potential partner Cathy, and when they had their first argument over the long hours and the dangers of the job, the women walked from her house and out of her life.  She told Danni she could not stay at home every night and worry, if an officer knock at the door and tell her Danni had been killed.  That moment had been the breaking point for Danni.  Whenever she dated, she would keep her distance, she could not allow herself to feel for another woman and have her leave her because of fear.  Now, the tables turned.  After Annabel had been taken by surprise and could have been killed, she finally understood why Cathy walked away.  Could she be the dutiful partner that worried about her loves life while serving the community at large, or would she trust that each day she was on a case she would come home to her at the end of her shift?

Her mind shifted to Annabel’s confession, and the things she had to endure as a child, she knew she was a strong woman and would be okay, but the fear still lingered in the pit of her stomach.  She felt anger for the young woman she had pulled from the house, she felt bad that she had to carry the pain of that night for so many years, but to see the pain in her eyes as she explained how he abused her and her mother made her angry.  How could she have lived next door to them and not know what was going on?  The anger increased as she drove the last few miles on the interstate that led into downtown.  When she arrived at the address she had to shake of her feelings and focus on the job at hand.  She could not afford to be sloppy, that was how officers were taken by surprise. 

Danni walked down the dimly lit alley to where Frank waited patiently.  The loud bang of the garage door made when it was forced open caused Danni to jump.  She looked around to make sure no one heard.  Frank walked in first with his gun drawn and she followed close behind and surveyed the area using her flashlight on the path to light the way.  It was a typical garage, nothing out of the ordinary.  It smelled like gasoline and old rust.  A name finally accompanied the face in the photo when Frank informed her that the garage was being rented by Detective Langston.  They searched through everything and just as she was ready to give up Danni found a box of files.  Each dated with the months and year.  Her eyes widened when she found pictures of her and Annabel in the first set of files.  She pulled out the note pad and began to read.  It seemed to be a diary of where they went and who they spoke to.  But nothing about the murders, so she put that one aside and flipped open the next.  The notes accompanied pictures of the Mayor with Hollywood standing by his car.  By the serious look on his face she could only guess what they were talking about.  The file was dated three days ago.  Danni found that odd.  He was supposed to keep his activities low key.  “What a dumb ass,” she whispered under her breath as she placed the file with the other.  The next dozen or so had nothing to do with the Mayor or her case.  It appeared he was taking notes and pictures of stake outs he had done on burglaries in the past.

“I have a strange feeling about this Frank,” Danni voice echoed through the garage.

“What’d you find?”
he asked walking over to her.

“Look at these.”  She pointed toward the box.  “Before last week there are no notes indicating he was even interested in the case.”  She pondered other possibilities.

“That’s the way it’s starting to look.  Last night I tailed him, and there was nothing out of the ordinary.  He sat one block north of a house on Florida and north third and just took pictures of the people coming in and out.  I waited and about an hour later he busted in the premises with uniformed officers and arrested the occupants.”  He frowned.  “It’s starting to look like he is not our perp.”

“Shit, but why does he have pictures of Detective Flanery and me?”
she questioned handing him the folder.  “This smells fishy Frank.”

“Take what you have.  We need to follow up on John Mallory.”

“Who’s that?”

“The fictitious I.A. officer, I did face recognition and he came back in codas.  He has a rap sheet going back twenty years.  Mostly petty theft but he was under suspicion for several unsolved murders back in the Nineties.” 
He blinked back when he witnessed the angry look build on Danni’s face.

“Son of a bitch, where is he now?”

“I had Travis and Kent following him, but they lost him in the hospital district a few hours ago.”

“Did you find a connection?  Does he have a past with Burns?”
she asked feeling her anger increase.  Her ears felt hot, and her head started to pound.  She needed air as the tin walls around her began to close.  “Did you get an address on him?” She finally inquired hunched over in the cool air outside the metal doors.

“Are you okay?”
Concerned, Frank walked up beside her and put his hand on her back.

“I’m good!”
She shrugged his hand off of her.  “Langston could have just stumbled on it while investigating burglaries.”  She looked at him as the scenario played in her mind.

“Kent is looking into that as well, he picked him up an hour ago,”
he confirmed then looked at her with admiring eyes.  “You really should consider the job Pacelli.  You would make a good Agent.”

“Like I said before, let’s solve this case first, then talk to me about it.” 
She waved him off not concerned about anything but Annabel’s safety.  She was distraught after learning the man had been tied to several murders and was still on the street.  “Do we have an address on the perpetrator?”

“Sure do and that is our next stop.” 
He closed the garage door and walked quickly to his car.  “I told you, we will make an arrest tonight.”

Frank drove slowly with the lights off down the alley.  He had already dropped Danni down the block so she could watch the front.  They already rationalized they had enough probable cause since he had misrepresented himself as an officer of the law.  Give me one reason and I will take you down, Frank mused as he turned off the engine and pulled his gun from its holster.

As Danni crept down the gangway alongside the house, she looked in the window; she could see a shadow on the wall.  It appeared to her, he was seated watching the television.  When she peered inside an open window and listened, she could hear his voice carry from the other room.  She listened closely to the one sided conversation.  “I will find them and take them out!” the man said.  Danni made a mental note of the time of the call.  She knew they could trace it and find out the identity of the accomplice.

Frank crept up beside her.  “
Anything?” he whispered.

She motioned him away from the window and explained what she heard.  That was all he needed to put a raid into action.  He walked away and dialed a number on his phone.  “
They’ll be here in twenty.”  He said a moment later and motioned for her to follow him into the alley.