Master of Submission [Masters of Submission 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (11 page)

“It’s her, but it just doesn’t look like her.”

When no one answered, Emma continued to stare at her friend, unable to look away even though she desperately wanted to. Chloe’s skin held a strange, greenish hue. The bridge of her nose had partially collapsed, and black skin tainted the area around her mouth. Doubt began to enter her mind as she stared at the waxwork copy of her friend. “I need to see her wrist to be absolutely sure.” Still keeping the rest of her body covered with the sheet, the attendant carefully revealed her friend’s left arm. The back of her hand showed first, and Emma noticed the blackened tips of her fingers. As a lawyer, she’d seen numerous pictures of dead bodies, but this was the first time she’d actually seen one in the flesh. Chloe had clearly been dead for some time, too. From the decay, she guessed for a week or more. The attendant carefully rotated her arm.
There, there, yes it’s there.
The rose entwined in barbed wire lay tattooed on the inside of her wrist. She was in no doubt now. It was Chloe.

“Yes, it’s her. It’s Chloe Watts,” she managed to say, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill. “What happened to you, Chloe?” she whispered to herself. Kathy Rochelle gave the signal and the curtains began to slowly close. Emma placed her palms against the glass, trying to stop their movement. Panic started to build as the enormity of the situation finally hit home. Rushed, garbled words spilled from her mouth. “No, no, no, please let me see her a little while longer. That’s my friend. She needs me. Who’s going to look after her now? Please don’t close it.” She followed the edge of the curtain until just a crack was left, and a small sliver of her friend remained. It was the last glimpse she would ever have of her. “No!” She slammed her fist against the glass. “It isn’t fair, she’s my best friend, I need to comfort her. Can’t you understand, she’s all alone in there.” Her legs began to buckle, and she could barely breathe. “No, no, no,” she sobbed. Strong hands rested on her shoulders and she turned into their embrace. Zane enveloped her in his arms, giving her the comfort she so desperately needed. An inner calm began to envelop her body and mind, as she breathed in his reassuring masculine scent.

“Shhh, baby, I’m here.” His words soothed the heartache pulsing through her.

Detective Mitchell’s voice broke through the surreal nature of the situation. “I need to ask you both some questions.”

“Jesus, you cops are all the same. Can’t you see this lady is distressed? Just give us some space.” Zane sounded angry.

“I appreciate that, Sir, but this is a murder investigation.”

“I know that. We both know that. We’re well aware of the implications.” Zane cupped her chin, and she looked at him through teary eyes. “I’m here for as long as you need me, baby.” Even though her body shook uncontrollably, Emma nodded, and bravely forced a weak smile. Zane tenderly placed a palm to her cheek and held her face against his chest. Even he looked sad. He continued speaking, “Look, officer, just five minutes, that’s all I ask. We’re not going anywhere.”

Kathy Rochelle placed a hand on Emma’s shoulder. “My office is just down the hall. Perhaps you’d like some time to gather your thoughts in private.”

“Thank you. You’re a very kind lady,” Emma whispered.

“Think nothing of it. One last thing, I’ll need to take your DNA for elimination purposes. It’s routine procedure, and nothing to concern yourself with. If you follow me, I’ll show you the way.”

Kathy Rochelle led them to her office. “Take as much time as you need.”

Zane sat on a chair and pulled Emma onto his lap. He stroked her hair as she laid her head against his chest. “That’s it, baby. Lean on me.” He feathered the golden strands from her face. “That’s a tough thing to witness. You’re one brave lady.”

“It was her, wasn’t it?” She needed to know she hadn’t made a mistake.

“Without a doubt. I remembered the tattoo on her wrist.”

“I’ve seen photographs of dead bodies in my work as a lawyer. But somehow, it’s completely different when you see one for real. Especially when it’s someone you know and love. Just seeing Chloe lying there, so cold and alone, made me understand how fleeting life can be.”

Detective Mitchell cleared his throat and entered the small office. “Zane Anders, I have reason to believe you know the deceased, too.”

Zane sighed resignedly. “I was wondering how long it would take you cops to figure that one out. For the record, yeah. I knew Chloe or Giselle as she was called. To my knowledge she first visited Club Submission about two years ago.”

“So when was the last time you saw her?”

Zane grimaced and massaged the back of his neck. “About two weeks ago, I guess. As I said, she was known around the place as Giselle. I only discovered yesterday that her real name was Chloe.”

The tenacious detective turned his attention to Emma. “Ma’am, it would help our inquiries if you could tell me why you’ve been living in Chloe Watts’s apartment.”

Emma knew where this was going, and she didn’t like the implications one little bit. “There’s nothing sinister about my relationship with Chloe, Detective Mitchell. She and I were in the process of setting up a law firm together right here in Boston. She invited me to move in with her while final arrangements were being made. My arrival here in the US was planned months before she even went missing. Chloe had a key cut for me so I could come and go as I wished. When I arrived—”

Zane interrupted. “Don’t say any more, Emma. The cops will twist whatever information you give them. They’ll put two and two together and make five.”

As a lawyer, Emma knew Zane was speaking sense. She really should insist on legal representation for herself, but for some stupid, illogical reason, she wanted to get her feelings and emotions out in the open.

“No, Zane, let me speak. I want to have my say.” She took a deep breath before continuing, “Detective Mitchell, I can assure you that when I arrived, Chloe was nowhere to be seen.”

“And you expect me to believe that, Ms. Parkes.” The way this homicide cop eyed her up, left her in no doubt she was a suspect. Maybe even the prime suspect.

“I don’t give a damn what you believe, Detective. I have nothing to hide. All my personal possessions are being shipped across from Britain as we speak.” The furniture from her flat back in England had all been carefully loaded into containers. “The container won’t arrive here for another six weeks, but please, be my guest, and feel free to check out my story with the shipping company.”

“We’ll need their address. We’ll also need the address of where you’re staying right now.”

“The lady is staying with me.” Zane’s deep voice spoke authoritatively.

“But—”

Zane stared into her eyes. “Baby, I want you to stay with me, at least until you’ve sorted everything out. You’re too emotional and vulnerable to be left on your own.”

She smiled. “Thank you, Zane. You’re a good man. I don’t want to put you out. As soon as I get my passport back, I can return home to England, and—”

Detective Mitchell rudely interrupted, “Ma’am, let me explain something to you. Until our inquiries are completed, you’ll be staying right here in the US.”

“You’re kidding, right? For how long may I ask?”

“This is a murder investigation, Ms. Parkes. For as long as it takes.”

It was already starting to get dark when Zane finally drove the Merc through the impressive security gates at Anders Gems. He stilled the engine in the private parking space directly outside his office, and turned to Emma. She looked pale and appeared to be deep in thought.

That fucking cop.
What was the prick’s name again? Yeah, that’s right, Detective Mitchell.
He’d questioned them both for over an hour. His interview, such as it was. It was more of an interrogation, really, focused entirely on the consensual sex going down at Club Submission. He just wouldn’t let it drop. Zane reckoned the details about a D/s relationship really turned the sad bastard on. He knew the guy would head straight to the club once he’d finished with them, to see for himself. He’d probably be nursing a semi on the drive over there, too. So as soon as he could, he’d telephoned Matthew and Ethan, to keep them in the loop. They knew as well as he did that a cop snooping around a private sex club was bad for business. Most members fiercely guarded their identity, wanting to keep it secret. Some even kept their lifestyle secret from their husbands or wives. They did not want it broadcast to the whole wide world. Zane figured Club Submission was in for a bumpy ride.

After a quick glance at the four-story, smoked-glass building, he touched Emma’s shoulder, rousing her from her introspection. “Come in for a while, it’ll take your mind off things.” She forced a smile, but it was obvious her thoughts were completely elsewhere. He couldn’t blame her. What she’d seen at the morgue had been devastating. To find out her best friend was dead was bad enough, but to find out she’d been murdered must be tearing her apart.

Zane stroked her pale cheek with the back of his hand. “I know things are difficult for you right now. But it will get better, I promise you. What you’re going through at the moment is as bad as it gets.”

“I do hope you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right. I’m always right.”

Emma nodded and couldn’t help but smile when she heard his tongue-in-cheek response. “Your ego knows no bounds, Master Zane.” Her words were lighthearted, but he could still detect excess moisture glistening in her eyes.

“I’ve just got some paperwork to see to. It shouldn’t take too long. Come on in, I’ll introduce you to the boys and girls who work for me.”

“You’ve been so good to me, Zane. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.” He gently teased a wayward strand of her pretty blonde hair between his finger and thumb, before tucking it behind her perfectly shaped ear. He then looked right at her. “I feel…” He paused, trying to find the right words. “I don’t know what it is, but I feel an affinity with you. It’s as if…” He searched for the elusive words again. “Look, what I’m trying to tell you is…I really like you, Emma. I like you being around.”

Fearing he’d already said too much, he jumped from the car and walked around to open her door. As she stepped out, he looked up at the smoked-glass frontage. He wondered how many of his workforce had observed his arrival with the sexy blonde woman.

He glanced at his watch as they walked toward the impressive modern building. It was almost four. The important shipment would have already arrived. Lucy, his personal assistant, had been with the company for twelve years. She was virtually indispensable. He knew she’d be able to handle the delivery on her own. She was an extremely competent lady, and her attractive six-figure salary confirmed this.

As soon as they entered the building, Lucy breezed toward them, a genuine smile on her face. For a woman in her late forties she still looked fantastic. Catlike green eyes, enhanced by carefully applied makeup, gave her an exotic look. Her brown hair was neatly bobbed, and streaked with fashionable highlights. It was a crying shame that she remained divorced and single. He’d often thought about taking her out himself, but the eight-year age difference always stopped him. He figured he just wasn’t into cougar relationships at this time in his life. Maybe one day he should introduce her to Club Submission—that’s if she was so inclined. He felt sure she’d meet someone there, who could make her happy. Man or woman?

“Hi, Zane. No problems whatsoever. The shipment checks out exactly as it should. I’ve already had them graded, and even have some of the stones ready for the open market.”

“Good work, Lucy.” He placed a protective arm around Emma’s shoulder. “This lovely lady is, Emma. She’s staying with me for a while.”

Lucy smiled, her feline eyes sweeping warmly over Emma in silent approval. “Good, it’s about time you had a woman ’round the place. It’s far too big for you, rattling around all those rooms on your own.” She touched Emma’s hand. “Hi, Emma, I’m Lucy, the general workhorse ’round here.” She laughed out loud, and then added with genuine concern, “My, my, you’re shivering. I’ll bring you both a steaming cup of coffee to warm you up.”

“Nice to meet you, too, Lucy, and thanks, a coffee would be lovely.”

“You’re real welcome, honey.”

After pressing six digits on a pin pad, Zane led Emma through a double set of sealed security doors.

“I see you’re not taking any chances with your valuable stock.”

“Yeah, a guy can’t be too safe in this business, Emma. There’s plenty of very clever people who would like to get their hands on the rocks we keep here. I had extra security measures installed after an attempted break-in last year. It’s a precautionary measure really. Most of the time, the level of valuable gems stored here is pretty low. It’s just on days like today, when an expensive shipment arrives. Then we have to be extra vigilant.” He pushed open the door to his office. “Relax, take the weight off your feet, baby. I’ll be done in twenty minutes.”

“I’m in no rush, Zane. Take as long as you need. I’ve already wasted too much of your precious time today.” She sat on a comfortable chair overlooking the window, and silently stared outside. He knew she was grieving for the loss of her best friend. He’d give her as much time as she needed to come to terms with what had happened.

Lucy tapped on the door and brought in a tray loaded with fresh coffee, cream, and sugar, along with a few cookies. “You sure don’t look well, honey,” she commented as she started to pour the coffee.