06 Fatal Mistake (12 page)

The other men nodded in agreement.

“So the players keep busy in that regard?” Avery asked.

More nervous glances followed the question.

“There’s no shortage of women who are interested in spending time with them,” Bixby said.

“How diplomatic,” Avery replied. “We’ll leave it at that for now, but I reserve the right to delve deeper into that line of questioning at a later date if need be.” He doled out cards to the four men. “If you think of anything else that might be relevant to the investigation, please call me.”

“You guys can go on back to work,” Bixby said.

“Thanks for your time,” Avery added.

When they were alone, Bixby said, “Are you going to look at Lind for this?”

“We’re certainly going to have a conversation with him.”

“Will you tell him we pointed you in his direction?”

“I don’t see the need to mention that. I’m sure there were plenty of witnesses to the meltdown. Anyone could’ve told us.”

“Good,” he said, seeming genuinely relieved. “That’s really good.”

“Are you afraid of Mr. Lind for some reason?”

“Not physically, if that’s what you mean. He wields a lot of power around here. Has the ear of the front office. If he wanted to, he could cause trouble for me and my staff.”

“I understand. I’ll do everything I can to keep your names out of the conversation.”

“I’d appreciate that, and so would they.”

Avery shook hands with Bixby. “Do you have a card in case I need to get in touch?”

Bixby produced a business card from his wallet. “Will you keep me posted?”

“To the best of my ability.”

“Thank you.”

“Hill.”

“Yeah?”

“Lind... He’s a bit of a hot head. Something’s a little off with him, if you ask me.”

“Good to know. Thanks again for your help.” Avery left the locker room and followed the exit signs through the twisting maze of tunnels that eventually led to a parking lot. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the lot where he’d left his car. As he walked around the outer shell of the stadium, he thought about what a difference twenty-four hours made. The silence was in stark contrast to the roar of the crowd and the rage of the fans that followed Vasquez’s unfortunate error.

Avery hadn’t been at the game, but he’d watched it on TV from his hotel room. One of these days, he needed to get busy finding a permanent home in the District. After this case, he told himself. Then he’d take care of getting settled.

In the meantime, he placed a call to the MPD, asking for the detectives’ pit when he reached dispatch.

“Detective Dominguez.”

“This is Agent Hill. I was wondering if I could pass along some information to aid in the Vasquez investigation.”

“Of course. What’ve you got?”

“We need background checks, including financials, on Garrett Collins, the team’s general manager and Rick Lind, closing pitcher.”

“Anyone else?”

Avery thought about it for a second. “Let’s do Jamie Clark, team trainer, and Bob Minor, the manager too.”

“You got it.”

“Anything back on Vasquez’s financials?”

“Not yet. We’re hearing there’s been a hang up with the banks in the Dominican Republic. We’re working on it.”

“Anything on the video surveillance?”

“Not yet.”

“How about his car? Any sign of it?”

“Still looking for that and the blood.”

“I’ll let you get back to work. Thanks for the update.”

“No problem. Thanks for the leads. Will you be attending the meeting at zero seven hundred?”

“I’ll be there.”

“See you then.”

Even though he’d love to go have a conversation with Rick Lind, he wanted to talk to Sam first. Tomorrow was another day, and zero seven hundred would be upon him far too soon. In desperate need of food and sleep, he got into his car and drove “home” to his hotel.

Chapter Eight

By the time Nick finally got Scotty settled and into bed it was ten o’clock. After a visit with Skip and Celia, Nick had spent the entire evening with his boy, talking about Willie and what had happened to him. Scotty was a deeply sensitive kid, an old soul in many ways, and Nick had answered as many of his questions as he could. But some questions would never be answered satisfactorily, even if Sam and her team were able to piece together what’d happened to Willie.

Nick had brought home a huge briefing book that he was supposed to go over before morning meetings, but by the time Scotty ran out of questions, he was out of steam. He planned to do a quick review in the morning before his meetings.

Christina had spent all day rearranging two days of campaign events so Nick could accompany the president on the top-secret trip to visit the troops in Afghanistan. In light of the Vasquez murder and Sam’s involvement in it—as well as Scotty’s despair—Nick wished he hadn’t committed to the trip. He hated to be away when so much was going on at home, but he had a job to do too. He couldn’t pass up the chance to visit with the troops from Virginia who were stationed in Afghanistan.

He’d never admit to Sam about the tiny bit of anxiety he’d experienced when Nelson’s staff first pitched the idea of the trip to him. Flying into a war zone on a gigantic plane with the U.S. flag all over it was not something he’d ever thought he’d do. But much of his life these days was made up of moments he’d never expected to experience, and flying on
Air Force One
would be one more unforgettable thing in a year of unforgettable things.

He took a shower and shaved before he slid into bed next to Sam, snuggling up to her, wishing she would wake up but not wanting to disturb her. As his hand connected with a wool sweater, he realized she was still fully dressed. She was so tired she hadn’t even bothered to undress. At least she’d removed her shoes.

His breath caught when she turned over and reached for him, mumbling in her sleep. Nick put his arm around her and ran his other hand over her hair. “Shhh, it’s okay, babe,” he whispered.

“Time is it?”

“Almost eleven.”

“Oh, thank God. I thought it was time to get up.”

“Sorry if I woke you.”

“You didn’t. My bladder did.”

“Why don’t you go take care of that, and I’ll keep your spot warm.”

“Okay.” She dragged herself out of bed and into the bathroom. When she returned a few minutes later, Nick was ready for her.

“Let’s get you out of those heavy clothes so you’re more comfortable.”

“Are you coming on to me?”

Laughing, he said, “Not this time.”

“That’s disappointing.”

“You need sleep more than you need sex.”

“Who says?”

He helped her out of her sweater and jeans. “Your husband, who always knows what’s best for you.” When she was down to just underwear, he moved back in the bed to let her in.

She joined him in bed and snuggled up to him. As warm, naked breasts pressed against his chest, he realized she’d shed the underwear too. He told himself that this night was about sleep and nothing else.
Keep telling yourself that
, he thought as his hand glided up and down her back while her hand caressed his belly.

His reaction was instantaneous and predictable when she was in the vicinity. “Samantha...”

“What?”

“Go back to sleep.”

“I will. I’ve got hours and hours before I have to be at HQ. Plenty of time for sleep.” As she spoke, her hand drifted downward and all his efforts to keep his mind off sex fell to the wayside when the back of her hand made contact with his erection.

“
Sam
.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You did too. You know exactly what you did.”

“I can’t help if being naked in bed with you makes me think of things that have nothing to do with sleep.”

“I should’ve slept downstairs so I wouldn’t bother you.”

“No, you shouldn’t have. You belong right here with me.”

He turned on his side to face her, and she took advantage of the opportunity to lay a hot, wet, sexy kiss on him. “You brushed your teeth.”

“So?”

“So this was a deliberate attack.”

“Guilty as charged.”

“Since you went to all that trouble...” What else could he do but kiss her back? When she smiled against his lips he held her closer. But no matter how close he got to her it was never close enough.

As if she read his mind, she wrapped her arms and legs around him, imprisoning him in her web of soft, supple flesh and the scent of vanilla and lavender that never failed to stir him. It was the scent of
her
, of his woman, his only love.

Without breaking the kiss, he cupped her breasts and ran his thumbs over her nipples, making her moan. And then she sucked on his tongue, and his need became urgent. He moved them as one so he was on top.

As always, Sam welcomed him with her legs hugging his hips. He’d never felt completely at home anywhere until he found his home with her. Mindful of her need for sleep, he moved things along faster than he preferred, entering her in one smooth flex of his hips that took him straight to paradise.

She turned away from the kiss and drew in a deep breath.

“Are you okay?” he asked, relying on rigid control to remain still long enough for her to reply.

“Mmm. So okay. Love this. Love you.”

“Love you too. More than anything.”

They moved together like they’d been lovers for years rather than months, but then again they’d had a lot of practice since they’d reunited just before Christmas. He bent his head and found her nipple, tugging and sucking, which always drove her wild.

Her internal muscles tightened around his cock, letting him know she approved of what he was doing. So he did it again and again and again, until they were swept up together in a tumultuous release that felt like it went on forever, at least from his side of things. He had no idea what made her so different from the other women he’d done this with. Nothing in his life could compare to the overwhelming need she inspired him, the passion, the desire, the craving. If he lived a thousand years, he’d never get enough of her.

“Sleep is so overrated,” she said after a long period of satisfied silence.

“You always say that until you don’t get enough, and the rest of us are made to suffer.”

She pinched his rear, making him startle and slide deeper into her. Sam gasped and dug her fingers into his ass, wanting to keep him there.

“Enough, you sex-crazed wench. You’re only getting it once tonight.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes. I am the husband, and I am in charge.” He said the words, knowing they would infuriate her, and hopefully take her mind off sex and put it back on sleep.

“And I am the little woman who does exactly what she’s told at all times.”

Amused by her response, he slid his hands under her, squeezing her cheeks in a reminder of some of their recent activities in bed. Ever since he discovered that his lovely wife lost her mind when she was spanked, he’d taken full advantage of every opportunity to drive her wild. “Not quite yet, but we’re working on your obedience issues.”

The comment was met with another internal squeeze that had him rock hard again, despite his best intentions to the contrary.

As she laughed, her lips brushed against his ear, further firing him up. It might be a good idea to admit he was entirely powerless where she was concerned. But he didn’t have to admit anything. She already knew. How could she not when the proof was growing harder inside her by the second?

She ran her hands over his buttocks, dipping her middle finger between them in a move that nearly finished him off a second time.

“Sam, God, what’re you doing to me?” he asked as she pressed several times against his entrance before moving further down to stroke the back of his balls.

“Just proving that you’re not always in charge.”

“As if we needed proof.”

“Think of it as a reminder.” She dipped her tongue into his ear as her finger moved back up to tease him some more. They’d been getting more and more daring with every passing month, and just when he thought things between them couldn’t get any hotter, she proved otherwise by pressing her fingertip inside him.

Every thought was cleared from his mind, replaced by a haze of passion that had him taking her hard and fast, which he had the presence of mind to suspect had been her goal all along. He was coming again in no time, more intensely than the first time. Thankfully, she was right there with him because she’d completely demolished what was left of his energy.

As he lay on top of her, still pulsating in the aftermath, she did that thing to his ear again and nearly had him begging for mercy.

“Let me know when you want to be in charge again,” she whispered in his ear, making him laugh.

“You made me your bitch.”

That got another laugh out of her. “I really did, didn’t I?”

“You know exactly what you did to me.”

“Nothing you haven’t done to me.”

“You’ve got me thinking of revenge.”

“Do your worst.”

“I’ll have to give that some serious thought.” He raised his head from where it rested on her chest and kissed her. “You need to go back to sleep.”

“I know,” she said, brushing the hair off his forehead in a gesture that never failed to stir him. No one had ever loved him the way she did. “But this was time very well spent.”

“You won’t hear me complaining.” Reluctantly, he withdrew from her and flopped on to his back, reaching for her.

She came into his arms, her head on his chest and her hand flat against his belly. “Are you going on the big trip with the president?”

“Looks that way.”

“Oh. Okay.”

He squeezed her tighter. “It will be, babe. I promise.”

“If you say so. How’s the boy?”

“Full of questions and disbelief. It was a tough afternoon and evening, but we got through it.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be here to help.”

“He knew where you were and what you were doing. At one point, he said he was glad you were the one looking for Willie’s killer because if anyone could find the person who did it, you can.”

“I hope I don’t let him down. We’ve got such a mountain to climb with this one. Where do we even begin when so many people were mad at him?”

“I suppose you work it the way you always do and wait for something to pop, as you would say.”

“Yeah, I guess. Hopefully something popped overnight that will give us a direction in the morning.”

He kissed her forehead and caressed her face. “Shut off that brain of yours and get some more sleep while you can.”

“I will, but first tell me about the funny thing that happened earlier with Scotty.”

Nick laughed. “You won’t believe what he asked me about.”

“What?”

“Blow jobs.”

Sam lifted her head off his chest, and he wished the light were on so he could see her expression. “Are you freaking kidding me? Where the hell did he hear about that?”

“School. Where else?”

“I knew we should’ve sent him to the Quakers. I bet they don’t talk about that stuff there.”

“
All
boys talk about that stuff, no matter what school they go to.”

“He’s too young to be thinking about blow jobs.”

“He’s not too young, but luckily, he’s not thinking about them the way we do. When I told him what it means he was totally grossed out.”

“So you told him the actual truth?”

“Of course I did. He’s too old to be treated like a baby.”

“I suppose that’s true. What exactly did you say?”

“That it’s when a girl kisses you down there.”

“Ack!” She let out a squeak of protest and pressed her face to his chest. “I’m dying. Dying. Dying.
Dying
!”

His finger combed through her hair. “Don’t do that. I need you too much.”

“So it grossed him out, huh?”

“Yep. He said anyone who likes that has something wrong with him. I said there’s nothing wrong with me.”

“You did not! Oh my God, Nick! Now he’ll know we do that. Or that
I
do it.”

“So what? It’s part of life. Why should we act like that doesn’t happen between us?”

“God,” she said with a sigh, setting back on his chest. “I’m so not cut out for motherhood.”

“Sure you are,” he said with a chuckle. “The challenge is that we’re going right from the frying pan to the fire of adolescence without years to prepare ourselves. We’ve gotta be ready for this stuff. It’s coming fast and furious, whether we like it or not.”

“I’d like to unsubscribe from the vocabulary conversations.”

“No problem,” he said, smiling. “How about I handle anything in the penis department?”

“That’d be awfully good of you. Were you freaking out when he asked about that?”

“Totally and trying not to die laughing at the same time. The faces he was making were hysterical. I wished you’d been there to help me out.”

“I doubt I would’ve been much help. I would’ve been too busy screaming. I never thought I’d be so thankful that a murder kept me away from home.”

Laughing, he held her close to him, thrilled by her, by them, by their son and their life. He had everything he’d ever dreamed of, and it was so much more than even his vivid imagination could’ve come up with. “Love you, babe.”

“Mmm, love you too.”

Long after she drifted off, he lay awake enjoying the simple pleasure of having her sleep all over him.

* * *

Sam woke much later, roused by a sound coming from the hallway. She dragged herself out of bed, pulled on a robe and went to investigate. As she left her bedroom, she nearly tripped over Scotty’s huddled form outside the door.

Sam squat next to him and rested a hand on his back. “Hey, buddy, what’s wrong?”

“I had a bad dream,” he said, sniffling.

She wondered how long he’d been there. “You should’ve come in.”

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

“You wouldn’t have bothered us.” Sam reached for him, and he lunged at her, breaking down into sobs that brought tears to her eyes. She’d never seen him so upset. “It’s not possible for you to bother us. Anytime you need us, you come in. All right?”