Covet (3 page)

When she got to work she decided to come down to the station and see the captain. She knew the M.E. pretty well so when he called Brian to give him a heads up about the congressman’s preliminary exam she decided to come down herself.

That was of course an excuse to see Merrick although she denied it vehemently to herself.
This is business. How dare he assume that she was here to see him?

“Lieutenant hello again, if memory serves me correctly, the meeting
you
have with ADA Smith isn’t until later this afternoon. I’m actually here to see Captain Barlow and the M.E. my office got a call that the preliminary exam was completed.”

She was purposely condescending. The last thing she wanted was Merrick making any assumptions about why she was there.

Merrick noticed everything, including the slight annoyance in her tone. She was almost defensive. He smiled inwardly; she liked him or at the very least found him attractive.

Standing up he closed the gap between them in two strides and stood next to her probably a little too close. He stared into her eyes deliberately. “Well Ms. Anderson you walked into my office. I would say that my assumption wasn't that far fetched. You see that is
my
name on the door.”

Fuck! What now? She walked into the station past every single person that she could’ve asked for help if she needs any including the captain’s office.

The excuse that she didn't see anyone wouldn't work. He was peering at her with the most intense blue eyes she had ever seen. Taking a step back she, stuttered …something she never does.

“Well.um…detective since I was already in the building I wanted to see you to apologize for my behavior earlier. I was a little swamped but that was no excuse for blowing you off….  What I meant was I didn't
want
to see you I just thought I should since I was going to be here anyway.”

What the fuck did she just allow out of her mouth? It sounded like a blatant lie. It was thin but she didn't really have an excuse for barging into his office without knocking.

OK that was half true. When the ME called to inform her office about the congressman’s examine she offered to come down herself especially when Clyde mentioned that he would be meeting with detective Boivin shortly.

It took a lot of will power for him not to laugh. She looked ravishing standing there lying in his face and making excuses. He had two choices, both call her story the steaming pile of bullshit that it obviously was or let her off the hook and be flattered that she was making excuses to see him.
So she was interested what a relief.
He chose the latter.

“Ms. Anderson, I appreciate your apology and thank you. I didn't take it offensively I understand that you are a busy woman. So how about we start over”, he asked holding out his hand.

Mya looked at his hand, it was large she wondered how they would feel on her body. Shaking off the thought, she responded, “I’m sorry detective, I don't want to seem rude yet again but I don't shake hands…with anyone.”

“Well would you like to hug on it instead Ms. Anderson?” He smiled devilishly. Mya was flabbergasted. How could she respond to that? “Um…I…don’t hug either.”

Realizing that she was disconcerted by the tell tale stammering he offered a reprieve; he walked to his desk and grabbed his coat. “It was a joke Ms. Anderson and for the record, rude is not the word I would use to describe you.”

Opening the door to his office he gestured for her to walk ahead of him. “After you, I’ll take you to the captain or would you prefer to head to the M.E. first? Lady’s choice of course.”

Still recovering from his “Hug” comment Mya decided it was best to walk ahead and catch her bearings before answering. When she walked into his office he was wearing a fitted short sleeve shirt that showed his muscular physique.

When he suggested they hug she actually considered what his arms would feel like wrapped around her. What the fuck was she doing? She almost agreed to it.

There was a hush as they walked through the station to the elevator. Merrick didn't make eye contact with anyone he just looked forward. He wasn't in to mood for the bullshit and making Mya even more anxious was not his goal at least not in public but in private that was an entirely different story.

She walked ahead of him to the elevator and pressed the call button. Since they walked past the captains’ office it was obvious that she decided to head to see the M.E. first. Based on her silence she was at a loss for words.

She had to get in front of this. Deciding to see the M.E. first was a wise decision concentrating on the case would give her some clarity. The trip down to the basement to see the M.E. was silent.

When they got into the elevator thankfully it was packed with people so they ended up standing on opposite ends. When the elevator reached the first floor it emptied leaving only the two of them. Merrick reached for the button and pressed “B” for basement.

He glanced at Mya and saw that she was looking intently at the wall. He smiled; it pleased him immensely knowing that he had an effect on her.  So… he deduced she certainly wasn't gay that idea could be put to bed.

Damn, “
put to bed”
that phrase sent all types of lecherous thoughts of Mya in his bed through his mind. The elevator door opened suddenly interrupting his fantasy. He held the door allowing her to go out first. She stepped out in front of him they were both erringly quiet.

The M.E’s office was a bit down the hall so he walked a few steps behind her watching the mesmerizing sway of her hips. At this pace he was able to watch her uninterrupted. He noted that her shoes were different than the ones she wore yesterday.

When he first met her she was wearing black stiletto boots but now she was wearing red Gucci pumps. She had exorbitant taste and it suited her.
I wonder what she is wearing underneath those clothes. She would look ravishing in Bordelle...something lacy, silk or maybe nothing at all.

Something about her got under his skin. By the smooth outline of her ass she was either wearing a thong or no panties either worked just fine. They reached the M.E.s office too soon. Mya walked ahead keenly aware of Merricks eyes on her.

She didn't care at the moment she couldn't, she needed to recover this day and get back on her game. He managed to catch her off guard and that will not happen again.

The walk seemed to take forever even though it was less than a few yards away. When they reached the M.E.s office they both reached for the door handle. Finally, their hands touched. It was magnetic. They both felt it.

Mya snatched her hand away quickly but not fast enough. Merrick grabbed the handle allowing her to walk in first. It was gentlemanly thing to do. He spoke for the first time since they walked out of his office, “After you.” He masterfully concealed his reaction to her touch and pretended not to notice hers.

The M.E. Clyde Morgan knew his job. He had been doing it for 15 years and was one of those rare people that enjoyed what he did. When Mya and Merrick walked in he looked up from his computer and greeted them,

“Ah…I get a twofer today”, he got up to shake Merricks hand and gave Mya a welcoming smile he knew she didn't shake hands from previous encounters.

Merrick noticed this of course. He felt relieved.
So it’s not just me, she really doesn't shake hands.
Like most of the men in the building Clyde found her attractive and unobtainable which made her even more desirable. Still he never crossed a line with her, he was content just looking.

“Mya, its good to see you even if it’s under these circumstances.” Mya finally broke her silence, “Clyde its good to see you too”; she gave him a warm smile.

He was gawking at her and Merrick didn't appreciate that at all.
Ok time to break this shit up. “
So Clyde what do we have on the congressman?” His comment was curt.

“Man its not good. Someone worked his ass over pretty thoroughly. I’m still waiting on the toxicology report to make a definitive determination on cause of death but he sustained tremendous physical damage that certainly contributed to his death.

Again that's just based on the pre toxicology report examination. Based on the post mortem exam all the damage was done premortem-he was alive for most of it. He was emasculated-his penis and both testis were removed again pre-mortem.

There are over two dozen premortem
superficial cuts on his face, neck, chest, and torso and of course in the groin area. The cuts on the hands were not defensive so they had to be done post mortem.

He may have been drugged, there are a lot of drugs that can mimic paralysis and these days you don’t need medical training to concoct the proper drug combinations. I knew a guy that never stepped foot in a medical school but read a few books and watched Greys Anatomy religiously.

He got a phony degree online forged some documents and was practicing medicine for five years before anyone realized he wasn't a real doctor.”

Merrick chuckled, “Yeah I heard about that it was in Virginia I think, figures he was a friend of yours.”

The sarcasm was refreshing under the circumstances. Mya appreciated it. She was on edge and fraught with a kind of tension that was unfamiliar to her. The joke was timely. The details of the congressman’s death were grim but that wasn't why she was on edge and she knew it. It was Merrick.

He had a strange effect on her. She listened to Clyde’s findings but her mind was somewhere else. It was time to go but it would be impossible to leave abruptly without making both men suspicious.

Then as if on queue her cell rang. Merrick and Clyde both turned to look at her, “Excuse me I need to take this”, she walked into the hall. It was Brian, “Hey, M how is everything going, do you need some backup?”

This is why they made such a good team. Brian was always looking out for her. “
No, I’m fine here. I’m actually headed back now.”

“Great we can grab some lunch.”

“Sure see you in 10.”
Perfect timing Brian
. Stuffing the phone back into her purse she walked back in to announce her departure to the two men.

They both stopped talking long enough to acknowledge Mya’s reentrance. After Mya left the room they took a break and started shooting the shit about the super bowl. Merrick sensed that Mya was uneasy so he tried to relax the atmosphere as much as possible.

When she walked back in they were just finishing up. She caught the end of the conversation.  “Mya, did you catch the game last Sunday?” Clyde asked enthusiastically.

“No Clyde, men running around in tights, tackling each other just isn’t engaging enough to keep my attention.”

They both laughed. “I never looked at it that way Ms. Anderson”, Merrick replied.

“Neither did I”, Clyde added.

She smiled it was genuine. Merrick noticed.

“Well gentlemen, I’m going to have to cut this short, I have an emergency conference call with the deputy mayor. I’ll shoot the captain an E-mail”, she turned to look at Merrick. “I guess I’ll see you later lieutenant.”

Merrick watched her walk out the door, there was no way he was letting her off the hook that easy. “Clyde, it was good seeing you again.” With that, she turned and walked away.

“Clyde, thanks man I’ll catch up with you later, keep me informed and let me know the minute you get the tox screen back.”

“Will do Merrick.” Merrick hurried out the door after Mya. He caught up to her at the elevator.

“Mya, I’m glad I caught up to you.”

She turned to look at him and those violet eyes hit him like a sledgehammer.

“Hey are you Ok? I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable earlier with the “Hug” comment I was really just poking fun. I didn't mean anything by it.”

For the third time today he managed to surprise her. “Its fine lieutenant I’m a big girl I can take anything you dish out.”

Damn my smart mouth. That came out so wrong.

Merrick stared at her mouth while she was talking, he didn't really hear anything other than the “
take anything you can dish out comment
”, and he was amused she was feisty.
I really hope you mean that.

They stared at each other and that same tautness filled the air. Merrick knew exactly what it was; it was sexual tension and it was there whenever they were in close proximity. There’s no way she didn't feel it. He wanted to kiss her, but it was too soon not to mention Clyde could walk out of his office any minute.

  Instead he reached pass her brushing her arm and pressed the elevator button. When the doors opened she turned and walked in, “Until later lieutenant”, she said confidently and pressed the “Lobby” button. As the elevators doors closed they peered at each other.

He decided against getting into the elevator with her to save face. She had a palpable physical effect on him and he needed a minute to “settle down” so her took the stairs.

As soon as the elevator doors closed Mya exhaled. She didn't realize that she was holding her breath but Merrick was fucking devilishly handsome and he was awakening something in her.

Something didn't want but needed. She needed to immerse herself in serious work as soon as possible and get Merrick out of her mind. Meeting up with Brian for lunch to discuss business should help.