Locked in Temptation Read online

  He walked back over to the grill to check on the meat. He smiled over at her and said, “Looks like it’s ready.”

  * * *

  DR. KELLY LANGLEY looked up from the papers on her desk when she heard a sound outside her office door. She listened carefully for a minute, but when she didn’t hear the noise again, she figured she must have imagined it. That was one of the reasons she hated being at her office late and alone. All the other physicians occupying space in the complex had the good sense to go home at a reasonable hour. Yet she was still here and would remain here until she received Anderson’s call.

  She got up and went over to the side table to pour another cup of coffee. Instead of shredding those files like Anderson had told her to do, she had taken them to her brother’s place. They would be safe there since Barron wasn’t due back in the country for another six months or so. She just didn’t feel right about destroying them. What if Anderson’s plan to protect her didn’t work? At least with those files she could prove whatever part she played in all this didn’t include murder.

  She heard another sound. Since the pharmacy was also located on her floor, she wondered if perhaps Walter Fowler, the pharmacist, was working late.

  She opened the door to the lobby area. After unlocking the main door, she opened it. Then, out of nowhere, a figure appeared directly in front of her. It took a second to see the person was dressed in all black and wearing a face mask. She was about to scream when his words stopped her. “Anderson sends his love.”

  The last thing she felt was pain.

  * * *

  JOY LEANED BACK in her chair and licked her lips. “That steak was prepared just the way I like it, Stonewall. Not too done and not too raw. You grilled it just right.”

  “Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “I did.” And she wasn’t just giving him lip service. The steak—the entire meal, for that matter—had been delicious. She felt stuffed. Glancing over at him, she saw he was staring at her with dark, sexy eyes. “I noticed you didn’t eat a lot.” He’d given her the bigger portion of the meat and ate only half a baked potato and a small salad.

  “I’d eaten a big meal at Shady Reds. My intent was to make sure you were fed.”

  “Why?” Not that she had to ask, but she wanted him to tell her anyway. She hadn’t missed the way he’d been looking at her, trailing his gaze over her, as if taking in every single detail. Nothing eye-catching about her outfit—a pair of dark brown slacks, a beige cotton blouse and loafers on her feet. As usual, she’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail, so there was nothing that would be a turn-on about that. Although she wasn’t wearing much makeup, she simply refused to leave the house without any. Call her vain. She didn’t care.

  “I want to make sure you have strength for later.”

  She smiled. “Need help with the dishes?”

  “We can do them later.”

  She chuckled. “Oh, I get it. Now I understand why you said I would need my strength later. It’s for the dishes.”

  “If that’s what you think, then you’re way off base.”

  “Am I?”

  “Definitely.”

  He reached across the table and traced the back of her hand with the tip of his finger. The touch had such an arousing effect. “I’ve missed you,” he said in a deep, husky voice that was full of heated desire. So much she was able to feel it.

  “You saw me this morning.” She added, “You had me this morning.”

  The smile that touched his lips had her pressing her thighs together. “Didn’t get enough.”

  “Greedy ass.”

  “Yeah.” He chuckled. “That’s me. You shouldn’t be so irresistible, sweetheart.”

  “Am I?”

  “With every bone in your body.”

  His finger continued to softly stroke across her hand while his gaze locked on hers. His jaw suddenly flexed, and her nipples hardened in response. “You make it hard for a girl to say no.”

  “Were you planning to?” he asked in a voice low and raspy.

  Planning to say no? Not hardly. “No. I was not going to tell you no,” she said honestly. “I came here tonight for more than food, Stonewall.”

  The movement of his fingers on her hand stopped. As she watched he slowly stood and came around the table to where she sat. He offered her his hand and she took it. And then his phone rang.

  He didn’t answer it. Instead he pulled her to her feet. The phone stopped ringing and he lowered his mouth to hers. Their mouths meshed easily, deeply, and the minute she parted her lips he slid his tongue between them. She tasted the flavor of him, one she’d thought about most of the day. And when he tightened his hold on her, she held on while he took the kiss to another level.

  And then his phone rang again.

  Stonewall broke off the kiss, frowning. “There better be a good reason for Roland calling me since I’m on paid leave.”

  He pulled his phone out his pocket at the same time her own phone began ringing. While he talked to Roland, she moved quickly to where she’d left her purse in the living room. “Detective Ingram.”

  “It’s Lieutenant Ingram now.”

  She heard the chuckle and recognized the voice. “Duly noted, Detective Acklin. What’s up?” James Acklin had joined the department a year after she had, and she’d always liked him. Down-to-earth and outright witty at times, he was a good detective and had been one of the first to congratulate her today on her promotion.

  “Seems the natives have been restless tonight, Lieutenant. Two pharmacy break-ins. Unfortunately, a pharmacist at a second location was working late. Apparently he surprised the intruder and they knocked him off before grabbing the drugs. And it seems a doctor whose practice is located in the building was working late, heard the commotion and came to investigate.”

  “Good. We can interview him and—”

  “It’s not a he, but a she. And it’s not good. The intruders took her out, as well.”

  “Damn.”

  “I know. Gunshots. Both of them. Dead. You want me to call in Sanchez?”

  Joy remembered Sanchez’s plans for the evening. She could substitute him with Whit, but she wouldn’t. She needed to have a talk with Whit on Monday before giving him any new assignments. “No, don’t call Sanchez.”

  She glanced over at Stonewall. He was no longer talking on the phone but was leaning against the kitchen counter, looking at her. She had a feeling he knew she would be leaving. She broke eye contact with him and said to Detective Acklin, “Give me your location. Preserve the crime scene. I’m on the way.”

  Moments later she hung up the phone and returned to where Stonewall stood. “Sorry, but I have to leave.”

  He nodded. “And that was Roland. He wanted me to know that Sheppard rushed Carson to the hospital. She’s in labor.”

  A smile touched Joy’s lips. “That’s wonderful.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Joy glanced at her watch. “Thanks again for dinner, but I have to go.”

  “Okay.”

  He didn’t sound like he regretted her leaving. Totally different from Omar. Whenever she got such a call he would pitch a fit and then sulk for days. “Thanks for your understanding.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. You have a job to do.”

  She nodded. “Rain check?”

  “Whenever you want one, sweetheart. You’re the one with the relationship issues.”

  “Yes, but you know the reason, Stonewall.”

  He came to stand in front of her. Reached out and caressed the side of her face. “Yes, but I’m not your ex-fiancé, Joy.”

  “I never said you were. I’m just not ready to get seriously involved with anyone.”

  “I know. You told me.”

  Then why was she re
peating it? Or feeling the need to? She didn’t say anything for a moment, not liking the fact that even with the words he’d just said, he didn’t look annoyed and she was the one feeling agitated. Could anyone be that cool? “Look, I’ll call you,” she said, quickly heading for the door, and then stopping to grab her Glock.

  “Wait up. I’m walking you out.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “Yes, I do,” he said upon reaching her.

  It was something about the look in his eyes that told her it was part of his makeup to protect, even if she felt she of all people didn’t need protecting. Taking her hand in his, he walked her out to her car. There was just something about him walking beside her, holding her hand, emitting his warmth that felt comforting.

  When they reached her car, she said, “Thanks for walking me out.”

  “You don’t have to thank me.”

  Maybe not, but she’d wanted to anyway. They both remained silent, and then he reached out and pushed her hair out of her face. Then he brushed a thumb over her cheek and said, “Stay safe.”

  She nodded. “I will.” She felt a rush of heat flash through her and she tried forcing it away. She had to return to cop mode. No help for it. But when he leaned down and captured her lips, she felt even more heat, and while their mouths mated she went from cop mode to woman mode. Just that easily and just that quickly.

  Ending the kiss, he took a step back and shoved his hands into his pockets. She opened the car door, got inside and snapped her seat belt. Without looking back she drove off.

  * * *

  ANDERSON GOT THE call he’d been waiting for. “It’s been taken care of,” the deep male voice said.

  He nodded, feeling relieved. “And you’re sure the police won’t make connections.”

  “No way that they can. We hit another pharmacy tonight to make them seem like random robberies. We lucked up when there was some guy working late in the pharmacy. Unfortunately he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. We took him out, as well. No one will ever figure out the intended hit was Dr. Langley.”

  “For your sake you better hope not.”

  “Trust me, they won’t. I’ve been doing this a long time.”

  Anderson drew in a deep breath, feeling assured somewhat. “Did you give her my message?”

  “Yes, I gave it to her. Right before I pulled the trigger. You’re one heartless bastard.”

  Anderson snorted. “It takes one to know one.” The people in charge didn’t like mistakes. He and Oliver were pulling in a lot of money to make sure things continued to run smoothly. Neither of them could take any chances Kelly Langley would mess things up. It was that simple. “I plan to return to Charlottesville on Wednesday.”

  Just in case it was discovered that he and Kelly were lovers, Anderson figured he might need an alibi. Making sure he was out of town at the time of her death was his.

  “Fine,” the voice said. “I’ll see you around. Call me if you need me again.”

  He hoped like hell he didn’t.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  JOY PULLED INTO the medical complex, scanning the parking lot before getting out of her vehicle. First thing she looked for was surveillance cameras, and she saw several. If the intruders had been smart, they would have noticed them, as well. Had they been tampered with? It would make law enforcement’s job easier if they hadn’t been.

  In addition to Acklin’s unmarked cruiser, several marked patrol cars were already at the scene. The parking lot was pretty well lit and the complex was on a somewhat busy street facing the library. This was Friday, and the library closed early. It looked deserted with only a few lights shining at the entrance.

  On one side of the library was a tennis court and on the other there appeared to be a jogging park. It looked deserted, as well, but then, she couldn’t imagine anyone out jogging this time of night. It was close to nine.

  After getting out of the car, she leaned back against the door and took stock of the location. During daylight hours this was a busy area of town, but at night, not so much. She glanced toward a traffic light. It was too dark from where she stood to be positive, but she bet it was equipped with a camera, as well. Hell, she hoped so.

  With her hands buried deep in the pockets of her slacks, she headed toward the entrance of the medical building and paused at the information on the huge signage.

  PARK RIDGE

  MEDICAL COMPLEX

  Dr. J. P. Jonas, Orthodontist

  Dr. L. K. Vanders, Oncology

  Dr. K. Langley, Fertility Specialist

  Dr. F. Johnson, Cardiologist

  Park Ridge Pharmacy

  The complex housed four doctors who treated a number of conditions and a pharmacy. Since all four doctors wrote prescriptions, it would be logical and convenient to have a pharmacy on-site.

  “Good evening, Lieutenant.”

  She glanced around at Sam Henson. He was a uniformed officer and had been for close to twenty years. “Hi, Officer Henson.”

  “Congratulations on your promotion.”

  “Thanks.” She frowned. “I thought you were going to give up smoking.”

  He pulled the cigarette from his mouth, tossed it to the pavement and crushed it under his foot. “I tried.”

  “Try harder. Barbara will appreciate you for it and appreciate me for reminding you.” Barbara was his wife. When Joy had gotten hired on and requested to go out on the streets as a cop for a few months, Henson had been her partner. He and his wife Barbara had invited her over to their place a few times, and she didn’t know of a nicer couple. They had three daughters and their youngest was in her last year of college. Henson claimed he would think of retirement after that.

  “I know. Good woman, that Barbara, even when she tries bossing me around.” He looked down at the cigarette he’d just crushed and then back at her with regretful eyes. “The ME is on the way. Crime lab already here.”

  Joy nodded. “Guess I better go on in.”

  “Surprised you’re here and not one of the others now that you’re in charge.”

  She shrugged. “I figured they all had plans. Besides, I was free tonight.”

  Joy knew that wasn’t true. She knew that if she hadn’t gotten Acklin’s phone call, she would be naked by now in Stonewall’s bed with him thrusting in and out of her. The area between her legs tingled at the thought. How could she think of something like that? And do it now? Easily, because it was the truth and she very well knew it.

  Opening the huge glass entry door, she went in. There was that smell. Strong disinfectant. Sterile. Antiseptic. She pulled out her electronic notepad and began typing as she walked down the long corridor. In no time she picked up another scent. Death. The cop in her could pick it up each and every time.

  When she rounded the corner, she saw the group of officers. She also saw the victim. Female. Acklin looked up and left the group to walk toward her. “Evening, Lieutenant. This is what we have. The male whose body is in the pharmacy has been identified as Walter Fowler. A pharmacist. Cause of death was gunshot at close range. Same for the female MD here. Looks like she came out of her office to investigate. Surprised the intruder and was shot.”

  “So, what do we know about this victim?”

  “Her name is Dr. Kelly Langley, forty-four, divorced, and apparently working late. They shot her for interrupting the robbery.”

  Joy nodded. “Fingerprints?”

  “Being lifted now.”

  “Surveillance cameras in the parking lot?” she asked.

  “Looks like they were tampered with.”

  Joy drew in a deep breath. “I’m not surprised. Hitting two pharmacies in one night sounds like a well-orchestrated plan. What about a cleaning crew? Were they not here tonight?”

  “Yes. I
talked to both of them. They’re the ones who found the bodies. They had been working on the other side of the building. Good thing they were. Otherwise we’d possibly have four bodies instead of two.”

  “Did they hear any shots?”

  “Said they didn’t.”

  “Two shots fired and nobody heard anything?” Joy frowned. “That’s odd. What about security cameras in the building?”

  “They are being checked out, as well.”

  Joy looked around again. The distance from the pharmacy entrance to where the female physician’s body lay was a few feet. Had she heard a ruckus as they assumed and come out of her office to investigate? If she’d heard a gunshot, why not call for help first? Perhaps there was a silencer on the gun?

  “How much drugs were taken?” Joy asked.

  “It seems as much as their hands could carry.”

  Joy found that odd, as well. You kill two people for drugs and not clean out the place? She would think they would try to confiscate everything they could. “I need an inventory.”

  “I’ll have it done. I called the owner of the complex.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “Dr. Vanders. He’s in his office, giving a statement. Pretty shaken up. He was able to call in another pharmacist. That person will be able to take inventory for us. His name is Neal Northern. I told Henson to let him in when he gets here.”

  “How did the intruder get in?”

  “Forced entry. Side door. It was torched open. Same as the other pharmacy.”

  “Where is that pharmacy located?”

  “Five miles from here. Stand-alone mom-and-pop drugstore that’s been in the community for years. No prior break-ins. Anything else you want to know?”

  Joy shook her head. “No, not now. I want to check things out for myself before talking to Dr. Vanders. Next of kin been notified for the victims?”

  “Not, not yet.”

  The sound of heels tapping against the tiled floor got their attention. Both Joy and Acklin glanced up. The ME had arrived. To Joy’s surprise it was Lennox Roswell.