Shelter During the Storm Read online

  Shelter During The Storm

  By

  Published by Stephanie Jean Smith at Smashwords

  Hootyhoo Media Publications

  Copyright May 2010, All Rights Reserved

  This book is for mature audiences only it contains explicit sex and violence. This book is a work of fiction, the characters were created by the author and do not resemble anyone either living or deceased.

  Prologue

  Laura stepped out of the shower and thoroughly dried herself off. Usually she preferred a long hot bath after one of her sexual rendezvous. The Hughes brothers were good. It was the best threesome she had ever had, but they wanted more than she could give them, her love. She walked back into her bedroom and stripped the sheets from her bed. The bedding smelled of sex, and that is the last thing she wanted to detect when she went to bed tonight.

  Laura didn’t usually take her fuck buddies home she liked her sex hard, fast, and uncomplicated. She met them either at their place or at a hotel. No matter how much prodding she got, she never stayed the night. Donny and Larry made her feel loved and on some extent that scared her. The only people who cared about her are her sister Jenna and her best friend Connie.

  She pulled out clean sheets and began fixing her bed when she heard a noise in the hallway. Laura was sure she locked the door after Donny and Larry left. She double checked the locks before she took her shower. She turned on the hallway light peeking around the corner, but nothing seemed amiss in the hallway. Laura checked the living and dining rooms before returning to her bedroom. Before she made it, someone grabbed her from behind. Laura fought for all she was worth. Whoever grabbed her was just too strong. She tried to reach for his face, but all she felt was a mask. She was rapidly losing consciousness this can’t be happening; she had so much to live for.

  The man in the mask watched Laura's body dispassionately. It was time to make good on his promise. He wished things could be different, he had his orders, and he had to follow through. He loved her and wanted to give her everything, but she didn’t want what he had to give. If only Laura had come to him first, he could have protected her. Mother said she was a whore.

  ***

  When Laura gained consciousness her mouth was taped, she was naked and handcuffed to her bed. She saw someone out of her peripheral vision. As her rapist approached the bed, she noticed he had taken off the mask. She couldn’t see his face clearly for the tears in her eyes, but she recognized him. She had not seen him since that terrible night so long ago. Her eyes were pleading with her captor let her go; he pulled the tape off her mouth.

  “I’m glad you’re awake. You were a pretty girl, and you've turned into a beautiful woman. I’ve waited years for you, but you never saw me. This is the only time we’ll have together, and I’m going to make it a night I’ll never forget.” He had some of her sex toys spread out over her bed.

  Her mouth was dry and her throat hurt from screaming. “Why? What did I ever do to you?”

  He looked down at her body; he was remembering that night so long ago; the night when she should have been his. “You’ve been a naughty girl, and it’s time for you to pay the piper. I want you to know that I'm your one and only true love. I waited years for you, even killed for you. I could have protected you, now it’s too late. I made a commitment to make things right. I love you Laura, and I’m sorry it had to end this way.”

  Laura knew she was going to die. She thought about Jenna and Connie, she even thought about her mother and father. Thinking how she would never see them again.

  ***

  Chapter 1

  Detective Michael Johnson was tired. As soon as he cleared one case, two more eagerly took its place. Ten years of working homicide have sullied his views of the human race, but he’d never seen anything quite like this. The victim, Laura Tierney was tortured a long time before she met her untimely death. The initial crime scene would lead one to believe that this was a sex crime. It was clear that Laura was sexually assaulted, but there was so much more going on. From the savage marks on her nipples and vagina, he guessed it was a crime of passion than sex games gone wrong. He won’t know for sure what actually killed her until he received the autopsy report. The crime lab had come and gone, and the coroner was bagging up the body.

  “Who found the body?” Michael questioned his partner Mack.

  Michael’s partner came back into the bedroom with his findings. “The apartment manager found the body, according to first responding officer. Evidently Laura Tierney left the water on in the bathroom, water was coming through to the apartment below.”

  “So, did she leave the water on or was it the killer?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe the killer grabbed her before she could turn the water off or maybe the killer left it on so the body would be found sooner. What we found in the bedroom leads me to believe the latter.”

  “What else did you find?”

  “Several used condoms. A set of sheets on the floor. Miss Tierney was changing the sheets when she was attacked. You won’t believe what I found in the closet.”

  Michael followed Mack to the closet, inside sat a large chest. It looked like the old cedar chest his grandparents used to own. Mack lifted the lid and let out a curse word that turned Michael’s ears blue. Inside the chest was every sex toy every created: paddles, whips, dildoes, anal beads, etc. Michael considered himself a worldly man, but there was some shit in that chest that he’d never seen before.

  “Also, I found another address book, it seems more like a little black book, and some of the men had stars by their name.”

  Michael rubbed his chin, “I'm thinking it's a clientele list?”

  “If not, she was one busy lady. According to Laura Tierney’s other address book her parents have two addresses they have a place here in Omaha and another one in Orlando, Florida. I’m guessing that Jenna Tierney is her sister she lives in Bellevue. I have her contact information as well let me know when you’re ready to go.”

  Michael needed a drink. The last thing he wanted to do is notify and question Laura Tierney’s family tonight. Hell this morning he thought after a brief glance at his watch, and it was already 2:00 am.

  ***

  Jenna unlocked the door to her house, shut and locked the door behind her. She kicked off her shoes and threw her purse on the dining room table. She was tired. The near disaster in the technology building kept her busy all night. Jenna loved her job as a disaster recovery planner, but sometimes it encompassed her whole life.

  She made her way into the kitchen and rummaged around in the fridge. She needed to go grocery shopping soon, one of her least favorite things to do. She poured herself a tall glass of orange juice and made her way back to the living room grabbing her mail along the way. She sat down in her favorite chair, put her feet up on the ottoman and perused the mail. As soon as she got comfortable, the doorbell rang.

  It wasn’t even eight o’clock. People should know better than to visit this early in the morning. She was in no mood for visitors, so Jenna took her time getting to the door. She looked out the peephole and saw two men in suits standing on her front porch. “Shit this can’t be good.”

  She opened the door and addressed the two men. “What can I do for you gentlemen?”

  She studied the two men while waiting for them to respond. The taller of the two probably topped out at 6’1; he’s broad shoulders and muscular body gave her the impression that he worked out regularly. There’s just enough dark hair on his head to run her fingers through. His greenish gray eyes shined with intelligence; his square jaw line and full lips teased her equilibrium. He might have been considered pretty except for his nose, it obviously had been broken, maybe more
than once. The other man wasn't much taller than her maybe 5’7, sandy brown hair, soft brown eyes, and a slightly bulging belly. This led her to believe that he spent a lot of time behind his desk.

  “Are you Jenna Tierney?”

  “Yes, how can I help you?”

  Both men flashed their badges, and then the taller man began speaking. “Miss Tierney, my name is Detective Johnson, and this is my partner Detective Lowe. May we come in? We have some unpleasant news, and we need to talk to you?”

  Jenna opened the door and ushered the detectives into her home. Fuck! Detectives, what had her parents gotten themselves into now? Jenna followed the detectives into the living room, “Can I get you anything to drink?”

  “We’re good Miss Tierney. Could you have a seat? I have some upsetting news for you.” Detective Johnson motioned Jenna to sit down.

  Jenna wasn’t in the mood to sit down. In addition, she didn’t like taking orders from authoritative men. They obviously had some terrible news, and she could take it standing up. “Just tell me what’s going on.” Jenna could tell by the look on Detective Johnson’s face that he was used to having his orders followed.

  “Is Laura Tierney your sister?”

  Jenna felt emptiness in the pit of her stomach. Her eyes began to water, for she knew something terrible had happened to Laura. Her throat seemed to close up. “What happened to Laura?”

  “Ma’am I’m sorry to report that your sister is dead. Miss Tierney’s body was discovered in her apartment late last night.”

  Before Michael could catch her, Jenna’s knees hit the floor. Damn it! They never listened, he told her to sit down. Why did she have to be such a hard ass? She couldn't stop crying, she looked up at him for confirmation that what he said was true. He picked her up and sat down on the sofa with Jenna in his lap. This was a singularly terrible idea. His cock went into overdrive at a most inappropriate time. “Mack, please get Miss Tierney a glass of water.

  Jenna clung to Detective Johnson as she broke down. The person she loved the most in the world was gone. She looked up as Detective Lowe brought her some water. As she shifted herself off of Detective Johnson’s lap, she felt his hard on. Her sister was murdered, and this fucker was aroused. Her momentary anger was usurped by grief. “I’m sorry detective; I didn’t expect to fall apart. I just can’t believe Laura is gone.”

  Jenna took a sip of water and set the glass on the coffee table. She was tired before, and now she was wide awake. She tried to clear her thoughts before addressing the detectives. “How did it happen?”

  This time Detective Lowe spoke. “We won’t know the cause of death until we receive the coroner’s report.”

  Michael stood up preparing himself for their departure. He would give her time to digest the news, and he would return and question Jenna at another time. She wasn't a beautiful woman, but Jenna made a man want to take a second look. He noticed everything about her from her high cheekbones, full pink lips, not to mention her beautiful full breasts and a luscious ass. Her whiskey colored eyes dared him to stake a claim. Dared him to pull her shoulder length auburn hair and drag her to bed. God! What an awful time to meet her. He wished he’d met her on any other occasion besides her sister’s death. He pulled out his business card from his wallet.

  “Miss Tierney, here’s my card, please call me if you need anything. I will need to talk to you at some point about your sister’s male acquaintances. That can wait until tomorrow or whenever you're ready.”

  Jenna took the card and stared at the bold letters. This moment was surreal. How could Laura be dead? “Thank you Detective Johnson.”

  “One more thing before we go. We were unable to reach your parents at the Omaha address or any of the numbers in Laura’s address book.”

  Jenna got off the sofa and walked the detectives to the front door. “I’ll notify my parents Detective Johnson, they’re on a cruise right now. I’m sure they’d rather hear the news of Laura's death from me.” Jenna opened the front door and waited patiently for the detectives to leave.

  Detective Lowe preceded Detective Johnson out the door. “Again, Miss Tierney I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you detective.”

  Michael watched Jenna’s face for a long time, he wanted to stay, but he didn’t have that right. “I’m sorry about your sister Jenna. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. I’ll call you sometime tomorrow to set up a time to ask you some questions. I can meet you here, or you can come to the station.”

  Jenna closed the door and leaned on it. She sank to the floor and cried for what seemed like hours, in reality was only a few minutes. She collected herself and went in search of the phone number her mother gave her for emergencies. As she dialed the number her mother gave her, she wondered if her parents would give a damn that Laura was dead. Death seemed so final, how could someone so beautiful be taken away so quickly.

  “Hello.”

  “Mom, it’s me Jenna.”

  “What’s wrong? Your father and I were on our way to dinner?”

  Jenna could sense the disapproval in her mother’s voice. Why couldn’t she have normal parents? I didn’t think to check my international clock before calling, but it's morning here Mom. . I have some terrible news; maybe you should give the phone to Dad.”

  “What’s wrong Jenna? Your Mom’s about to blow a gasket?”

  “Dad, Laura’s dead! Her body was found in her apartment last night. Sorry to ruin dinner for you and Mom, but I thought you’d like to know.” Jenna hung up the phone without hearing her father’s reaction. She had no respect for her parents, and she didn’t care about their feelings. In her mind, her parents died a long time ago. With Laura gone, she was all alone in the world.

  ***

  They barely made it to the car before Mack start busting his balls. “What the hell was that about?” Mack said as he got in the passenger side of the dark blue Buick.

  Michael started the car and pulled out into traffic. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I thought everything went well considering...”

  “Don’t give me that shit! I thought you were going to fuck Jenna Tierney on the sofa. What in the hell has gotten into you? Why in the hell did you hold her on your lap? I’m sure she felt like a horse on the auction block they way you perused her body. Hell it made me blush. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It’s a good thing Jenna was grieving, or she’d probably be filing sexual harassment charges right now. This whole situation was so pathetic and almost hysterical. Wait until I tell Linda, she still thinks you’re torn apart from your break up with Marge.”

  Shit, Mack wasn’t going to cut him any slack. “Okay, so maybe things got a little out of hand. My cock has a mind of its own. Furthermore, you better keep Linda out of my business. I swear, do you tell your wife everything?”

  Mack liked fucking with Mike’s head. He didn’t get the chance to do it too often because Mike was the ‘ironman’ and always in control. “Of course I tell my wife everything. You’re my partner on the job, but she’s my love and mate for life. To think that she’s been feeling sorry for your lousy ass. Once she hears about today she’ll know better.”

  Michael’s hands drummed on the steering wheel as he waited for the light to change. Mack didn’t have to tell him Linda was the love of his life. It must be gratifying to have someone who loves and cares about you that much. Sometimes he envied his partner, but life was too short and women were too plentiful to settle for just one. He wondered if Jenna Tierney had a man in her life. That was a stupid question. Of course, she did, women like her, were never alone unless they chose to be alone.

  “I’ll have more control of the situation tomorrow when I question her. There’s just something about her that caught me off guard today.”

  Mack decided to let it go. Mike didn’t know it yet, but Jenna Tierney wasn’t just the sister of the murder victim. Mack never in his five years as Mike’s partner seen him act that way around a woman before. He certainly never seen his p
artner almost poked a woman with his boner; something he didn’t want to see again.

  “I hope so partner because I got more important things to do besides chaperon you and Miss Tierney.”

  ***

  Chapter 2

  Jenna must have fallen asleep out of sheer exhaustion. She didn’t get any sleep the night before and she spent most of last night crying. Her life would never be the same now that Laura was gone. Someone was ringing her doorbell, and whoever it was did not intend to go away. She looked at the hallway clock, it was 5:00 in the afternoon and she had slept the whole day away. Jenna peeked through the peephole; Connie, Laura’s best friend and store manager was on her porch. Jenna opened the door quickly and let her in the house. Connie wrapped her arms around Jenna and hugged her tightly.

  “I just found about Laura. How are you doing? Why didn’t you call me as soon as you found out about Laura? The police came to the store asking questions about what we sell. Who would want to kill Laura? Was she just an employee? Or did she own the store?” Connie was so uptight that her mouth was running a mile a minute.

  “I’m sorry Connie I should have called you. After notifying my parents, I just fell apart. Go have a seat Connie while I get you a drink.” Jenna got the whiskey out of the cabinet, poured a generous amount in a glass, and took it to Connie. “Here Connie, drink some of this it will help calm you down.” Jenna sat down beside Connie and tried to comfort her.

  Connie turned her startling blue eyes on Jenna. “I can’t believe she’s gone Jen. Who would do such a thing to Laura? She was a good friend, and I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.”

  “Connie, Laura loved you like a sister. I know you’re going to miss her just like I am. We have to cooperate with police and tell them everything we know.”

  Connie took another sip of whiskey. “Laura was the owner of a sex shop, and she had a healthy sex life. I’m just worried they’re going to make her out to be little more than a prostitute.”