Stormy Knight Chapter 2
Autumn arrived at the warehouse. She noticed no police cars, no crime tape, just Goren as he sat on his car.
"I think you have some explaining to do, Lucy," she snarked.
"I need to talk to you and this was the only way I could think of," he explained.
"You couldn't invite me out for coffee? You call me out on a cold December morning to an abandoned warehouse on the false pretense of a crime scene. Are you going to try and take advantage of me Goren? You might be a big guy, but I do have a gun and I can fight pretty well," said Autumn as she kept her distance.
"Oh my God, no! That's not what I have in mind. I just want to talk, I swear. You can stay over there if you want!" Goren raised his hands and shook his head like he was disgusted at the thought he would force himself on a woman.
"Geez, does the thought of being with me turn your stomach that bad?" she snipped.
"What? No, but I wouldn't...Wait, don't change the subject," said Goren.
Autumn sat on her car. "Ok, what was so important you dragged me out of my warm bed for?"
"Last night, Logan and I noticed..." He began to explain.
"Oh so Logan is in this too?" she shook her head.
"Just let me finish," pleaded Goren.
"Fine, go ahead," she folded her arms across her chest as she stared down Goren. Her dark brown eyes burned into his.
"Your boyfriend John was a little off," said Goren.
"Well he isn't really my boyfriend and yes he is a little off. But what business is that of yours and Logan's?"
"The way he pulled you through the crowd and seemed very possessive. We were concerned you were possibly being abused," said Goren. He tried to look into her eyes to see her reaction. But she had looked away.
"Listen I appreciate your concern. But I can take care of myself. He isn't my boyfriend; I tell him not to introduce himself as my boyfriend. I am a big girl and can handle this on my own. So you two need to just back off. Now that you got me up early and got me freezing cold, the least you can do is buy me breakfast," she said.
"Yes well I guess I could. How about the diner around the corner?" asked Goren.
"Fine with me," she replied.
They both got into their own cars and drove around the block to the diner. Goren wasn't sure what to make of the meeting. But she told him to back off, what else could he do?
Monday
One Police Plaza
"Eames and Logan are attending a recertification class, so I need you two to work together again," Ross explained to Knight and Goren. "Dr. Mason Wilkes, cardiologist, has been missing since Saturday. I need you two to check with his wife."
Goren and Knight got all the information from the captain and headed to the Wilkes' home. Knight wasn't her usual perky self. She was quiet and withdrawn.
"You ok?" asked Goren, as he drove the SUV.
"Sure, why you ask?" she replied as she turned to look at him.
"You just seem quiet. No radio, no singing and no talking today. Was it because of Saturday?"
"Maybe," she answered.
"Listen I am sorry, if I crossed the line. It's just that...when I was younger...my dad..." Goren was uneasy about going into his private life but felt he had to explain.
"Let's just drop it ok?" said Autumn. Then she turned and stared out the window.
"Ok, but if you need someone to talk to," he added with concern.
She didn't respond. She just kept looking out the window.
Goren thought "I can get into the minds of criminals but a woman, forget it."
They arrived at the Wilkes home and knocked on the door. Amanda Wilkes opened the door. They introduced themselves and walked into the residence.
"Mrs. Wilkes when was the last time you saw your husband?" asked Goren.
"Saturday. He had a seminar. He called around 5pm and said he would be late. When I woke up Sunday he wasn't home yet. I called a few friends of his but they hadn't seen him. The police told me they couldn't do anything until he had been missing for 48 hours. But this morning I called the commissioner and he sped things up," she cried.
Knight was going through his desk while Goren spoke to Mrs. Wilkes. One desk drawer was locked. She found a key taped to the bottom of the center drawer and unlocked it. She found multiple receipts.
"Is there anyone who had any grudges against your husband?" asked Goren.
"No, no one," she replied.
"We are going to look around his things. Here is my card. If you hear anything or think of anything please give me a call," said Goren.
"Thank you, I will let you do your work," she said as she walked out of the room.
"You finding anything?" asked Goren.
"In his locked drawer, he has receipts from Leo's Bar and Grill for every Saturday, signed by Sandy with a happy face and he tips 100 . Wonder what she does to earn that?" snarked Autumn.
"Hmm, maybe we should talk to this Sandy ?" said Goren.
"Let's check his financials first, credit cards and bank records. Maybe this marriage isn't as perfect as it appears. If Mr. Wilkes has been fooling around maybe Mrs. Wilkes got rid of him," suggested Autumn.
One Police Plaza
Knight and Goren poured over Wilkes financial reports and credit card receipts. Mr. Wilkes had charges to pay-by-the-hour motels to his own private credit card. He had charges to Leo's Bar and Grill every Saturday night, also on Friday nights he was going to a topless bar. His wife had increased his life insurance policy from 1 million to 5 million. Knight called and found out Sandy would be at work at 7pm that night. Goren and Knight decided to meet her at Leo's so they could question staff and question Sandy .
Leo's Bar and Grill
6:30 pm
Knight and Goren arrived and took a seat at the bar.They introduced themselves to the bartender and asked for Sandy .
"She isn't in yet. Can I help you?" he said.
"Do you know this guy?" Goren showed him a picture of Wilkes.
"Yeah he comes in here every Saturday. Orders a T-bone medium and bourbon. He always sits at Sandy 's table," he answered.
"Anything else you can tell us?" asked Autumn.
"Nope, that's all I know about him. Can I get you two a drink while you wait?" he asked.
"Uh, I will have a white wine," said Autumn.
"Glenlivet," said Goren.
"Well I guess we will just have to wait for Sandy ?" said Autumn.
They sat in silence and waited. The bartender came back in 20 minutes.
"Hey, Sandy just called. She said her Aunt just died so she had to leave town so she won't be coming in. Can I refresh your drinks?" he asked.
"Yeah sure," said Autumn.
"Make mine a double," said Goren.
"Great! Yeah, I bet her Aunt just died. Bet she doesn't even have an Aunt," said Autumn angrily.
John walked in with a few of his friends and noticed Autumn at the bar.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were working," asked John.
"Hey John, yes I am working," said Autumn. She got up from the stool and walked away from Goren with John.
Goren just watched intensely and finished his drink.
"We were waiting for a witness but she didn't show up. So we were getting ready to leave. But that really isn't any of your business anymore. I told you I didn't want to see you anymore," she said.
"So what now you're screwing him? I come here with my buddies and I see you here with that RAT.You know how that makes me look?" yelled John.
"Calm down, I am not screwing anyone and if I was that wouldn't be your business. Now please leave before you make a fool out of yourself," she said as she turned to walk away.
"You're the one making me look like a fool," he yelled. "Don't walk away from me!" He grabbed her arm and jerked her back.
Goren jumped up and grabbed him and pushed him up against the bar. John let go of Autumn and punched Goren in the eye, knocking him down. John's buddies came running. The bartender jumped from behind the bar.
"Ok, that's enough, get out," he yelled at John and his friends.
John looked at Goren and spat on him. Autumn got down on her knees beside Goren. He tried to get up.
"No, just lie down a minute," she said in a low calm voice. "Get me some ice," she told the bartender. "I am so sorry, Goren," she looked at him so tenderly.
"I think I need another drink," he said.
The bartender and Autumn helped him get up.
Bobby's Apartment
He refused to go to the hospital so Autumn drove him home and helped him to his apartment. Bobby got his bottle of Glenlivet from the cabinet and poured a glass.
"I think you've had enough of that," she said.
"It helps with the pain," he said.
"If it hurts that bad, let me take you to the hospital," she pleaded.
"Not physical pain, ego pain," he replied.
"Goren, he suckered-punched you, didn't give you a chance. John is a coward. It takes a bigger man to take it and not fight back," she smiled at him.
He looked at her and smiled. "Thanks for saying that and my name is Bobby."
"Well Bobby, sit on this stool so I can clean up the cut and put a bandaid on it for you. Then I think you need to go to bed," she ordered.
He stumbled to the stool and sat down. He was swaying side to side. He leaned in to her and smelled her hair.
"You smell so good," he said.
"You're drunk," she laughed.
He rubbed her arm. "Your skin is so soft," he said.
"Sit still so I can clean this cut," she started to feel uneasy.
He leaned his head into the nape of her neck and started kissing her. She closed her eyes. She allowed herself to be pulled into him. He wrapped his arms around her. He found her lips and they shared a kiss. "You're so beautiful," he said as he looked deep into her eyes.
She wanted to give herself to him, but she snapped back to reality. "This is wrong, I have to go," she said.
"Wait, what's wrong?" he asked.
"You're drunk, go to bed. See you in the morning," she said and left his apartment. She would never forgive herself for taking advantage of a drunk man.