The Surf Leash Strangler

Chapter 12

It felt like a dream. Veronica thought she would wake up in her hotel room alone. That the past afternoon hadn't really happened, that her overactive memory and her sleep-deprived mind had forced her to think she had reconnected with Logan. It had terrified her. For a few moments, as she woke up to the sound of her buzzing alarm, she wanted to cry. It was the groan that came from Logan, the squeeze of his hand around her waist, and the kiss he pressed to the back of her neck that made her relax. It wasn't a dream; he was there.

"Call in sick," Logan mumbled.

Veronica was tempted. She reached over to grab her phone, silencing the alarm before she rolled back over to snuggle against Logan's chest.

"Do you really have to go to the office now? It's 5am," he said.

Veronica shook her head. "No. I don't need to be there till seven. I normally get up and go for a run."

Logan shifted, moving them, so he was leaning over her. His smirk appeared, and he said, "I have another way to get a morning work out in."

Veronica smiled. "You do?"

He nodded.

He kissed her softly, taking his time before he pressed his tongue forward. Logan ran his hand along the length of her side, his fingers brushing the side of her bare breast. Veronica moaned as he began to caress her, his hands making a path down to her thigh. They had spent most of the previous afternoon tangled together; Logan showed Veronica that he had never forgotten about her body responding to him and what she liked. He had brought her over the edge so many times that she had fallen asleep after the last one. But it seemed it wasn't enough, not for either of them.

Logan grasped the back of Veronica's thigh, lifting it up and over his hips. He pressed his hips forward, his length growing firm as it pressed against her stomach. The movement sent a rush of heat to Veronica's core, a moan coming out of her. Logan turned his head slightly and pressed his warm lips to the side of her head. Veronica pressed her face into his shoulder, letting out a hum of appreciation as his fingers explored. She opened her mouth and nibbled at Logan's throat. His fingers tightened their grip, his body pressed even closer to her.

Veronica moaned again, the sound vibrating against Logan's collar bone. Her hips rocked against him, sliding her leg further around his waist. Logan shifted his body before he pressed the tip of his length against her clit; he pressed himself in teasing strokes, pulling a soft whimper out of Veronica. Her mouth fell open, a small squeal popping out as Logan pressed inside her – hot and thick, she almost forgot how to breathe. She placed one hand on Logan's bicep, gripping the firm muscle and sliding the other arm around Logan's neck, holding on as he rocked in and out of her.

Veronica's breath turn into sharp pants, a few desperate moans in-between. Her body felt tight, the knot of pleasure built in her belly as Logan pressed himself in deeper. She would never get enough of his touch, feeling him inside her. Her body shook as the sensations grew.

Logan nipped at her throat as he eased his hips back, his length barely inside her. He smiled against her skin as his grip tightened before he surged forward.

Veronica's breath caught in her throat; the verge of her release was so close she wanted to cry. "Lo-gan."

Their movement almost startled Veronica as Logan moved them. He rolled them over, bringing himself above her. His mouth found hers in a hungry kiss, his tongue teasing her lips as his erratic thrust grew harder.

"I love you," he whispered, his hand slipped between their slick bodies, his finger finding her clit and twisting it.

"Jesus Christ! I love you too." Her voice breaks as his lengths stroked a particularly sensitive spot.

Logan grinned widely as he deepened their kiss; Veronica could feel the retort on his tongue, wanting to tell her that he wasn't Jesus Christ, just Logan. But she couldn't care, as burning hot pleasure broke out through her. It radiated from her core, sparking through every limb as her inner muscles clenched around Logan, waves of ecstasy cascading through her.

It was only a few seconds later that Logan found his own release. He broke their kiss, gasping for breath in ragged pants and pressed his forehead against her chest. Veronica closed her eyes for a few moments, enjoying the afterglow. She feels him move but keeps her legs locked firmly around his waist. They rolled back onto their sides, his length still inside her.

"Better than a morning run?" he asked.

Veronica giggled. "Defiantly."

She laid in the bed for another few minutes before Veronica decided she should get up. She was chased into the shower by Logan, but other than lazy kisses, they behaved themselves. Veronica dressed for work, knowing the day ahead would probably be a long one, before leaving the room with Logan. It was still early, and he was dressed in his clothes from the day before, but the breakfast buffet in the hotel was open.

They helped themselves to a good breakfast, keeping the conversation on nothing in particular. Veronica knew there was a lot they still needed to talk about, but she wasn't ready to pop the happy little bubble they were in yet. What she did know was that once she had wrapped up her case, she would be taking those vacation days. It would give her and Logan time to work out how everything would work.

With breakfast over, Logan walked Veronica down to the field office. She felt like a teenager all over again as they walked side by side, their hands clenched tightly. Logan kept distracting her, even going as far as spinning her in a twirl before he pressed a firm kiss to her lips. It was all very silly, but Veronica felt happy.

She kissed Logan goodbye with the promise to call him later. She smiled when she noticed that he waited until she walked completely inside before turning and heading back the way they had come. But she had to focus; the shit-eating grin on her face wasn't going to be appropriate for dealing with her case; she had to rain in the exploding emotions that were running through her.

Walsh was the first one Veronica saw, and she knew she was busted. Walsh stood from her chair, the original look of concern that she had from the day before, became curious as she took Veronica in.

"You look happy," said Walsh.

Veronica's tried to contain her grin. "I feel happy."

Walsh tapped her chin. "What's his name?"

Veronica frowned, but only with her eyebrows; her mouth seemed content to keep the grin. "Who said it was a guy?"

Walsh explained, "There are only a few reasons women like us look like you do right now. One, you finally cracked the case and caught the bad guy. Two, you got laid, and it was so good that you may have had another round, even a wake-up call. Three…well, three doesn't really apply to this situation."

Veronica let out a small laugh. "I'm curious as to what number three is?"

"It involves revenge." Walsh crossed her arms over her chest.

Veronica raised a brow in question.

Walsh said, "And I know I can strike out reason one because if you had found our guy, we wouldn't be having this conversation. So, I repeat. What's his name?"

Veronica sighed. She wasn't one to share details, not even with her own team. Then again, there hadn't ever really been someone to share details about. She said, "Logan. We dated back in high school and college."

Walsh smiled. "And you two bumped into one another, got reacquainted?" She winked.

"Vigorously."

They both laughed.

Walsh said, "Well, I'm glad you are in a good mood. Whitaker wants us to go and speak with Miss Whitmore when you're ready."

Veronica nodded. "Alright, then. Let's do this."

Samantha Whitmore is sitting up in her hospital bed when Veronica and Walsh arrive. Her skin was pale, her expression showed her exhaustion. Veronica looked at the young woman who had tried to take her life and wondered what it would have been like if she'd ever fallen to that level. After everything she had been through, Veronica had never considered harming herself. She still felt guilty that Samantha had been pushed to her end, that she had tried once again to end her life after they had spoken about her assault, but the words from both Walsh, Whitaker and even Logan had sunk in a little. There was no saying that if Veronica had never spoken with Samantha that she wouldn't have done it.

Walsh knocked on Samantha's door and entered first.

Samantha licked her lips and sighed as they walked in. When she saw Veronica, she said, "I was told you found me, Agent Mar."

Veronica nodded. "I did."

"I suppose I should say, 'thank you', but I don't really know if I'm thankful to still be here." Samantha picked at the sheets of her bed.

"How are you feeling, physically?" asked Veronica. She knew that asking Samantha how she was feeling wouldn't be helpful. It was clear that she was distraught and suffering more than she had shown.

"Weak. Doctor said he wants to keep me here for a few days, make sure I have no lasting side effects. Then I have the option to sign myself into the loony bin, or I can go home. Not sure which sounds more depressing."

Walsh glanced at Veronica. She was holding a tablet in her hands; it contained photos of several men, all that could fit the description of Alice Grace's boyfriend. They were hoping to get an ID.

"Why did you come back to see me?" asked Samantha. "You caught the guy who raped me?"

Veronica shook her head. "Not yet, but I think we are close." She nodded at Walsh. "We were hoping you could look at a few photos and tell us if any of them is the man who attacked you."

Samantha considered the request before pushing herself to sit forward, leaning her elbows on her legs. "Alright."

Walsh opened the tablet and handed it over. "Take your time. And if any of them seem familiar, just let us know. Even if it's more than one of them."

Samantha nodded and let out a slow breath.

Veronica stood at the foot of Samantha's bed and waited. She watched as Samantha stared at each picture, her eyes going over every detail of the men before her. Veronica waited for a reaction, something to tell her that Samantha had seen that man before.

The photo of Alice's boyfriend had been cropped to remove Alice from the picture. Samantha's eyes widened as she took him in. She swallowed, and her breathing increased, but she didn't say anything. She continued to flick through the last few photos until she reached the end. Samantha looked up at Veronica, her eyes showing her pain before she flipped back to Alice's boyfriend.

"Him."

Veronica took the tablet. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. I couldn't do anything but stare at his face while he enjoyed himself; it's something I haven't been able to burn from my memory no matter how hard I've tried." Samantha pushed her hair out of her eyes. "Who is he?"

Veronica frowned. "We don't have a name yet, and we are still waiting on lab results from the rape kit. But if they are a match to our other victims, then—"

"Then I was just the lucky one that survived?" she asked; a scoffing laugh came out. "I wouldn't say being alive is so lucky."

Veronica wanted to comfort Samantha. She wanted to find a way to tell her that things would get better if she got help. Locking herself away in her house, only leaving for work, and not talking to anyone was a sure way to drive herself over the edge. But she could tell Samantha wasn't interested.

"Thank you for your time, Miss Whitmore." Veronica locked the tablet before glancing at Walsh and stepping out of the room. She would make sure to speak to the doctor before she left; she wanted to make sure she kept an eye on Samantha.

But first, she needed to make a call.

"I was just about to call you," said Jimmy.

Veronica said, "Tell me you have some good news, just like I do."

"I have the DNA results."

Veronica tensed. "And?"

"The semen found in Samantha Whitmore is a match to our eight victims."

Veronica nodded, a sense of relief that they were making progress. "Great, that means Samantha's ID gives us our unsub."

"She ID him?"

"Yep. I'm going to send you a photo; the man in the picture is Alice Grace's boyfriend. Can you run his face through every database you can think of?"

"On it. It may take some time, but I'll move as quick as I can."

"You're the best, Jimmy."

"You know it. Oh, also…Pierce asked for the address for Organic Alcoholic. Did you want me to send it through to you?"

"What is Organic Alcoholic?"

"Pierce said he was tracking down the connection between the last businesses the victims went to. Organic Alcoholic supplied all eight places with Organic Beer and Cider. This place also delivered to the bar that Samantha Whitmore was at with her friends."

"Oh, great. Yeah, send it through. Walsh and I can head over there now."

"On it."

Veronica sighed with relief and turned around as Walsh stepped out of Samantha's room. She looked a little worn, no doubt, having gone other the events of Samantha's suicide attempt.

"You alright?" asked Veronica.

Walsh nodded. "That girl has some serious demons. I hope she finds the help she needs."

"We can only hope."

Walsh rubbed the back of her neck. "So, what's next?"

"Jimmy is running our the boyfriend's face; see if we get anything." Her phone buzzed. "And he just sent me the address for a business by the name of Organic Alcoholic. They might be the company that the boyfriend does deliveries for," explained Veronica.

"Alright, let's go have a chat."

Veronica smiled and nodded. They were close, so close. They could stop this guy before he hurt another woman, and maybe, catching him could help Samantha find a way to heal. If one of her demons was caught, she might realise there was some hope still in the world.

Organic Alcoholic was located in central Neptune. It had a small storefront where a customer could buy their brand of alcohol directly, and there was also a large storehouse situated just behind it. Walsh parked the car in the visitor's car park, and the two of them walked up to the small storefront. The front window had a smiling red apple holding up a beer bottle as it leant against the O in organic. Stepping inside, the storefront was simple; one wall had large fridges that sold individuals and six-packs of beer and cider, and on the other side lined up were room temperature slabs.

A middle-aged woman with sandy blonde hair and a pair of square-framed red glasses was smiling at a customer, ringing up his order. "Enjoy, Randy. Say hi, to Marian."

"Will do, Anna." The customer collected his bag, smiling politely at both Veronica and Walsh as he walked past them.

Anna turned her beaming smile to them. "How can I help you, ladies, this morning?"

Walsh pulled out her badge. "Agents Walsh and Mars, FBI. Just wanted to ask a couple of questions regarding your delivery drivers."

Anna frowned. "Oh, we don't employ them directly. We use independent contractors."

Veronica nodded. "Yes, we are aware of that. We were hoping that you had records of the drivers and which deliveries they dropped off on which days."

Anna nodded. "We do have a list, yes." She moved towards the back wall and pulled out a folder from a row. "We have five drivers in total; we haven't had anyone new pop up in a while."

Walsh asked, "Would you be able to give us a copy?"

Anna said, "Of course. Would you mind if I asked why? Has there been a complaint?"

"We think one of your drivers has some information regarding a few disturbing incidences, but unfortunately, we don't have a name," said Veronica. She opened her phone and brought up Alice boyfriend's picture. "All we have is a picture." She showed it to Anna. "Does he look familiar?"

Anna's face lit up with recognition. "Oh, yes. That's Ryan Adams. He is one of the driver's I prefer. Never broken a single bottle."

Walsh pulled out her phone and excused herself. They had a name.

"Is he doing a delivery for you today?" Veronica asked.

"No, not today. Ryan mostly picks up from Thursday through to Sunday. I have his contact information if that would help." Anna opened the folder and grabbed a notepad.

"Thank you, Anna. That is much appreciated."

Anna handed over the piece of paper. "Not a problem at all."

"If you do see Ryan today, give me a call." Veronica placed her card down on the counter.

"Absolutely."

Outside, Walsh was hanging up her phone as Veronica reached the car.

"I have his address," said Veronica. She held up the piece of paper.

"Whitaker said he will send a team to meet us." Walsh started the car. "Just send him the address."

Thank you so much for reading.

I would love to hear what you think. Even if it's as simple as a 'can't wait' all feedback is appreciated.