Beauty Can Be Deadly

Chapter 3

Mark, Jesse and Amanda sat at a table in the doctor's lounge enjoying their coffee.  Much like the previous morning their quiet time was interrupted by an abrupt entrance into the room.

"Ok, that does it, I'm done," exclaimed an obviously angry Steve.

"Well good morning to you too, Son," was Mark's greeting.

"Yeah, I'm so glad you decided to grace us with your warm sunny presence," was Jesse's response.

"You know, Steve, surly is not a trait that most people would describe as a positive," Amanda reprimanded with a perfectly arched eyebrow.  "If my boys behaved as you do they would stay in trouble."

Slightly chastised, Steve paused before he began talking again.  "Alright, I'm sorry, but I got another gift delivered to the precinct today."

"Really, what did you get" Jesse grinned gleefully.

"Yes, really, I got a 4 foot teddy bear with a box of heart shaped chocolates."

"And he got another card," came a voice from the doorway.

"Good morning, Cheryl," Mark greeted.  "We have to stop meeting like this, people are going to talk."

"What did the card say?" Jesse asked expectantly.

"None of your business," came the gruff reply from Steve.

Cheryl gave Jesse a look that indicated he needed to look for a fax later.

"Steve, it really is a form of flattery you know," Mark explained.

"Dad, with all due respect you haven't and aren't going to see the cards.  You also aren't on the receiving end of the grief I am getting at work.  I mean the stupid bear is pink.  If you were going to send a stuffed animal to a man would you send a pink one?"

Mark had to squash the grin that threatened to spread across his face.   "I've never sent a stuffed animal to a man before so I'm not sure what proper etiquette is.  I still think you are letting it get to you to much.  Try to have a sense of humor about it and maybe your co-workers will ease up."

Steve silently considered his father's comments for a moment before responding.  "Ok, Dad, I'll try but if one more thing shows up……," he let his response trail off.

In an attempt to change the subject, Amanda jumped in.  "Steve, I have the autopsy completed on Anthea Monroe.  Do you want to take a look at it while you're here?"

"Just tell me what you found," Steve responded.

"Nothing that should surprise you.  She died of blunt force trauma to the head.  It caused swelling in the temporal lobe.  There were no other signs of injuries.  If you don't find anything at the scene that indicates otherwise I would have to rule the death accidental," Amanda explained concisely.

Steve nodded his head.  "We should have more from the scene today.  I have already spoken with the lead officer this morning, and she said that it definitely appeared that the light had been intentionally severed from the base, and the safety cable had also been cut, she said they would have the final results today."

Jesse couldn't take it any longer.  "So, what's on the agenda today at the pageant?"

Steve couldn't hide the grimace that crossed his face.  "The resumption of the talent competition.  You wouldn't believe some of the things I've seen and heard."

"Except for the final question the competition will be over tomorrow so just hang in there till then," Mark advised.

~~****~~

Finally, the so called talent portion is over.  Now we get the swimsuit competition.  At least that may be more aesthetically appealing.  He chuckled to himself.  Boy, Amanda and Cheryl would tear me up for that comment.    Wow, how can straps that skinny hold up that much bulk.  I need to find out what that suit is made of.  I think it actually defies the laws of gravity.  Steve's musings on a well endowed contestant were interrupted by a tap on his shoulder.  He turned with a mixture of awe and anger on his face.  "I'm judging here, do you mind?"

"Why no, Lt. Sloan, I don't mind at all.  Far be it from me to interrupt you from you're ogling…I mean judging, for a minor thing like a murder investigation," Cheryl finished with a flourish.

"I'm not ogling, I'm observing.  It's part of being a judge.  I can't pick a winner if I don't look.  Wait did you say murder?"

"Yes, I said murder."

"Obviously you heard back from the Crime Scene Unit, why didn't they call me?"

"They tried, you didn't answer, apparently you were 'busy'," Cheryl replied sarcastically.

Steve reached into his pocket and extracted his phone.  "Oh, I must have turned it off by mistake."

"Yeah, an overload of testosterone can affect one's ability to think rationally," was Cheryl's dry reply.

"Look, Cheryl, there are only about nine contestants left in the swimsuit competition.  Let them finish then we can gather everyone together and ask some more questions.  We need to see if anyone can help us identify the mystery woman she had the argument with in the bathroom.'

"Fine with me.  You don't mind if I wait out front do you?  I mean I can stay and clean the drool off you chin, but I would rather not."

"Ha!  Ha!  I am not, and have not been drooling.  I am doing this for a good cause.  Being a police officer has taught me how to remain objective under….."  His voice trailed off as he caught sight of the young woman that was crossing the stage.  Holy Moley, she's a cross between the girl next door and a couple of the porn stars I've arrested.  I've seen more material in a handkerchief.  Once again his thoughts were interrupted by a tap on the shoulder.

"Since you're so busy being 'objective', I'll leave you alone.  Come out front and get me once you're through 'judging'," Cheryl informed him in a slightly irritated tone.

Steve lifted an eyebrow at her.  "If I didn't know better I would think you were jealous."

"Sloan, you've been exposed to too much silicone.  You've become delusional.  You are mistaking disgust for jealousy.  Come get me when you're done," Cheryl completed succinctly.  She abruptly turned and stalked across the room.

"That one's a firecracker you better latch on to her before someone else does," advised his hearing aid wearing friend.

"She likes you, a girl can tell these things," added the retired dressmaker with a sly smile.

~~****~~

Steve chewed on the end of his pencil.  He had selected the least offensive contestant from the talent competition and was now trying to make a choice in the swimsuit competition.  He was interrupted from his deliberations by a whisp of warm breath on his neck.

"Lt. Sloan," breathed Jordan Maxwell.  "How's the decision making going?"

"Just fine, shouldn't you be with the other contestants?"

She shrugged her shoulders.  "I guess, but I find you so much more interesting.  I don't suppose I could see your gun?"

"Why would you want to see my gun?" he inquired.

"There is just something about a man with a gun that I find incredibly attractive," she responded.

Steve immediately slipped into cop mode.  "You've been around men with guns?"

"No, silly, I'm talking about on TV.  I think men with guns are sexy," she responded.

Steve was saved from having to respond to that statement by Cheryl's return.  "Sloan, are we going to be able to investigate this murder today?" 

"Murder?"  asked a shocked Jordan Maxwell.

Flashing Cheryl a slightly annoyed look, Steve responded.  "Yes, it looks as if Anthea Monroe was murdered.  Please keep this information to yourself for now.  As soon as I finish here, we will be gathering everyone together and I will give them the recent developments then.  Ok?"

Reaching out to lightly brush the hair at the nape of his neck she responded with a glorious smile and a nod.  She then turned and walked away.  Despite his best intentions, Steve found his eyes drawn to the gently sway of her hips as she moved away.  As he looked away and back at Cheryl, he was slightly taken aback at the look in her eyes.  He couldn't tell if it was anger or disgust or a little of both.  He flashed her, his best smile.  "I've made my decision on the swimsuit competition, let me get this turned in then we can get started."

"Whatever," she responded.

Once again, they were all unaware of the green eyes that had just observed their encounter.

~~****~~

They had gathered everyone, contestants, judges, stage crew and assorted other individuals.  The questioning was tedious and less than productive.  Cheryl had been right the previous day when she had said that everyone was able to alibi each other.  Cheryl had broken off from the main group and was interviewing the five girls they had identified as being engaged.  Cheryl looked up and made eye contact and nodded.  "Ok folks, that's it for tonight," Steve announced.

The group broke up and headed in different directions.  The judges for home, and the contestants to clean up, and then head home.

Steve joined Cheryl and they began to review their notes.  "Are any of the engaged women likely suspects?"  Steve inquired.

"No, they all accounted for the time just prior to the murder and also the argument in the bathroom," Cheryl replied.

They had been discussing their findings for almost an hour when once again a scream pierced the quiet in the auditorium.  They both jumped and moved towards the direction of the scream. 

Once again, Steve found himself approaching a crowd of women.  They all stood huddled peering into the shower.  As he and Cheryl stepped forward the women parted and they made their way into the shower.  Lying on the floor was Jordan Maxwell.