Beauty Can Be Deadly
Chapter 8
Steve walked tentatively into the precinct. Ok, so far so good. No huddled whispering and giggling. He straightened his shoulders and tried to stride in what he hoped was a confident manner. He paused as he reached the squad room door. The voice that came from behind his left shoulder caused him to jump.
"Whatcha looking at?" came the amused voice of Cheryl.
"Uh, nothing. Why is there something to see?" he asked hesitantly.
"Nope, looks like your lady love or loves took the day off," she responded with a suppressed grin.
"She is not my lady love," he hissed.
"Whatever, now act like a big boy and go on over to your desk. I'll make sure the other detectives don't pick on you today," was her glib response. "After you get you coffee, the captain wants to see us. The evidence they picked up at the hotel seems to link the murders to our suspect. They found a single eyelash that matched the one found by Jordan Maxwell's hand, they also found a skirt that was made of the same material that was found near Topaz Gem. The final piece of the puzzle was in the trunk of Ms Sullivan's car. Lt. Burns found a hacksaw and the blade matched the cuts on the light fixture."
"Well it's just one neat little package isn't it," Steve responded somewhat sarcastically.
Cheryl cocked her head. "What's the deal, Sloan?"
Steve sighed. "You don't find it all just a little too easy? She was around every crime scene she knew the evidence we were collecting. Why would she hang on to things that would incriminate her? It just doesn't feel right."
Cheryl moved around him and on into the squad room so that she could face him. "Steve, from what I found in her background she wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. You're probably giving her more credit than she deserves."
Steve didn't immediately respond he covered the remaining distance to his desk and sat down and Cheryl followed him. "Maybe you're right Cheryl. Let me get some things together and then we'll go see the captain."
~~****~~
Steve sat on the deck staring out at the ocean. He still was not satisfied that the case should have been closed. The captain had felt otherwise. He had left early so that he could get ready for the pageant tonight. His thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. He pushed himself up and made his way through the house to the front door. He groaned at the sight that greeted him. A delivery man stood on the stoop with the largest arrangement of balloons Steve had ever seen. Well at least they weren't sent to the station this time. That thought gave him a brief moment of comfort until the impact of a delivery to the house sunk in. Oh no, she knows where I live. That thought sent a brief tingle down his spine. He opened the door and tried to smile pleasantly at the delivery man. "Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for a Steve Sloan," the delivery man replied.
"That's me," Steve responded trying to look friendly. "Someone must like me. Can you tell me who ordered these?"
"Most people look at the card for that kind of information," replied the delivery man dryly.
Steve bit his lip to suppress the comment that was trying to escape. Don't make him mad he may have information you want. "Yes, of course you're right, but I have someone who is being mysterious and hasn't been signing the cards on the gifts I have been receiving. I'm just looking for a little help in identifying the mystery person," he tried to respond pleasantly.
"Mister, I have no idea. I just need you to sign for the delivery. There is a number on the delivery receipt for the store. Give them a call," the delivery man responded somewhat grumpily.
"Ok, thanks for your help," Steve responded insincerely.
"You're welcome," was the equally insincere response.
Steve wrestled the mammoth quantity of balloons through the door and into the house. He then moved over to his father's desk to use the phone. His current gift had been purchased at a shop called Balloons & Beyond. He dialed the number and a gravely voiced woman who identified herself as Irma answered. "Irma, my name is Lt. Steve Sloan with the LAPD. I just took delivery of a beautiful balloon arrangement that your store prepared. The individual neglected to sign the card so I have no idea who I should thank. Can you tell me who purchased them?"
There was a slight pause on the other end of the phone then in a voice that sounded like sand paper on wood Irma answered his question. "Lady came in this morning and paid cash and gave us the delivery information. We don't ask for names on cash purchases. That's all I got."
"Oh, well that's too bad," Steve responded. "Well, maybe if you tell me what she looked like I might recognize her that way."
"It was hard to tell what she looked like she had a ball cap on, wore dark glasses and had on a long coat," responded the gravelly voiced woman.
"You didn't find that odd," questioned Steve.
"Buddy, it's LA; I don't find anything odd anymore," she responded.
Steve sighed. "Ok, thanks anyway." Realizing that he had run up against a brick wall, Steve moved over to stand in front of the balloons. He was staring at them intently when the doorbell rang again. His stance became rigid and a burst of anger traveled through his body. He stomped to the door and flung it open without even glancing at who was on the other side. "Enough," he bellowed.
The startled party on the other side of the door jumped slightly. "Enough of what?" asked a perplexed Jesse.
His anger somewhat abated, Steve looked into Jesse's startled face. "Oh, hey Jess, I'm sorry I thought it was another delivery."
Jesse's expression changed from perplexed to delight. "Deliveries? You got more stuff? What did you get this time? I wanna see, where is it? Wait, it was delivered here? Wow, that's a little scary."
"You think?" Steve questioned. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to help you get ready," was Jesse's response.
"Well, isn't that nice but I have been dressing myself for years now," Steve replied.
"Jeez, Steve, it's no wonder you don't attract normal women. You're always so irritable," Jesse responded in a peeved tone.
"I," Steve paused briefly for affect. "am not irritable. Judging was supposed to be an easy task. Instead it has turned into a multiple murder case and caused me an immeasurable amount of grief because someone or someones have decided to send me all sorts of gifts."
"Yeah, but the swimsuit thing was pretty fun, wasn't it?" Jesse asked hopefully.
Steve couldn't help himself; he started to chuckle. It always amazed him how Jesse could take any situation and find something good in it. He wished he could be more like that. "Yeah, Jess, it was."
Jesse realizing the change in Steve's mood went back to his original objective. " So?"
"Oh alright, they're in the family room. Go enjoy yourself," Steve responded.
Jesse bounded up the steps and stopped at the threshold of the family room. "Wow, I think you could attach a basket to those and give balloon rides."
"They are pretty impressive," Steve replied. "I just wish I knew who had sent them and if it is the same person that sent the other stuff."
"You know Steve they have all been fairly harmless gifts. I will admit that the cards were a bit risqué and vivid but other than exposing you to some kidding you haven't been hurt. As for who has sent them I suspect you will find out tonight. If they were sent to try and sway your vote she will have to identify herself before the pageant starts tonight," Jesse observed.
"I know, it's just, embarrassing. I probably have overreacted," Steve responded with a grin.
"That's ok Steve, that's what we love about you, now let's get you ready to crown a winner."
Chapter 8
Steve walked tentatively into the precinct. Ok, so far so good. No huddled whispering and giggling. He straightened his shoulders and tried to stride in what he hoped was a confident manner. He paused as he reached the squad room door. The voice that came from behind his left shoulder caused him to jump.
"Whatcha looking at?" came the amused voice of Cheryl.
"Uh, nothing. Why is there something to see?" he asked hesitantly.
"Nope, looks like your lady love or loves took the day off," she responded with a suppressed grin.
"She is not my lady love," he hissed.
"Whatever, now act like a big boy and go on over to your desk. I'll make sure the other detectives don't pick on you today," was her glib response. "After you get you coffee, the captain wants to see us. The evidence they picked up at the hotel seems to link the murders to our suspect. They found a single eyelash that matched the one found by Jordan Maxwell's hand, they also found a skirt that was made of the same material that was found near Topaz Gem. The final piece of the puzzle was in the trunk of Ms Sullivan's car. Lt. Burns found a hacksaw and the blade matched the cuts on the light fixture."
"Well it's just one neat little package isn't it," Steve responded somewhat sarcastically.
Cheryl cocked her head. "What's the deal, Sloan?"
Steve sighed. "You don't find it all just a little too easy? She was around every crime scene she knew the evidence we were collecting. Why would she hang on to things that would incriminate her? It just doesn't feel right."
Cheryl moved around him and on into the squad room so that she could face him. "Steve, from what I found in her background she wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. You're probably giving her more credit than she deserves."
Steve didn't immediately respond he covered the remaining distance to his desk and sat down and Cheryl followed him. "Maybe you're right Cheryl. Let me get some things together and then we'll go see the captain."
~~****~~
Steve sat on the deck staring out at the ocean. He still was not satisfied that the case should have been closed. The captain had felt otherwise. He had left early so that he could get ready for the pageant tonight. His thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. He pushed himself up and made his way through the house to the front door. He groaned at the sight that greeted him. A delivery man stood on the stoop with the largest arrangement of balloons Steve had ever seen. Well at least they weren't sent to the station this time. That thought gave him a brief moment of comfort until the impact of a delivery to the house sunk in. Oh no, she knows where I live. That thought sent a brief tingle down his spine. He opened the door and tried to smile pleasantly at the delivery man. "Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for a Steve Sloan," the delivery man replied.
"That's me," Steve responded trying to look friendly. "Someone must like me. Can you tell me who ordered these?"
"Most people look at the card for that kind of information," replied the delivery man dryly.
Steve bit his lip to suppress the comment that was trying to escape. Don't make him mad he may have information you want. "Yes, of course you're right, but I have someone who is being mysterious and hasn't been signing the cards on the gifts I have been receiving. I'm just looking for a little help in identifying the mystery person," he tried to respond pleasantly.
"Mister, I have no idea. I just need you to sign for the delivery. There is a number on the delivery receipt for the store. Give them a call," the delivery man responded somewhat grumpily.
"Ok, thanks for your help," Steve responded insincerely.
"You're welcome," was the equally insincere response.
Steve wrestled the mammoth quantity of balloons through the door and into the house. He then moved over to his father's desk to use the phone. His current gift had been purchased at a shop called Balloons & Beyond. He dialed the number and a gravely voiced woman who identified herself as Irma answered. "Irma, my name is Lt. Steve Sloan with the LAPD. I just took delivery of a beautiful balloon arrangement that your store prepared. The individual neglected to sign the card so I have no idea who I should thank. Can you tell me who purchased them?"
There was a slight pause on the other end of the phone then in a voice that sounded like sand paper on wood Irma answered his question. "Lady came in this morning and paid cash and gave us the delivery information. We don't ask for names on cash purchases. That's all I got."
"Oh, well that's too bad," Steve responded. "Well, maybe if you tell me what she looked like I might recognize her that way."
"It was hard to tell what she looked like she had a ball cap on, wore dark glasses and had on a long coat," responded the gravelly voiced woman.
"You didn't find that odd," questioned Steve.
"Buddy, it's LA; I don't find anything odd anymore," she responded.
Steve sighed. "Ok, thanks anyway." Realizing that he had run up against a brick wall, Steve moved over to stand in front of the balloons. He was staring at them intently when the doorbell rang again. His stance became rigid and a burst of anger traveled through his body. He stomped to the door and flung it open without even glancing at who was on the other side. "Enough," he bellowed.
The startled party on the other side of the door jumped slightly. "Enough of what?" asked a perplexed Jesse.
His anger somewhat abated, Steve looked into Jesse's startled face. "Oh, hey Jess, I'm sorry I thought it was another delivery."
Jesse's expression changed from perplexed to delight. "Deliveries? You got more stuff? What did you get this time? I wanna see, where is it? Wait, it was delivered here? Wow, that's a little scary."
"You think?" Steve questioned. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to help you get ready," was Jesse's response.
"Well, isn't that nice but I have been dressing myself for years now," Steve replied.
"Jeez, Steve, it's no wonder you don't attract normal women. You're always so irritable," Jesse responded in a peeved tone.
"I," Steve paused briefly for affect. "am not irritable. Judging was supposed to be an easy task. Instead it has turned into a multiple murder case and caused me an immeasurable amount of grief because someone or someones have decided to send me all sorts of gifts."
"Yeah, but the swimsuit thing was pretty fun, wasn't it?" Jesse asked hopefully.
Steve couldn't help himself; he started to chuckle. It always amazed him how Jesse could take any situation and find something good in it. He wished he could be more like that. "Yeah, Jess, it was."
Jesse realizing the change in Steve's mood went back to his original objective. " So?"
"Oh alright, they're in the family room. Go enjoy yourself," Steve responded.
Jesse bounded up the steps and stopped at the threshold of the family room. "Wow, I think you could attach a basket to those and give balloon rides."
"They are pretty impressive," Steve replied. "I just wish I knew who had sent them and if it is the same person that sent the other stuff."
"You know Steve they have all been fairly harmless gifts. I will admit that the cards were a bit risqué and vivid but other than exposing you to some kidding you haven't been hurt. As for who has sent them I suspect you will find out tonight. If they were sent to try and sway your vote she will have to identify herself before the pageant starts tonight," Jesse observed.
"I know, it's just, embarrassing. I probably have overreacted," Steve responded with a grin.
"That's ok Steve, that's what we love about you, now let's get you ready to crown a winner."
