"What do you think…that is?" Martin asked softly, as he stooped to peer into the fireplace. Samantha gently grabbed the piece of cloth and pulled it from the bottom of the desk. She held it up for Martin to see.
"Looks like bloody cloth…jeans?"
"Yeah, uh-huh," Samantha answered, gently placing the evidence in a plastic bag. "Looks like there was a struggle here." The agents were in the office of a bakery, where a single mom of two was last seen.
"Hey guys, I want you to come see something," Danny called into the room. Danny gave Samantha one of his special smiles full of mirth. Samantha's eyes quickly darted to Martin before sending Danny a warning look. His smile immediately turned into a frown as he led the two detectives into the front of the bakery. That's the way it had been the past couple of weeks. He loved spending time with Sam outside of work, getting closer to her, learning more about her. Well, what she would reveal anyway, he corrected. But at work, she distanced herself from him as much as possible, only speaking to him if absolutely necessary. If Martin had caught on, he wasn't letting on that he knew.
One thing he was curiously aware of was Samantha's insatiable appetite for sex. At first, he thought he had hit the lottery, finding a woman who wanted to do it more than he. But the more time he spent with her, the more he recognized a sense of desperation behind the act. It made the already mysterious Samantha Spade more enigmatic.
"Looks like someone was looking for this or left this behind," he said out loud. He pulled out a duffel bag stuffed with cash. Martin's eyes widened as he pulled out a wad. "If Meryl was kidnapped, wouldn't the kidnappers take this?!"
"Look, Martin why don't you and I go interview Meryl's employees. Sam" Danny handed over the duffel bag to Samantha, "mind taking this over to the office?"
"Suuuure… although don't expect a few bundles to actually make it there."
The two men laughed as Samantha left the bakery, lugging the heavy duffel bag behind her. She drove back to the office, her mind mulling over the facts of the case.
After thirty minutes, she was back at FBI headquarters. After dropping off the duffel bag on the fourth floor, she headed up to the unit's office. As soon as she stepped off the elevator she stopped short with a silent gasp. Down the hall, Vivian was speaking to none other than Neo Harris.
Her heart beating quickly, Samantha jumped back on to the elevator and anxiously pushed the button for the roof. As the elevator whisked her upwards, she tried to keep herself from hyperventilating. What the hell was he doing here, she thought hysterically. Was he there to turn her in? Would he do that, knowing that he intentionally drugged her? Her thoughts were cut off as the doors slid open, revealing the New York City skyline. She paced back and forth, not having a clue as to what her next move might be.
"Hello, Samantha."
Samantha's head snapped up. "What the fuck are you doing here?" she asked angrily, the harsh word escaping her notice.
"Relax, I didn't tell anyone…about us," he said calmly. He was wearing a light jacket, dark red shirt and fitted jeans with Timbalands and even through her fury Samantha couldn't help thinking he looked gorgeous. "I was worried about you and since this is the only place where I knew where to find you…"
Samantha marched closer to him and grabbed the lapel of his jacket. "If you think for one instant that I will stand by while you try to blackmail me, try it. I'll destroy you," she growled, realizing her tough girl demeanor was soaked in fear.
Neo stared at her with his deep brown eyes. "I came here to apologize to you."
Samantha blinked, taking a step back. It dawned on her then that Neo was able to find her on the roof. "What…what do you want from me?" she asked shakily.
"I still think we can help each other Samantha, I'm fiercely attracted to you. We are both animals, we could find satisfaction in each other," he answered as he reached up to cup her face. Her involuntary shiver gave away her feelings as he smiled triumphantly.
Samantha, you have to stop doing this.
Samantha shut her eyes tight, trying to block out her mother's voice. "Neo…Neo I have to go back to work," she said quietly.
"Stay here with me Samantha," he whispered in her ear. He slowly dragged his finger down her chest, eliciting goose bumps on Samantha's arms.
To lead a life like this will do nothing but destroy you.
Samantha's eyes popped open as she grabbed Neo and crushed her lips against his.
"Wait," he said roughly, pushing her back. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a baggie with three blue pills in it. Samantha vigorously shook her head as Neo popped one of the pills in his mouth. "Take this Samantha, take it."
"I can't, I can't, not again," she protested.
"It's just one pill, I gave you three last time," he interjected. "You'll be fine…
This is how it starts.
"… more intense."
Samantha grabbed the pill and popped into her mouth. Anything to block out her mother's voice, anything. Neo kissed her passionately, ripping off her clothes as the two fell to the rough ground of the roof. Samantha made desperate, frenetic love to him as if the harder the love making, the more forceful she could push away the voice. She could feel the drugs effects course through her body as her senses sharpened.
After what seemed like an eternity, Samantha rolled on to her back and closed her eyes. She could hear Neo speaking to her softly, but couldn't make out the words. Her thoughts drifted to her mother.
"Sammy, Sammy!" she screamed. "Where are you going? We are not finished."
"I am!" Samantha screamed back. She threw her backpack at Brett, her new husband, who stood there in fear of the two women. "I'm leaving and I never want to see you again!"
"You are not leaving with that damn boy," her mother yelled back, yanking on Samantha's arm. Samantha pushed her back, but her mother held on tight.
"Look, I'm married now, you can't tell me what to do," she said angrily, still struggling to get free.
"Samantha if you think I am going to let you throw your life away over this loser, you've lost your mind. Brett get the hell out of here before I call the cops!"
"What's that going to do? She's my wife," Brett said bravely, finally speaking up.
"She's fifteen you fucking idiot," Samantha's mother snapped. "I don't know where you got married, but its illegal. I'll have your ass thrown in jail for statutory rape!"
"Mom, stop!" Samantha screamed. "He's better than the assholes you parade around here!" She looked desperately at Brett but she could read the indecision on his face.
"Brett…don't listen to her…I love you…"
"Look…why don't we all just call it a night," he said, not looking at Samantha. "Mrs. Spade, I'll come back in the morning and we can hash this out."
"Don't bother," she muttered. Mother and daughter watched as Brett jumped into his pick up and roared off. "Sammy…look, this isn't the way-"
Her words were cut off as Samantha spit into her mother's face.
"Samantha."
Her eyes popped open. Neo was looking down at her, amused, his big brown eyes dilated. His hand was between her legs, slowly rubbing her. "I think you were asleep babe, but I knew my touch would wake you up."
She pushed his hand away and sat up. "I have to get back to work, oh my God, how long have we been up here?" she asked, quickly pulling on her clothes. She fought the urge to vomit as the skyline started to waver.
"I don't know, about two hours?" he answered nonchalantly. Samantha stared at him trying to read him. She determined he was telling the truth. Without another word, she flew to the door and down the stairs until she reached the elevator.