"Intimate Knowledge" ...closed...

[BLACK BART]

Jeff Lee was a contradiction.

He wasn't exactly lazy. And he wasn't exactly ambitious.

He wasn't really a drunk and yet he rarely was far from a drink.

He wasn't a troublemaker and yet he was too often on the fringe of it.

You couldn't define him as worthless and yet it was difficult to pin him down for what he was good for.

He wasn't an athlete yet walked with a swagger.

And his looks wouldn't get him into a magazine yet few ladies would spurn his attentions.

Maybe it was his smile, maybe the way he always had a "light" handy though he didn't smoke himself, or perhaps the way he could remember the name of everyone he ever met and the last time they did?

He came from a connected and wealthy family yet had insisted on working his way up the ranks in the police force, his rank of detective earned...yet never used for the day of that promotion he had been assigned the position of "Police Liason".

A job he had held for the past four years. Making minor announcements of the departments policies to the public, attending every single function and party, and fending off the occasional minor scandal before it erupted and became public.

Which was exactly what the six foot blue eyed man was going to be doing now...

Only the scandal was already public, internet public...though there had been no connection to the force or the "star" of the site...and like most scandals in two weeks it would be old news and forgotten.

But this was "Day One" and Jeff was waiting for the "guest" he was to accomodate for the next fourteen days. A "lady" who had quickly irritated his Captain and thus brought the ranking man's wrath down on Jeff's broad shoulders.

Regardless he had continued his life the way he had always done...spending his night at the swankier strip clubs and then retiring at 2 a.m.

The early hour an allowance for the guest he was meeting at the airport the next morning...

Where he waited now, with aspirin in one hand, a bloody mary in the other and the beginning of a thumping headache...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory James

Her job was to find the 'dirty goods' and print them for all prying eyes to see. However this time, she was working on not working.

A contradiction but true.

She took her two weeks vacation with some bogus trumped up family affair and headed across the states via flight 324.

She was saving her sister's ass. Or perhaps her own? Either way, she had a mystery to solve, a sister to find and a rather dirty deed to try and keep quiet.

Money was power.

And her Father was that power. Otherwise this would have debuted before Brittney's untimely marriage.

"Jesus!" She shifting in the uncomfortable seat, not looking forward to meeting the hard-nosed man she'd badgered to death in person.

Perhaps a detour away from the police station would be in order? They told her, with very little disguised malice, that she'd have her escort and they'd do all they could with this case.

She rubbed her temples, feeling a powerful headache coming on. A missing officer, a missing suspect, a dirty video.. How was she going to keep this all quiet??

Her competition... Cassey Winters. Top notch reporter, fabricator and all around c-u-n-t was not on the trail, digging into her sister's disappearance.

She had very little time. Too little.

She gathered her bags, her shaded eyes hunting through the crowded airport for a sign with her name on it. Seeing none, she felt the threatening headache pulsate into the fore front of her head and her temper raise slightly.

"They had best not be fucking jerking me off!" She grumbled under her breath, not noticing another woman looking at her strangely.

Shouldn't eavesdrop!

Stepping out into the early morning light, she felt another bubble of nerves jump. She was not a morning person, had little sleep, and the unmarked police cruiser was sitting at the curb.. With the assigned man inside the damned car.

She wasn't welcomed here, hadn't been wanted, and had pushed them beyond tolerance with this case. Now it was open, she was here and... perhaps she bit off a bit more than she could chew?

"Detective Lee?" She hunched down by the window, her tone trying to maintain a friendly sound.

 

[BLACK BART]

"Jeff" The man in the car replied and eyed the woman as she leaned forward.

"I thought the Detective that was to pick me up was to be waiting in the airport and his name was Lee?"

Her face looked to be in pain, though it was a familiar one and Jeff gleaned an idea as he leaned over and opened the door.

"He was and his name is Lee...Jeff Lee and he has a pounding headache."

"Ohhhh, I'm sorry."

Eyes just like her Jeff decided and watched her slide into the seat beside him. Legs too...

"You didn't do anything wrong, but here...I think you need some of these as well?"

He offered the bottle and then pulled out into traffic as she took the bottle and studied it, then spun the top off and shook out three tablets.

"Rather than book you a hotel room halfway across town and away from everything you need I thought you might care to set up in my spare bedroom?"

His passenger swallowed and the movement became an erotic thing as her adams rose and fell and she sighed...

"You mean so you can keep a better eye on me?"

"That too"

Jeff admitted and laughed, wheeling around a corner and shoving the throttle down, then spinning the wheel the opposite direction.

"Sorry, traffic is getting worse and worse each morning."

" your lights and siren?"

She was a smart one Jeff decided and sighed, then grinned.

Leaning forward he toggled the two switches and the lights and siren came to life, the sound peircing the air in a head splitting shriek and the lights bouncing off the interior off the late model sedan. Jeff quickly flipped the two toggles off and looked at his passenger trying not to slump down in the seat.

"It's murder on the head, huh?"

Slowing he pulled over in front of a sign that announced the building was indeed the 69th headquarters and then stopped, opening his door and moving around to do the same for his passenger.

"Bosses orders, we need to check in every morning and then can set off as we choose, but miss one clock in and he'll put an apb out."

Her legs were BETTER Jeff decided and closed the door then walked beside her towards the brick building.

"Whatever you do...DON'T stare at his eyebrow" He warned and led the way down the first floor hallway to a glass door entitled "Harry Lamb".

Knocking he didn't wait, pushing the door open and striding in to announce.

"Our guest from the East Captain...checking in as ordered."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory

She adjusted her skirt a few times, trying to sit comfortably as he whipped in and out of traffic. Her headache had gotten worse with the blare of the sirens.

Still it was a courtesy to announce their intentions instead of scaring the other motorists to death.

She mulled over the notes she had read over and over again during her flight. She'd pull them out to read them again, but his reckless driving made her stomach flop as it was. She couldn't imagine holding anything down if she took her eyes off the road.

So.. The suspect was at home and Jamie had gone to his place of residence to issue the warrant and bring him in for questioning.. Only to .. what? The video didn't show anything familiar to her? Maybe it was a room in the precinct? A booking room? Questioning booth? It wasn't the suspect's home, that much was clear.

Why hadn't her sister cooperated? Why didn't she allow a rape kit to be done? Or at least kept her clothing unwashed, she had deliberately ruined forensic evidence. And the only thing running through Cory's mind was simple and yet complicated. "Why?"

She allowed him, this Jeff Lee, to escort her into the building, and directly to his commander. Why had they assigned such a big officer to merely escort her around? Perhaps protection?
"Thank you." She flashed a friendly smile at Detective Lee and stepped into the office.

Oh my gawd! Her eyes widened only slightly but she said nothing as she stared at the commander's eye brows. Not daring to smile or stare, she quickly sat down and took out a mini tape recorder. She needed all the information she could get from these people, but cooperative and reporter didn't really go hand and hand in the police department.

The commander's eyes widened a little, noticing the resemblence probably. They did look alot alike, more than just sisters, almost twins. But the fact was, she was two years older than her sister Jamie. An inch taller, a little larger breasts, but almost the same face.

"Miss James." He stood and extended his hand, shaking hers. With a slight nod, he sat back down, his gaze seemingly to shoot to Detective Lee's?

 

[BLACK BART]

"Miss James hasn't seen the report OR the evidence pending verification of her relationship to Officer Darling, sir" Jeff replied.

Inside he twinged, knowing the look on the ranking officers eyes too well because he had the same thoughts as well when he first saw the reporter.

The "evidence" was in the form of several discs and was quite graphic...as well as clear, the face that was in them almost identical to Miss James, and it left a man questioning if that's where the similarity ended.

"Of course. Well Miss James I asked for you to check in with me and thank you for doing so..."

Jeff relaxed and leaned against the wall by the door, letting the commander go into his usual spiel about police cooperation and community servitude...and took the time admire the long pair of legs that grew out of the clinging skirt.

"To surmise Miss James we welcome you here as your sisters family, NOT the reporter for your company...what was it, "BARE EVIDENCE"? And IF you try to use the privaleged information for publication before this case is solved AND closed we'll be forced to have you brought up on charges...is that understood?"

That was his cue Jeff decided as he watched the womans posture change from almost relaxed to an upright TENSE one...

"Miss James has had a long and grueling trip, Captain...I'm sure she appreciates your time and will in time understand the wisdom of the forces veiw in this....delicate...matter, But right now I HOPE she has the patience to go through the formalities...and then relax afterwards?"

Only he wasn't looking at the Captain, his words and eyes were to the woman who stood quivering with rage, her eyes boring holes in the man who sat at the desk...

"Isn't that right...Miss James?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory James

Her eyes turned dark and stormy with her wrath as he treated her like a complete imbecile. Between her headache and the long flight over, the last thing she expected was this kind of treatment. Of course it wouldn’t have bothered her if they had cared about Jamie Darling. But that wasn’t the case, this commander was more worried about covering his own ass and that of the department, not Jamie’s.

“I am sure if you did a little research you’d find that my kinship can be verified. And yes, Captain. I have no intentions of sharing any of this case with anyone.” She gave the sweetest, flirtiest smile she could as she rose stiffly from the chair. “Same time tomorrow?” She didn’t wait for his nod but excused herself. Walking briskly from the main office, she made it to the front doors before her temper got the best of her.

“How fuckin’ hard is it to verify I was married for ninety-four god damned days?!” She threw open the door with a rather good shove, the bang against the outer doorstop gave her a little satisfaction. Now was a time she wished she smoked, she could at least light up and pace about. It’s what she wanted to do anyway.
She should have done what any sensible woman would have done, taken back her maiden name. But then again, it served it’s purposes for reporting when no one made the James/Darling connection.

“Only a minor bump in the road.” She mumbled to herself. She blamed her short fuse on her condition, the lack of sleep. She normally had the patience of a saint, but today it seemed it wasn’t in her favor. She’d just have to butter up that captain a little more. Find a hole in his armor. There had to be some way to smooth things over here?
Well finding the person behind this mess would be a great help, but it wasn’t like He’d turn himself in anytime soon.

 

[BLACK BART]

Jeff followed the storming woman at a safe distance, his upraised eyebrows and rolling eyes to the still seated and smirking Captain telling him a mute thank you for giving him a well stoked "fireball".

He closed the first door.

Then the second behind her.

Then the third....

and caught up to "Miss James" at the car.

"You did just what he wanted, you know?"

He offered and held THIS door open for her and closed it gently.

"SO?" She growled.

Reaching over her Jeff banged the glovebox and let the door fall open, then nodded towards it and the thick, bound manilla folder inside.

"So he WANTS you to screw up...NOT to follow procedures and get your PRETTY TIGHT ASS kicked out of town...then he can direct the investigation as HE wants to and close it QUICK and NEAT."

His voice was hard, sharp...emphasizing the key words he wanted her to hear or react to.

His passenger sat quietly, her cheeks flaming and Jeff pulled back into traffic and drove at a slower pace then he had used to get there.

"That's what you need to see, all of it...not just what you were told over the phone or by your boss at the office. It's what the Captain has seen repeatedly and why he was giving you the eye. If it leads to what he's afraid of it could mean half a dozen heads will roll...and he'll be one of them."

They were on the four lane and Jeff took the opportunity to pull his glasses from behind the folder and slide them on, rubbing his temples before returning his hand to the wheel.

The ride was quiet...like a cemetary at midnight, he reflected...and he pulled off the four lane and then up a winding road that climbed a hill and led to his two story...

"I'll get your bags...the car is yours to use when you need it, I'm expected to tag along so don't be surprised if I try to....and the only one you need report to is our good Captain, they'll be getting my report each day on paper."

He punched the trunk button in the glovebox and pulled his holstered .38 from it as well and left his guest still sitting in the car, retrieving the bags and moving into the wooden faced house.

Inside he dropped her bags on the floor and headed for the livingroom and the wet bar...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory

She quietly took out the folder, filled with all the information she'd been dying to get her hands on, but she refrained from looking while in the car.

He had a point, the Captain would love nothing more than an excuse to send her packing, she'd just have to be careful and tow it straight.

After he'd parked the car and entered the fenced yard, she finally put herself into motion and climbed out. Carrying the folder, she noted he'd taken all her bags inside without even being asked.

Considerate at least, but quiet for the most part.

Following slowly behind him, she eyed the neat yard and quaint two story house. Did he have a family? There were no evidence of child's toys in the yard and from what she could see, no pets either. He wore no wedding ring, but he was old enough to be married for quite a few years. She couldn't guess his age since men aged differently, but she guessed he was close to her's. Maybe early thirties to her late twenties.

Last twenties!

She shook her head, not really caring about her age or the house, she had to find her MIA sister and solve this puzzle. The key was in this folder... All she needed was a single lead, a good single lead.

She entered his home, mindful to quietly shut his door behind her. It was tidy, clean but not too homey feeling. Single men usually had clutter everywhere, but she seen none. Had he cleaned before she arrived? It was possible.

It was strange, her staying in a stranger's house instead of the Hotel she thought she'd reside in. It would save time and energy, money as well, but he was a police officer for christ sake! If you can't trust them, who could you trust?

"Nice home." She called out, unsure of where he went. She side stepped her bags a moment, taking the folder with her to a table she could see. Entering the other room, she noticed the kitchen and Jeff at the mini bar.

Saying nothing about the early hours and drinking, she sat down and put the folder before her. Now she'd see what everyone else had hinted about. She knew there were many pictures in here of her sister and the stranger, but was she really prepared to look at them?

Her fingers idly caressed the front flap, temptation and need to see it done warring with the idea what she'd see within would upset her.

Stop being such a freakin' sissy! She again scolded herself mentally. She was a mature woman and a well known reporter. She had more articles under her belt than any other reporter at her age, men and women. She'd seen it all, reported on it all, even the seediest of tid bits. She could handle this as well.

She'd just have to be objective and professional is all, not personally involved..

She flipped it open before she lost her nerve, her eyes purposely skipping the pictures on her right instead shot down the report on her left.

"Wouldn't it save time if you just filled me in?" She asked mildly from the table. Anything to avoid looking at the pictures..

 

[BLACK BART]

"NO" Jeff replied and drained his first drink, then walked over and turned the television on in the corner of the room. "The original discs are in that folder, the ones that were supposedly lost...put the "A" labeled one in and sit down here."

"So she did a porno video too, so what?"

"Just do it...In order for you to get an idea of what is going on I want you to see this, then I'll fill you "IN"...here's the remote."

It wasn't the first thing a host would do in normal circumstances...but then this wasn't normal, and if there were going to be results...it was needed. The disc slid in and she sat on the chair he had pointed out, then as the screen flashed and focused Jeff centered his attention on his guests face...not the TV.

He had seen it all before. The woman stretched and bound, her gagged mouth distorted as the man whipped her...her arms bound overhead and her legs spread wide.

The screen changed and this time there was no gag, just several masked men grouped around a half clothed woman, the shreds that remained being enough to identify the uniform as belonging to the police force...the camera moved and the face came into clear focus, her lips wrapped around the meat of a mans cock as he hammered down her throat over and over...

Jeff saw the disgust on his guests face...then disbelief and horror...and then...something else. Confusion? A trying to understand? Or was it the beginnings of her own arousal?

The screen flashed blue and the grunting noises quit, his guest turning away from the screen and away from Jeff...her voice quivering in question.

"Did you see what you wanted to see?"

He paused, poured bourbon over the ice in two glasses, then stepped over and offered her the first glass.

"Did that look like something a career officer would do? There is over twenty hours of it on video and it's plain to see the woman starring in it all was a willing and active participant. The notes we found choreograph each scene and in several her hand writing is on them, as if she was directing her own...rape."

Sitting at the stool he stared at a far wall, giving her as much room and privacy as he could...in this situation.

"I think she was chasing someone...trying to make a case...and instead the life she was leading sucked her in."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory

To say that was shocking was an understatement. She was beyond shocked and baffled, confusion would have been nice.. But that?!

She hadn't expected that. Definitely not a live video of her sister, willingly submitting, to all these strangers. Or had Jamie know them?

It was hard not to react the way she had reacted. At first it was clear repulsion in her eyes but as the scenes went on, she could only imagine what kind of pleasure one would get from such a wild variety of cock. She felt dirty and disgusted with herself, but then again the shame she should have felt wasn't really screaming too loudly in her subconscious.

"I was. shocked. To put it bluntly. I didn't get a chance to really view... anything..." Good lord, she was definitely flushed now!
"Did any of the men have any identifiable marks? Tattoos?" She was flustered, and the pictures in the folder would most likely be stills of this same video.

"Since when did a beat cop go under cover?" Or had her sister gotten a promotion to detective and not tell anyone? Things were found in her sister's hand writing?

"Jesus." She sat forward, rubbing her temples slightly as she tried to think. This was a little much to take in, she thought she was prepared for the worst but she had no idea what she had been thinking. This case was far from seedy, it was down right dark!

"What about the circumstances? I heard she was going after a suspect, but not what this suspect was charged with. I heard she made her arrest, but then all this happened? And where did it happen? It's so dark in that movie, I can't tell if it's a house or a cell!" And if it was at the police station, were they cops involved in her 'rape'? And if it wasn't, was she drugged? Was she drugged in either case? This was all strange and she needed a note book!

"Hang on!" She jumped up, moving to his front door. Searching her bags, she found a legal pad and pen before returning to her chair.
"I'd like to watch it again, search for some clues. Do we have enhancement equiptment handy for our use? Magnify some of it and clear it up a little? Prints on the papers?"

 

[BLACK BART]

“ The men in the scenes are all paid actors. That was the easy part. The names, addresses, phone numbers…all there on top of each statement. The papers with your sister’s handwriting had her prints and two others, no matches…” Jeff sighed and reached over, turning the answering machine on and the lights down.

“That machine will pause, magnify and send images to the computer I set up in your room…I’m going to order some food, ok?”

It seemed as if she didn’t hear him, his coffee table was already covered with the notes…pictures…and reports, her tablet in the center as she used the remote to start the disc playing again and triggered it to slow play…

It was going to be a LONG day…Jeff’s headache had subsided, the aspirin had kicked in and the two highballs had taken the edge off, but he knew before the end of this one his head was going to hurt worse then ever. He moved to the couch and used his cell phone, then propped up several pillows and leaned back into them.

His orders were to observe and report. Who he observed and WHAT was going to be his choice. The Captain was worried about his own ass…Jeff knew he had to watch his own, and maybe…”Miss James”.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory

She nodded, too lost in her reading and note taking to at least say thank you to him. Taking the remote, she turned it on play by play mode, slowest setting there was and watched as she made notes.

• 
  - BDSM environment- Handcuffs, whip, gag, and blindfolded.
  
  - willingly participated or set up her 'rape' scene. Must check into this further.
  
  - 6 to 7 men present. Actors hired, unknown who ran the camera.
  
  - didn't arrest her suspect, but obviously let him go. Why?
  
  - Currently Jamie Darling is missing. Why?
  
  - The pictures and video went out online. Who owns the website?
  
  - Partially dressed. Was this to assure Identification?
  
  - She was seen after the events, but vanished soon after. Was she acting the part of a victim?
  
  - Refused a rape kit, tests and Medical aid. Why?
  
  - What was her condition after?
  
  - Did she need Medical care?
  
  - What was the case she was investigating?
  
  - How was her work handled before this incident?
  
  - Any troubles before in her job performance?

She made her notes and replayed the video twice before the crick in her neck got too painful to move. Rising slowly, she took her note pad into the living room with her and handed it to him.

"Anything I am missing?"

 

[BLACK BART]

Jeff took the paper and scanned it, nodding towards the half eaten pizza and the ice bucket and cola, appreciating the concise and organized words on the paper and where they led to.

"Who gained from these videos going from sellable black market to free veiwing internet, and why..."

The same questions that had been plaguing him since Officer Darling had vanished.

"She walked out of the crime scene on her own two feet, the paramedic that looked at her said she was bruised but not consistent with a beating, he also stated there was blood but not of a type that matched her. I had all the men typed and none matched, so let them go with warnings to contact me if any word of our officer was ever brought up....None have."

He rose and stretched, pulling out another folder that was half wedged between the cushions and handing it back with her papers.

"Interdepartment Memo...What clues you get on the outside might not be as pertinent as the ones you get from the inside at times."




“ It didn’t begin as something intentional or harmful. It was almost innocent. In a carnal sort of way, that is...


Final entry in arresting officer Darling’s report before suspect escaped. The officer was found in an undressed and confused state of mind and refused medical attention. Subsequent attempts to debrief were dismal at best and led to commanding officer insisting she seek the units psychological department. Officer Darling refused despite reprimand and was on suspension when she resigned. Case was considered closed and surmised to be the result of drug induced hallucinations on part of the Officer Darling until raw footage of her in compromising positions began to surface at the darker internet websites.

The case is now reopened and a task force is being organized at present. Due to the involvement of at least one of our own it has been rated critical to keep a low profile on the investigation. Further conflict has come from the arrival of the Officer Darling’s sister whose own background is questionable but authenticated to work for one of the larger expose tabloids and well connected politically. Officer Darling’s sister presence has been deemed tolerable due to the suspected information she possesses as well as her ability to infiltrate and expose what potentially could be a large scale and damaging case to the unit and current entire administration.

This report and included information is to be shown to ONLY those directly involved in the case AND with the need to know.


"You get these once every couple of years. It means there is a lot of wealthy and influential people involved. The force isn't as perfect as it puts on, despite it's no tolerance crime front it has several black sheep on it's own unwritten list. Not because the officers were crooked but rather the opposite."

He roamed the room and made a show of tidying things up, then returned to watch her munch on a cold slice of pizza while reading the memo.

"It's four in the afternoon. I'd suggest we go visit where Officer Darling was found and then go out for a real meal. Tomorrow morning we'll go see the Captain again and give him our individual reports. Much like your tabloid articles it's often what you don't say that sells the paper...I'll be sticking to that rule in my own for the time being."

Until he knew if she was the renegade her own file said she was, Jess didn't say...

"It's your choice"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory

From the report it was obvious they were using her as much as she was using them, only they expected her to find answers they hadn't. Why is that? What did they gain by her being here?

"I agree. Less said, the better." She wasn't going to elaborate any more than that, but she had no intentions of revealing too much, if anything, to the Captain.

"I knew Captain Lamb wasn't going to welcome me here with open arms, but I wonder at the hints in this memo." She tossed down the half-eaten piece of pizza, it wasn't good a second time around.

"And a decent meal would be heavenly." She flashed him a brief smile that warmed her face before glancing once more at the memo. "Thanks for showing me this.. But I wonder.."

She paused, tapping her manicured nail against her closed lips. Too many pieces just did not fit. It really made no sense to her.
"I don't see how many things fit together here. For instance, how is it a crime scene if she was willing? Or did she lie at the beginning? And who called the police to report it? Was she so out of sorts?" It was possible Jamie had been out of her mind and found by a third party, then that third party called the police. Which would make more sense than anything else. Knowing her luck she just asked a stupid question entirely.

"I admit I haven't seen my sister in many years, but we emailed back and forth often. She never did mention this realm of her fetishes... and being sisters, she told me quite a bit more than I would want to know.. without adding in this little bit." It did catch her off guard, especially as open minded as her sister was, and blunt.

She followed him back out to his car, leaving behind everything but her notebook. Buckling in, she adjusted herself to sit facing him, preferring to look at whom she questioned instead of passing scenery.
"Alright, the police report said something about a phone call, I didn't really read the entire thing as I was distracted by all those damned pictures. But it seems to me this was set up for some obscure reason."

Did her sister want out of the police force? Was she looking for some elaborate scheme to get attention? Was it a little fun gone terribly wrong? Where did the blood come from? She had all these and many many more thoughts in her head.

"While visiting the crime scene, why not go see my sister's apartment? I have a spare set of keys.. It might give us some hints." If the police hadn't already searched Jamie's apartment by now.

 

[BLACK BART]

It was logical thinking Jeff admitted to himself as he headed for Officer Darlings apartment first.

"Your sister never committed a crime and because of the way she left the force they had no reason to search her place. As far as I know the only time any officer came close to her place was to verify she lived there and hadn't been seen."

A polite way of saying the force had turned their back on her. The rest of the trip over to her sister’s apartment was quiet. Jeff didn't need the address or directions, knew where to turn to pull into the underground parking area and what elevator to take up to the fourth. Stopping politely he stood aside and watched Miss James try two keys before the third opened the door and then followed her in.

The apartment was tastefully furnished. The furniture was a relatively new set and matched the plush carpet, the drapes blending sedately into the background, as did the paintings that hung on each wall. Everything was neatly in its place and waiting for its owner to return to use it. The small kitchen was a blend of lighter colors and well organized, showing a woman’s gentle and efficient touch, the dishtowel dangling on the sink edge where it had been used last.

“I can wait in the living room or help you check through the rooms.”

Jeff stated quietly admiring the apartment and trying to place the owner of it inside the walls moving about.

“As far as I’m concerned this isn’t an official stop and doesn’t need to be my report.”

“Let’s work together and if anything out of the ordinary is found discuss it then.

Again a sensible statement and Jeff grinned, following Miss James into the hallway and into the first of two bedrooms.

“I’ll toss the bed…you can do the dresser.”

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory

With a mute nod she stared at the smiling visage of her sister. Her graduation photograph depicted a happy new police officer with some secretive sparkle in her eye. So full of zest and energy to do what was right, to correct the wrongs in this world and make it safe... What happened to her? What caused Jamie to change so drastically?

Tearing her eyes off the portrait, she pulled open the top drawer. Nothing within caught her interest, just clothing and loose change. Next two drawers were the same as above, each drawer held meticulously folded articles of clothing, all arranged in a neat order.

Why didn't her drawers look like that? Lord knew they shared the same mother. Apparently Cory was just not as anal as her sister... But if that was true, what was with the S&M video?

She felt around each drawer, checking for some obscene reason for a hidden drawer, but found nothing. The bottom drawer held her slinky nighties and various dvd's and sex toys. She merely grinned at this, since back home her bottom drawer looked the same, but there was nothing unusual in this drawer. Just a single female toy stash...

"Find anything?" She asked as she shut the drawer. Maybe the closet? What the fuck was she searching for? A confessional?

"Shit... I wonder.." She chewed her bottom lip as she moved across the bedroom to the nightstand. Her sister usually kept a journal about her life.. As if her memoirs would be worth reading after she passed away. But she kept a journal..
She searched the night stand and didn't find anything, but what had she expected to find? Her sister went somewhere, it was most likely she took it with her.

"Did you check under the bed?" Maybe her sister had love letters of some kind? Maybe her computer would have emails in the inbox? There were too many places in this tiny apartment to search without direction.

With modern technology, her sister could have records anywhere, on anything. Computer, cell phone bills, answering machine.. Her journal would have been a great help, but she hadn't found it. Maybe a match book would be lying around some where?

Since when did she turn into Matlock? She gave a little snort at her own thoughts before turning towards the closet. At least she could borrow some clothes if she had a mind to.

 

[BLACK BART]

Jeff tossed the bed. Sheets, pillows, mattresses, even the frame it all ended up in a pile and then peice by peice searched it and reassembled.

Then the closet. It's contents on the bed, each box and bag opened and pulled out, every item large or small searched, read...examined...

And finally the clothes that hung in the closet. There was no escaping it, hanger by hanger the two of them now pulled the clothes out and off, searching for pockets and what might be hidden in them.

"She had excellent if not risque tast." He admitted as the final red dress was rehung and they moved to the next room. "Though if you knew her it never showed at the station, it was all business and no flirtation of any sort...or diversion."

The second bedroom was smaller and contained a narrower bed along with a desk and a laptop on it...

"I'd suggest we take that with us?" Eric coaxed gently "Let's say...it was something you loaned your sister and you've taken it with you as such?"

The second bedroom moved faster...the closet devoid of clothes and only several boxes of shoes and boots.

"Yup, risque indeed" Jeff grinned as he held up a pair of soft black leather boots that would rise to the thigh when worn. "I wonder where the dress went that matched this?"

Bathroom, kitchen...and finally the livingroom and both were forced to admit there were no hidden clues or answers...

"It's getting late, the "scene" could be looked at tomorrow?" Jeff offered and wasn't surprised when Miss James shook her head from side to side and insisted they follow the plan.

"It's a very realistic dungeon setting and can get creepy in the dark?" Jeff tried again and failed.

Minutes later they were back in the car and with the headlights on moving up a winding road and to..."the dungeon".

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory

"I'm not afraid of the dark Detective Lee. Nor am I afraid of creepy things." She flashed a im-tollerating-your-bossiness smile and sat back.

"Well, obviously my sister liked the rougher side of sex. It's clear she wanted to do these things, so I can't see any crime being comitted against her.." Her ramblings often helped her see what she couldn't see written down.

"Maybe a drug of some kind that heightened the body's awareness? A stimuli of some kind.. no odd after effects, but while on it, a complete slave to the 'feelings'?"

She paused again, It was really hard to piece this one together, it was becoming near impossible.. but she never gave up on anything or anyone, and she wasn't going to start now!

"Who was the suspect she was to bring in?" Off duty, her sister would do anything wild and crazy she could get away with. It was Jamie's nature. But while on duty? Her sister had her pride as well as a sense of accomplishment from succeeding in law enforcement. Why would her sister jeopardize her career for a little 'slap on the ass'?

"This fuckin' thing is going in circles already and I've just gotten started." She almost growled with her aggitation, instead she hunted for something to chew on in her bag.. It'd keep her mouth too busy to ramble.

 

[BLACK BART]

Lee

"It's not the dungeon you need fear, Miss James" He warned and stretched as they tidied up the final room before leaving. "It's your own arrogance in judging things you know nothing about."

They locked the apartment and walked to the waiting car and he continued to try to help her in her questions.

"My first partner told me it's what you ask it's who and how. I understood it years later when I helped track a robbery suspect down the wrong side of the tracks. Despite the robbery involving a killing the people down there all acted like he was a hero and kin to them. It was when my partner asked them if they knew who he killed they began to think and open up...when it became personal to them the tables were turned and they gave him over."

They were in the sedan and heading slowly down a snail paced traffic jam when Lee looked closely at the woman seated next to him and asked.

"How much are you willing to risk in return for your sisters vindication or the truth Miss James? Are you willing to walk the same path she did? Can you be so sure you won't make the same decisions as her? You knew her as your sister and a proffesional career woman but how well did you know her as a creature of her own sensual nature?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory

She slid smoothly into his sedan and buckled herself in, all the while his questions.. or tauntings, rang in her ears. She didn't even bother to plaster a smile on her face for his bennefit, she merely gave him a hard stare when he climbed in beside her.

"How much are you willing to risk in return for your sisters vindication or the truth Miss James? Are you willing to walk the same path she did? Can you be so sure you won't make the same decisions as her? You knew her as your sister and a proffesional career woman but how well did you know her as a creature of her own sensual nature?" He had a point in some areas and at others, he was grasping strings.

"I knew only what Jamie allowed me to know, as well you know human nature. Some things are...." She fell silent a moment searching for the right words. "Better left alone." And that is how she felt. If it hadn't been for this case and the news, added the circumstances that landed Jamie's ass in trouble, she wouldn't have been here. But family was family, and you didn't turn your back on any of them... Even if they are different as night and day from yourself.

"I am willing to find the truth, but I doubt I would make the same choices she made." And that was true, although Cory wasn't a dominate woman, she wasn't a submissive type either. She wasn't into being bound and spanked, screwed or whatever else was done. The thoughts didn't cause revulsion inside her, but they didn't make her tingle either.

"And I seriously doubt that any one would tell their sexual desires to all who will listen. At least not Jamie, she was a private person, always." She glanced at his profile with another stern glare before turning her eyes back to the traffic. "Our upbringing would clearly tell you that if you researched enough. Our parents were devoted Christians. Hell, masturbation was a deadly sin! Can you imagine what our parents would think if Jamie ever said, "Oh hey mom, by the way, I like to be tied up and eaten out by masked men!".. I can just imagine that going over well at Thanksgiving dinner." She chuckled, because she could easily imagine her mother's face if Jamie had said something like that to her.

"All I want is answers.." she said quietly as they stopped before an old building. "Why she would screw up her job for a piece of ass. Why the elaborate staging of her own rape and what did she hope to gain by doing all this? I mean, it's her careeer on the line here from my understanding, and an escaped suspect still at large." She threw open the door and stepped out, stretching the kinks in her legs, she eyed the building with disdain. It wasn't the cleanest neighborhood, not that inviting of a building that she'd want to willingly go inside.

What was Jamie thinking?

 

[BLACK BART]

Jeff smiled at the image "Miss" James described, the perfect turkey dinner...the table crowded with dish after dish of food...and ringed with guests, the conversation casually drifting to the pornographic habits and movies Jamie indulged herself in.

He could see it in his mind, the horror on the matronly face of the mother, as well as the guarded amusement of the men gathered around for the meal...

He could see it as clearly as he could hear the growing sarcasm and scorn in Miss James’s voice...

"Look"

He began, still sitting behind the wheel of the car as they sat outside the dismal looking building.

"I was "given" this case because no one else wanted it. No one felt it worthwhile to follow up on a woman who was prone to nightly gangbangs in the fear of dirtying thier own careers. The information I gathered I did on my own free time, the two gold badges that were supposed to have investigated this case claimed thier own reports were lost and they had sudden cases of amnesia..."

Jeff turned and faced the skeptical look in his passengers eyes...

"I insisted on you staying with me because I knew you would be safe...and the reason I asked you how far you were willing to "go" was because it might be the ONLY way you get the answers you claim you came here for."

He shook his head and took a deep breath, then shrugged it off and grinned...

"OK...I said my piece...lets go look at the friggin dungeon and go home, I can use a nights sleep after a day like this..."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory

She eyed the building with distaste and followed the detective inside. Between litter and graffiti, this place looked down right sinister. Not to mention the state of the building itself, it should have been torn down years ago.

Why would Jamie want to engage in sexual acts in a filthy place like this? Did she do it purposely to get in the public eye?

She followed Jeff down a flight of stairs and stopped at a steel door. Hesitating a moment, she had a vague hope that they wouldn't be interrupting another.. sex party.

"How did you ID the men in the video to question them Detective?" It had been bugging her awhile now.. well since she viewed the tape anyway. "And if they came forward to confess it was them, how do we know that is the truth?" It still seemed a little odd to her, this whole case.

And two previous detectives lost the case files? AND forgot the details in their reports? It didn't add up anymore than being able to ID a masked man.

Of course if there was DNA samples and confessors, but it was too soon to have DNA back on this case. Certainly couldn't go to a line up of suspects, strip them naked, put masks on them and inspect their dicks.. She grinned but kept her thoughts private.. She'd have paid to see that!

In her pocket she carried a list of the 'confessed' gang-bangers, two bars her sister wrote her about and the name of Jamie's partner. Perhaps after Detective Lee went to bed, she could go question some people on her own...

 

[BLACK BART]

Jeff left the door open and used the minimum amount of light it gave to guide him to the far wall and throw a breaker in the fuse box.

The lights came slowly on, the bulbs that weren't burned out giving the inside of the building eery shadows as he stood quietly and let his eyes adjust.

"It's been closed since the report was filed and it still smells like sex."

He observed and wrinkled his nose.

The interior not only smelled...it reeked...of sweat, cheap cigars and perfume...and beer.

In the center of the room a raised platform stood and on it a stained mattress that had seen better days too many years ago...

Over it still dangled a pair of chains that rattled in the wind coming in from outside...

"The best thing that could be done for this place is to burn it."

Jeff mumbled and leaned against a post, then thought better of it as he realized what had occured against and around it...

"Camera's in each spot marked here, here and here...the lights used were proffesional and expensive, removed with the other equipment after the "set" was done...it all coincides with the tape and the angles you see in it" He pointed out and looked for a resting place...

He settled for moving to a vacant wall and watching Miss James move around the interior, her own face a mask that hid her thoughts about being in the same building her sister had been in...and the situation the younger sibling had been in.

"There was a rumour a second tape was found...it never reappeared but from it that list of names we have was supplied. On it I think was enough evidence to prove your sister came here of her own free will but what happened afterwards wasn't her choice. The second portion of the video we saw was staged if I had to guess...spliced so it appears she never fought...and approved of what was happening."

Again he received a glare from Miss James...and once again he shrugged then moved to the open door.

"I've had my fill of this place. You can take your time and check it over if you wish or return and do it in the daylight. I'm going to wait in the car..."

True to his words he sauntered off, ignoring the angry mumbling behind him and moving outside into fresher air and the car...pulling a flask out of his pocket he spun the top off and swallowed several long, slow draughts...then leaned against the car.

How long he stood that way he wasn't certain...But when he became aware he wasn't alone the flask was empty and back in his pocket...

"You going to drive us home in your condition?" Her voice cut at him in a caustic tone.

"I might be half stoned but I'm not stupid sister." He teased gently and pointed out the keys were in the ignition.

"You can use the car to get me home...then go do what you've been aching to do all along...do your own kind of investigating without me hanging around."

No argument came...He relaxed in the passenger side of the front seat and gave the minimum of directions until she slowed and once again he knew he had nodded off and was now in front of his home.

"One way ot the other I'll meet you at the Captains office at 9...if you're not there you'd better have your own story to cover your sweet ass." He tossed out as he half stumbled out of the car and over the curb.

Not surprisingly she didn't answer...Only gunned the engine, tearing away from the curb and into the darkness and Jeff cursed at himself.

"Good one buddy...If she gets hurt you get blamed...if she finds something she isn't supposed to you get blamed..."

And then he laughed, knowing the bastards would do little to him, not because they wouldn't want to but because they didn't dare...He had too much dirt on each one in the department to be taken down...

And all of it on video...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Cory

She sat down at the bar in one of the darkest corners she could find. All around her people, mostly men, sat drinking and boasting over todays events on the jon.

The Night Owl was Jamie's favorite place to play pool and meet the guys after work for a few drinks. Jamie had mentioned a game of high-stakes pool against a co-worker here, and that Jamie had beat the pants off the guy. But Jamie never said who that guy was, or even whom her partner was?

"What can I get'cha?"

A man stood behind the bar, towel in hand, wiping a shot glass out and clearly studying her face.

"Jack and coke." She passed him some cash as he poured her drink, still his eyes stayed on her face.

"Do I know you?" His stare was a little unnerving but she shook her head negatively. Her features tightening a little with disgust, she'd heard every line in the book and this one wasn't going to work anymore than the others had.

"Oh,.. No, I am not hitting on ya ma'am." He chuckled as he gave her change. "You just look familiar.."

"I look like my sister in some aspects. Jamie Darling. Know her?"

"Ah. Yeah, yeah..." He turned from her a moment, cleaning another glass before he spoke over his shoulder.. Luckily he was close enough to be heard over the noise. "I knew officer Darling.. Haven't seen her in awhile though..."

Was he fishin' for information or was he just making idle chit chat? Perhaps he didn't know? Cory didn't suspect that he would know since the department was keeping it under wraps for now.

"She's on vacation.. "

"With her sister coming to see her?"

How did he know she wasn't a local? Bar tender knowledge or did he know Jamie better than he let on?

"Well I arrived unexpectedly... So, you know Jamie then huh? Know who her partner is? I haven't met the man nor any of her co-workers she talked so fondly about..." She glanced up and caught the hard stare of the bartender on her. She stopped talking almost instantly, there was something in his eyes she didn't like.. If the room could have gotten any cooler, she would have been amazed.

"You ask alot of questions... You're her sister?"

"Yeah.. and a reporter. No.. I am not on assignment, just here to.. take in the sights." The comment even sounded fabricated to her own ears but she wasn't changing her story.

"Would explain all the questions.." He moved off to get someone else a drink further down the bar and hovered there. Either he didn't think she was telling the truth about who she was, or she was pokin' at a sore spot?

Grabbing her bag and keys, she left a tip and made for the door. There was no reason to hang out here if no one was going to speak with her. Maybe a few more nights of showing up would get her some attention?

Glancing down, she noted too that her business suit/skirt outfit wasn't exactly "pick me up for a hot time" motto. She'd have to get into something a little more revealing to get these guys' attention..

Did she want it?

If she wanted the truth she'd need a few 'friends' on the inside. And the quickest way to insider info is through cleavage or something else men wanted to gawk at.


She tossed the keys onto the counter top as she entered Jeff's house. She didn't get anywhere tonight, but being seen and letting it be known who she was just might have been the thing she needed most right now. She'd bet her three-hundred dollar shoes that captain wasn't going to share information..

"Fuckin' ass.." She muttered as she kicked off her heels in the kitchen. She took a few steps before turning and picking them up. She wasn't in her own home, she was a guest! She had a faint smile of indulgence on her face as she made her way to her temporary quarters. It was best not to push Detective Lee with being a messy house guest..

Stripping as she went, she found the private bathroom and washed away the sense of cold. She needed to buddy up a little more with the 'guys' before announcing who she was and asking nosey questions. Maybe her first target would be that bar tender? He was the first person.. other than Jeff.. who seemed to notice their similiarities..

 

[BLACK BART]

Jeff rolled over in bed and knew his guest had returned. Through foggy eyes he marked the time in his head and wondered how she had fared in her fact finding mission.

The last thought as he fell back to sleep was what condition she came back in...

But it didn't keep him awake.

The next morning he was awake early and making coffee...strong...and sipping at a cup as his guest came out of her room fully dressed.

"You don't look any worse for wear, Cory..."

He slid a cup over the counter to her and lifted the pot as he waited for her to answer on either subject offered.

She slid onto a stool and nodded at the pot and he poured, his mind going to the meeting they had yet to attend.

"Watch your own ass" Was the motto at the precinct...and one he had fared by quite well...

So why was he taking a chance here?

Granted her ass was quite well shaped and he wouldn't mind...

But staying alive was a serious business.

He drank his coffee in silence, then poured another and padded off to finish getting dressed...she'd tell what and when she wanted to, he reflected...she had caught on quickly.

But what had he expected? For her to fall into his arms and give him thanks for protecting her while filling her full of lies?

"I'm ready if you are?" He tossed out as he cleaned the dishes off the counter and punched the machines buttons...

And then they were off..."Miss James" behind the wheel and showing she was already getting used to the streets and how to find her way around on them.

Quite soon she'd gain another form of knowledge as well...and then?

Then the shit would hit the fan...and Jeff intended to be on the right side of it when it did.