Under His Protection

Zane was dressed and ready to start his shift the following morning when he got a call from his partner, telling him to stop by Jade’s apartment on his way to work. Joe wouldn’t say what it was about over the phone, just told him to hurry. His throat felt like it was on fire, his pulse racing. Did something happen to her after he left her place?

When he got to Jade’s place there were several officers already busy dusting for fingerprints. On the door, written in red paint was the word whore. Walking inside he saw Jade sitting with Joe, her cat muffin was sitting on her lap. She had on a black skirt, black knee-length boots, and a white blouse. He went right over to her and when he got close the cat hissed and took off, going into the other room.

She looked up at him and he saw fear in her eyes. “When did this happen?”

“I was leaving for work and when I opened the door I found it there. I didn’t hear anything. Why would anyone do this?” she asked, her eyes tearing up. “I have to get to work.”

“I’ll give you a ride. In the meantime, we’ll have someone come and clean it up. It’ll be gone by the time you get home,” Zane said as he helped her to her feet. Turning to Joe. “You got all the information you need right?”

“Yes, and we already talked to the janitor, he doesn’t know anything. I’ll meet you down at the station,” Joe answered.

“Are you okay?” he asked once they got settled in his car.

“I will be. I just don’t understand why this is happening to me. All my life I tried to be nice to everyone. I live a decent and clean life. I work hard and don’t sleep around.”

“It’s nothing that you’ve done but being in the spotlight you’re bound to attract some weird and sick people. They mostly want to scare you.” It angered him to think that some prick out there was hurting someone as sweet as her. “We’re here, do you want me to walk you in?”

“No, I’ll be ok. Thanks for the ride Zane, I mean Officer Warner.”

“We’re alone so you can call me Zane.” He then went and met his partner, Joe, they were going to talk to Jade’s ex, Trevor Frost.

After knocking Trevor let them in, and it was clear that the man was hung over. He was blonde and had the body of a weightlifter. His muscles were bulging, turned out he was a wrestler.

"We want to ask you about Miss Edwards.”

“What about her?” he snapped, reaching for a bottle of scotch.

Both Zane and Joe looked at one another. Both thinking the same thing, that it was kind of early for drinking.

“When was the last time you saw her?” Zane asked. He took an instant dislike to the man.

“I don’t remember, maybe five or six months ago. Why? Has something happened to her?”

Joe cleared away some papers from the couch and sat down, taking out his pad and pen. “Someone has been stalking and harassing her. Where were you between midnight and seven this morning?”

“I was here, passed out on my bed and before you ask I was alone.” He took a swallow of his drink, not looking at them asked. “Is she alright?”

“For now,” Zane snapped. “Why do you care? We heard how you struck her and called her names in front of the other models. Does it make you feel like a big man striking a woman?”

Trevor turned to glare angrily at Zane. “I was wasted and angry at her for breaking up with me. I had never hit her before and I regretted it the moment it happened. I was in love with her, hell I still am and I would never hurt her.” He sat down and rubbed his face with both hands. “Even after I heard she had a one-night stand with Mike O’Brien I was willing to overlook it.”

Zane’s head snapped up from his pad, tapping his pen against it. “Mike O’Brien, the cameraman?” No, he didn’t believe it. Jade didn’t seem like the type to cheat.

“Yeah, that’s right. If there’s anyone you should be talking to it’s him, he’s obsessed with her.”

“We’ll do that,” Joe said. After asking him a few more questions they left. It was decided they would go now and talk to Mike, Zane also wanted to check on Jade.

“Mike O’Brien, we’d like a word with you,” Joe said, showing him his badge.

Mike was of average build, red hair.

“Make it quick, I’ve got pictures to take.”

They asked him the usual questions, where he was on the night Jade’s door was vandalized, how well he knew her.

“Is it true you had a one-night stand with Miss Edwards and that you're obsessed with her?” Zane asked, watching the man closely.

“Hell no. You’ve been talking to Trevor, haven’t you? That man is sick in the head, he thinks everyone was sleeping with her. I asked her out once but she turned me down. Guess I wasn’t her type. She’s a bit of a snob, like the rest of the bitches here. If you don’t have a lot of money or a big dick they won’t give you the time of day.”

Zane wanted to haul out and punch the man, but he kept his cool. “Has anyone been harassing her that you know of?”

“Lilly, one of the models is always giving her a hard time. Once she loosened the heel on one of Jade's shoes. Luckily she didn’t suffer any injuries, just a sprained ankle.”

“Why would she do that?” Zane barked.

“Jade was the main feature of Victoria Secret’s magazine. With Jade out of the way, Lilly was next in line. I’m telling you, some of these women are brutal, they’ll do just about anything to get ahead.”

Walking away Joe turned to Zane. “Well, that makes five suspects now. Christ, this case is getting more complicated. So what’s next?”

“We talk to this Lilly person,” Zane answered. Seeing Jade he told Joe to get started and he’d be there in a few minutes. Walking over he saw her smile when she saw him. “Miss Edwards. How’s everything going? Are you feeling better now?” He watched as her tongue swept over her bottom lip, whether it was on purpose or not he wasn’t sure.

“Office Warner, keeping busy helps me to take my mind off things. Are you here on official business or just checking out the models?” she asked, a small smile appearing.

“Official business. What time are you done work?”

“It’ll be late, probably around eight. Why?”

“I’ll drop by and give you a lift home.”

“You don’t have to do that, I can take a cab.”

“I want to. I’ll see you later,” he said and walked away, he had to find his partner and Lilly.

Lilly was indeed a very beautiful woman, her hair was raven black. Her breasts were large and she had long legs, high cheekbones, eyes were dark blue. She surely turned a lot of heads. But there was an ugliness about her that Zane spotted right away. Lilly didn’t even try to hide her hatred for Jade.

“I don’t care what you heard, I did not do anything to her damn shoe. Can I help it if she is clumsy?” She walked up to Zane, her fingers touching his chest. “You work out, your body is very toned, you could be a model.”

Removing her hand he backed away. “If there’s nothing else you can tell us that will be all. Good day, Miss Segal.”

Joe followed him out to the car. “She likes you, partner. So why didn’t you get her number?”

“Thought you told me not to. Besides I’m not interested.”

“Would that be because you have a thing for Miss Edwards?” Joe stood in front of him, pointing a finger at him. “Don’t get involved with her Zane, keep your mind on the job at hand and your pecker in your pants.”

“Shut up,” he said with a grin on his face. Joe was one who did things by the book. And getting emotionally involved was strictly forbidden when on a case. Going back to the station they spent the rest of the day writing reports and discussing the case. Joe was sure it was the ex where Zane was leaning towards Jade’s manager. But they had no solid proof.

Going home he showered and changed then headed back to the agency to pick up Jade. She was coming out of Reggie Curtis’s office, his arm was around her waist and for some reason, it irked him.

“I’ll see you in a couple of days, sweetheart,” Reggie said and kissed her cheek.

Zane walked over to her, his eyes on Reggie as he disappeared back into his office. “I’m starving, how about you?” he asked as they went to his car.

“I could eat.”

“Great, I know this cute little burger joint. Wait, do you like burgers and fries?”

“I love them,” she said, sliding into the passenger seat.

Jade looked around the quaint little restaurant, it was one of those mom-and-pop places. Checkered tablecloths and a single flower in a little white vase on each table, with a jukebox in the corner. Zane ordered them cheeseburgers, fries and milkshakes. He was still astonished at how much she ate and remained slender.

During their meal, she held out her hand. “Lend me some quarters for the jukebox, please.”

Smiling he placed several quarters in her hand and watched as she went over and searched for something to play. Getting up he went over and looked over her shoulder. “Have you not decided which one to play yet?”

“You pick,” she said, looking back at him.

He pushed some buttons and a slow romantic song came on. Turning her around took her in his arms. “Dance with me.”

“I don’t think it’s allowed,” she replied. Her heart started racing when she felt his arms around her waist, holding her firmly.

“I doubt they will mind,” he said, pulling her close. He could feel her heart beating against his chest. When she laid her head on his shoulder her feminine scent was intoxicating. “This is nice, I’ve never danced with a woman in here before.”

“Everyone is staring at us,” Jade said as she looked around.

“They aren’t staring at us, they’re staring at you because you are so beautiful.”

“Stop saying that, it’s making me uncomfortable.” She looked up at him. “It’s getting late, can you take me home now?” She was so tired of men telling her how beautiful she was, it was at the point where it meant nothing to her. Why couldn’t they say she was smart or had a good sense of humour? But no, it always had to be about her looks, that’s all men cared about and she was hoping Zane would be different, but he wasn’t.

As they drove through the streets back to her place he wondered why she was so quiet. “Have I done something to upset you?” he asked, turning to look at her.

“I’m just sick of men telling me I’m beautiful, there’s more to me than that.”

“I thought women liked being told they’re beautiful.”

“Sure, but not all the time. I have a brain but no one wants to know about that.” She shook her head, looking out the window.

“Ok, you’re right, I’m sorry.”

Arriving at her apartment complex he insisted on walking her to her door. Her face turned white and her lips trembled when they saw that the door was open ajar.

“Wait right here,” he ordered. Pulling the gun out from behind his back he quietly pushed the door open wider and heard her gasp.