Chapter 1 ~ Death

Moisture collected on the window pane, tiny beads that glistened in the soft light. Melinda smiled wistfully as she drew the shape of a heart and then abruptly wiped it away, water gliding down like tears.



Love, it was something Melinda had closed herself off to since her husband announced one day that he was leaving her. The affair with their interior decorator should have been obvious but Melinda was young and deliriously in love with him. She begged Damian not to leave her promising anything, sobbing hysterically, "What about Thalia? She isn't even a year old! Please Damian, don't leave us!"

Damian folded his arms and smiled sheepishly. "You know I didn't want children Mellie. I'd be a terrible father."

"What am I supposed to do? Tell me what to do Damian? I'm begging you!"

He stood there and for a moment Melinda felt hopeful. "Sorry sweetheart, this just isn't working for me anymore. Well, Janet's waiting so I guess that's it." Damian shrugged his shoulders and without so much as a glance at their child walked out of their lives forever.


It was in that moment that Melinda locked her heart away and refused to ever hand it to another. She toyed with the chain to the small key she wore around her neck, a constant reminder that she alone had the power to unlock the vault of her emotions.

Melinda struggled in the months that followed his departure stretching the meager savings that he left for her until it was nearly gone. Damian never could hold down a job and Melinda had no skills to speak of having married him at such a young age. It had been next to impossible for her to find work.

On the rare occasion that he would call her, she would beg him to help financially. "You have to be able to send us something Damian. Janet has money, lots of it. Can't you spare something? They are going to take the house!"

"Sorry Mellie, Janet keeps a pretty tight fist around the purse strings. You'll figure it out."

"You do not understand how hard it is to find a decent job and take care of Thalia as well! I don't have any skills!" The desperation rose in her voice as she pleaded with him.

A wry smile formed on her mouth as she remembered his last words to her, grating and unkind."Well you always were a good fuck."


The quick tapping at her office door jarred her back to the present. Closing her eyes, as if to shut out the memories of the past eight years, Melinda drew a shaky breath, "Come in."

"I'm sorry to bother you Ms. Owen but Detective Slater is here and he says it's important."

"That's all right, Marielle. Just give me a moment and then show him in."

Melinda sat at her desk, straightened a few things and waited as the detective entered. She didn't speak until the door was firmly shut. "Hello Luke, it's been awhile. Is this a social call?"

Luke Slater had been a vice cop for ten years before transferring to the Violent Crimes Unit and had become acquainted with Melinda during that time. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel some attraction for her but the job and Melinda's own reluctance prevented any involvement to occur. "No, Melinda it isn't."

Melinda rose from the desk and approached him, "I see...then what can I do for you Detective?"

"Ms. Owen...Melinda, there is no easy way to say this...Damian, your ex, he's dead." He watched her carefully for a reaction of any kind.

Melinda's breath caught in her throat as she struggled to maintain her composure. Stunned and in shock, she steeled her nerves before speaking. "When...how did it happen?"

"They found him in an alley late this afternoon. His body was mutilated Melinda."

"Mutilated...how?"

Luke shifted uneasily and averted his eyes as he explained in detail how they found Damian Owen's body and in what condition. "Melinda," his husky voice was soft, almost gentle, "the department is looking at you for this."

Melinda laughed harshly, "Believe me Luke if that man had any balls I would have cut them off and shoved them somewhere more fitting when he left me eight years ago." Exhaling sharply she leaned against the desk, "Are you here to arrest me then?"

"No Melinda, I'm here unofficially, as a friend, to warn you. It's an election year and the mayor has been on the captain's back to shut you down for years. He thinks he can pin this on you."

She held his gaze for a long moment. He had kind eyes despite the rugged lines of his face. "Thank you Luke."

Slater hesitated as though there was more but instead turned on the heel of his boot and headed toward the door. He looked down as his hand grasped the knob and quietly offered, "If there's anything you need...legal advice...anything, please call me, Mel."

"I'll be fine Luke. You should go."

A surge of emotion rushed through her as she struggled to keep the tears at bay. She was unsure as to whether it was sorrow or relief that threatened to take hold. Placing a trembling hand on the phone she composed herself once more and placed a call. "Mayor Winslow, please."

Tapping a long scarlet fingernail on the phone she waited impatiently until she heard a man's brusque voice in the receiver. "Hello Garrett; it's Melinda. You've been a naughty mayor. Shall we meet; say 10PM, the private entrance?"