Stripped

CHAPTER ONE BALTIMORE DETECTIVE Dee Quarter threw her keys on the nesting table by her front door and headed into her ivory-tone living room, loving memories of her father filling her head. “You okay?” Detective Winston Lewis stood in the living room doorway and slipped his hands into the pockets of his black blazer. Usually one look in his fascinating, ocean-blue eyes took Dee’s worries away but not today. She kicked off her black pumps and freed her long, wavy extensions from the bun. “Honey, listen.” Winston sat on the foot stand by the leather recliner. “You’ll get through this.” “Oh, I know I’ll get through it.” Dee released a distant chuckle, relying on sarcasm to escape the pain. “That’s what I do, remember?” She half-smiled. “I get through everything.” “This is me you’re talking to.” Winston stroked his chin, the tiny sprigs of hair barely resembling a goatee, but Dee found it sexy. “You’re in pain and it’s okay to show that. It’s not a sign of weakness.” “It wasn’t Dad’s time.” She laid her head back on the polyester couch and propped her feet on the cinnamon-brown table that matched her skin tone. “He was only fifty-nine. He had, so many years left.” “The funeral was beautiful. That speech from Jake and Lisa was amazing.” “I f****d up the eulogy.” She sighed. “Too choked up so things didn’t come out right.” “It was beautiful because it came from your heart.” “It’s funny. When my mom died I was fourteen, and I dealt with it. I dealt with it better than Dad did. So why at thirty-eight does it feel like I can’t handle this?” “You can handle anything.” Winston moved to the couch and pulled her into his arms. “You’re one of the strongest people I know.” He kissed her cheek, giving Dee a welcomed chill. “Besides, you won’t have to do it alone. You have me, Lisa, and Jake.” “But not the one person I should have.” She took her pearl studs out her ears. “How can Lydia not show up for her own dad’s funeral? She is so damn selfish.” “At least she called—” “Called?” She gaped at him. “Our father had a heart attack and died, Winston. If that doesn’t get her a*s back to Baltimore then what will?” “Today’s not the time for you to get upset about Lydia.” “How can I not?” She flung her arm. “She’s on an archeology dig in Africa somewhere with her boyfriend, but she can’t come bury her damn dad? It’s no excuse.” She shook her head. “Daddy always let her off the hook but I’m not doing it this time. Her a*s should’ve been here and no amount of phone calls makes this okay.” “You’re right.” He scratched through his curly, toasted-brown hair. “But what good is it getting yourself more upset, hm?” He placed her feet into his lap and massaged her toes through her black stockings. “Lydia will have to deal with the guilt of this on her own. Don’t even worry about her.” “But, I’ve always been there for her. After Momma died, I was the one who raised her. I became mother to an eight-year-old girl while being homemaker to my dad. I’ve given up so much for Lydia. I didn’t have a childhood so she could and she can’t come to the funeral?” “Stop it.” Winston pressed his index finger to her lips. “Forget Lydia and concentrate on yourself. That’s the problem, Dee. You’re always the one holding things together and never deal with what you go through. Worry about yourself, okay?” He guided her head to his shoulder. “Let me handle the other shit.” “Okay.” She sobbed. “I love you, Winston.” He rubbed her cheek, chuckling. “I love you too.” “What?” She lifted her head, sniffling. “What’s so funny?” “Can’t believe it’s been a year since we got together.” “Me either.” She managed a light smile. “Time flies doesn’t it?” “I hope it slows down though.” He locked his firm lips on hers. “I want time to enjoy this ride.” **** “WINSTON, I’M FINE FOR the last time.” Dee got to her desk at the police station the next morning. “I’d prefer to be here working than at home wallowing.” “Your father just died.” He sat on the edge of her desk, swinging his leg. “You need to grieve.” “Don’t tell me what I need.” She hooked her purse on her chair and sat. “I’m more than capable of doing my job.” She turned on her computer. “Staying busy is how I cope.” “It’s an excuse for you not to deal with things and that’s unhealthy.” He leaned toward her. “I’d rather you go home and deal with this.” “How much wax do you have in your ears?” She folded her arms. “I’m fine. What about that don’t you get?” “Excuse me for being worried.” He got off the desk. “I got a case to deal with, anyway.” “Winston.” She stood and walked around the desk toward him. “I’m sorry, baby.” She hugged him. “I don’t mean to be a bitch.” He put his arm around her, snickering. “You mean an even bigger b***h than usual?” “Hey.” She hit his chest. “Seriously, working will help me more than anything else.” She caught sight of the thin woman with straggly blonde hair coming their way. “Ah, shit.” Dee let go of Winston and walked back behind her desk. “This is the last thing I need.” Winston covered his grin as Detective Connie Wilks joined them. “Morning, Winston.” She straightened the badge on her tiny waist. “Connie.” He stood aside so she could approach the desk. “Dee.” Connie smiled. “How are you?” Dee sat in her chair, staring at her black and white Clark Gable screen-saver. “I was better before you started talking to me.” Connie cleared her throat. “Again, I’m so sorry for your loss. How was the funeral?” “How do you think it was?” Dee glared at her. “It’s no secret you don’t like me.” Connie flicked her ponytail to the back. “But I care how you’re doing.” “Why do you care, Connie?” Dee leaned back. “So you can spread my personal business around the station?” “No.” Winston lowered his head, tapping his foot. “I’m not always after gossip.” Connie fidgeted. “Even though we’ve had issues, this is a terrible time in your life and I wanna be there for you.” “Girl.” Dee swept her hands over her face. “Ooh, Jesus. Connie, get the hell out my face.” “Dee,” Winston said. “She’s trying to be nice.” “No, she’s trying to be nosey.” “Why do I bother?” Connie scowled. “You’re just as nasty as you ever was.” “That’s right.” Dee stood, planting her hands on the desk. “I don’t need your fake sympathy or anything else from you. I can’t stand you and you can’t stand me and my father being dead won’t change that.” She plopped in the chair. “Now unless it’s something to do with work, go back to your desk.” “You don’t want to see me, well that’s too bad.” Connie scoffed, leaning to one side. “Because we’ll be close as ever now.” “What are you talking about?” Winston asked. “Captain Salinger wants Dee and me to be partners.” Connie grabbed her waist with one hand. Winston guffawed so loud officers around the room turned to watch. “Are you kidding?” “Lying ass.” Dee shook her head. “Captain Salinger knows I hate you.” “Well, it’s true.” Connie wiggled her neck, specks of brown shooting from her green eyes. “I just came out his office.” “No way.” Dee sneered, not finding Connie’s claim funny. “I can barely tolerate you. How will I work with you on cases?” Connie’s white face reddened. “It’s no walk in the park for me either, Dee.” “This is insane.” Dee stretched. “I don’t need a partner. I’ve done fine since Lisa resigned.” “Salinger thinks differently, and he’s the boss.” “I don’t believe this.” Dee laid her head on the desk. “Kill me now.” “You’re gonna kill each other before this is through.” Winston walked off, laughing. Dee sat up. “Is this for real?” “Go ask Salinger yourself if you don’t believe me.” Connie shrugged. “Speaking of Lisa, how’s she and Jake doing?” Dee scoffed. “I care. Come on, Dee.” “Lisa’s doing okay,” Dee muttered not wanting to answer. “She moved in with Jake about a month ago.” “Really?” Connie’s eyes lit up. “How is her health?” “She’s healed physically from the shot but not sure about mentally.” “I miss her.” Connie hooked her hands behind her back. “Place just seemed brighter when she was around. Is she really not coming back?” Dee pinched the corner of a piece of paper. “She says so.” “Bummer.” Connie sat on the desk. “Things seem to be going well between you and Winston. Can’t believe it’s been a year since you two got together. My, things change so fast, don’t they?” “Get off my desk.” Connie jumped off it. “I’ll talk to Salinger about this partner issue because he’s lost his mind. Out of all the people here why would he put me with you?” Connie turned to the side, winking. “Maybe he feels I’d be what you need.” Dee rolled her eyes. “Like a bullet in the head.”