Old Secrets (Tangled Up - Vol. 3): Tangled Up, #3

Prologue

The dim bathroom light flickered, sending flashes of elongated shadows across the adjoined room. The sound of a few runny nosed sniffles left the partially open door as a young man, barely out of college, leaned over the sink. He was trying hard not to stare at himself in the bathroom mirror, with the red puffy eyes and dampened cheeks. All he could do was stand there, watching the drip, drip, drip of the leaky faucet.

The hotel hadn’t been his first choice; in fact, he rarely stayed at anything as broken down and dirty as this one, but his girlfriend had advised it. It would make him harder to find; they wouldn’t expect him to go somewhere so out of the ordinary from his usual routine. And a part of him told him that was true, the other part told him it was a lie. They would find him no matter where he went or what he did. They would find him, and then he would be dead, because of a few childish, college indiscretions and then a few young adult mishaps.

He froze suddenly, holding his breath as he heard a sound in the other room. His mind rushed with ideas, with ways of getting out of this, with how to fight. And then it told him he was wrong; that the door was locked and the window was too high, he didn’t even hear the door open, so how could anyone be out there. A shadow flashed through the corner of his eye and he looked to the door, his eyes widening a bit as he put up his hands. Please, no. I’ll... I’ll get the money, he responded.

Too late, a deep, almost hiss of a voice responded. There was a loud bang and the boy fell over, head hitting the edge of the bathtub. A red pool of velvet looking blood quickly amassed around the body and the other man was gone before any of the nearby, frightened guests could see who had done it.

*****

Madison straightened her dress in her full-length mirror, staring at her eyes a moment. She wanted to double check her make-up, make sure her last crying session hadn’t smeared what she’d finally put on. Luckily, it all looked nicely in place, accenting her deep eyes, which no longer held the signs of her distraught. She turned her head when the doorbell rang and took a deep breath. As nice as Trent had been through everything, she really didn’t want to all out cry in front of him.

She felt certain he wouldn’t judge her, he wouldn’t hold it against her, and he probably wouldn’t actually use it as an excuse to keep her from working on the case, but she just felt better holding it all in. Coming! she finally called out. Her heels clacked against the tile floor of the bathroom before meeting the soft carpet. She headed down the hall and to the door, where she opened it and flashed the best smile she could muster.

His eyes ran over her a moment and she suddenly felt almost shy. Maybe she was overdressed or making this more than it was. It made her feel nervous all over again, almost like a first date feeling. She forced herself to look away at that; this was nothing like that. He was just being a nice man and making sure she was all right, that was what they did.

He smiled a bit, a soft chuckle running from his lips. You look nice, he stated before moving back from the doorway. Ready? She nodded with a quiet murmur of thanks. He chuckled again and headed away. Her gaze rose to his back, suddenly noticing he was in a nice suit himself and felt a little more relaxed as she closed the door behind herself and locked it. He had said he would make it somewhere nice, after all.

So where are you taking me? she asked. He shook his head and tossed a glance over his shoulder.

That’s a surprise, he answered. She stared at him a moment. He grinned, watching her get partially illuminated by the orange flash of lights as he unlocked his car. She stood there a moment as he slipped into the driver’s seat before she finally climbed in herself. The whole thing was feeling more and more like a date to her and it was hard to tell herself it wasn’t. It just felt strange that her boss might take her out for a real date, especially so soon after her boyfriend left her.

They were silent as he drove down the road, Madison still trying to get her head straight around the situation. Trent, on the other hand, was trying hard not to smirk to himself. He could tell she wasn’t so sure about the situation, and he wondered what she was fully thinking, but he wasn’t yet going to say anything.

When they were finally at the parking lot, Trent went around and helped her out of the car before grinning a bit. You’re oddly silent, he stated. She stared at him a moment before nodding slowly and then shrugging.

Just thinking, she answered. She wasn’t about to tell him she was trying to not look at it as a date. Even if it wasn’t, it almost sounded offensive to say. That wouldn’t be a good way to keep the evening going at all. After all, she’d agreed to do this to relax and have some fun.

About the case? he asked, his grin fading almost instantly. He hadn’t thought it in the car, but it may be true. That definitely wasn’t something he wanted her thinking about at the moment. They were supposed to have a nice evening, she was supposed to relax and have fun. He’d chosen this restaurant specifically for that. She shook her head and smiled some.

No, I’m thinking about this, she answered honestly. He smiled in return and led her into the restaurant, satisfied with that answer. A hostess led them to the table, where he pulled out Madison’s chair for her, and then took his own seat. She thanked Trent and the hostess told them their server would be there in a moment before wandering off.

Madison glanced around the restaurant. All of the tables in the area were situated around a large dance floor. To one side of it was a live band, luckily not playing so loud a person couldn’t hear someone from the same table as them. The place wasn’t terribly full, with only a handful of couples and one or two families, and the dance floor was empty despite the band continuing to play. She glanced back to Trent, who seemed to be studying her rather intently with a small smile on his face.

She blinked a few times. Is there something wrong? she asked, her brows pushing together slightly. He shook his head.

Just trying to gauge if you like the place, he answered. She couldn’t help her small laugh before she nodded.

It’s very nice, much different from anywhere Liam took me. Trent’s smile grew a bit.

I’m glad to know that, he stated. Madison swore she heard a small purr in his tone before the waitress came over, introducing herself as Mindy and asking if they knew what they wanted to drink. They placed their drink orders and the waitress left with a small nod.

Oh! Madison lightly exclaimed as a thought occurred to her. What was it you needed to tell me? she asked. Trent frowned instantly, straightening a bit in his chair. He shook his head, unrolling his napkin and placing it in his lap.

I’ll tell you after dinner, he responded, not wishing to spoil the mood with his findings for the day. She gave him a small nod before glancing to the dance floor. It seemed a pity no one used it, at least not at the moment. Something about it just seemed fun, dancing while waiting for your food or after a nice chat. She looked back to Trent.

I hope this means you plan to dance, she stated. Even if they weren’t dating, it would be fun and relaxing, or so she reasoned. Trent chuckled.

Seems no reason to bring you here otherwise, he stated. She smiled a bit and nodded in response. This was definitely beginning to feel more like a date to her, but she was beginning to not mind the thought. Even though it probably wasn’t. He was, after all, her boss and partner. There weren’t any company policies about not dating a coworker, so long as it didn’t interfere with work, but this seemed the sort of relationship that could get in the way. She let out a soft sigh and looked back to him, about to thank him ahead of time.

Sighing isn’t allowed, he responded. Or I’ll drag you onto the dance floor now. He chuckled a little. The thought was definitely there anyway. He stood up and held out his hand, much too tempting to resist. She studied it a moment and looked up to him. It’s not like we have to wait at the moment. Her smile grew, making his do the same. She took his hand and he led her to the dance floor. He honestly couldn’t help but notice how soft her hands were, and the gentle grip she had on his. For some reason, it surprised him. Maybe he just assumed a woman on the force would be less gentle and soft.

He put his hand to her waist and began to lead her in time to the music. I didn’t think you would be able to dance, Madison stated. He laughed a bit.

I was forced to learn, by a woman. I was told it’s too plain and boring for a man to not dance, he stated. She shot him a puzzled look before shaking her head.

You must date some strange women.

I thought all women were strange, he teased, grinning with a challenge at her. She arched a brow before frowning a little.

Well, I can’t honestly say we aren’t, she responded with a bit of a giggle.

I like this side of you much better than the all serious one.

It wasn’t that being completely serious was bad in his mind, he just didn’t want to see her stressed. It struck a bad nerve in him for some reason. This was much better, and he felt she definitely needed it. He was also glad she wasn’t dwelling entirely on Liam, or the cases. His news, he knew, would ruin the rest of the evening afterward though. He’d gotten another call, not long after she had left, that a man had been killed in a hotel.

Bullet wound to the head. This time, however, no messages were left or phone calls, so tying this one to Jasper may prove more difficult, unless he made another mistake. There was, again, no sign of forced entry, making Trent wonder if he was good at picking locks, a skill they had previously over looked for the man. But at least drugs were still connected to this case. He’d already gone ahead and looked into the man’s circle of friends, who reported he used drugs all through college and now that he had recently graduated, was drowning in debt from student loans and possibly other problems.

He hadn’t yet looked at the boy’s bank account, but he had a feeling they’d find an already too familiar name sitting there waiting for them, and he didn’t yet want to bring that up to Madison. Already, he’d decided he would wait until tomorrow, once he knew that Liam was involved. Then, he figured, there would be no denying that Liam was linked to all three of the cases, as was Jasper probably.

Now you seem lost in thought, Madison stated after she was pulled in from a spiral. He stared at her a moment before chuckling and nodding.

Just a bit, forgive me, he answered. She arched a brow.

I may just have to get dessert and make you pay for zoning out on me, she retorted. His brows went up but he smiled a bit.

Oh really now? he asked. She shot him her own challenging smirk. He twirled her out away from him a bit and pulled her in closer than before.

It’s only fair, she answered with a small giggle. She could feel the warmth of his body with their current proximity and it almost brought a blush to her cheeks. Liam never took her out dancing, as much of a gentleman as he was, and she hadn’t been so close to any other man in ages. It felt nice, warming in a way, even if she was still telling herself this wasn’t a date. She still almost wanted it to be as well. He was such a kind man and seemed keen on looking out for her, but she also knew these feelings that seemed to possibly be growing for him could be rebounding.

She definitely felt vulnerable, with everything that happened, and she felt emptier going home to no one and having no one she could lean on in such difficult times. But here he was, easily filling that role and it made it hard. He was her boss, and even if he was interested, it hardly seemed fair to just bounce on it. She needed closure, she needed to move on from Liam and then fall in love all over again.

That couldn’t be guaranteed until she knew, for certain, that all feelings for the other man were gone, and it just didn’t seem possible for it to happen so quickly.

She looked up at Trent, his eyes having moved back over to the table. He stopped the dance and escorted Madison back to the table when he caught sight of the waitress heading back to their table with the drinks they ordered. Once again, Trent pulled out Madison's chair for her before taking his own.

The waitress smiled some as she set the drinks down. I'm glad to see somebody is enjoying the dance floor tonight, she stated. Trent smiled up at her and Madison thanked her for the drink.

Are you two ready to order?

Trent averted his attention back to Madison, whom he had failed to give a chance to look over the menu. She grinned, a mischievous gleam in her eyes as she did. You order for me, she stated. He stared at her a moment, surprised, before chuckling.

Any allergies I should know of? He inquired. She shook her head.

Not to food items. He nodded and ordered; a plate of spaghetti and meatballs for himself, and a fettuccini alfredo for Madison. The waitress hurried of with their order and Madison glanced around again.

This is a nice place, she stated. She wanted to keep her mind from wandering, afraid of the places it may travel to, especially with the mystery preparation for tomorrow. Already she knew it would either be another murder or more foul information on her ex.

Trent nodded. I used to come here often, he responded. Back in the days when he was in a serious relationship. They both loved the restaurant, but after the horrible break-up, betrayal really, he decided he no longer wanted to come here. This was a fresh start though, the final piece for his closure.

Why did you stop coming? He smirked a little, having already anticipated the question.

My ex and I came regularly, until I found her sleeping with my older brother. Madison's eyes went wide. That must have been the understanding he’d expressed after Drew's death, the sympathy of betrayal. Her gaze wandered out to the dance floor.

She couldn't fathom a betrayal like that.

This place is too nice to be tainted with bad memories. He smiled a bit and almost scoffed, keeping his eyes on her.

I'm making better ones now, he stated. She immediately looked back to him. There was that slight purr to his tone again. Her mouth opened to say something but she fell silent as his phone rang. He paused, straightened, and sighed. Sorry, he muttered.

He glanced to the number on the screen once it was out of his pocket. Work. One sec, he responded and stood up, answering and putting the phone to his ear. Madison watched him walk away, heading toward the restrooms. He found himself in a small hallway, leaning against the wall between the men’s and women’s rooms. What did you find? he asked.

The bullet found at the hotel matches the other two crimes, the man on the other end answered.

Also, we finally tracked down the receptionist of that night. She was reluctant to speak with us, but she finally did. Apparently, a man fitting the description of your Mark Reimers came in, demanded a key to Mister McKenzie’s room and claimed he was a family member and that McKenzie had run away from his troubles.

Trent nodded to himself; their case was building, all they had to do now was capture the man and take him to court. Why was she so reluctant? he asked. He wondered if she’d been threatened or if she might have a part in it, though he doubted the latter. Silence greeted him for several moments and he leaned out of the hallway, glancing to the table he’d left Madison at and watched her, hoping she understood why he took the call and left her.

She said she’d be dead if he found out. We’ve placed her under witness protection for now, the man answered. Trent couldn’t help his small chuckle as he nodded.

Always a step ahead of me, Martin, he answered, moving back to his original position. I want her with the highest amount of protection, if we can finally capture this man, it’ll change many things, he stated.

Of course, Martin responded. Trent smirked, staring at his dark reflection in the mirror across the way from him.

Now, I have a date to return to, I’ll speak with you in the morning. He hung up, not waiting for another word, and tucking his phone away. At least he could now end the night with a good note, after telling her about the latest case. Instead of looking for clues and looking further into it, now all they had to do was track down Jasper and capture him.

He took his seat, grinning slightly, and glanced down, noticing the food had been brought during his conversation. You look oddly happy after receiving a call from work, she stated, studying him a little. She hadn’t eaten as she was waiting for him to return. It seemed only rude that she eat without him there.

He chuckled and picked up his fork. I notice you have yet to eat. She arched a brow. It must have been some unpleasant news, for him to avoid the subject in that manner, or so she figured. She lifted her fork and glanced to her food.

It just didn’t seem right to eat without you, she answered. He smiled at her a moment before beginning to eat as well. They fell silent again and Madison couldn’t keep her mind from wandering once more. She couldn’t help noticing that the silence didn’t feel awkward; that she knew it wasn’t because he was upset and she most certainly didn’t feel obligated to say anything. It caused a bit of a smile to cross her face. This was nice, definitely something she needed.

Trent looked up in time to see her smile and he couldn’t stop his own. "What are you smiling