Beauty & The Beast (Book 1)

40. Are you promiscuous?

"So, preliminary reports say that Neil Mendel is single. 33," Cat reads off the report she'd printed. They were already inside his condo, on the top floor of a high rise, having been let in by security who said Mr Mendel hasn't been home since he started shift.

"33? We are so in the wrong line of work," Tess scoffs looking at some of the expensive art pieces and furniture. They look around, going upstairs too, Cat wondering how much you had to really make to afford all of it.
Tess spots something on the fouton by the bed and walks over to pick up what looks like financial statements of Mendel's business clients. "Maybe this holds the key to his success?"

Cat follows her into the room and spots a blue square on the unmade bed. "So much for being single," she points at the open condom wrapper.

"Hm, there goes the wedding date option," Tess only glances at the bed before she continues reading.

Cat moves away from the bed, not really seeing anything else there, around Tess. The carpet is all white fur, spotless, except for a visible red eyesore. It's small but there. "Tess?"

"Blood?" Tess puts down the statsments to look closer.

Cat steps over the stain, hearing water running silently the closer she gets to the bathroom door. "Mister Mendel?" she calls. She looks at Tess who nods and they take out their weapons, moving towards the door.
They approach the steaming shower and Cat pushes aside the glass door.
There, on the floor, lies Neil Mendel, his blood pooling around him.

***********

"Hit me." Vincent grabs something from the table behind him and plops it down in front of JT. "Here, take the stun gun just in case." JT holds his hands up, shaking his head. "You hit me, nothing happens...Then maybe I can go out and..." He grins. He's been thinking about it. Cat needed a date. He could maybe go. If it went well.

"Oh my God," JT stares at him. "Do you think you're cured? Because your DNA is what it is."

"I know," Vincent groans, turning to walk a few feet away. "I know, but maybe...maybe...I have more control now." JT looks at him in confusion. He drops his shoulders. "Catherine's dad's wedding is this weekend. She wants me to go."

"Clearly your new lease on life has landed you in lala land," JT laughs.

Vincent turns to him and walks back.
"Maybe but..." He leans against the table JT sat at. "We won't know until you try." JT shakes his head, still laughing. He wasn't that stupid. He looks back down to his work.
Vincent narrows his eyes. Okay. Plan B. "I'm the reason you don't have a girlfriend," he says darkly.

"I have a girlfriend. Or at least, I'm on my way to having one," he turns a page.

"Yeah, actually, I saw her picture online...She is hot," he smirks. JT looks up at him. "You know, maybe I'll sleep with her too."

"Too?" JT questions.

"Your prom date. Jill McManaghan?" Vincent hums. "She was spectacular."

JT pushes his tongue into the corner of hia mouth and then laughs, turning in his seat to get up. "Nice try." He walks out of the room.

"Come on man!" Vincent sighs, calling after him, "JT! Come on! You know what thanks, because now I'm more pissed than if you'd actually hit me and look! Nothing!" He looks at himself. "I'm fine!" He rolls his eyes, realizing he's talking to himself when the door slams on the outside. "I'm okay! I know it's a dumb test but I passed!" He turns to his heavy bag and gives it a few punches. "I passed!"

The only answer he got were the sirens and honking from outside the building.

**********

"Okay, this guy, Drake Meyer, what is his beef with Neil Mendel?" Joe asks Tess and Cat while they are setting up the case board, writing down the names and details as he speaks.