One Night

Chapter 8, One Night

Walker arrived at the apartment right behind a cruiser carrying the two uniformed officers he'd dispatched. They were first to the door, and an elderly black man with white hair opened it. He was in his pajamas, wearing a plaid red housecoat overtop.

"She's upstairs in my apartment, fifth floor. Door's open," the man said.

The two officers started up the stairs.

"Just so you know, I didn't touch her."

That had Pruett turning to look at the man, who appeared worried.

"Don't know what's going on, but when I opened my apartment door after hearing a scream, she was standing there as naked as the day she was born. I tossed her a towel and let her wait in my place. She told me the police were coming. Just wanted you to know I didn't touch her. I came down here and waited for you."

Naked, what the hell? Walker shook his head, sympathizing with the man. It must have been a shock to open his door to find a naked white woman young enough to be his daughter or granddaughter. Walker pointed up the stairs. "Up there?"

"That's right, fifth floor. Apartment door's open," he said again as if Walker needed to be reminded. "If you don't mind, I'll wait on down here." Boy, did the man look uncomfortable.

"Did you see anyone go in her place?"

The man shook his head. "No. She was rambling on about someone being inside and writing on the wall above her bed. She was pretty freaked out. I haven't seen anyone, but I don't pay much attention to who's coming or going. The walls are thin. Heard her go out, but didn't hear anything or anyone else."

"I'll send one of the officers down to take your statement," Walker said. He really did feel bad, considering he'd already experienced Kate at her finest earlier this evening. "Don't worry, I told her to get out of her place," he told the man. "But why naked?" he added, more to himself, as he started up the stairs and looked back down at the elderly neighbor. Considering the time of night, Walker thought he was handling the situation really well.

He stopped at the open door and followed the officers inside. They were staring down at Kate, who had wrapped a light brown towel around herself. It didn't hide much, but, sitting down, at least she was somewhat covered.

"Dare I ask what happened?" Walker said, gesturing to her state of undress.

She flushed. "I had a blanket around me when I called you, and somehow it got stuck in the door. When the door shut, I locked myself out. I can't believe this is happening to me. First the worst date of my life—and I thought there was a possibility with that guy—and then some psycho chick drives through the restaurant, damn near kills me, and someone was in my place, wrote above my bed..."

"Anyone there?" He knew she was going to go on and on if he didn't shut her up.

"I didn't stick around to find out. That's kind of why I'm in this position." Now she just sounded nasty.

"You always walk around naked?" he said. Oh, why had he asked? Just picturing her walking around her apartment without a stitch of anything on was doing all kinds of things to him and making him uncomfortable. One of the officers smirked but didn't say anything.

She gave him a scathing look, but all she said was "Are you going to go find out who did it and if they're still here?"

He couldn't help smiling at the firecracker sitting on the old leather sofa, but he was also pretty sure whoever had been in her apartment was long gone. "You got a key?" he said. He didn't know what had made him ask, but the look she gave him made it all worth it. What was it about her that made him want to go a round or two? She was the kind of woman that burned with passion and fire. There were some he looked forward to sparring with, to getting a rise out of. He imagined the makeup sex would be worth the frustration he was sure that woman could put a man through.