Electric Dreams

"Gail, I saw the crime scene photos." Karin purposely used the words, 'crime scene' even though the official cause of death was still ruled an accident. "I noticed there is a window that looks out over the Millers' patio and onto the deck. In one of those photos, I could see a young woman looking out the window. Is that your daughter Sharone?"

"Yes, her bedroom window faces the Miller's backyard."

"Did she see anything the weekend Derek Miller died?"

Gail paused for a few moments; could she trust Karin? She made up her mind.

"Sharone saw a couple things that might be suspicious, but nothing specific. That's why we didn't want to get involved and didn't talk to the police. We've also noticed that it's only been a few weeks since Mr. Miller passed and there's already a man who seems to be living over there."

"Gail, I don't know about you, but if I was living next door to two people who killed a man for the insurance money, I'd be doing everything I could to help the police. Do you think I could talk to Sharone?"

"Sharone will be home around four this afternoon. Stop by at four-thirty and I'll let you talk to her."

They shook hands and Karin left the house with her fingers crossed. In her car, she took out her phone and called Hannah.

"Hannah, it's Mom." Old habits die hard; of course Hannah knew it was her Mom since every cell phone had caller ID. "Do you think you could have lunch with me and a young lady who is going to be getting some track scholarship offers next year? Let her learn from your experience? We could set up a Sunday lunch either next weekend or so." Karin went on, explaining the situation, and Hannah, being Hannah, readily agreed to help her mother out.

"Let me know when Mom. I'll drive up the night before and spend a little time at home. I could use a little family time and maybe some homecooked meals."

Karin was back at the Jones' residence at four-thirty and was introduced to a five-ten younger version of Gail Jones. Sharone seemed a bit apprehensive talking to the stranger; but it only took ten minutes of track talk to get Sharone comfortable and open up.

"I was in my room typing my American Lit paper when I heard a loud yell from outside. I looked out and saw Mrs. Miller move what looked like a pair of boots from the patio door; I didn't see where she took them; I can't see their hot tub, there's a screen there. A few seconds later I heard Mrs. Miller scream and run into the house. Within five minutes the police and fire department showed up. Mom and I went outside; that's when we heard Mr. Miller was electrocuted in his hot tub."

"Anything else happen at the neighbors lately; either before or after that day?"

"Well, there has been a strange man over there since last weekend. And the week before Mr. Miller died, there was one thing. I was up late playing video games online when I heard the Emerson's dog barking. The Emersons live on the other side of the Millers. I looked out the window and saw Mr. Miller on the back deck with a flashlight. He was stooped over near the deck edge. Then he got up and went into the house. All the lights were off in the house."

Karin looked at her notes. "Are you certain it was the Saturday before Mr. Miller died?"

"Positive."

"And are you certain it was Mr. Miller?"

"Well, I thought it was odd. The Emerson's dog doesn't usually bark at the people he knows. But who else could it have been except Mr. Miller?"

"So, you didn't know the Millers were gone that weekend?"

Sharone looked scared at Karin's question. "No, I didn't. Why, should I have called the police?"

Karin realized how her question affected the young lady. "No, no Sharone. I would have thought the same thing you did; that Mr. Miller was just checking something in the backyard. You didn't do anything wrong." Karin decided that this might be a good time to offer Hannah's help.

"Gail, would you and Sharone like to have brunch with my daughter and me next Sunday? It would give Sharone a chance to ask Hannah some questions about college recruitment."

Gail thought this was a wonderful idea and Sharone was so thrilled, she completely forgot how upset she was just a few minutes before. They agreed to meet the following Sunday for brunch.

Karin walked out of the Jones house and down the street to the Emerson's. Tom Emerson answered the door holding a big black lab by the collar.

"Can I help you?"

Karin introduced herself by giving Tom Emerson a business card. "Mr. Emerson; I've been asked to follow up on a few discrepancies concerning the death of your neighbor, Derek Miller."

Emerson seemed surprised. "I thought it was an accident."

"My client is trying to confirm that."

"Are you working for the police?"

"No, I won't lie to you. My clients are Derek Miller's mother and best friend. They have concerns."

"My god; does she think Zoe purposely electrocuted him?"

"Mrs. Miller doesn't know what to think. She only wants to confirm everything is being done to ascertain the truth."

"What questions do you have?"

"Did you notice anything suspicious at the Miller home lately? Especially a week before Derek's death?"

"No, I remember they were gone the weekend before. Derek was unloading his car and when he saw me, he asked if the power had gone out. He said the clock on his oven was blinking, which meant the power went out. I told him we hadn't lost power and that it must have been something in his panel. Which makes sense, a week later the firefighters had to put out a fire in their panel after the accident."

Emerson couldn't think of anything else of importance; Karin thanked Emerson and headed home. She hadn't seen the man standing in the second floor window of the Miller home watching her leave the Jones property, cross in front of the Miller house and ring the Emerson's doorbell. He was still watching as she crossed back to get in her car to drive away. It didn't take a genius to figure out this was the private investigator Zoe had talked about. "Damn, this is getting fucking complicated." Paul hadn't realized he said it out loud.

Paul started to consider his options. He considered killing the private investigator; he even considered killing Zoe since she was the only witness to his involvement. He knew where he could get a gun. Paul sat down for a while and considered how he could kill two people and get away with it. But in the end he kept thinking about that million dollars. If the money turned up soon, he'd head down to Mexico or somewhere in Central America.

$$$$$ -----$$$$$

Bill and Anthony were sitting in the den watching a college football game when Karin walked in the door. Bill got up from his chair to give his wife a hug and kiss. "How's it going?"

"I'm fairly certain they did it - the wife and her boyfriend. Everything I have is circumstantial so far, but it all adds up. I'm going to put my notes together and let you read them; let me know what you think. Can we order in tonight? You and Anthony decide; okay?"

"Sure." Bill couldn't help but smile. For the past three years Karin has done her best to improve her cooking skills and usually had a homecooked meal ready for her family to come home to. Here was the old Karin - working hard to solve a problem, to catch the bad guys.

As Karin walked up the steps to shower and change, she called down. "By the way, Hannah will be home next weekend." Another reason for Bill to smile.

Karin took a long hot shower, dressed in sweats and sat on the bed with her pad and pen. Listing everything she knew about this case, she understood the who, what, when, and how. Now she needed to prove it. On a second sheet of paper, she listed several ideas. Here is where the difference between an official police investigation and the flexibility of working outside official parameters could pay off. It also helped to have a client with an unlimited budget.

She called Sal and arranged a meeting. Sal didn't want to wait until Monday and they agreed to meet Sunday afternoon.

After dinner, Bill read through Karin's notes, agreed with Karin that it all pointed to a conspiracy to commit murder and gave Karin a few additional ideas - just what she was hoping to get from him. Bill didn't have the investigative background of her former partner, Hank; but Bill was a very smart man and he had the advantage of being a prolific reader of mystery and suspense novels. There's little new under the sun when it comes to murder. Ever since Poe's Auguste Dupin and Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, authors have been trying to create clever criminals and even more clever detectives.

$$$$$ -----$$$$$

Sunday afternoon, Karin and Sal met in the privacy of Roland's den. Karin wanted to ensure nothing said could be overheard by any interested or disinterested parties. Karin reviewed her findings to date. Sal was almost overwhelmed by sadness as Karin finished. He leaned back in his chair and wiped the moisture from his eyes with the handkerchief he always carried. Sal looked out of the window with glassy eyes before speaking.

"That's it then, Zoe killed him for the insurance money?"

Karin placed her hand on his, a comforting gesture Sal appreciated. "That and she's probably convinced herself this Paul Roberts loves her. I did some digging into his background and can't help but think he's using her. The guy thinks of himself as a player. We're going to use that to our advantage; to drive a wedge between the two conspirators."

"How?"

"It's going to cost some money; were you serious about an open checkbook?"

Sal didn't hesitate. "Are we going to nail these bastards?"

"Yes."

"Then do whatever; whatever it costs."

Karin was pleased with Sal's agreement. What detective wouldn't appreciate a client so committed?

"Okay. One more request. You said you used to be in the gaming industry; I'm assuming you knew some tech-savvy folks."

"Yea."

"Know anyone who can spoof a phone. Make a call that seems to come from another phone? Even one that's been disconnected?"

Sal thought about Karin's question. First trying to understand why she might be asking, then trying to recall the name of the two hacker wannabees from his old company down in the Valley. "I know a couple guys that could do that."

Karin opened her laptop and played two audios, the first was the message Derek had left on his mother's answering machine. The second was an audio file she had her old agency in New York create for her from that message. Sal heard Derek's voice. "Why Zoe?"

Sal looked confused; Karin filled him in.

"We're going to shake Zoe up, make her vulnerable. She's going to get this simple message from Derek's phone."

Sal couldn't help but shake his head at the evil genius of it. Karin wasn't finished.

"We're also going to hire an actor, someone we can makeup and dress like Derek. Let Zoe see the guy a couple time."

"Lastly, we're going to make certain the couple start to doubt each other." Karin told Sal the plan and for the first time, Karin saw Sal smile.

$$$$$ -----$$$$$

Zoe sat at her workstation when her phone buzzed with an incoming call. The number looked familiar, but it couldn't be. Zoe answered the call with a timid, "hello?".

"Why Zoe?" It was Derek's voice and she was certain it was Derek's number - Zoe pulled out her hardcopy address book to make certain, she had already removed Derek from her contact and speed dial listings, speed dial was the reason she needed to double check the number. "What the fuck?" she thought as her hands started to shake. Zoe dialed the number.

She heard a high pitched squeal and a pre-recorded message, "The number you have reached has been disconnected and no longer in service."

Zoe hung up. Had she dreamed it? It must be a prank.

Zoe decided not to tell Paul about the call; he'd just say she was crazy. She made it through the rest of the workday and as she left the building, received the second shock of the day. Just across the street a man who looked exactly like Derek was standing at the bus stop, staring right at her. It couldn't be, but the man was wearing that damn Boston Red Sox hat that Derek liked to wear. Zoe started to run across the street; but had to stop for traffic. Before she could get any closer, a bus came by and the man climbed on the bus.

Zoe went home and drank a bottle of wine. Over the next three days the same man would appear two more times and Zoe was starting to lose it. She still didn't say anything to Paul, but she was starting to drive him nuts with her clinging. Paul began stopping off at a nearby pub for a couple drinks after work before heading to Zoe's house. It was the only way he could handle the insanity; he also kept his apartment as a release valve, usually sleeping there a few nights each week.

$$$$$ -----$$$$$

Paul Roberts was sitting on his favorite barstool one evening after work in the pub he frequented in order to avoid Zoe. On this particular evening, a good looking redhead came in and sat a few stools down from him.

Paul started the conversation without any intention of picking up the woman, but simply because she was gorgeous and he wanted to pass the next hour before heading to Zoe's. Much to his surprise, the redhead opened up to him. She scooted over to the barstool next to his and gave him a rundown on why a beautiful woman was drinking alone.

"I thought we had something special; what a fool I was. I know, everyone says, 'don't get involved with your married boss', but I thought we were different. He said all the right things, how he was going to leave his wife and marry me. I get into work today and found out he's taking a job in Atlanta and is leaving with his wife and kids. Damn, I'm an idiot."

Paul listened to the woman and made the right sympathetic noises, bought her another drink and listened some more; all the time stealing glances at the long legs reaching down from the short skirt and the bodacious breasts hidden under the silk blouse. The redhead continued.

"Do you know? It's been over a year since I made love to a man and fell asleep in his arms. He always had to get back to his wife after we made love! I'd give anything just to wake up in the morning, snuggled up in the arms of a man!"

By now, Paul was thinking this had possibilities. He took a chance.

"My apartment is just down the street. I could pick up some Thai on the way and we could spend a quiet night watching a movie."

The redhead looked at Paul and he knew he had pushed too hard, too soon. Then she surprised him.

"You know what? That sounds fantastic, let's go." She took Paul's arm and led him out the pub's door. The redhead, Torrie, told Paul to buy a bottle of Pinot Gris to go with her Pad Thai with shrimp. Paul was a little pissed the bitch had to order shrimp, but if he ended up between those long legs, it would be worth the extra three bucks that the shrimp cost. They stopped at the corner bodega and she picked out a twenty dollar bottle of wine. Paul had never spent more than twelve dollars on Zoe's wine. "I better be looking at a nice red bush tonight!" he thought to himself as they left the store.

It turns out he didn't get to see a red bush that night; but only because Torrie was completely bald down there. They never did watch a movie; right after finishing dinner, Torrie gave Paul a quick kiss. "Let's take this to your bed."

Paul didn't argue, he took her hand and led her into the bedroom. Standing, Paul unbuttoned her blouse, Torrie was wearing one of those Victoria Secret bras that made the tops of her breasts spill out. She had to be at least a D cup. Paul fumbled a little, but finally found the clasps to let those puppies out. He didn't waste a second, licking and kissing her nipples while he reached down to unzip her skirt.

"You are an anxious boy. Take your time and keep playing with my breasts. That makes me wet and you'll want me wet."

Paul did his best to slow down. He played with her breasts for another few minutes, then went back to getting her skirt off. As the skirt slipped down her legs, he was treated to another awesome sight; Torrie was wearing a lacy thong and thigh-high stockings. Torrie pushed his head down until his eyes were level with the small triangle of lace covering her sex.

"Pull them down Paul." She ordered. Paul did as he was ordered and there it was, uncovered by any hair and with the knob of her clit peeking out from behind those bare lips. "Kiss it Paul."

Paul didn't like going down on women, he rarely gave Zoe the pleasure and only after she stepped out of the tub. But this was different, he had never smelled a cunt so sweet and never been this close to a shaved one before - and he did it. He kissed her clit and ran his tongue through her vulva. Torrie's hands held his head as she was ground her hips into his mouth. She kept his head there until she came.

"Get undressed. I'll be right back." Torrie stepped out of the bedroom. She was back before he had his pants off, so she helped him get out of the rest of his clothes. She held up a strip of condoms. "I'm not on the pill so we have to use these."

Paul was surprised by this development. "Did you use those with your boss?"

"No, my boss was clipped."

"I'll pull out."

"I've heard that before, although it was in college. Let's say it didn't happen and I ended up spending two weeks sweating bullets. Not going to happen again. Now come over here and let's wrap you up." Torrie was tearing open a packet while she said this with a smile.

"Don't I get a blow job first?"

Torrie laughed, "No, you're already hard and I'm already wet." She threw Paul down on the bed, climbed on top of him and sunk down on his cock. "Yes, that's what I'm talking about; just like that, stud."

Using the condom took some of the joy out of fucking this beauty, but Paul decided to make the best of it; she did have a tight cunt and knew how to squeeze his cock with it. As she was bouncing up and down on him, he played with her breasts with his free hands - they were the nicest breasts he ever had the pleasure of diddling. He especially liked the way her nipples grew whenever he teased them with his fingertips. Before long, he felt that his cock grow harder, Torrie felt it, too.

"That's it stud. Come for me, I'm almost there. Let's come together, stud. Give it to me."

"Not likely," thought Paul, "not going to 'give it' with this damn raincoat on." Even though, Paul shot his load into the receptacle end of the condom as Torrie moaned, signaling her release. As soon as their breathing and Paul's cock returned to normal, Torrie slipped off Paul, took the condom into the bathroom, returned to the bed and cuddled into his arms. "Let's sleep." is all she said.

Paul was awake, staring up at the ceiling, thinking, "That was the strangest fuck ever." He realized they had only kissed once the entire time; that short kiss on the lips while they sat on the sofa before they made their way into the bedroom. Torrie was/is beautiful, but what the fuck? She just seemed to use him for her own pleasure. "Maybe I'll convince her to blow me in the morning" was his last thought before falling asleep.

Paul didn't have the chance to get that blow-job. When he woke up the following morning, Torrie was gone. Paul didn't know if he was happy or sad. Paul went to work, gave Zoe an excuse why he didn't show up the previous evening and promised he be there that night. Zoe only forgave Paul when he agreed to come straight 'home', no stopping off at the pub on the way.

Paul made it to Zoe's house that night, taking his frustrations out on Zoe by forcing her to give him head after dinner. The woman did have a mouth on her.

$$$$$ -----$$$$$

A week later Paul and Zoe were sitting in a restaurant having dinner when someone appeared next to Paul asking, "Were you ever going to call me?"