Detecting Lust: An Erotic Detective Novel (Sin Book 1) Read online

  Seth’s eyes shot open and his hard-on shrank like a bucket of ice water was dumped on his head.

  The balance. Jen would have been struggling as well. I grabbed a hold of the back of the boxes to help me…Seth looked at the dryers. Could it really be this fucking simple? Seth opened the dryer door and grabbed the inside rim. With one swift yank, he slid the middle dryer across the floor. Taking a deep breath, he leaned over and looked behind. Right there, in the mist of all the lint and dust from years of never cleaning behind the dryers, on the top of the machine in the back was a perfect silhouette of all four fingers. I fucking got you! You motherfucker.

  A sigh of relief rushed out of Seth’s lungs. Seth patted his suit jacket pocket, hoping to feel the finger printing kit, but felt nothing. Fuck, it’s in the car. In a full sprint, he ran out of the laundry room and took the steps in only three leaps. Out the front door and across the park to the car, he flung open the trunk lid, grabbed the finger printing kit and raced back down to the laundry room.

  Carefully blowing away the dust and lint surrounding the finger impressions, he coated the area with the magnetic dust. Perfect fingerprints appeared. Zee, you’re an out-right fucking genius! An out-right sexy fuckin’ genius.

  While walking back out to car, with his chest pumped up and the prints in his pocket, he took his phone out and called the precinct.

  “Ashley, I got some prints. I’ve found him.” Seth said with excitement. “Go tell the lab boys, I want these results back quick. I’m on the way in now.”

  Before Ashley can even respond Seth hung up. Back at the car he opened the trunk to put away the finger printing kit, and noticed that old receipt. Seth looked up, over the trunk lid and stared at Jen’s apartment. It was a long shot, but he bet this fucker was sitting right here in this parking spot and watched and waited for the perfect time. Seth gazed at Jen’s living room window. He could see the front door. The unsub would have been able to see Jen carrying her laundry basket and walking out of her apartment from here. Seth picked up the receipt and took a second look. Sweet. He used a credit card.

  Seth walked into the precinct.

  “Ashley,” Seth reached into his pocket. “You see this receipt? I need you to track down the owner of this credit card.”

  “How in the hell do I track down whose credit card this is?” Ashley asked.

  “Really?” Seth paused and remembered that she was still a rookie. “Ok… here, you see that credit card number? It starts with a four?”

  “Yeah, what’s that mean?”

  “Well, if the card starts with the number four, then it’s a VISA. If the card starts with a five, then it’s a Mastercard.” Seth started to explain. “Now, on the receipt you’ve got the address and name of the gas station. There’s also the time and date of the purchase. So… whatcha gonna do is call VISA, tell them who you are, and once they have verified who you are, give them the address and time and date, along with the numbers that you do have on the receipt and with that information they’ll be able to tell who that card belongs to. From there use the precinct database to find me an address of the card owner.”

  “Got it, sir.” Ashley said excited for her next task.

  With the fingerprints still in his jacket pocket, Seth again bypassed his office and rushed downstairs to the lab.

  “Wake up, guys!” Seth entered the lab.

  The two lab boys sitting at one of the computers were arguing with each other about what program was better than the other.

  “Hey Detective, sorry we couldn’t get the actual match on the DNA results yet. But the good news is we’ve got a great sample that will be easy as shit to match and connect with anyone.” One of the boys said. Seth seriously needed to learn their names.

  “Oh well, it was a tough break but I’ve got something new for y’all.” Seth said. “I’ve got some fingerprints.”

  “Nice, now fingerprints I can do.” The taller lab boy said. “I’ll get the points off of these prints and run them through the IAFIS database, we’ll see what the FBI has on this guy, for you boss-man.”

  The IAFIS database was the one that the FBI used to track fingerprints. If this guy was on record it would be in the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

  “Great guys, about how long do y’all think this will take?” Seth asked while handing over the print tape.

  The lab boy gazed at the print tape, “Hmm, these look like really good prints detective.” The tall lab boy said raising his eyebrows, showing excitement. “Not super long, I don’t think. But that all depends on the program system.”

  “Ok guys, work your magic for me and let’s find this guy as fast as possible.”

  Seth started walking out of the lab and paused.

  “Hey guys, one more thing. What happened with the DNA?” Seth asked.

  “Oh, the DNA was great. We got an awesome sample from the hospital’s rape kit. But…we ran it through our system as well as the state system and no matches came up.” The taller, younger looking kid said.

  “At the same time I ran it through FDDU.” The chubbier kid with glasses said.

  “FDDU? What’s that?” Seth asked.

  The lab boys chuckled. “FDDU is the FBI’s database on DNA, it stands for Federal DNA Database Unit.” The chubby kid started to explain before Seth cut him off. That’s all he really needed to know.

  “Ok ok, yeah yeah great work… thanks guys, and let me know on those fingerprints.” Seth shook his head and walked out of the lab. Thank god we’ve got those two brainiacs locked up in the basement. And they’re on our side.

  “Lane!” A booming voice echoed as Seth walked back to his office.

  “Hey, Captain.” Seth responded without even looking up.

  “What’s going on with this case of yours?” The Captain asked in a surprised manner, knowing that Seth’s track record hasn’t normally taken this long before. “Why are there no suspects in my interrogation rooms?”

  “Cap, give me a couple of minutes and I’ll fill you in. Meet you in your office in five?” Only this response could have come from Seth, and only Seth could have gotten away with talking to the Captain in this fashion.

  Perfect, I’m finally making head way on this case and now I have to back track and explain myself like I’m a first time rookie again.

  Five minutes to fuckin’ catch my breath… it’s not like I’ve been fucking around…

  A smile and a half chuckle popped out of Seth as he walked into his office.

  Well actually, I guess I kinda have been…fucking around, thank-you, Zee.

  Seth looked around the office, gathering up all the new information that belonged to this case. Everything from the rape kit results from the hospital to the DNA results from the lab boys, and he tossed them into his case file.

  All right, let’s go get this done and see what the hell the Captain wants.

  Before leaving his office Seth grabbed his desk phone and called Ashley at the front desk.

  “Ashley, can you be a doll and grab me some coffee, and bring it to the Captain’s office please?”

  As Seth walked to the Captain’s office with his case file in his hand, he skimmed through the file. As he approached the Captain’s office, he stopped at the door and knocked.

  Even though Seth had gained a rapport, and is able to respond to the Captain in a certain manner, in front of the other officers there was a line that Seth won’t even cross. The Captain is the Captain, and the Marine in Seth still showed respect where respect was due. One thing the Marine Corps has taught me, you don’t always have to respect the person, but you damn well still better respect the rank.

  “Lane, come in come in, what have you got for me?” The Captain said.

  “Good afternoon Capt.,” Seth said trying to ease the tension. “This isn’t your normal lover’s quarrel case here. I’ve already looked at the usual suspects and had the lab boys review the DNA. When I investigated the crime scene, I didn’t find a single fingerprint.
”

  A knock on the door caused both men to turn their heads to see Ashley enter.

  “One coffee, black with two sugars for you Detective, and one coffee black all the way for the Captain.” Ashley said.

  “Now, what do you mean you didn’t find a single fingerprint?” The Captain acknowledged Ashley with a head nod and raised an eyebrow at Seth. “I overheard Ashley telling the lab guys that you had a good fingerprint that you were bringing in?”

  “That’s true,” Seth replied. “After some, well we’ll call it inspiration, I went back to the actual crime scene, and I did find some good fingerprints behind one of the dryers.”

  “So what now, you’re waiting on the lab guys to come back with the fingerprint results from IAFIS?” The Captain said.

  “Yes, sir.” Replied Seth.

  “Okay then, tell me what you’ve got on the three suspects you gathered from the victim?” The Captain questioned.

  Seth looked down at his case file, thumbing through his notes.

  “The first suspect I spoke with was the former Marine from the victim’s class. One of the first things I noticed was his forearms and his hands. They had been torn to shreds by a runaway gun while he was deployed in Iraq.” Seth continued to explain.

  “Based off of the description that the victim gave, she had said that there were no scars or marks on the assailant’s forearms. So I quickly ruled him out.”

  The Captain looked up and shook his head, “What the hell is a runaway gun?”

  “Sir, a runaway gun generally happens with a machine gun. As Marines put a lot of rounds through the machine gun the barrel tends to get hot. So hot in fact that the barrel ends up cooking the chambered round, therefore, the guy continues to fire without having to pull the trigger.” Seth explained. “Most of these guns are belt fed, and what generally happens is that these Marines like to wrap the chain links around their arms Rambo style. So when you get a runaway gun the chain links and all the rounds continue feeding in the gun uncontrollably. And when this happens it can easily shred the person’s arms and hands to shit.”

  “I see, I see.” The Captain nodded. “And what about the others?”

  Seth chuckled and smiled, shaking his head, “The other two guys from the gym.” He was really trying not to laugh now. “Well sir, one of the guys is so incredibly flamboyant, and the other one is too small. My victim could’ve easily kicked his ass. After speaking with both of them I discovered that they’re actually dating each other. And come to find out, the little whispering comments that they made were nothing more than compliments to my victim. ”

  “So what you’re telling me is, as of now you have no suspects, you have DNA that comes back to nobody, and now all of your hopes and prayers are lying on the fingerprint you found behind the dirty nasty dust covered dryer?” The Captain looked at him pointedly. “So, what your next move?”

  “Well, sir, at this point I’m going to go back and talk to the victim. There’s something else that I’m missing, there’s something else that she’s missing.” Seth said. “No worries Capt… I will catch this guy.”

  “Oh I have no doubt about that. Just let me know if there’s anything we can do to help.” The Captain said.

  Seth looked over at Ashley, “Now that you mention it, Captain. Ashley has been a good asset for me, what are the chances I can have her full-time helping me on this case?”

  The Captain looked up at Ashley while tapping his pen against the desk, “That’s going to be something I need to think about.”

  Seth took a sip of his coffee, “Good enough for me, thank you, sir.”

  As Seth and Ashley walked out of the Captain’s office, Seth whispered to Ashley something about the credit card receipt.

  “Lane, you losing your edge? Already got in trouble with the Capt. huh?” Detective Moore’s voice came from across the precinct.

  Before Seth could even look up and respond, the Captain shouted out from behind Seth. “Moore! You’re covering the front desk for now until further notice, Ashley’s busy helping Lane.”

  Seth and Ashley looked at each other smiling.

  “And if you have anything else smart to say, I’ll put your ass at the front desk permanently.” The Captain shouted out.

  “Find out who that receipt belongs to.” Seth directed at Ashley. “I’ve got a feeling about this.”

  “Will do, Detective.” Ashley started to walk away.

  “Ashley, go ahead and use my office from now on, you’ve been reassigned.” Seth winked at her.

  No actual words came out of her mouth, but she mouthed the words, “Thank you.”

  Chapter Eleven

  As Seth pulled into the driveway he noticed Zee’s car.

  “Honey, I’m home.” Seth announced himself at the door. “I thought you were working tonight?”

  “Hi, baby,” Zee’s sexy, relaxing and soothing voice came from the kitchen. “I did work today, and now I’m home.” Zee chuckled. “It’s a lot later then you think it is.”

  Seth loosened his tie and un-tucked his shirt from his pants, and then looked down at his watch. Oh damn, I guess it is. “And here I thought I was actually going to beat you home tonight.” A tired and exhausted tone came from Seth.

  Seth walked into the kitchen to find Zee standing at the sink. It appeared she was finishing up the dishes.

  “How was your day?” Seth asked, wrapping his arms around Zee’s waist, squeezing her with his flexing biceps.

  She leaned her head back, resting on his chest in the pocket of his shoulder. “I had a great day, we got three more girls that joined my class.”

  Seth buried his face in her hair. “Oh yeah? That’s great. Who’da thought you would have a successful yoga studio? Well, other than us of course.” Seth said through her hair.

  “So what’s going on with your case?” Zee asked. “Can I get you something to eat? Are you hungry?”

  “Ahh, no thanks baby, I ate a burger on the way home. I didn’t think you were going to be here, I thought you were working late tonight. This case…it fucking sucks ass. The Captain is wondering what the hell is going on, I’ve got no leads…” Seth said in a long sigh.

  “So you have no DNA or finger prints?” Zee asked.

  “No, that’s the other part that sucks, I’ve actually got both. And I’ve got a great sample of DNA, but this fuck face isn’t in any system records. It’s like this fucker just showed up out of nowhere and/or this is the first time he’s ever committed a crime.” Seth started to finally show some signs of frustration.

  “Well, we both know that’s not true.” Zee replied with a smack on the ass.

  “Maybe, but you know the States Attorney isn’t going to be able to go off of what I know, its all about what I can prove.” Seth said.

  Seth and Zee continued to chat while heading up to the bedroom.

  “Let’s go back to the basics, what does every rapist have in common? What’s the number one rule?” Zee drilled him.

  Another long sigh came from Seth’s lungs, “The number one thing that they all have in common is previous encounters and knowledge of their victims. But I’ve already interviewed every guy this victim has come in contact with on a daily basis.”

  “Maybe this guy isn’t someone that she deals with on a daily basis, maybe it was a chance encounter or a one-time connection.” She mumbled.

  “Why don’t you go back and talk to the victim again, the first time you talked to her she was just attacked. It’s been a couple days. She might actually remember something now that’ll help you.” Zee said.

  “You know that’s actually not a bad idea.” Seth replied.

  “Some of the girls at the studio always talk about guys they’ve met on the internet, like on Facebook. These days, more and more people are meeting on the internet instead of face-to-face at a bar. Like someone we know…” Zee mentioned.

  “Yeah, that’s not a bad idea. Tomorrow I’ll pay a visit to my victim and ask her for her e-mails, Facebook
account, and stuff. There might actually be some good leads in there.” Seth said as he stripped his clothes off, getting ready for bed.

  Seth plopped his body down in the bed, and the back of his head punched his pillow.

  Seth yawned, “Why don’t you come snuggle me, you, sexy little genius you.”

  Zee smiled.

  “Honey, you are in fact a fucking genius.” He said. “I told you that I had a great sample of the fingerprints, right? Well you want to know how I got them?”

  “Oh yeah, you said you were having issues finding fingerprints? So where did you find them?”

  “Well, because of our little sex-scapades in the basement, you gave me a good idea. So, I went back to the crime scene and looked behind the dryer. And right there, in all the dust and lint I found the perfect silhouette of a hand and four perfect fingerprints.” Seth told Zee.

  “Ha, yeah that was pretty good for me too. I came so hard, and it was hell on my knees trying to walk up the steps. You definitely rocked me.” She said.

  Zee strut over to the bed swaying her hips side to side, caressing her thighs and hips with her fingertips. She climbed into the bed, laying on her side facing Seth and ran her fingernails across his chest.

  “So, tell me more about the fingerprint you found?” Zee said softly.

  “Aww no, that’s about it. The lab boys were really excited to get them.” Seth yawned again.

  Zee laid her head on Seth’s chest, and he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in closer and tighter. Bits of her hair tickled his chin and lips with every breath he took but he didn’t care.

  “We’ll just have to see what the lab boys come up with.” Seth said with a half yawn and half sigh.