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December 5, 2017
The notes were scattered on the coffee table and on Fiona’s lap. Sophie lay on the red sofa going through the TV channels. Fiona was intently reading the notes on the Queens’ murders and the FDA involvement while her mind was thinking about the gorgeous detective. She could not concentrate when a beautiful woman was next to her. She could smell Sophie’s perfume, and it was causing her to fantasize about her soft skin. In a most bizarre turn of events, her feelings toward her lover were altered. In the beginning, Fiona felt she had detected an arrogance in Sophie. In fact, she discovered it was not arrogance. It was just Sophie protecting her territory by asserting her opinion about the crime scene and dictating a course of action. Fiona struggled to remember when her feelings had begun to change. Was it a gradual thing or was it instantaneous? No, she didn’t believe attraction could happen that fast. She was afraid to acknowledge it was even possible.
“I’ll call Jennifer and ask for her assistance. I’m sure the FBI has access or can get access to penetrate the FDA’s data if necessary,” she sounded casual, still absorbed by thoughts of her personal feelings. She didn’t see Sophie’s face when she mentioned Jennifer. “The names of all six victims appeared in some type of FDA file. I’m assuming they represent a trial group of some sort,” she continued as she turned to look at her. Sophie appeared disinterested, which was odd. She was a detective that normally cared intensely about her work. Why this emotionless face?
“Did you hear me?” Fiona touched her leg to get her attention.
“I did. Is Jennifer the only contact you have in the FBI?” she asked as she continued gazing at the TV.
It finally hit Fiona. Sophie was jealous. She recalled that night not long ago, when her partner and Sophie came to her apartment in the middle of the night. Jennifer had stayed over, and when she emerged from Fiona’s bedroom wearing only her shirt it had raised questions. Logically, Sophie had assumed that Jennifer was her girlfriend. Why else would she exit her bedroom half naked? She placed the papers on the coffee table and laid down next to her. She put her arms around Sophie, pulled her close, and kissed her, trying to erase all thoughts of the past. Fiona only wanted Sophie. When she thought of her, her heart danced the rumba. There was no doubt in her mind that there was some serious chemistry between them.
“Yes, that’s my only contact, and I assure you that nothing is going on. Jennifer is the past, and you are my future.”
She was finally able to articulate it. She was shocked when she spoke the words aloud and indirectly told Sophie how she felt about her. She had to shut her mouth before she said too much. It was too early to confess feelings that she didn’t fully understand herself. But sleeping with Sophie was more than just a grand experience, and the erotic interaction between them was still vivid and fresh in her mind. She kissed her again as if to expunge the feelings she had revealed just seconds ago. The urgency to make out with her and take her had burned out two days ago, and it was replaced with a grandiose yearning. She wanted to slowly savor all the parts of her body until her desire became unbearable. At that precise moment, she began to nibble the base of her neck, biting and tasting the sweetness that seeped from Sophie. Either her mind was playing games or Sophie did indeed taste like créme brûlée ... crispy, soft and sweet.
“It’s getting late. I have to go.” Sophie didn’t mean it, and she didn’t make any attempt to free herself from Fiona.
“I’m holding you captive until all my demands are met.”
Fiona undid the shirt Sophie was wearing. She captured her nipple in her mouth, squeezing gently, brushing her tongue over it, and then engulfing it. She felt the nipple enlarging and it made her hum with pleasure. Sophie joined in, mumbling incoherently. Fiona only heard harmonious sounds that made her lose what little control she had over her own needs. She wanted to fall into Sophie’s abyss now, plummet into her and feel her inner walls pulsate. Her own clit was throbbing painfully, seeking release, yet she directed her attention to the center of Sophie’s sweetness where her juices were so welcoming. Fiona gently inserted her finger ever so slightly into Sophie’s softness to tease her and then pulled it out, suspending her as if in air. How was it possible to feel like the earth was spinning out of control? What was it about Sophie that made her want to forget her notion about not getting involved with anyone in the law enforcement business? Her whole body was on fire; it felt like she was being devoured by orange flames. She kissed Sophie’s mouth, their tongues mingling, exploring her hidden corners and forgetting all about the sexual movement. It was like whispering to her wordlessly about how well their pieces fit together. It didn’t matter who Fiona was, where she was going, or how she looked. The emotion trickled down over Fiona, but still she couldn’t put it into words. It felt easier to believe a lie than to admit her true emotions. The sexual desire she could accept, it was harmless. The feelings she’d had for Sophie from the first time she met her were dangerous and hard to understand. Of course, she could still deny it and punch holes into a theory as old as humanity itself ... the theory of love at first sight. Fiona let all thoughts drain from her mind and climbed on top of Sophie where they discovered their pace, perfectly in sync with each other and perfectly in control. Now, her mind was completely empty. She experienced this pleasant interaction that threatened to take over and frantically send Fiona over the edge where nothing else existed. Did she realize the perfection of the moment? Perhaps. When she finally collapsed on Sophie the idea began to take shape.
Fiona got ready much faster now that her desire had quieted down a little, and she retreated into silence. It was like something else was circulating in the air, an idea that she was afraid to vocalize. She passively kissed Sophie goodbye and agreed to meet in the precinct when she was done with a few errands. Fiona felt guilty for being so vague with Sophie. Her intent was to call Jennifer, hoping she was in the city, so she could go over to visit and extract the information she needed. It wasn’t necessary to reveal everything to Sophie, yet Fiona felt like she was doing something wrong. Nevertheless, she called Jennifer’s office when she got to work and waited while her mind registered the number of times the ringer went off.
“Agent Miller. How can I help you?” She didn’t recognize Fiona’s number? Jennifer was so predictable when answering her phone. But how else was Fiona expecting her to answer?
“Oh, you are in the city,” Fiona said, her voice indicating neither disappointment or regret.
“Yes, I am.”
“If you aren’t busy, I would like to stop by your office. There are some new developments in the Queens’ case, and I would like your input.”
“I’m always busy. You can stop by before lunch. I have meetings after one.”
“Okay, see you then.”
She made it to Jennifer’s office before eleven, and after obtaining clearance, she took the elevator to the seventeenth floor. It was a well-organized building with security layers that impressed Fiona. It was her first visit to Jennifer’s workplace. It occurred to Fiona that previously, it had always been Jennifer coming to her. Of course, it was an arrangement that they both enjoyed in the past. She was bothered in the beginning when Jennifer terminated their hook ups. She tried to remember how long the feeling lasted. It was a hot second and Sophie had a lot to do with that.
Jennifer was on the phone and looking out her floor-to-ceiling windows. She appeared a bit animated, like something was going on. She still looked sexy in her tight jeans that engulfed her body so precisely. Jennifer sensed her gaze. She was sure of it because right at that moment, she turned and looked at her. She gestured with her hand for Fiona to enter, and before she had time to settle in, she’d hung up the phone. She came around her desk and hugged her.
“Still working out?” Jennifer surely felt Fiona’s hard body against hers.
“Yes, daily. So, how’ve you been?”
“All is well. I’m getting married in a month.”
“Excited?”
“Yes, he is a good man.”
Jennifer was leaning forward with her arms crossed on her chest, sitting on the edge of her desk. She was close in proximity, intending to reassure herself she had made the right decision, Fiona took the opportunity to embrace her again.
“I’m happy for you.”
“Me too. What about you? Anyone?” Fiona sensed her eagerness to know.
“Well, yes. The detective.” She didn’t have to give her more details. Jennifer had jokingly told her that Sophie would never be her type. Fiona recalled the night they both met for a second time. Sophie was wearing a baseball hat, jeans, and a long-sleeved top, and she looked gorgeous. Her green eyes were like minty leaves floating on a tranquil pond, her olive skin completed her image, and her thin figure was delicious. Fiona was hooked that night, and perhaps, Jennifer had sensed it.
“So, how can I help you?” Jennifer asked, destroying Sophie’s image in seconds.
“Are you familiar with Horton’s Spatial Positioning?”
“Yes, I know the program and the agent who invented it.”
“We used it, and it showed commonalities among all six victims. One common factor was the FDA ....”
“FDA as in Food and Drug Administration?” She sounded surprised as well.
“I know, it’s weird. If I give you the names, could you look. FDA data is classified.”
“Of course. I’ll look right now.”
She tapped a few times on her keyboard and then input the data. Her screen was consumed by designs and bright colors in rapid succession and then, the characters formed some of the results. Her computer was much faster than Phil’s laptop. Yet, the FDA wasn’t mentioned in any threads.
“It usually takes a day to make connections. I’ll run it in its entirety, and if there is a connection to the FDA, it will detect it,” she reassured her.
“Phil’s laptop, he’s Sophie’s partner, detected the common thread almost instantly, and he worked the details for hours as the program continued its operation. He found it odd that their names appeared on an FDA list and slaved to get more information, but as I said, the documents were classified. I’m a bit surprised the link does not appear on your screen. Could you access the FDA’s direct database?”
“I could. Hold on for a second.”
She opened a program that Fiona didn’t recognize, then input the names once more. The results screen indicated that the names were unknown to the FDA.
“What the fuck? That doesn’t make sense!”
“Are you sure that HSP furnished results indicating that the FDA was a direct link?”
“Yes.” She retrieved the results from her coat pocket and gave it to Jennifer. The linkage was evident.
“You’re right. I know someone who is involved with a panel of the FDA, Matthew Callagan, my fiancé,” she blared out in an overconfident voice.
“The doctor?”
“Yes. He doesn’t practice medicine anymore. He is on the panel that approves or rejects new drugs that come on the market. He will know, and I’m sure he can get an answer for you.”
She dialed his number. They exchanged a few loving remarks and she straightforwardly asked him about the names. It was quiet on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, and then, the sound of a voice that was almost inaudible came through. Jennifer nodded a few times in understanding and then replaced the phone on its base.
“He checked. The names are not anywhere in the FDA’s data. Probably, it was a mistake. Don’t forget that Horton’s is a new program and there are still glitches that need to be corrected. I’ll be in New York until the holidays. Call me if you need anything else.” She stood up from her desk.
Fiona cuddled her again, kissed her forehead like a good friend, and turned to leave.
“I’ll pick his brain again, and I’ll do the research I promised you a while back. I’ll go through our profiles and determine if the Queens’ assailant is a woman.”
Fiona smiled at her and closed the door while her mind was trying to figure out why the FDA might be involved.