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Jonathan’s artificial waterfall stood at around four or five feet, mounted by thick, stone rocks and surrounded by small shrubs and unkempt trees for a natural appearance.
The steady, powerful stream cascaded into a manmade pond, flowers and plants growing around it.
Dee stuck her hand underneath the cool water and it soothed her from the afternoon heat. She dabbed some on her face and as she walked back, slipped on a rock.
“Shit.” She caught herself before falling in the pond, landing in an awkward squat.
“Are you okay?” Jonathan bolted from behind thick greenery and leapt onto the rocks, grabbing her hand. “Did you hurt yourself?”
“No.” She cursed herself, more embarrassed than anything else. “I’m fine.”
“You gotta be careful.” He helped her onto the grass. “The rocks get very slippery. I’ll take care of that.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “The last thing I need is a lawsuit.”
She faked a smile, wincing.
“You’re not embarrassed are you?” He lifted her chin. “I can’t tell you how many times Tran and I have fallen in the damn thing.”
She laughed.
“Anyway, being embarrassed only makes you more beautiful.” His gentle breath caressed her face. “If that were possible.”
She realized he still held her hand. “Let go please.”
He released her fingers. “Your hands are so soft. Are they naturally like that or do you use something—”
“What’s your problem?” She sat on the railing that separated the waterfall and pond from the lawn. “Why can’t you respect that I have a job to do and it’s serious?”
“I respect your job but I’m a forward person.” He rubbed his knuckles. “And, I don’t apologize for it.”
“What is this?” She crossed her legs, touching her knee. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“Funny.” He bit his lip. “I thought it was the other way around.”
“In your dreams.” She shook her head, chuckling.
“Are you enjoying yourself? Did you like the food?”
“I didn’t come here to have fun.”
He sat beside her, smirking. “Did you find out anything to help your case?”
“Your women were of no help.” Her nose twitched. “Why am I not surprised?”
“What do you mean?”
“Like you’d let them say anything that would point a finger to any of you.”
“I didn’t coach them if that’s what you mean.”
“It’s too much of a coincidence that Prisha disappears and Autumn is murdered.” She gripped the railing on both sides of her. “My instinct’s telling me something’s there.”
“I have to say your instinct is wrong if it’s telling you I killed anyone. I’ve spent years studying life so why would I wanna take someone’s away?”
Dee wiggled her foot. “I’d like to know more about you.”
“Hm.” He leaned forward, clasping his hands. “What do you want to know?”
“About your father.”
“My father?” He rubbed his thigh. “You could Google him in a second and find decades of information on him and his work.”
“Yes, he was a brilliant scientist who invented a variety of herbal medicines but how was your relationship?”
“I loved my father. He was all I had my entire life.” He widened his legs. “My mother died when I was six of bone cancer. She didn’t believe in modern medicine. If she couldn’t cure something with herbal alternatives or by prayer, then she figured it wasn’t meant to be cured.”
“So she refused to take medicine when she was sick?”
He swallowed, eyes turning red. “It would’ve brought her more time but it was her decision.”
“I bet that was hard for your father.” Dee switched her posture. “All wrapped up in his work then having to take care of a young son alone.”
“We had family from Wales that came to help but my dad loved challenges. That’s why he was so brilliant. He never let anything get the best of him.”
“He was eighteen when he moved to America, wasn’t he?”
“Yes, he loved the UK, but it wasn’t growing in technology and medicine the way America was. There wasn’t a day he didn’t miss Wales though.”
Dee smiled.
“I loved it when we’d go to visit. I’m having a home built there.”
“You’re moving there?”
“Maybe.” His brow furrowed. “At first I wanted the home for a vacation spot but living there would be amazing.”
“I was born and raised in Baltimore and I love it.” She lifted her fist. “Go Ravens.”
He grinned. “Not so sure about that one.”
“You’re not a Ravens’ fan?” She wiggled her butt on the railing. “Them’s fighting words.”
“Sports isn’t my thing.” He pulled on his sleeve. “I’m a nerd.”
“I wouldn’t describe you as that.”
“Your uh...” He chewed his bottom lip. “Mother died when you were young too, right?”
“Once and for all, how do you know all this about me?”
“Let’s just say someone at your precinct told me some things about you.”
“Someone at my job’s been feeding you information? Who?”
“If I told you it would defeat the purpose.”
“I can’t believe a cop I work with has been sneaking behind my back and telling you my business.”
He lifted his finger. “I didn’t say it was a cop.” Lines sprouted from around his eyes as he smiled.
“Unbelievable.” She let out a harsh breath.
“Learned more interesting things. You dated Grayson Paul. Got involved with him while investigating him for murder. That’s comforting.”
“Why?”
He stroked his chin. “Means I might have a chance with you.”
“Enough of this.”
He grabbed her hand as she stood. “In my lab, I tried to kiss you.” He rose, strengthening his grasp. “And, I won’t say I’m sorry because I’m not.”
“You want me to arrest you?” She pulled her hand from his. “Is that what it’s gonna take for you to get the hint? I want nothing from you unless it’s about Autumn’s murder.”
“I’ve never felt this way before, Deidra.” He raised his hands, moving his fingers as if he struggled not to touch her. “Usually I have an undeniable effect on women but with you it’s the opposite. I have this intense need to make things better for you. Give you peace and happiness.”
“You want me to have peace, Jonathan?” She sniffled, nose irritated from the variety of flowers. “Let me do my job and stop playing this game.”
“It’s not a game. Something powerful is happening with us and we’re helpless to stop it.”
Connie came through the path and halted, glaring at Dee. “Am I interrupting something?”
“No.” Jonathan smiled. “Detective Wilks, I didn’t tell you how lovely you look today. That pink blouse brings out your pretty green eyes.”
She half-smiled, switching her focus to Dee. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I was talking to Jonathan about Autumn’s murder.”
Connie nodded, approaching. “Did you find out anything?”
“I was telling the insistent detective yet again, that I didn’t have more to offer concerning Autumn. Sorry if no one here gave you any answers.”
“Dee, we’d better get back to the station.”
Jonathan whispered to Dee as he passed, “Come back tonight at seven for dinner with me and the ladies.” He kissed Connie’s hand. “Goodbye, Detectives.” He disappeared in the garden.
“What?” Dee combed her fingers through her hair. “Why are you looking at me like that, Connie?”
“What’s going on with you and Jonathan?”
“I was questioning him.”
“He was all over you and you didn’t seem to mind it.”
“Get out my face with this shit, Connie.”
“Listen.” Connie grabbed Dee’s arm as she tried to leave. “We might not be best friends but you’re my partner and I’m worried. You’re letting him get to you, Dee.”
“That’s insane.” She cackled. “If it weren’t for the case, I wouldn’t be talking to him at all. Autumn’s murder is the only thing we should be worried about. What you’re seeing is all in your head.”
“Are you attracted to him?” Connie’s pointy nose wiggled. “Are you?”
“No.” Dee gritted her teeth. “It’s offensive you’d even ask that. I could never be interested in a man like Jonathan. I love Winston, remember?”
Connie sneered, walking away. “Do you?”