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4376 Words
Brandy cringed when she saw Justin walk in the door. In his hands, he had two paper cups of coffee. He placed one on the desk in front of her and sipped the other. “It’s early I thought you might need a pick-me-up.” He said pulling a chair up to her desk.
“It’s ten in the morning.” She said lifting one pale brow. How was this early?
“I know these army hours are brutal.” He said with all seriousness.
“How do you get through life?”
“Cut me some slack I just went to bed five hours ago.” He said sipping his coffee.
“What the hell did you do all night?” He’d left her around nine. She couldn’t imagine what he’d done for the last thirteen hours. Actually, she could. “Never mind I don’t want to know.” She said taking the coffee from her desk and taking a sip. Wow, it was really good. Much better than the lousy coffee the department provided. “This is good stuff.”
“It should be it’s from the best place in Las Vegas. Ten buck a cup.” He said.
Brandy looked at the cup in her hand. “This is a ten-dollar cup of coffee?”
“Yes.”
“Why would you spend ten bucks on a cup of coffee?”
“Because it’s good, now quit being ungrateful and drink the damn thing.” Well since it was already paid for she’d drink it. Damn it was good. “So, do we know yet whether or not Lt. Malm’s dog-tags are missing?”
Brandy sighed and sat back in her chair. “I called Mr. Malm last night after we split up and asked him a few more questions. It turns out her dog-tags were never returned to him, but he said she never took them off. Not even to shower. So, I think it’s safe to say the killer took them. You were right there is a definite connection between them.”
“I’m sorry,” he said cupping his ear like he hadn’t heard her, “did you say something?” He was going to milk this for all it was worth.
“I said you were right. Let’s get past it.”
“What about the letters? You get anything off them?”
“I took them by the forensic lab this morning, but I’m not holding out high hopes. They’ve both been handled by so many people including us any possible fingerprints will most likely have been destroyed.” She said taking another sip from her coffee.
“So, what’s the game plan for today?”
“Well I thought we’d go talk to Sgt. Ognen and find out where he was the night Lt. Loewen was killed. I’d be mighty interested to hear his alibi.”
“Ok, I’ll drive.” He said standing up.
“We’ll take my cruiser.” She said getting up and buttoning up her uniform jacket.
“No offence, but you drive like a senior citizen. I want to get somewhere today, so we’ll take my car.” He said adamantly. Brandy didn’t feel like fighting, so she gathered up the files and followed Justin to the parking lot. Climbing into his car, she tossed the files on the dashboard and enjoyed her coffee.
Brandy gave him directions to the mall where the military itinerary said Sgt. Ognen was recruiting. They had a booth set up in the mall where they handed out pamphlets and answered questions trying to encourage young men and women to enlist.
They spotted the booth where two soldiers were working the crowd. “Which one is it?”
Brandy had pulled up Sgt. Ognen’s service record which had his picture. He was the tall one with the blond crew cut. He was a big guy, muscled and attractive. He looked like one of those guys that were handsome and knew it, which made him arrogant. He had a few black marks on his record too. It turned out that Lt. Loewen wasn’t the only person to accuse the Sergeant of s****l misconduct. “That one.” She said pointing out Sgt. Ognen.
Justin took him in. “He looks the right size to have done it.”
“Let’s go talk to him.” She said heading toward the booth. As they reached the booth both Sgt. Ognen and his partner stood tall and saluted Brandy. “At ease.” She said. “Sgt. Ognen, I’m Captain Bent, and I have a few questions for you.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He said standing with his feet shoulder with apart and his hands clasped behind his back. Though he was showing due respect for her rank, she could see the annoyance in his eyes that a woman younger than him outranked him.
“It is my understanding that Lt. Emily Loewen has accused you of s****l harassment.” She could see his jaw clench at the mention of the accusation.
“Yes Ma’am, but it was my understanding the matter had been handled.”
“Handled how?”
“I received a verbal reprimand from my CO.”
“You sexually harass a woman, and you get off with a warning?” Justin asked disgustedly. “Military equality at its finest.”
Sgt. Ognen glared at Justin. “Who are you?”
“He’s with me. You will answer his questions as you would answer mine.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He said with strained obedience. “Freedom to speak?” He asked.
“Granted.”
“Those charges were bogus, and my CO knew that. I did not sexually harass Lt. Loewen. All I did was ask her out, and she freaked out and started screaming s****l harassment.”
“Lt. Loewen’s wife seems to think you did more than just ask her out?” She said watching his reaction.
“No Ma’am she is mistaken. I asked Lt. Loewen out for drinks after work, and she told me no, said she was a lesbian.”
“And how’d you handle that information?” Justin asked.
Sgt’ Ognen looked away briefly and then looked Justin in the face and said, “I called her a liar. Women say s**t like that all the time. I didn’t believe her.”
“So, you kept pushing the matter?” Justin suggested. “Maybe followed her one night. Upset she wouldn’t give it up to you. A big strapping guy like you probably doesn’t handle rejection well. So, you stalked her, maybe sent her some nasty hate mail to scare her but that wasn’t enough. You followed her Friday night until she was alone and then dragged her into an alley where you raped and killed her.”
“I did not rape that woman, I don’t have to resort to such things I have no problem with women, and I sure as hell didn’t kill her.” He snapped.
“Where were you Friday night?” Brandy asked.
Sgt. Ognen looked her in the eye. “I was with a woman.”
“All night?”
“All night.” He confirmed.
“And I suppose if asked this woman will corroborate your alibi?” Justin asked.
Sgt. Ognen looked tense and unsure. “See here’s the thing.” He said taking them aside. “The woman I was with happens to be married. She’s not going to like you poking around asking about her infidelities.”
“Well, then you have a serious problem. “Brandy said. “Because without your alibi you, Sergeant, are my prime suspect. See I got two dead women, and you have a grudge with one of them.”
“Two women?” He said confused.
“Where were you last Monday night?” Justin asked.
“I was at the pub on base having a few beers with the guys and shooting darts. Ask the bartender I was buying rounds all night because I was losing my ass at darts. He’s bound to remember me.”
“We’ll ask the bartender and your lady friend. What’s her name?” Brandy asked taking out her notepad. Sgt. Ognen volunteered the woman’s name and her home address.
They headed back out to the parking lot. “What do you think?” Justin asked.
“I think we talk to his CO and find out what was reported. Their stories don’t add up.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time a man lied about what he did or didn’t do. I can’t imagine Lt. Loewen would lie to her wife. What would be the point?”
Brandy was astonished. “As a man shouldn’t you be on his side?” She asked finding his view on s****l harassment odd for a man like Justin.
“I’m on the side of truth and justice. If a crime was committed and the army looked the other way I want to know, and so does the public.” He said opening the car door and getting in.
“You are hell-bent on bringing us down from the inside, aren’t you?” She said getting in.
“As a woman in uniform, I would have expected you to be more sympathetic to the victim’s plight.”
“Oh, don’t mistake my reservations for indifference. I don’t want to start accusing good men without evidence.”
“I know men,” he said pulling out of the parking lot, “and Sgt. Ognen is far from a good man. I’m an asshole; I can recognize one of my own. He harassed that woman, and he got away with it too.”
“Let’s just go to the recruiting station and see what his CO has to say about it.”
In Justin’s car, it took twenty minutes to reach the recruitment station in the city. They walked through the door, and the secretary stood up and saluted Brandy. She asked to see the man in charge and was told they would have to wait. They sat in the office for another fifteen minutes until Colonel d**k Tatum came out of his office to speak with them.
Brandy stood up and saluted her superior as he invited them into his office. “How can I help you, Captain?” He asked taking his seat at his desk.
“I’m following up on Lt. Loewen’s murder.”
“Yes, I heard about that. The nasty business she was a good soldier, a shame what happened. I don’t see how any of this has anything to do with my office.”
“I’ve been informed that Lt. Loewen had some issues with another soldier under your command. Sgt. Timothy Ognen. Her wife seems to think Sgt. Ognen was sexually harassing Lt. Loewen.”
The Colonel looked thoughtfully. “She must be mistaken.”
“I don’t think so. See we spoke with Sgt. Ognen and he admits that Lt. Loewen came to you with changes and that you dismissed it with nothing more than a verbal warning.”
“Yes. I investigated the charges and found they were unfounded. So, I told the Sergeant to use better judgment in his future pursuits, and the matter was solved.” He said dryly.
“You consider dismissing serious charges as female sensibilities as solved?” Justin asked. “It sounds to me that you were covering the Sergeant’s ass and throwing the Lieutenant to the wolves.”
“Shortly after this reprimand Lt. Loewen received some rather disturbing mail on her desk. Did you look into it?” Brandy asked.
“She did not inform me of any further incidents.” The Colonel said.
“Why would she? You handled the first matter so well.” Justin scoffed. “Tell me, is it typical practice to treat women differently or was it just the fact that she was a lesbian that you didn’t like?”
“Son, you had best watch your tone with me.” The Colonel warned.
“I’m not enlisted, so you have no control over me. Those stripes on your arm mean nothing to me, and the fact that you let this harassment continue even after it was brought to your attention makes me nauseated. As far as I’m concerned you attributed to the Lieutenant’s death by turning a blind eye to the harassment. You’re as culpable as the man that killed her, and I hope it keeps you up at night.”
Brandy glared at Justin. “Thank you for your time, Colonel.” She said taking Justin’s arm and ushering him out of the building. “Have you lost your mind? You can’t talk to him like that?” She snapped.
“No, you can’t talk to him like that. I’m a civilian. I can talk to him any damn way I like.” He said as they reached his car. “Can’t you smell it; this whole thing reeks of a cover-up. You’re a smart woman you can’t possibly buy his BS.”
She agreed with him, but she couldn’t just go accusing officers without evidence. “All we have is hearsay and conjecture. We can’t prove anything, and until we have some evidence, I’m not killing my career by accusing officers of misconduct.” She said firmly. “Now I agree with you this whole thing stinks but a gut feeling will not hold up in a court martial. I need proof. So, what I need from you is to put your personal feelings about the army aside and stop attacking everyone we speak to, or everyone is going to clam up. As it is he’s likely going to call my CO and complain about me coming into his office and accusing him without proof so do me a favour and just shut the hell up.”
He looked annoyed, but he sighed and gave in. “Alright. I’ll play the game.” He said getting into the car. “I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. Let’s stop for lunch.” She supposed lunch sounded good. She could eat. “I know this great place on the strip. I’m buying.”
“I can’t let you buy lunch.” She protested.
“Sure, you can. Just think of it as my way of saying sorry for freaking out on the Colonel and getting you into trouble.”
“I have a feeling you’re going to owe me quite a few lunches before this case is closed.” She said with a smile.
Justin chuckled and flashed a wicked smile. “You’re probably right.” He had a pretty nice smile, a row of bright pearly white teeth that could blind someone when he smiled. God, he was a good-looking man, and it killed her to think so, but she would never admit it aloud. The man’s ego was already too big.
They drove down to the strip and pulled up outside the Devoa Casino. As they got out, Justin tossed his keys to the valet as they made their way inside. Just off the casino was a classy four Michelin Star restaurant. Brandy didn’t eat here because she could never get a reservation and even if she could, she’d never be able to afford it on her salary.
“What are we doing here?” Brandy asked as they made their way to the hostess stand.
“Having lunch what else would you do in a restaurant?”
“We’ll never get a table.” She said with certainty.
He just chuckled like she had said something funny. The hostess smiled when she saw him. “Table for two.” He said.
“Yes, Mr. Sanchez.” The hostess said taking two menus from her stand. “This way.” She said leading them through the dining room. Brandy was astonished she seated him right away. Brandy couldn’t help but notice Justin checking the hostess out as he followed her, staring at her butt as her hips swayed with each step. Brandy shook her head. He was such a dog. He wasn’t even trying to pretend like he wasn’t ogling this woman.
The hostess seated them at a two top in the back. It was a quaint little table with linen tablecloths and napkins. It was swanky, and she had to admit she was impressed that he got them a table without a reservation. The hostess offered them the menus in her hand and then a sexually charged look passed between the hostess and Justin. An unspoken but clear connection. If Justin wanted her, he could have her. For some reason that annoyed Brandy greatly. For all this woman knew she and Justin were on a date, but she still flirted with him.
The hostess walked away, and Justin watched with a cocky grin on his face. “I love this place.” He said turning his attention to the menu.
“I bet you do.” Brandy scoffed opening the menu.
“Do I sense a bitter tone?” He teased.
“Actually yes. I’m insulted. For all, that woman knows we’re here on a date and she’s eye humping you right in front of me. She didn’t even try to pretend like she wasn’t.”
Justin laughed. “Believe me no one thinks we're here on a date.” He assured her.
Brandy didn’t know how to respond to that. “Why because I’m so much older than you?”
“No, because you’re in army fatigues.” He reminded her. “If this were a date you’d be in a dress, your hair would probably be down, and maybe some make-up.” He suggested.
“Are you saying I need make-up?”
“No, it’s just been my experience that on dates women try to look their best.”
“Are you saying I don’t look my best?”
Justin sighed and returned his attention to the menu. “Why does everything have to be a fight with you?” He said.
“I’m not starting a fight. How come everything you say has to be offensive?” She shot back.
“I wasn’t trying to be offensive you just take everything I say the wrong way.”
“Maybe you should think before you speak.”
“Maybe you should lighten up.” He shot back. “Look I don’t want to sit here and take pot shots at one another. We have to work together, and I don’t understand why we can’t get along. Maybe if you stopped judging me long enough to get to know me, you might realize I’m not the evil punishment you seem to think I am. You might even learn to like me. I’m a very likeable person.”
Brandy considered his point. He had turned out to be smarter than she expected and yesterday he’d even, god forbid, been useful. She supposed he was right; they did have to work together so they might as well get to know one another. Maybe knowing him might help her understand him better. If they could learn to get along it could make working together easier.
“Ok.” She said looking at her menu. “I’ll just pretend like I didn’t see what I did.”
He just shook his head giving up. “So why did you get into military service, besides the fact that you look incredible in a uniform?” There was that smile again. That bright toothy smile that she was positive melted other women, and if she was honest wasn’t completely ineffective on her.
“My whole family are in the military. My brother is a Navy SEAL in California. My father is a Brigadier-General stationed right here in Nevada. My Mother was a Major until she had a heart attack last spring and retired. Even my grandfather was a pilot. He flew over thirty-six missions in World War Two, and another twelve in Vietnam.”
“So, it’s the family business?”
“You could say that. What got you into journalism?”
“Believe it or not I wanted to make a difference. I believed the public needed to know what was going on in the world, how else can they make wrongs right if they don’t. I was twelve when I joined the school newspaper. Little stories like what’s in the mystery meat in the cafeteria and the cheat sheet racket some kid was running out of the boys’ bathroom.” He laughed. “I was a whistleblower if I wasn’t the son of a rock star I probably would have got my ass kicked for some of the stories I published. When I was sixteen, I picked up one of my brother’s cameras and realized I had a knack for photography. But where he wanted to take pictures of pretty girls I wanted to take the kind of pictures that made people feel something. To capture the essence of a story.” He spoke of his work with such passion it made her wonder just how good he was.
“You sound like you enjoy your work.”
“I do, and I’m good at it. I’m the kind of person who needs answers and will do anything to get them.”
“So, your parents are famous, or so I read in that online bio.” She said after the waitress took their order.
“My whole family.” He admitted. “My Father and Grandfather were both rock stars. My Mother owns the Utopia Ballet Company in New York. As for my brother’s they have all made names for themselves in various industries.”
“Like what?” She asked with genuine curiosity.
“Lance is a fashion photographer, Lucas is a daredevil, Dominic is an artist, and Brandon is a high-powered defence attorney.”
“You got a big family.”
“Yes, I do. My cousins own this casino and the hotel connected.” So that was how he got this table he knew the owners. It was all starting to make sense.
“You’re very well connected.” She smiled.
“Well I don’t want to go dropping names, but you can’t throw a stone without hitting someone I know. It makes Christmas card season a trial.” He joked. Brandy laughed. “Oh my god a chuckle and a smile, did it hurt?”
“I’ll have you know I’m not the big party pooper you think I am.” She said. “I’m not all business all the time. I have a fun side.” He looked like he didn’t believe her. “No, really I can cut loose and enjoy myself.”
“I got you into the best club in town the other night, and all you did was complain.” He reminded her.
“Ok so I wasn’t fun that particular night, but you were acting like a jerk that night, so my bad mood was justified.”
“I was not a jerk.”
“Yes, you were, you were acting like you were some hot s**t, and I should be grateful you graced me with your boorish attention.”
“Yeah well, you were acting like you were too good for me. Like I was somehow devaluing the very air you breathe.” He shook his head as the waitress placed their meals in front of them. “Here we go again snapping at each other like scrapping dogs. I don’t want to fight. We got off on the wrong foot, so what do you say we start all over again, forget everything that has happened or been said up until now and learn to get along?”
Normally Brandy played well with others she didn’t understand why she couldn’t get along with Justin. Justin was the kind of guy a woman could both love and hate. He had some redeeming qualities and flaws. He seemed educated, intelligent, self-motivated, and he had good ethics; but he also had an inflated ego, an obscured sense of south worth, and from the way he blatantly checked out everything in a skirt told her his hormones ruled him, an affliction that turned good men into total s*x crazed losers. But Justin didn’t strike Brandy as a loser. Yes, he was s*x-crazed, but he seemed in control of his life and the role he played on the world stage.
- Writer
