Rafael
by
K. Victoria Chase
Published by K. Victoria Chase
www.kvictoriachase.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. The reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, without the express written consent of the author constitutes a copyright violation.
RAFAEL
2nd Edition
Copyright © 2013 K. VICTORIA CHASE
ISBN 978-0-9890651-2-2
Cover Art Designed by For the Muse Designs
Edited by Faith Williams
To all the aspiring authors who’ve been rejected. You can be published. To my critique group, The Northern Virginia Christian Writer’s Fellowship, for providing fresh ideas — I used them!
And to my family, who keep encouraging me to continue with my passion.
In this second edition, I would like to thank the readers who read the first release.
I appreciate your support.
Additional Titles by the Author
The Santiago Brothers
Rafael
Alejandro
Ricardo
The Perrera Brothers
Adolfo
Diego
Rodrigo
Virginia Justice
Serial Games
Marked by the Mob
Killer Shoot
Richards Family Holiday Romance
A Thankful Love
A Merry Love
Richards Family Romance
A Lasting Love
An Honest Love
Untitled Series
From Across the Divide
Chapter One
“DON’T go, man.”
Rafael Santiago frowned at the impassioned plea from his cousin, a man he’d barely had contact with over the years. How did Enrique know of his plans to return to Virginia?
“Enrique, what do you know?”
“You know I can’t say, bro. Just… just take my advice. Stay in California.”
The line went dead.
No use trying to dial the number. His cousin was too careful; he'd have ditched the burner phone by now. To return the call would place his cousin in mortal danger.
Rafa’s chest constricted. Enrique wouldn’t call unless someone was about to die. Problem was, someone had already died. Three had suffered a brutal death. Stopping whoever was committing these murders was Rafa's top priority. No, he had to leave. This was his responsibility. It was time to return to Virginia.
At the sound of his boarding call, Rafa stood, slung his duffel bag over his shoulder, and waited in line behind other passengers boarding the plane to Virginia. He glanced out the airport windows at the plane, his mood souring. Someone else awaited him in Virginia. How would she react to his return?
****
“Four in two weeks.”
Detective Eugenia Green stooped beside the body of a young female who lay sprawled on the cold concrete steps of a dated apartment building. Genie squinted as a flash from a camera momentarily blinded her.
“Sorry, Green.” The crime-scene photographer shrugged his apology and repositioned his camera for another shot.
Genie stood to full height, her eyes taking in the contorted face of a woman who died in pain, the crimson stain of blood against the bleach-white fabric of a once stylish couture blouse. “Make sure you get a close shot of the chest,” she directed the photographer. “I can make out a couple of puncture wounds.” Genie stepped back so her orders could be followed.
She walked down a short flight of steps to the ground level and waved two unoccupied uniforms over. “I want this whole building canvassed. Someone heard something.” They acknowledged her with a nod and fanned out.
Genie surveyed the growing crowd of onlookers, who stood obediently behind the crime-scene tape. No one struck her as suspicious. Their faces crinkled with concern over the news of a fatal stabbing in a relatively quiet community. A couple of local news crews had gathered in time to shoot live for the eleven o’clock news.
One more victim and Springfield, VA would be looking at a serial killer.
“Green!”
Genie swallowed thickly. Turning on her heels, the muscles in her back tensed as she watched Lieutenant Larry Winters march toward her followed by none other than that idiot Franco. She read determination — no , anger — in her boss' tight face and slit eyes and she steeled herself for any accusations. She hadn’t done anything wrong. In fact, if Winters wanted someone to yell at, Franco was the obvious choice. Her gaze followed Franco and he veered off course to the steps and the body. Someone else shadowed him. The man kept pace with Franco. Genie’s eyes narrowed on the stranger’s back, but she could only make out a strong build and dark, wavy locks. A detective from another unit, perhaps?
Winters halted a few feet in front of her, hands on wide hips. “I need you to get back to the station, now.”
Her lieutenant’s gruff command confused her. She was the on-call detective for the week. She needed to be at the crime scene. “Sir, I’m working a murder investigation here. Looks like the same MO as before.”
“Yeah, Franco’s here to cover you.”
Not a chance. Being one of only a handful of female detectives in the county, and African-American, meant she had to work twice as hard as her male colleagues to earn their respect. Whatever she was assigned, no matter how trivial, she’d see it through… to the end. Her career hung on every case, every interrogation, and every piece of evidence. This was her investigation.
“No offense, boss, but Franco will mess this up. I have to—”
“You’ll do what I say or I’ll hand this investigation off to someone more qualified.”
That stunned her into silence. Someone more qualified? Her record spoke for itself: fastest promotion to detective in her district’s history, zero unsolved cases, and top three percent conviction rate among her competition. No one had more time on this case than her, and no one could manage it as well. She ran down every dead-end lead herself. Her palms sweated, comprehending the threat.
“Genie?”
“May I ask what this is all about,” she asked through thick teeth.
“A break in the case.” Her boss grinned like he had a secret.
Genie blinked. What had she overlooked? She had double-checked all evidence, confirmed statements from witnesses, and the forensic lab regularly updated her on the status of her requests. She had a hand in every element of the case. Perhaps her source had new information. Then why hadn’t he called?
Genie’s gaze shifted to Franco and the mystery man who was pointing at the wall adjacent to the staircase. Genie’s anxiety morphed into annoyance at the sight of her colleague. Franco was a decent detective, but he tended to skirt corners to close cases. He had past reprimands in his personnel file, spanning from unsigned evidence logs all the way to intimidating suspects. If he missed identifying even one piece of evidence tonight, it could sink her case.
“Lieutenant Winters… Lieutenant Winters. Can we get a statement?” Her boss moved to address a local news reporter.
Franco casually strolled to where Genie stood. He smiled broadly. “I hear you’ve been summoned.” Genie bristled at his smug look of satisfaction. “You really work too hard, Genie. You’ll most likely miss something key. I suggest you—”
“When I want
your suggestion, I’ll ask for it,” she gritted. She bumped him with a shoulder and stomped toward her vehicle. Then she heard laughter. She stopped before whirling to face a snickering Franco. She marched back to him, coming within inches of his face, her eyes narrowing on him. The air between them chilled. The surrounding sounds faded as she focused all her energy on intimidating Franco.
The laughter died.
“And I didn’t miss anything.” He didn’t challenge her, the lump in his throat bobbing, beads of perspiration gleaming on his forehead in the night light. Satisfied he feared, if not respected her, she turned on a heel.
Wait a minute. She spun back toward the direction of the staircase and the unidentified man who had accompanied Franco to the scene. She sucked in a breath, her heart pounding in her ears.
Those dimples.
The man with the wavy, dark hair approached, a grin on his handsome face. Genie licked her dry lips. He looked even better than he did in—
“Genie, this is Rafael Santiago,” she heard her boss say. “He’s here to consult on the case.”