�Is he home by any chance?� Richard asked.
�Please call me Samantha,� the lady replied. �Is Heath in trouble?�
�Of course not, ma�am,� Kevin assured her. �We just have a few questions regarding a case.�
�He�s outback with the horses,� Samantha replied. �Please come in.�
�Thank you,� Richard said, as they went inside.
�Mrs. Rimbauer,� Kevin began, �how long was your son dating Callen Michaels?�
�I think almost a year,� Samantha stated.
�Were they close?� Richard asked.
�Very close,� Samantha replied. �He was never so devoted to a woman like he was to Callen. He loved going to that club she worked at and watch her dance. They were so happy together and he was completely devastated when she died. To hide his hurt he took to the horses.� They made their way outback and she pointed to her son. �The one thing Callen loved about this place was the horses. Heath taught her to ride and I think being with the horses helps him deal with our tragic loss. I believe it still keeps him connected with her.�
�Did you ever hear them argue?� Kevin questioned.
�Just over little things,� Samantha said. �Like where they were going for dinner or what movie they were going to see. Just little stuff like that.�
�Never full blown arguments?� Richard asked.
�None,� Samantha said.
�Thank you, Mrs. Rimbauer,� Kevin said.
�You�re welcome,� Samantha said. �Callen was a lovely girl and if there�s anything else you need please let me and Jack know.�
�Will do,� Richard said, as he and Kevin walked towards Heath. �This love story sounds too perfect, Sarge. No one can go through a relationship without having a big blowout.�
�I know what ya mean,� Kevin said. �Kristin and I had ours.�
�So have me and Paula,� Richard said, as they approached Heath.
�Heath Rimbauer,� Kevin said and he looked.
�Who wants to know?� Heath asked.
�Sergeant Kevin Richardson and Detective Richard Cronin,� Kevin replied. �We have a few questions regarding your relationship with Callen Michaels.� He looked at them a second then went back to washing the stallion.
�Callen�s dead,� Heath reminded them. �Why can�t you cops just leave her alone?�
�We�re just doing our job in trying to find her murderer,� Kevin stated. �We understand you�re still grieving, but we just have a few questions if you don�t mind answering them.�
�Do I need my lawyer?� Heath wanted to know.
�Of course not,� Richard said. �Do you have a few minutes?�
�I guess so,� Heath said. �Go on.�
�Where were you the night of September 2nd and the early morning hours of September 3rd?� Kevin questioned.
�I was at the club from opening until about ten,� Heath answered. �At that time I got a call from mother saying my father was in the hospital. I went to the hospital and was there until nine the next morning when my father was released. Anything else?�
�Was that the last time you saw Callen?� Richard asked. �At the club?�
�Yes,� Heath replied. �We were going to see each other again at the club.�
�Did you go to the club?� Kevin asked.
�No,� Heath stated. �I wasn�t feeling well that night so I left a message on her voice mail telling her I wasn�t going to make it that night. Dannika and Jenai came by the next day and told me what happened.�
�Jenai Richardson and Dannika Michaels?� Richard said.
�Yeah; Callen�s sister and best friend,� Heath said, as Kevin sighed and looked at Richard.
�How close were you and Callen?� Richard asked.
�Really close,� Heath said.
�Did she ever mention any of her exes?� Kevin wanted to know.
�No, never,� Heath answered. �She just said that her recent ex was a real jerk.�
�Did she ever give a name?� Richard questioned and Heath shook his head.
�Did you two ever argue?� Kevin asked.
�Just over little things,� Heath stated. �We were really happy together.�
�You never had any huge fights,� Kevin said.
�I did not kill my fianc�e if that�s what you think,� Heath said. �I loved Callen and would never hurt her in any way.�
�We just want to find her killer, Heath,� Richard said. �We�re just trying to rule out any possible suspects.�
�So look for her killer,� Heath said.
�We�re doing our best,� Richard stated.
�Was Callen in any trouble?� Kevin questioned.
�No,� Heath replied and Kevin gave a slight nod.
�Ok,� Kevin said. �If we have any more questions we�ll be in touch.�
�If you remember anything give us a call,� Richard said handing him a card. Heath looked at it and Kevin and Richard walked away. �Something doesn�t seem right.�
�It�s too perfect like you said,� Kevin said. �I�m going to put some men on him and see what happens.�
�JJ never mentioned she came here the day after.�
�No she didn�t and it makes me wonder what else those two girls are keeping from us,� Kevin said. �JJ always neglects to tell me things.� Richard just grinned, as they got into the car.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Hey,� Nickolas said joining Jenai by the pool.
�Hey,� Jenai said, as Nickolas sat beside her.
�I just got off the phone with Kevin,� Nickolas replied and Jenai looked at him. �He�s not going to make us pack up over that phone call.�
�That�s surprising,� Jenai said and he grinned. �So what�s the agreement?�
�You�re smarter than I thought.�
�I know Kevin.�
�He wants to know why you lied about seeing Heath Rimbauer.�
�I didn�t lie.�
�Heath said you and Dani went to his house the day after to tell him about Callen.�
She sighed. �Yeah.�
�Why didn�t you say anything?�
�Because you would�ve just questioned me about his reaction.�
�How did he react?�
�See what I mean.� She got up. �His fianc�e just died and was murdered. How do you think he reacted? He was upset and unreasonable.�
�Is there anything else you didn�t tell us?�
�Not that I can think of, but if I do remember anything I�ll be sure to let you know.�
�Thank you.� She sat back down next to him and they looked at each other. �So what are you listening to?�
�What does it sound like?� She grinned and he shook his head.
�It�s that �Can�t Fight This Feeling� song by REO Speedwagon.� She nodded and he smiled. He looked at Jenai and started singing, �Even as I wander�I�m keeping you in sight�you�re a candle in the window on a cold dark winters night�and I�m getting closer then I ever thought I might�and I can�t fight this feeling anymore�I�ve forgotten what I started fighting for�it�s time to bring this ship into the shore�and throw away the ores forever��cause I can�t fight this feeling anymore�I�ve forgotten what I started fighting for�and if I have to crawl upon the floor�come crashing through your door�Baby, I can�t fight this feeling anymore...� Jenai looked at him grinning and he continued smiling.
�You sing too, huh?�
�In my spare time.�
�Right.�
�Singing was my favorite thing to do growing up. I was going to do it professionally before I got bit by the police bug.�
�Why didn�t you sing professionally? It would�ve been a lot better.�
�I decided I wanted to help people this way instead of through music.� She nodded. �Besides, if I didn�t get into the police business I most likely wouldn�t have met you.�
�If you came to Club Z ya would.�
�Right.�
�I�ve seen big name stars in there.�
�Like who?�
�Orlando Bloom��
�He�s dating Dani so he doesn�t count and neither does my underage brother.�
�Alright. Then lets see here; Brad Pitt, before he married Jennifer, Ashton Kutcher, Colin Farrell, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, Hugh Hefner was in a couple times looking for recruits, oh, and Madonna was in, like, twice, and Cher was in a few times. There was bunch of other stars in also. It�s awesome when the stars come in, because most of them tip big.� Nickolas nodded. �Would you come in if you were a big star?�
�Yeah; besides its beautiful women it�s got great food.�
�The foods the best and the women are pretty hot.� He laughed. �I didn�t mean me.�
�Whatever, I think you�re the hottest employee at Club Z.� She grinned and turned her head so he wouldn�t see her blush.� Are you blushing?�
�No.� He went to turn her face towards him, but she pushed his hand away.
�Liar.�
�I�m not blushing, Nick.�
�Then look at me.�
�No.�
�Why not?�
�Because if I don�t look at you then I can fight that urge to kiss you.� Nickolas smiled, but she didn�t see it as she kept her head turned.
�Maybe I want you to kiss me.�
�Well I don�t want to kiss you.�
�Why not?�
�Because I don�t.� She went to get up, but he stopped her. She looked at him and he smiled. That smile always got her since the day she saw him and she had to smile herself. And that�s what she did; smiled. Nickolas had to know by now that was her weakness when it came to him. Just one of his smiles and she was gone. She was his with each smile he gave her. She didn�t want it to be that way, because he was a cop and she hated cops. Maybe she could make an exception for Nickolas though. He was nice, sweet, caring, understanding, and 110% gorgeous�ok, maybe sexy was the proper term for him. He was just an all around amazing guy.
�What are you smiling at?�
�Nothing. What are you smiling at?�
�Nothing.�
�Whatever.� She went to get up, but he stopped her again. �Now what?� He looked around then back at Jenai. �What?�
�Since you don�t want to kiss me may I kiss you?�
�No.�
�Why not?�
�Because we�re not alone.� She pointed behind him and he looked to see Kendra. �Sorry.� She got up. �If you�ll excuse me I�m going to go put on something more flexible and do some dancing.� He watched her walk away and smiled at him before going inside.
CHAPTER 14
HOME