Lots better

It took a few scary moments but Rick finally persuaded Detective O'Sullivan he wasn't there to attack her and she invited him and the four women into her home.

After a day hiding in the Texas heat, the home's air conditioning felt good on his skin although he'd enjoyed watching the women strip down more and more in futile attempts at comfort in Texas's killing heat. Detective O'Sullivan did not strip down although Rick certainly wouldn't have complained if she did. Instead she turned her phone to record mode and had them go through their stories.

"Assuming you're not going to lawyer up on me again," she said.

"We didn't want you to go off on a tangent," Rick said. "We have real evidence that should help you with Olivia's murder.

Rick explained that he'd learned that bio-DNA had hired Black Hat for security. He then had Kat and Olivia describe how they'd picked up the Black Hat shave-heads and how what had started out as casual dates had turned to violence, abuse and bondage. Then he described the photos on the wall of the Black Hat headquarters... especially those of Olivia and of the gym. "Olivia was planning on ending her marriage and taking Dan Hughes to the cleaners. With her credible story of him abusing their daughter, he was over a barrel and she would have taken him for a ton... he wouldn't have dared risking going to court and having that come out. So, he had the Black Hat assholes create a shotgun divorce. Just like they had Black Hat destroy Kat's gym."

"It's a story," O'Sullivan said. "But where's the evidence?"

Rick shrugged. "I took photos of the pictures on the wall at Black Hat but I'm afraid to turn on my phone to show you. No way the local cops there aren't looking for me."

"I'll take that phone."

He reluctantly handed it over. "You do know that killing a police detective will look like an easy solution to their problems if they find out you're investigating."

"Possibly." Okay, suppose I believe you. What do you want out of me?"

"I want the same thing you do. For those responsible for Olivia Hughes's death to be apprehended and punished."

"Yada-yada-yada. What do you want now?"

"Protection," he said. "I want Dan Hughes in jail. I want Nicki Hughes protected from more of his abuse. I want everyone in the country to get bio-DNA at a reasonable cost."

She laughed. "Like that's going to happen."

"It should. We're talking about something that will keep people healthy, make them more sensitive to others, end obesity. We're talking about trillions of dollars in benefits if it's adopted nationwide but that's, instead, limited to a few billionaires who already have every advantage."

"We don't do socialism here in Texas."

"Fine, whatever. You asked what I wanted." He didn't add he wanted to get his dick between her massive tits although he was keeping an eye on her.

O'Sullivan was funny to watch. The idea of tracking down and getting evidence against a killer, especially a killer who thought he was beyond the reach of the law, was turning her on in a way sex turned on most people. That little flush to her cheeks, one that extended to the discrete bit of cleavage her white blouse showed, might not have been noticed by many but Rick was tuned to it. The small catch to her breathing was even more of a give-away. While he talked, she squirmed slightly. It was almost certainly a subconscious motion but it was one that rubbed her pussy against her couch.

She licked her lips. "Let's settle for what's possible. Your theory about Hughes abusing his daughter is just a theory. Where's the evidence for that?"

She was right. He had nothing there except his feelings from talking with Nicki. But he trusted his feelings.

"Do some research. When they travel, do they stay in the same suite? Do the maids report having to make up two beds or just one? Look for any suspicious reports from teachers... or sudden changes in school. There are some teachers who'll risk their jobs to report abuse even if it's from rich fathers."

"Don't tell me how to do my job."

Well, she'd asked. "Tell you what," he said. "I'll call Nicki and try to set up a meeting with her. I'll see what I can get her to admit and you can listen in."

"We can't touch her. She's completely lawyered up."

"Maybe," he said, "I can get through. She did give me her private number." Although she'd blown him off the last time he'd tried.

"Can't hurt."

He used one of the burner phones and dialed Nicki. O'Sullivan pressed her ear up against the phone, bringing her into touch-contact with Rick.

"I'm going crazy," she said. "Get me out of here and you can do what you want with me."

"Now?"

Nicki sighed. "Can't get away now. Tomorrow night. Meet me at eight at Bayou Jacks."

"You've got it. See you then."

"Uh, yeah." O'Sullivan had to make an effort to tear herself away from the close contact with Rick. "What the hell am I going to do with you until then?"

"Big house, lots of bedrooms," Rick said. "By the way, you seem tense. Any interest in a massage?"