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Destiny yelped and jerked around to face him. Her foot slipped and she started to tumble onto her stairs.
He grabbed both arms, pulling her upright. She was terrified. “Dr. Blade, relax. It’s Detective Givens. Calm down and talk to me.”
“What? What are you doing here?” She struggled to get out of his grasp. She backed up the stairs, clutching her purse and coat to her chest.
In the lighting on her porch, he noticed her state of dress. Red. The woman had balls going to a kink club wearing flaming scarlet. He’d give her that. “I’ll ask you again. Why were you at the club?”
“You were following me?”
“No, I’m investigating a series of murders, and you seem to be popping up on the radar. I find that interesting.”
“A series?” Her mouth went slack.
“Maybe. I have two more dead bodies on my hands. That makes me cranky.” Montana remained on the sidewalk. He looked up and down the street to see if they’d been followed. There were few cars on the street on a Sunday night. He was risking telling her anything.
She shrunk back and groaned. “Why is this happening?”
“You tell me, doctor. You seem to know more than you’re willing to share with me. Perhaps you’ve discovered something in your case files.”
“I don’t know anything.”
“I think you’re lying.” While his tactics weren’t as professional as they should be, he had a hunch the killer was escalating timing.
“I’m not lying. I just…” Destiny sagged against the door. “Honestly? I don’t know why I went there. I guess I thought I could help. Stupid. I’m no Nancy Drew.”
Montana snorted. “Help? By pretending to be something you’re not? By going to a location and immersing yourself into a lifestyle you aren’t accustomed to?” His words were heated. “Do you have any idea at all what goes on in these clubs? The concept of consent depends on the Dom you hook up with.”
“Hook up? How fucking dare you!”
“How dare I? Lady, instead of calling me with reasons someone should infiltrate the club, you took it upon yourself to investigate all on your own, without backup or my guess is anything to protect yourself. Am I right?” When she hesitated, he inched closer. “Do you understand there have been several murders?”
“I just… I wanted to find out why my patients went to the club. That’s it. I was curious for myself.” Destiny shook her head.
“I don’t buy your story. You thought you found a lead and you jumped at the chance to play detective. Didn’t you?”
“I was trying to figure out why the attraction to such a heinous lifestyle.”
“Heinous?” Montana laughed. “Are you certain this isn’t personal as in you have some blatant yearning to be flogged?” The look she wore was one of shock, an expression she quickly masked. He was surprised at his vehemence.
She looked away, biting her lower lip. “I’m an accredited psychiatrist, Detective Givens. I do research on my patients. This is nothing new for me.”
Montana walked up the stairs, his anger flaring. “Research. Of course. Do you realize you could have gotten yourself killed?”
“I’m fine! I know exactly what I’m doing. My patients are very important to me.”
“Important? Two of them are dead!” Maybe more. His thoughts raced to the scene at the river. He was certain the murders were connected.
“Damn you!”
Montana rubbed his eyes. “We’re not getting anywhere.”
“Then leave,” she insisted.
He allowed a full minute to tick by. “Here’s the deal. You’re not going to meddle in this investigation, or I’ll have you arrested. Do you hear what I’m saying to you?” When she tipped her head in defiance he hissed. “Jesus. I don’t know what you think you were doing. I can’t protect you if you go off half-cocked.”
“Who says I need protection?”
He opened his mouth to answer then looked away, sighing. “Look, can we talk inside?”
