Tortured Beginning by V. M. Holk Read Free Book Online

him.
    "What's up, Jason?"
    "Not much. You leaving early today?"
    I chuckle, "If you call leaving at 6:30 early, then yes."
    "You want to go get a drink?"
    "Sorry man, I can't." Jason raises his eyebrows at me in question. I wave my hands at him, "It's nothing like that. I have a case that I need to go get a statement from the woman."
    "Woman?"
    "It's not like that. She has an abusive ex and I want to make sure her house is secure, as well."
    "Wow, she must be something."
    I slug him in the arm, "Come on, it's really not like that." He rubs his arm where I hit it and gives me a skeptical look. "Hey I'll get a drink with you tomorrow night, alright?"
    He shakes his head at me as I grab my suit jacket and start walking out the door.
    "Be safe," Jason yells at me as I leave.
    I run down the steps to the parking lot, shaking my head. Damn, if he doesn't know me better than I thought. But when you are partners with someone, you become very close. He is my closest friend and I should have known he would see right through me. I jump into my car and start to drive home.
    I pull into the driveway of my three bedroom, brick ranch house. I bought this house when I first got promoted to detective. I was dating Tami at the time, we picked out the house together and she moved in with me. We were happy for awhile and then things fell apart for us. That was almost four years ago now.
    I hit the garage door opener, park the car and walk into the house. The entrance from the garage leads right into the kitchen. I have a bowl on the small table and I put my keys in them. It's not a large kitchen, but enough for me. There is a closet on the other side of the table that holds, the washer, dryer and hot water tank. The wall to the right is a door wall, that leads to the patio and backyard.
    I walk to the left and there is a step up that leads into the heart of the kitchen. I haven't done much in this room, it's still decorated how Tami did it. With olive green walls with a tuscan wine theme. We had bought new appliances all in black.
    Before I walk any further my calico cat, Gus comes to greet me. Tami and I got him when we first moved here. I kept him, because this is the only home he knows. He was the runt of the litter, not that you could ever tell now. I am grateful I have him. He rubs up against my leg and I bend down to pet him behind his ears.
    "Hey, Gus-Gus. Have you missed me?" He purrs in response to my question and let's out a little meow.
    I check to make sure that his bowl of food and water are filled. Once I have Gus squared away, I walk to the hallway, on the right that leads to the master bedroom. If you walk straight it leads you to a large living room with a huge picture window, my large TV and comfy furniture. There is another hallway with two bedrooms and a full bathroom.
    I walk into my room and strip my clothes off and throw them into the hamper. It's a large master bedroom, with a king size bed against the far wall. A walk in closet on the opposite side from the bed. I walk into my attached bathroom. The bathroom was what made me want to buy the house. It has a tiled stand up shower with dual shower heads. There is a garden tub and a large counter with double sinks. I get into the shower and feel the stress of my job, wash away with the water down the drain. I lean on the wall and put my head down and enjoy the warmth.

    I pull into Jaylah's driveway, and notice that the house is very dark. I see her car parked and hope that she is home. I get out of the car and look at my watch to make sure that I'm not to late. It's quarter after eight, so I should be okay. I could kick myself for taking such a long shower, but it felt to good.
    I grab my notepad and hurry up the path to her house. I notice light flashing from the window, must be her TV. I knock on the door and wait. I knock on the door louder this time and wait. I start to get worried, as I start to pound on the door. Just as I was about to try to call her and make sure she