Freedom's Voice

By Joyce McDonald Hoskins

Jade Mackenzie Green is a successful investigative reporter with a passion for her job. She and her business partner, Grayson, are the stars of a TV program that nails sexual predators. Her irrational behavior puts stress on the friendly relationship she enjoys with Grayson. Problems caused by her mysterious past threaten her ability to function at work. This fiction book deals with serious real-life issues.        

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joyce McDonald Hoskins
• Release date: Aug 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386866817

Book preview

Freedom’s Voice

Joyce McDonald Hoskins

Introduction:

Jade brushed her newly straightened red hair into a ponytail and secured it with a multicolored lace scrunchie. She inserted blue contacts and studied her reflection. Her cell rang.

It was her business partner, Grayson. Hey, Mack. Do you look like a hooker, yet?

Jade frowned at her image in the mirror. Blue contacts only make my eyes greener. What was my mother thinking, naming me Jade Mackenzie Green?

The name, the green eyes, and the red curls make you Southern California’s favorite reporter. Boss said to make the disguise good. Can’t have the story jeopardized by someone recognizing you.

I’m working on it.

I’m at the door. Okay if I come in?

Yes. I’m in my bedroom.

He tried the door and it opened. You promised you’d keep your doors locked.

Laguna’s safe.

Safer than L. A., but not so safe you can . . .

He walked through her sparsely furnished kitchen. They often joked that her decorating style could only be described as temporary-contemporary. As he entered the living room he looked ahead through her open bedroom door.

Their eyes met in her dresser mirror as they tapped their phones. She smiled, hooked a large hooped earring and let her hands drop to her sides. What do you think?

Don’t tell me that’s your disguise. You look like a coed, not a fifteen-year-old hooker. He walked behind her and started pulling strands of hair free. Did you try the blonde wig?

Yes. Looked like a coed in it, too.

Push up bra and a tighter blouse would help.

Wait outside.

I won’t look.

Outside.

Red lipstick. Outline your lips with a dark color and then apply lipstick. He tossed the words over his shoulder as he walked to the door.

You know so much about it, you should be the hooker.

Hurry. I’ll meet you at the van.

Her hand remained steady as she outlined her lips. She took a last look in the mirror and headed out. She looked back and blew a kiss in the direction of Wayne’s picture before she locked her door.

Grayson took a couple of photos of her before they got into his van. How long will it take for your hair to curl again?

Don’t know. Hopefully, Ellie can fix it. She glanced in the visor mirror. Does it look bad?

Naw. He winked at her. Are you as calm and cool as you look?

Always.

He turned into the airport entrance. Check your wire.

It’s fine, worry wart.

One of us needs to worry. Be careful, Mack.

Always. Only thing I’m worried about is walking in these heels.

Careful.

She made a shove off motion with her hand and headed for the airport door.

He parked the van, grabbed his camera and jogged to catch up.

Jade confirmed the flight number and time. She caught a glimpse of Grayson buried in the crowd, positioned herself with her Dr. Olson sign held high and waited. 

After a few minutes, a large man with thick glasses and a briefcase stopped in front of Jade.

You Mindy?

She smiled. I’ll be whoever you want me to be.

Chapter 1

Did Jade forget to feed you again, girl? Grayson scratched Willow behind the ears. He walked around the side of the house and looked through the garage door window. Willow followed. Van’s gone. She’s disappeared again.

Willow brushed her sleek body around and through his ankles, reversed directions at the tip of his toes and brushed again.

He glanced at his feet. Okay, I’ll check your food and water. I can see you’re about to nibble on my toes. He turned and went to Jade’s kitchen door. On his hands and knees, he reached through the cat door to the hook on the lower right of the door frame. It took a good bit of stretching to reach the key. Be easier if she gave me a key. He stood and put the key in the lock. But, as you know, nothing is ever easy with Mack. 

When the door was open a few inches, Willow slid through. She darted toward Jade’s bedroom. His eyes scanned the kitchen. Empty beer and wine bottles adorned the counter. Jade’s jean jacket, her flip flops, and a white blouse with red stains were on the floor. He felt a tinge of fear, grabbed the shirt, and sniffed.

Relieved the shirt smelled of wine, he went in search of Willow. A pair of jeans lay inside Jade’s partly opened bedroom door. She lay on her stomach with one arm dangling lifeless off the side of the bed. Willow stood on Jade’s back combing one paw slowly through her hair. Grayson ran to the bed, turned her over, gripped her shoulders, and shook her. Jade!

She screamed.

He relaxed his grip and her head fell to the pillow.

They stared at each other, both taking gulps of air and pushing it out with loud pants. Their eyes shifted to Willow who perched on the dresser, back arched, green eyes huge, fur standing straight up. A sunbeam sneaked through the shutters. The tips of her black fur glistened.

Jade began to laugh, hysterically.

Stop it. When she didn’t stop, Grayson took her shoulders and shook. This isn’t funny. I was ready to call 911.

Jade continued to laugh.

I find you passed out, your van gone, and you. . .

She pushed him away and rolled out of bed. On her feet, she steadied herself by touching the headboard lightly with one hand. She glanced at Grayson. Make some coffee.

Make it yourself. We have to be at the studio at ten. I’ll be back to take you, since it appears as if you have no transportation. He walked toward the kitchen. And feed your cat. He slammed the door, kicked a small rock off the deck and walked around back to his studio apartment.

In his apartment, he made coffee, repented a bit from his anger, and took Jade a cup. He could hear her shower running, noted Willow was eating, so he set the coffee on the kitchen counter and left.

He was still angry when he returned, but his photographer eyes couldn’t help but note, she looked great in spite of the night before. Her shiny curls still damp, ivory skin glowing, a touch of blush, a little mascara on the tips of her lashes and tinted lip gloss. He snapped a quick close-up of her face, then zoomed the camera close to her shoulder.

What are you doing?

The red curls on your bare ivory skin, the turquoise strap of your tank top just a tad off shoulder. Priceless.

She ran her finger and thumb up the strap to straighten it. Well, if it turns out it has a price tag, I get half.

She took extra-long strides as she headed to Grayson’s van where she immediately began to defend herself. It wasn’t what you’re thinking, Gray. I certainly didn’t drink all that booze alone. Wayne was able to fly in. He drove my van when we went to dinner. He insisted my brakes weren’t right. We left it at a shop. He brought me home in a rental.

I drove your van the other day, the brakes were fine, but you don’t need to explain your life to me. I’m just the guy who rents your studio.

You’re my partner and friend. She tucked a curl behind her ear. Ellie fixed my hair. She is a wonder. When he didn’t respond, she touched his shoulder lightly. I didn’t pass out. I was sleeping soundly. After dinner, we. . . well. . .you know. We are engaged.

Grayson started his van and pulled out onto the street. It’s none of my business, Mack.

He thought about the night before. There was no rental parked in the driveway when he returned from his date. His mind fast forwarded to her bedroom. The queen-sized bed was undisturbed except where her body had lain. The light turned green and he accelerated a little too fast.

She braced herself with one hand on the dash. I’m sorry I upset you.

Like I said, none of my business.

I am sorry. It must have embarrassed you. Certainly, did me. I was in my panties and bra.

I’ve photographed hundreds of models in lingerie. He glanced at her beet red face. You actually are embarrassed. It’s no big deal. I barely noticed.

With your eye for detail?

Green sports bra with matching panties. Nothing erotic. Cotton, I think. He glanced back at her. Believe me, my mind was on whether or not you were breathing, not on what you were or were not wearing. 

Oh, well. Wayne will never know.

Won’t hear it from me. I’ve never met the guy. 

"How was your date?’

Early night. We didn’t hit it off.

Wayne parked the rental down the street. Security reasons.

Right. CIA, FBI, or something.

He had to get an early morning flight.

Grayson didn’t respond.

You really are angry, aren’t you?

Yes. If you weren’t a girl, I’d punch you.

I’d duck and sucker punch you like I did that guy in the airport. She laughed. I do okay, for a girl.

The meeting with the station managers did not go well. Jade was surly, left the room several times, complained of a headache, and asked if they could reschedule.

Eyes rolled. Heads nodded. She got her way.

In the parking lot, Jade slid into the van and managed to slam the door as Grayson was closing it.

He shook the hand that had held the door handle as he walked around to the driver’s side. A glance told him she was steaming.

She forcefully pushed the seat back, stretched her long legs out and dug the heel of one boot into the floorboard carpet. After she slammed the armrest down, she tightly folded her arms across her chest.

Nice body language demo, Mack.

Gentlemen, start your engines.

He chuckled. You’re not so angry you can’t make a sarcastic little joke. He started the van and pulled onto the highway. Would some lunch put you in a better mood?

No. She rolled her window down. Turn off the air.

He turned it off, put his window down and deliberately accelerated. The wind blew her hair into her face.

Roll your window half-way up.

He didn’t.

She held her hair with one hand and reached across his chest with the other.

Stop it. He slapped her hand. We’ll have an accident. He pulled into the parking lot of a Jack-in-the-Box. You can come in or wait here. I’m having something to eat.

She got out, stormed into the restaurant and seated herself.

He followed, went to the counter and ordered, took the tray to the table, and moved a chair out with his foot.

I don’t want anything to eat.

Well, you’ve got it anyhow. Eat or don’t. Doesn’t matter to me.

She put sugar in her tea and stirred. Vigorously. A child at the next table laughed at her actions. His mother shushed him.

Calm down. Grayson put his hand on hers to stop the motion. You’re getting that poor child in trouble.

He took his food and left hers on the tray. Now or later?

What?

You want to talk about it now, or later?

Now. Her cheeks slowly turned pink as she squared her shoulders. If you think our team needs another member you should have discussed it with me, instead of dropping it on me in a meeting. And it wasn’t a suggestion. You demanded it.

I couldn’t sleep last night, so I watched the video of the airport incident. You almost got killed.

Did not. The button on my blouse popped. You were the one who suggested the push-up bra and tight blouse. He spotted the wire and grabbed me. I was able to break his hold, duck, and sucker punch him. No real problem. We don’t need another team member. Journalists don’t usually have bouncers.

Bouncer, bodyguard, technician. Job title means nothing. We need someone else, and part of the job will be to protect you. He picked up his burger. Even after you punched him, he managed to get his hands around your throat. I damaged my favorite camera when I pulled him off of you. I can still see the bruises on your neck.

"I’ll