Arresting Behavior: Uniform Encounters, #2

By Morticia Knight

Attraction between a detective and accused killer rarely ends well. Especially since it's the seductive Quinn who is Jake's prime suspect...

 

Being promoted to detective so early in his career is like a dream come true for Jake. However, his first case makes him wonder if he's cut out for the job. A serial killer is on the loose and the city is counting on him to bring the psycho to justice.

 

All Quinn wants is to be left alone to pursue his art. He lives on the edge of the rez, convinced his tribe doesn't accept him. When he's tied to the recent killings in Mesa, he knows he'll be dragged in by the deceitful cops and blamed for everything.

 

What happens next takes both Jake and Quinn by surprise. They're gripped by a forbidden attraction and now Jake has everything to lose. Not only is his reputation and career on the line, but so is his heart.

 

Can Jake find the elusive predator responsible for such horrific deaths? Or will he be the murderer's next target?

 

Note: Arresting Behavior is the second novel in the steamy and exciting Uniform Encounters series. It was previously published under the same title with a different publisher. This second edition has been revised and re-edited, but the story remains the same. You can expect an opposites-attract romance between a homicide detective and his suspect, lots of heat along with mystery and suspense. Triggers: on-page, graphic violence.

 

Grab your copy of Arresting Behavior now for a thrilling romance with unexpected twists and turns!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morticia Knight
• Release date: Jun 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223801900

Book preview

Arresting Behavior (Uniform Encounters 2)

Copyright ©2021 Morticia Knight

Second Edition

Edited by Barham Editorial

Published by Knight Ever After Publishing LLC

All right reserved. This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer-to-peer program, for free or for a fee. Such action is illegal and in violation of Copyright Law.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. Models are for representational purposes only and not related to the content herein.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Possible triggers

On-page violence plus graphic descriptions of murder. Kidnapping and peril. Mild elements of BDSM.

Author’s Note

Arresting Behavior was originally published in 2013 under the same title with a different publisher. This edition has been re-edited and revised, but the story remains the same. Jake and Quinn’s story may also have references to places or events specific to the time period when it was written that are no longer relevant today.

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Table of Contents

Front Matter

Book Description

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

More Uniform Encounters

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Attraction between a detective and an accused killer rarely ends well. Especially since the seductive Quinn is Jake’s prime suspect in a series of gruesome murders...

Being promoted to detective so early in his career is like a dream come true for Jake. However, his first case makes him wonder if he’s cut out for the job. A serial killer is on the loose and the city is counting on him to bring the psycho to justice.

All Quinn wants is to be left alone to pursue his art. He lives on the edge of the rez, convinced his tribe doesn’t accept him. When he’s tied to the recent killings in Mesa, he knows he’ll be dragged in by the deceitful cops and blamed for everything.

What happens next takes both Jake and Quinn by surprise. They’re gripped by a forbidden attraction and now Jake has everything to lose. Not only is his reputation and career on the line, but so is his heart.

Can Jake find the elusive predator responsible for such horrific deaths? Or will he be the murderer’s next target?

Chapter One

Please…you don’t have to do this.

John’s whimpering tone made the man sick. He wasn’t worth the air he was taking up on the earth. That was why he had to be the next one to die. The man edged closer to the tanned and buff John who was tied spreadeagled to the small bed, bare-chested, wearing only his tattered jeans in the stuffy and dirty motel room. The window cooler continued rattling and struggling to keep the air to a bearable temperature in the Arizona desert heat, and the man was almost hypnotized by the look of abject terror on his victim’s face.

Actually, John. Yes, I do. You disgust me. Everything about you is revolting.

I don’t understand…

It appeared as though the thirtyish John’s wide, green eyes were filling with water.

Tears. God, it gets worse.

John’s pleading tone snapped him out of his reverie.

"Of course you don’t, you miscreant. Somehow the inherent weakness you envelop around you like a cloak of honor has softened your mind. I would have to say that the most truly revolting thing you’ve done today—and there are so many I could choose from—was your offer to suck my dick if I let you live. Really? That’s all you’ve got? How pathetic."

John made a small choking sound, and the man knew his victim was fighting back sobs. "Anything. I’ll do anything you want."

The man nodded. True. You will. And what I want for you to do right now is die.

John’s eyes widened even farther in sheer panic and horror, and as he opened his mouth to scream, the killer plunged the large hunting knife into it, pinning John’s head to the bed. John’s final expression—eyes bulging and mouth held in the last throes of a plea for his life—would send a message that, not only would weakness not be tolerated, it was punishable by death.

* * * *

I’m afraid we’ve got another one, Jake. Aren’t you glad you joined homicide this month?

Jake Gutierrez gave his partner Maggie the lopsided grin he knew made one dimple in his left cheek stand out, and typically prompted a tease out of her. But there were bigger issues at hand, and he waited for her to join him at his desk. She had just returned from the lieutenant’s office with info on the latest murder. Jake had gotten her text while down the street at the roach coach that parked near the precinct. They had the best chorizo tacos known to mankind—but he would never let his nana learn of his treason. His grandma would smack him upside his head for suggesting that hers were anything less than the ultimate.

That’s what I’m here for, right? I’d better not start complaining now, or I’ll be back trolling the streets of Mesa.

"I wasn’t talking about your nightlife mijo, just the job."

Jake shook his head, chuckling a little. It always cracked him up when the five-foot-two Irish redhead used Spanish—her accent was more Brooklyn than Baja. They’d started out together at the academy five years earlier, right after she moved to Arizona from New York. She said she’d had enough cold and snow to last her a lifetime, and he had teased her that with her pale skin, she’d never survive the first furnace-like summer. But she was a toughie, and she had a lot of smarts.

Jake had learned not only to like the fiery petite woman, but to respect her as well. The beginnings of their relationship had been awkward, though, when she developed a serious crush on him. He’d had to gently explain to her that he loved her as a friend only, and that he was only interested in men. Once she got over her hurt and disappointment, they became best buddies. She had actually made homicide a full year before him, and he’d been excited for her. Then once he’d moved up in the ranks and been partnered with her, things had gotten even better.

They were both fairly young to have moved ahead, but the Mesa area had seen such a huge growth spurt in the last decade and a half, that the department had needed to increase their homicide team sooner, rather than later. In addition, none of the current detectives in homicide had any long-term experience with their most seasoned veterans retiring or transferring out within the past six months. Bad for Mesa, good for Jake’s rapid career advancement.

So… said Jake, still waiting as she gathered her things, Are we getting a briefing?

Maggie returned to serious mode. Actually, the lieutenant needs us to head out there immediately, he already handed me what we know so far. Also, it’s about a half hour out of town—I’d say fifteen minutes past Gold Canyon on Highway 60. With the September temps this bad—well—the body…

Huh, out in the middle of nowhere. Gotcha. Fill me in on the way over.

They drove the police issue SUV out to the murder site, and Maggie gave him the few details she had at this stage on why the sheriffs in Gold Canyon—the closest location to the murder site—were convinced the murder was another of The Bondage Butcher’s killings. If so, that would make it the third one.

For starters, the killer left the hunting knife impaled in the victim—this time in his mouth—and the male victim was tied up. We don’t know for sure yet if he was homosexual, but he checked into an out of the way motel known for gay hookups and hourly rates.

Maggie paused as she pulled the SUV into the afternoon traffic and Jake pondered the info she’d shared so far. The pressure of being assigned to such a high-profile case lurked in the back of his mind, and he wanted to make sure he didn’t get lost in those thoughts. Other than the obvious shake-ups in the department, he wasn’t completely sure why they’d been given such a monumental task that more seasoned investigators should’ve received.

But Jake had also overheard the lieutenant commenting to the captain about Jake’s brown skin and Maggie’s unassuming and non-threatening appearance. Was that supposed to encourage the local Native population to suddenly start telling law enforcement everything they knew about the main suspect? Quinn was from one of the main tribes of the area and had zero interest in speaking to them.

Yeah. Right. And Maggie is non-threatening only if you’ve never met her before.

As if on cue, Maggie yelled out a colorful stream of obscenities directed at the traffic headed out of town.

Isn’t it possible this is a copycat? remarked Jake, A sex game gone wrong, or some psycho taking advantage of the headlines from the other killings?

Yeah. That’s possible. Except the motel owner told the sheriff he’s seen this same dead guy with the one…the only…can you guess?

Quinn.

Yup. See? That’s why I wanted you as my partner. You’re not even a tiny bit stupid.

Uh-huh. Except that we can’t seem to find anything tying this Quinn guy to the killings—other than him knowing the victims. Jake drew his eyebrows together. Well, maybe he slipped up this time.

I hope so. I’m dying to question this guy. With him refusing to come in and avoiding us like the grim reaper, we can only hope we get some probable cause to arrest him. I’d take unpaid parking tickets at this point.

Jake snorted. I’m with you on that one.

After finally escaping the urban sprawl of Mesa, they settled into some theories as to why—or why not—Quinn might be their man. One of the greatest things about their partnership as investigators was the fact that they were such good friends. They could banter back and forth in jest, but they were also tuned into each other when it came to their police work. Like an old married couple that finished each other’s sentences, their brainstorming was a thing to behold. It was the main reason Jake was able to hang onto some semblance of confidence in his new position. He truly believed that he and Maggie had what it took to be great detectives one day.

Shortly after they passed through Gold Canyon, they took one of the exits then veered off onto a side road. Within a few minutes, they turned up the dirt and gravel driveway of a run-down motel consisting of just two rows in an L-shape. The office was at the end of the building closest to the driveway. Prickly pear cacti that appeared as if they were once considered a form of landscaping were now pretty ratty and dried up. It was as though the motel and the surrounding land were part of some sort of vortex of decay.

It was obvious which room was where the body was located. Yellow crime scene tape surrounded the area, and a sheriff—along with a scruffy, skinny guy in a wife-beater tank and ripped up jeans—were gathered by the room that was farthest from the office. It made sense that the murderer would’ve wanted as much solitude as possible to carry out his gruesome deed.

Who’s the forensics lead on this one? asked Jake, as Maggie pulled the SUV next to the Sheriff’s cruiser.

Barry. He should be right behind us with his team. He was testifying downtown, but they sent someone to grab him while you and I were getting ready to go.

Gotcha. That’s good. He’s been at every scene, so things will remain consistent.

Did you hear that the new girl, Alicia, and him aren’t getting along?

They both climbed out of the black Chevy Blazer.

Really?

Jake could admit to himself he was a big lover of any juicy gossip—part of why he and Maggie got along so well. She always had the best stories about everyone at the station.

Oh yeah, she said. She keeps throwing around her whole ‘I took summer classes at Quantico’ thing, and it’s driving him crazy. He’s started calling her ‘Clarice’ to get under her skin.

Jake laughed softly to himself as the Sheriff approached them.

You’ll have to give me more details later, Mags.

Without even extending his hand, the no-nonsense, seasoned Sheriff started right in.

I’m Sheriff Parsons. Glad you could make it before dark. We need to get the coroner in here as soon as possible. I have a town to attend to.

Jake cleared his throat. Although he was unhappy with the attitude the older man was taking with them, he realized that the Sheriff was probably not too thrilled that a potential serial killer had descended upon his small town.

Yes, sir. We’re going to get the body removed as soon as possible, forensics is on their way. Once we get some information from you, I’m sure it won’t be a problem to go and handle whatever it is you need taken care of.

Maggie elbowed him. Jake was working as hard as he could to keep his tone even and professional. During his performance reviews in the almost five years he’d been on the force, the one thing that came up repeatedly was his smart mouth. Sometimes that sarcasm would just creep into his sentences without him even noticing. So, it was an area he’d been working hard on to improve.

Excuse me? What do you mean by that? Are you inferring that the welfare of the town which has been entrusted to me is of little significance?

Jake groaned inwardly. No, sir, I—

Maggie interjected, Sheriff. We’re here to do a job the same as you are. No one’s making any judgements about anyone. We’re just as anxious as you are to get things underway here.

The sheriff peered down at the tiny woman, and Jake noted that her stance projected she was not intimidated in any way. Without commenting, the Sheriff handed her some notes. Jake assumed they were regarding the crime scene.

Jake held back a smile, only slightly miffed that she’d jumped to his defense. He knew it came from a good place, and he didn’t want to be like the other guys at the station, either. There were those who gave her a hard time not only for being a woman, but for being