Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

husband's sudden demise, until after number two succumbed to severe depression and committed suicide in their bathroom. According to the police report, he'd taken an overdose of a narcotic that had been prescribed by his psychiatrist, climbed into the bathtub, then neatly sliced his wrists and ankles with a razor blade. Only Rachel surmised that the man may have had a little assistance getting into the tub.
    Erica had been trying to break it off gently with Rachel, but when Rachel's plea that they get together one more time had a hint of a threat in it, Erica paid her a visit.
    It hadn't taken much urging on Rachel's part for Erica to get very drunk that night. The next day, she didn't recall everything they talked about, but Rachel reminded her. With a little prodding, Erica had described how she had sent both husbands to meet their maker, and Rachel never let her forget that she had made that confession to an officer of the law. Though Erica was of a mind to extend Rachel's torture, time did not permit such diversion. She brought Rachel to a grand finale, then performed the requisite cuddling and caressing until the spasms of pleasure subsided.
    "Do you really have to go back so soon?" Rachel asked a bit petulantly.
    Erica laughed and nipped her ear. "So soon? I really didn't have time to come to D.C. at all. But you begged so prettily, I couldn't resist. I've got a morning appointment in my West Coast office. A captain of industry can't just abandon her ship—no matter how enjoyable the distraction."
    She had instructed her pilot to stand by at the airport for a quick departure. She knew just how much time was required to calm Rachel for a few weeks. And under the circumstances, it was more necessary than usual that Rachel be kept levelheaded. Fortunately, she could sleep on the way home. Her private jet was equipped with a comfortable bed because of the number of cross-country trips she was required to make.
    Rachel smiled and stretched her sated body as the slender, dark-haired beauty rose from the bed. Not having to go anywhere herself, she gave in to the luxury of simply lying there, watching Erica get back into her public persona.
    It began with her slipping on the sheer beige bra and panties that made her look like she was still nude. When Rachel was with Erica, she felt pretty, feminine, petite. Like she should be the one wearing the sexy lingerie. But somehow, she never got the nerve to buy herself anything like that.
    "Anything new on the Ziegler murder?" Erica asked as she brushed her hair back into its normally severe style.
    Rachel had been thinking of how that hair felt unbound, draped across her thighs. The question abruptly reminded her of how easily her hot lover could turn cold. A moment ago, she had been feeling beautiful and sexy, sprawled out on the satin sheets. Now she felt exposed. As usual, however, she said nothing as she got up and put on her robe.
    She told her the same facts she had related to April. "The media has been put off with the explanation that it could be a serial-style killing, and we don't want to encourage any copycats by releasing details. Other than that there's nothing the investigative team can really sink our teeth into." Rachel snickered. "And you know how badly I want to catch the murderer of such a good man."
    Erica's eyes sparkled back at her as she clucked her tongue. "Such a terrible tragedy." She set her suitcases on the foot of the bed and opened them to pack. "Have we got anything new on our other friends?"
    Rachel propped herself up on a pile of pillows. "It looks like Holly Kaufman will try to handle the Frampton file, so we'll see how she does before going any further. I told April my concerns about Kaufman, but she's convinced we won't have any problems from her. I'm going to keep an eye on her anyway, though."
    "Bobbi's all set to move in on Frankowicz the minute he steps foot back on U.S. soil. That should be next month."
    "And O'Day?" Erica's voice could have cut glass. He was the one she and Rachel wanted the most, the one that had gotten as much pleasure from using his fists as his penis.
    Rachel shook her head. "His wife is going to take him for everything he's got. But according to the sports pages, his new contract will fill his bank account back up in no time. I swear, the guardian angel of the big and stupid must be working overtime."
    "Well, then," Erica said, smiling slyly. "Perhaps we need to arrange something special to see that Mr. O'Day