The Perfect Liar (Last Stand 5)

After getting lucky enough to gain his interest, only a fool would stop him. She couldn't have been more thril ed when he finally, finally touched her. "Yes."

"How did he react?"

"He laughed it off. But a few minutes later, he was trying to touch me again."

"What did you do the second time?"

"I shoved him away and asked him to leave."

"Did he listen?" Sympathy tinged the prosecutor's voice.

"No. He grabbed me by the neck and forced me to kiss him. Then he tore off my dress and--" she gulped for air, thinking fast, trying to be consistent "--and I tried to run away. But he caught me in the hall, shoved me to the ground and was on top of me before I could even blink. As I struggled, he yel ed at me, telling me I was a bitch and a tease and he'd take whatever he wanted to."

Major Ogitani didn't deal with emotion well. Kalyna had watched her trying to distance herself throughout the interview. Now she put some physical distance between them, as well, by getting up and moving to the window. "Go on..."

"I managed to wriggle out from underneath him while he was fumbling with his pants. I tried to run to my room, where I hoped to lock him out, but he grabbed my arm, slammed me into the wall and punched me in the face."

"With his fist?"

"Yes. You can see the black eye he gave me in the pictures."

She started to get out the photos she'd insisted the Emergency Room doctor give her, but Ogitani shook her hand.

"They're in the file I received." Her voice betrayed no disgust, but Kalyna knew she was feeling it. She had her hands clasped behind her so tightly her knuckles were turning white. "Did you fight back?"

"Don't you think you should be writing this down?" Kalyna was doing such a good job, she wanted to be sure Ogitani was getting it al .

"I plan to do a detailed recap as soon as we're done. You paint a vivid picture. Believe me, I won't forget." She took a deep breath. "Did you fight back?" she repeated.

"I couldn't. I was so dazed I didn't know what was happening." Which would conveniently explain why he had no injuries....

"And then?"

Apparently, Ogitani wanted the gritty details. Maybe she was secretly, getting off on it. "And then he was inside me, thrusting hard and fast, telling me how badly he wanted me and how he'd never met anyone else he wanted as much." Excited by the mere pretense, Kalyna squeezed her eyes shut so the major couldn't ascertain her true emotions. "I'l never forget his hot breath on my neck." At least that part was true. She'd never forget a second of it. Being with Luke had been the best experience of her life, even when they weren't making love.

Major Ogitani came over to crouch beside her. "Did you cry out, make any noise?"

"Yes." She'd moaned in ecstasy....

"Did anyone come to help?" Ogitani straightened as she asked this question.

"No! No one heard me. I stil can't believe it."

The major's pat on her shoulder didn't seem very natural, but the prosecutor's effort to console her made it easier for Kalyna to conjure up tears. "Are you okay?"

Kalyna sniffed and nodded.

"How'd you get to the hospital that night?" Her manner became indignant. "Don't tell me you had to drive yourself in that condition!"

"No. After he left, I--I stumbled to the apartment next door. My neighbor drove me. And...and the pictures show the rest."

"I appreciate the detailed account. I know it can't be pleasant to tell that story."

"It's not." Kalyna sniffed again. "But...do you...do you think it'l be worth it? Do you think we'l win?"

Major Ogitani worried her lip. "These are difficult cases to prove.

But...1 plan to do my best."

Shrinking away from her because the closeness of other women always made Kalyna uncomfortable, she slipped off her chair on the opposite side and stood. "Thank you."

Ogitani favored her with a smile. "You're welcome."

After they shook hands and Kalyna left, she allowed her smile to grow more self-satisfied. She had him. Luke Trussell would go to prison, where he'd be isolated and nearly forgotten by the outside world.

He'd need someone then. He'd need her. And that was when she'd forgive him. He'd finally realize they were meant to be together. There'd be letters and protestations of love. Conjugal visits. Maybe she could even have his baby.

Maybe she was pregnant now. The thought sent a thril through her, the likes of which she'd never experienced. She doubted that what she'd emptied out of that discarded rubber would bring her the baby she craved, but there was always the possibility.

Either way, they'd be together eventually.

Chapter 4

Late Wednesday morning, Ava spoke to the neighbor who'd driven Kalyna Harter to the hospital. They met at a smoothie place located just off base. Maria Sanchez was the first person to see Kalyna after the attack, so Ava was eager to speak with her. But Maria didn't want to get involved.

When Ava had first contacted her, she said she was too busy. After several calls, she'd allowed Ava to talk her into meeting, but only for a few minutes.

She'd come late, and she wasn't smiling when she approached the table.

"Hi." Her expression wary, she removed a pair of sunglasses to reveal wide-set brown eyes. "Are you..."

Ava held up the smoothie she'd bought while waiting. "Your juice date? Yes, I'm Ava Bixby from The Last Stand. You must be Maria Sanchez."

She nodded.

"Thanks for coming." Hoping to get Maria to relax, Ava offered her hand. Kalyna's neighbor clasped it reluctantly, briefly, and Ava indicated the empty side of the booth. "What can I get you?"

"Nothing, thanks," she said as she sat down.

"You don't want a smoothie?"

Maria didn't even glance at the list of drinks posted on the wall. "No, there's a lot more sugar in fruit smoothies than you might imagine."

The airman looked as if she took exercise as seriously as diet. Short and stocky, she had enough muscle mass to rival most men. "You're into health food?"

Ava could tell Maria didn't want to be drawn into a friendly conversation. She preferred to get through their meeting and be done with it. But she mumbled an explanation that was partially drowned out by the high whine of the mixers. "Everything I eat is organic."

"My friend Skye is constantly at me to improve my eating habits. I thought I was doing well by adding wheatgrass juice to this," she said with a laugh.

Maria fidgeted with the keys she'd carried in with her. "The wheatgrass juice is healthy, all right. It's the sugar you gotta watch."