“Blunt-force trauma to the back of the head. Even though it was made to look like a smash-and-grab gone wrong, the signs point to a pro. I’ll touch base and fill you in on everything later.”
Merrick whistled long and low. “Damn. He was one of the major players I would’ve bet on being neck deep in this thing. Although his death doesn’t rule out his involvement.”
Dex made a noise of agreement. “The story was just released to the media, so the whole dungeon will be buzzing about it.”
Merrick rolled his shoulders and neck, working out a few kinks. “I can’t say that I’m surprised. Stanton was into some pretty bad shit.”
Dex cleared his throat. “That’s the understatement of the year. I’m never happy to hear about anyone being murdered, but the world is probably a better place without someone like Mark Stanton.” He paused, and Merrick heard the sound of pouring liquid, and then what sounded like a metal spoon clinking against a ceramic cup.
He was jealous. He could use some coffee about now.
“Keep an eye out for Samantha. She’s the sub I told you about. The one Stanton wanted to punish for talking to me.”
Merrick nodded to himself. “I definitely will. She’ll probably need some comfort and guidance now that Stanton is gone. And I don’t want her to fall into the hands of the next-highest asshole in the chain down there. On a separate note, I would’ve loved to have seen Kate dick-punch that bastard.”
Dex’s laugh carried over the line. “It was a great sight, I have to admit. But I have a feeling Balkins and others like him will try to punish her for it, even now that Stanton is out of the picture.”
“All right, Dex. Are you headed up there anytime soon?”
“I’ve been meeting with a few of the suspected players today. Just accidentally running into them and having casual conversations to try to dig out some information. I’ve happened on a few leads I’ve passed to the analyst team, but I want to head up to The Dungeon in case Kate is feeling well enough to. I don’t want her left at the mercy of her other Doms who didn’t appreciate her fighting back against Balkins and Stanton.”
“Understood. I’ll let you know if I see her.”
Twenty minutes later, Merrick came out of the locker room at The Dungeon, ready to get to work. He took a seat on one of the low couches to people-watch and get the lay of the land. No use bumbling around when taking a few minutes up front to watch and learn usually served him well.
He saw couples who were obviously D/s pairs, and a few subs watching the scenes in progress with wide eyes.
He was about to give up on finding any useful information when Kathryne Fretwell walked into the dungeon and headed toward the locker rooms.
Her dossier picture hadn’t done her justice. Even in jeans and a silky-looking turquoise top, she was stunning. He couldn’t wait to see her in something more revealing.
He shook his head. His job was to run interference with the other subs so Dex could concentrate his investigation on Kate, as she liked to be called.
The entire place was still buzzing about the flogging scene between Dex and Kate. Merrick wished he’d been around for that.
There was nothing more erotic than a woman being flogged—at least if it was done right. And from all the accounts he had heard, it definitely had been.
Dex had a reputation in the lifestyle for being an excellent and very knowledgeable Dominant. Merrick had never frequented the same dungeons since his work took him all over the country, but the lifestyle grapevine was very prolific.
And Dex had been correct: the subject of the day, other than the flogging, was Mark Stanton’s murder. Scuttlebutt said pictures taken at The Dungeon were found at the scene, along with several incriminating him in various crimes.
Merrick hadn’t heard from any credible source if any of the gossip about the pictures was true, but if so, he would be interested to see if the new evidence would help close any of the dozen or so past cases against Stanton.
But for now, it was time to get to work.
He sent a quick text to Dex to let him know Kate was already here, and then headed to the lounge to see if he could find any of the subs Dex had mentioned.
As soon as he walked in, a pretty waitress with sandy-blond hair approached him.
“Good afternoon, sir.”
He nodded and slid into the nearest booth. “Hello. I’m Master Merrick. What’s your name?” Better to be straightforward. Easier to find what he needed that way.
“I’m Opal, sir. What can I get you?”
Bingo. She was one of the people Dex had mentioned. “Black coffee, and whatever you would like. If you have the time, I’m new here, and I’d love to get some information about The Dungeon.”
Her expression brightened, and she nodded eagerly. “Absolutely, sir. I’ll be right back.”