Free Liar, Liar by Kasey Millstead Page A

lady behind the desk.
    “Sure, one moment.”  She phones through to him, and then gives me a nod before telling me to head on back to the second door on my left.  I find it easily enough, given there is a sign on the door indicating it is his office.
    “Hi, Officer Whitlock, I’m Makenna Banks.”
    “Makenna, thanks for coming down.  Take a seat.”
    “So, as I mentioned on the phone, I have a lady who has been very persistent in trying to gain contact with me.  She has gone as far as to repeatedly phone my office and ask my receptionist for an appointment with me, to turning up unannounced, to requesting my cell number.  On one occasion, I did meet with her, as she had used a fake name to gain entry, and then once she was in my office she created an entire scenario about her needing my services before confessing who she was.  She then asked me out for drinks, and when I declined, she asked for my cell number, which I again declined.”
    “Right.  Do you have the list of contact times and days with you?”
    “Yes, my receptionist detailed every occurrence, including those she believed was Juliette using an alias.”  I hand him the paperwork and he scans over it.
    “Persistent indeed,” he murmurs.
    “What would you suggest I do?  How should I handle it?”
    “I think filing a restraining order against her would be the wisest decision.”
    “What about if you could just give her a warning?  Maybe that’s all she would need to back off a bit?” I ask hopefully.
    “We could certainly try.  If she contacts you just once afterward, though, I would highly recommend the restraining order.”
    “Thank you so much, Officer.”  I stand to leave.
    “Keep aware of your surroundings, Ms. Banks.  She may stop phoning you, but she may replace that with following you.  Be sure to document every happening, as you have been.  Don’t hesitate to contact me.”
    “I won’t.  Thanks again.”
    “I’ll be in touch.”
    I leave the station feeling slightly exhausted, but also very alert and jumpy.  Needing to burn off some energy, I hail a cab and go to the gym.  Even though I won’t admit it out loud, I am also hoping I’ll get to see Benny again, and not just for the benefit of the case.

CHAPTER TEN – BENNY
     
    The sound of Regina’s voice hits me the minute I walk through the front door.  It has me wishing I had the stamina to stay at the gym all night.  I ignore her phone conversation and make my way to the bar to pour myself a glass of whiskey.
    “Oh, you’re home,” she says, her tone sickly sweet.
    I grunt in confirmation and take a sip of my drink.  The alcohol burns a trail of warmth down my throat, settling in my stomach and heating my blood.
    “I’ve been chatting with mom,” she informs me casually, coming up behind me and resting her hands on my lower back.  Instinctively, I move from her touch.
    “We’re not getting any younger, Benny, and I think we should try for a baby.”
    I almost spit my drink out.
    I wouldn’t mind kids.  I like them, and I think I’d make a pretty good dad.  But I won’t father children with Regina.  Fuck no.
    “You want to bring a child into a relationship like ours?” I scoff in disbelief.
    “All my friends have either had children, or they’re pregnant at the moment.  I don’t want to be the odd one out!” she cries.
    “So you’re reasoning for wanting a child is not love and cherish it, it’s to keep up with your social circle?” I sneer in disbelief.
    “Isn’t that why any well-to-do woman has a child, Benny?  Do you really think women of my stature, who work hard on their appearance, appreciate the changes that a baby makes to their body?  Do you think we enjoy the dark circles under our eyes that come from a crying baby all night?  Or the lugging around of all the diapers and bottles that a baby needs, and the time it takes to prepare that stuff?  Time that could be well spent shopping or having our hair done so we look