Darkness Embraced

A sultry seductress. A pleasure goddess. That's what I will be tonight. Josephine thought, as she chuckled to herself while she stared back at the full-length mirror. "The boys are being looked after, dinner is in the oven and I can't forget the main course, he's on his way home." Josephine said, out loud to her reflection as if she were talking to another person. One by one she pulled out every single sexy piece of clothing she owned. She was very excited about this evening and very frustrated that she couldn’t seem to find what she was looking for. After hours of rummaging through her closet, she finally settled on the slinky black dress. It made her look thin─well thinner. It hugged her shapely curves just right. Josephine quickly slipped out of her bathrobe into the slinky black dress. She looked at the cascade of auburn hair that came down to the middle of her back. Rick loves long hair she thought to herself as she fiddled with it; pulling it this way and that. Making the decision to finally pull it back, she left some loose hanging tendrils in front and back. It will all come down anyways. Laughing she made the final adjustments to her hair and wardrobe.

Quickly she gave herself a once over and then hastily ran down the stairs. Surveying the room, she wanted to make sure that she had the right atmosphere in the house. The table was set for two, with candlelight, several candles in fact. In the ice bucket was contained a nice bottle of Rosé wine and the crystal wine glasses were just waiting to be used. Everything was perfect. Heading upstairs, she stopped and poked her head into the bathroom, ensuring that everything was ready. The bath foam was sitting on the edge of the Jacuzzi, the bubble jets set, and the candles. They had been strategically placed, tonight is going to be heaven, and Josephine smiled to herself as she continued upstairs.

Satisfied, Josephine walked into her room, she quickly took another glance at herself in the mirror to make sure she was looking her best and then she sat down on the window ledge, one leg dangling. Patiently, she waited. Looking down at the street to see if Rick had arrived home yet, when she didn't see him she turned her emerald eyes skywards. Making herself more comfortable she watched as the day sky, slowly start to fade. The once blinding yellow sun had turned to a great big ball of orange and the bright blue sky was now turning to darker shades of blue with a touch of light mauve breaking through. As the sky faded, and the darkness of the night chased the day away, Josephine contemplated her life. Actually, no she was celebrating her life. She had two beautiful children, Charlie being the oldest and full of child innocence, which continued to be reflected in his enormous brown eyes, and yes although he was mischievous, it was hidden behind his angelic face. Josephine smiled as she thought him and his beautiful contagious laugh. He was a happy child and anyone looking into those big brown eyes could see that. His younger brother Alex was only four months old. With his chubby little legs and his chubby little toes, he was adorable and he was the child that when you looked at him you thought 'I want to eat him up'. Laughing at her own thoughts, she wandered back to Alex. He had a head full of dark brown hair like his older brother and the same huge brown eyes. 'A spitting image of his brother' is what people called him, she thought to herself.

Josephine was happy with her life; she was a remarkable private eye for an elite security company. A lot of hard work and dedication got her to her position. All the training courses both classroom and defensive. As well, she was a black belt in Kung Fu and she had a license to carry a firearm. Her career was extremely fulfilling. Now, she had her family, something she had dreamed of from when she was a little girl. Her childhood was difficult and as a little girl, she had made one vow; she would be different from those in her family. Josephine was. She did what she had always dreamed of doing. She had her family and a great career. She had Rick Macloud, her husband and her family. Nothing could come between them, how could she not be content with that?

Rick was on his way home; she had called him earlier to confirm that he wasn't working late and she also let him know that sheneeded whip cream. There are so many uses for whip cream. Yummy. So for now or at least until Rick arrived she figured she would read. Still settled on the ledge of the window Josephine was already getting into the book when she was startled by the loud "DING DONG!" She all but fell off the ledge. Immediately regaining her balance, she headed for the door. "DING DONG!" "Okay. Okay. I'm coming. Hang on!" She said out loud knowing full well that no one could hear her. Josephine had already reached the door as another DING DONG sounded off in her ear. Nanook and Timber were barking up a storm. It was as if chaos had erupted all at once. After stumbling over both mammoth dogs, she managed to turn the lock, and open the door. Without looking up, "Couldn't wait to see me huh? Fumbled around with your keys thinking of me all sexied up for you? Eh?" Josephine said laughing.

"Hum, hum." The husky voice of a male said. Josephine's smile faded and color ran into her cheeks.

"Oh my god, I am so sorry. I was expecting my husband." She rushed out in a slur of words as she held on to both dogs by their choker chains, both dogs were pulling and growling at the intruders

"Are you Mrs. Josephine Macloud?" The man asked.

"Who wants to know?" She asked as her security training kicked in. She had no time to censor her words.

"I'm homicide detective Easterbrook and this is my partner Detective Davis. May we come in?"

"Where is your identification, I want to see it." She said once again as her security instincts remained in full force. The detectives took out their badges and showed them to her. She looked carefully at both badges and both men. There was a pause.

"Now may we come in?" He said as his agitation started to rear its ugly head.

"Sure." She held her dogs close to her and motioned with a nod of head to come in. When they were in, she released her dogs but maintained voice control over them. "What can I do for you detectives?" Kind of a lame question she thought. I should be panicking right now. Homicide detectives don't show up on front doors every day. As the words that Josephine thought to herself sunk into her thick, stubborn, brain panic actually did start to form inside her gut. The pit of her stomach started doing funny things. Her body started to convulse as if she were going to puke. Leaning her hands on the table to brace herself. It's Rick. Something has happened to Rick. The words shimmered in her mind. No sooner did she think the words, did detective Easterbrook confirm them.

"There has been an accident. I am sorry we have to tell you this but there has been an accident and your husband has died. We need you come down and I.D the body." Josephine's body went limp. If the second detective wasn't standing behind her she would have fallen to the ground and landed on her ass taking her table cloth with her.

"What? How? Oh God! Not Rick! Not Rick! There must be some mistake." She sobbed with her hand covering her mouth with fresh tears streaming from her eyes. "This can't be, I spoke to him not two hours ago, he was picking up some groceries for me before he came home," she fumbled out through hallowed breaths.

"Ma'am, we're terribly sorry for your loss, but we really need you to come identify the body." Detective Easterbrook said gently. Josephine needed time to assimilate the information.

"Do I have to come now?" She asked, her voice was pleading.