Detective Andrews knocked on the third door of his rounds, flicking his notebook open in preparation for the inevitable elderly man to open the door. The whole street seemed to be old people, and while they all offered nice tea and biscuits, they were rambling conversationalists.
He was sick and tired of listening to them tell him about the victims 'lovely son' and 'wayward daughter'. The daughter was always a particular focus, with commiserations delivered about how smart and wonderful she could be if she tried.
He pulled his pen out and reached for the doorbell again. He was an inch from the button when the door opened, a distracted female voice apologising for the delay.
"Sorry, sorry. How can I help?"
Andrews focused on her face and was greeted by an engaging but impersonal smile and masses of damp but bright blond hair that spiralled down her shoulders and frizzed out where it was drier around her ears. It was like the mane of an unkempt lion.
"Detective Andrews, how are you today Miss?"
"I'm good, thank you, Detective. How can I help you?" She opened the door and Andrews belatedly pulled his badge out to prove his identity as he crossed the threshold. He put it back on his belt as she closed the door behind him and lead him into the kitchen.
"Would you like tea Detective?" She reached across the bench from the outside to flick the switch on the kettle and for the first time he noticed her legs; topped by pale grey linen shorts, the long pale limbs were muscular looking and smooth - and a patchwork of bruises. He closed his mouth and made eye contact, clearing his throat and reminding himself he was here for a reason.
"Than you, that would be lovely." He rearranged the pages of his notebook unnecessarily and cleared his throat again. She entered the kitchen and busied herself with cups and tea and milk. "Miss.. ah... sorry, can I get some details?"
"Of course." She spoke louder over the sound of the boiling kettle. "My name is Alice Mickey."
"Thank you, Miss Mickey. And you live here alone?"
"Yes. I moved in after my grandparents died about six months ago."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Alice approached with a tray of tea and milk and sugar and set it down on the delicate and impractical looking side table. "I'm actually here to talk about an incident a few houses down and across the street, at number twelve. Do you know the inhabitants of number twelve by any chance?"
Alice cocked her head and stirred her tea, hooking one leg over the other at the knee and resting the mug against her pale skin. "I don't think so. I think they were old. Everyone on this street is old, I'm sure you've noticed that though." She laughed a little and then sipped her tea.
"I've been doing door duty all day, so I have noticed some general demographic information." He smiled drily, and she laughed loudly. "A crime was committed there though, and I was wondering if you'd noticed anything out of the ordinary over the last few days?"
She stood up and brought him a cup of tea. He half stood to receive it and copped an eye full of her breasts, which stood out under her long bodied tee shirt. Her nipples stood out further again and it didn't take a detective to realise she wasn't wearing a bra. She didn't seem to notice her allure, however; there was nothing provocative about the way she moved or postured. He dearly wished she would bend over for him though, he could see the bottom of her ass cheeks under the hem of her shorts.
"I don't think I've seen anything at all these last few weeks." Alice bit her lip. Even the postie has come really early and I've been missing him. What happened at number twelve? Am I allowed to ask that?"
Andrews smiled and dragged his eyes away from the slight redness resulting from that little nibble.
"The resident was assaulted, unfortunately - quite violently." His tone was silky and, and her eyebrow elevated ever so slightly. He shook himself and sipped his tea.
"Oh dear." She sipped her tea too, keeping her gaze on the surface of her drink.
"May I ask, Miss Mickey?" Detective Andrews leant forward, deciding he couldn't keep his eyes off of her legs any longer. "Those bruises on your legs - is everything okay?" His voice dipped with concern, and he reached out, his hand brushing against the side of her knee. The muscles tensed but she didn't move. She looked down and regarded them as if she'd never seen them before. Then comprehension dawned on her face, and her mouth opened innocently in an 'o' shape.
"Oh, ha, yes. I'm all fine. They're from, hmm... pole dancing actually, I ah... do pole fitness." She smiled self consciously and put her hands on her hips, tightening her shirt across her stomach.
"Very impressive Miss Mickey. Sorry, I didn't mean to insinuate anything, but given the investigation, I'm in at the moment, I didn't want to risk you being a victim as well." He smiled and she smiled back, looking at him from under her eyelashes.
"That's fine, I'm only the victim of myself and the goddamned layback move."
"Layback?" Andrews asked probingly. Alice grabbed her phone and bending over next to him, flicked it open and scrolled through her pictures until she found the one she wanted.
Andrews' pants grew a little tight as he found himself looking at a picture of the woman standing next to him. She wore tall heels, maybe seven or eight-inch heels, and skimpy bikini bottoms and a tight sports bra. She was holding onto a pole with only her legs, one leg crossed over the other and supporting her weight on her thigh and knee. Her arms extended a long way over her head, and she had a look of bliss and concentration on her face, her lips pursed.
"I see." He adjusted his seat to hide his growing erection, and she turned around to put her phone back in her bag, by bending forwards and placing it in her purse. It was like she was reading his mind. The only thing that could make it better were those heels. He couldn't think of a good policing reason for her to put those on though.
"Sometimes people at work make comments about the bruises, they wonder if my boyfriend is abusing me or something." She laughed and he felt a hint of disappointment.
"I won't lie, that would be my first conclusion. Though you'd be very confident for an abuse victim."
"Thank you?" She laughed and fiddled with the tea things, moving stuff around. Andrews got up and took his now-empty teacup to the sink, rinsing it quickly and placing it on the drainer. "Thank you, you're very domesticated Detective." Alice teased.
"What, your boyfriend isn't?"
"You'd think he would be, but maybe he just needs to live with a woman or something."
"I'm not all that domesticated - I just know how to be civil when it's needed."
"That's good, wouldn't want you to be too domesticated. Your girlfriend wouldn't like that." Alice laughed, her eyes flirty as she washed up her own cup.
"My girlfriends are never a fan of the domestic, I assure you, Miss Mickey."
"I'm just Alice, calling me Miss Mickey makes me sound like an old spinster. And only old spinsters live on this street." She poked her tongue out and Andrews forgot himself for a second, poking her side with his finger playfully.
"Alice it is, Alice." He smiled, and she braced her hands on the bench behind her, pulling herself up onto the edge and perching there, legs swinging. "So the boyfriend is not domesticated - is he wild?" Alice blushed and looked away, but raised her gaze again and bit her lip again, hard.
"He's not domestic, but he's just sort of messy... Not... Wild." The last word came out breathy and Andrews took a step towards her.
"That sounds boring. Do you want wild? Even for a day?" He braced a hand on either side of her and she leant back. It looked almost like a retreat, except the move made her slightly spread legs spread a little more. "Something exciting and strong and maybe something that leaves a few bruises? Fun bruises?" He was well and truly committed to this now, and he hoped she would say yes.