Cold Case, Hot Bodies

REALTY LISTING: A Slice of New York's Naughtier History!Charming old building in Manhattan's historical 'Five Points' District. Former brothel complete with unsolved murder mystery and legend of missing jewels. Currently belongs to the Donato family, although ownership is being contested by Cassidy Case (who needs those jewels really, really badly).For more information, contact gorgeous top cop Dario Donato, who is babysitting the building due to tenant reports of supernatural activity....Call for a viewing today! Be warned, though--ever since their unintentional sex romp, Dario and Cassidy haven't come up for air. Maybe they'll come to some kind of 'arrangement.' And yes, sex is likely involved!

Five Points, 2007"CAN YOU BELIEVE somebody called and complained about me and Sheila Carella?" Dario Donato asked as he strode through Police Plaza toward the courthouse, his long, jeans'-clad legs eating up the pavement. Realizing he was a half hour late for court, he uttered a soft curse. It was the wrong day to have to help his landlord dad straighten out legal matters about a rental property. Clapping a hand on his chest, over his heart, as if wounded, he said, "I mean, who would do something like this to me, Pat?""A taxpayer?" his partner suggested as he ran a hand over his buzz-cut red hair. "Or maybe you just pissed off the Fates. Anyway, the chief wants you to lay low until the complaint blows over. Pick up a couple cold cases.""Budweiser or Rolling Rock?""You know those aren't the kind of cold cases he means." No, Dario was supposed to rot behind a desk while an arsonist got away, and all because he hadn't kept his pants zipped. "You know we're going to wind up arresting a land developer on the arson case," he mused. Ever since plans had been underway to develop Manhattan's riverfront, properties near the water had started going up in smoke, then the land was sold for a relative pittance. Relative for Manhattan, anyway. "I'm thinking Ralph Stone or Chuckie Haswell," said Pat. They were the biggest players. Trump was too smart to get his hands dirty with arson. Dario nodded. "Seriously, are we on for a cold case later? Now I'm talking brewskies again.""Tomorrow's good, but tonight I've got a date with Karen.""Ah. The girl next door.""Not every woman can live up to Sheila Carella.""She does set a high bar."Dario had met Sheila a month ago, when he'd busted her for unpaid parking tickets. She had big hair, bigger breasts, and always wore fishnet stockings with miniskirts and spike heels. She was kinky as hell, too, and liked to play all kinds of sex games, which meant things had been going extremely well. At least until Dario had taken her home to meet his folks. Not that he'd expected Sheila to blend seamlessly, but his mother, Bianca, had kept crossing herself and whispering, "When's my only boy going to grow up and meet a nice girl he can marry?" It didn't help that Dario knew she lit candles each morning at mass, in front of whatever saint presided over philandering sons. On the night of Sheila's visit, Dario's sister, Eliana, had kept rolling her eyes and mouthing, "It's her brains you like, right?" Fortunately, Sheila's main concern had been her lipstick, so she hadn't noticed. Or else Dario's dad's meatballs and red sauce had distracted her. Beppe Donato was one of the best cooks in Little Italy."I like Sheila," Dario defended as he and Pat started up the courthouse steps. When they reached the top, they flashed their badges at a security guard."The only kind of man who wouldn't like Sheila," said Pat as they headed inside, "is in the morgue.""True," Dario agreed, now walking down a hallway. "But I don't like Sheila enough to have to lay low for a couple weeks. Another ten buildings could burn. I just don't get it. Who could have complained about me dating somebody I arrested? Who cares?""Maybe Sheila called the boss. Did you two have a fight?""You have a devious mind.""Of course. I'm a cop."Dario thought back to his and Sheila's last date, when they'd skipped dinner and headed straight to bed, then he shook his head. "Last time I saw her, I put a smile on her face. She could have done a toothpaste commercial. She claimed multiples.""Personalities?" Pat joked.Dario shook his head. "Orgasms.""Then I'm out of suspects. But don't worry. I've got the arson case covered, and I'll call if anything happens. Meantime, do what the boss ordered, and rustle up some cold-case files to keep yourself company.""Will do." Dario splayed a hand on the courtroom door and prepared to push. "See you around, partner. And watch out for Karen. The glint in that girl's eyes says