Hold for Release, page 11
Randy poured a cup. “You still think they had something to do with the death at the animal shelter?”
He took a sip of his coffee. “Maybe. You remember the serial killer from Covington?” A dark case, one that gave him the chills.
“Who doesn’t?” Randy sipped from his mug. Aliens adorned the side.
Jake poured his drink down the drain. “This latest incident seems reminiscent of his work.”
Randy continued to sip his coffee. “But it’s not his usual MO, right?”
Ed’s body appeared unharmed at the animal shelter—maybe he’d been smothered or poisoned. The dogs had been slashed, though. Inconsistent, very strange. But the serial killer, he’d been more brutal.
Jake took the coffeepot, dumped the old grounds in the trash, and carried the carafe to the sink. “No, but his killings were similar. Knife slayings. Same time of year, always at nonprofits. They stopped for ten years, but it could be he’s up to his old tricks again. Maybe, unbeknownst to everyone, the police put the killer behind bars for something else, and now they’ve recently released him from prison. Able to go back to his old ways.”
“Wait.” Randy said. “Didn’t the prime suspect in those cases die? Cancer, right?”
Carlotta would have to stop her nighttime volunteering. He’d have to put his foot down. It wasn’t safe to be working alone late at night. “Lung cancer.” Jake emptied the carafe, refilled it with fresh water, and then nodded. “Yep, but he left behind a son. One who defended his dad vehemently.”
Randy leaned closer and quirked a brow. “The type who might take over in his father’s footsteps? A copycat?”
“Or he wasn’t the Covington killer, and the police had the wrong suspect. Anything is possible.” Jake started a fresh pot of coffee. Stu could thank him later.
“Did he ever send pipe bombs?”
Jake glanced at his desk. Mounds of paperwork stared back at him.
What if the killer was targeting the newspaper? Wouldn’t fit the Covington killer’s MO, though. Not a nonprofit. “Don’t think so.” He sank into his chair. Thank goodness the package at his house had been harmless. Still, he was glad the police had checked it out.
The pipe bombs. The animal shelter. He sighed. No closer to solving this mystery than before.
11
It wasn’t Easter, and it wasn’t Christmas, and yet, Jake found himself in front of Cincinnati Evangelical Free Church. He went inside.
Today, he was at a church speaking with the pastor—an actual counseling session to try to make some sense of his relationship woes with Carlotta.
When an article had a problem, he edited it. He wasn’t sure how to revise his marriage, but counseling was a good place to start.
He entered the church office. The secretary didn’t look up right away. Maybe she’d heard about his infidelity. “I’m here to see Pastor Clyde. I have a lunchtime appointment.”
She picked up her phone. “Mr. Hartman is here to see you.” She nodded, hung up, and addressed Jake. “He’s ready to see you. You may go in.”
Jake entered the door and took a seat.
Pastor Clyde leaned across his desk. “Nice to see you, Jake. How’s the leg?”
“It’s getting better. It’s fine.”
“Glad to hear that. How’s everything else?”
Jake ran his left thumb along the scratches in the guest chair. He shifted his gaze to Pastor Clyde’s desk. Matching dents covered the surface of the furniture. A mega church this wasn’t, but perhaps that was what had drawn him here. The humility of the place. “As I told you earlier, my wife and I have been having some problems. She wants a divorce.”
“I see.”
“It’s not only that. We haven’t been able to have children. And then I did something idiotic. I had a few drinks with a coworker, and I ended up sleeping with the woman. I apologized, but my wife wants nothing to do with me. I wondered what the Bible says about divorce. Sort of for my own curiosity, but also because my wife comes from a family that’s a bit religious.”
“And you? What’s your religious background like?”
“Granny took me to church sometimes.”
“God designed marriage to be a covenant. As Jesus said, in marriage, a man would leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife. By committing adultery, you’ve broken that covenant, Mr. Hartman.”
Jake held his head in his hands. He didn’t need a thesaurus to know what that meant. A promise, a pledge, a vow, a covenant. Sleeping with another woman who wasn’t his wife. Yep, he’d broken it all right. “How can I fix it?” His breath caught in his chest. “Can I fix it?”
~*~
Jake stopped by the courthouse to pick up his brother-in-law. Had it only been a week or two since he’d called asking for help, saying someone had planted drugs on him?
Pablo trotted out of the courthouse with his lawyer and then hugged Jake. “Thanks, man.”
“Thank the lawyer,” Jake said. “She did all the work.”
His brother-in-law turned to Gina Lampton, his defense attorney. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Talk about a sloppy criminal. The man who planted the drugs on Pablo worked at the mechanic’s garage where Pablo had taken his car recently to get the tail light fixed. The police found his fingerprints on the cardboard box and on the brake light, which someone had clearly tampered with. Needless to say, the man has drug-related prior offenses. Given his history, he’ll probably bond out pretty quickly. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have another case to handle.” Gina walked back inside the courthouse.
“Wow,” Jake said, “I knew Gina worked fast, but that was pretty quick.”
Jake glanced around and turned to get a better look.
Carlotta’s friend Geoffrey walked by, same smarmy smile as before. Then again, the guy was just friends with Carlotta, just as Jake was with Detective Krouse. Perhaps he was reading too much into things.
A moment later, Pablo nodded his head in the man’s direction. “That dude.”
Jake shrugged. “The guy who’s friends with Carlotta?”
Pablo’s eyes widened. “Him?”
Jake rolled his eyes. “Yeah.” A slight growl escaped his throat, and he clenched his teeth.
His brother-in-law narrowed his gaze. “I thought I saw him with the blonde you were seeing.”
Jake folded his arms. “I’m not dating her. She’s nothing but trouble. Let him get involved with her. Better him than me. Plus, maybe that will keep him away from my wife.”
Nodding, Pablo grinned. “You do still love her.”
He swallowed hard. “Of course, I do.”
“Good, then let’s get our wives back. You help me. I help you.”
Pablo stared at Jake and hugged him again. “Given my past history, I didn’t think anyone would believe me. I thank God for sending you to help me.”
“Well, do me a favor. Can you see if He can send someone to help me with my life?” Jake grinned.
~*~
Jake’s fingers swiftly moved along his keyboard. He paused and then cracked his knuckles. The words on the computer screen stared back at him. An article about Roman Collins. The guy who was accused of planting drugs on Pablo. He was out on bond awaiting trial when police found his body in the Ohio River.
Overcome by the sudden scent of incense, Jake turned around.
“What are you working on, dude?” Randy asked.
Jake closed his browser. His coworker stared at him from a nearby seat. “A little lunch time research. Personal.”
Lifting an eyebrow, Randy nodded. He raised a newspaper and pointed to a photo. “See this? The dude confessed to setting off the pipe bombs in our building.”
“Good, I’m glad they caught him. Though I’m surprised he confessed.”
Randy folded the newspaper. “I’m not. Considering two years ago, the same dude confessed to another crime.”
“Oh?”
After setting the paper down, Randy folded his arms. “Claims he shot President Kennedy. Of course, he hadn’t been born yet. The police released him, but they have another suspect. Apparently, a dude who used to clean our building but then was fired. His wife left him, and he became homeless.”
Jake leaned closer. “So he’s got a motive.”
Randy nodded. “And a record. And he’s a member of APCC—one group who had a beef against the animal shelter where your wife volunteered.”
Jake crossed and then uncrossed his legs. “I looked into this patron who flirted with Carlotta and then later trapped her in the elevator. Xavier Paxton. He was adopted by a family member after his parents died when he was a teen. Ex-military. Loner. Still on the loose. Then there’s Oliver Robertson. Into the environment. Zip lines. Kayaking. Crossbows. Archery. Don’t know much about his early life history. His parents were wealthy. Maybe kept everything hush-hush on purpose. He was pretty ticked off when I stole Carlotta away from him. Considering I was injured by a stray arrow, well… Anyway, I suspect both to some degree, but I heard Xavier had an alibi for the night of the animal shelter incident. I’d assume Oliver does too, or else the police would haul them away by now. That and they have found no camera footage connecting either of them to the incident.”
“Maybe. Or maybe they don’t have enough evidence on them yet. Or maybe someone close to them is doing their dirty work.” Randy narrowed his gaze. “What’s eating at you?”
Huffing, Jake steepled his fingers. “You know those conspiracy theories you’re into?”
Randy snorted and then let out a hearty laugh. “Which one?”
Leaning closer, Jake lowered his voice. “Can you help me find someone? Someone who doesn’t want to be found?”
Randy inched closer. “Who is it?”
“Geoffrey Walters. He’s an attorney. Been getting friendly with my wife.”
“Dude, totally not cool.”
“I’ve searched, and there’s not much on him. His history only goes back three years.”
Leaning back, Randy grinned. “A ghost. Sneeeeaky. I’ll do it. On one condition.”
“What’s that?” Jake asked.
“Help me not to tick off Stu. ’Cause I’m dying here. I need to keep this job.”
Jake opened a drawer and retrieved a paper from the bottom.
Randy skimmed it and chuckled. “No way, dude. You made an actual list of things our boss hates, stuff to avoid. You’re the man.”
At least one person thought so. Randy raised a hand to high five Jake.
Jake went back to work on his next article.
An hour later, Randy returned and dropped a paper on Jake’s desk. “Shazam.”
Jake picked up the paper. “What is this?”
His coworker gestured toward the document. “Name change. That’s why you couldn’t find the dude. Three years ago, he was Jeffery Barr.”
“And what do we know about him?”
“Nothing yet. Gotta give me time, dude. I am good, but not that good.” Randy adjusted his glasses. “You know, I got tickets for a tour of the Cincinnati Subway. We could grab some chili and tour the underground.”
Jake poked his tongue against his cheek. “I thought they stopped giving those several years ago.”
“They did. But with support from the new mayor, the city changed its mind.”
“No, thanks. You’ll have to find someone else to be your plus one.” Jake winked.
~*~
The following evening, Randy stopped by Jake’s desk. Jake glanced at the clock. Almost 5:00 PM. He relaxed his shoulders. “Touring the subway again?”
“Naw. C’mon, let’s go to the casinos.”
His stomach churned. Not the place for him. Besides, why should he share yet another indiscretion with a coworker? “OK.” He could watch Randy play.
Jake rode with Randy to the casino. He took a deep breath and cracked his knuckles. He didn’t have to gamble.
As they sat at the roulette table, Jake’s gaze shifted to the other participants. Two men in suits—one of them in sunglasses—surrounded a pretty blonde in a silver cocktail dress who was turned to face an older gentleman behind them. As she moved around, he did a double take. Her eyes met his and lowered. Detective Krouse? This didn’t seem like the sort of place she’d frequent. Then again, he didn’t exactly need to be there either.
Randy leaned over and whispered. “You OK, dude?”
“Uh, yeah.” He stared at Krouse, and the gentleman on her left glared, leaned forward, and moved his coat to reveal his pistol. So subtle a casino camera might not pick it up from that angle. But enough that he did.
Jake straightened his tie and drew in a quick breath. “I uh…I think maybe I’ll play after all.” Randy passed him some chips. “Here, I’ll spot you. You can pay me back later. You know, when you hit the jackpot, dude.”
Jake shook his head. “Thanks, but I got this.” He stood and cast a glance at Krouse.
The man in sunglasses coughed loudly. What was his problem?
Could she be in trouble? He didn’t want to leave her there. Should he call the police? Wait, they were already there. Hmm….maybe she was working undercover. Yeah, maybe that was it. Though she didn’t make eye contact with him. Was that a distress signal, or was she trying not to blow her cover? Maybe he could call the police station.
Although where was Hadley? Shouldn’t he be here, too, or another officer? The detectives didn’t have partners, per se, but they’d work together when there had been a murder, or for arrests, or if backup was needed. He’d asked Krouse about it before. She’d lectured him about how crime shows on TV weren’t like real life. Their department didn’t have the staffing required to constantly pair up detectives. Yet in this instance, shouldn’t she have some kind of backup? Jake got his chips and then paced the casino floor, even checking the restroom. No sign of the other detective anywhere.
Jake returned to the roulette table.
Randy quirked a brow. “What took you so long?”
Jake glanced at the ball bouncing around the roulette wheel. “I…uh. Had to use the bathroom.”
His coworker chuckled.
Jake placed an inside bet on five. The day of his anniversary.
“Are you for sure getting back together with your wife?” he whispered. “You mentioned she was seeing someone.”
The wheel spun.
“Why are you asking me this?”
“Because I think that chick has the hots for you. Every now and then, she looks this way.”
The ball on the roulette wheel stopped on three. So close. “No, um….no, I love my wife. Things will work out.” He stared at nothing in particular. Didn’t want to draw attention to Krouse. If she was undercover, he didn’t want to blow it. If she wasn’t, he didn’t want to cause her more trouble. Krouse was trained. She could handle it.
“She’s still looking this way. Maybe it’s not you she’s interested in. Sorry, dude. But if you’re not going for her, I’ll take my chances.”
“I don’t think…” He pinched his lips together.
“Sir, your bet?”
Jake placed another inside bet. This time on ten. Carlotta had been born on the tenth of May. He didn’t want to gamble, but he also couldn’t let Randy get into trouble.
The man with sunglasses had left the table. There was something vaguely familiar about him.
Randy chose to occupy the now empty seat. The man who earlier revealed his gun still sat on the other side of Krouse. How could he get Randy out of there?
His coworker chatted with Krouse.
No, kid. Uggh. Those pickup lines never work.
Krouse averted her gaze. The man with the gun shifted in his seat and turned to face Randy, his gun now hidden from view.
Jake stood, stepped toward Randy, and shoved him.
“What are you doing, dude?” Randy asked.
“You thief!” Jake yelled. “You took all my chips! Now you’re trying to steal all the ladies in this joint, too?” He grabbed Randy by the collar. A look of fear washed over his friend. After grabbing Randy, Jake tossed his coworker aside. A hand grasped Jake’s shoulder. Probably the other man who had sat by Krouse. Now what? He spun around and struck the man in the eye. Oh, no. Detective Hadley in sunglasses. So he was undercover, too. And he’d have to maintain his cover. Hadley grabbed him and Randy by the neck and looked over at the man who had the gun.
“Show a little respect. I’m trying to play here. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s an onlooker running his mouth.” He eyed Jake. “I suggest you and your friend find another table.”
“My apologies.” Jake grabbed Randy’s arm and dragged him along. “C’mon.”
Randy looked at Hadley and then at Jake. “What just happened?”
Jake avoided eye contact and kept walking.
“What just happened?” Randy repeated. “Can someone fill me in?”
“Later.” He marched Randy back to his vehicle.
“Tell me what just happened?” Randy stared.
“The blonde is a friend of mine. She’s a detective. The guy I hit is one, too. Apparently, they were undercover. And those were real criminals sitting next to her. And you, my friend, were about to get in between her and some bad guys. I’m sorry, but I had to think of something fast.”
“That was….wow. Unbelievable.” Randy grinned.
Jake sighed. Only his coworker would think almost getting hurt or taking part in an undercover sting was awesome.
~*~
On the weekend, Jake approached Rosario’s apartment mid-morning and knocked. He waited several minutes. Nothing. Carlotta’s car sat in the driveway. He shifted his gaze to the door. Slightly ajar. After twisting the knob, he opened the door and strode into the living room.
“Rosie?” Carlotta entered wearing a towel. Must have just stepped out of the shower. “Jake?” She tugged her towel tighter. “What are you doing here?”
“The door was unlocked and ajar. Look, can we talk?”
