Good Bones, page 11
“Works for me.”
Katherine gaped at Whiskers in the front seat washing his paw. “How did he know? It’s like he has his own psychic hotline to the ghost.”
Despite her joking manner, Katherine remained pale. Jake’s voice softened. “I’m sorry you had to find her. You don’t easily get over the sight of the first corpse.”
Her grateful smile sent a rush of warmth through him. “Giving psychological advice? Quit stepping on my turf, Detective Sumner.”
“You’re the one stumbling over dead bodies. That’s my turf. I say we’re even.”
Katherine leaned against the car. “Tell me about the shooting that put you on restricted status.”
He shuffled his feet. “It’s no big deal.”
“It is,” she said gently, “or you wouldn’t be so uneasy now.”
Jake blew out his cheeks in exasperation. “I don’t suppose you’ll drop this.”
“No.” Her gazed drifted to the trees. “Humor me. I need something to distract my mind from what’s in there, and it will help you to talk about it.”
“I already talk about it,” he snorted in disgust. “Too much.”
“With Jeremy. That’s why you refused to come to my office when we first met. You didn’t want him to see you there.” Her eyes filled with sympathy. “I understand.”
Her compassion reached deep inside Jake, chipping at the emotional wall he so carefully built. Without conscious thought, the words spilled out. “I was tracking a drug dealer named Danny Pierson, wanted for a murder. The victim was another dealer who shorted him on a sale. Witnesses saw Pierson pull a gun and kill the man in cold blood. Pierson had a reputation for trading sex for drugs, so I passed my card to the local girls working the streets. A prostitute named Sapphire left a message on my voicemail. She had information and wanted to see me. I was in the car on my way back to the station, so detoured to her place.”
Jake’s jaw tightened at the memory. “The door was open. Sapphire was on the bedroom floor—strangled. Pierson had her jewelry case and a gun. He fired and jumped out an open window. I chased him. We exchanged shots. End of story.”
Katherine eyed him with obvious doubt. “I have a feeling that’s only the beginning.”
“The shooting was justified,” he sputtered in annoyance. “There were witnesses, but anytime an officer pulls a gun, regulations call for desk duty until the shrink signs off. As a matter of fact, I was supposed to meet with Ingalls right now for our last session. He’ll be pissed I missed the appointment.” Jake ran his fingers through his hair. “Another delay in reinstatement.”
“I can speak to Jeremy for you…”
Jake bristled. “I don’t need you in my business.”
Her voice tightened. “That’s not what I meant.”
He flushed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. It’s hard to be chained to a desk.”
“I understand.” Katherine cast him a sideways glance.
Jake narrowed his eyes. “What?”
“Your explanation of the shooting is cut and dried. It certainly sounds justified, but I suspect there’s more to it than that.”
“You won’t let this go, will you?”
“It’s my nature to see a problem and want to help. It’s yours, too.”
Her soothing tone lacked any of Ingalls’ irritating aloofness that rubbed so hard against Jake. The harshness in his attitude softened. “Is that a professional opinion, Dr. Fleming?”
“You’re not a client,” said Katherine. “You’re a friend, so let’s call it gut instinct. What continues to bug you about the shooting?”
Jake leaned against the car next to her. “Not the shooting—Pierson. The shock on his face…”
Her eyes widened. “You don’t think he killed her. Why?”
“It’s crazy. All the evidence clearly points toward Pierson. He had a long criminal history and a temper. He was on the run after committing a murder. It seemed logical he needed money to get out of town. He knew Sapphire. They’d exchanged sex for drugs, so he came to her place hunting money, killed her, too, and robbed the place.”
“You’re a good cop,” said Katherine. “It isn’t crazy if you continue to have doubts.”
Jake struggled for words. “As soon as Pierson saw me, he yelled he didn’t do it. He had this look on his face… I can’t explain, but I swear he told the truth. I tried to get him to come peacefully, tell his side of the story, but Pierson knew we had him for the other murder. Even if he didn’t kill Sapphire, no chance would he walk away a free man. And with his record…well, he was never getting out of prison.”
His gaze returned to the woods. “Then there’s Sapphire’s actions the day she died. Her message to me said Delilah told her something. Delilah sounded like a call girl, but the name didn’t ring a bell with vice. She wasn’t a girl I had talked to before or one of Pierson’s regular customers. Who was she? What did she tell Sapphire that was so damn important?”
“Did you mention this to Jeremy?”
“He said my doubts about Pierson’s involvement in Sapphire’s death were due to unresolved guilt for the shooting.” Jake’s shoulders stiffened. “Trust me, I have no unresolved issues, but Ingalls kept poking me for details on the crime scene. He wouldn’t let it go, so in the last few sessions I told him I reconsidered the case. He was right. I now believed Pierson killed Sapphire during a botched robbery, and there was nothing more to it.”
Katherine tsked. “You lied.”
Jake shrugged. “I gave Ingalls what he wanted to reinstate me. He seemed satisfied.”
“That’s not how counseling works.”
“He’s happy. I’m happy. What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal,” she scolded, “is the question of Pierson’s possible innocence in Sapphire’s death remains, and you won’t rest easy until you have the answer.”
The wail of multiple sirens approached. Jake watched the squad cars as they pulled into the parking lot. “Pierson was a scumbag loser. It’s no surprise he ended up on a slab at the morgue, but he can’t tell his side of the story any longer. If he didn’t murder Sapphire, then Sandy Shoals has a killer on the loose—and with the case closed I helped cover his tracks.”
Chapter 12
The next minutes passed in a blur. Both Lt. Saldana and Ethan spoke with Jake and Katherine and then Jake led the crime scene investigation team into the woods. Curious people gathered at the front of the clinic, peering in Katherine’s direction, and talking in hushed tones. Cars along the highway slowed for drivers to gawk at the flashing lights. The commotion didn’t appear to disturb Whiskers as he napped in the passenger seat.
As Katherine waited, she called April and filled her in.
“Thanks for the scoop. Are you okay?” Her voice filled with sympathy. “It must have been awful.”
“Shaken up, but otherwise fine. I only got a glimpse of the body, so didn’t see much beyond two mounds of dirt.”
Katherine ended the call as Jake jogged out of the woods and headed toward her. “They bought the runaway cat story,” he said.
“Are you in trouble?” Katherine asked with concern. “Lieutenant Saldana wasn’t happy to see you here.”
“She’s not. I’ll get another earful from her later, but so far no one suspects any other involvement from us. You’ll have to go back to the station to sign a statement. I can have one of the officers drive your car.”
“No, I’m fine.” Katherine forced a shaky smile. “Yeah, that’s a big, fat lie, but I’m capable of driving. I’ll run Whiskers home first.”
Ethan pushed his way through the brush with Lt. Saldana at his side and made a beckoning motion to Jake.
“Hang on, something’s up,” Jake murmured. “Wait here.”
The tension in Katherine escalated. From the tightness around Lt. Saldana’s eyes and the briskness in her and Ethan’s gaits, something was most definitely up. Jake exchanged a few words with the lieutenant and then followed her and Ethan through the brush.
A car pulled into the parking lot. April jumped out and greeted Katherine with a hug. “You’re still on your feet. That’s good. I’d be a blubbering mess by now. Do you feel up to an interview? I want to record it for Parker’s podcast and then phone it into the TV newsroom. If not, tell me to stuff it. I won’t mind.”
“I’m fine, but I don’t have much to tell.” Katherine repeated the story while April recorded.
After she finished, April squeezed her arm. “I’m so sorry this happened. You’re not getting a good impression of Sandy Shoals.”
“No worries,” said Katherine with a slight smile. “Despite today, I love it here. Actually, it seemed silly to call 911 to report a fresh mound of dirt that seemed out of place, so I asked Jake first. He said it was worth checking and uncovered the body.”
April shot her an innocent look. “Interesting how your first thought was to phone the tasty nugget. Not to mention, you’re on a first-name basis now. I thought you didn’t have immoral thoughts about him.”
“He’s a cop,” answered Katherine coolly. “Who else would I call? Besides, this isn’t exactly the place I’d choose for a romantic rendezvous.”
Movement drew their attention to the woods. “I see Lt. Saldana,” said April. “I’m going to get a statement.” She turned to Katherine, her features filled with concern. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” As April hesitated, Katherine made a sweeping motion with her hands. “Go. Report. Do good things.”
April hustled over to Lt. Saldana. Jake skirted the yellow crime scene tape and went directly to Katherine’s side.
“Don’t react,” he said in a low voice, “in case the lieutenant’s gaze wanders over here. This is an active crime scene and I’m not supposed to give out details, but they found a second woman’s body under the other mound. The ME estimates from the state of decomposition, she’s been in the ground over a year—it matches the time period when the vet clinic was under construction. She had cloth over her face and arms crossed the same as Lacey Calder.”
Katherine’s heart sank. “Tina?”
“Can’t tell, yet.”
She sensed a hesitation and swallowed. “But you think so?”
“I don’t guess.” His tone softened. “All we have is a picture of Tina at sixteen, taken about eight years ago. The dead woman seems to be in her early to mid-twenties. Because of decomposition, we can’t draw a conclusion to her identity this early in the investigation. The ME will run DNA first in case she’s is in the system. Also, a preliminary search of the area didn’t find any other gravesites, but the lieutenant called for a cadaver dog.”
Katherine shuddered. “There might be more?”
“No other mounds nearby, but we’ll search the rest of the woods. This must be a killer’s recent dumping ground.” Jake took her hand. “Go home. You can come to the precinct tomorrow to sign the statement. I’ll be busy here through the night.”
Katherine’s gaze drifted toward the trees. “Tell me her name as soon as you find out. I need to know…”
His fingers gave a gentle squeeze. “I promise.”
****
The discovery of the bodies behind the Westside Veterinary Clinic was the lead story on the local news that evening. The camera panned the area as April’s interview with Katherine ran in the background. Lt. Saldana issued an official statement; more than one set of remains had been found, but the police were unable to release additional details at the present time.
As Katherine ate breakfast the next morning, Jake buzzed the intercom for entry. Her excitement at his arrival quickly turned to sympathy. His clothing was rumpled and muddy. Dark circles ringed his eyes. “You look awful—” Her face reddened. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
Jake smiled wanly. “No problem. I came straight from the crime scene. I probably should have showered first.”
“I’m glad you’re here. I have coffee. Can I fix you something to eat?”
“Coffee is good. I’ll pass on the food. I don’t have much of an appetite yet.”
They sat at the table and Katherine poured him a cup. “I watched the report on the news. They didn’t say much.”
“The remains were two young women, the most recent is Lacey Calder. Her death occurred shortly after she disappeared. The ME report is pending, but my gut tells me cause of death for both will read strangulation.”
Katherine shuddered. “Any identity on the second victim yet?”
“No. DNA results will be in soon, but her height doesn’t match Tina Delaney’s records. She’s not her. I wanted you to know.”
“So Tina may still be alive…” Katherine brightened for only an instant before her mood soured. “I shouldn’t be relieved when we have two more dead women.”
Jake took her hand. “There’s nothing we can do to help them, but it may not be too late for Tina. We’ll keep searching for her.”
“I don’t understand,” murmured Katherine. “Neither of the dead women is Tina. The ghost showed me the location of the bodies, but why give me Tina’s name? What’s her connection to this? What’s the ghost’s connection? Is she Lacey or the other victim in the woods?”
“All good questions I can’t answer.”
“It’s so frustrating.” Katherine ran a hand through her hair. “What’s the next step then?”
“Old-fashioned police work. Dig into these cases and see if I can find links to Tina.”
“Did you get in trouble with Lt. Saldana?”
“A royal ass-chewing, but nothing I can’t handle, or haven’t experienced before.” Jake’s lips twisted in a wry grin. “Technically, I’m just helper-boy, but now I can also be considered a material witness. I shouldn’t be involved at all, but Ethan was assigned as lead detective. He’ll let me discreetly peek over his shoulder when the lieutenant isn’t watching.”
“When do we go back to the parlor?” said Katherine eagerly. “I want to question the ghost again. Maybe she’s prepared to give us the victims’ links to Tina.”
The humor drained from Jake’s expression. He pulled his hand away. “Katherine, the situation has changed with the discovery of those bodies. Lacey Calder’s murder was only a few days ago. It’s not safe for you to poke around.”
“Which means the police need to find the murderer as quickly as possible. The ghost can help. After all, she led us to the graves and must have more information.”
“That information can be dangerous for you. Leave investigating to the police.”
“I have a client. As far as I know she’s not at peace, so technically I have more cause for involvement than you as this isn’t your case.”
Jake wrapped his hands around the coffee mug and stared into its depths. “Then I guess I’ll have to keep an eye on you until this mess is over.”
“I’ll keep an eye on you, too,” said Katherine.
“Me?” The lines of fatigue softened on his face.
“You act as if finding those bodies didn’t affect you, but I know the truth. If you want to talk, I’m a good listener.”
He blew out a snort. “No, you’re not. I seem to recall giving tons of great advice about not getting involved. You ignored every bit.”
“Then maybe it’s not so great,” she threw back lightly and then turned serious. “If you don’t want to talk to me, there’s always Jeremy Ingalls.”
Jake stiffened. “No thanks.” He rose to his feet with a hard set to his jaw. “I’m fine, Dr. Fleming. Save the shrinky advice for folks who need it.”
Katherine jumped up, a heated flush in her cheeks. “You’re the one who’s pigheaded. I’m not soliciting you as a patient, but simply offering a sympathetic ear as a friend. Or don’t you need one of those, either?”
Jake rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. I’m being a jerk and didn’t mean to bark at you. It’s been a rough night. I should go.”
Katherine walked him to the door. She held him back as he crossed the threshold. “I meant what I said, Jake. Anytime you want to talk, I’m here. It doesn’t have to involve the case. I-I can discuss other things…” She stammered, forcing a smile. “I’m not such a bad person to be around.”
Her heart hammered as Jake placed his hand on top of hers. “You’re a very good person. I’ll see you soon.” He walked away.
Katherine shut the door. She wandered to the kitchen and placed the cups in the sink.
What do you see, Kathy?
She sighed. “Not now, Grampa.”
C’mon, play the game. You know you want to.
“That’s just it, Grampa, I don’t want to play games with Jake. I don’t want to analyze him. I simply want to be with him.”
Do it anyway. You can’t help it.
“No, I can’t.” She mindlessly wiped the counter with a sponge.
So, what is the problem?
“Granted we didn’t meet under the most normal circumstances…”
You’re dodging the question.
“Either Jake has an issue holding him back from a relationship with me that’s difficult to talk about…”
Or.
“He simply has no interest in pursuing one. I’m not his type.”
How will you learn the truth if you don’t ask?
“Ask? Just come out and ask?”
You’ll have an answer.
“I know.” Katherine tossed the sponge in the sink. “What if it’s one I’m not ready to hear? Any advice for that, Grampa?”
Imaginary Grampa had no response.
She grimaced. “Didn’t think so.”
****
Diana and Jeremy were at the office when Katherine arrived. Diana rushed to her with a hug. “You poor thing. It’s all over the news. It must have been awful.”
“I didn’t see much of anything,” said Katherine. “As soon as Detective Sumner determined it was a crime scene, he hustled me out of there.”
Diana patted her arm. “You didn’t have to come in today. I could have canceled your sessions.”
“I’m fine. The shock wore off quickly. It’s a police matter now.”
Jeremy walked Katherine to her office. “I didn’t realize you were acquainted with Detective Sumner. Did you know he’s my patient?”
