The Partners in Crime Collection, page 65
“Who all is going?”
“Doc, Will, the Misses Bea and Ella, Avery, me, you, and Tara. Avery had asked a couple of friends but they couldn’t make it. Doc and Will are going to set everything up so we can just go and have fun.”
“I’m sure Tara would love that, but I’ll let you know tonight after I get home,” Jamie said. “Thanks for the invite.”
Half the day had gone by before Jamie let out a huff of breath and dropped back into his chair. “The FAA report came in. The bodies of Mischa and Sergei Orlov were found in the wreckage. The explosive device was in a piece of luggage that didn’t belong to anyone on that particular flight. Somehow it was put in an overhead compartment, but the person whose name was on the tag wasn’t on the plane.”
“Why would someone take out a whole flight full of people simply to remove two targets? That’s not just a waste, it’s overkill.”
“I agree. I don’t like what it says about the perpetrator, either. Someone willing to go to that extreme isn’t going to stop until their ultimate objective has been achieved,” Jamie said.
“Like Tatiana Tchakova?” Jack asked.
“I was thinking it had to be her, right? But the more I look over everything, the more I’m not so sure it is her behind it. She paid for her parents’ home in Puerto Vallarta, and for security to protect them while they were there. Why would someone do that, then blow them up before they even landed?”
“Yeah, that doesn’t fit,” Jack said.
A tap on the door and Jack got to her feet to open it.
“Hey, Forbes. I emailed the report on Grimes to you a couple of minutes ago, but a call just came in and I wondered if you and Kennedy wanted to come along?” Dennison asked.
“What’s up, Dennison?” Jamie called out.
“We just got a call that Peter Orlov’s body has been found in the trunk of his car. It had been parked at the yacht club. The car had been reported as abandoned, and with the cold weather, the body’s been refrigerated, so no stink. Someone called to have it towed and when it got to the impound yard, they popped the trunk and there he was.”
“So it’s just out back?” Jack asked.
“Yeah. Grab your coat and we’ll go take a look,” Dennison said.
Jack and Jamie both got their coats on and followed him outside.
Dr. Hynes from the coroner’s office was already hovered over the body in the trunk, so they stayed back and watched.
“I’m going to have to wait until he defrosts some before I can give any idea of time of death. With the temperatures as low as they’ve been the past few days, he could’ve been in there anywhere from twelve hours to four days,” Hynes said.
“Any idea of the cause of death?” Jack called out.
Hynes stood up and looked over at her. “I’d say the bullet hole in the back of his head is a good option. There’s blood all over the back of his coat, and more inside the trunk, so it looks like he was facing the trunk when he was shot and shoved in afterwards. There are a couple of those reusable grocery bags frozen to the blood and the body. Can’t tell what’s in them yet.”
“We’ll leave you and the crime scene techs to it, Hynes. Thanks for letting us hover for a few,” Jack said. “Dennison is on this one, but it might also go along with a case Jamie and I are working.”
“No worries. I’ll get the report to you both. Tell Finney I said hello,” Hynes replied and bent back over the corpse.
Jack turned to Dennison. “Are you notifying the family?”
“Which part? He lived alone in an apartment and his parents are dead,” Jim said.
“Let us do it?” Jamie asked. “We’ll go over to Babushka’s and find his brother Mikhail.”
“Go for it, it’s all yours. I hate doing those anyway,” Jim replied.
Jamie turned to Jack with a grin. “Come on. We’ve got a way in.”
“You’re evil sometimes, Jameson Kennedy,” Jack muttered but gave Dennison a thumbs up as they headed for the garage.
The inside of Babushka’s was a mess. Half of the space was under construction, the other half was open for service, but with basic tables and chairs on a concrete floor. Heavy plastic divided the two sections and a sign said, “Open for Take-Out Only”.
Jamie and Jack walked up to the counter and Jamie flashed his badge. “I need to speak to Mikhail Orlov. Tell him it’s Detectives Kennedy and Forbes.”
The young woman behind the counter froze, then rushed back into the kitchen. “Mister Mik, the police are here.”
Her volume was enough that one of the construction workers paused and peered through the plastic, then shrugged and went back to work.
“I am Mikhail Orlov, how can help you, officers?” Mik said as he came out, wiping his hands on a towel.
“Detectives. I’m Detective Kennedy, and this is my partner, Detective Forbes. Is there somewhere we can speak in private?” Jamie said.
“Not so much, but this table over here should give us some quiet,” Mik said as he came from behind the counter and sat at a table in the corner.
Jack and Jamie both took a seat, with Jack faced away from the table towards the room while Jamie met Mik’s eyes.
“I have some bad news for you. I’m sorry to tell you, your brother Peter’s body was found this morning,” Jamie said.
Mik sucked in a breath, then closed his eyes. He swallowed a couple of times, then opened them to look at Jamie. “How did he die? Where was he found?”
“He was shot in the back of the head and shoved into the trunk of his car. It had been towed from the yacht club lot early this morning and when they popped the trunk, his body was discovered. The medical examiner’s office has him now and will be doing an autopsy. They don’t have a time of death yet, because of the cold weather and the condition of the body.”
Mik let out a shaky breath. “Do you have any suspects?”
Jack half-turned and arched a brow as she looked at Mikhail. “Do you?”
“Yes, I do, but instead of muddying the waters, I need to call my brothers and let them know. We’re still waiting for my parents’ bodies to be returned for burial, and now this.”
“I am sorry for your loss,” Jamie said. “And I’m going to ask you this, even though you’ll probably laugh at me. Would you and your family like police protection until this murder is solved?”
“I will not laugh at you. I would like it for my wife and children, and for this business,” Mik said.
Jamie slid one of his business cards across the table. “This is my number. Call me any time. I will have a patrol car sit on your house and on the restaurant when you and your family are here.”
“I appreciate that. Thank you,” Mik said.
Jack got on her phone and called in for the protection detail. “What about your other siblings?” she asked.
“Nikolas was down in Mexico, trying to get our parents’ remains. His wife and children are with her family but they will all be returning tonight as they’re participating in the harbor lights parade. Junior is also going to be participating on a friend’s yacht, and he flies out to Zurich tomorrow, so he won’t need protection. I’ll let Nikolas know tonight.”
“What about your sister?” Jack asked.
“She can rot in hell,” Mik replied as he got to his feet. “If she’s not behind this, maybe someone will do us all a Christmas Miracle and remove her from the earth.”
Jack ended her call and they both got to their feet. “A patrol car will be outside in the next half hour, and at your home as well. Call us if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” Mik said as he turned towards the kitchens.
Jack and Jamie got into his rental and waited for it to warm up a moment. “That kind of hate in a family, that’s awful.”
“That’s what Katie Donovan did to Mike’s kids. They’re Elise’s kids now – she’s their official guardian. They call her Mom. Mike’s dad helps them stay connected to their Donovan relations, but they don’t bother with the Doylan side at all.”
“Probably better off avoiding that hate-fest,” Jack said. “Didn’t you say they wouldn’t even acknowledge Mike’s kids as legitimate?”
“Yep,” Jamie said as they pulled into traffic.
“Speaking of Mike, I’ve got a question for you,” Jack said.
“What’s that?”
“How do you explain the TV going on at random times and the channels changing to Tara?”
“She hasn’t asked yet. Then again, Mike and Mari have both been so busy, they haven’t been around to watch it much.”
“So you’re just going to wait for her to ask you why the TV is behaving oddly to tell her about ghosts?”
“I know. Not the best game plan, but I don’t want her to run screaming into the night, thinking I’m a lunatic,” Jamie said.
“Who have we told that has done that? No one,” Jack said. “Have us over for coffee sometime and Doc, Will, and I will help you tell her.”
“You’d really do that?”
“Of course I would – and so would they. We’re family, Jamie. Stop thinking you have to go through it all alone.”
“You’re right. I needed the reminder. How about sometime after the wedding? We’ve got a lot to get through the next couple of days.”
“Just give us a date and we’ll be there,” Jack said.
“You’re the best, Jack.”
“I know.”
Dead Reckoning: Chapter Twenty-Nine
The parade of lights was a tradition that went back to a time when the boats were powered by oars or sails and the lights were rows of lanterns. It was a tradition that the port town loved to celebrate in the time between Christmas and New Year’s.
Jack, Avery, Doc, and Will all got to their tent on the beach in time to get the heaters going and warm the space. The front of the tent was clear plastic to hold in the heat and allow them to see the parade out on the water. If the wind stayed down, they’d pull the plastic back to really get a clear view. A collection of padded chairs and throw blankets offered seating, and tables held food, lanterns, and fireworks for them to set off with the rest of the beach attendees at the end of the event.
Jack curled up under a blanket with a mug of hot tea and a sandwich when Mike perched beside her.
“I hear you guys got protection for Mik Orlov and his family?” Mike said.
“Yeah, after finding Peter Orlov’s body in his trunk. Nikolas and Junior refused protection since they’re going to be out on the harbor tonight. Mik and his family will be at the restaurant until late,” Jack said.
“Well, they’re not at the restaurant,” Mike said. “They ended up joining Nikolas and his family on Sebastian Petrov’s yacht. The patrol car is parked at the yacht club.”
“At least someone knows where they are,” Will said. “Trying to keep track of them the past few days is like herding chickens. Or cats.”
“Jack, is that you?” Jamie called from outside the tent.
Avery stepped outside and waved to them. “Over here.”
Tara and Jamie joined them and once everyone had a drink and some food, Avery got to his feet once more. “I’m going to drive by the Misses and see if they’re still up to coming. It might be too cold for them.”
“Hurry back,” Jack said. “You don’t want to miss the whole thing.”
“Mom, it lasts for a couple of hours. I won’t miss the whole thing. I’ll be back soon,” Avery said as he left.
“Why doesn’t he just call them?” Tara asked.
“They’re older and prone to losing their cellphones on a regular basis. Or shutting them off and forgetting to turn them back on. He’ll swing by and check on them, then be back,” Jack said.
“So this is Tara. She’s too good for our Jamie,” Mike teased.
Jamie turned to glare at him and Tara arched a brow.
“Jameson, what are you glaring at?”
“You should tell her, Jamie. She’ll figure it out when I start watching Fear the Walking Dead at three in the morning,” Mike said.
“Knock it off,” Jack muttered.
“What is going on here?” Tara said.
Jamie sighed and set his cup and food down, then turned to Tara. “Love, there is something I haven’t told you, and I’ve been hesitant to do so because I don’t want to lose you.”
Tara’s eyes went wide and her face paled.
“Oh, for fucksake, Jamie,” Jack said and turned to Tara. “We can all see ghosts. Jamie, me, Doc, Will – even Avery. He’s not cheating on you, he doesn’t have a drug addiction, and he’s terrified you’ll think he’s a nutjob and leave him.”
“Ghosts?” Tara asked, then turned towards Mike. “Like him, right?”
Jamie’s mouth dropped open and Jack started to laugh. Will rested his hands on the table and shook so hard with laughter, he winced in pain. Doc rested his face against Jack’s shoulder to hide the tears from his own laughter.
“You idiot,” Tara said, her tone lovingly frustrated. “I’ve been wanting to tell you about them, but Mike told me you could see them, so I figured I’d just let you get around to it in your own time.”
“You can all calm yourselves now,” Jamie said, his tone dry. “Michael Donovan, you ever keep a secret from me like that again, I’ll unearth that device.”
“Haha, very funny,” Mike replied. “I kept telling you to just tell her and you kept ignoring me. Maybe next time, don’t ignore me?”
Tara hugged Jamie and kissed his cheek. “Are there any more of those brownies? I want one.”
They all settled back down and watched as the first few vessels started to cross the harbor. Soon it was a steady stream of beautifully lit boats, yachts and dinghies making their way from the various yacht clubs and private docks to connect and make a loop of the whole harbor.
“The Misses say it’s too cold, but I told them I’d take pictures,” Avery said as he ducked back into the tent and warmed his hands near a heater.
“Then you better get taking pictures because it started a few minutes ago,” Mike said.
Avery looked from Mike to Tara and she grinned at him.
“Don’t worry, I know. I knew before, and everyone had a good laugh at my Jameson’s expense,” Tara said.
“Well, that makes things a little easier,” Avery replied and pulled out his phone to take some photos.
The tent was filled with commentary about the passing sight and lots of laughter and shared food and drink.
“It’s almost time for the fireworks,” Avery said as he spotted other beachgoers carrying their supplies down closer to the water.
“I’m staying in here, you can go make fire,” Jack said to Doc.
“Let’s go, Will. Time to blow shit up,” Doc said as he got to his feet. Jamie joined them and Tara and Jack settled back to watch.
“Boys don’t change much when it comes to cars and fireworks, do they?” Tara mused.
“No, they don’t. It’s kind of adorable,” Jack said with a grin.
The first of the fireworks started to shoot up into the air and they oohed and ahhed as appropriate.
Jack wasn’t sure what she was seeing at first. It looked like one of the sky rockets had shot a little low – and then there was another explosion and flames shot up from one of the yachts in the harbor. Screams echoed across the surface as it exploded for a third time and started to sink.
Some of the smaller vessels started towards the debris when there was another explosion and a second boat lifted right up on a plume of water, then exploded again before two halves sank in a ring of flaming debris.
Now chaos ensued as the fireworks displays were abandoned and boats raced for shore or the nearest dock.
Jack was on her feet, Tara beside her.
“What can we do to help?” Tara asked.
“Nothing right now. The Coast Guard rescue team was already out there in case someone got drunk and fell overboard, so they can help better than we can. The Harbor PD has a harbor patrol that’s also already out there, too. Best we can do is clean up and get out of the way.”
They turned and started to pack up the food and blankets, as the tables, chairs, and heaters were part of the tent rental. They shut off the heaters and started to carry their things up to the vehicles. The men saw them and came to take some of the load and soon everything was packed up and ready to go.
“Now what do we do?” Avery asked.
“You go home, I go to work, and Mike and Mari go escort the spirits across the veil,” Doc said.
“Will, Jamie, and I will share what information we can with you and Tara, but beyond that, there’s not much the rest of us can do,” Jack said. “Let’s go home and wait for news.”
“I hate that part,” Jamie muttered.
“We all do,” Tara replied.
Dead Reckoning: Chapter Thirty
It took Jack a while to fall asleep, so answering the phone at five in the morning had her disoriented. “Hello?”
“Jack, it’s Jamie. I’m on my way to pick you up. Doc tried calling you and ended up calling me. He’s fine, but he’s got something for us.”
“Okay, stop and get me coffee. I need time to wash up and put on clothes,” Jack said and disconnected the call.
She was so groggy, she decided to go for a full shower, just not wash her hair. Freezing wet hair sucked.
By the time Jamie pulled up out front, Jack was dressed in layers and had her gun, badge, phone, and keys in all of the appropriate places. Jamie handed her a cup of hot coffee as soon as her seat belt was fastened and she sipped in silence for a few minutes.
“Okay, what does Doc have for us?” Jack finally asked.
“More bodies than he knows what to do with,” Jamie said with a sigh. “Every member of the Orlov family was killed last night. Tatiana, her husband and three children, Nikolas, his wife and four children, Mikhail, his wife and four children, and Junior. Three vessels blew up last night. There are also about fifty others dead or unaccounted for, that were on those three boats.”
