Marked for Murder

by Donna Raider

  “When will you sleep, dear?” She smirked.

  “During the meetings.” Mika laughed.

  Mika’s joke broke the chill of the room, and Leah leaned down to kiss her lips.

  “Okay.” Leah smiled. “I have always wanted you to visit the set during production. That will be fun. I will move my lunch from noon to one.”

  “I have to be at my first meeting at eight on Monday.” Mika rubbed Leah’s back. “We have the rest of this week and the weekend.”

  “And the rest of this night, darling.” Leah kissed her, gently moving her soft, full lips against Mika’s in their mutual dance of arousal.

  “You know what that does to me,” Mika moaned.

  “Yes,” she hissed.

  ##

  Leah watched her sleep. Mika’s soft breathing caused her nostrils to flare slightly when she exhaled. For the thousandth time Leah committed her chiseled features to memory: her finely formed nose, her dimples, and her full, sensuous lips. She shuddered slightly as she recalled Mika’s lips on her body.

  Leah never fully understood what she had done to deserve this woman, but she thanked God for her many times a day.

  Leah’s eyes opened and she found herself lost in a sea of blue. Iridescent blues and greens danced in Mika’s eyes as the light reflected from them. Mika smiled, and it was as if Leah were drowning in a world of blue sky and clear blue water.

  “You are watching me sleep?” Mika grinned her little-girl grin, her dimples deepening, and Leah fell in love with her all over again.

  ##

  Watcher followed Father Williams to the park. The priest sat on a deserted bench away from others. He took out a candy bar and placed it on the bench beside him. The little boy watched him from across the park. The priest waved at him. The child pretended not to see him.

  Father Williams fed the pigeons for a while then picked up the candy bar. He held it up so the little boy could see it clearly.

  He smiled, placed the candy bar back on the bench, and then walked away. When the priest was out of sight, the child ran to the bench and grabbed the candy bar.

  Watcher grimaced as he realized it would only be a matter of time before the priest won the boy’s trust. He followed Father Williams back to the church. He pulled his dark hoodie over his forehead, hiding his face. Again, he wondered how the old priest had managed to elude his keepers.

  As he approached the church, Father Williams stopped, checking to see if anyone was outside the building. Ascertaining he was alone, he moved through the gardens on the side of the church. He silently let himself inside through a small door almost hidden by ivy that covered the side of the building.

  Watcher waited half an hour, then entered the same door. Steep stairs led from the door to a basement under the church. The basement was dimly lit by dirty windows almost covered in ivy. Watcher switched on his cellphone light. He could see the basement was seldom used. Only Father Williams’s shoe prints had disturbed the thick layer of dust on the floor. Careful to step in Father Williams’s prints, he followed the priest’s trail to a flight of stairs that opened into a dimly lit hall. Several office doors lined the hallway.

  “Have you finished the filing?” Voices came from the door closest to him. Watcher flattened himself into a dark doorway.

  “Just a few more file folders and I will be done.” Father Williams followed a deacon from the office. “I took a little nap,” the priest whined pitifully.

  Neither man looked in Watcher’s direction. After the hallway was clear, he entered the office where Williams had been. A quick search of the only desk in the room revealed two baseball gloves, a baseball, a package of prophylactics, and a box of candy bars. A pair of leather gloves lay on top of the desk beside a nametag with “Williams” engraved on it. Watcher pocketed the nametag and quickly left the building the same way he had entered it.

  ##

  “I am pretty sure Father Branch is our perp.” Carlie shoved a cup of coffee into Leah’s hand as she got into the sedan.

  “What makes you think so?” The brunette sipped the coffee. “Just as I like it.” She held up the Styrofoam cup as if to toast the detective. “Thank you.”

  “He’s so antsy,” Carlie almost growled. “I was sure he was going to break, but he didn’t. It’s just a matter of time. I have no proof. I must get a confession.”

  “Where are we going?” Leah asked.

  “There was a dry-cleaning tag inside the collar of one of the cleric shirts. No name on the tag, just a number. Ten drycleaners in that part of town use that type of tag. We have narrowed it down to three. I thought you might want to observe, firsthand, the grunge work of an investigation.”

  Leah laughed. “Everything you do looks like grunge work to me. I have no idea how the TV writers make your job look so…romantic.”

  “Romantic.” Carlie smiled. “Speaking of romantic, we never did finish our discussion about you and your girlfriend before Mika.”

  “There’s nothing to discuss.” Leah’s eyes were fierce, beautiful, and frightening. “That was a very bad time in my life. A time I never discuss.”

  “Why did you tell me, then?” Carlie demanded, almost angrily.

  “I wanted you to know that I had not judged you because you are with a woman. It simply isn’t important in the grand scheme of things.” Leah shrugged.

  “Did you break it off with her, when you met Mika?” Carlie was a born interrogator.

  “No, long before that.” Leah’s voice was low and menacing.

  “Why?” Carlie pushed.

  “Detective Carlyle,” Leah hissed. “Please take me to the studio. If you can’t respect my wishes, I don’t want to ride with you.”

  “Hold on.” Carlie raised her hands as if surrendering. “I promise no more questions.”

  The first drycleaners told the detective that the number on the tag far exceeded their sequence of numbers. “But you should try the cleaners in China Town,” the owner told her. “It is the oldest cleaners in this area.”

  The China Town cleaners confirmed that the tag was theirs.

  “Can you tell me whose clothes it was attached to?” Carlie asked. She waited while the proprietors had a long discussion in a foreign language she couldn’t even begin to understand, but did hear the word priest.

  “Was it this priest?” She shoved a photo of an unknown priest across the counter.

  “No. No.” The owners shook their heads.

  She lay three other photos on the counter. “Which one?” she demanded.

  “This one.” The men pointed to Father Branch.

  “Gotcha,” Carlie whispered under her breath. She took the name and phone numbers of the owners and took a shot of them with her cell phone.

  “What will you do now?” Leah asked excitedly as they returned to the car.

  “Watch and learn, sweetheart.” Carlie was euphoric.

  Leah cringed at the term of endearment. She sat quietly as they drove to the church offices. Carlie made a phone call, and by the time they reached the church, the detective’s team was waiting outside, an arrest warrant in hand. Leah wanted to give her wife some warning but decided against it.

  Father Branch was in Mika’s office when the detective charged through the door. The ashen look on the man’s face told Leah that Carlie had been right. He stood stoically as she handcuffed him and read him his rights. He bowed his head and tried to hide his face as Carlie led him to the patrol car waiting outside the church.

  Mika called the diocese’s attorneys and notified the bishop of Father Branch’s arrest.

  “This is going to look bad for the church,” Bishop Cantrell said, exhaling softly, “when it comes out one of our priests was socializing with a prostitute and possibly killed her.”

  “I am certain he didn’t kill her,” Mika told the bishop.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Watcher smiled as he saw Father Branch shackled and put in a patrol car. He dialed a number on his burner phone, a TV reporter.
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  “TV star Leah Redman just assisted in the arrest of a priest for the murder of prostitute Ellen Anthony.” He knew the beautiful actress’s name would assure coverage of the arrest. He disconnected the call and popped out the phone’s battery. He walked a few blocks to Central Park. He followed the lakeshore to a deserted area, tossed the phone as far as he could into the dark waters. He dropped the battery into a trash receptacle.

  TV cameras were at the precinct when the patrol car arrived. Carlie and Leah were right behind. Carlie wanted to book this creep herself. She hated hypocrites.

  “Miss Redman.” A microphone was shoved into Leah’s face as she followed Carlie into the precinct. “Can you give us any information on how you caught the murderer?”

  “I can’t comment.” The actress smiled nervously. “Detective Carlyle is in charge of this case and has made the arrest. She apprehended the suspect.”

  Carlie had already disappeared into the station.

  “Is this your first participation in an actual arrest?” the reporter asked as she continued to shove the microphone toward Leah. “It seems the Catholic Church is a haven for pedophiles and whoremongers.” The blonde reporter smiled, impressed with her own hard-hitting observation.

  The raven-haired beauty bowed her head. Suddenly static roared through the mics and TV cameras so loudly, everyone was covering their ears and scrambling to turn off their equipment as it crackled and shot spurts of fire in all directions.

  “What the hell?” The reporter whirled on her cameraman. Leah slipped inside the station.

  Mika had been watching the live coverage of Father Branch’s disgrace. She chuckled when she saw what her wife had done to the electronics all around her.

  ##

  Bishop Cantrell arrived in Mika’s office a little before noon. “Have you seen the news coverage on this?” He frowned, pointing to the television screen showing Branch’s arrest.

  “Yes.” The younger priest nodded. “I wonder who tipped off the news people about the arrest. Perhaps the real murderer was observing. The police have confirmed that it was a man calling from an untraceable phone.”

  Bishop Cantrell studied the worried face of the young priest. “Have you taken confession from Father Branch?”

  “Yes.” Mika nodded.

  The bishop shook his head. “You are convinced he is innocent?”

  “Of murder, yes.” Mika grimaced.

  “But he did avail himself of her services?” The bishop wasn’t asking Mika to reveal anything she had heard in confession. It was common for priests to discuss disturbing confessions with one another. The information never went any further.

  Mika simply nodded.

  “Do you have a problem with me requesting a week’s delay in your trip to the Vatican?” Bishop Cantrell asked. “I believe we are going to need you here more than they need you there. I need someone I can trust to help me navigate this madness.”

  “Your Excellency, there is something you should know, but it needs to stay between you and me,” Mika said softly.

  “Is it something that should be heard in confession?” the bishop inquired, wanting to provide the young priest all the protection of silence he could.

  “Oh, no.” Mika smiled. “It is not something of which I’m ashamed. It is just something we felt best kept between us.”

  “Your confidence is safe with me.” Bishop Cantrell encouraged Mika to continue.

  “Leah Redman is my wife,” the pretty priest said softly.

  “Really?” The bishop took in a deep breath. “You have definitely been blessed, Mika.”

  Bishop Cantrell knew that Mika was married to a beautiful woman but had never suspected it was the television star. She always wore a veil to church services, and he hadn’t paid much attention to her. My Lord, they have several children. He had heard others joke with Mika about being a “practicing Catholic.”

  The bishop’s only disappointment in life had been that he and Janet had no children. The Lord had rewarded him in so many other ways, he couldn’t complain.

  ##

  Father Williams took advantage of all the confusion around Father Branch’s arrest to slip unseen from the church. Along with the candy bar, he carried the ball and gloves.

  He sat down on his usual bench and took out the candy bar and sports items. He held up the glove and ball to the little boy. The child moved closer to him, eyeing him wryly. Father Williams smiled and held out the candy bar. The boy took it but didn’t run away.

  “After you finish the candy, would you like to play catch?” Father Williams smiled kindly. The child nodded as he greedily gobbled down the candy.

  Bile rose in Watcher’s throat as he observed the priest and the boy playing catch. When they finished, the boy clung to the man’s hand, looking up at him, smiling in admiration. The pedophile had so easily won the child’s trust.

  Usually a clear and concise thinker, Watcher’s thoughts ran amok as he recalled his own treatment at the hands of a trusted parish priest. Stepping to the side of the path, he threw up. He vowed that the little boy would not have to live with the gnawing self-loathing he had endured since his seventh birthday.

  He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He focused on his plans for Father Williams.

  ##

  “I got a reprieve.” Mika slipped her arms around her wife and kissed her happily.

  “You don’t have to go to Rome.” Leah gasped for breath when Mika released her.

  “Not next week, anyway.” She kissed her again.

  “I asked Nana and Cook to take care of the children tonight.” Leah smiled at Mika sensuously. “I thought we might go to Joe’s.”

  “That sounds like fun,” Mika agreed. “Let me go in first. It’s fleet week, and I don’t want you alone in Joe’s.”

  “You know I can handle myself.” Leah laughed, sending a warm surge through Mika’s body.

  “Yes, but I always have to be the one to come up with an opening line.” Mika grinned. “I think we should put some of your ingenuity to work.”

  “Okay, but only to humor you. I much prefer when you try to pick me up. Remember, the first one to laugh loses.”

  “Oh, I am so ready for you.” Mika laughed. “After twenty-eight years with you, I doubt you’ll surprise me.”

  ##

  Joe looked up as the priest walked into the lounge. He quickly poured a glass of wine and placed it on the bar. Mika looked around the room. It was filled with people laughing, dancing, and drinking. She had been right not to send Leah in alone.

  Half an hour went by and the priest pushed her empty glass toward Joe for a refill. The door opened and the woman walked in. She wore a tight burgundy dress that dropped several inches below her knee, with a slit up to mid-thigh. The dress was cut low, revealing the curvature of beautiful breasts. A diamond and ruby necklace accented her cleavage. She stood just inside the lounge, surveying it as if trying to decide whether to stay or leave. A naval officer quickly moved to greet her. “I thought you would never get here.” He smiled, holding out his arm for her to grasp.

  “You must have me confused with someone else,” Leah said patiently. “I don’t know you.”

  “No, you are definitely the woman I’ve been waiting for all my life.”

  She tilted her head and looked into his face. “I’m married,” she said curtly. “My wife is meeting me here.”

  “She’s a fool to let you walk in here alone.” The officer caught Leah’s arm. “At least share a drink with me until she arrives.”

  Mika watched to see how Leah would handle the insistent Navy man. She knew Leah hated for anyone to grab her.

  Suddenly, the Navy officer began to wiggle his shoulders. He reached his hand behind his back and started scratching as if ants were crawling on him. Next, he began clawing at his arms and stomach. He fought to keep his hands from scratching between his thighs. Without a word, he ran into the men’s room.

  Leah shrugged her shoulders and walked to the bar.
She took a seat two stools down from the priest. Joe placed her wine glass in front of her. She sipped it for several minutes, watching the priest in the mirror. Finally, she moved to the seat next to the priest, leaned forward to give her a good look at her cleavage, and said softly, “Buy me a drink, sailor?”

  The priest grabbed a napkin to catch her wine as it spewed from her mouth. Her laughter filled the room. “That’s the best line you could come up with?” Mika howled.

  Leah raised a perfectly arched brow. “As you witnessed, I don’t have to say a word to get a man to buy me a drink.”

  Mika covered her face with her hands, still laughing.

  “By the way,” Leah said, smiling sweetly, “you lose.”

  Mika caught Leah’s hands in hers and kissed the back of each one. “Oh, no,” she said as she lightly kissed her lips, “I’m the world’s biggest winner.”

  Joe couldn’t hide his smile at the couple’s antics. They were just fun. Fun and so much in love.

  After dinner, they settled into their favorite booth and Joe brought them another glass of wine. They were dancing to a slow love song when two patrons came in. Joe vaguely recognized one of them. They took seats at the bar. The two immediately caught the attention of the fleet-week officers. Two officers motioned for Joe to come to their end of the bar. “Whatever the ladies are having, just add it to our tab.”

  “This place has a wine so fine, I swear it has to be the nectar of the gods.” Carlie smiled at Jennifer as she ordered their drinks.

  “Compliments of the gentlemen at the end of the bar,” Joe said as he placed their wine in front of them. Both women glanced toward the end of the bar where the officers toasted them with their drinks.

  “Tell them thank you, but we can buy our own drinks,” Carlie said softly. “Tell them not to waste their time. We’re together.”

  Joe groaned inwardly. Business was so much better when women would let men buy their drinks.

  The velvet laughter that Joe loved rang out as the priest whispered something into her wife’s ear. She caught her hand and led her back to their booth. Both were oblivious of anyone else in the room.