PENITENCE: An Andi Comstock Supernatural Mystery, Book 2 (95,893 words)

by Ann Simas

  “I doubt you could,” Andi said. She tilted her head at him. “So, you can be there?”

  “Yep.”

  “Good, because I’m worried that Clem’s parents will think I’m one of those crazies who wears a tin foil hat on her head when the aliens are coming.”

  Vaughn pretended amazement. “You mean you’re not?”

  . . .

  Andi drove to a nearby convenience store and pulled into the lot. She reached for her smartphone and dialed Jack. Again, his phone went straight to voicemail. Disappointed, she left him a brief message, debated whether or not to send it, then decided she didn’t care if he knew how disappointed she was to have missed him.

  She barely got the phone put away, when it sounded the Cops theme. She accepted the call and said, “That was quick.”

  “Is this Andi?”

  “Yes.” Andi’s something’s-not-right radar kicked into gear. “Who’s this?”

  “Detective Eriksson, Dubuque PD.”

  Andi went cold all over. “What’s happened?”

  “Jack was injured this evening during a transport assist on the prisoner being extradited to Oregon.”

  Visions of knife-wielding felons flew through her head. “Is he okay?”

  “He’s alive and as well as can be expected, considering.”

  “Please quit bullshitting me,” Andi said as politely as she could. “Is he okay or not?”

  “I’ll let him tell you,” Detective Eriksson said, her voice laced with humor.

  A moment later, Jack said, “Hi, babe.”

  “What happened? Are you all right?”

  “I have a black eye, a cracked rib, and a couple of stitches in my cheek.”

  “The prisoner hit you? Wasn’t he handcuffed or anything?”

  “He was shackled, feet and hands, but he swung on me before I knew what the hell was going on. He got me in the ribs with his elbow and the cuffs caught me just below my eye.”

  “Are you at the ER?”

  “Just leaving.”

  “You’re not going to have to bring him back alone, are you? Does Stacy know what happened?”

  “No and no. DPD wants to send an officer back with me to assist and I’m going to call the LT as soon as I get back to my hotel.”

  “Are you in pain? Did they give you something for it?”

  “They did, and that’s why I’m headed directly to my hotel. I could use a good night’s sleep and I plan to take it easy tomorrow.”

  “You’re still flying back on Sunday?”

  “Yeah, we were able to get another seat on the flight and it leaves early. I should be nice and rested by then so I’ll be able to stay awake on the plane.”

  “Will your prisoner be difficult to manage?”

  “Our seats are at the rear of the plane, and he’ll be cuffed to his. If he has to take a leak, he won’t have far to walk. Other than that, he won’t be allowed to move around. We’ll be first on, last off so he can’t pull any shenanigans with the other passengers, either. Gerd and I should be able to handle him.”

  “Gerd?”

  “Detective Eriksson.” He grunted in a self-disparaging way. “I hate to admit this, but I was flattened and a girl had to rescue me.”

  A burst of laughter sounded in the background. Gerd, huh?

  A flutter of something green whipped through Andi. “Oh.”

  Jack must have caught her momentary lapse into jealousy. “It’s not like that.”

  “Did I say anything?”

  “You don’t have to. I can read you like a book.”

  Not likely. “Then you know I’m worried about you.”

  He didn’t respond immediately. “I’m okay, Andi, really. I’ve been beat up worse when I was on patrol.”

  “You have? How come you never told me?”

  “It didn’t come up.”

  That was true enough. “I guess this guy’s injuries weren’t as severe as they thought.”

  “The doc informed us he was mostly faking it, so there was no need to keep him hospitalized.”

  “Sounds like a real loser.”

  “In every way.”

  “What time does your flight get in?”

  “Should be on the ground at twelve-eighteen. The jail transport bus will be there to pick up the prisoner, then I’ll run Gerd in to her hotel so she can get checked in.”

  No mention of, I’ll call you when I get in, Andi, or, I’ll see you Sunday night, Andi.

  “I won’t keep you, then. I hope you feel better by the time you get on the plane.”

  “Thanks. Me, too.”

  Andi wanted to tell him about the last two days, but something held her back. He sounded drowsy already, but it was more than that. It was also remembering that he hadn’t picked up her call the evening before.

  Be honest, she told herself. It’s Gerd-the-Detective. You’re worried about a woman you haven’t even met.

  And then her rational self intervened. Just look at what not communicating had done for Clem Naylor.

  After that, her mouth opened and she asked, “Do you think you and I can have dinner with Gerd Sunday night? I’d like to meet her and thank her for saving your sorry ass.”

  Jack laughed. “Now you sound like the Andi I know and love. Dinner it is. Bye, babe.”

  . . .

  The next morning, Andi arrived early at Java Josie’s and asked Josie if she’d mind unlocking the back door so she and her friends could sit outside.

  Josie looked at her as if she were nuts, but agreed and said she’d turn the outside heater on, as well. “You’re gonna need it,” she added, shaking her head.

  Andi ordered a tall latté and a cinnamon roll.

  Father Riley came in as she was paying and said, “Make that two.”

  Andi paid for his, as well, and informed him it wasn’t polite to argue over who was paying in front of Josie.

  Father Riley grinned and said, “For a logical-thinking woman, Andi, you sure come up with some doozy explanations sometimes.”

  “I certainly do try,” she said agreeably.

  The bell over the door tinkled and Stacy and Denise entered. They placed their orders and followed Andi and Father Riley out to the patio. Andi made introductions.

  Fortunately, the bare trees allowed the sunlight to warm them somewhat, but Andi was thankful she’d dressed warmly. It was a biting forty-two degrees out.

  By the time their drinks and pastries were served, Denise showed signs of being antsy. “How does it happen? I mean, how do you know it’s Clem?”

  Andi said, “For some reason, the smoke gets really heavy and intense just before he talks to me. I’ve never smelled anything like it before with any of the other Smokies.”

  “Why do you think it’s changed?” Father Riley asked.

  “The only thing I can come up with is that Clem is distraught because of what he did and he’s so frantic to stop it, it affects his smoky essence.”

  “So the intensity of his soul’s emotions cause the exacerbation of the smoke scent?” Stacy asked, frowning.

  “I guess so. It hasn’t been like this with anyone else, not even Sherry.”

  “That was so sad,” Denise said.

  “It was,” Andi agreed.

  “If not for Andi,” Father Riley said, “we never would have known about Dawna Stimack or her propensity to kill off women so she could have their men.”

  “I don’t remember ever reading about Andi’s part in the investigation.”

  “And you never will,” Andi said. “I’m strictly sidelines.”

  “I wouldn’t exactly say that,” Stacy said, her intonation dryer than a drought.

  Andi was saved from having to rebut by the incursion of Clem’s smoke. “He’s here.”

  I did something bad, Andi, and I don’t know how to fix it.

  “What’s he saying?” Denise asked on a whisper.

  Andi repeated Clem’s opening salvo. “He always says the same thing at the beginning.”

>   Denise stared at her with wide eyes, her lower lip trembling.

  Why’d you bring my wife with you, Andi?

  “We met with Denise last night and told her what you’d done.”

  She hates me now.

  “I don’t know if she hates you, but she is deeply disturbed that you didn’t trust her enough to either accept her evenings away or to ask about her whereabouts outright.”

  Am I ever going to be able to rectify that? I’m dead! How can I?

  Andi wanted to scream out for him to move on from wallowing in self-pity and not to dare take off.

  I heard that, Andi. I’ll wallow if I want to and I’ll only hang around until I’m ready to leave.

  “Good,” she said aloud. “We have questions that need answers. First of all, we’re trying to figure out how to find the hitman you hired.” Piece by piece, she went over the previous evening’s discussion and also reported on Father Riley’s foray to the prison.

  The Liquidator is lying if he told you I paid him in full. I never gave him more than the ten-K, I swear it!

  “Why would he lie? What would he have to gain?”

  I have no idea. He’s jerking your chain.

  “No, I don’t think so.” Andi relayed Clem’s conversation so far to the others. “There’s another problem, too, Clem. I sent a second text telling him not to come around when the kids were there and he responded with, ‘I don’t kill kids, but I don’t leave witnesses, either.’”

  What! Oh, God, what have I done? He assured me he wouldn’t hurt the kids. What kind of monster is he?

  “One who kills for money.” Silently, she added, you’re no better for hiring him to do the deed.

  I’m not! I’m lower than the deepest pond scum. Ask Denise if she can forgive me, Andi. Please! I need to know.

  Andi did as he requested.

  Anguished, Denise said, “I don’t know, Clem. At this very moment, my answer is no, but if I live, and the kids live, maybe someday I’ll be able to.”

  Have you told my parents yet?

  “No, we’re going over to see them this afternoon.”

  It’s not going to be pleasant. My dad doesn’t believe in anything woo-woo and he won’t want to listen to you. In fact, he may throw you out the door.

  “Father Riley and Vaughn will be there with us. I think they can control your dad if he tries anything.”

  Denise said to the others, “Berton is a retired full-bird colonel, U.S. Air Force, and he doesn’t suffer fools lightly. He and Clem butted heads more often than not, but he’s a fair person, and reasonable when he’s presented with facts. Clem’s probably telling Andi that Bert might throw her out on her ear.”

  Andi nodded.

  Denise went on. “Don’t worry, he won’t. Bert’s in a world of hurt right now, and if anything, he’ll grasp at whatever straws he can to get through it. So will Gayle, for that matter. Clem was their only child.”

  I hope Denise is right, Andi. Look, it might help if you tell my folks that I love them, and…tell Dad I forgive him for giving me so much shit about joining up and following in his footsteps. Tell him…I’m not sorry he derailed my career as a surgeon.

  Andi processed that in silence.

  Be sure to quote me verbatim, otherwise he’ll think you’re B.S.-ing him.

  “Don’t worry, I will.” She related his words to the others.

  Denise shook her head. “That doesn’t make any sense. Are you sure that’s what he said?”

  “Positive.”

  Denise searched the air, as though if she looked hard enough, she’d be able to see her husband. Finally, she said, “Whatever. Ask him if he’s sure he never mentioned what he was doing to his friend Jim, who he’s known since high school, or either one of his business partners, both of whom are like brothers to him.” She made a little mewling sound. “Or at least, they used to be.”

  “He heard you,” Andi said. “Are you thinking, Clem?”

  I am, but I don’t remember discussing it with any of them. It was too embarrassing, for one thing. I didn’t want them to know I was such a loser that my wife had to go elsewhere for satisfaction.

  Once again, Andi had the desire to smack him for being stupid. Little good that would do now, even if she could. She repeated his words to Denise.

  “God, you can be so dense sometimes, Clem. You’re making me wish I was the kind of wife you thought I was, just so I’d have some vindication now for thinking you’re a complete idiot. And a fool, to boot.”

  I deserve her disdain. I….

  Andi could sense he was getting ready to run away, but she had a long-shot idea and she wanted to pass it along. “Before you go, Clem, promise me something.”

  I…anything, Andi. If I can, I will.

  “Figure out who you can communicate with on that side. Ask questions, help us figure out who this hitman is.”

  You’re kidding, right?

  “I’m not. One of the Smokies who passed through when we were trying to figure out how to trap Sherry Hemmer’s killer told me that the dentist had killed others. That led us down a brand new path where we gleaned new information that helped convict her for other murders, as well.”

  I’ll do my best, and Andi?

  “Yes, Clem?”

  Please tell Denise I love her and I’m so, so sorry. I’d take it all back in a nano second, if I could.

  The odiferous smoke dissipated in a heartbeat.

  “He’s gone.” She glanced at Denise. “He wants you to know he loves you and he’s sorry.”

  “Sorry, my ass,” Denise said, her voice rough with emotion. “Damn, him. Damn him all to hell!”

  Andi stared off toward the Chapel of the Garden.

  Hell might be exactly where Clem was headed.

  Chapter 10

  Everyone went theirseparate ways and met up again at the elder Naylor’s house at two p.m.

  By prearrangement, Denise would make introductions and leave the explanations to Andi. Father Riley and Vaughn would verify her ability, if it could be called that, to communicate with the dead.

  Stacy’s sister, Elsbeth, also known as Beth, had agreed earlier to collect the kids from school and take them for the afternoon.

  Bert and Gayle Naylor were a sad study in grief. Andi regretted that they were going to be thrown into an even darker abyss. Not only did they have to learn that their son had hired a killer to murder his wife, but they would have to swallow and digest the story of how the contract hit had come to light.

  Andi thought they handled it pretty well, if icy glares and frowny faces were any indication. She pulled out her trump card at the moment she suspected Colonel Naylor was about ready to eject her, ass first, from his home. “I have a message for you from Clem.”

  The thundercloud over his head darkened. Andi could almost feel the electrical currents running through the room.

  “He asked me to tell you that he forgives you for giving him so much shit about joining up and following in his footsteps. He also wanted you to know that he doesn’t regret not being a surgeon.”

  Bert Naylor’s mouth literally dropped open. And then he belly-laughed, startling everyone but his wife.

  “What’s so funny?” Denise asked with a worried frown.

  Bert shared a look with Gayle, who took his hand and gave it a hard squeeze.

  His wife’s lower lip trembled, but her eyes sparkled with humor.

  “Clem wanted to sign up for the air force as soon as he graduated high school,” he said, “and I talked him out of it. I told him he needed to go to college, and then on to med school and become a wealthy, successful surgeon or something.”

  Denise stared at him as if she didn’t comprehend the words coming out of his mouth. Her head swung toward Andi. “I told you that didn’t sound right. Clem hated all the sciences, said they took too much thinking and analysis.”

  Bert wiped tears from his cheeks. “Boy howdy, did he. He sucked at every science and math class he ever had to take.”


  “It’s true. Clem being a doctor has been a family joke for the last twenty years,” Gayle agreed, her gaze traveling to, and latching on, Andi. “You really did talk to our boy.”

  Andi nodded.

  Bert pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped his face. With his mirth subsided, he said, “Now, what’s the rest of what he told you, young lady, and don’t leave anything out.”

  Andi gave them the bad news.

  More tears rolled down their cheeks by the time she’d finished.

  Gayle looked at her daughter-in-law. “Denise, I don’t know what to say…my boy…I can’t believe he’d do something like this.” Her horrified gaze went to her husband. “Bert? How can we fix this?”

  He slid his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “I don’t know, honey. I just don’t know.”

  Andi hurt for both of them, but there was nothing she could do about it except explain Clem’s remorse. Or try to.

  “He should be sorry,” Gayle said, her tone angry. “We didn’t raise him to be no better than a common criminal.”

  “Or a murderer,” Bert said, stricken. “Did we do something wrong?” he asked of his wife.

  Vaughn spoke up. “You didn’t, sir. Clem was a good man who let his imagination run wild and came up with a scenario that left him a little bit crazy. After that, he made one mistake after another and now he’s trying to rectify it.”

  “Can you ever forgive us, Denise?” Gayle asked.

  “You’ve done nothing that needs forgiving,” Denise said. “You aren’t responsible for your son’s actions.”

  “Still…,” Bert said, but couldn’t go on.

  Gayle fidgeted with the hem of her sweater, stretching it out of whack. “What can we do?”

  “I need you to take the kids until…until this is over with.” Denise swallowed visibly and Andi imagined she was trying to garner her courage. “And if…if I’m killed, I need you to promise me you’ll care for them. I don’t want them being taken as wards of the state.”

  Gayle sucked in her breath and made a sound deep in her throat. “Don’t talk like that, Denise.”

  “I have to, and I’m going to see an attorney tomorrow to have the paperwork drawn up for you to be their guardians in the event of my death. It’s a fact that Clem wanted me dead. It’s also a fact that the killer is coming for me. He’s been paid, in full he says, despite Clem’s protestations to the contrary, so I can’t have my kids around when he shows up.” She swallowed a couple of times, then went on. “The hitman says he doesn’t kill kids, but he also said he doesn’t leave witnesses. I think we all know what that means.”