Still Waters [A Kyra Moray Mystery]

by Deanna Lee

  Kyra shrugged. “There's nothing about murder that isn't nasty, no matter the circumstances."

  "Yeah.” He took one of her hands and rubbed her fingers gently. “I never thought about the fact that cops have to deal with murder."

  "Most don't like to."

  Alex nodded and then released her hand. “I'll see you tonight."

  "I'll be here with bells on."

  He grinned, looking her over. “That has potential."

  Kyra leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips. “I'll probably get here around seven."

  Touching her hair, he nodded. “Good."

  * * * *

  Kyra settled down in her seat and jerked her safety harness on. “You have something to say?"

  Phil shrugged, reddening. “I didn't realize you were seeing anyone."

  "Ah, you shouldn't believe the locker-room talk.” She started the engine and then glanced at him briefly. “Many of the older men in the department still don't think a woman belongs on the job. The other side of the fence is that women should ride a desk. Both sides of that argument think that a woman who doesn't date other cops is probably gay."

  Phil laughed. “Shit, sorry."

  "Yeah, it's okay. I don't date other cops ... no matter their district or their rank."

  "I don't blame you. One badge is enough for any relationship.” Phil cleared his throat. “You realize that you might get grief about..."

  "Yeah, I realize that he's black.” She looked at Phil for a moment, then shrugged. “I've never made decisions about my personal life based on what a few backward people in our society think. It's really fucking sad that nearly three hundred years after the end of slavery, we still have issues like this."

  "Hate doesn't disappear because technology advances.” Phil shrugged. “Society only progresses as far as its weakest members. We still deal with racism and sexism because, collectively as a society, we've never made an effort to get rid of it."

  Kyra nodded and sighed. “So, the tattoo is going to turn into a dead end at this point. I'd like to start looking at sex offenders in the area."

  "She wasn't raped."

  "No, but the bathing, shaving, and the insertion of something in the oral cavity suggest sexual undertones.” Kyra's gaze scanned the traffic around them. “We need to look at sexual offenders who haven't elevated to sexual assault."

  "Peeping, stalking, breaking and entering, etc."

  "Yeah. Also, look at any home invasions for sexual misconduct that didn't result in rape. We are, at the moment, looking for a white male between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five."

  "You don't think he's a rapist."

  "He's not a rapist yet.” Kyra frowned. “He'll get there if we let him stay on the streets long enough. The quality of the crime speaks of planning, thoughtful preparation, and a deliberate methodology that can't be dismissed."

  "Do you believe in evil?"

  "I believe there is no limit to the viciousness that one human being can inflict on another. Insanity is often mistaken for evil."

  "Do you think he's a serial predator?"

  Kyra swung into her parking spot and looked at him. “Yes.” She turned and looked at him. “I think he'll kill until we catch him."

  He nodded mutely and opened the door to the vehicle. She watched him close the door and go into the station with a thoughtful gaze. Deep down, she knew he wasn't cut out for Major Crimes and that eventually he would realize it, too. Reaching back, she took the box that held the covered govi off the backseat. Holding it was still slightly unnerving, but she was determined not to let the killer get the best of her. He would get nothing he wanted from her.

  * * * *

  "So, the ashes are human."

  "Without a doubt.” Jeffrey Parker tipped back in his chair and looked around the conference room. “The jar itself is common and can be bought from hundreds of stores in the state, and surrounding states as well."

  "The victim?"

  "There is nothing usable in the ashes."

  Kyra grimaced and then looked at the govi again. She hated just being in the same room with it. It was time to put the damn thing in with the rest of the evidence. “Clara indicated the govi itself serves as a vessel for the soul. Also, she believes the water he drowned Donna with was part of a water-pouring ritual."

  "A vial of bone dust and a govi full of human ashes.” Commander Ethan Baker grimaced. “Two victims."

  "At least two victims.” Kyra stood. “I think we can safely assume that he has already chosen his next victim. We don't know how long he'll wait between victims.” She went to the work board where she'd placed Donna LaRoux's picture. “Donna was a normal, angst-filled teenager. She had a complicated social calendar, a mother who was entirely too invested in her, and ambitions that went beyond what anyone in her family wanted for her."

  "There had to be something special about her."

  Kyra nodded. “Yes. There was something special about her. Whether it was the tattooed flesh he took or something else, we may never know."

  Phil leaned forward and cleared his throat. “He sent you the govi. He wants to make this personal."

  "I've had some high-profile cases in the past few years.” Kyra looked back to Donna LaRoux's picture. “But this case hasn't hit the papers, yet. Which means that he was at the first scene. He knew I'd been assigned Donna's murder."

  "He could have a police scanner."

  Kyra grimaced. “Yeah.” She frowned and then shook her head. “No, he was there. He watched her be discovered and watched us work the scene. There was no need to establish such an elaborate dumpsite if he wasn't going to be around to see the reaction. His work had to be admired."

  "Admired?” Phil asked, clearly disgusted.

  "It may not be our idea of art, but it is certainly his."

  Kyra walked back to Donna's picture as her commander ended the meeting and dismissed the others in the room.

  She didn't say a word until the room cleared and the door was shut. “I'm going to need a new partner, sir."

  "I know."

  "He's not a bad cop, but he's not cut out for murder. He's not sleeping, probably having nightmares. The last case we caught was horrid. Hell, even I woke up a few nights with the sweats. He still hasn't recovered. Catching another female victim so soon just drove it home for him."

  "You think he's solid?"

  "He's great for details, relates well to witnesses. He's too corn-fed to be a dirty cop. To be honest, I'm surprised he made sergeant without getting a little more tough-skinned. I don't know if he knew that his last partner was dirty."

  "Just another brick in the blue wall."

  "Perhaps.” Kyra looked back to Donna's picture. “I don't think the govi was just a token gift. It has meaning to him; the ashes represent something special, or maybe someone special."

  "You think the ashes are his first victim?"

  "I don't know.” Kyra threw up her hands. “Shit, if we get another body, we should consider asking for a fed."

  "You realize the mayor would frown on the sort of media attention that would generate."

  Kyra snorted; she knew why. “Oh, he can shove that. If a second body comes up, the press will get wind of it, and then the whole damn city will know we have a serial killer out there."

  * * * *

  Phil was sitting at his desk when she came into the office. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. She wondered how long he would suffer in silence, but after a moment's thought decided that she wasn't going to wait to find out.

  She sat down at her desk and then looked at him. “How long have you been having nightmares?"

  "About two months."

  "When were you going to tell me?"

  "I hadn't planned on telling you at all.” He looked down at his desk and then grimaced. “Thought I'd go to the commander and ask for a transfer. I didn't know how long I needed to wait..."

  "Approach him first thing in the morning.” Kyra looked down at her desk. �
��It will be much better for your career if you request it before he does it on his own."

  * * * *

  She was wearing blue, and from the looks of the dress, not much else. The thin silk drifted over her body, outlining firm breasts and a near-hourglass figure that made his mouth water. The thin spaghetti straps that held the dress on her shoulders were like an invitation to undress her.

  "Well, your cop doesn't look like much of a cop now."

  Alex laughed. “Indeed."

  Kyra met his gaze and smiled briefly before she turned to her left. Glory James hurried to her side with a drink in hand and gave Alex a jaunty wave.

  "Friend's not bad, either."

  Alex looked at his brother. “I thought you were supposed to be playing this gig?"

  Marcus grinned and took his water bottle as he slid from the booth. “Have fun."

  Kyra slid into the booth as Marcus slipped away and Glory bounced in on the other side.

  "Happy Birthday!” Glory scooted around and kissed him right on the mouth. She sat back and regarded him. “You have a great mouth."

  "Back off.” Kyra shooed her good-naturedly.

  She giggled and scooted away.

  "Thanks.” He watched Kyra pick up his water. “It may take some work to top that birthday wish; it's the best one I've had all day."

  She grinned. “We'll just have to see.” Kyra looked around the bar and then back to Alex. “Is this what you call an intimate gathering of your friends?"

  "Well, I like to have big parties.” He ran his hand along her shoulder and looked over her face. “Nice dress."

  She leaned closer and kissed his lips softly. “I'd love to say I bought it for you, but I didn't."

  He pulled her closer, his gaze focused on her lips. “A kind woman would, at least, dance with me."

  "I'm not a kind woman.” She touched his lips with the tips of her fingers. “But I'll dance with you anyway."

  Sliding out of the booth, she waited for him to join her and offered Glory a wink. Glory grinned and took a big sip of her drink.

  The dance floor wasn't very crowded, but it hardly mattered. Kyra was already lost in him when he pulled her close and slid one arm around her waist. The music was slow and sexy, like most good jazz was, in Kyra's opinion. She glanced at his brother and then settled her gaze back on Alex.

  * * * *

  Alex let his hands move on her back and wondered why in the hell he'd thought he wanted a big-ass birthday party. Then he remembered that he'd planned the thing before he'd met Kyra. It hardly felt like he'd only known her a few days. Feeling in over his head, he pulled her closer and sighed when she tucked her face close to his neck.

  Her body drifted against his with the music, and he forced thoughts of sex aside. The last thing he needed to do was get a raging hard-on. The thought of dealing with that sort of situation in his place cooled him considerably. She was soft and pliable in his arms. It was hard to mesh her current disposition with the tough-ass cop he knew her to be.

  She turned her head and placed a soft kiss on his neck, and his knees grew weak for a moment. Lord, he was in over his head. He cast a glance toward the stage and found Marcus grinning. His predicament must be written all over his face. Alex closed his eyes briefly and pulled her closer. Just one night in the woman's bed, and he'd been reduced to mush.

  Kyra lifted her head and looked over his face. “Something wrong?"

  "No.” He shook his head and kissed her forehead.

  He hadn't had a crush on a woman since he was eighteen. The thought was uncomfortable as hell, but it was the only term that seemed to fit. He looked around the bar and grimaced as he caught sight of John Deets. John waved at him hesitantly, and Kyra stiffened in his arms.

  "Relax. I'll take care of it."

  Kyra frowned at him. “Alex."

  "Go back to the table and scare off the guy hitting on Glory. I'll take care of it."

  She cast a disparaging glance in John's direction but went off to rescue her friend. Alex moved through the crowd quickly, and with a decisive nod told John to follow him. Their walk back to his office served to cool Alex off completely; another strike against John.

  He shut the door as John took a seat in a chair in front of his desk. “I thought we agreed that you wouldn't come back here, John."

  John cleared his throat. “You called the fucking VA on me."

  "I informed the VA that a fellow veteran might benefit from counseling. I think it would be in your best interest to let them help you.” Alex sat down at his desk and let out a deep breath.

  "I don't need the VA mucking with my life,” John snapped.

  "You should have considered that before you brought a gun into my place. You have behavior that needs to be checked. There are several ways we can do that. One way is to see a doctor; the other is for me to file charges against you. I honestly don't think you'd be served by time in a correctional facility."

  "Was that the cop you were dancing with?"

  "Yeah."

  "Nice. She almost looks human without a gun.” John stared at the floor briefly and then met Alex's gaze. “I loved him. I never wanted to admit that he made a mistake."

  "It's hard to watch someone we love do something that will get them killed. He was like a brother to me, John. I do understand."

  "He wasn't like a brother to me."

  "It wasn't a secret that you were lovers,” Alex murmured. “It was obvious."

  John looked up, startled. “We thought we did a good job of hiding it."

  "I doubt anyone outside the unit knew."

  "Yeah.” He looked around the office. “So, how old are you, anyways?"

  "Thirty-one."

  John cleared his throat. “I guess you forgot to take me off the list at the door."

  Alex laughed, because he had. He'd completely forgotten that he'd invited John and several others from his unit. “Yeah, I guess I did."

  "The cop looked like she had her panties in a twist."

  Alex laughed. “She doesn't trust you."

  "I guess I didn't make the best first impression."

  "No.” Alex stood. “Come on, you can stay. Just don't hit on any obviously straight guys, and your drink limit is two."

  * * * *

  Kyra gave Alex a practiced glare as he slid back into the booth. “You're letting him stay."

  "Yeah."

  Frustrated, but hard-pressed to push him, she looked toward the stage. She didn't like John Deets being so close to Alex. True, she'd taken his gun. At least, she'd taken one gun from him. Resolved that in the morning she would find out if he had any other weapons registered in his name, she looked toward the dance floor where Glory was dancing with a man who bordered on being “girl” pretty. She always went for the pretty boys.

  "Suppose it's none of my business."

  "He's an old friend, Kyra. John has problems, and I need to make sure he gets the help he needs."

  "Yeah."

  Kyra grimaced. There was no fucking way she'd ever understand men. If she had a friend who had brandished a gun at her, said friend would have had one chance to make a clean and complete getaway before being stomped into the ground.

  "It pisses you off."

  She shrugged. “He's your friend. I don't have an opinion."

  "Yep, your non-opinion is written all over your face."

  Kyra sucked on her straw and frowned when she realized that her glass was empty. She set it aside and turned to look at Alex. “I didn't sign on to get embroiled in your personal life. We're both here for the sex, right?"

  "So you keep saying."

  "Then I don't have an opinion that should matter to you.” She glanced at Glory and then at her comm-u. “I should go."

  He slid out of the booth without a word and didn't touch her as she followed. Kyra looked at Glory, who had taken the look on Kyra's face to mean that they were leaving and quickly disengaged from her dance partner.

  Chapter Seven

  Kyra sho
ved her vehicle into drive and glanced at Glory. “I'm sorry."

  Glory shrugged. “Turn on the radio so I can listen to all the crime in the big, bad city."

  She flipped on the scanner and focused on the road. “I'm not going to tell you what all the codes mean, so don't ask."

  "No worries. I looked them up on the Internet."

  "Why are men so damn complicated?"

  "Oh, hun.” Glory shook her head. “Men aren't complicated; women just make too much out of their little behavioral issues."

  Kyra rolled her eyes. She knew damn well that in Alex's case it wasn't just a behavioral issue. Men had a weird set of rules when it came to their friends and their enemies. “Do you want to get some food?"

  "Yeah, you look like you need it."

  Sighing, Kyra pulled into the nearest restaurant and was startled to find herself in the parking lot of Valteau's. She hadn't eaten there since she'd caught Donna LaRoux's murder. With a sigh, she killed the engine.

  "I'm sorry. You were having a good time at the party."

  "Yeah, but you weren't, so it's cool.” Glory pulled her purse out of the glove box and grinned at Kyra. “Let's go eat our weight in cheese sticks and fries."

  Kyra nodded, resigned.

  * * * *

  Fighting the urge to unbuckle her safety harness, Kyra sat back in her seat and watched Glory disappear into her apartment building. She turned the sound on the scanner up to fill in the silence her friend had left behind. Groaning a little, she put the vehicle into drive and wished she hadn't eaten that last order of cheese sticks.

  The chatter on the scanner was almost relaxing, which was odd since she'd heard three domestic disturbance calls and one suspicious person in a residential neighborhood since she'd put the vehicle in drive.

  Her comm-u buzzed slightly, but she ignored it. She'd turned off the automatic engage shortly before she'd entered the bar, and now she was in no mood to talk to anyone.

  "We have a 10-54, location Still Waters, 302 St. Anne Street."

  Kyra's fingers hesitated over the answer button on her steering wheel briefly before she pushed it to respond. “Inspector Kyra Moray en route. 10-7 on location."

  "Location Still Waters, 302 St. Anne Street.” Location confirmed; someone had died in Still Waters.