by WL Knightly
“One more thing,” said Bay before Carter shut the door. “While you’re on the way back, I’d strongly consider what it means to lie to me. Because if I find out that you’re holding out on me, I’m not going to be a happy man, Carter.”
Carter looked down at his shoes, which were hardly made for more than showing off on stage, and he let out a growl of frustration. “Fine!” He got back into the car and slammed the door, fully prepared to spill his guts, but part of the truth just couldn’t be spoken. “I came because Justin owes me money. I want to make Brandy pay up. I don’t see why I have to suffer because he’s dead.”
“Why didn’t you just tell me that? I could make sure that you get your money. How much was it?” Bay’s tone was bad, but Carter felt a bit of relief that he might actually buy it.
Carter wasn’t about to leave with a measly twenty-thousand. “Does it matter?”
“It does if you want to collect it. I know how much she had and what she hasn’t.”
“Two million.”
Bay laughed. “Justin owed you two million dollars? I somehow doubt that, but okay. Get out.”
“Wait, why? I told you the truth.” He had hoped the man would at least take pity and drive him back to the house.
“Two million is a lot of money. I’d take this time to make sure you secure it.”
“You don’t understand, Bay. I need her alive long enough to collect, and then I don’t give a fuck what happens to her.”
Bay put his arm across the back of the seat and leaned in closer. “I tell you what. I’ll help you out of this mess, and I won’t kill her, but you’re going to have to make sure I’m well compensated.”
“I can do that. How’s twenty-thousand?” He held his breath and hoped that the amount wouldn’t insult him.
Bay shrugged like it sounded okay to him. “I’ll think about it. You better get moving. I need to go and check us out. I’ll be sure to grab all of your shit.”
Carter got out of the car but hesitated a minute. “Don’t forget to grab my phone charger and toothbrush please.”
“Sure thing, man.” Bay smiled, and Carter breathed a sigh of relief. He thought Bay might ask for more when the time came, but he’d worry about that later. He had to make sure Brandy knew he wasn’t leaving until things were in order.
He shut the car door, and Bay sped away, throwing up dust behind him. “Fucking asshole.”
He walked the long road back to the house, and by the time he was there, he was thirsty and needed a drink. He walked back up on the porch and knocked on the door. “Brandy, it’s me.” He pounded and peeked through the window, but she wasn’t anywhere in sight. “Brandy!”
Finally, she rounded the corner from the hall and rolled her eyes. She came over and opened the door. “What are you doing here? Where’s Bay?”
“He’s gone to the hotel, but I changed my mind.” Carter breezed past her as she stepped aside and opened the door wider. “I told him I’d stay and get a jump start on those papers.”
“He doesn’t know about your plans, does he? How you’re extorting money from me, my unborn child, and his dead friends?”
“Don’t let Bay fool you, sweetie. You’re a means to an end for him and nothing more. He just wants his information.” He didn’t want her to think that Bay would actually like her type.
“He seems a lot nicer than you.”
“I want the money for my church.”
“I thought the church was supposed to help widows and orphans, not the other way around.”
“If the widow is sitting on a big pile of money that she didn’t earn honestly and that she could never spend, why not spread that around?”
“Listen to you. You really believe that bullshit, don’t you? I mean, I’ve heard of men believing in their own lies, but you really think you’re doing some good.”
Carter shrugged.
“I don’t buy it,” said Brandy. “Not for one fucking minute. If it’s a donation you want, I’d gladly give it, but you’re planning on sticking me for half of Corey’s money.”
“Well, that’s sort of right.” Carter met her eyes and saw the moment she realized what he had come for.
“You came to see how much I was getting from Justin, too. You want a bigger share, don’t you?”
“Yes, and yes. And I thought about you going all the way to Phoenix. I can’t see you coming back empty-handed. I know if it were me, I’d have brought back a good wad of cash. So, I’d like a down payment of good faith.”
“Good faith?” She laughed. “Are you kidding me?”
“No, I’m quite serious. And don’t discuss any of this with Bay.”
“You don’t want him to know what a crooked vulture you are? Circling around and waiting for a corpse so you can pick my bones clean.”
“No. I was thinking more like you shouldn’t tell him so he doesn’t want his cut. It wouldn’t do you any better to have to split things three ways. And since so far, I’m the only one with any dirt on you, I’m your only enemy.”
Brandy let out a breath of frustration. “Fine, I’ll give you ten-grand in cash, and that’s it. I don’t have anymore. You can get the rest in your account as you talked about before.”
He walked over and sat on the couch in front of the photographs. “Sounds good to me.”
Chapter 21
Darek
The phone’s vibrations on the table beside Darek’s head were worse than any alarm clock. He popped his head up and reached over to get it before it woke Lizzy up too. But as he leaned back against his pillow, he realized that the bed was cold beside him.
Lizzy was gone.
Not knowing if she’d gone back home to Bob and her bed, he answered the phone, knowing he’d look for her after. “Hello?”
“Detective Blake, this is Officer O’Brien. We have a report of a body found. A young woman. I’ve got a crew on the way, but I thought I’d call and let you know. The initial report was a stabbing, but they also said there was so much blood, that they couldn’t be sure that’s all.”
“Shit. Thanks, man. Text me the location, and I’ll be right there.”
“You got it.”
Darek ended the call and scratched his chest as he let out a big yawn. “Lizzy?” He waited to see if she would respond, but she didn’t. Instead, he heard a noise from the kitchen. A slight movement.
He got to his feet and walked into the room, turning on the light. “Lizzy?”
She poked her head around from the kitchen. “Hey, sorry if I woke you up.”
“You didn’t. What are you doing in here?”
“Just looking for something to eat. I woke up, and my stomach was growling. I hope you don’t mind me raiding your fridge.” She gave him a shy look, and he pulled her in for a kiss.
After their lips met briefly, he pulled away and brushed her hair back from her face. “I’m afraid we’ve been called in.” He glanced down, and she had her phone in her hands. “Did you get one too?”
“No, not yet,” she said as she looked down at the screen. “I was using my phone for a flashlight.”
Darek walked away, heading back to his room. “Don’t be surprised when they do. We’ve got a body. Stabbing they think.”
“Shit. Sounds all too familiar.” Lizzy hurried and was behind him by the time he got to the bedroom. She pulled off his T-shirt and found her jeans and the top she’d worn over.
“Yeah, I thought so too.” He pulled on some pants and then walked to the closet.
“Man or woman?” asked Lizzy.
“Woman. It sounds like it just came in.”
Lizzy grabbed her bag and strapped on her gun. Darek checked his Glock as they headed to the door. They stopped there to put on their shoes and then headed out to the car.
“Damn it. What time is it?” Darek hadn’t expected to see the sun because his house was still dark, but there was still no sign of the sun even on the horizon.
“It’s four-forty in the morning.”
&nbs
p; He got into his car and unlocked the door for Lizzy. “It’s too early for this shit.” He passed her his phone once they were both inside. “Here, O’Brien was supposed to text me the location. See where we’re going.”
She moved her fingers across the screen. “Three-thirty Elm.”
“Wait, what?” Darek’s face flushed. The address was too familiar.
“Three-thirty Elm. Do you know it?”
“Yeah.”
Lizzy put her hand on his leg and leaned in toward him. “Shit. Who is it?”
Darek shook his head. It can’t be. She’s gone out of town. She wasn’t coming back this soon.
“Darek, you’re scaring me. Get out; I’m driving. You’re as pale as a ghost.”
“It’s Raven’s house.”
“What? You’re kidding me?” Lizzy closed her eyes. “Shit, Darek. I’m so sorry.”
He closed his eyes. “Let’s just get there.” He got out of the car, and Lizzy slid over. She put the pedal down and backed out of his drive before speeding off toward that part of town.
Darek tried to keep it together. He held his breath and hoped that it was a mistake.
When they got there, he jumped out of the car, but Lizzy ran to hold him back. “No, Darek. You’re not rushing in there too emotional. You’re going to let me go inside and check it out.”
“Lizzy, I gotta see if it’s her.” Tears welled in his eyes, and he felt horrible for showing the emotions in front of her.
“It’s okay. I’m not leaving your side.”
He went up the path to the house from the street, and it was the longest walk of his life. It was as if the path had stretched out, growing longer with each step.
The officer at the door opened it, and Darek didn’t miss the concerned look in his eyes as the man stepped aside and let him through.
The house was the same. Nothing of Raven’s had changed much, aside from the bright red that may as well have been a neon sign flashing like a warning. His heart beat so fast in his chest that it drowned out all sound as he moved closer.
The victim’s dark hair was soaked in blood and covering her face. No one had even touched her yet. Darek knelt down and carefully moved the matted mess from her eyes, the blood soaking his fingertips.
“It’s not her,” said Lizzy.
Darek couldn’t stop staring at the woman’s face. It wasn’t Raven, but it looked an awful lot like her. Same nose, same dark hair and beautiful lips. “Has the homeowner been notified?” He knew that Raven had leased the place, and while she had been having a tough time getting her rent paid with all of the drama in her life, she would have never broken the lease agreement.
“Not yet,” said O’Brien. “We haven’t been here for more than forty minutes now. The body was still pretty warm when we got here.”
“I’ll call her if you want me to,” said Lizzy.
“I should be the one. I owe her that much.” He gave Lizzy an apologetic look.
“Hey, don’t worry about it, okay? This is a horrible situation, but she’ll be fine. Call her. I’ll just be talking with O’Brien.” She walked away, and Darek took out his phone.
He walked over and leaned against the wall for support. The grueling seconds before he knew it wasn’t her had wrecked him. It had also made him question everything. He pushed it all out of his mind and dialed her number, praying that she hadn’t changed it.
It rang three times before she picked up, and while he breathed a sigh of relief hearing her hello, now came the harder part.
“Raven?”
“Darek. Hey. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon, especially so early in the morning.” Her voice was sleepy, and he realized he’d woken her up.
“I’m calling on official business, Rave.” He looked over at the body. “I’m at your house.”
“Oh no, what has Honey done this time? Please don’t take her in, Darek.”
“Your cousin, Honey, the waitress?” Darek had heard her mention Honey, who had been as close as a sister to her.
“Yes. I’m letting her stay at the apartment and—”
“I’m sorry, Raven. She’s dead.” Darek knew he had to get to the point of the call, or he’d never be able to say it. There wasn’t a way to do it painlessly.
“What? No!” Raven’s scream of pain was enough to make the lump in Darek’s throat grow bigger. “What happened?”
“She was stabbed. Someone came in here, and I think that they thought she was you.”
“No. No.” She wept, and Darek wished he could hold her. She had gotten too close to them all, and now she had paid for it.
“I’m sorry.”
“How’s Noah, is he okay?” she asked in a rush of breath.
“Noah?”
Her voice was growing more anxious. “Her son. He is staying there with her. Did he see who it was?”
“There’s no one here, Raven.” Darek knew better than to panic too quickly. “Is there anyone who might be babysitting the boy?”
Her voice grew even more strained with tears. “No,” she squealed. “He’s only four. She works at the event center, so she brings him with her, and she doesn’t trust sitters. She barely let me watch him.” She wept as she tried to hold her breath. “Do you think they took him?”
“Fuck. Stay on the line, okay, baby?” He handed the phone to the nearest officer. “Don’t let her off the line!” He walked to the center of the room. “Listen up,” he shouted. “Did anyone check this house for anyone else? We’re missing a young boy. His name is Noah. He’s four years old.”
He met Lizzy’s gaze, and while she didn’t look too happy to begin with, her eyes went wide with fear.
Darek looked over to the corner of the room where there was a little toy truck that should have been a tell-tale sign. “Spread out. Look everywhere.”
The house wasn’t that big, and Darek hurried down the hall to check the other rooms and went to Raven’s bedroom to peek under the bed. There wasn’t anyone hiding there or in the closet either. He walked past the bathroom door and stepped on a stuffed monkey doll. He picked it up and called out the boy’s name. He had a feeling he was close. “Noah?”
The other officers were doing the same across the house and in the kitchen and the other bathroom, but Darek had a feeling the boy had been sleeping in the same room as his mother. “Noah, it’s Detective Blake. I’m here to help you.” He stepped into the bathroom and saw the shower curtain drawn, the faucet still dripping into a shallow filled tub. Darek’s heart dropped to his feet. He wasn’t sure if the child was going to be there in that water behind that curtain.
He put his hand over his mouth and approached. And with one deep breath, he pulled back the curtain.
The tub was full of toys and action figures floating on the surface, one posed in a toy boat that was blocking the drain. Darek reached down and moved the toy, and the rest of the water started to flow. The water was freezing and must have been left that way since bath time.
The floor was covered with a makeshift rug, a single towel spread out, and laundry scattered the floor. While he stood there thinking, he heard something clicking, a soft chattering sound and then a breath. He turned his head and looked at the hamper.
Darek knew he had to move slowly. He could see a little finger sticking out of the lid and breathed a sigh of relief. “Noah?” he asked with a soft voice.
Lizzy walked into the room behind him. “Any luck?”
He held up his hand then brought a finger to his lips. “Noah, I’m a police officer. Raven told me you were here. That she needed me to find you and make sure you were safe.”
Darek watched the hamper, and the little boy slowly pulled his finger inside with him.
Lizzy’s eyes widened. “Noah? I’m Lizzy. Would you please come out of the hamper and talk to me?”
“I want Mama,” said the boy.
“She’s not able to come in here, Noah, but she wanted me to come and get you. We’re going to have to call Raven. You like her, d
on’t you? Isn’t she a part of your family?”
“Auntie Raven went away too.” The little fellow’s teeth chattered as he trembled.
“No, I have her on the phone,” said Darek. He rushed out of the room and waved to the officer who was babysitting the phone. He hurried back in to see the little boy peeking out of the top. His eyes were red and swollen from crying and full of terror. Strangely enough, he reminded Darek of Tad.
“Raven, we found Noah. He’s safe, but he’s really scared. I’m not sure what he knows, but I need you to talk to him.”
Darek listened to Raven’s sobs.
After a moment, she calmed down a bit. “Okay, put Monkey on the phone.”
“He won’t take it; I’ll put it on speaker.” Darek turned the phone to speaker mode, and Raven called out to the boy.
“Noah? It’s me, Auntie Rave. I’m going to need you to go with the nice man. His name is Darek Blake, and he’s a policeman. He’ll make sure you’re safe, baby.” Her voice broke again, the tears making her sniffle.
After some more coaxing, the little boy raised up out of the hamper and held out his arms to Darek. He passed the phone to Lizzy and picked up the child, hugging him tightly. “Your Auntie Rave is a good friend of mine,” he told the boy. “I’ll make sure you’re safe until she can get you. I promise.”
Lizzy passed him the phone and hurried out of the bathroom. Darek could tell that she was emotional about more than just the shit happening around her. He took the phone off speaker and held it to his ear. “When can you be here, Raven?”
He carried the little boy to the bedroom with him to find a blanket. Noah’s mother was lying in a puddle of her own blood in the middle of the house, and while Darek wasn’t sure what the boy had seen, he wasn’t about to let him see it again.
“Today. I’ll take the next flight and be there as soon as I can. Will they let me take him?”
“Yes, I’ll make sure of it.” He put the kid down on the bed and wrapped a blanket around him. “We’ll sit here a minute while I talk to your auntie, okay?”
The little boy nodded.