Grim Rising (Aisling Grimlock Book 7)

by Amanda M. Lee

  At first I didn’t know what to make of the activity. There were at least twenty men – some uniformed cops – standing by the fence that marked the property line. I didn’t know what they were doing, perhaps looking for evidence or hidden weapons, but I recognized the medical examiner from the other night, and when I saw him kneel next to something on the ground my blood ran cold.

  “Griffin!”

  “I don’t want to fight, Aisling.” Griffin clearly hadn’t noticed the activity on the back lawn. His attention was on his belt. “Please. This is going to be hard enough to get through without a fight.”

  “It’s going to be harder than you think,” I muttered, my mind firing with possibilities as I released the blinds and headed toward the nightstand that held my cell phone.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Griffin’s agitation was palpable. “Please, just answer his questions and don’t be difficult. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “You keep repeating that because I think you actually believe it,” I said, pressing the speed dial button for my father. “I think your world is about to be shaken.”

  “My world is not about to be shaken, because you are my world,” Griffin gritted out. “What are you doing? Who are you calling?”

  I held his gaze, sympathy washing over me. This wasn’t going to go well for him. My father picked up on the third ring.

  “This better be good.”

  “Daddy … .”

  “Daddy?” I could practically see Dad’s face twisting. “Have you been arrested?”

  “I’m being taken into custody for questioning,” I replied, maintaining an even tone even though I wanted to cry. “I’ll be taken to the Royal Oak Police station very soon.”

  “On what charge?”

  “I don’t think they’re going to charge me quite yet, but when charges do come it will be multiple murders.”

  “Murders?” Dad’s voice echoed on the phone at the same time Griffin asked the exact same question from the foot of the bed.

  “It’s a long story, Dad, but the cops are in our backyard right now and I’m pretty sure they’re looking at a body,” I volunteered, watching as Griffin’s eyes widened and he started toward the window. “The thing is, even though I know the body wasn’t there yesterday I’m guessing the medical examiner will find the individual has been dead for more than a day or two.”

  “Why do you say that?” Dad was unnaturally calm.

  “Because the same thing happened two nights ago in Royal Oak,” I answered. “Some guy knocked me over and kind of attacked, so I hit him in the mouth. He was dead. When the medical examiner showed up, he said that the guy had died a month ago.

  “Now the same cop showed up at our front door and there are people recovering a body in the backyard,” I continued. “He demanded I go to the police station, but I told him that wasn’t an option without a warrant.”

  “That’s my girl.” Despite the nature of the conversation, Dad didn’t sound worked up. I wished I could see his face to confirm my suspicions, though. “I’ll get Neil Graham to the police station as soon as possible. You remember him, right?”

  Neil Graham had a special knack for getting reapers out of trouble. He was one of the best criminal attorneys in the state, and he was on retainer at the home office because reapers often found themselves in run-ins with cops. “I remember him.”

  “Don’t talk until he gets there,” Dad ordered.

  “I won’t.” I flicked a worried look in Griffin’s direction, but he was focused on the activity outside the window. “Will you come, too?” I felt like a baby for wanting my father, but I couldn’t help myself. I wasn’t good in certain situations, and this would be an example of that.

  “Of course I’ll come.” Dad’s voice softened. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. You remember what to do when it comes to being questioned by the cops, right?”

  I did. It wasn’t something Griffin would like. “Yeah.”

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can, kid. Don’t give them anything to work with.”

  “Do I ever?”

  “No.” Dad chuckled. “I can say that of all my children you’re the best at dancing around police involvement. You never crumble under the weight of an interrogation.”

  “At least you’re proud.”

  “Always, kid. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Just … hold it together until I get there.”

  “Thank you.”

  I disconnected and fixed Griffin with a calm look. “Dad is sending a lawyer.”

  “I don’t need a lawyer,” Griffin barked. “I didn’t do anything.”

  This was going to be much harder on him, although I wasn’t sure what to do about it. “If it’s any consolation, I think they’re coming after me. You should be clear on this, other than your association with me, of course.”

  Griffin scowled. “We’re a unit. I’m not free of this until you are.”

  It was a nice sentiment. I knew it would change relatively quickly. “You’re not going to like how I handle the interrogation.”

  Griffin was instantly suspicious. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Well … let’s just say that I have to do what I’m about to do, and it doesn’t reflect on my love for you.”

  “Oh, well, that sends chills down my spine.”

  I clapped a hand on his shoulder and forced a smile. “It’s going to be a long morning. Prepare yourself.”

  “MS. GRIMLOCK, DO you want to work with me here?”

  Detective Green was in the room with me for only twenty minutes before he wanted to pull out his hair. I have a unique way of influencing law enforcement, sometimes inspiring violence, and I can always tell when I’m irritating someone.

  “I don’t know what you want me to say,” I said sweetly, resting my hands flat on the interrogation room table and fixing Green with my best “I’m a stupid woman and you’ll have to use small words so I understand what you’re saying” expression.

  “I want you to explain to me how a body found its way into your backyard,” Green gritted out.

  “I really have no idea.”

  “Theorize.”

  “No.”

  Green leaned forward, scorching me with a hateful gaze. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing here, but if you think Detective Taylor can save you, you have another think coming.”

  I remained immovable and silent.

  “What? Now you’re not talking?” Green practically exploded.

  “You didn’t ask me a question,” I pointed out, shifting my eyes to the double-sided mirror on the wall. “Are people watching us through that, like on television?”

  Green spared a glance for the mirror. “Not everything is like television. It’s a normal mirror.”

  “Hmm.” I didn’t believe him.

  “Tell me about your relationship with Jed Burnham.”

  “I don’t know who that is.”

  “He’s the man you claim you ran into on the street two nights ago,” Green said.

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever met anyone by that name.”

  “You’re sure?”

  I shrugged. “The only other time I’ve heard the name ‘Jed’ is on The Beverly Hillbillies. If I heard that name a second time I’d be making so many cement pond jokes that you’d want to smack the crap out of me.”

  “I’m pretty sure I’ll want to do that anyway.”

  He meant it as a threat – or at least to be daunting – but all the simple statement made me do was smile. “Oh, just wait.”

  “You’re in very serious trouble here, Ms. Grimlock,” Green pressed. “You have two dead bodies and strange circumstances surrounding both that absolutely no one can explain.”

  “If no one can explain them why do you think I’d be able to?”

  “Because you’re the only common thread in both deaths,” Green replied, his temper flashing. “Well, Detective Taylor is a common thread, too. Perhaps we should be looking closer at hi
m. Is that what you want?”

  He was trying to manipulate me. I wasn’t dumb enough to fall for it. “Do you have any coffee? I’m dying for some caffeine.”

  “You want me to get you coffee?” Green was beside himself. “Do you think I’m your waiter or something?”

  “I wouldn’t rule it out,” I said. “You’re probably a better waiter than you are a cop.”

  Green slammed his hand down on the table. “Don’t push me!” He expected me to be afraid, but all I did was stare back at him.

  “Where did we land on that coffee?”

  “You are a piece of work, aren’t you?” Green pushed himself to a standing position and paced in front of the mirror. “You’re in real trouble here, Ms. Grimlock. You know that, right?”

  “No, you’re in real trouble here.”

  I flicked my eyes to the door when it flew open to allow Neil Graham entrance. It had been a few years since I last saw him – an arrest for assault with intent to do great bodily harm after a public fight with Angelina forcing him to plead me down to a public nuisance charge – but he looked the same. I smiled when I caught his eye.

  “Long time no see.”

  “I was hoping the last time would be the last time,” Neil said. “I guess I’m not that lucky.”

  “Probably not.” I leaned back in my chair. “This is Detective Green. He has something up his butt and it’s very uncomfortable, so he can’t sit for more than thirty seconds before doing a dramatic routine in front of the two-way mirror.”

  “I told you that no one is behind that mirror,” Green barked, causing Neil’s lips to twitch.

  “It doesn’t matter if anyone is behind that mirror,” Neil said. “The fact of the matter is, you have no right to hold Ms. Grimlock. You have no right to question her. You have no right to invade her home.”

  “We got an anonymous call about suspicious activities in her backyard,” Green sneered. “We followed up on the call and found a body. If that’s not a reason … .”

  “You found a dead body in the backyard area she shares with at least twelve other people,” Neil clarified. “You have no proof that she or Mr. Taylor put it there.”

  “Since she had dealings downtown that resulted in another dead body two nights ago, I’m going to argue that point,” Green said.

  “If I understand the situation correctly, your own medical examiner said that body had been dead for weeks,” Neil noted. “If you come up with a firm time of death, I’m sure Ms. Grimlock would be happy to supply an alibi. Otherwise, you have nothing – including motive and means – when it comes to my client.”

  “I have a pattern,” Green challenged.

  “Well, take your pattern to a quilting bee because we’re done here.” Neil nodded, telling me it was time to go. “Come along, Aisling. This police officer will be no further problem for you.”

  “I’m a detective,” Green growled. “And I will be on this case until I close it.”

  I offered him a bright smile as I passed, unable to let one last chance to mess with him slip through my fingers. “Good luck with that.”

  “This isn’t over,” Green warned.

  “Yeah, good luck with that, too.”

  “Come along, Aisling. Your father is waiting in the lobby, and he’s most anxious to see you.”

  I had no doubt about that.

  12

  TWELVE

  Dad was waiting for me in the lobby. He offered me a quick hug before glaring at the officers behind the protective bubble and leading me outside.

  “Is your car here?”

  “I rode with Griffin.”

  Dad stilled. “Where is he?”

  “Probably answering questions.” I rolled my neck as I glanced back at the building. “He’s not happy with me.”

  Dad was calm despite the circumstances. This wasn’t his first time dealing with overzealous police involvement and his offspring. Heck, this was probably the twentieth time. “Why?”

  “Because he believes in the system. He keeps saying, ‘You didn’t do anything.’ He believes that actually means something.”

  Dad heaved a sigh. “He’ll be all right. He understands how things work. You did the right thing by calling me.”

  “Yes, I love being a grown woman who has to call her daddy when things go bad.”

  Dad rested his hand on my shoulder before inclining his chin toward the coffee shop on the next block. “Can I buy you some caffeine? We clearly have things we need to discuss.”

  It was an enticing offer, much better than braving the cold while waiting for Griffin, but I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. “Shouldn’t I wait for Griffin? I mean … isn’t that what people who are going to be married are supposed to do? I’m pretty sure he’d wait for me.”

  “I’ll check on his progress,” Neil offered, exchanging a weighted look with Dad. “I’m not technically his lawyer, but I’m more than willing to offer my services.”

  “Do it,” Dad ordered. “He won’t take you up on it, but it’s worth a shot. Make sure he knows where Aisling and I are, and then join us.”

  Neil nodded, his lips curving as he glanced at me. “You held together well. I almost forgot that special gift you have for driving law enforcement around the bend without even breaking a sweat.”

  “Yes, I get better with age,” I deadpanned, falling into step with Dad as we left Neil to work his magic. I waited until we ordered our drinks and secreted ourselves into a corner booth before speaking again. “So … how angry are you?”

  “I’m not happy, but I’m not sure ‘angry’ is the word I would use when describing my feelings,” Dad replied, sipping his coffee. “Why didn’t you tell me what was happening? You had a prime opportunity last night. This situation would’ve made a great distraction when your mother began whining about the engagement.”

  “I don’t know.” It was a terrible answer, one I knew he wouldn’t accept, but it slipped out anyway.

  “I think you did it because you didn’t want me to worry.”

  “You’re probably attaching altruistic leanings to my decision that aren’t there,” I countered. “I didn’t want you to worry, but it was more for my benefit than yours.”

  “Because you think I’ve been hovering since you were hurt?”

  “Yes.” I saw no reason to lie. “I love you, but it’s getting to be a bit much. I’m fine. I’m back to normal. You don’t have to spend your time worrying that I’m getting into trouble. Even when I do find trouble, most of the time I find my own way out of it.”

  “You do indeed.” Dad leaned back in his seat. “As for smothering you, I can’t help it. You almost died, Aisling. You were unconscious in the hospital for days. I watched your brothers, Jerry and Griffin melt down on numerous occasions while I had to pretend to be strong for all of them. I can’t simply wipe that from my memory.”

  “I am okay.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that. For now, tell me what’s going on.”

  I launched into the story, which wasn’t very long because I knew absolutely nothing, and when I was done, Dad was contemplative.

  “What do you think it means?” Dad asked finally. “I’ve never heard of a body walking around after death.”

  “What do I think it means? I think he was a zombie.” I had to bite back a smirk at the way Dad’s face twisted. “I can tell what you think of that idea, but there’s no other explanation. And, before you unload, you should know that Griffin thinks I’m going crazy, too.”

  “I doubt very much that Griffin said that to you,” Dad countered. “He loves you. The zombie theory is a bit much, though.”

  “Then how would you explain it?”

  “The medical examiner made a mistake.”

  “You sound like Griffin.”

  “Six months ago I would’ve taken that as an insult,” Dad said. “Now … perhaps it’s a compliment. He’s grown a lot in my estimation. The way he sat next to your bed while you were recovering … well … he’s a good m
an.”

  The sentiment warmed my heart. “This is hard for him. He knows the detective. He was friendly with him the other night. He’ll be angry that you called in Neil.”

  “He’ll have to get over it. You’re my daughter, and I won’t let you sit in jail.”

  “I wasn’t technically in jail.”

  “Close enough.” Dad rolled his neck. “Griffin will understand. I’ll make him understand, if necessary.”

  That would be a neat trick. “I’m worried about him.”

  “Are you worried about being arrested and charged?”

  “I’m not sure. I don’t think they can pin it on me, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try.”

  “Well, I’ll have Neil start going through their files right away to see what he comes up with,” Dad said. “He doesn’t seem especially worried. He even joked about someone pointing the finger at you by making that anonymous call. Any police officer who wasn’t blind and dumb should realize that.”

  I let my eyes drift to the police station and exhaled heavily when I saw Neil and Griffin walk out together. “There they are.”

  Dad followed my gaze. “Griffin doesn’t look happy, does he?”

  “No, and I have a feeling we’re going to have an argument when we get back to the townhouse.”

  “Well, at least you won’t be bored.” Dad grinned as he sipped, sighing when he took in the dark look on my face. “Stop worrying. It will be fine.”

  I snorted. “Who do you think I learned to worry from?”

  “Me,” Dad answered without hesitation. “I worry when justified, though. This is not something to worry about. It’s ridiculous.” He turned his face to the door when Griffin and Neil entered, offering up a bright smile as Griffin slid into the booth next to me. “There’s our jailbird.”

  Griffin slanted his eyes as he grabbed my coffee. “Do you think that’s funny?”

  “I think your sense of humor seems to be missing this morning,” Dad replied, making room for Neil to settle next to him. “What did you find out?”

  “They don’t have anything,” Neil said. “In fact, they have less than nothing. They apparently have a video feed of whatever happened the other night, but they won’t let me view it. They claim they need an expert to authenticate it first. That means they don’t like what they see.”