“What case is he working on?”
“Phil, he doesn’t discuss his work with me nor do I discuss mine with him.”
“I can hardly believe that. What do you discuss?”
“I’m not comfortable with this conversation, Phil.”
“I want to make sure I’m not the topic of conversation.” What a conceited bastard, she mused.
“Why would you be?”
“No reason. I was just curious. Why don’t you come to dinner this week?”
She wasn’t expecting this invitation. The bastard’s up to no good, I can feel it.
“The only night I’m free this week is tonight.” That should send him scrambling, she hoped.
“Tonight’s good. Shall we say seven?”
Did this have anything to with Jake? Should she be scared for herself or Jake?
“Seven’s good, Phil.” She saw no way out of it.
“I see you were at the casino last Saturday. Did you enjoy yourself?”
A warning bell rang in her brain. How did he know? “I actually didn’t, Phil. I guess that phase of my life’s over.” It must have been Joe Dillon, the bastard. Now that’s one body I’d do for free.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’ll see you tonight.”
*
Phil’s call bothered Kyra all day long. She was in the middle of a cremation when Jake showed up unexpectedly, pulling her from her thoughts. Kyra listened as Dina and Jake caught up on gossip, and wondered why he was here. She wasn’t supposed to see him tonight. He was seeing Mia for the ‘Big Talk.’
Kyra heard Dina tell Jake, “Go back, she won’t mind.” She was going to have a little chat with Dina. No one should be back here.
When the door opened, she acted surprised. “Jake.”
“You don’t mind I dropped by, do you?” He closed the door behind him.
“No, not at all.” Well, hell yes. What would I have done if Angelo was here?
“I’m seeing Mia at seven tonight.” So here’s the real reason for the visit.
“Okay…” Kyra looked into his eyes. How she hated the blank, flat cop eyes.
She couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“I thought we could go to lunch today.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to see you. Pick your brain about the case I’m working on.”
“What case?” Christ, she hoped it wasn’t the missing person case. A poor liar, she didn’t know where it would lead if Phil questioned her tonight.
“The missing persons case. You know the gambler I spoke about?”
“How can I help you?” Play it cool, breathe.
“I need to know the habits of a gambler. I’m not asking to insult you,” he added quickly. “I understand you’re not gambling anymore. It would really help me, Kyra.”
“I don’t have a problem with helping you. Where did he gamble?”
“He gambled on everything.”
“I only gambled at the casino. I guess it was the lure of the machines. You know all the bells and whistles.” Honesty was best.
“Do you think Church’s way of gambling was any different, I mean—from the way you did it?”
“I can only speak about myself, Jake.” What was he trying to accomplish here? Was he going to use her gambling as an excuse to be with Mia?
He must have read her mind because he walked over to her, ran his hands up and down her arms, and looked longingly into her eyes. God, she wanted him.
“Your gambling doesn’t bother me, Kyra, unless it got you in with some wrong people.” Boy, he left that hanging, she thought, and chose not to respond.
“I have a busy day today. I have two cremations. One’s going on now and the other will arrive about eleven. I don’t think I’ll be able to break for lunch. I can’t leave the ovens unattended. Why don’t you ask your questions now?”
“I don’t want to bother you here. I know you’re working.”
“It’s not a bother, and this way my morning will go faster. Shoot.”
“If you owed someone money and couldn’t pay, what would you do?”
“I used my son’s college fund and my 401K. I’m not proud of it. Did the guy have assets?” Walking a fine line here, Kyra, she thought.
“None we could find. No one’s seen him since last week. Would he leave the state to avoid his debt?”
“I can’t answer those questions, for two reasons. First, I don’t know this guy or his habits. And second, I don’t know how much he owed or who he owed it to.”
Hmm! Gauging my answers. Looking at him, she guessed this went deeper than the missing guy. Why?
“Okay, I understand. Your friend Phil’s a bookie. Well, actually not a bookie, per se, but he runs the gambling in the state.”
Ah, here we go. “I didn’t know. He’s never offered me his services.”
“What services was he offering you?”
Fuck, I set myself up for that question. “I told you, Phil and I are friends. I’m sorry you don’t like him, but how did we go from your missing guy to this?”
“I just think your friendship with him is weird. How did you meet him?”
“Not to get an attitude here, Jake, but what business is it of yours?”
“I’m trying to look out for you.”
She ignored his answer and responded, “Well he doesn’t run the casino.” Careful, Kyra, remember Jake’s an excellent interrogator and very insightful.
“I guess not. Have you seen him lately?”
Shit! Why today? “Jake, are you jealous?” Always assume the offensive.
“Yes, but that doesn’t have anything to do with the question.”
“I think it does. What do you think’s going to happen tonight when you see Mia?” That’s right, change the subject, put him on the defensive.
“You haven’t answered my question,” he said, annoyed.
“You haven’t answered mine.”
“Okay, I don’t know what’s going to happen. For months now, I thought I wanted her and only her, then you came into my life—I don’t want to give you up. So I really don’t have a clear answer for you.”
Which was pure bullshit in Kyra’s mind. “Really, Jake, you can’t do any better than that?”
“It’s the truth.”
“Well, I think you’re using your feelings for me to cloud what you really feel. Are you trying to make Mia jealous?”
“Christ, no. Where did that come from?”
“Jake, for the last three weeks all I’ve heard was how you felt about Mia and now here she is entering your life again, and all of a sudden you don’t know? What’s up?”
“I’ll say it again. You’re a tough one. I enjoy being with you, Kyra. At the beginning, I was looking for a distraction, and so were you. Are you going to tell me you don’t feel anything more than friendship for me?”
“I can’t tell you that, but don’t confuse excellent sex for anything more than what it was.” Keep pushing, Kyra, remember, you were going to do the right thing by him.
“Don’t be insulting, Kyra.”
“I’m not, I’m being honest.” How did we get into this fight? And at work, no less. “I think you’re afraid to face Mia because you don’t want to be hurt again.”
He stared at her. Didn’t respond. Kyra heard a knock at the door, walked over and opened it.
“I hate to interrupt…but your eleven clock cremation’s here. I sent him to the garage.” Dina looked back and forth between the two of them.
“Thanks, Dina. I have to go, Jake. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes, tomorrow. Talk with Mia tonight, and don’t think of me. I’m serious, Jake. We’ll speak tomorrow.” She walked over to him, kissed him gently on his lips.
Kyra turned, headed for the garage. She heard Jake open the other door. He left without another word. Well, she handled that well. She swore under her breath.
“Kyra?” She turned. Saw Dina in the doorway, concer
n written all over her face.
“What?”
“Everything okay?”
“Yes, Dina.” She turned back to the door and walked to the waiting hearse.
*
Kyra pulled up to Phil’s gate at six fifty-five. Once again, the guard at the gate searched her car before clearing her to continue on her way. She drove to the front door and parked the car. Before getting out, she checked her mirror to make sure her make-up was intact. Satisfied, she climbed out and rang the bell.
“Hey, Ang.”
“Good evening, Kyra.”
She followed him to the dining room where Phil was already seated.
“Phil.”
“Kyra, a pleasure.” He got up, walked over to her. Surprised when he kissed her on the lips, she couldn’t help but stiffen. “Have a seat. Maria will start serving if you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t mind.”
Maria brought in the first course, a salad with Italian bread, and oil and herbs to dunk the bread in, instead of butter. Kyra grabbed a hunk of bread, swiped it through the oil, and placed a piece in her mouth, figuring she’d let Phil steer the conversation.
“Kyra, besides missing you, I really want to discuss Jake Carrington.”
Ah! He’s waiting for my reaction. Hoping she showed none, she replied, “Why?”
He laughed. “Why? I find him interesting, don’t you?”
“I do, but I think for different reasons.”
He spit his wine out. Kyra smiled inwardly. “Oh, Kyra, how you amuse me.” But he got serious real fast, she noticed. “I need to know everything you know about him.”
She stared at him. Why did I accept his dinner invitation? Definitely a bad idea.
“What exactly is it you want to know?”
He’d poured her wine. Sipping it, she studied him over the rim of her wine glass, and continued when he didn’t answer. “He’s a gentleman. I enjoy his company…”
“Kyra, stop the bullshit.” It surprised her when he spoke to her in such a harsh manner. “I want to know the cases he’s working on and how far he’s gotten with them.”
“Phil, I’m serious when I told you he doesn’t talk to me about work. He mentioned, in passing, working temporarily in Missing Persons. I think he’s running one case there. He’s still running the homicide department.”
“What case in Missing Persons?”
“I don’t know.” Maria came back into the room, picked up their salad dishes. Phil waited until she left. They sat in silence. Maria came right back with their dinners. Steak for her. Fish for Phil.
“Is your steak cooked properly?” he asked.
She cut into it. “Yes.”
Though she’d lost her appetite, tried to keep her hands still, but they seemed to have a mind of their own. Folding them together she kept them on her lap under the table to keep them from shaking. The way Phil looked at her made her skin crawl, as though thousands of tiny bugs covered her, devouring her inch by inch. Calm down, Kyra.
“Eat. Did Carrington tell you who he was working with in Missing Persons?”
“No. Why?”
“No reason. So you’re sure he never mentioned the name of the case he’s working?”
“Yes, Phil, I’m sure. Is it a name I should know?”
“No.” He put a piece of fish in his mouth while he continued to study her.
“Who told you I was at the casino Saturday?”
“It’s not important, but I’m sure you can figure it out.”
“Why is my being there so important?” She was pushing and knew she shouldn’t.
“Everything about the people who work for me is important.” Oh, yeah, something’s off with him tonight.
She cut into her steak, put a piece into her mouth and chewed—contemplating her predicament.
“How seriously are you involved with Carrington?”
“I don’t think it’s going to be an issue going forward.” She frowned.
“Why?”
“He’s meeting tonight with the woman he was seriously dating before me.”
“I see.” He tapped his fingers on the table, driving her crazy, as he studied her. “And that’s it? If he decides to start dating her again, you’re going to back away?”
“Yes.” She purposely answered his questions when she could with one word, knowing it irritated him. Petty, but you take what you can, where you can.
“You continue to surprise me. It’s obvious you like him. Why would you give up without a fight?”
She took another sip of wine while she formulated her answer. “He loves this woman, Phil. He doesn’t love me. Why would I fight to stay with a man who doesn’t love me?” Her voice strained, she tilted her head and quirked her eyebrow.
“Yes, why indeed? Well, it’s not important. You’ll let me know either way what happens. Dessert?”
“No thanks, I’m full.”
“You hardly touched your meal. Stressed about tonight’s meeting?” Kyra didn’t answer, not knowing which meeting he was talking about.
“Does it bother you Jake’s meeting this woman?”
“Yes and no.”
Phil laughed. “I see.”
She was sure he did, and against her better judgment, she asked the next question as they got up from the table. “Why are you so interested in him, Phil?”
Shocked when he pushed her up against the wall, his hand gripped her neck under her chin—his other hand gripped her upper left arm; she couldn’t believe his strength. Two of him appeared in front of her as her vision blurred.
“Phil…” she whispered. “I can’t breathe.”
“I told you when you agreed to work for me you were not to ever question me. What about that you didn’t you understand?”
“I’m sorry, I was only making conversation,” she whispered, fighting for air.
“I don’t like to be lied to, Kyra. There will be consequences if you lie to me.”
“I haven’t lied to you about anything.” Her voice hoarse. He still held on to her neck, but loosened his grip, staring directly into her eyes.
“Why don’t you admit you love the guy?”
“Because I’m not sure I do.” Why did it anger him?
“Then you’re lying to yourself.”
He let go of her. Rubbing her neck, she didn’t know what to do. Angry and scared, all she wanted to do was leave and never come back here. What was she going to do if he left a bruise? Jake would pick right up on it. Question her about it.
The maid walked into the room and asked Phil where he wanted the coffee served. Kyra didn’t want coffee—Christ, she just wanted to get the hell out of there. She’d seen something in Phil’s eyes—not to be dramatic, but it wasn’t human. Her fear fed him, if she wasn’t mistaken—turned him on. How sick was he?
“We’ll have it in the parlor. After you, Kyra.”
This man’s nuts. He’s acting like everything’s normal. Didn’t he just grab my neck in his hands and almost choke me to death? She took the chair by the couch, not wanting to sit next to him. An escape route what’s she need if he reached for her again. Scoping out the room she knew she wouldn’t get far, but Kyra didn’t want to think about it. Sure, Angelo was never far away, but he wouldn’t help her.
Mindlessly, she sat through coffee and bullshit conversation. Phil eventually brought the conversation back to business.
“I’ll have another body for you by the end of the week. What day is good?”
“I never get too much notice, so it’s best to call. Tomorrow is a light day. I could do it around two or three.”
“I’ll call and let you know when.”
Dismissing me. Thank God. He stood—so did she. Phil walked her to the front door, leaned over, and whispered in her ear. “That was a small demonstration of my strength. Don’t fuck with me, Kyra, or betray me.” He stepped back and said,
“Good night.”
“Good night.” Her voice cracked as she left. Scurrying to the car,
she jumped in and drove a little too fast down the driveway. Not caring, only thinking of escape.
“Was that necessary, Phil?” Angelo asked.
“I thought it was. You heard the whole conversation?”
“I did. She wasn’t lying to you.”
“No, but I don’t like the way things are going in Wilkesbury. I gave her a reminder of why she should be loyal to me.”
“The problem in Wilkesbury is Stack, not Kyra—he should’ve been the one you gave a demonstration to today.” Angelo shook his head.
“Oh, don’t worry, Ang, he’ll get his demonstration soon. I don’t trust him, especially now that Carrington’s his boss. Stack’s got no spine.” Phil looked out into the distance. “Did you believe her when she said she didn’t know if she was in love with him?”
“What difference does it make, Phil, if she’s not going to see him anymore? I do have to tell you my opinion of him will be lowered if he drops her. She’s one hot woman. I wonder what the other woman looks like.”
“She was holding back tonight. I’ll get what she knows, all of it, when I’m ready.” He scratched his head.
“I don’t think she was, Phil.”
“It’s why I’m the boss, Ang.”
“You’re still pissed she picked Carrington over you, aren’t you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, this is business.”
“Make sure you keep it business. We have too much at stake here.”
“Don’t threaten me, Angelo, if you know what’s good for you.”
“I’m not threatening you. I’m warning you, and I emphasize—we have a lot to lose. Your personal feelings about the woman shouldn’t play into this.”
“You underestimate me. I’d never let a woman undermine me. But I will have her someday, mark my words.”
Shaking his head, Angelo eyed Phil. “You scare me, Phil.”
“Good, now no more talk about this. I did want to ask you what you thought of her comment about her gambling. Do you think she’s lost interest in it?”
“It seems that way. It almost makes me think the gambling was a way to end the marriage.”
“It certainly did its job then. I didn’t bring up the attempted rape, neither did she.”
“Phil, it’s between her ex-husband and her—don’t get involved. Obviously, she can handle herself.”
Burn in Hell_A Jake Carrington Mystery Page 19