While Morgan waited, she scanned the living room. To the right, sitting in front of the fireplace, was a black sectional that emitted an overpowering scent of newly polished leather while an oil painting of Dorothy Quincy—from the colonial period—rested just above the fireplace.
On the opposite side, a bronze entertainment center with three shelves held a few pictures of Julius and Celine and several awards from high school.
Looking down at the glass coffee table, she caught a glimpse of their past, framed forever. She smiled and sauntered over to pick up the photo of her and Lily in their police uniforms after graduating from the academy.
An ornate cottage staircase led to the second floor master and guest bedrooms. Further back and to the left, a small staircase led to a lower level of the house.
“I’m ready,” Lily announced, bouncing down the stairs in a peach blouse, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes. Her hair was free from its usual bun and draped across her shoulders.
“Took you long enough. I texted you this morning with a time,” Morgan smiled.
“I needed time to put on my game face.”
*
Ibee Walters tossed the newspaper across the desk toward Rae, her assistant of fourteen years. “This case is my ticket to the D.A.’s seat.”
Rae looked over the rim of her glasses and lifted the paper. “I’ve heard Betty’s reluctant to hand over the reins.”
Ibee sat back in her chair, twirled her class ring on her long finger and smiled. “Wanna bet? She let it slip that she’s hoping to be elected as a Court of Appeals judge.
“Besides, I’ve prosecuted every crappy case that old bat gave me, without complaint. From homicide to drug cases. This is what I need to get elected on November first.” Ibee picked up the paper again. She zeroed in on the picture of Lily at the crime scene on County Road K. I’ve got another Blanchette to deal with.
“What if the police don’t find the person responsible?”
“I’m hoping Lily will be as persistent as her father is when he works a case.”
“You realize if Lily’s too persistent, she’s going to learn that the tip Collin’s working on came from you.”
“We’re the only people who know. And Julius is too stupid to put two and two together. Anyway, it benefits me either way. If Collin gets what Lily needs to close this case, it’ll be just another successful conviction that’ll show the people that I’m as good as my word when it comes to getting criminals off the streets. Also, it gets Collin out of my way so I can go after the Suraces.”
“You make it sound like he’s protecting the mob?”
“Isn’t he? You think the investigation for the drug hit on Riley Street just fell by the wayside?”
“Yes. Collin’s one of the good cops whose holding info over your head to keep your...practices in line. You need to accept that a fight with the Suraces is one that you can’t win. People who hang around them die.”
“This isn’t the movies. I’m not afraid of him or anyone.” Ibee strolled over to Rae and picked up the newspaper. “One day I’m going to out the Surace family for who they really are.”
*
1:02 p.m.
Lily and Morgan arrived as Evan and Alec set up the table for their game.
Warm pizza boxes spread out on the kitchen counter and beverages sat stashed in a cooler filled with ice.
Morgan made her way over to the cooler, grabbing a bottled tea for Lily and a beer for herself.
As Evan and Alec sat at opposite ends of the table, Lily and Morgan took the seats on the sides.
Alec began shuffling the deck. “Ladies and gentleman, thanks for coming to my abode. The game is seven-card stud.
“For the newbie, I’ll quickly explain the rules. Any questions thereafter are to be directed to the person on your right,” he said. “Highest hand wins. Ace plays both high and low for straights. Lowest up card is a forced starting bet and there’s a limit of three raises per round.”
“Could you be any more obvious, Alec?” Morgan asked.
He finished his last shuffle maneuver. “What?”
“Questions go to the person on your right,” Morgan mocked.
Alec chuckled. “I didn’t tell them to sit next to each other.”
Lily downed the rest of her drink. “Evan was the only male willing to talk to me when I first started downtown.”
“And we’ve been friends ever since,” Evan added.
Lily scooted up to the table as warmth filled her cheeks. She was shocked Evan still considered her his friend. So he had meant it when he said he didn’t want to lose their friendship.
Alec dealt the cards while the others placed their chips on the table. “White chips are worth a dollar. Red are worth five.”
“Sounds easy enough,” Lily said.
“Ante-up.”
Chapter 7
3:13 p.m.
Collin clicked off his phone, scanned the busy sidewalk leading up toward the police station, and tried to ignore the troubling text he’d read.
“Let it go, or you won’t have any daughters left.”
Why the threats? Was someone threatening him because he was still working on the six month old case? He sidestepped the chunk of broken concrete that had finally fallen off the lower step, trotted up the stairs, and went into the building.
There was no way he was letting go of Ibee’s lead without checking it out. If there was a way to convince his son-in-law to give up his source, he’d find it. And if not he’d find a way around it. Hopefully it would lead to the killer and justice would be served—not just for his daughter but for the other victims and their parents as well.
When Collin entered his office, he passed his cluttered desk, walked over to the coffee maker and pushed the button. Soon, steam lifted and the machine gurgled while the orange travel mug muffled the dripping brew—like the sounds beating in his head. The only daughter he had left had been given the case from hell and she’d probably be upset if she knew her husband was holding back. It was better that he left her in the dark. In fact, it was better that no one knew.
Kevin blew past his office and backed up. “You’re off today. What’s going on?”
“I came in to sign off on the calendar. I figured I’d take you up on that offer from six months ago.”
Kevin walked into the office. “You’ve never taken a day off out of the blue. Everything all right?”
“I’ve told Deena I want her out of the house and all of a sudden she wants to put a single parent claim on my daughter. Lily’s all I’ve got and I’m not losing her too,” Collin said, shutting off the coffee maker. “I’m looking for a minute to clear my mind. I’d like to use some of the built up days to do that. I was thinking Evan or Alec could handle my cases while I’m gone.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“As long as it takes.”
“Are you coming back?”
“Of course. My home is here at the station. You know that.”
Kevin nodded. “Alec can carry the load until you get back.”
“Thanks, my friend.”
“By the way, I’ve got a spare bedroom, if you need it,” Kevin said, turning to leave.
Unless Deena threatened to make things difficult, he planned on staying in his own house. With the recent threat looming over Collin’s head, real or not, he needed to protect the only daughter he had left.
It was time to ask for help.
*
6:20 p.m.
Lily peered over her cards at Alec, as she had done the last four rounds, hoping to recognize any sign of bluffing. Alec reached into his meager pile of chips.
“I fold,” Evan said, throwing down his cards.
“Not again,” Morgan grumbled. “I’m out.”
“I’ll raise you five,” Alec challenged, tossing his bet into the pot.
“I’ll call your bet,” Lily said.
“Full house,” he said laying his cards face up. “There’s no way you’re g
oing to beat me again.”
She fanned her cards and laid them on the table. “Straight flush.”
He slammed both hands down on the table. “No fucking way! Unbelievable!”
Morgan snickered. “Looks like we’ve been hustled.”
Evan beamed.
“And you knew!” Alec yelled, his eyes wide.
“Hey, I surrender,” Evan put up his hands. “Lily kicked my ass in a game of Caribbean poker on our first date. Afterwards, I promised not to tell that she could play, and she promised not to tell any of the guys on our squad that I lost.”
Lily winked at Alec. “It was the only advantage I had, you know, being a girl and all.”
Alec rumbled with laughter as he got up. “From now on, you two will be known as Bonnie and Clyde.”
Morgan cleared off the paper plates and pizza boxes, tossing them into the recycle bin next to the patio door. Evan moved quickly to help with the cleaning.
“Bonnie, come with me and I’ll get your loot,” Alec said, sliding his pasty-white feet into a pair of flip-flops.
Lily followed him to collect her winnings.
“Three hundred and fifty-four dollars,” Alec said. He placed the money in Lily’s hand.
“Thanks! You’re a good host.”
“Yeah, whatever. Don’t let my door swat you on the way out, Bonnie.”
*
Morgan dried her hands on a paper towel and glared at Evan as he pushed the chairs up to the table. It was obvious he still had feelings for Lily when he commented about the two of them still being friends. But how could he say that with a straight face after what he did to her?
Morgan rested her hand on her hip. “You wouldn’t play with Lily’s feelings, right?”
“Huh? No.”
“Why did you call it off?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“You’re right. It’s Lily’s business. She deserves an explanation.”
As Lily walked back into the kitchen, she shoved her winnings into her pocket. “Ready to go? Dad texted. He’s waiting for us at McGinley’s.”
“You betcha,” Morgan said, heading toward the door. “Where did you get such a sharp eye for betting on poker?”
“Someday I’ll tell you.”
“Hell, I can’t wait to hear that one.”
*
6:56 p.m.
CtryGeek23 touched the icon for his favorite social network on his tablet, clicked on the “favorites” link and opened up a list of updates from people he’d befriended.
He scrolled through the posts. The guppies were back and begging for attention. The status posting for one in particular appeared in his feed almost every ten minutes.
“All moved in to my new place.”
“I’m bored.”
“I could go for a tub of buttered popcorn.”
CtryGeek23 ran his fingertip along the outline of Serena Fellows’ picture, showing her holding her phone up in the bathroom mirror, wearing a music tee and a pair of skinny jeans. A sexy selfie.
He zoomed out the picture and focused on the details behind her. He saw a small shower stall and, a little to the right, a doorway leading into another room. As he took a closer look, he recognized a corner of a mattress and a wooden headboard propped up against the window.
Using the tip of his index finger, CtryGeek23 traced the outlines of her slender frame. I wonder what your plans are for the evening.
He glanced briefly at the line of young adults standing at the counter, ordering their specially made coffee and teas. His eyes traveled to the end of the line, where a group of females from a dance squad were still in uniform. They wore loose tanks and skorts with the university letters “AMS” on the back of their shirts. He smirked, admiring their flesh on display.
Suddenly, a dark-haired beauty with small breasts and toned legs turned and faced him. His gaze dropped down as she walked toward him.
“Hey, Sir, are you getting internet?” She tapped the screen of her tablet. “It’s brand new, but I can’t get Wi-Fi.”
“You’ve got the same one I’ve got,” CtryGeek23 said. He showed her his. “When’s the last time you shut it down?”
“Never. It’s always with me.”
“Try restarting your tablet. That should fix your problem.”
“Nadia!” a girl said, pulling her back. “We need your order.”
“I better go. Thanks.”
“I can’t believe you were talking to that guy,” the friend said as they turned and walked away. “He’s like, older.”
“Like, I’d go for an older guy.”
CtryGeek23 leaned back in his chair and watched as Nadia and her friends placed their orders at the counter and exited through the side entrance.
He went back to browsing the site, hit the refresh button and scanned for new postings from Serena.
“Going to finish my show then head to the store.”
A warm rush coursed through his body. He twisted in his chair as droplets of sweat dotted his brow and his pants tightened uncomfortably.
CtryGeek23 closed out of the app and exited Melli’s Coffee.
*
The corner streetlamp filtered through the maple tree across McGinley’s parking lot while a soft breeze twisted the fallen leaves, whipping them into the air and scattering them across the pavement.
Collin looked at his watch. 7:30 p.m. It had been two hours since he had placed a call with the only man who would be able to help protect Lily, if she ever needed it.
In the distance, a motorcycle revved to life as the black limo pulled into the parking lot. It parked alongside Collin’s car, leaving him no room to open his door.
They rolled down their windows.
As a tiny orange light illuminated the rear of the limo, cigar smoke escaped from the opened passenger window and floated toward Collin. Mr. Surace’s shadow in the back seat resembled a hulking prize fighter. Probably a legend in his own world. The mob.
“Mr. Surace.”
“Call me Pop,” Surace said, leaning into the light. He tugged on the brim of his hat, pulling it down over his wide forehead. “What can I do for you, my friend?”
“I need to leave and follow up on a lead Ibee gave me for my daughter’s murder case.”
“You can’t trust her.”
“That’s why I’m going to go check it out.”
“Is it personal?”
“It is.” Collin looked over his shoulder, eyeing the pub. Lily was probably getting anxious, waiting for him to come back. “I’m doing this for my daughter. Hoping it’ll help her solve this case.”
“That’s what fathers are for.”
“True, but we don’t live forever. And I don’t know what I’m getting myself into. That’s why I want to make sure that if something happens to me during this trip or in the future, you’ll watch over her.”
“You’ve got my word.” Pop Surace said, handing him a ledger book. “Consider that a gift for the hard road ahead of you.”
“Then my family did have ties to your place when it used to be a resort.”
“Your wife…how do I say…she wasn’t very discreet. There are several entries in there using her real name. The person she stayed with is in there as well.”
Collin ran his fingers along the burgundy spine and flipped through the musty pages. His eyes fell upon the entry that had Deena’s name scrawled in the guest column.
The Blanchette name had been scribbled in this book; a tell-all book that was now a part of history. One that he wasn’t sure he wanted to try to rewrite. He just wanted to make sure that the Blanchette name wasn’t dragged through the mud. Knowing what he did about his wife, avoiding a mess was the one thing they could both agree on.
His muscles quivered. He felt nothing but hatred for the woman he had married. He wanted it all to be done.
“Take this back,” Collin said, handing him the ledger. “If I need it, I’ll let you know.”
Pop nodded and took the book.
“That Riley Street deal, I hear you’re the detective on that case.”
Collin stared at the crack in his windshield. He had known that Pop was going to reach out to him eventually, wanting to add to his small force of dirty cops. The Riley case gnawed at his thoughts from the beginning. His gut told him it was the Suraces, and he planned to pursue it after he helped Lily solve her case. “You heard right and that’s the end of the conversation,” he said, turning to face Pop. “I did what I did for you back in the nineties because you were innocent, but don’t ask me for anything if your family is guilty of a crime.”
Pop leaned back in his seat, further obscuring his face in the dark. The orange light from the cigar lit up again. “I predicted you’d say that to me,” he said, scooting closer to the window. “You’re a man who sticks to his word and, I believe, keeps his promises. For so many years, you’ve kept that lawyer broad at bay. How you’re doing it? I don’t wanna know. But I’m grateful and for that, you’ve earned my respect.”
The door to the tavern opened. Loud music from inside trailed out onto the streets. “Dad,” Lily shouted from across the street.
“Call me when you get back,” Pop said, rolling up his window.
The limo backed up and Collin stepped out of his car. He crossed the street and joined his daughter. “Checking up on your old man?”
“Who’s that?”
He looked back and watched as the limo turned right at the stop sign. “A friend.”
Lily nodded slowly and tapped her chin. The famous combo nod. The one that meant she didn’t believe him. Unfortunately, it was going to have to remain that way. Maybe there was something to this lead; maybe not. If it was a wild goose chase, he didn’t want to drag her into it. Likewise if the texted threat had been real. He wished he could have just asked the Green Bay detectives to follow up, but this was something that needed to be handled in person.
Collin reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his cigar.
“You only smoke those when you’re stressed,” Lily said, crossing her arms. “What’s going on?”
Promised Lies (A Detective Blanchette Mystery) Page 5