Premonition (Detective Jade Monroe 4)

by C. M. Sutter

  “I don’t see it now, but she has a red two-door Civic.” He backed up and glanced at the second floor. “She must be out. The lights are off.”

  “Which apartment is hers?”

  Tony walked into the alley and pointed at three windows on the second floor. “Those belong to her apartment.”

  “So, she has to park way back here and walk through this alley every time she comes and goes?” Robert grinned.

  “Yep—perfect, right?”

  “Absolutely. Look how quiet this area is, and it’s a Saturday night, for crissakes. We’ll start tailing her tomorrow.”

  They returned to the truck and slipped out of town. Tony drove the out-of-the-way country roads back to the motel. Gravel crunched under his tires as he pulled in and parked at the door of room number six.

  “I still don’t like being this exposed,” Robert said as they entered the grungy motel room.

  “Nobody knows this truck, dude. If you want, we’ll score some Wisconsin plates just to be safe.”

  “Yeah, that sounds better. Any out-of-state plates might raise a red flag.”

  “No problem. Get some sleep—you need to wind down.”

  Hours later, Robert woke to the sound of keys jangling. He sat up and tried to adjust his eyes to the dark room. “Dude, what the hell are you doing?”

  “I can’t sleep, and we’re out of cigarettes. I’m going to run to that all-night quick mart we passed earlier. I’ll get some doughnuts for breakfast too. We’re better off staying out of sight during the day.”

  “Whatever. If you see a set of plates you can snag, go ahead and grab them, and stay out of trouble.”

  “Yeah, I won’t be gone long. Go back to sleep.”

  Tony crept out and closed the door at his back. He pulled out of the parking lot quietly, then turned on his headlights when he hit the blacktop. That country road was lined on either side with cornfields ready to be harvested. He turned on the radio, sat back, and relaxed as he tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. The quick mart was five miles away. He was halfway there when something along the road caught his eye.

  What the hell? This could be interesting.

  Tony slowed the truck. His headlights shined on a white car along the shoulder of the road. He checked the time on his cell—2:57 a.m. A young-looking blond woman in a pink fleece jacket paced back and forth next to her car. She looked his way, shielding her eyes from the approaching headlights. Tony patted his side. He and his knife were raring to go.

  Tony pulled up alongside the woman and rolled down the driver’s window. “What seems to be the problem? It’s awful late to be out here in the middle of nowhere.”

  “Oh, thank God. My car ran out of gas, and I have no idea where I am. Can I get a ride to a gas station?”

  “Yeah, hop in.”

  She opened the passenger door and stepped up on the running board then climbed in. “Thank you so much. I had to detour off the interstate back there a bit because of construction. I’m so turned around, then my stupid car sputtered to a stop. I kind of went brain dead—too tired, I guess. I’m Tamara, by the way.”

  She held out her hand and shook Tony’s with obvious gratitude. He noticed her turquoise ring.

  “I’m Tony—nice to meet you.” He checked for headlights in his rearview mirror. The night was devoid of lights from houses or vehicles. He had her all to himself. “I’m heading home after a few hours at the bar with my buddies. So you aren’t from around here?”

  She chuckled. “I wish I was. I’d be heading home to a comfortable bed right now. Actually, I’m just passing through. I live in Minneapolis, and I’m going to spend Thanksgiving with my boyfriend in Port Washington. Have you heard of the town?”

  “Oh, sure. It isn’t far away.”

  “Yeah, he moved there recently for work. This will be my first trip here.”

  And your last.

  “Doesn’t your phone work?” Tony asked.

  She groaned. “I don’t get reception out here in corn country.”

  That’s nice.

  Tony reached across the bench seat and grabbed her leg.

  “Hey, what are you doing?” She jerked her leg away.

  “I’ll do whatever I want.” He twisted his hand through her ponytail and yanked her closer.

  She cried out, “Stop it. Leave me alone! I want out.”

  He loosened his grip for a split second and pulled the knife out of its sheath. The door flew open, and she jumped.

  “Son of a bitch.” Tony squealed the tires and ground the shifter into reverse. He saw her roll on the gravel shoulder as he backed up, then she disappeared into the field. He killed the engine and got out, then dropped the keys into his pocket. He headed into the cornfield.

  She screamed for help, but the only person to hear her pleas was Tony. He followed the sound of cornstalks being trampled.

  “I’m going to find you even if this takes all night.” He stopped and listened as more stalks rustled ahead. He heard her pant, and he could smell her scent. She was wearing down, and he was closing in. He heard her fall and grunt. Tony moved forward another twenty feet then waited, his ears perked. A noise sounded to his left. He turned and walked ten feet. She bolted from a spot at his right. He lunged through the cornstalks, just two rows behind her. He reached through the dark and grabbed her by the hair. It was too late for her, and the knife sliced through her neck like butter.

  He waited a few minutes to make sure she didn’t move. He kicked her with his foot and waited some more.

  “Sorry, Tamara. I guess you’ll never make it to Port Whatever.” He leaned over her body and wiped the sticky blood from his hands onto the back of her jacket, then stood up and walked out of the field. Something on the shoulder almost caused him to stumble as he neared the truck. He bent down to take a look. Tamara’s purse lay in the gravel along with a shoe. Tony picked it up, pulled out her wallet, then tossed the purse into the tall weeds next to the cornfield. He fished his keys out of his pocket, unlocked the truck, and continued to the quick mart.

  The parking lot held only one car, which likely belonged to the clerk. Tony parked along the side of the building and kept his head down as he walked to the glass doors and entered. Several roof-mounted cameras aimed at the parking lot and the doorway. He asked the young man behind the counter where the restroom was. The clerk, who was preoccupied with his cell phone, pointed at his left. Tony nodded and walked around the corner. Inside the men’s room, he scrubbed his hands and made sure there wasn’t any blood on his face or jacket. He tossed the paper towel into the trash can as he walked out. Tony browsed the aisles and chose a six-pack of sweet rolls, two beef jerkies, and two bottles of orange juice. He took the items to the counter and asked for four packs of Menthol-Lite cigarettes. The clerk reached up and pulled the cigarettes from the overhead case.

  “That’s thirty-five bucks for everything,” he said as he flicked his hair out of his eyes and bagged the merchandise.

  Tony gave him two twenties and waited. He tucked in his pocket the five-dollar bill the clerk handed him as change and walked out with the bag of goods.

  Robert stirred when the creaky motel room door opened. “What the hell took you so long?”

  Tony smirked. “I had a little run-in with a nice young lady.” He tore the foil wrapper off the cigarette pack and pulled out a smoke and lit it. He tossed the pack and lighter to Robert, who had now turned on the lamp and was sitting up in bed.

  “What young lady?”

  “I was being a good Samaritan. She was out of gas and wanted a ride.”

  “Out here and at this time of night?” Robert flicked the roller on the lighter and held the flame against his cigarette. He took a deep drag.

  Tony stood and reached into the leg pocket of his cargo pants. “Here, check her out.” He opened the wallet and pulled her driver’s license out of the plastic sleeve. “Pretty hot babe if I do say so myself.” He handed the ID to Robert then checked the contents of the
wallet. “Nice score. This chick has three hundred dollars in cash.” He pulled the money out and waved it in Robert’s face.

  “Where is she now?”

  “Sleeping with the cornstalks in a field a few miles from the quick mart. Oh, and I pulled the plates off the clerk’s car. He’s just a dumb punk kid that probably won’t even notice they’re gone.”

  Tony saw the worried expression on Robert’s face. “Now what?”

  “Why did you bother? We’re here to kill Kate Pierce. I don’t want anything to screw this up. It’s almost done.”

  “Like you said, I’m a ghost. I get a pass. My prints aren’t on file, anyway, and this was way too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

  Robert squashed out his cigarette and lit another one. “Well, then, tell me all about it.”

  Chapter 53

  Kate

  Her eyes popped open with fright. Kate looked around in the darkened room before she remembered where she was. She was safe in Jade’s home. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm her racing heart. Her mouth was parched, and her body was clammy with perspiration. She needed a drink of water and a cool cloth against her face.

  Kate clicked on the nightstand lamp, slipped her robe over her shoulders, and quietly exited the room. The bathroom was directly across the hall. Inside, she turned on the cold water and cupped her hand under the stream. She slurped the water and filled her hand twice more, then wet the washcloth and held it against her skin.

  A tap sounded on the bathroom door. Kate cracked it open just far enough to see who was on the other side.

  “Jade, I’m so sorry I woke you—I just needed some water,” she said in a whisper.

  “Kate, you’re soaking wet.” Jade stared at her clammy skin and damp hair. “Did you have a nightmare?”

  Kate’s eyes teared up, and her voice cracked when she spoke. “Jade, they’re here.”

  “Come with me into the kitchen. I’ll make you some tea, and I want to hear everything.”

  Kate walked with Jade down the hall to the kitchen’s breakfast bar.

  “Have a seat. You like chamomile tea, right?”

  Kate wiped her eyes and let out a deep sigh. “Yes, chamomile is fine.”

  “I’m just going to heat the water in the microwave if you don’t mind. I don’t want the teakettle whistle to wake up Amber and my dad.”

  Jade filled two cups with filtered water from the refrigerator. She placed them side by side in the microwave, closed the door, and tapped the buttons for three minutes, then sat down.

  “Now, what’s going on? You said they’re here.”

  “Yes, here, as in here in North Bend. I can feel their evil presence weighing against my chest like an anchor, and that smell was in my dream. It’s still the same after ten years—stinky cigarettes and grime. The dream was about the woman in the pink fleece jacket again. Now I know who the long-haired, bearded guy was in the dream. It’s Tony Lynch. They’re getting close, Jade, and they’re coming after me. It’s happening now.”

  The microwave beeped, and Jade removed the cups of hot water. She dunked a tea bag into each cup and placed them on saucers. She set two spoons, napkins, and the sugar bowl on the breakfast bar, carried the cups of tea over, and sat back down next to Kate.

  “You do know I believe you, right?”

  “I know. I just wish this was over and they were locked up for good. I’ve been nervous for ten years, Jade. I’m tired.”

  Jade reached out and covered Kate’s hand with her own. “As soon as we find out where they’re hunkered down, I’m going to put my plan into action.”

  “What is your plan?”

  “Let’s make sure they’re here first. It’s only going to work if they’ve arrived in North Bend. Drink your tea, honey. Hopefully you can relax enough to get some sleep. Don’t forget, there’s no way in hell they know where you are, and even if they did, they’re no match for me and my old man.”

  Kate apologized to Jade again for waking her and finished her tea. They said good night in the hallway, and each returned to her bedroom.

  Kate lay in bed, staring at every shadow in the room. Before she drifted off, she remembered Jade’s words—Robert and Tony Lynch were no match for Jade and her old man. Kate hoped she was right.

  Chapter 54

  I woke to laughter coming from the kitchen. Cabinets banged, and the familiar sound of the cast-iron skillet clanked against the stovetop burner. Dad was making breakfast. I lay in bed and remembered what used to be our Sunday morning ritual. Dad always made fried eggs, sausage, and pancakes. I was certain Amber remembered too, and she had already stocked the refrigerator with everything he needed. I smiled briefly and missed being a child. That was an easy time of life—no worries, no stress, just laughter, playing with the neighbor kids, and meals together as a family. I rolled over and looked at the other side of my bed. It was empty, which told me Amber was definitely up. The clock showed it was eight thirty. It felt good to sleep in. My mind went back to last night and Kate. I wondered if she was awake too. I got up, washed my face, and walked out to the kitchen in my bathrobe. Dad was manning the stove, and Amber and Kate sat at the breakfast bar. Kate smiled and gave me a thank-you nod.

  I poured myself coffee, then pulled up a seat next to the girls.

  “I could get used to this.” I smiled dreamily.

  “What does that mean? You already are used to it,” Amber said.

  “Oh yeah.” I chuckled and asked my dad how he slept.

  “Like a baby. That bed in the guest room is perfect.”

  Dad scooped up the sausages and placed them on a paper towel to drain.

  “It should be,” I said. “Those memory foam mattresses are expensive.”

  “Well, I’m due for a new mattress. That’s what I’ll buy when I get home.”

  He stirred the pancake batter and turned on the electric griddle to let it heat up.

  I heard my cell phone ring in my bedroom. I wasn’t expecting any calls, and the phone was still on the charger next to my bed.

  “Hello, Jade—it is Sunday.” Amber smirked.

  “Sorry, it might be important.” I walked down the hall and closed the bedroom door behind me. I picked up my phone and sat on the edge of the bed. The caller ID showed it was Jack. A feeling of dread swept over me. I knew he wouldn’t call unless something bad had happened. I pressed the answer icon.

  “Jack? What’s up?”

  “Sorry, Jade. You know I wouldn’t have—”

  “Cut the crap,” I said. “You’re talking to me. I know it’s something bad.”

  I heard his anxiety through the phone line.

  “Yeah, it’s really bad according to the deputies on the scene. I’m on my way now.”

  I put Jack on speakerphone as I ripped off my bathrobe and started to dress.

  “So, are you going to tell me, or did you call for the hell of it?”

  “I know you’re going to want to get in on this. You’re on vacation, Jade.”

  “Too late, now spill.”

  “A 9-1-1 call came in from a farmer about an hour ago. He was out with his combine harvesting the corn when he saw something in the furrow between the rows.”

  I groaned, knowing what Jack was about to say.

  “Anyway, he shut off the tractor, got out, and checked to see what it was. He called us from the field. Jade, from the description the deputy on the scene gave me over the phone, I think it’s the girl from Kate’s dream.”

  I sighed deeply. “I heard her in the bathroom last night, so I got up to check on her. She seemed pretty rattled, Jack. She said she had that same dream again, and that they were here.”

  “You mean the Lynch brothers?”

  “That’s exactly what I mean. Where is the location?”

  “It’s north of Rockfield Road on Shady Lane, two miles east of Highway 41. It’s close to where the detour signs are.”

  “Of course it is. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Who knows so fa
r?”

  “Everyone.”

  I clicked off the call, pulled my hair back in a ponytail, and slipped a sweatshirt over my T-shirt. A pair of jeans, warm socks, and hiking shoes would be my attire while spending the morning in that cornfield. I walked out to the kitchen, where Dad had breakfast almost ready. I gave a quick apology, grabbed two pieces of sausage, and wolfed them down.

  “Jade, is it work?” Dad asked.

  “I’m afraid so, and I can’t let this one go by. I’m really sorry, guys—I’ll call when I can. I strapped on my shoulder holster and put my stocking cap on my head and my jacket over my sweatshirt. I grabbed my chain badge, purse, and phone. Amber handed me my travel mug of coffee. “Thanks, Sis.” I kissed her cheek. With my keys in hand, I headed to the garage door.

  “Jade, wait up,” Kate said.

  I turned to face her, and I was sure she could read my expression.

  “It’s her, isn’t it?”

  I reached out and hugged Kate. “It sounds like it, but that’s all I know right now. Don’t go anywhere unless you’re with my dad and Amber. Promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  I arrived at the scene twenty minutes later. Four cruisers, the forensics van, and the coroner’s van sat along the shoulder. Jack’s Charger and Clark’s Camry were on-site too. Horbeck, Clayton, Billings, and Jamison pulled up behind my car. We all got out at the same time and walked toward Jack and Lieutenant Clark. In the distance, I could see a large green combine in the field. A handful of people were near it.

  I jerked my head toward the field and shielded the sun with my hand. “Who’s out there?”

  Jack spoke up. “Kyle, Dan, Lena, and Jason. There are a couple of deputies getting the farmer’s statement.”

  “Have any of you gone out there yet?”

  “Just got here, Jade,” Clark said. “Any time you’re ready.”

  I slipped on my gloves. “I guess now would work.”

  By now there was somewhat of a path. The cornstalks had been pushed down by people coming and going. Horbeck, Jamison, Clayton, and Billings stayed behind at the road to begin scouring the ditches and shoulders for evidence. I approached the deputies and asked them to block off the road from either side, a mile in each direction. Jack said he’d follow up with the farmer while Clark and I headed toward the deceased woman. Lena and Jason were kneeling over her body.