Two Ways to Die: A Java Jarvis Thriller

by Erin Wade

  “Humph,” Java snorted.

  “Here she is now.” The man stood and waved to a gorgeous brunette who beamed back at him and quickly made her way to his table.

  “Melody,” the man half bowed, “I’d like to introduce you to . . . I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”

  “Java Jarvis,” Java held out her hand to the woman.

  “Java Jarvis,” Melody repeated the name as if cataloging it. “You’re the owner.” She held Java’s hand tighter.

  “Yes,” Java nodded trying to pull her hand from Melody’s grip.

  “Oh, I apologize,” Melody said releasing Java’s hand. She smiled exposing perfect white teeth. “I didn’t mean to cling to you.”

  “No problem,” Java motioned for her to sit down. “I hope you enjoy your dinner.”

  The band began playing and the diners quieted waiting for Kat Lace to appear on stage. Kat’s rich, sultry voice floated over the crowd as she walked from the back of the room to the stage. God, she knows how to make an entrance, Java thought licking her lips to restore the moisture to them.

  When the song ended Java realized that she had stood in the center of the dining room mesmerized by the woman who always took away her breath. Kat held Java’s gaze as she began singing her next song.

  The vibration of her phone broke Java’s trance and she walked to the elevator trying to calm the ache in the pit of her stomach. I wonder if Kat will always affect me like this, Java thought.

  A quick glance at her phone revealed Penny’s face. Java answered her phone as the elevator doors closed. “Hey Penny, what’s up?”

  “Turn on the TV, channel 5,” Penny quavered. “This is the damnedest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  Java closed her office door and turned on her TV. The channel five news crew was live on the scene of a shooting. They were filming the silhouette of a man who was running and screaming, “It’s The Basher! The Basher is here!”

  A loud bang filled the night, the man flew off his feet and landed on the ground with a loud thud. As the cameraman zoomed in on him a dark red stain spread across the front of his wifebeater.

  “It’s him!” Someone yelled. “We got The Basher.”

  Pandemonium broke loose as residents pulled their cars around to light up the scene with their headlights. People approached from every direction. Suddenly an ear-splitting scream filled the night as a woman dressed in her night clothes fell over the body of the dying man.

  “Phillip, oh dear God,” she screamed. “You’ve killed Phillip. He was going to help.”

  Awkward silence fell over the bystanders as the wail of an ambulance grew louder as the vehicle approached followed by a police car.

  “Stupid bastards,” Penny railed over the phone. “I knew this would happen. Their shooting at anyone who moves. They’re scared to death and killing each other.”

  “Where are you?” Java asked.

  “I just pulled into your employee parking lot,” Penny answered. “I’ll be with you in a minute. Beau is right behind me.”

  ##

  By the time Kat had finished her performance and joined Java and Penny, the police and news media had sorted out the details of the shootings and the bodies of two men were being loaded into the coroner’s van.

  Java called Barbie and Chris into her office and closed the door behind them.

  Java pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger as she spoke with San Antonio Detective Trilton Joe White. “Thanks, Trilton Joe. Please keep me informed of any new incidents.”

  “What’s happened?” Barbie asked.

  “After that newscast this morning this was inevitable,” Java sighed. “From what the authorities have been able to piece together a man named Elroy Smoot was guarding his home when a friend stopped by to check on him and his family to make certain they were okay.

  “Without knocking the friend turned the doorknob to open the door and Smoot opened fire with a shotgun killing his friend instantly.

  “Smoot’s neighbor Phillip Walker ran over to check on the Smoots, but fearing he’d stumbled onto The Basher, he ran back to his home to get his gun shouting, “There goes The Basher.” Another neighbor gunned down Walker thinking he was The Basher.

  “Detective White said it was unbelievable how many of the bystanders were armed.”

  “Jesus, I knew this would happen,” Beau declared. “Java, we’ve got to shake this case loose before Louisiana and Texas are covered in the blood of innocent bystanders.”

  A knock on Java’s door caused them all to turn and look at the intruder. “Miss Lace,” the manager stuck his head around the door. “It’s time for your next performance.”

  “The show must go on.” Kat frowned as she left the room.

  “Order drinks or dinner and relax,” Java told her team. “I’m going down on the floor. There’s a creepy fellow I want to keep an eye on.”

  CHAPTER 44

  Java leaned against the wall and scrutinized Melody and her date. The man was all over the woman. At one point, Java decided to ask them to leave but the man seemed to come to his senses and began acting civilized.

  Melody didn’t seem to mind that he was pawing her in public. She kept giggling and whispering in the man’s ear. He slipped his hand inside her dress and began fondling her breast. Java wondered how a woman could tolerate such contemptable behavior in public.

  As Kat’s set ended and the lights came up, the man pulled his hand from Melody’s dress and clapped for Kat.

  “Who’s waiting on table twelve?” Java asked Chris. “I need the check for them.”

  Chris returned quickly with the man’s check. Java walked to the table. “I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves tonight,” she scowled. “Here’s your check.”

  “We’re not leaving yet,” the man snickered.

  “Yes, you are,” Java hissed. “This is not a make-out place. We have teenagers dining with their parents in here.”

  “Java Jarvis,” Melody caught Java’s hand and squeezed it. “I could make you very happy Java Jarvis.”

  “I’ll be happy when your friend pays his bill and the two of you leave,” Java scoffed. “Your credit card please?”

  The man handed Java his card and she passed the check and card to Chris staying at the table while the bill was cleared.

  “You should come visit me, Java Jarvis,” Melody insisted.

  “Umm, and where would I find you Miss Melody,” Java cooed realizing that the brunette looked like a Jody Schooley protégé. If she could convert Melody to an informant, she wouldn’t have to worry about sending in Kat.

  Melody opened her purse and took out a business card. “You may call me anytime, day or night,” she winked.

  Chris returned with the couple’s receipt and card. Java waited for the man to sign then escorted them from the restaurant.

  As they stumbled down the sidewalk Java read the business card Melody had given her. “Every Request Granted” was written across the top of the card with a phone number underneath. There was no address or business name. Java wondered if this was Jody’s operation. She slipped the card in her pocket and returned to the restaurant.

  Java joined her team upstairs and showed them Melody’s card. “It’s a cellphone number,” she noted. “Give me a minute and I’ll see if there is an address associated with it.”

  Java frowned as she ran the phone number. “It’s one of those month-by-month phones,” she informed her team. “It’s a Google number and we’ll need a court order to force Straight Talk to give us the credit card used to pay for the service.”

  “Why don’t you call her and tell her you want to meet her,” Beau suggested. “She’ll have to give you an address.”

  “Or come to your place,” Kat pointed out. “She probably makes house calls.”

  “Let’s call it a night,” Penny said. “God only knows what tomorrow will bring. It seems that there are only two ways for women to die in Louisiana right now. Either The Basher butchers
them, or some psycho decapitates them.”

  “Thanks for that Penny,” Barbie scowled. “That’s a thought I want to take home to an empty apartment.”

  “Barbie, I didn’t mean to be so morbid,” Penny shrugged. “I’m . . . this case is so frustrating.”

  “Do you want me to drive you home?” Chris asked Barbie.

  “Maybe,” Barbie flirted.

  Java flinched. Just what we need, another couple, she thought herding the group from her office.

  “Kat, it looks like your butch is here,” Barbie gestured toward Lindy Rochelle who had just entered the restaurant.

  Kat groaned. “I’m not up to dealing with her tonight,”

  “I’ll handle it,” Java smirked as she pushed the elevator button. “Why don’t you wait in my office until she leaves?”

  ##

  Lindy was questioning one of the waitresses about Kat’s whereabouts when Java stepped off the elevator. “Lindy,” Java chatted. “What brings you to my place at closing time?”

  Lindy looked around. “I was hoping to catch Kat,” she responded. “I thought she might like a nightcap.”

  “I believe she’s already gone,” Java quipped. “I’ll tell her tomorrow that you came by.”

  “Don’t bother,” Lindy scowled. “I’ll call her.”

  CHAPTER 45

  “Barbie you and Chris go,” Java insisted. “Kat and I’ll close tonight. And do let Chris take you home. We’re all a little on edge.”

  The restaurant staff finished cleaning the dining room and kitchen as Java ran the daily sales report and Kat placed cups and saucers on each table getting them ready for the next day.

  Java waited until everyone was gone then checked to make certain all the doors were locked. “Everything’s secure,” she announced. “Are you going home with me tonight?’

  “You couldn’t stop me if you tried,” Kat smiled. “I’ve been waiting all day to be alone with you.”

  Java slipped her arms around the brunette and pulled her in soft and slow, enjoying the feel of Kat’s softness against her. She inhaled deeply as the fragrance from Kat’s dark hair filled her senses. “You smell so damned good,” she muttered as her lips found Kat’s.

  “Let’s go,” Kat kissed her one more time then pulled away.

  ##

  While Kat showered Java pulled a cold Shiner from the fridge and strolled onto the porch overhanging Lake Pontchartrain. The cool air felt good against her face as she listened to the music of the night played by bullfrogs and Devil’s Horses—the large, black crickets—that invaded Louisiana every year.

  A splash off to her left made her jerk her head around but not fast enough to catch sight of the fish that had made the sound.

  Java sensed Kat before she touched her. The brunette’s soft fragrance floated on the night air and a tremor ran through Java’s body as Kat wrapped her arms around Java’s waist pushing her body hard against Java’s.

  Kat nestled her face between Java’s shoulder blades and hummed her satisfaction at making contact with the blonde.

  “You feel so good against me,” Java sighed.

  Kat eased her hands under Java’s shirt and inched her way to Java’s breasts, caressing them as she hugged Java.

  “You’re killing me,” Java hissed turning around to embrace Kat. “Let me shower and we’ll talk.”

  “Talk?” Kat raised a quizzical brow.

  “Or not,” Java grinned mischievously.

  ##

  Java awoke the next morning with Kat draped over her. The side of Kat’s head rested on Java’s heart and her arm was thrown across her lover’s chest. One leg rested on Java’s lower abdomen. Without opening her eyes Kat’s lips found Java’s nipple.

  Kat ran her tongue around Java’s nipple. The blonde shuddered and moaned. “A good rule of thumb is to never put anything in your mouth that is too big to swallow,” Java teased.

  “So, I shouldn’t pull this into my mouth?” Kat caressed Java’s breasts.

  “Oh, you definitely should,” Java gasped.

  They made love then fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  ##

  Much later Java slid her hand to Kat’s side of the bed and was disappointed to find the woman of her dreams wasn’t beside her.

  The smell of bacon frying in the kitchen made Java smile as she pulled on her jeans and a soft sweatshirt.

  “I’m glad you’re awake,” Kat greeted her with a kiss and a cup of freshly brewed Cajun coffee. “I almost have breakfast ready.”

  “Umm, you, breakfast, coffee, I’m definitely living the dream,” Java brushed Kat’s lips with hers. “How can I help?”

  “You can butter the toast when it pops up,” Kat smiled.

  They ate breakfast basking in the sheer joy of being together without inquiring minds observing their every move.

  As Java placed the last of the dishes into the dishwasher Kat opened the door and stepped outside. She was leaning on the porch railing when Java joined her.

  “It’s still a little nippy,” Kat shivered and Java wrapped her arm around Kat’s shoulders.

  They stood quietly watching the current carry leaves and small tree limbs past the lake house. Out of the corner of her eye Kat noticed something bobbing under the surface of the water and wondered why it wasn’t being carried downstream like everything else.

  “Java, what is that?”

  “I don’t know,” Java sat down her coffee cup. “I was just wondering the same thing.”

  “It seems to be anchored to that spot like it’s weighted down,” Kat observed.

  “I heard a loud splash in that vicinity last night,” Java said. “I thought it was a big fish, but I think someone has thrown something into the lake.”

  They continued to watch the object as it bobbed up and down in the water. “I should check to see what it is,” Java concluded, reluctant to move away from the warmth of Kat.

  “I’ll go with you,” Kat offered.

  Java found her gaff hook and carried it to the water’s edge. “I’m going to put on my waders. That water is cold, and I’d rather not get wet.”

  Kat watched as Java waded into the lake and snagged the bobbing object. It was wrapped in burlap like the kind of material used for voodoo dolls.

  “What is it baby?” Kat called.

  “I’m not sure,” Java firmly hooked the object with the gaff and pulled it toward the shore. She was surprised to find it was weighted with a cinderblock. A bungee cord was just long enough to let the thing float under the surface without being carried away by the current.

  Java carried the burlap wrapped item underneath her house and placed it on a picnic table. Kat caught hold of Java’s arm as the blonde unwrapped the object.

  “Oh my God!” Kat screamed as the material fell away and she found herself staring into the vacant eyes of a woman’s head.

  “Jesus,” Java choked. “What the hell is that?”

  She tried to tamp down the sick feeling that the head had been intentionally tossed into the lake in front of her home as a threat. They know where I live, she thought. They know Kat spends the night with me. This is intentional. Someone is stalking us.

  Kat was already calling Penny. “Penny come to Java’s home. We’ve found a bodiless head. Hurry Penny, please.”

  Java looked around to see if anyone was watching them. She saw nothing. “Let’s put it on the porch,” she said. “I don’t want to leave it unattended until Penny gets here. There were some footprints leading to the lake. Penny should be able to get casts of them.”

  She carefully picked up the burlap bag and eased the head back into it. There was no doubt in her mind that it was a threat aimed specifically at Kat and her.

  ##

  Penny arrived in record time and Java jogged down the stairs to meet her. “It looks like the work of The Decapitator,” Java informed her. She showed Penny the footprints and the cinderblock with the bungee cord still attached.

  Penny directed her
team to comb the area around Java’s house and look for tire tracks. She greeted Kat when she entered the kitchen and pointed toward the coffee pot. Kat poured her a cup of coffee and followed her and Java onto the porch.

  “I touched the bag,” Java informed Penny. “But as soon as I realized what it was, I was careful not to get my prints all over it.”

  “It looks like the madman that has been decapitating women in Louisiana and Texas,” Penny declared. “It’s the same precise cut. No jagged edges. Almost professional.”

  “I’ll know for sure once I get it back to the lab and compare the striations to the heads I have in cold storage. This is the freshest head I’ve gotten hold of so far. Maybe I can learn more from it.

  “I think this is a direct threat against the two of you,” Penny added. “Please be careful. Someone has you in their crosshairs and they know where you live.”

  CHAPTER 46

  “It could be anyone,” Java worried as she drove toward the FBI headquarters. “Someone could have followed us from the restaurant to my house. I wonder if they’ve followed you to your place.”

  “Who knows?” Kat mumbled.

  “You should pack clothes and things to stay at my house until we catch this lunatic,” Java suggested. “He scares me more than The Basher. He’s after women not entire families.”

  Kat hated to admit she was afraid for Java and herself. Although they were trained fighters and—if need be—killers, she still worried about someone blindsiding them.

  “I’d like that,” Kat replied pulling Java’s hand onto her lap.

  ##

  The entire team was in the briefing room when Java and Kat entered. Penny was showing pictures on the white board. “As I suspected this was the worker of The Decapitator,” Penny said as her laptop flashed two photos on the screen. “As you can see the striations on the bone are the same. The object used to severe the head Java found is the same one used on all our other heads.

  “The Decapitator has thrown down the gauntlet to Java,” Kat exclaimed.

  Penny nodded her agreement.

  “So, this is someone who is targeting our team,” Java added.

  “Or you,” Penny added.