Florida Heat

by Rainy Kirkland

  “Oh, her.”

  “Yes, her. What can you tell me about your relationship with Sherry?”

  He focused his glare over Kate’s right shoulder. “Look, she was standing on the corner hitching and I felt sorry for her. It was really hot last night.”

  Kate watched his face warm to his story.

  “So I, ah, stopped and offered her a ride. That isn’t a crime.”

  Kate shook her head. “So you’re telling me that you never saw her before last night and you just picked her up because she was hitch-hiking?”

  “That’s it,” he said. “Look can you call the nurse for me? My head is really banging.”

  “I’m sure it is. Did you take Sherry anywhere? Maybe share a drink or two with her?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Are you telling me you have no knowledge that Sherry had been drinking?”

  “That’s what I’m telling you.”

  “But you admit you’d been drinking.”

  Ricky remained silent, his eyes focusing on anything but Kate.

  “Did you know it’s a crime to drive when you’re under the influence?”

  “Look it was Friday night and hotter than hell. Okay, I had a beer or two. So give me a damn ticket and get off my back. I need my goddamned pain meds.”

  Kate rose. “Well you had more than a beer or two to put your blood alcohol so high. And in Florida you get more than just a ticket for driving under the influence.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. And by the way, the little girl, the one you’ve never asked about, she died in the accident. And if I find out you had a part in getting her drunk, I’m going to see you go down for manslaughter.”

  Turning, Kate left the room. She stopped at the nurses’ station again. “He’s still crying for his pain meds.”

  The nurse checked the clock and shrugged. “He can wait another seven minutes, the dirt bag.”

  Wishing she could agree but knowing to keep her opinions to herself, Kate just smiled. “Be sure to let me know if anyone inquires or comes to visit him, okay? There is more to this story and I’m going to find out what it is.”

  “Will do, Detective. And just for the record, my money’s on you. Now let me go and see if we have any of those horse needles left.”

  Kate didn’t know whether to wince or grin as she walked away.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jo sat at her desk and checked her appointment book with a sigh. Cindy was still out, and with Penny starting her vacation, this was going to be another week of juggling appointments.

  “Hey, Caz.”

  She looked up to see Mitch standing in her doorway. “Got some good news for you.”

  “That would be a change.”

  He grinned. “We caught the punks that slashed your tire.”

  “What?” Jo stood and joined him at the door. “How? When?”

  “A homeowner a few blocks over from your place happened to be looking out his window when they tried to hit his car.”

  “In the middle of the night he just happened to be looking out at the right time?”

  “Well, it seems that he was looking for his daughter, who had blown curfew big time. Dad was seriously steamed and determined to catch her sneaking in. Instead he got a description of the car and two of the three kids. Said he chased them halfway down the street while they were hanging out of the car laughing like hyenas.”

  “So it’s not....”

  “No, it’s not the same dude that’s been threatening you.”

  “I guess that’s a relief, sorta. Did you find out why they hit me?”

  Mitch shook his head in disgust. “No rhyme or reason. According to them, they were just out to have some fun. You were a random hit. They actually recorded the guy squirming on his belly to get to your car.”

  “And they showed you?”

  “Yeah, like it was something to be proud of. They’d also knocked over a couple of mailboxes and had recordings of other slashed tires. I swear it really makes you wonder about the kids today.”

  “I’m still having a hard time believing they admitted it.”

  “Once we broke the first, the other two cried like babies. Didn’t mean no harm, blah blah. Then the kicker, one of the dads comes in and starts with kids will be kids and they were just harmless pranks.”

  “Harmless? That prank cost me two new tires.”

  “The teen court will probably assign restitution. You might actually get some money back.”

  “That’s a nice thought but I’m not going to hold my breath. Where are they now?”

  “Parents just sprung the last so I thought I’d stop by and give you the news.”

  “You on today?” She watched him struggle with a yawn.

  “Nope, I did a double yesterday so now I’m heading for home and about six hours of shuteye.”

  “Well thanks for taking the time to stop by.”

  “Hey Mitch, where’s Lucy? I’ve got a dog biscuit at my desk with her name on it.” Cheryl walked up holding the morning paper and the latest police log. “Jo, I just finished running the matches and one of your lovelies made the front page this weekend.”

  Jo took the newspaper. “Two Killed in Auto Crash” the headline read. “Damn it,” Jo looked from Mitch to Cheryl. “Kate was on this one. Teenage girl and teacher both killed.”

  “I saw the results of that,” Mitch said. “Ugly crash.”

  “Kate was pretty shook up,” Jo said scanning the article. “She knew one of the victims. That teacher is from the school where the little boy is missing.”

  “Small world,” Cheryl said. “And the DUI driver that survived is one of yours --Ricky Smith.”

  “Ricky Smith,” Jo searched her memory. “Okay, young guy maybe late twenties and good looking if I’m thinking of the right face.” She turned to Mitch, “Thanks again for the slasher news, and give Lucy a scratch for me. I’ve got to get going on this.”

  “I’m out of here myself. Cheryl, take care.”

  As Mitch turned and walked away, Cheryl heaved a sigh. “That is one good looking man,” she said softly.

  Jo looked up in surprise. “You got a thing for Mitch?”

  Cheryl just smiled. “What is it about a man in uniform?”

  Jo grinned. “He’s a looker alright.”

  Cheryl turned to Jo. “You ever think of getting together with him?”

  “With Mitch?” Jo stuttered. “I think of Mitch more as a brother. I mean after all we do share children.”

  “What!” Now Cheryl’s eyes went wide.

  “His Lucy and my Bella are sisters.” Jo chuckled at the expression on Cheryl’s face. “What did you think I meant?”

  Cheryl shook her head. “Okay, back to my desk. The phones must be ringing off the hooks by now.”

  “You know, you could have just called me with this info.”

  “Mmm hmm, but then I would have missed quality time with Mitch.”

  “And telling him you have biscuits for his dog?”

  Now Cheryl was the one grinning. “Exactly.”

  Jo found herself smiling as she walked back into her office. At her computer she pulled up the criminal history on Richard Smith aka Ricky and the police report from the accident and began to read. Her smile was gone by the time she finished. Driving while intoxicated was not only against the law, but a clear violation of the conditions of his probation. Ricky, she thought with disgust, as soon as you’re out of the hospital your ass is headed to jail.

  * * *

  Kate met Isaac in front of the high school. “Thanks for coming. I think we’re really going to need you today.”

  “Death is never an easy thing for anyone, let alone kids this age who think they’re going to live forever. What can you tell me about our victim?”

  “Unfortunately, not much. Her name was Sherry Roberts. She was a junior and worked in the school office in the work-study program. I’ve talked with her parents twice but they’
re not much help. I’m hoping some of the kids can fill in the blanks.”

  “What are you looking for specifically?” Isaac pulled open the school door.

  “I saw her room and it was clear that she snuck out of the house. So I want to know how she connected with Ricky Smith.”

  “A date?”

  “That was my initial thought. But Ricky claims he doesn’t know her. Said he just picked her up on some street corner to give her a ride.”

  “And you’re not buying that story?”

  “I don’t know. Something just doesn’t sit right. Her blood alcohol was off the charts, Isaac. This wasn’t a little girl that had downed one beer. Someone got her plastered and I want to know who.” She paused at the door. “I called the principal and asked him to let us meet with small groups of kids that were in Sherry’s classes. Maybe somebody knows something. You take the boys.”

  Isaac nodded. “Let’s see what we can find out,” he said, and they entered the school’s office.

  * * *

  Julie Finch sat in the guidance office with Nicole, Willow, and several other girls from Mr. Fairbanks’s history class. She couldn’t stop the tears that tracked silently down her face. Sherry was dead. She just couldn’t believe that Sherry was really dead. She looked over at Nicole who was staring at her nails. Two of the other girls were silently crying but Nicole and Willow sat dry-eyed and looking bored.

  “Girls,” Mrs. Downey said, “this is Detective Snow. She’s here to talk to you about Sherry Roberts.”

  The detective smiled and shoving her phone back on her belt, sat on the corner of Mrs. D’s desk. If you didn’t look at the gun or badge at her waist, Julie thought, she could have been a model. She studied the detective’s shiny curls and wondered what product she used to get them that way.

  “As you know by now, Sherry Roberts was killed in an accident this weekend,” the detective said.

  Julie felt instant guilt for forgetting about Sherry.

  “And I’m trying to learn more about her so I can better understand what happened.” The detective looked at each of them. “So can anyone give me any information about Sherry?”

  “She worked in the office,” one of the girls offered.

  “Good, something else?” The detective glanced at her phone then hit a button.

  “She was only a junior but she was taking a lot of senior classes,” another said.

  “Can anyone give me personal information, anything about her family life? Who were her closest friends? Stuff like that.”

  Julie waited for Nicole to speak up but she just continued to stare at her nails.

  “Does anyone know if she was seeing someone special? A new boyfriend perhaps?”

  Again Julie looked at Nicole but she just heaved a bored sigh then grinned at Willow.

  “Excuse me.” Julie watched as this time Detective Snow read the phone message and texted a quick answer. “Okay, sorry about that. I realize that most of you are seniors and Sherry was a junior, but since you have this class together, I thought she might have told one of you if she had a new guy.” Again the room stayed silent. The detective waited then stood. “Okay, I guess not. I’m going to give each of you my card, and if you think of anything or remember anything that might help us I’d appreciate a call.”

  Julie avoided eye contact when the detective handed her the card. She shoved it in her purse then stood with the rest of the girls and filed out of the room. Nicole and Willow ducked into the girls room but Julie ignored their signal and went straight back to class. What she wanted was for the day to be over so she could just go home.

  Her phone signaled even before she reached the classroom. “Quills meeting after school – study hall west.”

  Terrific, she thought, I guess I finally made it in. So why do I feel so miserable? The headache that had started in the guidance office stayed with her all morning so she skipped lunch. All anyone could talk about was Sherry and the accident and Julie just didn’t want to think about it anymore.

  When the final bell of the day sounded, Julie made her way to the west wing study hall. Trying to shake off the weight of depression that was sitting on her shoulders, she pulled open the door and entered. She wasn’t surprised to see Nicole, Willow and Zeke, but Rhys was the captain of the debate team and Tom was the biggest science nerd in the senior class. Other faces looked familiar but Julie didn’t know names and found she really didn’t care.

  “I’ve called this meeting,” Rhys began, looking from face to face, “to get us started on our project. Does anyone want to offer an idea?”

  Not sure if she should speak or not, Julie raised her hand. “We could plan something for Sherry’s memorial. I think someone said the service was going to be on Friday.”

  “Oh puh-leeze,” Nicole shook her head and rolled her eyes. “The Quills don’t do that sort of thing, especially for someone like her.”

  “Yeah, Sherry the slut,” Willow snickered softly and two other girls giggled.

  Stunned, Julie felt her face grow hot.

  “Not your fault,” Zeke said, coming to her rescue. “This is your first year so you don’t know the history. Each year the Quills do some type of prank.”

  “And this year’s has to outdo the last,” Willow said.

  “That won’t be hard,” Nicole stood. “Last year’s group put those stupid plastic pink flamingos all over the football field right before homecoming.”

  “Yeah, but the timing was great,” someone called. “Delayed the game and everything. The football players looked really cute carrying those stupid birds off the field.”

  “Lame,” Nicole sighed.

  “Lame but true,” Rhys said. “And they did put those goldfish in all the water fountains.”

  “Again childish. We need something flashy and big. Our class has to leave a mark that will always be remembered.”

  “Did anyone see the news this morning about that new sink hole that opened? The family had to be evacuated and everything.”

  “Yeah, that was cool. Too bad it stopped before it could swallow the house.”

  “It came within three feet so maybe there’s still hope.” The group chuckled and Julie felt her stomach turn.

  “That’s what we need,” Nicole said, her face losing its bored expression. “We need something flashy like a sink hole.”

  “Cute, Nicole,” Rhys said with a snort. “But even you can’t produce a sink hole.”

  Julie sat for a while longer in stunned silence. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The Quills, this exclusive secret club, just came up with pranks? Sherry Roberts was dead and they were talking about plastic flamingos and fish in water tanks? She waited until the discussion paused, then slowly stood.

  “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I didn’t know we were going to meet today and I’ve got to get home.”

  Nicole looked up from the list she was making. “You okay, Finch?”

  Julie shook her head. “Actually no, I’m sorry I’m just not feeling well today.” And picking up her things, Julie left the room.

  Julie made it to the ladies room before she lost what little was in her stomach. Her head was pounding and she couldn’t stop shivering. They didn’t even care that Sherry was dead. She splashed cold water on her face and stared at herself in the mirror. She had only known Sherry for a few days, why was it that she was so upset when the rest of the group wasn’t? And why hadn’t Nicole or Willow said anything to the detective when she asked about Sherry’s boyfriend? They had seen the picture when she did. Why were they pretending not to know anything?

  Questions went round and round in her head until Julie thought it might explode. Taking out her phone she sent the text before she could talk herself out of it. When the answer came back “No problem,” she felt a sense of relief settle over her.

  * * *

  Julie sat at a back table in the coffee shop and waited. Now that she had called him, she wasn’t sure what she was going to say. Was Marques going
to think she was a complete idiot for calling him? Her nerves kicked up a notch when she saw him enter.

  “Hey, how’s it going?”

  To her complete mortification, she burst into tears.

  “Whoa,” Marques stammered, then jumping up he went to the side bar and returned with a huge wad of napkins.

  Julie grabbed a napkin and covered her face. “I’m sorry,” she stuttered. “I just didn’t know who to call.”

  “That’s okay,” Marques reached over and awkwardly patted her back. “What’s wrong?”

  “Sherry’s dead,” Julie wiped her eyes. “They’re going to put her in a box.”

  “Ah, yeah, I heard about it on the news this weekend. I didn’t know you were friends with her.”

  “Does that make a difference?” Julie heard her voice snap and her tears started again.

  “No, of course not,” he said quietly. “Honey, we’re all upset about what happened to her.”

  “The service is on Friday,” she offered weakly.

  Now he nodded. “Yeah, the band offered to play something at the memorial. We’re just waiting to hear back from her parents as to how they want to work it.”

  “But on Friday they’re going to bury her.”

  “Okay.”

  “Marques, it’s bad enough they’re putting her in a box, but when they put it in the ground and bury her she’ll never be able to get out.”

  Marques reached over and took one of Julie’s hands. “Julie, she’s already gone and no matter what they do she’s not coming back. Besides, Sherry’s body might be in the box but Sherry’s spirit is already in heaven.”

  Julie sniffed and wiped her eyes with her other hand. “Do you really believe that?”

  He nodded. “Have you ever been to a funeral before?” When she shook her head he continued. “I went to my grandfather’s when I was only six. My mom explained things to me and my grandmother confirmed it. Your spirit goes to heaven and the part that’s left is just a body or shell. You don’t have to worry about them burying Sherry because she’s not really there anymore.”

  “Marques I just don’t understand people,” she said quietly, liking the way he linked their fingers together. “Did you have to talk to the police today?”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t have any classes with her. Nigel told me at lunch that he was called. Said it wasn’t the police, but a grief counselor. Did you get called?”

  She took a deep breath. “Yes, Sherry was in my history class with Mr. Fairbanks. All the girls got called to the guidance office and we met with a Detective Snow.”