Burn in Hell: A Jake Carrington Mystery (Volume 2) (Jake Carrington Mysteries)

by Marian Lanouette

*

  Jake hung up, shaking his head. He’d blown the perfect opportunity with Kyra. He should’ve accepted the dinner invitation at her condo. Boy, he was definitely attracted to her. The timing just wasn’t right. He wouldn’t push her, but hoped making love would be in their near future. Jake liked that she didn’t do casual sex. How stupid was he? It just made him want her more.

  “Who’s Kyra?” Louie asked.

  Jake frowned at his partner. He hadn’t heard Louie come into his office.

  “A friend.”

  “A friend, as in female friend? Since when are you dating again?”

  “Louie, it’s none of your business.”

  “You know you used to be fun, before you screwed things up with Mia.” Jake saw disgust written all over Louie’s face.

  Studying his childhood friend and partner, Louie took a lot of liberties with him. Louie’s olive complexion made him look tan all year round. Black hair and brown eyes on a six-foot, muscular frame, presented a handsome image. Fastidious about his person, Louie wore a suit every day. Jake also thought him the nosiest thing on two feet.

  “I’m still fun, Louie. You just have to wear a skirt to find out,” Jake joked.

  “Oh, you’re a riot.” Louie turned to leave the room. Jake saw the annoyance on Louie’s face.

  “Louie, sit down.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ll fill you in, and let me add a caveat. No gossiping.”

  “You really are no fun, Jake.” Louie shook his head, taking a seat in front of Jake’s desk.

  “I met her last week at a party. I like her, Louie. We’ve been out twice. There’s nothing more to tell.”

  “You mean you’re not sharing anything else.”

  “Correct.”

  “No details?”

  “I know your dirty mind. There are no details to tell.”

  “She’s holding out on you, huh?”

  “She’s a lady, so keep it clean.”

  “Well, it seems you really like her. What about Mia?”

  Jake frowned. “I haven’t seen or talked to Mia since she walked out on me.”

  “So you’re just going to move on, instead of talking to her?”

  “It seems like it.” He shrugged his shoulders.

  “Well, I think you’re stupid.”

  “A fact that breaks my heart every hour of every day, Louie.” Jake grinned.

  “Oh shut the fuck up, Jake. I’m serious here.”

  Louie and his wife had fixed him up with Mia. Jake experienced their joy when he fell hard for her. Louie loved his family. Sophia was the best wife a man could ask for in his opinion. Together, Louie and Sophia raised three well-behaved kids. Bestowing the honor of godfather on Jake at their daughter’s birth showed how much they cared for and respected him. Family, Jake thought. My family. Louie’s wife Sophia, though lovely and well-meaning, had caused the fight that had broken him and Mia up. The last month, Sophia had been constantly calling him, trying to apologize, but Jake had been avoiding her.

  “What do you want me to say, Louie?”

  “Why does everything with you have to be so Goddamn permanent?”

  “Let’s discuss the case, because this conversation’s over,” Jake said, reining in his temper.

  “Just like that?”

  “Yep.”

  “Someday you’re going to be a lonely old man and it’ll serve you right.”

  Jake knew Louie always had to the have the last word and let him. Turning his thoughts to the case, Jake pulled the file from his drawer.

  “Did you get the lab reports, Louie?”

  “Yeah. Mr. Dwight Wade’s blood alcohol level was 1.6. I’d say he had a good time before he died.”

  “I’d say so. That’s twice the legal limit. Did the autopsy report come in?”

  “No, the ME’s office hopes to get it to us today.”

  “Okay, we’ll have to wait on them. I’m curious about the bruising on the body. How about the ballistics report?”

  “Not yet.” Louie scratched his head.

  “I want to know which hand shows the residue. His wife said he was right-handed, but the wound shows a left entry. I think it would be awkward to use your goofy side to shoot yourself, especially drunk.”

  “What the hell is a goofy side?”

  “Snowboarding term, sorry. You know how I love the sport. It means not your natural side.” Jake watched Louie process the information.

  “So you think homicide based on what, a feeling?”

  “No. I’m waiting on the reports, but this guy was totally drunk. The entry’s on the wrong side, especially for someone incapacitated. I think someone helped Mr. Wade to the other side.”

  “Okay, I’ll dig deeper into his life.” Louie got up, turned to leave and then turned back to Jake.

  “I think it’s good you’re dating again, but I still think you owe it to yourself to be happy. You were happy with Mia. I think you should contact her and talk.”

  “I’ll consider it, Louie. Let me know when the other reports are in.” Jake dismissed him.

  *

  Jake turned his chair to the window and gazed toward the new buildings that housed a branch of UConn. The city fathers thought a new branch would bring more business to the downtown area—so far it hadn’t. Maybe the pizza parlors did a booming trade, but the other businesses still seemed at a stalemate. Even the Palace Theater didn’t have the promised draw. His eyes scanned the rest of downtown. It depressed him to see so many closed businesses. Even though the economy hit Connecticut hard, especially Wilkesbury, Jake still loved this city. It was an old factory town, though most of the jobs and manufacturing had gone overseas decades ago. He could see it in the deserted old buildings. The architecture was amazing, though most buildings were in need of repair, their beauty still shone through. It was the classic design of the twenties and thirties. Some enterprising people were renovating them and making unique businesses out of them.

  A boy kiss a girl as they sat on a low wall at the college and his mind turned back to what Louie said. He was right, though Jake would never tell him.

  He needed to contact Mia to understand what was so bad they couldn’t fix it. He liked Kyra, but she just wasn’t Mia. Jake knew there’d be nobody else for him. He didn’t want to hurt her. He should end this thing with Kyra now, before it went any further—before it became more difficult for him to cut her loose.

  Christ, his life had never been easy. A little reprieve once in a while would be nice. He turned from the window when he heard someone at his door.

  Chapter Fifteen

  After lunch Kyra called Tommy at work, thinking she could control the tone and content of the call. She hadn’t bothered to call him back yesterday. Call her small, but she wanted him to suffer the way he made her suffer. She sipped her coffee while the phone rang. No answer after three rings. Debating whether to leave a message or not when he answered.

  “Kyra?.”

  Shit. He answered. “Yes.”

  “Why didn’t you call me back yesterday? I called three times.”

  Demanding? Well Tommy, you don’t have the right. “I had plans.”

  “Plans? Couldn’t take two minutes to return a call? What if it was about Trevor?”

  He’s playing me. “Well Tommy…” Wasn’t it about time she started calling him Tom? “If it were about Trevor, I would hope you’d be smart enough to leave a message.”

  “Kyra, where were you?”

  The jackass didn’t get it. “I was out.”

  “Out?” he yelled.

  “Yes, Tom, I was out. You’re not entitled to know where I go and with whom.”

  “Now I’m Tom?”

  “Yes, I think it’s time we both grew up and moved on.”

  She felt the steam push through the phone—surprised her hand didn’t burn. That’ll teach him to sit outside my house.

  “You want to play hardball, Kyra? You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

 
“I’m not playing anything, Tom, you are. You’re the one who sat outside my house in the middle of the night. It’s called stalking. You’re the one who kept calling yesterday. And let me remind you, Tom, you’re the one who filed for divorce and took my son away from me. Now, why were you outside my house Saturday night?” Her temper rose. Rubbing her burning face with trembling hands, Kyra took a deep breath to calm down. Nope, didn’t work.

  “I’m sorry. I miss you and it gets me crazy thinking of you with another man,” he whispered.

  Changing tactics, oh, such a Tommy move. “I can’t help you. It’s over, Tom. Just remember it was your choice.” Her voice hardened.

  “No forgiveness, Kyra?”

  She didn’t respond immediately. Kyra tried hard to control her emotions. She prayed her voice didn’t crack. “I’m giving you the same amount of forgiveness you gave me.”

  He slammed the phone in her ear without another word. Tears streamed down her face. Realization smacked her square in the brain. This conversation ended any hope of reconciliation between them. Her stomach clenched, cramping her muscles, and causing her to double over as if she’d been kicked in the gut. The last time her stomach had reacted this way, her grandmother had died. The door squeaked open. Dina poked her head in.

  “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help but overhear. You were yelling. Are you okay?”

  Dina walked to her. Hugging her, Dina rubbed her back. Kyra couldn’t stop the tears or the terrible, jabbing pain in her heart. She leaned her head against Dina’s stomach. Nine years of love turned bitter. How did people survive? Dina wiped the tears from Kyra’s eyes as she held her.

  “I’m sor…sorry, Dina.” She hiccupped.

  “Oh, Kyra, just let it out, honey. I locked the front door so no one will come in.”

  Dina continued to rub her back. “I don’t know why I’m crying.”

  “Just let it out. This happens when you accept it’s over.”

  Her head jerked up and off of Dina as someone pounded on the front door. “Can you get it? I’ll be in the bathroom.”

  Kyra stood, her legs wobbled like rubber bands. Forced to sit back down, she watched Dina shut her door as she headed into the main office. After a few minutes, she was able to get up and go to the bathroom.

  Looking in the mirror, she wiped the tears falling down her face, assessing her appearance at the same time. Work wasn’t the place for this to happen. She rinsed her face with cold water then took a couple of deep, calming breaths.

  “I need a night alone. It won’t be tonight, I still have Phil to contend with.”

  Pacing the small bathroom. Maybe I should cancel Phil for this evening and reschedule.

  “Yeah, right, like he’s a man you can reschedule. Wise up. Phil can make your life a living hell.” She realized she was speaking outloud. Everything echoed in this place. She made a decision. After work, she’d go to the casino, then to Phil’s. It would calm her down so she could deal with him better.

  *

  Restless all day, Phil decided he wanted to see Kyra for dinner. He reached for the phone and started to dial her number…stopped. He had set the time to inconvenience her, but it backfired on him. He was the one who needed to see her. He finished dialing her number.

  The minute she answered he started right in, not giving her a chance to speak. “Kyra, it’s Phil.”

  “What can I do for you?”

  Ah, businesslike, but her voice was off. “Are you crying?”

  “No.”

  He knew she lied. Wondered why? “Kyra let’s meet for dinner instead of at ten. My plans have changed.”

  “What time did you have in mind?”

  Agreeable, good. “Why don’t we do six-thirty here? That way we can talk without being interrupted.”

  “I’ll see you at sixty-thirty then.”

  Interesting, Phil thought as he hung up. Kyra’s mood had changed since the last time he spoke to her. Why? Did she have a fight with her cop?

  *

  Not wanting to see Phil while still wearing her business clothes, Kyra ran home after work and changed into a pair of jeans, a blue and white striped shirt, and slipped on her clogs. On her way out the door she grabbed her blue jacket and her purse, dreading the hour drive to Phil’s.

  “Okay, here goes. Phil, I like you, but I don’t have any romantic feelings for you. No, no, that sounds so dorky.” She took one hand off the steering wheel, wiping it on her jeans. The right balance when speaking with Phil was important.

  She rubbed her temples, trying to relieve the headache that had formed after she had spoken with him. “Okay, let’s try again…Phil, I’d like to start by saying that I enjoyed dinner Saturday night. You’re a nice guy…no Kyra, start again. I just feel we should keep our relationship strictly business. After all you’re my boss, which automatically puts a constraint on us dating.”

  Oh my God, how’s he going to react? I don’t really know him. Phil showed hints of his temper both times she was with him. Understanding violence lay beneath the surface with Phil, Kyra didn’t want it directed at her. For some reason a car caught her eye in the rear-view mirror. If she wasn’t mistaken, it was Tommy. What’s he up to now? She’d just gotten on the highway. Let’s play, Tommy.

  She switched to the left lane as she picked up speed. Traffic was heavy this time of night. Rush hour was nightmare on the interstate. She watched him pull into the left lane, staying two cars behind her. The speedometer hit eighty-five when she saw an opening just before the next exit. Maneuvering into the middle lane, she slowed down. Yep, he was definitely following her. Purposely missing her exit, she slipped between two trucks. She watched him change lanes and speed up, looking for her. She smiled as he passed her, unable to get across the three lanes to the next exit.

  Taking the exit, she put on her signal and pulled into the truck stop. He must have followed her from the condo. Why hadn’t she noticed him before? She needed to let Jake know tomorrow night, so it was on record. Tommy’s actions tonight and this past weekend scared her. Grabbing her phone, she hit speed dial.

  Not giving him a chance to speak, she yelled, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

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

  “Oh, you don’t, do you?” Sarcasm dripped off her tongue like honey from a spoon.

  “No.”

  Stubborn bastard. “Well watch it, Tom. I’m reporting the incident so it’s on record.”

  “You can report what you want, but you don’t have proof.”

  She heard the smirk in his voice. “Really? These cellphones are amazing you know. They not only have still cameras, they have video cameras.”

  “Bitch.”

  “That’s right, Tom. I don’t know what’s gotten into you this past week. I’m only going to tell you this once—back off.”

  “You’re my wife, Kyra.”

  “No, I’m not. Or not for long. You started the proceedings, remember? It’ll be final in a couple of weeks. So move on, Tom, because I have.” She disconnected. Sat there thinking for a while.

  Kyra pulled into Phil’s driveway right on time at six thirty. The guard at the gate waved her through. Scanning the area, she noted the same guards in the same positions as the last time. Phil certainly loved his privacy. The front door opened before she could knock.

  “Hey, Kyra, follow me,” Angelo greeted her.

  Always business, she thought. “Okay.”

  Angelo led the way. At Phil’s office, Kyra turned toward the door. What’s he grinning about?

  “This way.” He pointed farther down the hall. “You’ll be eating in the dining room.”

  Surprised, she turned to follow him to a part of the house she hadn’t seen before. An amazing, spacious room done in burgundy and beige, it had a formal feel to it. Whoever picked the art knew what they were doing, Kyra thought, as she took it all in. The chandelier captivated her. Exquisite Swarovski Crystal, if she wasn’t mistaken. Her gaze continued to move
around the room. The dining table would probably seat about fifty. There Phil sat at the head of the table like a king surveying his kingdom. He got up when she approached him.

  “Hi, Kyra.” He extended both his hands to her. Awkwardly, she raised her hands to his.

  “Hi, Phil, this is a lovely room.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  So they danced with formality, she reflected. “How have you been?” Lame.

  “Good. You?”

  “Fine.” At a loss for words, Kyra disengaged her hands to stroll around the room, looking at the artwork.

  “You seem nervous, Kyra. Why?”

  “I guess I am.” Never one to mince words, glad to get this part of the evening over, she continued, “I guess it’s awkward, Phil.”

  “Why?”

  Not giving her an inch, she pressed on. “After meeting you on the beach yesterday, you seemed upset.”

  “I am. Or I was,” he corrected.

  “I think you still are.” She held up her hand to stop his reply. “I didn’t have plans to see Jake again, as I told you Saturday night, but I like him. When he called on Sunday, I was thrilled to hear from him. While I was in the shower getting ready, you called.” A little lie, she thought.

  “Ah, so I missed out by minutes.” He snarled.

  “No, Phil.” She needed to be honest. “I enjoyed your company Saturday night, but you’re my boss. I don’t mix business and pleasure.” She stopped pacing the room to look at him.

  “So we are to have a business relationship only?”

  She couldn’t read him, his face was blank. Not one iota of emotion showing. She cringed inwardly. “I would like to think we have a friendship developing.”

  “A friendship. How insulting, Kyra.”

  Goddamn it, I’m screwed now. “Phil, it’s not my intention to insult you. I like you, but I work for you. You made that perfectly clear on Saturday night when I arrived for our date.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  She studied him, paced some more.

  “Kyra, please sit down. We can’t have a conversation with you moving around the room, it’s distracting.”

  “Sorry.” She walked to the table, sat in the first chair on his right.