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

by Marian Lanouette

  “Joe, come here. Help me turn this dresser over.”

  “Sure, Lieutenant. What exactly are you looking for?”

  Shrugging, he said, “I’ll know when I find it.”

  They turned over the last nightstand and there, taped to the bottom, was a flash drive. He just found his luck. Checking to see if Stack’s computer was still turned on, Jake loaded the flash drive. It contained two files. One was a Word file, and the other was an Excel spreadsheet.

  “Holy mother of God!” Jake said, as he watched the data load.

  Jake couldn’t believe his eyes as he scanned down the Word file. All there in black and white were the dates, evidence, and requests from Phil Lucci that he asked Stack to supply him. Carl Stack kept a road map covering his ass. All the evidence, numbered by case file, and descriptions of the evidence stolen or misplaced. As a cop, Stack should’ve known better than to keep records implicating him. Christ, he even named other cops. Jake noticed that he kept a side note of the different people who went missing, but didn’t follow through. Well, we will, Jake thought.

  What Jake did notice was there was no reference to Kyra Russell in any of the files. She wasn’t on Stack’s radar. Maybe, just maybe, she was clean. His gut still told him she wasn’t.

  “I can’t believe he was stupid enough to put it all down on his computer. Lord, I worked alongside him and Carrusso every day and didn’t have a fucking clue.” Green shook his head.

  “He was covering his ass, or so he thought. But you’re right, it was stupid, because it confirms he was dirty. IA is going to love this.”

  Jake shook his head. Before taking the flash drive out of the computer, he hunted up two more flash drives to make copies. He wasn’t taking any chances that this one could disappear. He’d lock up the second copy at home, away from the station and another dirty cop. Phil owned more than one cop here in Wilkesbury. The third copy was for Trooper Sergeant Cale MacDermid. Jake put the original one in an evidence bag. The copy for MacDermid he put in another. How the hell did the state troopers miss this, Jake wondered. Did Lucci’s reach hit them too?

  As he climbed into his car, he dialed Louie’s cellphone number. “Did you find the money?” he asked, with no preamble.

  “I have traces. I’m working with the Electronics Division to get the whole thing.”

  “Good, we’ll be back in ten minutes. Grab a conference room and let Shamus know I need him there in twenty.”

  He hung up and outlined in his head how he wanted to proceed with the case and the charges against the dirty cops and Phil Lucci. The dirty cops would be IA’s problem, but he personally wanted Phil Lucci for corrupting his department. And, if he were honest with himself, for dating Kyra even once.

  Nodding to his captain, Louie, and Green as he entered the conference room, he wasn’t surprised that the captain had invited Lieutenant Rinaldi of IA to join them. Jake walked right to the front of the room. As he started talking, the others stopped.

  “Green, shut the door please. What I’m putting up on the screen here is only being shared with the four of you at this time.” Jake clicked the remote in his hand and the overhead lit up with Stack’s information.

  “I think it’s wise to proceed carefully here. I’ve found five cops in this department that are on Phil Lucci’s payroll. In Missing Persons there was Stack and Carrusso, in the Electronics Division there’s Pat Murphy, and two uniforms assigned to the Illegals Department.”

  “Isn’t that Miller’s department?” Lieutenant Rinaldi asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Is he dirty also?”

  “Not that I could find. I haven’t studied the entire contents of the drive. There wasn’t enough time, but I’ll have all that information for tomorrow.” Jake handed Lieutenant Rinaldi his copy of the information.

  “What I’m going after here first is Phil Lucci. I believe he killed Stack.” Jake let that sit out there for a minute before he continued. “Carl might have been dirty, but no one gets away with killing a cop.”

  “What else do you have, Jake? We can’t go after Lucci based solely on this evidence. It could be argued as hearsay,” Captain McGuire said.

  “It could. Or it could be declared a dying man’s last confession. The only reason I haven’t picked up Lucci is that I agree with you. I’ve been putting together other things that will add weight to this evidence. Louie, how did you do with Stack’s financials?”

  “He has six accounts with local banks, totaling three hundred thousand dollars. He has four more accounts in New York banks totaling another two hundred fifty thousand. I haven’t heard back from the offshore accounts or the Caymans. I don’t expect an answer there until tomorrow afternoon at the soonest.”

  “Lucci is generous. That’s five hundred fifty thousand dollars. We need to trace the deposits back to their source.”

  “I’m already on them, Jake,” Louie said. “I should have something back tomorrow on that also.”

  “Good. Green, I need you to pull all these cases that Stack referred to in his notes. I also need the outcome from those trials. If anyone asks, I’m running you ragged.”

  “On it.” Green left the room.

  “What about Saul Church?” Captain McGuire asked.

  “That’s a pisser. We haven’t found anything on the guy. There was only one vague reference in Stack’s notes or in his files. The guy disappeared into thin air.”

  “No theories on that, Jake?” Rinaldi asked.

  “I’m working on one, but it’s far-fetched.”

  “Care to share?” McGuire asked.

  “Not at this time.”

  “Lieutenant Rinaldi, I’m going to leave the cops to you. Can you share what you glean with us tomorrow?” Jake saw him hesitate and added, “I’m only looking for the gist of it and how it pertains to my part of the operation. I don’t want to duplicate our efforts. At some point, I’m going to need to interview those cops.”

  “I’ll speak to my captain and get back to you. You understand any investigation into an officer has to be confidential until he’s charged or cleared.”

  “I’m not looking to hurt anyone.” Frustrated, Jake ran his fingers through his hair. “I just want this mess to go away. The publicity’s going to smear the department yet again.”

  “I understand. We’ll spin that if we can, but there will be fallout over this.”

  “We’ll meet again tomorrow at ten o’clock.” Jake gathered up his notes and drives.

  “Jake, you have a minute?”

  “Yes, Shamus.”

  “Tread lightly here. I’ve done some research on Phil Lucci and connected with some people in the organized crime section of the FBI. They say Phil Lucci’s one mean son-of-a-bitch, but they warned that his sidekick, Angelo Rainford, is far worse. He’s Phil’s enforcer.”

  “I’m not going in until I’m sure we can get a conviction. Shamus, I’m going to give the state trooper I’ve been working with a copy of the drive also. He seems pretty straightforward. I like the way he shared everything with me.”

  “Your call, Jake. The more people who know, the more chance it’ll get back to Lucci.”

  On the walk back to his office, he found Louie unusually quiet. Expecting him to continue on to the bullpen, Jake was surprised when he walked into his office behind him and shut the door.

  “What weren’t you telling the others, Jake?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Jake, I’ve known you for a long time, and on top of that, we’ve been partners for a long time. I know there’s something in your head, and nine out of ten times it’s right on the money.” Louie tilted his head. Jake shook his.

  “I’m not sharing right now, Louie. You need to back off.”

  Louie stared, turned abruptly, and left Jake’s office without another word. God, I don’t want to get into it with Louie on top of everything else right now. With Louie, there was no forgiveness.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Kyra popped into Jake’s min
d as he reviewed Stack’s evidence. Relieved that there was nothing connecting Kyra to Stack or Lucci, Jake ran her financials. He knew he was walking a thin line there. Over the line actually, if he were honest with himself. He didn’t have a warrant for her information, but if push came to shove he could link her to Lucci and cover his ass that way. Deep in thought, he was startled when his cellphone rang. Thinking it was Kyra, he grabbed it and answered without looking at the caller ID.

  “Jake, its Mia.”

  Boy, he’d been so busy he hadn’t called her. “What’s up?”

  “Everything all right?”

  “Yes, Mia. I have a couple of cases hitting their peak and I’m working crazy hours on them.” Cops made lousy partners. It took a special person to put up with the hours.

  “How are things on the personal front?” What did she need? They weren’t supposed to contact each other until Monday.

  “Kyra’s fine, Mia. Our week has been interrupted with a cop killing and her ex-husband being beat up. So we haven’t had much time to socialize. If that’s what you’re asking.”

  Silence from Mia. Interesting, Jake thought. “Was it anyone I knew?”

  “No, he wasn’t at Louie’s party.

  “I guess I’m a little jealous and that’s new for me, Jake. I’m counting the days until Monday.” That had to be hard for her to admit, he thought.

  “I am too. I hope I can clear these cases by then, so we have more time together. Maybe we should plan a long weekend away next month?”

  “I like that idea. I won’t bother you again until Monday.”

  “You’re not bothering me, Mia. I just have a lot on my mind right now. I’ll call you tonight, but it’ll be late. Is that okay?”

  “Yes.”

  *

  Kyra bought the car at lunchtime. The Audi looked to be in good shape and she liked the silver color. Title in hand, she dashed off to the Motor Vehicles Department and got temporary plates. She drove the car home, garaged it, and slipped into her old car as she placed a call to Dina. Nobody needed to know about the new car.

  “Dina,” she said, the minute the phone was answered. “I won’t be back this afternoon. My errands are taking longer than I expected. Mark it off as a vacation day.”

  With that taken care of, Kyra headed to her parents’ house to visit with her mother. She feigned a headache and asked to lie down for a while. Once upstairs she pulled up the floorboard in her old bedroom. On her way over she decided to hide half the money there, in case she got caught.

  This money would be Trevor’s future. With the money secured under the floorboards, Kyra left an envelope addressed to her parents on her old bed. Her mother vacuumed all the rooms every day, so Kyra knew she’d find it. She understood it was a dramatic gesture, but she needed to let them know how much she loved them and trusted them to take care of Trevor if anything happened to her. She gave them ammunition against Tom and his parents so they could get custody of Trevor, if necessary.

  Back down to her mother’s kitchen she sat at the table while her mother made tea. The kitchen needed updating, she noted. It hadn’t changed since she was in her teens. The table she sat at was maple as were the four chairs placed around it. The center of the table sported a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers her mother picked from her garden. The wallpaper had yellowed with time and desperately needed changing. Kyra personally would go nuts looking at those flowers on the paper all the time, but her mother didn’t seem to mind.

  “What’s the matter, Kyra?”

  “Everything and nothing.”

  “Well, that makes sense.” Her mother looked at her with concern.

  “Mom, someone beat Tom up the last night.”

  “No.” Kyra could see the fear and suspicion on her mother’s face.

  “Yes. I was questioned, but I didn’t have anything to do with it. He’s been out drinking every night, it seems. Tom’s been leaving Trevor with his parents most nights, and that’s not good for Trevor.”

  “No, it isn’t. His mother’s a mean woman.”

  “She is, and Trevor doesn’t like her. I have a favor to ask, Mom.”

  “What is it?”

  “If I can’t get custody of Trevor, will you and Dad apply for it?”

  Her mother didn’t answer right away. She walked thoughtfully back to the stove and poured the water for another cup of tea. Finally, she turned, looking right at her.

  “Yes, we will.”

  Kyra got up from her chair and hugged her mother.

  Pleased that Trevor’s future was settled, Kyra left her parents’ house to head to the school to pick him up. Before she reached the school her cellphone rang.

  “Kyra, it’s Jake. Can we meet?”

  “Now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Jake, I’m on my way to the school to pick up Trevor. Tom asked me to.” Why was she giving him an explanation?

  “It’s important, Kyra. I thought school didn’t get out for another couple of hours?”

  “I have to take him to a doctor’s appointment.” Her stomach started flipping. She had to pull to the curb before she hit something. Why today? She still had to pick up the new car with her suitcase and money.

  “Five minutes? I’ll meet you anywhere.”

  “Fine, where are you?” she sighed.

  Sitting at the curb for a good ten minutes before she was able to pull back into traffic. Kyra put the car in gear then drove across town to meet with Jake. He’d picked his house for privacy. Was she walking into a trap? He wouldn’t tell her what it was about. Her anxiety level rose as did the bile in her stomach. A tidal wave crashing onto the shore, its contents rushing up and then out again. Halfway across town she pulled over, opened her door and leaning out, threw up on the street. The horrible taste stayed in her mouth, but she didn’t have any water to rinse it out. Better get driving, Kyra. Relax. Jake can’t possibly know anything. Hold it together, and in two hours we’ll be on the road to a new life.

  As she pulled into Jake’s driveway, his front door opened. Great. What’s he in such a hurry to tell me? Kyra got out of her old car, thanking the gods she’d been smart enough not to drive around in the new one. At least something went her way today. She walked to the door and Jake leaned down and kissed her. Well, that was another good sign.

  “Come in, Kyra. Do you want something to drink?”

  “No. I have to get Trevor.”

  “Okay. I have to go over a few things with you.”

  “Is this about Mia?”

  “No, it’s not. It’s about everything. A cop was killed the other day, and it’s looking like Phil Lucci is involved.”

  “Oh my God, you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m positive. This cop was on the take and he ties into the missing persons case I’m working.”

  “Who was the cop?”

  “Carl Stack. I asked you about him the other night.”

  “I remember, but I couldn’t figure out why you asked me.”

  “Because of your connection to Phil Lucci.”

  Kyra stared at Jake, dumbfounded. “Jake, my connection…one date doesn’t make a connection. We’ve been over this time and time again. What is your problem?”

  “You’ve had more than one date with him. You went to his house for dinner a couple of times. Why?”

  “He asked me, and I didn’t see the harm in it then. I won’t go again, now that I know he’s tied into a murder. Honestly, Jake, I thought you were just being jealous.” Lord, she hoped he believed her.

  He seemed to ignore her answer. “Kyra, I asked myself over and over what Phil Lucci would want with you. In the beginning, I kept coming back to the fact that you’re a beautiful woman. Then I found out who and what he was and I had to ask myself the question again. The only answer I can come up with is that he wanted to use you. That would only make sense if it had something to do with what you do for a living.”

  Stunned, speechless she gaped at him. Kyra felt the sweat pool between her br
easts as she tried to find the strength to form an answer that would appease Jake.

  “You’ve got nothing to say?”

  “I…I’m speechless, Jake. What could I possibly do for him?” Dear God, don’t make me a day late taking Trevor to safety. Now I’ll never get away. The fear built in Kyra’s chest until she thought she would burst and confess. Hold it together, you almost gone. Think of Trevor only.

  “You’re not that naïve.” Jake hadn’t broken eye contact with her since she’d walked in the door. Was he trying to read her?

  “What you’re suggesting is obscene.” They’d been standing. She walked farther into the room and sat in one of his chairs.

  “I’m going to find my answers, Kyra. I hope I’m wrong.” He sat on the coffee table in front of her, took her hands in his. “Kyra, if you are involved with him tell me now, so I can help you.”

  Cops are liars danced around in her head. Would he trick her? What should she do? Christ, all she’d wanted was money to get custody of her son, now look where she was.

  She stood. “Don’t bother coming over tonight, Jake. Or any night, for that matter. We’re done.”

  She turned, started walking to the door. He grabbed her by the arm and spun her around.

  “Don’t you understand that I care about you? If you’re in trouble, I’ll help you. You just have to trust me.”

  “Trust is a two-way street, Jake.” She disengaged her arm and reached for the door, tears running down her face. “This isn’t how I pictured our last night together.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Jake watched her walk out, helpless to stop her. She was a good liar, but she was lying. She had all the classic tells. The question was what was she lying about? He had no evidence of any wrongdoing. Was she right, that he was trying to push her away for good? It was rare for him to question his instincts, but she’d planted doubt in his mind. He locked up his house and headed back to the station.

  As he walked through the lobby, McGuire called to him. McGuire didn’t engage in small talk. “Jake, I’ve got the FBI and the state’s Joint Task Force in my office. I need you and Louie there now.”