Grim Tempest

by Amanda M. Lee

  “And just for the record, you’re doing what here?” Craig pressed.

  “Gathering family items for my father to add to our inventory list,” Braden answered smoothly. “Every few years we need everything photographed and logged. We’re in antiquities and antiques – our father is well known in the area – and it’s inventory time. It’s a pain, but it has to be done.”

  “And that’s what you have there?” Craig gestured toward the stack of items in my arms.

  “Yes.” I offered him a gander. “They’re family antiques that won’t mean anything to anyone but us. We’re not doing anything wrong.”

  “Oh, but they weren’t in their family mausoleum,” Green complained. “They were in the Olivet mausoleum. They’re Grimlocks.”

  “Grimlock?” Craig cocked an eyebrow. “I knew I recognized you. You’re Griffin Taylor’s fiancée.”

  I nodded and bit my lower lip. “He’s going to be upset about this. He’s been worried about Detective Green’s interest, too.” That wasn’t a total lie. Griffin wasn’t happy with Green’s constant attention, but not due to sexual concerns. I had to play the hand I was dealt. “It’s been a very trying couple of weeks.”

  “You can’t possibly be falling for this,” Green complained. “She’s exaggerating and making stuff up. I haven’t been stalking her.”

  “Who said anything about stalking?” Braden adopted an innocent tone. “I don’t believe we used that word, even if it might be the correct word.”

  “I think he has that word on the brain for very obvious reasons.” I leaned closer to Craig and dropped my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “He tried to pin me for murders that I couldn’t possibly have carried out a few weeks ago. I think he’s … disturbed … because he couldn’t solve that crime.”

  “I remember that.” Craig offered up a half smile that told me I’d already won. I managed to keep my hips from swinging, but just barely. Doing my “I won” dance in a cemetery while surrounded by cops would not go over well. “Detective Taylor was very upset because he felt you were being unfairly targeted.”

  “She had bodies drop at her townhouse and right next to her in downtown Royal Oak,” Green countered.

  “And yet look at her,” Craig said. “She’s tiny. How could she possibly carry a body downtown? I mean … no. That’s just stupid.”

  Braden and I exchanged a quick look. This was going better than we’d envisioned.

  “I think, just to be on the safe side, we should take this down to the station and sort it out there,” Craig added. “That’s probably the safest bet for everybody.”

  Wait … what? “Can’t we just go home?” I did my best to look pitiable. “I’m shaken from him showing up and threatening me … again.”

  “I’m going to threaten to shut that mouth for you if you’re not careful,” Green warned.

  “He’s very violent,” I whispered.

  Craig rested his hand on my shoulder. “I won’t let him touch you. Detective Taylor wouldn’t like that at all. You can ride with me down to the station if it makes you feel safer. Your brother can follow in your vehicle and we’ll get everything sorted there. I doubt it will take more than twenty minutes.”

  Double crap on toast! This day was going from bad to worse. “I would love to ride with you,” I lied, my stomach twisting. I couldn’t deny his request unless I wanted to look guilty. I was still playing the innocent victim, so I had absolutely no choice but to capitulate.

  Griffin would be absolutely furious when he heard about this.

  21

  Twenty-One

  I knew Braden would call Dad from his vehicle, so I didn’t bother messing with my cell during the ride. Inspector Craig put me in the back of his cruiser, but he hadn’t cuffed me. He apologized profusely because I was essentially in a cage. I figured he was more worried about Griffin’s reaction than my feelings, but this was hardly my first time in a patrol vehicle so I wasn’t about to freak out and start crying.

  Craig helped me out when we arrived at the station, casting me the occasional glance as we walked through the back door. I could practically see his mind working, but I offered nothing by way of explanation. The game had shifted and it was time to go into damage control mode.

  “Are you okay?” Craig asked as he showed me into an interrogation room. “Do you need anything? How about a soda or something?”

  “I’ll take a bottle of water.” They were the first words I’d uttered since leaving the cemetery and the relief that flashed across Craig’s face was profound.

  “Sure. Have a seat.”

  I rested the items I removed from the mausoleum on the table and settled in one of the chairs. I had no idea how I was going to get out of this one, but I was sure it would be a story my family bandied about over drinks and laughter for years to come. For now, though, I couldn’t find anything funny about the situation.

  “Let’s talk about what happened,” Craig suggested when he returned to the room. His partner was conveniently absent, which probably meant he was talking to the higher-ups. Word would spread fast that Griffin’s live-in girlfriend was in the house … and being questioned. I was sorry for that because Griffin had done nothing wrong.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “What were you doing at the cemetery?”

  “I already told you.”

  “Tell me again.”

  I could’ve done that. I could’ve repeated the story. I was a gifted liar when it came to situations like this, after all, but I didn’t want to risk making an error because I’d told the original story on the fly and didn’t get a chance to pin down details and commit them to memory before opening my big mouth. “I would rather contact my lawyer.”

  The change in my demeanor threw Craig for a loop. “I’m sorry, but … what did you say?”

  “Lawyer,” I repeated. “I want one.”

  “You’re not under arrest.”

  Oh, that’s what they always said. I knew better than playing that game. “I still want a lawyer.”

  “I’m just trying to figure out exactly what happened this afternoon.”

  “And my lawyer can answer those questions for you.” I refused to back down. “You know you can’t question me without a lawyer present after I’ve requested representation. You’re breaking the law.”

  Craig balked. “I am not. I think I know the law better than you do.”

  I’d been arrested enough times to argue the point with him but calling my record into question would probably be a bad move. “I want a lawyer,” I repeated. “I’m not answering another question without a lawyer present.”

  Craig sucked in a steadying breath. “Ms. Grimlock, I’m not trying to be a hardass here. I need information from you if we both expect to make this go away.”

  He was good. I was better. “I haven’t done anything wrong. My lawyer will explain that to you once I’m allowed to call him. If you don’t allow me to call him, I can file a complaint with the city and we’ll take it from there. It’s up to you.”

  “Ms. Grimlock … .”

  The door to the interrogation room flew open to allow Griffin entrance. He was dressed down for a day at home, simple jeans and a black T-shirt. He looked a little tired, which was probably good since he’d taken a personal day, but otherwise he seemed okay.

  I was thankful for that.

  “I believe she asked for a lawyer, Inspector Craig.” Griffin’s fury was palpable. “In fact, I’m certain she’s asked for a lawyer multiple times. Is there a reason you haven’t disengaged?”

  Craig swallowed hard. “I … um … I’m just trying to get answers from her. She’s not under arrest.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have transported her to the station for questioning, should you?” Griffin briefly glanced at me before focusing his full attention on Craig. “Why is she even here?”

  “She was caught removing items from Eternal Sunshine Cemetery.” Craig recovered, although only marginally, and gestured toward th
e stack of items on the table. “A Royal Oak detective tried to take her into custody and she refused.”

  “Royal Oak?” Griffin turned back to me. “Green?”

  I nodded. “Apparently he’s following me.”

  “Son of a … !” Griffin viciously swore under his breath. “Inspector Craig, I need a moment with Ms. Grimlock. If you could wait outside, I’d appreciate it.”

  Craig clearly wasn’t happy with the suggestion. “I’m supposed to question her.”

  “And that’s still on the table but I need to talk to her first.”

  “I … you … the captain … .”

  “If you have a problem with it, take it to the captain,” Griffin growled. “For now, get out.”

  Craig abandoned his attempts at argument and scurried from the room, casting a final look over his shoulder before Griffin closed the door. The look on Griffin’s face was fierce and I couldn’t tell if he was going to hug or shake me.

  “Are you okay?” He pulled me in for a quick hug, which was the reaction I was hoping for.

  “I’m fine.” I tilted my head back so I could stare at his face. “I’m so sorry this happened. We had no idea he was outside the mausoleum. He took us by surprise.”

  “We don’t have a lot of time.” Griffin sat next to me and drew my hands into his. “Stick to your story.” He kept his voice low. “I’m going to talk to the captain. Hopefully I’ll be able to make this go away.”

  “Don’t do that if it will get you in trouble. You didn’t do this. I did.”

  “Yeah, well, we’re a unit. Your trouble is my trouble.”

  That’s exactly what I was afraid of. “I know you feel guilty because of what happened and that makes you want to do something – anything, really – to protect me, but you should stay out of this. If they throw me in jail I’ll survive.”

  “You’re not spending the night in jail.” Griffin was firm. “I’ll figure a way out.” He pressed a quick kiss to his forehead. “Your father is on his way with a lawyer.”

  Because my last lawyer turned out to be a homicidal maniac I couldn’t help but wonder who Dad was tapping for the job. I pointed Craig toward the corporate office when he asked during the drive, but I didn’t have a specific name. I was happy to hear Dad was on the case. “Real quick, we have something to talk about. Green is clearly following me. We weren’t home last night. That means he knew I was at Grimlock Manor and followed me from there.”

  “And you didn’t see him?”

  I shook my head. “Braden was driving. I wasn’t paying attention.”

  Griffin shifted his eyes to the stacked items on the table. “And that stuff?”

  I shrugged. “It might be clues and it might be nothing. We don’t know.”

  “Okay.” Griffin squeezed my hands. “Hold tight. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Okay.”

  Griffin reluctantly released my hands as he stood. “Is there anything else?”

  “Just one thing. When we first saw him, Green was bordering on a rage. It must have stormed when we were in the mausoleum. It passed, although he was furious when Braden called 911. There was this weird mist thing hanging around and I think that was affecting him.”

  “He didn’t touch you, did he?” Griffin’s eyes darkened and sent a chill down my spine. “Did he lay a hand on you?”

  “No. I’m fine. Braden was there and it was his bright idea to call Detroit cops.”

  “I think he made the right choice.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t tell him that. I’ll never live it down.”

  Griffin cracked a smile. “We’ll figure it out, baby. Just hold on.”

  “I have nothing better to do.”

  “I’ll be back.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  I SAT ALONE IN THE interrogation room for what felt like forever. In real time it was probably only thirty minutes, but it felt infinitely longer. When Craig finally returned, he wasn’t alone and he didn’t look happy.

  “Ms. Grimlock, we have a few more questions for you.”

  I glanced in turn at the men standing behind him. They looked older and I recognized one of them from a softball game Griffin made me play with his co-workers the previous summer. He was one of Griffin’s bosses, but I was having trouble remembering his name.

  “Lawyer.” I uttered the one word as I stared at my fingernails.

  The man I was certain I recognized sat in the chair directly to my left. “Ms. Grimlock, I’m not sure you remember me, but my name is Adam Teske. I’m Griffin’s captain.”

  “I remember you.” I mostly did. I remembered him being something of a jerk. Of course, I wasn’t fond of cops in general. Griffin was the lone exception. “What do you want?”

  Teske shifted at my tone. “I don’t believe I’ve earned the attitude.”

  “Really?” I was done playing at being pleasant. “So far today I’ve been sent out for inventory even though Griffin wasn’t feeling well and I wanted to take care of him. My father made me go and I’m still not happy about it. I got ambushed in a cemetery. I got transported in a police car. Now I’m stuck in interrogation, and I just know my father is going to have a meltdown. This isn’t my finest hour.”

  Teske leaned back in his chair. “Your father is in the lobby now. He’s a very … formidable … man.”

  “Just wait until you keep disallowing my lawyer to visit me.”

  Teske balked. “That is not what’s happening.”

  “That’s exactly what’s happening. I’m not new at this. I know what’s going on.”

  “Yes, I pulled your record when I heard that there seemed to be a disagreement of sorts about your presence in the department.” Now Teske was on the offensive. “You have a very colorful history.”

  I couldn’t hide my smirk. “I don’t like being ordinary.”

  “I don’t think anyone would ever accuse you of that.” Teske made a clucking sound with his tongue. “You’ve been accused of motor vehicle theft several times.”

  “Those were all misunderstandings. Er, well, except for when Dad accused me of it. Then I really did steal his car, but he had it coming because he tried to keep me from leaving the house.”

  “And why did he have that coming?”

  “Because he was keeping me locked up simply because I was a girl. He didn’t lock up my brothers. Now, if he wanted to punish me for something I’d done wrong I would’ve been fine with it. Locking me up simply because I have a vagina is not allowed.”

  The turn in the conversation made Teske uncomfortable if the color flushing his cheeks was to be believed. Hmm. That was very interesting. Like most men of a certain age, talk of female body parts made him squirm. I could work with that.

  “You’ve been arrested several times for fighting in public and general rowdiness.”

  “What can I say?” I held my hands palms out and shrugged. “I have a certain way about me.”

  “You certainly do,” Teske agreed. “That’s why we’re not buying your story. Why were you in that mausoleum?”

  Here we go. “Lawyer.”

  “Your family mausoleum is located several plots down,” Teske persisted. “Why were you in the Olivet mausoleum?”

  “Lawyer.”

  “Detective Green is convinced you’re up to something nefarious,” Teske said. “He thinks you might be hiding body parts or something.”

  I snorted. “Hiding body parts at a cemetery? What a novel idea.” I rolled my eyes. Then something occurred to me. “Green didn’t say that at the cemetery. He must’ve said that here. That means he followed me … again.”

  Teske straightened. “Okay, I’m going to be straight with you. Detective Green is trying to have you transferred to the Royal Oak Police Department. Detective Taylor is adamant that won’t happen because Detective Green is stalking you.

  “Now, I tend to believe Detective Taylor because he’s a good cop who has never given me a lick of trouble,” he continued. “He’s devoted to you, w
hich means he has a conflict of interest in this situation. That means I can’t agree with him because it will look as if I’m playing favorites.”

  “That sounds terrible for you,” I deadpanned. “You must be very upset. Me? I went to work today and got harassed by a creepy guy who keeps showing up wherever I am. Do you understand that I didn’t spend the night at home last night? Griffin and I spent the night at my father’s house. That means that Detective Green followed us from there, probably camped out on the street in his car all night. You don’t find that weird?”

  “I find it extremely weird, and Detective Taylor said the same. You have to understand, we can’t simply lob accusations at another officer. That’s not how it works.”

  “Yes, the blue wall of silence or whatever you call it,” I muttered, shaking my head. “I honestly don’t know what to tell you. I’ve given you my story. I’m not going to change it. You need to either charge me or let me go.”

  “And what if I can’t do either?”

  I opted for honesty. “You’ve been very blunt with me, which I appreciate. It’s my turn to be blunt with you.” I licked my lips and smiled. “You’ve met my father. I can guarantee he’s still on his best behavior because things haven’t had time to completely spiral out of control. That will change quickly.

  “He’s a very rich man who always gets what he wants,” I continued. “The lawyer he’s hired is probably topnotch and used to messing with cops. I’m going to guess there’s a lawsuit in your future because I’ve asked to see my lawyer like, fifteen times and been ignored. That’s not going to sit well with my father.”

  Teske visibly blanched. “Then answer the questions and we can get you out of here.”

  “I’ve already answered the questions. I’m not doing it again. I’m tired … and cranky … and I want to go home. You either need to let my lawyer in or let me out. Those are your only two options.”