by Rayna Morgan
He reached over and pressed the gun against the other man’s chest.
“Take care of her, kid. I’m going to finish loading my camper. It’s time for me to hit the road.”
“Are you crazy, Mickey?” Tim yelled. “I didn’t sign up for killing a cop.”
“You’ll do as I say, or else!”
Mickey shoved Tim and the weapon fell to the floor.
Pat dove for the gun, but Mickey crushed her hand beneath his boot. Ignoring her scream of pain, Mickey grabbed the weapon.
Holding her injured wrist, Pat rolled onto her back. She stared up at the barrel of the gun and the face of the devil holding it.
“Looks like I’ll have to take care of you myself,” Mickey cackled.
She felt the coldness of the concrete floor against her skin and closed her eyes.
Why didn’t I wait for backup?
Why haven’t I informed Tom or Jack about the stalker?
How could I fall into Mickey Flynn’s clutches a second time?
Who will take care of Hobo?
She waited to hear Mickey’s final gloating words.
“Drop it, Flynn!”
Her eyes flew open.
Mickey spun around and was immediately relieved of his weapon by a crippling blow to his arm.
Pat jumped to her feet. “What are you doing here, Cranston?”
The officer chuckled. “It appears I’m saving your hide from a precarious situation.”
“I thought you left town.”
“You think a lot of things about me that aren’t true. Now, handcuff these guys.”
• • •
Pat called for a van to haul the prisoners to the station.
The detectives locked the men in the storage unit and walked outside to wait. Cranston leaned against the building and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.
“You’re the last person I expected to see,” she admitted. “What made you come?”
“Don’t forget I was once your superior officer. I’m familiar with your modus operandi. React first, think later. When Tom couldn’t be found, I figured I better track you down.”
When she started to object, he held up a hand. “We’re all that way in the beginning. Eager to prove ourselves. But you’ll learn the value in waiting for backup.”
She rubbed her wrist. “That lesson is already sinking in.”
“There’s something else you need to figure out.”
“I feel a lecture coming on.”
He held up his hands. “No lecture, only advice.”
For a moment, she relived the terrible feeling of a gun being held to her head. She looked at the man who saved her life. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”
“Few things in our business are black and white. Things often aren’t as they appear.”
She gritted her teeth. “This won’t make up for whitewashing O’Brien’s conduct with Daisy.”
“That’s not what I expect. But for his sake, you should hear the truth. O’Brien didn’t ask Daisy for sexual favors. She offered them freely.”
“Why?”
“Because they were friends and she felt sorry for him. She knew he was going through a rough divorce.”
“What do you mean they were friends?”
“During his high school years, their families were neighbors. She was Donna then, before she took the street name Daisy. He looked after her even then. O’Brien came from a big, happy Irish family. Her family leaned more toward dysfunctional.
“Daisy was the youngest of four girls. Rather than being spoiled as youngest children are, she was ignored by a mother exhausted by child-rearing and a disinterested father. She ended up being an outsider who never fit in. As a result, she often got in trouble.”
“How did O’Brien and Daisy end up being close? There’s quite a difference in their ages.”
“Because their parents socialized, the children were frequently thrown together. He took over the role of guardian, keeping her out of trouble and providing someone for her to lean on. She looked to him as the older brother she never had.”
He paused to light a cigarette. “Her family moved away after he graduated. He hadn’t seen nor heard from her until the night you arrested her for prostitution.”
“Did he find out how she ended up in the business?”
“Without a stabilizing influence in her life, she quit going to school. Her father was so angry, he kicked her out. With no means of support, she fell prey to the usual unsavory types taking advantage of girls in her situation. When she tried to run away, they threatened her.”
“Then O’Brien came along and took further advantage of her situation,” she snapped.
He wagged his finger. “As I said, things aren’t always as they appear. When O’Brien met with Daisy, he was attempting to help.”
“That was the reason for their meet-up at the motel?”
“He was trying to get her to testify against the criminals she worked for so he could help her start a new life. Before he convinced her, you came to me with your complaint.”
“Why didn’t O’Brien let us know what was going on?”
“Daisy begged him to hide her identity. She feared repercussions from members of the gang and didn’t want her family to find out what she was into. To protect her until she testified, O’Brien let rumors circulate that he was letting her pay him back for protection from prosecution.”
“From what you’re saying, O’Brien not only risked his reputation but could have been subject to disciplinary charges.”
“I was trying to prevent that until we were in a position to disclose the truth.”
Pat shook her head. “You’re leaving something out, Cranston. No way an officer like O’Brien risks losing his job and his reputation.”
Cranston dropped the cigarette and ground it out.
“There’s more to his family history than he’s willing to disclose.”
She urged him to continue. “His secret is safe with me.”
He gave in. “O’Brien doesn’t have the heart to tell Daisy the truth.”
“The truth about what?”
“He is, in fact, the brother she longs for. At least, the half-brother.”
Pat was stunned. She took a moment to digest the information.
“Donna’s mother had an affair with O’Brien’s father?”
He nodded. “Daisy was the result. Neither of them wanted their marriage disrupted so they never disclosed the truth. O’Brien figured it out some years later.”
Pat considered what she’d heard. “The leaks to the public about the incident are damaging to the department. When do you and O’Brien plan to reveal the truth?”
“The vice squad is completing arrests based on information Daisy provided. The media department will release a version of events which paints Daisy as a hero without disclosing her capacity at the time of her arrest. She’ll be able to renew relations with her family with pride instead of shame.”
“That’s a good outcome, Cranston. I admit I misjudged you and O’Brien but without knowing the facts—”
“You jumped to conclusions. It’s easy to do. I hope what you’ve learned will help you avoid making that mistake in the future.” He moved toward his car. “You’re becoming a damn fine detective, Fisher.”
She grabbed his arm. “Speaking of learning…”
“I know what you’re going to say. There was a time women were flattered when men came on to them.” He looked down and kicked the asphalt. “These days, that kind of talk gets a guy a ticket to sexual harassment training.”
“Welcome to the world of gender equality.”
He raised his head and looked her in the eyes. “Don’t worry. I’m learning the proper way to communicate with female officers and subordinates.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“It wasn’t only my actions I regret, but the incorrect message I was sending people I trained. I’ll try to follow your chief’s example to make sure everyone in the precinct und
erstands what kind of behavior is no longer tolerated.”
“Sounds like you’ll become a good role model with a positive impact.”
“Like your lieutenant?”
She smiled. “Yes, like Tom.”
He turned to leave. “I’m taking off. You can have the credit for the bust. No one needs to know I came to your rescue.”
“You’re all right, Cranston.”
He got in his car.
She leaned over the window. “Looks like the Card Club will be shut down again. This time, for good. No one will be around to collect IOUs.”
He looked at her expectantly.
She nodded. “As far as I’m concerned, no one will know about your past proclivity for gambling.”
He smiled and started the engine.
“I never bought you that drink,” she said.
“Save it for when you testify in the Ortiz trial. We’ll celebrate securing justice for your friend.”
As he drove toward the gate, she hollered. “Have a safe trip.”
CHAPTER FORTY
Later that day, Pat called Lea to tell her about the arrests.
“I learned a few useful things about my case as a result of what transpired. Tim admitted he sent me threatening emails to get me to drop pursuit of Mickey.”
“I thought you considered Tim to be a friend.”
“He obviously values self preservation over friendship. But he wasn’t the one who tried to break into my apartment.”
“Then, who—?”
“We’ll figure that out later. My biggest concern now is finding Toby’s killer.”
“I assumed when you said you arrested Mickey…”
“Mickey has an alibi, even though I have yet to confirm his story with his mother.”
“Any mother would alibi her son.”
“He took her to the cafeteria they always frequent. There should be additional witnesses.”
“I imagine Tom is disappointed you can’t hang Toby’s murder on Mickey.”
“He’s fit to be tied. In fact, he’s got me tying up loose ends to make sure the illegal gambling charge will hold up when Mickey’s case goes to court. I’m also preparing testimony about my abduction. In the meantime, Tom is interviewing local crime groups to smoke out a money laundering link to Mickey or Toby.”
“Sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”
“That’s what I called to tell you. We’ll have to put my case on hold for a while.”
Lea sighed. “I’m sorry we didn’t learn the identity of the person who tried to break into your apartment.”
“At least the threatening messages have stopped.”
Lea started to hang up, but Pat continued. “I have some good news for your father.”
“He’s always up for good news.”
“After the arrest, we got a search warrant for Mickey’s motor home. We found the goods he took from the vault, including your father’s coins.”
“That’s a relief.”
She walked into her father’s office to report Pat’s news.
At the conclusion of her summary, she delivered the bit about the stolen goods being recovered.
“You won’t have to tell your friend at the Commission you lost his borrowed coins.”
She expected to hear an expression of gratitude. Instead, her father stared at the ceiling and folded his arms across his chest.
“So Tom is pursuing the money laundering link,” he mused.
“I hear your wheels churning, Dad. What are you thinking?”
A smile crinkled the corners of his mouth. “Just as there are two sides to a coin, there are two approaches to a problem.”
“Are you thinking of an approach which involves the Conley Austin Detective Agency?”
He jumped to his feet.
“Ask yourself, Lea. Who informed Mickey that Toby was cheating him?”
He grabbed his keys and motioned her to follow.
“We’re going to the Integrity office. We’ll talk strategy on the way.”
• • •
Phil was the only person at Integrity other than Danielle, who sat in her office at the back. Lea introduced herself as Warren’s daughter and handed him a card with the agency’s name.
Without reading the card, Phil looked at Warren. “Two lovely daughters. You’re a lucky man.”
He motioned them to chairs in front of his desk and closed his laptop. “Would you like coffee?”
The visitors answered in unison. “Please.”
“Mind if I use your phone?” Warren asked. “My cell phone isn’t charged.”
Phil turned the console in their direction. “No problem. Hit any button to get a line out.”
While Phil was gone, Warren jerked his head toward the back office. “It won’t hurt to have a witness to our conversation.”
Checking the directory on the console, he pushed the extension marked Danielle and hit the conference button.
When Phil resumed his seat, Warren didn’t bother to turn the console back in Phil’s direction. Lea dropped her purse in front of the lighted extension.
The broker leaned forward. “I hear the police made an arrest in Toby’s murder.”
Warren got right to the point. “You’re familiar with the man in custody. He’s the person you mentioned at lunch. You thought Toby called him Nick or Mick. His name is Mickey Flynn.”
Phil feigned surprise, but perspiration dotted his forehead.
“Is there anything else you can tell us about him?” Lea asked.
“Not really. Is he supposed to be a client of ours?”
“He’s more than a client.” Warren leaned forward, placing his elbows on Phil’s desk. “He has access to the locked room where your company stores valuables.”
The underarm stain on Phil’s shirt spread. “How did the man get access to our storage room?”
“It could be as you suggested. He and Toby may have colluded in illegal activities.”
For the first time, Phil noticed the logo on Lea’s card. His eyes narrowed.
“Conley Austin Detective Agency. Are you investigating Integrity?”
Warren leaned back, but his eyes remained locked on Phil. “A friend asked us to check out the company.”
“Do you suspect Toby helped this Flynn fellow launder money?”
“More than likely.”
Phil took his time, deliberately connecting dots to form a conclusion. “The reason for Toby’s murder must have been fallout of some sort between the conspirators.”
Warren stroked his chin. “So it would appear.”
“Do the police believe that’s the cause of Toby’s death?”
“Someone tipped Mickey that Toby was cheating him. Once Mickey learned of Toby’s deception, revenge became a logical motive for murder.”
Phil rushed to confirm the allegation. “So Mickey Flynn killed Toby.”
“Don’t act surprised, Phil,” Lea said. “Isn’t that the result you hoped for when you tipped Mickey about Toby cheating him?”
“Me?” His head pivoted from Lea to Warren. “Are you suggesting I’m in the middle of this?”
Warren responded in a sharp tone. “Whoever tipped Mickey will be considered an accomplice to Toby’s murder.”
Phil looked worried. “Are the police looking for the informant?”
Neither Warren nor Lea responded.
The broker pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. “It wasn’t me. As I said, I don’t know this Mickey Flynn.”
Warren decided it was time to turn the screws. “Unfortunately, Flynn has an alibi for the time of the murder. The police are looking in other directions.”
“Who do they suspect?”
“Anyone who wanted Toby out of the way.”
Lea leaned forward. “Does that description fit you, Phil?”
His chin jutted out. “I resent your implication.”
“You manipulated us cleverly,” Warren admitted. “You led us to believe Toby was i
nvolved in some nefarious scheme with an unidentified partner. In fact, the roles are reversed. You’re Mickey’s partner.”
“Toby figured out what you were doing and wanted to be cut in,” Lea guessed. “If you didn’t give him a piece of the pie, he threatened to tell Ed.”
Warren expanded their line of reasoning. “You probably gave him a full commission on the sale of the copper penny without the usual split with the house.”
Phil smirked. “Why would I do that?”
“Hoping to satisfy him so he’d move on. But Toby was greedy. He wanted a share of the business.”
“He also wanted Danielle,” Lea added. “The woman you’re in love with.”
“That’s crazy!” Phil yelled. But mention of her name brought a glow to his already flushed complexion.
Warren ignored Phil’s outburst. “When you joined us for lunch, you planted the idea of a money laundering scheme. You also alluded to Ed as a figurehead and Toby’s elusive partner as the real person in charge.”
“Except Mickey’s not smart enough,” Lea interjected. “That’s what put my father onto you.”
Warren’s eyes sparkled as he studied the other man. “Mild mannered Phil. The brains behind the whole operation.”
Phil’s face turned a deeper shade of red. “You can’t be serious!”
“You brought Mickey in as a financial source to grow the business. It gave him the legitimate business he needed to launder dirty money from his illegal gambling operation. As soon as you repaid his loan, for which he undoubtedly charged an exorbitant rate of interest, he would have been out of the picture.”
“That’s quite a tale you’re spinning. But it hardly suggests a reason for me to murder Toby.”
“On the contrary. Feeling heat from the police, Mickey was eager to leave town. He called in your loan to provide the cash he needed for his escape. Except you weren’t in a position to repay the money. Which meant in addition to Toby’s threat of exposure, you faced a bigger problem.”
“You can’t think I killed Toby.”
“No one has accused you of killing Toby.”
Phil’s relief was as brief as the moment until Warren’s next accusation.
“You’re not the type to want blood on your hands. Instead, you found a smarter way out of your dilemma.”