All the Hidden Sins

by Marian Lanouette

“She’s different.”

  “She is. I like her, but she’s still a woman. They operate with a different code.”

  “She does have a code.”

  “Yeah, I noticed it when she did the cremation. One that might break her for not respecting it. Why are we going to Hartford? Are we going there to talk to David?”

  “No.”

  “Then what?”

  “I haven’t figured it out yet, keep driving.”

  “She messed with your head last night?”

  “No. I did.”

  “How?”

  “I want more than she’s willing to give. For some reason she’s scared of me.”

  “Smart woman.” Angelo grinned.

  Phil left the conversation there. As they drove, he analyzed every word she’d spoken last night. Did she back off because he had put his hand on her breast? The kiss shocked him—he expected passionate, but it was as if he kissed a corpse. Didn’t he turn her on? She seemed inexperienced even though she’d been married. Was she a one-man woman? Lucky guy if that was the case. Phil didn’t like her ex waiting for her outside her door last night. If it continued, he’d personally speak with him.

  He loved nothing more than a strong woman because it was an incredible surge of triumph when he broke her. Kyra might be too strong for her own good. If he couldn’t break her, he’d kill her. No one refused him.

  It had surprised him she hadn’t gone straight to the casino once she got the payoff. Did the gambling lose its appeal to her? Or did she learn her lesson? He made a decision, tapped on the glass separating him from Angelo.

  “Yeah, boss.”

  “Turn around, head to the shore instead.” He’d let the natural cycle of things play out and try not to spy on her.

  Chapter 12

  Kyra’s call had him putting the gambler’s file on the back burner for today. After agonizing over Mia for the last few weeks, he looked forward to a relaxing day with Kyra. No pressure, no fear of screwing up, no anxiety. If nothing else but a friendship developed with her, he was okay with that. Jake called the deli on Highland Avenue and ordered lunch: two different kinds of sandwiches, fruit, drinks, and chips. The storm passed by once the sun had come up. The bright sunshine brought the warmer weather with it. He decided to take her to the beach, and not Kent Falls where he had taken Mia for their picnic. A day vegging out on the blanket getting to know her was what they both needed. He needed balance back in his life. His equilibrium had been off since the breakup.

  With the top down on the convertible he headed to the deli, then to Kyra’s. After knocking, he scanned the neighborhood. Low-to-middle-income earners owned or rented condos here. The department got a lot of calls to respond to this section of town for a variety of things. Why’d Kyra choose to live here? He’d have to ask.

  “Hey.” Jake leaned in, kissed her when the door opened. Again she set something off inside him. Something he liked.

  “Come in. I need to grab my jacket and purse. Do you want anything?” she asked.

  “No. I’m all set.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “To Rhode Island to walk the beach, and have dinner on the shore. Sound good?”

  “Yes.”

  A few hours later, after their walk on the beach, he led her to the car. He pulled out the blanket and the picnic basket. The weather cooperated. It was in the mid-seventies and the sun shone down on them with a mild breeze—its warmth holding the promise of summer.

  “I like a man who comes prepared.”

  “Yep, I was a Boy Scout.” He flashed her a mischievous grin and wiggled his brows.

  “This is terrific, I’m starved.”

  “I hope you like what I brought.”

  “I like most everything. Did you fix this yourself?”

  He laughed. “I could lie, but no. There’s this little deli off Highland, they make great grinders. I popped in after you called me back and picked them up.”

  She reached in the basket and brought out the wine. Digging deeper, she found the sandwiches. He watched her check out each one before she decided.

  “Mmm, which one’s mine?”

  “You pick, I’ll eat anything.”

  “I’ll take the—”

  Jake turned to see what had left her speechless. “Something wrong?” Jake eyed the men approaching them. He went on alert.

  “No—I’m—”

  “Kyra?”

  “Phil, how are you?” Jake noticed the tension stretched across her voice.

  “Good. It seems we both had the same idea today. The weather’s great, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Awkward. Jake picked up a twitch at the corner of Kyra’s eye. Nerves? He knew the man’s face. Jake racked his brain for a name. The man she’d called Phil reached down, forcing Jake to take his hand. Jake pushed himself off the blanket, straightened to his full height as he took the man’s measure. He towered over the guy.

  “I’m Phil, Kyra’s friend.”

  “I’m Jake.”

  He didn’t like the guy on contact. Jake knew a hood when he met one. Tonight he’d spend time searching his data base. The guy seemed familiar. Too bad Kyra didn’t give his last name. They didn’t seem like a good fit. Did she date him? Was he her ex? No, wrong name for the ex. An awkward silence ensued as the men studied each other. Of all the beaches in Rhode Island, why did they wind up together on this one?

  “Well, I’ll let you get back to your picnic.”

  “Nice meeting you, Phil.”

  “Same here, Jake.” Turning to Kyra, Phil said, “See you soon, Kyra.”

  “Bye, Phil.”

  The man seemed pissed. Neither of them took their eyes off Phil as he walked down the beach to meet up with the other man waiting by the shore line.

  “Who’s that?” Jake asked, sitting back down on the blanket.

  “Last night’s date. In fact, he called me this morning to ask if I’d spend the day with him. I turned him down.”

  “Why?”

  “We’re not a good fit, Jake. Besides, I had a better offer.”

  “There’s something off about him.”

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t know. I’m going with instinct. Watch yourself with him.”

  “Lord, Jake, you are the protector of all things,” she said, teasing him, throwing Mia’s reason for ending their relationship back at him.

  “I’m serious.” Something in her tone…the edginess of it…

  “You were about to pour the wine while I decided which sandwich I wanted.”

  * * * *

  There was something off about Phil, but she couldn’t tell Jake. To smooth things over she’d have to call Phil later. Kyra was sure Phil had figured out that Jake was her cop. My life gets messier and messier with each passing day. She choked on her saliva as the idea of Phil having her followed settled in. Damn, her head hurt. She’d address that issue later. It’d been ages since she had experienced the thrill of being with a man. The first bite of lust zinged around inside her as they ate their lunches in silence. With a full belly, a laziness had set in. She snuggled close to Jake for warmth as they lay on the blanket. The breeze grew cold when it shifted, with the winds coming off the ocean instead of the bay. After a while she fell into a deep sleep.

  She stretched, yawned and sat up.

  “You should have woken me sooner, Jake.”

  “You looked like you needed the sleep.”

  “I slept the afternoon away. Sorry,” Kyra said. What an exciting date she made. God, she hoped she hadn’t snored.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “You bet.”

  “Alleluia! I’ve found someone who can keep up with my eating habits.”

  * * * *

  The place he picked to eat dinner was
noisy and it smelled of fried fish. Damn, this was his favorite spot. Selfish of him, she hated fish. She had told him on their first date. He searched the menu for meat and was relieved to find she’d have a few choices. They ordered dinner and made small talk until the meals came.

  “You must be an excellent interrogator.”

  “Why?” He popped a piece of lobster into his mouth.

  “You have a way of pulling a person out of her shell.”

  Reaching over, he offered her a piece of his lobster, then laughed when she pressed her lips together. It would take the jaws of life to open them.

  “Am I being too intrusive?”

  “No, I…like your style.”

  “Good, because I like yours.” He grinned.

  Stuffed, they walked the beach again to let their dinner settle before they headed back. Jake put his arms around her to keep her warm. She triggered affection from him but she also kicked in his protective nature. He wanted to question her until she gave him the full scoop on her friend Phil. He hoped by the time they got home she’d have dropped his last name. Jake noticed she had spaced out on him.

  “Where did you go?” Jake asked.

  “The ocean makes my mind float, in a good way.”

  He stopped, turned her into his arms and kissed her. There was no doubt she did it for him. He wanted her right here, right now. With her encouragement he took the kiss deeper, forgetting where they were as his hands roamed over her.

  “We’d better stop,” she shouted over the sound of crashing waves.

  “Why?”

  “I…because I need to slow things down.”

  “I told you we’d go at your pace. But…I’m there already.”

  “I figured that out, Jake.” A joke. She did that a lot when she was cornered. Interesting.

  “Do you always use humor to get out of a situation?”

  “Am I in a situation?” She stared.

  “A question?”

  “I’m not divorced yet,” she said for the second time in two days. “Dating’s confusing. I’m not a modern girl. I waited until I got married to have sex. I don’t understand what’s acceptable anymore. I want to go at my own pace. Sex isn’t casual with me.”

  “Okay, but I’m available if you do decide you want casual sex.” He flashed her a grin as he said it, trying to make her comfortable.

  “Funny.”

  He drew her closer when she shivered. “Let’s get back. You’re cold, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  At the car, he unlocked her door and held it open for her. Before she climbed in, he took her in his arms and kissed her again. Damn, same reaction.

  “I’m warm now,” she blurted out, face turning red. He loved how she blushed.

  “I can make you warmer.”

  “I’m sure, but I’m hot enough right now, thanks.” She offered him a shy smile and climbed into the car.

  Shot down again. Oh, well.

  * * * *

  Pissed wasn’t the word he’d have used. I haven’t been this angry in years. I bet that’s the cop. Phil had watched them for a while before he’d approached them. Kyra seemed relaxed, even animated, with that man. Last night with him she’d acted stiff and on edge. It was only after he had plied her with a lot of wine that she had relaxed. Phil reminded himself she’d made no promises. It didn’t curb his anger. Who was Jake? The cop or the ex-husband? He’d have to do some research. He always liked to understand his competition and make no mistake—this guy was his competition.

  Kyra blowing him off for this Jake fellow got him angry. She’d said she wasn’t going to see the cop again but his gut told him Jake was Kyra’s cop. The bastard stood up to intimidate me. Height didn’t bother Phil. He’d dealt with being small his whole life—and he’d taken down much larger men than Jake. Toying with ideas on ways to torture Jake calmed him.

  A little competition didn’t faze him as long as he won.

  The next morning when he woke, his shitty mood had worsened. He hadn’t slept well. Kyra with Jake pissed him off. When she’d called last night, he ignored it. Let it go to voicemail. When his resolve gave way he listened to her message. It sounded businesslike, not personal, and that annoyed him more. She was certainly getting personal with Jake on the beach. He placed a phone call to Wilkesbury. His contact at the police department picked up on the first ring.

  “Wilkesbury Police Department, Detective Stack speaking.”

  “Hi, Carl. Are you clear to talk?”

  “I’m in the middle of something. Can I call you back?”

  “Yes.”

  Carl had informed him another cop was close by, listening in on his conversation. When he’d set up this system, he appreciated Carl’s caution. Phil’d await Carl’s call back on a secured line outside the police department. He’d be patient. Ten minutes later his phone rang.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

  “No problem. I have some questions.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Do you have a cop on the force by the name of Jake? I don’t have his last name. He’s about six feet tall with reddish brown hair.”

  “The lieutenant,” Carl said.

  “Is he Homicide?”

  “Yes. He’s straight.”

  “What’s his last name?”

  “Carrington. You’re not going to approach him, are you?”

  “No. I met him over the weekend. I like to know who’s who, you understand. I can smell a cop twenty feet away.” I’m talking too much.

  “I understand.”

  “Is he your boss?”

  “He’s my temporary boss. The brass got him running Missing Persons until they replace my retired lieutenant.”

  “One more thing, is he involved with anyone?”

  “No, he’s a player, but he did get serious with this woman last month but I heard through the grapevine that she dumped him. It messed him up.”

  Phil slammed his phone on the desk. Carl’s word played over and over in head. Hmmm! Jake was a player. Was he playing Kyra? If he desired, he’d make Carrington’s life unbearable. The idea warmed his heart. Yeah, if Jake became a problem he’d ruin his career. Even more, he liked the idea of Jake Carrington meeting an untimely death.

  Wouldn’t it be rich if I had Kyra cremate him?

  Chapter 13

  For a change, she woke with energy. What a wonderful weekend it had been and Jake had been the one who made it fantastic. The money helped too. But she needed to be careful around Jake. Damn, he was turning out to be more than a distraction. After two dates, she understood what Dina had meant when she said he grabbed hold of your heart and didn’t let go. But if he found out what she’d done, he’d take her down and kill any chance she had in gaining custody of Trevor.

  Why was she chancing it?

  Like the gambling, she came alive around Jake. Was she substituting him for gambling? Hmmm! Interesting.

  What am I going to do about Phil? Phil, Phil, Phil. He wasn’t a man you brushed off. She needed to tread with extreme care when dealing with him if she was going to come out of this alive.

  Phil hadn’t returned her call last night. A control freak and her boss—Kyra had to keep that in mind at all times to make this arrangement work in her favor. Not good to mix business with pleasure. She’d correct her mistake today.

  Her business cell phone rang as she walked into her bathroom. Not recognizing the number, she answered. “Hello.”

  “Ms. Russell?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Stan Slawlaski from Bridgeport. From the Slawlaski Funeral Home?”

  “What can I do for you?”

  “Mr. Lucci told me to call you.” Alarms started clanging in her head.

  “Who is Mr. Lucci?” she asked. But she was sure it was Phil.

  Sile
nce.

  “I must have the wrong number, sorry.” The undertaker hung up.

  A few minutes later, her personal cell rang. Phil’s number.

  “Phil?”

  “Good morning. How are you today?”

  “I’m fine and you?” My, aren’t we being formal today.

  “Good. A Stan Slawlaski called me a few seconds ago. I’m confused.” Oh shit, not another one this soon. This can’t be good. And who else did he tell?

  “He called and asked for me, then he mentioned a Mr. Lucci. I didn’t have a clue. Is that your last name?”

  “Yes.”

  “What did Mr. Stan Slawlaski want?”

  “He wants to arrange a cremation.”

  “Phil…this is between you and me, right?” Her stomach roiled. Who else knew what she’d done for Phil?

  “Mr. Slawlaski works for me.”

  “How many people did you share what I’m doing for you with, Phil?”

  “Kyra, remember, I don’t answer to you, you answer to me. All Mr. Slawlaski knows is his next cremation will be done at your place instead of at the Bridgeport crematory.”

  Kyra looked at her watch. If she didn’t get going soon, she’d be late for work. She needed to do her makeup and hair before getting dressed, but she knew the incident yesterday at the beach needed to be addressed.

  “I’d like to come visit you tonight if you’re free?”

  “Why?”

  “I want to talk about yesterday.”

  “What’s to talk about?”

  Oh yeah, he’s pissed. Shit. “You seemed upset.”

  “Why, because you went out with Jake Carrington after you said you were cutting him loose?”

  It didn’t take him long to find out Jake’s full name. “I did. When he called I changed my mind. The beach sounded wonderful.” Shut up, Kyra, you’re talking too much.

  “I can’t see you until ten o’clock. I have other plans.”

  Ballbuster. She swallowed hard. “I’ll see you at ten.”

  Phil hung up without another word.

  Shit.

  * * * *

  It was childish of him to put her off, but Phil wasn’t amicable at the moment. It was easy to read her and the reason she’d blew him off. No sparks. Why not? Why the damn cop over him? Well, he’d remind her who owned her tonight.