All the Hidden Sins

by Marian Lanouette

  “All right. It’s what the name implies, Missing Persons. When an individual is reported missing, the detectives take the information but don’t act on it until after forty-eight hours unless there’s foul play suspected. You’d be surprised how many don’t want to be found. It all depends on the evidence, it either stays a Missing Persons case or it’s turned over to Homicide.”

  “Does it happen often?”

  “Eight out of ten times the person shows up, but the one they turned over to me the other day I believe is dead.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s been missing for almost two weeks. His apartment was ransacked. I took his mother over there to check it out and she didn’t find anything missing. Somebody was looking for something. A heavy gambler, according to his ex-wife. He’d bet thousands on the games each week. She said he’d even bet on how fast an elderly woman crossed the street before a light turned red.” He should ask her now about her problem.

  “Did he owe somebody a lot of money?”

  “His type always does. And the stupid ones try to get away without paying.”

  “You always pay,” Kyra whispered.

  Drawing her into his arms, he held her close. He decided to go for it. “This guy was deep into the mob. That’s an unhealthy thing, when you can’t pay.” He turned her chin up and looked into her eyes. “You’re not into the mob, are you?”

  Her body jerked at his question. He held on tight as she tried to pull out of his embrace. Her head bounced off his chin. Taking hold of her face again, he stared deep into her eyes for his answer.

  “Where did that come from? I have enough trouble with Tom now you want to add more?”

  “I had to ask.”

  “Why?”

  “There are times when I look at you…your voice and expression scream desperation. It breaks my heart.”

  “I am desperate. I’m losing my son, and it makes me angry, and sick.” She stood. Paced the living room. She almost knocked over the planter by the reading chair. He’d made her mad, too mad. There it goes again. Damn gut.

  “I’m sure it does.” He got up off the couch and walked over to her, but she turned away before he took hold of her. If Kyra isn’t lying, she’s holding something back. “I should leave.”

  “Yes, that’s a good idea. I’m tired.”

  “I didn’t mean to upset you—”

  “I’m cranky. As I said, it was a hell of a week with Tom, and an exhausting one with you.” She smiled up at him but it didn’t reach her eyes.

  “It was a great week with you. Are you kicking me out because you’re tired or pissed?”

  “A little of both.”

  He took her in his arms, started rubbing her back. “It wasn’t my intention to make you mad, but after talking to this guy’s family today I got a better picture of a gambler. I want to make sure you’re safe.”

  “I’m safe. I haven’t heard from Tom today. Hopefully he got the message.”

  “Let’s hope. Do you want to go out to dinner tomorrow night?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll call you. It’s your turn to pick a place.”

  “You don’t have to leave. I don’t know why I’m bitchy tonight.”

  “I’m leaving anyway, you need sleep.” He kissed her good night once they reached the door.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Stop apologizing. It’s okay to let off a little steam. I hear it’s even healthy.”

  * * * *

  She locked the door behind him, set the alarm and fell back against the door, sliding to the floor the exhaustion took over. Please dear God, tell me I didn’t cremate Jake’s dead guy this week. What are the odds? Why did I assume that all the bodies from Phil came from the other side of the state? My God, does anything lead back to me? Will Jake have to arrest me? Her stomach flipped. What will happen to Trevor if I have to go to prison?

  Question after question rolled around in her mind. Her queasy stomach started to erupt. Jake and Phil were trains on the same track, heading toward a colossal head-on collision. And I’m the engineer responsible for keeping them from colliding. Kyra went to bed to sleep on it.

  Restless, one question kept her awake. Jake’s new case—did she cremate the guy? If so, her life had just taken a nose dive into the gutter.

  * * * *

  On the drive home, he chided himself. He’d been too heavy handed about the gambling and the mob. It shut her right down. If she was in deep, he’d try to help her. But if she didn’t admit her collusion with Phil, how could he? Every time he approached the subject, the way she reacted was off. His research into the Church file and the head of organized gambling in the state led back to her friend Phil.

  The next morning, when he arrived at his office, Jake found Louie sitting in his chair sipping coffee. The coffee machine had been a gift from Sophia and Louie when he’d been promoted to lieutenant. And Louie had treated Jake’s office as his own personal haven since. Knocking Louie’s feet off his desk, he grabbed a cup before he sat down.

  “Comfortable, Louie?”

  “As a matter of fact, I am.”

  “Get your ass out of my chair.”

  “Grumpy, aren’t you? What, didn’t get any last night?”

  “Curb your vulgar humor.”

  “How’s Mia?”

  “You know, Louie, you cross a lot of lines. Because we go way back doesn’t give you the right to interfere with my life.” He sat, stared Louie down.

  “Who’s interfering? I was inquiring after Mia.”

  “We’re done, Louie. Why can’t you get that through your thick, Italian head?”

  “My thick Italian head? What about your thicker Mick brain? What’s got your panties in a twist?”

  “Nothing, I have a lot on my mind,” Jake said.

  “Yeah? Like what?”

  The curtains on his glass wall had been open since he claimed the office for his own. If he wanted privacy he’d need to shut them. He stared out into his bullpen. Noted some detectives talked on phones, others typed away on their computers, a couple stood around drinking coffee. Stalling, he searched for an answer to Louie’s question. Did he want to involve Louie in this mess? Last night, after lying awake for many hours, Jake played all the rumors and suppositions around that Phil Lucci ran the gambling and prostitution in the state. Because Lucci hadn’t been arrested since he was in his teens didn’t mean he wasn’t dirty. His cop’s brain shouted out that Phil Lucci was involved in the disappearance of Church, which connected Kyra in a roundabout way. Spinning his chair toward his window he stared out at the hordes of college kids going to and from class. For now he’d keep his suspicions to himself until he had something solid to connect them. If Kyra was involved with the mob, then, and only then, he’d bring Louie in on the investigation. He didn’t want to prejudice Louie against Kyra. Louie loved Mia.

  “Let me see. I’m running the Homicide Department, which includes overseeing everyone’s cases. The paperwork on the administrative side of things is an endless pit of hell. Now I’m running the Missing Persons Department, which involves mountains more of paperwork, along with us working our active cases,” Jake said over his shoulder.

  “I guess I’ll forgive you,” Louie said. “But on the serious side of things, I did the follow-up on Mr. Wade’s drinking buddy the night he died. You remember that pesky case about the man who died with high blood-alcohol levels.”

  Damn, he’d put that case out of his head. “Don’t bust my ass. Did you get anything?”

  “Kevin Long claims he left Dwight at the bar around ten o’clock. He starts his work day at six a.m.”

  “Did it check out?”

  “I didn’t check it out last night. I’ve got it on my to-do list today.”

  “Okay, keep me in the loop.”

  “You sure there’s nothing e
lse on your mind?”

  “Sure, now get out of here. I have a boatload of reports to process. Louie, close the door on your way out.”

  After Louie left, Jake went over to what he’d privately deemed the fishbowl and pulled the curtains shut. Back at his desk he turned on the computer and typed in the name Philip Lucci. He had a hit on Phil Lucci, not Phillip Lucci.

  Not a second after Louie closed the door someone knocked. “Come in,” Jake called out.

  “LT, the medical examiner called a suicide on the Wiggins woman,” Detective Armand Lanoue said.

  “Thanks, Armand.”

  Turning back to his computer, Jake studied the sparse record on Phil Lucci. He had a sealed record at the age of fifteen, a burglary charge at nineteen—he served two years of a fifteen-year sentence and then nothing. For a man his age there should be more.

  “You got smart after that, Phil, didn’t you?” Not for one minute did he believe Phil had kept his nose clean. “Where did you do your time?” Jake kept peeling layer after layer off Phil’s file until he was satisfied there was nothing else to be learned. He’d wait on running his financials—he needed a warrant for that.

  Leaning back in his chair, he let the information settle into his mind. Phil had done hard time at Radgowski, now called Corrigan Correctional Institution, in Uncasville. The place housed some tough characters. Lucci must’ve gotten quite an education as a resident.

  Jake would have to check to see if any of the prison guards were still around. If so, would they remember Phil?

  More important, why had Kyra dated him? Even once? It bothered him, her association with Phil. Since Kyra wasn’t going to tell him, he’d find out who put her in front of Lucci if it killed him.

  Various questions popped into his head. Angered him. How much money did she owe? She had stated her relationship with Phil was strictly business. What kind of business? Was he pimping her out? No, it wasn’t her style, though he’d seen stranger things on the job. Also, the other night she’d seemed inexperienced. According to her, her husband was her first and only lover until him. Truth or lie? And what difference did that make? Was Phil was threatening her son?

  And the most disturbing question. Is Kyra using me?

  The ringing phone startled him. “Yes?”

  “It’s Kyra. I wanted to apologize again for last night. I shouldn’t have taken my mood out on you.”

  “It’s okay, really.” What are you into?

  “You’re positive? Because you sound a little off.”

  “I’m distracted with some research I’m working on. Where do you want to go to dinner tonight?”

  “Do you want to try the new restaurant in Southington?”

  “It’s a steak house, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  “You eat too much red meat.”

  “What are you, the beef police?”

  “How about we head to the shore for a fish dinner?”

  “I hate fish, but it sounds good, as long as it’s not too late. I have Trevor tomorrow.”

  “We’ll stay around here then. Is eight good?”

  “Perfect.”

  After he hung up, Jake stared at the phone for a long time. She seemed normal enough today. Was he reading more than there was into her friendship with Phil? Why date him, a cop, if she had something going on with Phil? Kyra wasn’t stupid—dating him put her in harm’s way. It had to be her gambling. It rattled him that she might owe the mob. He didn’t want to come to any conclusions without all the facts, but he needed to go where his gut led him.

  * * * *

  It was a warm night. He decided the convertible with the top down was called for. Settling Kyra into the car, he climbed in and put on his seat belt.

  “Do you want the top up or down?”

  “Down, it’s a beautiful night for it.”

  “Don’t care about your hair?”

  Smirking, she said, “You can’t mess it up, it’s always wild and curly.”

  “I love that.” He reached over and ran his hand through it, pulling her to him for a kiss before putting the car into gear and driving to the restaurant. He’d forgotten to make reservations. They made their way into the bar to wait to be called. It was standing room only. The only open spot available put them in front of the restrooms. And still they were pressed up against other bodies.

  “Terrific atmosphere, Jake.”

  “I picked it for you.” He grinned.

  “Well, at least you get to check out all the pretty girls.”

  “There’s only one I’m interested in, and that’s you.”

  He loved how her face flushed red. “Thanks.”

  He leaned in to whisper in her ear but stopped mid-word. His mind froze. The room faded away.

  “Jake.”

  “Mia!”

  Unconsciously, his body shot into attack stance. For a month, he had the words planned on the off chance he ran into her. Now, confronted by Mia, his tongue ceased to function. The room, the bar noise, eased back into his consciousness. He wanted to let loose all the bottled up anger but didn’t with Kyra beside him. Mia’s absence these last few weeks had filled him with agony. Seeing her now brought back the pain.

  “I’m Kyra.” She reached her hand out to shake Mia’s.

  “Sorry, Kyra. Mia, this is Mia…Kyra Russell. Kyra, Mia Andrews.”

  “Hi, I won’t hold you up. It was nice meeting you, Kyra. Always good seeing you, Jake.”

  What was wrong with him? Talk to her, his mind screamed. He sipped his beer while his future slipped away. Now wasn’t the time to clear his mind, especially in front of Kyra. He turned back to her. Deep green eyes bored into his.

  “Why don’t you go talk to her? It’s obvious you want to. I can take your car home.”

  “We’re on a date, Kyra. I’ll talk to her another time.” He rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “Are you trying to dump me?”

  “No, but I’ll never have your whole heart, will I?”

  “Do you want honesty?”

  “Always.”

  If only you’d give it to me. “I’ve never lied to you. The answer’s yes.”

  “Carrington, party of two,” the hostess announced.

  Jake raised his hand and said, “That’s us.”

  He had to walk by Mia to get to their table. Jake noted she was with her girlfriends, not a date. It made him feel better. Their eyes locked as he passed. If he wasn’t mistaken, he saw jealousy in hers.

  Their waitress came over as he was helping Kyra into her seat. She took their drink orders. Jake was ready for another but noticed Kyra hadn’t touched hers.

  He hoped he was wrong about her connection to Phil Lucci. During dinner he tried to hide his moodiness while he kept Mia in his line of sight. He faltered a few times in the conversation but was able to recover.

  “Are you all right?” Kyra asked.

  “I’m sorry, I’m not great company tonight. Seeing Mia threw me for a loop.”

  “Stop apologizing, it’s not necessary. Why don’t we call it a night and head home?”

  “I’ll be right back then we’ll leave.”

  Jake bumped into her as Mia walked out of the women’s room.

  “I see no grass grew under your feet, did it?” Mia said.

  “Don’t start. You want to talk, call me.”

  “Goodbye, Jake.” Before Mia turned away Jake saw her anger, but more, he saw the hurt in her eyes.

  Jake gently took hold of her arm, forced her to look at him before dropping them back at his side. “What do you want from me? Because I’m lost here.”

  “I miss you,” she whispered.

  He almost reached for her but instead steeled his arms at his side. “I miss you too, but remember it was your choice—”

  “No, it was yours. You asked fo
r more than I wanted to give at the time.”

  “It’s been over a month.”

  “I know.”

  “No, you don’t. You haven’t a clue. And now, because I’m with another woman, you want to do this. I can’t—” Jake turned away from her and walked into the men’s room.

  He heard someone coming in behind him, turned from the urinal. “For God’s sake, Mia,” He said as he zipped up.

  “No, Jake, you listen. It’s been hell for me too. How do we fix this?”

  “I’m on a—” A man walked in, looked at the both of them then marched out without doing his business.

  Jake never took his eyes off her. “I’m on a date. Call me tomorrow to set something up. I’m not doing this now.”

  * * * *

  Sitting with her back against the wall, Kyra followed Jake’s path. It wasn’t right but she admired his ass as he walked to the men’s room. Then watched as Mia cornered him.

  What the hell? Disbelief hit her as Mia pushed her way into the men’s room after Jake. What balls that woman has. How should she handle him when he came back? Confront him or comfort him?

  Never taking her eyes off the men’s room door, she held her breath. When Mia exited Kyra locked eyes with her—Mia broke contact first, but not before she noticed her tears. It’d be interesting to see Jake’s reaction came out. Jake left the men’s room, his head forward as he walked straight to the table. Kyra noticed him signaling the waitress for the check before he sat. He must be a great cop. His face held no expression—blank, flat eyes had replaced his beautiful passionate green ones.

  You’re in there somewhere Jake, but where? Kyra’s sympathy hadn’t beat out her anger. Her mind in a jumble, she needed to know where she stood. She had no right to ask. He’d been honest with her from the beginning. But, she wanted much more.

  The waitress brought the bill. Kyra’s mind kept throwing questions at her while Jake settled up. “Are you ready?”

  She nodded.

  He came around the table and pulled out her chair. Thank goodness they didn’t have to pass by Mia as they left the restaurant. Together they walked to the car in silence.

  Jake opened her door. She started to climb in but he tugged her into his arms. As he held her he whispered into her ear, “I’m sorry I ruined your night.”