All the Hidden Sins

by Marian Lanouette

  “It’s stupid to be seen in the area.”

  “Stop being such an old lady and enjoy your work.”

  “That’s the difference between us, Phil. I don’t enjoy it. I do what’s necessary.”

  “You can lie to yourself, I won’t. While we’re driving, I want to discuss the next phase of the plan.”

  “We should wait and see how this investigation goes before we move forward. It might fan the flames and bring the whole department down on us.”

  “We’ll see.” Obsessed with Kyra, she’d become his Helen of Troy. She was distracting him when he needed to concentrate on business.

  Ten minutes later, they found the site. Phil beamed. A lot of response for one guy. At the intersection to Route 66, Phil told Angelo to turn around and head back home. As they pulled into the commuter lot, Phil spotted Jake Carrington—lights flashing, sirens blasting.

  “He got here fast.”

  “Who?”

  “Carrington’s in the green car with the lights. This is even better than I imagined. Wait a few minutes, Ang. I want to see Carrington’s reaction when we drive by.”

  “Phil, the guy knows you. Look at his reaction on the news. I’m taking a different route home.”

  Angelo pulled out, headed straight on Route 66, bypassing Route 16. Pissed, Phil said nothing as he stared out the window like a petulant child. Angelo had made the right move not taking Route 16—Phil would be damned if he’d tell him. Round One to me. Did Carl leave a trail back to me, and if so did the final battle come down to Carrington and me after all? How ironic. Still steamed over Stack’s lack of discretion after using his home phone to call him, a deep-seated anger at Carl had clouded his judgement. He hoped Stack had hidden his payments well over the years. I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough. Angelo was correct. Killing a cop brought on the heat but Stack’s sloppiness had become a liability. Phil hated slipshod work. He didn’t mind the heat. He’d gauge Carrington and his methods before he offed him.

  Enough of Carl Stack. I need to move on to the second part of my plan. Kyra. He smiled as he plotted to tie up all the loose ends. Though Phil continued to tell himself taking caring of Kyra was a smart business move, deep down he understood it was her rejection that fueled his decision to get rid of her. And he didn’t care. Phil ignored Angelo’s suggestion to let Kyra go for another time. He also didn’t care that Angelo wasn’t on board with it. Kyra was his to do with as he wished.

  “Ang, are you all set to put the move on Tom Russell into play?” Phil held the police report detailing the arrest of Tom Russell on attempted rape charges.

  “Yes, I’m going to use Pat Doyle again. Russell’s been out drinking most nights, getting shitfaced. The ass claims he misses his wife. The guy’s a joke. What’s that in your hand?”

  “It’s Russell’s police report from when he tried to rape Kyra in her condo. He didn’t check to see if she was alone, the idiot. Guess who was there?”

  “Carrington?”

  “Yes.” Phil tapped a finger to his chin.

  “Anyone who’d throw away Kyra is a jerk. What the hell did she see in that guy?”

  “She was young when she got married. This is a great opportunity for us. In one move, we take out Kyra and Carrington.”

  Angelo pulled over to the side of the road, turned toward Phil. “Phil, aren’t you doing the same thing? She’s a useful tool, and she can continue to be, if we use her right.”

  Phil didn’t like the way Angelo stared him down. He knew they were partners but Angelo seemed to be pushing too hard lately. Phil didn’t need anyone, not even Angelo. Smiling at him, Phil decided he needed to reconsider Angelo’s usefulness.

  “My mind’s made up, Ang. She has to go. Now that we see how it works, we’ll find another patsy to do the cremations, and at a much cheaper rate. An opportunity like this isn’t going to present itself again. We need to use it. Get me home, I’m tired.”

  He waved his hand as an indication for Angelo to turn around and start driving. Anger sparked across Angelo’s face, but who cared? This subject was not up for debate. Why was Angelo pressing the matter? Why? Did he like her too? Phil had never known Angelo to cheat on his wife—was Kyra the exception? Jealousy raged within him, burned his gut until bile scorched his throat. Calm down, Ang wouldn’t do that. Shake it off, Phil. You’re losing it. The car slowed down as they approached the house. Before Angelo had a chance to open the door for him, Phil stepped out of the back and started walking away from the house. Angelo raced after him.

  “What are you doing?” Angelo asked.

  “I need some quiet time to play with ideas for the next phase. I’m going for a walk.” Phil turned. Angelo slipped alongside him. “No, Ang. I need time alone.” What’s with this guy? Calm down, he’s doing his job, but this is my home. I swear, if someone comes after me here I’ll string them up by their balls.

  “If you don’t want me to walk with you, I’m sending a couple of the guys to follow at a distance. This isn’t the time to be careless.”

  He reached up, patted Angelo’s check. “You worry too much.”

  “You’ll do me this favor? Take the two guys with you.”

  Angelo snapped his fingers. Two guards took up position behind Phil. Phil ignored the concern in Angelo’s voice and continued to walk away. “Not a problem, as long as they keep their distance.”

  * * * *

  Kyra woke filled with anger. As the morning progressed she decided to take the afternoon off. She chose the casino to burn off her anger. Right from the beginning, she knew Jake wasn’t hers, but damn if she hadn’t fallen a little in love with him anyway. Why did she always go for the unattainable? Life was unfair. In all the time she’d been with him she’d gone to the casino only once. Why did Mia get to keep Jake after she threw him away? Wiping the tears that ran down her face, she pulled into the casino’s ramp garage. She headed to the level and the general area where she always parked. The garage wasn’t that busy this time of day, most people worked. Well, she hoped to hit it big early, that way she’d get home in enough time to see Jake tonight. Funny, getting to the casino used to consume her. Lately, it was a distraction to keep her mind off her messed-up life and losing Jake. She stepped into the elevator and hit the button marked C for the casino floor. As she got off the elevator, she walked right into Joe Dillon. Shit!

  “Er, sorry…Kyra! What a surprise.”

  Startled, Kyra kept moving. Joe at her elbow. “Weren’t you leaving, Joe?”

  “Why don’t we visit for a bit? I get the impression you’re not happy to see me.”

  “Do you even need to ask that question? I’m pressed for time here. Leave me alone.”

  She increased her pace, walking away from him. Kyra didn’t bother to see if he followed. There was one thing she was certain of—as soon as she walked away he’d be on the phone to Phil, reporting her arrival. Kyra wished there was a way to give Joe what he deserved—an oven at twenty-five hundred degrees.

  She should give his name to Jake, or even Phil—that’s mean. For the first time today a smile flirted across her lips.

  She walked over to the five-dollar section. Kyra threw a one-hundred-dollar bill into her favorite machine. A shadow crossed over her. Looking up, she stared into Joe Dillon’s mean, muddy eyes.

  “What?” she spit out.

  “I don’t deserve this kind of treatment.” Joe looked dejected.

  “You bastard, you set me up with a mob boss for brownie points. You think I should thank you? Stay away from me. I won’t tell you again. Got it?”

  “Shut up, Kyra, use a little discretion.”

  “Did you when you threw me to the wolves? Disappear now, Joe, or I’ll scream for help,” Kyra said, her anger digging its fingers into every nerve.

  “You’ll regret this,” Joe said.

  “I already regret having ever m
et you. Now run along and report back to your boss, you little weasel.”

  She turned back to her machine, stuffed another hundred in. Joe was trouble, but she found she didn’t really care. Once again, her life was crumbling. She looked over her shoulder and watched Joe walk up the stairs, his cell phone glued to his ear. The little snitch had to be talking to Phil. That meant she had to hightail it out of there. An encounter with Phil right now was not on her agenda. Joe had actually saved her a ton of money. She pressed the button to redeem her credits and took her ticket to the cashiers to cash out before heading to the garage. I should’ve gone to the other casino. Phil’s too involved in this one. What I do with my time and money is nobody’s business but mine.

  As she raced to her car, her cell phone started ringing. Thinking it was Phil, she almost pressed the ignore button, but it was Jake’s number flashing on the screen. She answered the call right before it went to voicemail.

  “Jake,” she said, winded.

  “Is this a bad time?”

  “No, I’m climbing into my car.” Damn it. Joe was leaning on her car.

  “Kyra, everything okay?” Jake asked.

  Ignoring Jake, she emphasized Joe’s name. “Joe Dillon, what are you doing hanging around my car?”

  “Hang up now,” Joe said.

  “No.”

  She heard Jake shout her name. Never taking her eyes off Joe she put the phone back to her ear. “Jake.”

  “What’s going on, Kyra? Are you safe?”

  “I don’t know. Joe Dillon’s my casino host. We had words a while ago and now he’s at my car.”

  “Kyra, don’t go anywhere with him.” Jake shouted into the phone.

  “I won’t—”

  “And don’t hang up,” Jake said, cutting her off.

  “Joe, Lieutenant Carrington wants to know why you’re following me?”

  “I’m not following you but now that you’re here we should go for a ride to discuss why you won’t talk to me,” Joe shouted as he grabbed her wrist and pressed down hard.

  “Ouch! You son of a bitch, let go of my wrist,” Kyra said.

  “Kyra, this isn’t a game. I said get into the car, now,” Joe demanded.

  “No.” Scared shitless, she wasn’t going to back down. Where are the security people?

  In her ear, she heard Jake tell her to scream. Then she saw the security car. “Jake, there’s a security car coming at us.”

  Kyra said that not only for Jake’s benefit—she hoped the mention of security calmed Joe down. He dropped her wrist. The look on his face, along with his tone of voice, had frightened her. The man was ready to snap. In that second, she recognized the face of murder. Orders from Phil? No, it’s not his style. The asshole had to have lost it. Joe knew she had a cop on the phone but came after her anyway.

  “Kyra, are you in the casino garage?”

  “Yes.”

  “Walk back to the elevator and get a security guard if the one in the car doesn’t stop, understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “This isn’t over, Kyra,” Joe said as he strode away.

  The security car stopped. “Is everything all right here, Miss?”

  “It is now, please wait until I get into my car.” The guard nodded. “Thank you.”

  She climbed into her car and hit the lock button. “Joe’s leaving.” Kyra said into the phone. “I’m in the car with the locks on, Jake.” Kyra waved off the security guard.

  “Okay. What’s going on, Kyra?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Why are you at the casino?”

  What do you care? You’re gone as of next week. “This week’s been upsetting. I came here to escape. After a few minutes I ran into Joe. We had words, it’s the reason I decided to leave. That’s when you called. Great timing by the way,” she said, rambling on.

  “Words about what?”

  “Nothing I want to share, Jake.” Silence. What was he thinking? “Are you still there?”

  “Yes.” Oh good, now I have someone else pissed at me.

  “I’m sorry, thanks for your help. Uh…why did you call?”

  “I was going to suggest we go out tonight, but I’ll bring dinner instead. We need to talk.”

  Damn him! “About what?”

  “Is seven good?”

  “Yes.”

  After she hung up, she put her car in drive and started to pull out of the garage. She drove past Joe Dillon as he stood by his car, his eyes throwing knives at her. Should she call Phil? If he did set this up, would he send someone more professional to deal with her when he learned she didn’t go with Joe? Why have someone grab her, and in broad daylight? It didn’t make sense. Halfway through dialing Phil, Kyra changed her mind. Over the phone, she’d never be able to tell if he was lying. Plus, she wanted to put distance between her and the casino—or, more to the point, Joe. Shivers ran up her spine and settled in her neck. She didn’t want to be in Phil’s zip code, whether he ordered the abduction or not.

  Chapter 31

  Jake’s gut told him Kyra was in deep trouble, yet she acted like it was nothing. Didn’t she trust him by now? Once again, whenever she was in trouble it reverted back to the casino. Which reverted back to Phil Lucci. He’d been calling to cancel on her tonight until he heard Dillon threatening her. Kyra had to have picked up on the deep hatred in the man’s voice, because Jake had and he didn’t even know the guy. What was that about? And why was she there, at the casino, in the middle of the day? He had assumed she had given it up. All he had were questions with no answers.

  Kyra had the answers. But she wasn’t sharing. He’d get to the bottom of it before she became one of his murder victims. His desk phone rang. Jake grabbed on the second ring when he recognized the extension for the state lab in Farmington.

  “Jake, it’s Tom Jones from the state lab.” The guy took serious ribbing over his name. The idiot got drunk at the last Christmas party and sang his heart out—tone deaf bastard.

  “What’s up?”

  “I did the blood work on Stack. He had poison in his system. A poison you don’t see often,” said Jones.

  “What was it?”

  “Strychnine.”

  “McCoy at the M.E.’s office guessed it right at the scene.”

  “I’d guess the killer’s a reader. Mystery writers of days gone by loved to use it. The thing is, Jake, someone wanted him to suffer, and suffer he did with the amount he had in his system. It was an over-the-top kill. Dead the minute he ingested it.”

  “Wait, you said it took ten to twenty minutes to kill?”

  “It does. What I mean is once he ingested the high dosage he was the walking dead. It took his body time catch up.”

  “Thanks, Tom. Email me a hard copy. I owe you one.”

  The cause of death was extreme. Stack had pissed off someone. But who? Jake opened his email, printed out the lab results, and headed down to Missing Persons. He needed to interview each and every one of his detectives who’d worked with Stack. It wasn’t going to be fun.

  A group of detectives stopped talking when he entered the bullpen. Jake understood their resentment, but he didn’t care. He had a job to do.

  “Listen up. I got the tox report back on Carl. It’s not good. He was poisoned.” Jake looked around him as he took in the expression on each of their faces.

  “The poison used was strychnine, which caused extreme pain in the vic—I mean Carl.” Jake waited out the murmurs before he continued. “I’m going to interview each of you to see if you knew what Carl had been working on or if he had complained about any threats. Any one of you who wants in on this is welcome to participate, though you need to understand the state police consider this their case and their jurisdiction. Physically it is, but Carl was one of us, and we’ll work this until we get him justice. Understood?”

>   “Lieutenant, I’m in, and I’m sure everyone else is too,” Detective Joe Green said as he looked around the squad room. “Are the state police going to share?”

  “The sergeant in charge said yes,” Jake replied. “I’ll set up in my temporary office down here. Detective Green, I’ll start with you.” Jake turned toward their old lieutenant’s office. The detectives’ groans and whispers behind his back irked him.

  Green walked into the office and shut the door without being told. He looked as though he had something to say before they began. Jake waited him out.

  “Lieutenant, we’ve all heard of your reputation. Some of us even know you, but Carl was ours. We heard you were investigating him and threw him to the rats in Internal Affairs. Is that true?” Green stood at attention, every muscle in his face taut.

  “Take a seat, Green. Whether Stack was being investigated or not won’t interfere with the investigation into his death. And to answer your question, no, I did not turn him in to Internal Affairs.”

  Jake stared him down while he spoke. Green still stood. Jake gestured to the chair, again he waited him out. Green sat, his back straight, at attention.

  “I’m serious about wanting in on the investigation.”

  “I understand that, Joe. Can you be objective?”

  Green studied Jake for a few minutes. “Objective how?”

  “You might not like where the investigation leads.”

  Jake scanned the office—he hadn’t done anything to it because it was a temporary assignment. And if the brass officially melded the two divisions, Missing Persons’ didn’t need as large of a staff as it had now. Damn, the last lieutenant had not filed a report in five years. The paper clutter on the desk gave him a headache. He directed his gaze back to Green.

  “Well, Joe?”

  “Carl was a loner. He never socialized with anyone in the department. He had his own agenda, but he was a solid detective. You’re saying he was dirty?”

  “No.” Jake didn’t elaborate.