“We will, Kyra, let’s keep looking.”
In the basement by an unused furnace, they found him in the corner playing with some toys.
“Mommy, I was scared.”
“Who took you here?”
“One of the teachers told me to wait here. It was a game, but she never came back.”
Well, at least they knew they were looking for a woman. But who?
“I’m your mother’s friend, Trevor. Do you remember me?”
“Yes, you’re a policeman.”
“That’s right, can you tell me what the teacher looked like?”
“No, she’s a new one.”
Kyra and Jake both looked over at Sister Mary Joseph. “We have two subs filling in today. Let’s go talk to them.”
The first substitute Kyra questioned wasn’t the one, Trevor insisted. The second one was nowhere to be found.
The principal checked the cameras while she, Trevor and Jake watched the screen.
“There she is,” Trevor shouted as a woman with her face partially covered dashed from the building.
“Do you know her, Sister? Kyra?” Jake asked.
“No,” they answered in unison.
“She’s never substituted here before?”
“No,” Sister Mary Joseph said.
Kyra hadn’t let go of Trevor since she found him. Her heart rate hammered away in her chest.
“Kyra, I need your phone. I’ll put a trace on the caller. You said it was a man?”
“It sounded like one,” she said as she handed it over to Jake. “I want the bastard caught and locked away, Jake.”
Jake escorted Kyra to her pediatrician’s office to get Trevor checked out.
“Where to now?” Jake asked when the doctor had finished with Trevor.
“I have to take him to Tom’s, but I don’t want to let him out of my sight.”
“I understand that. I’ll follow you there. After you drop him off we’ll need to talk. I’m going to trace the number before we get together. How about we meet at my house?” Jake asked.
“It might be awhile, I have to update Tom.”
“Not a problem, call me when you’re done.”
* * * *
Kyra sat with Trevor and Tom for over an hour. Her fear still had its claws in her. She understood who the call had come from. Though Phil wasn’t in the area, he had somehow arranged it. While she played with Trevor, she realized she’d have to tell Jake everything for Trevor’s sake. What ripped her heart apart was the realization that if she took Trevor with her, he’d be in constant danger. Something she didn’t want for her son. No, she had to disappear and break all contact with him. Hopefully someday he’d understand.
“Mommy, you’re smothering me.”
“Sorry, honey. I was scared today. Remember always how much I love you. Promise.”
“I promise.”
She kissed Trevor goodbye and hugged him to her chest. At the door, she turned back for one last look. How had she ruined their lives? Gambling, but it was more than that, it was all rooted in her stubbornness. If she’d only gotten help in the beginning…now she had to pay the ultimate price. Her son.
* * * *
Sitting at the curb for a good ten minutes before she was able to steady her hands, Kyra put the car in gear then drove across town to meet with Jake. He’d picked his house for privacy. Was she walking into a trap? Did he find out who the caller was? Her anxiety level rose as did the bile in her stomach. A tidal wave crashing onto the shore, its contents rushing up before heading out again. Halfway across town she pulled to the curb, threw open her door, leaned out, and threw up. The horrible taste stayed in her mouth, but she didn’t have any water to rinse it out. Better get driving, Kyra. Relax. Jake can’t know anything unless he’s clairvoyant. Hold it together, and in two hours you’ll be gone. Sentenced to hell. A life without Trevor.
As she drove into Jake’s driveway, his front door opened. Great. What’s he in such a hurry to tell me? Kyra got out of her old car. Glad she was smart enough she didn’t use the new one. At least something had gone her way today. She walked to the door and was shocked when Jake leaned down and kissed her. Well, that’s another good sign.
“Come in. Do you want something to drink?”
“I promised Tom I’d be back. Trevor’s still upset.”
“Is it safe to be at Tom’s?”
“Yes, Trevor’s safety is our only concern. What do you want to talk about? Mia?”
“No, it’s not. First the caller’s number was a burner cell. We can’t trace it. I want to discuss several things. A cop was killed the other day. It’s looking like Phil Lucci is involved.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m positive. This cop was on the take. He ties into the Missing Persons’ case I’m working.”
“Who was the cop?”
“Carl Stack. I asked you about him the other night.”
“I remember, but I didn’t understand why you did.”
“Because of your connection to Phil Lucci.”
Kyra stared at Jake, dumbfounded. “Jake, my connection—two dates doesn’t make a connection. We’ve been over this time and time again. Why do you keep asking?”
“You’ve had more than two dates with him, which you told me yourself. You went to his house for dinner a couple of times and to a restaurant in Rhode Island. Why?”
“He asked me. I didn’t see the harm in it then. I won’t go again, now that I know he’s tied into a murder. I took your reaction as jealousy.” Lord, she hoped he brought it.
He seemed to ignore her answer. “I asked myself over and over what Phil Lucci wanted with you. In the beginning, I kept coming back to the fact that you’re a beautiful woman. Then I found out who and what he was. I had to ask myself the question again. Each time the answer I come up with is that he wanted to use you. It only made sense if it had something to do with what you do for a living.”
She stood paralyzed. Sweat gathered between her breasts as she tried to find the strength to form an intelligent answer. It had to be a good one to appease him.
“You’ve got nothing to say?”
“I—I’m speechless. What exactly do I do for him?” Dear God, don’t make me only a few hours too late to leave. A fist squeezed her heart until she almost burst open and confessed. Hold it together. You’re almost gone.
“You’re not that naïve.” Jake hadn’t broken eye contact with her since she’d walked in the door. Was he trying to intimidate her?
“What you’re suggesting is obscene.” They’d been standing. She walked farther into the room, took a seat in one of his chairs.
“I’m going to find my answers, Kyra. I hope I’m wrong.” He sat on the coffee table in front of her and took her hands in his. “If you are involved with him, tell me now. I want to help you. I’ll go to the DA and get you a deal. It’s Lucci they want, not you.”
Cops are liars. Was this a trick to nail her? What should she do? Christ, all she’d wanted was money to get custody of her son. Now she had money and no Trevor.
“After today, I trust no one.” She stood. “Don’t bother coming over tonight or any night, for that matter. We’re done.”
She turned. Started walking toward the door. He grabbed her by the arm, spun her around.
“Don’t you understand that I care about you? If you’re in trouble, I’ll help you. You have to trust me.”
“Trust is a two-way street, Jake.”
She disengaged her arm as tears ran down her face. “This isn’t how I pictured our last night together.”
Chapter 37
Jake stared at her back as walked down his front steps. He was helpless to stop her. She’d lied again to him. She had all the classic tells. The question was, what was she lying about? He had no evidence of any wrongdoin
g. Was she right? Was he trying to push her away for good? It was rare for him to question his instincts, but she’d planted doubt in his mind. He locked up his house and headed back to the station.
As he walked through the lobby, McGuire called out to him. Shamus didn’t engage in small talk. “I’ve got the FBI and the state’s joint task force in one of the conference rooms. I need you and Louie there now.”
“What joint task force?”
“The Organized Crime Task Force.”
Alrighty, this was going to pop sooner than he’d thought. “I’ll grab Louie and be right in.”
The minute Jake and Louie arrived, the senior agent started talking. Jake guessed he was FBI, not state.
“In front of each of you is a file on Phil Lucci. The second file is on Angelo Rainford. Inside each you’ll see the case we’ve been building to take them down. We, meaning both the FBI and the State of Connecticut.” He paused. “My name is Special Agent Timothy Newton. I head this task force.”
Jake wondered if “Special Agent” was engraved on this guy’s underwear. Newton had on the standard blue suit, white shirt, and blue tie and wore his hair in a crewcut. Right off the bat, Jake pegged Newton as a company man. Focus, Jake. “I have one question before we move forward, Special Agent Newton.”
“And that is, Lieutenant?”
“Are you tying my hands on my investigation?”
Jake watched the agent process his question.
“I’d like to think that we’ll be working together for the same purpose, but, and this is a big but, I won’t have two years of hard work thrown down the drain to boost your arrest averages. Do you understand?”
Jake’s face burned. “The killing of a cop is not a minor offense, Agent.”
“Jake,” McGuire said. “Agent Newton, we won’t back down on a cop killing, but we have no plans to ruin your operation either. I’m going to say this once to everyone in this room, and heed my words. Work together or the Wilkesbury Police Department will pursue its investigation into Carl Stack’s death and not share any information with you. Am I understood?”
“You can’t—”
“I most certainly can, and will, Agent. We have jurisdiction here. Your investigation is coincidental to ours. And remember, you’re an invited guest. The purpose of this meeting is to share information to make the apprehension of Phil Lucci as smooth as possible. Our main goal is to make sure that when we arrest him, our evidence is solid and he doesn’t walk. Any other agenda is secondary.”
Jake watched the agent back off. McGuire’s military background came out when he was confronted. He handled his command and conflict well. Jake studied McGuire. He still wore his hair cut short in the classic military style. His straight posture was plumb with the wall. He ran his department with precision, each operation timed to the second. McGuire believed in the rank and file and supported his men. Jake loved working under him. He was glad it was Newton, not him, who was at the receiving end of McGuire’s wrath.
Jake opened the file on Phil Lucci first. The agents had been thorough. Transcripts of tapes, along with pictures of anyone Phil met or had dinner with. Damn. There was Kyra’s picture. It showed her going into Phil’s house. Others showed her dining with Phil in some fancy restaurant and going into Phil’s house with another man. Jake turned the picture over and read the names on the back. The other man was Joe Dillon, her casino host. As he stared at the picture, Jake made a decision. He needed to disclose his relationship with Kyra.
Tapping her picture with his finger, he said, “I know this woman.”
“Is that a fact?” Special Agent Newton said, pinging Jake’s antenna.
“Yes, it’s a fact.” Stupid, of course. He was in the FBI’s file too. “I’ve dated Kyra Russell.”
“For how long?”
“It started about three to four weeks ago. I met her at a friend’s party.”
“Did you know she was associated with Phil Lucci?” Newton asked.
Jake saw McGuire studying him. “I knew she had a date with him. She said she met him about the same time she met me.”
“And you didn’t find that convenient on her part or Phil Lucci’s?”
“No, I didn’t. I met her at a friend’s party. No one, including me, knew I was attending that night. When I questioned Kyra, she said it was one date. There was no reason to question her further.”
“Captain McGuire, you can’t expect us to work with Lieutenant Carrington on this?” Agent Newton said.
“Jake Carrington has my complete faith and support, Agent. His record and reputation speak for themselves. We don’t play games here. So, I’m going to ask, what reaction were you looking for by putting Mrs. Russell’s picture in the file?”
“You have to understand, Captain, I needed to know his involvement before we proceeded.”
“Asked and answered. Move on,” McGuire said.
“I have a question.” Jake held up his own picture. “You’re putting me in this file as a known associate of Phil Lucci? You’re compromising me and my career for your own advancement?”
“You’re dating the same woman,” Newton said.
“This file needs to be scrubbed of my officer. I’ll speak with your supervisor on this issue,” McGuire told Newton. “And Agent Newton, for the record, I don’t like to be coldcocked. Now, let’s move on to the reason we’re here today.”
Jake was impressed with the way McGuire took over the room after dressing down Newton. “For the record, Newton, I dated Mrs. Russell, not Phil Lucci.” Jake looked at his captain, got the go ahead. McGuire passed the floor and the operation over to him.
It warmed his innards when Newton’s anger washed across his face. Bastard barges in here and wants to take over my investigation. In a pig’s eye.
“Mrs. Russell and I are no longer dating. I’m resuming a previous relationship. I’ve questioned Kyra—I mean Mrs. Russell—several times about her association with Lucci. I’m not satisfied with her answers. I don’t have any concrete evidence to dispute them. It’s my instincts nagging at me. In fact, Mrs. Russell was never mentioned in any of Stack’s files or on the flash drives I recovered.”
The state guy interrupted for the first time. “Lieutenant, what was it about her answers that you didn’t like?”
“As I said, it’s years of doing my job. I questioned her when she said she had the one date with him, but I learned she had dinner with him at his home on other occasions.” Jake saw the confusion on their faces. “If she hadn’t told me, I would never have known that fact.”
“The question is, why did she tell you?” Newton said.
“I won’t know until I ask her. Now, I want to outline the plan we’ve developed. Who’ll be involved when we execute the warrant on Lucci’s home? I got a warrant for his enforcer, Angelo Rainford’s, home too.”
“You’ve been a busy guy, Jake.” He tried to control his frustration when Newton interrupted. “When were you going to inform us that you already had everything in place for this operation?” Newton asked, annoyed.
“I’m telling you now. Until a half hour ago, Newton, you weren’t part of this investigation. Mark it down as asked and answered. Having to explain the details to you is setting me behind on my timeline. Can we move forward now?” Jake stared Newton down before turning back to the board in the conference room.
In one column, he listed all the physical evidence he had against Phil Lucci. In a second column, he made a list of crimes he knew might be related, but had no proof Phil Lucci had either ordered or committed.
“What I’m hoping for here”—Jake pointed to the second column—“is that you, Newton, or the state—by the way, what’s your name?” Irked that he was never introduced, Jake looked over to the state guy.
“I’m State’s Attorney John Rudderman.”
“Okay, John. What I’m hoping for here is
that either you or Newton can fill in the blanks with your evidence pertaining to these crimes.”
Jake watched them study his board and work through their files before they answered him.
“I have a Darlene Jones in my file, who went missing when she agreed to testify against Lucci. But I have no evidence pointing to him except for what you see there.” Rudderman handed Jake a copy of his report.
“She was last seen with Lucci,” Jake asked, as he looked at Rudderman. “How reliable are your witnesses?”
“They were solid at the time of the report. I can’t answer for now. It seems every time we have a witness come forward, they back down at the last minute or disappear. I know Lucci’s threatened them, but they won’t verify that,” Rudderman said.
“We have cases here in Wilkesbury with the same signature. Detective Stack detailed what evidence went missing per Phil Lucci’s orders. I’m hoping to give Kyra— Mrs. Russell— another chance tonight to clear the air.”
“If she hasn’t given you any information up to this point, why would she now?” Newton asked.
“I’ve pulled file photos of Lucci’s victims. I’m hoping to shock her into talking.”
“You have more than you’re sharing,” Newton said.
“I don’t have solid evidence, as I said, but I have another line of questioning that I haven’t pursued. Also today, someone snatched up Mrs. Russell’s son at school and hid him for about a half hour. She received a call from a burner cell warning her. I plan on using her fear for her son’s safety to dig deeper. And I want Lucci in a cage first to make sure she and her son are safe. I’m bringing in State Trooper Sergeant Cal McDermott to execute the warrant. That’s his jurisdiction.”
“Can you trust him?” Captain McGuire asked.
“So far he’s been solid. He’s been cooperative and he’s also kept me in the loop evidence-wise. Any questions?”
Jake scanned the plans, made a mental note as he detailed the number of officers he’d need. Outside of him, Louie, and Joe Green, he’d need Dunn, no not Dunn, for some reason McGuire wanted Epstein from the electronic division instead of Dunn. He’d also use the WPD SWAT Team. Beside Newton, his team included two guys from his division. Rudderman said he’d be there to make sure no one stepped over the line and cause the evidence to be dismissed once it went to trial. John also knew Cal McDermott and gave him the thumbs-up.
All the Hidden Sins Page 31