by Lynn Emery
“Any kind of organized effort leaves traces of the pattern. In this case it’s what was missing that counted.” Dayna squinted.
“The stolen goods didn’t show up on the street immediately, for one thing. Another thing, the usual suspects didn’t pop up on the radar screen,” Nicole said.
“You’re no dummy at this yourself.”
Nicole blushed. “Thanks. So, the pattern fooled some smart people. Including Marcus. When we first realized we had a problem, he was upset about missing the signs.”
Dayna’s expression tightened again. “Speaking of Marcus, why don’t we check on how much longer he might be?”
Nicole noticed a subtle change in Dayna’s tone. She punched his number, and Shelly answered. “Gone where? Yes, as soon as he comes back. Marcus had to leave.”
“Oh.” Dayna didn’t appear pleased. “I really need to touch base with him.”
“You’ve got this funny look on your face. What’s up?”
“I interviewed Tameka. She got kinda quiet when I mentioned several names. One of them is related to Shaun Jackson.” Dayna shifted in her seat.
“Marcus’s pal from the old neighborhood Shaun Jackson?”
“Yeah.” Dayna frowned.
“That’s a common name.” Nicole watched her closely.
“True, but it’s him. This guy is Jackson’s cousin, and he’s not very nice. He’s got arrests for assault, armed robbery, and possession with intent. His record goes back ten years, and that’s just in adult court.”
“They came from a rough area of the city. So?”
“So…” Dayna’s voice faded off as her frown deepened.
“Come on, tell me,” Nicole prompted.
“It just so happens Jackson’s cousin has been spotted hanging around with even nastier dudes. Which is really saying something.” She paused to glance at the door as if wishing Marcus would appear.
“He’s not coming. What is this about?” Nicole felt the hairs on her arms stand up.
Dayna looked at Nicole again. “There is another investigation. Jackson and his cousin have been spotted together.”
“Another investigation,” Nicole repeated. She sat very still now and watched every nuance of body language the detective displayed.
“Yeah, not of them and not connected to the thefts from your customers. I can’t say more than that.”
“But the two investigations might connect,” Nicole said.
“I don’t have any evidence of it at this point,” Dayna replied, lapsing into what sounded like police press conference spin.
“Uh-huh.” Nicole chewed on what little Dayna had revealed. An ugly thought hit her. “You can’t suspect Marcus is involved!”
“I need to ask him some questions is all. Don’t trip.” Dayna raised a palm.
Nicole studied her for several minutes. Dayna had known Marcus long before she’d met Nicole. Then Nicole remembered the vibes between them, the clear signs that Dayna and Marcus had dated once.
“You wanted to talk with Marcus before anyone else had to know. Including me.”
“His buddy Shaun isn’t exactly clean. Nothing proven, you understand,” Dayna replied carefully.
“Like hanging around with criminals.” Nicole didn’t like the picture forming. She could tell Dayna wasn’t thrilled with it either.
“Right. Jackson could be using his relationship with Marcus to get information,” Dayna offered. She lifted a shoulder.
“We both know Marcus isn’t stupid enough to be used,” Nicole replied with a grimace.
The words that formed in her mouth left a sour taste behind. She couldn’t bring herself to voice the suspicion implied by Dayna’s silence. Neither could Dayna apparently, so they merely looked at each other for a few more minutes.
“Shaun Jackson isn’t stupid either. In fact, he’s very smart,” Dayna said finally. “He’s known Marcus longer than either of us. A bond that goes back to hard times on the street can be real strong.”
“No,” Nicole said firmly.
Dayna gestured to Nicole’s phone. “Can I call Marcus’s secretary?”
Though puzzled by the request, Nicole nodded her assent. She turned the phone around and pushed it to the edge of her desk. “Extension 202.”
Dayna dialed the number. “Hi, Shelly. This is Detective Tyler. I was going to call Marcus, but it’s not urgent. If he left to visit a customer I won’t disturb him. I see. Thanks, bye.” She hung up the phone. “He talked to Shaun Jackson before he left, so Shelly thinks maybe they’re having a late lunch.”
“Marcus could have his own suspicions. He might be going to confront Shaun for all we know,” Nicole said in his defense before Dayna could say more.
“Possible,” was Dayna’s terse and less than convincing reply.
Nicole thought about the Marcus she knew, the man who had held her in his arms. She couldn’t have mistaken the caring in his touch.
“There is a reasonable explanation. Marcus can’t be held accountable for shady stuff his friend gets caught up in.”
Dayna nodded. “I thought of the same thing. But I wasn’t sure you’d see it that way.”
“So why did you tell me about Shaun, his cousin, and the rest?” Nicole stared at her hard.
“I’m not real sure. Maybe I was hoping you could give me solid reasons Marcus couldn’t be involved.” Dayna looked at her steadily.
“Or evidence that he might be. Unless you’d prefer to think I’m in a scheme to rob my own customers,” Nicole said.
“Personal feelings aside, I’m a cop. I’ll follow whatever trail has the most signs pointing to a likely suspect.” Dayna let out a noisy sigh. “I can’t help myself.”
Nicole nodded her understanding. “Now what?”
“I’ll call Marcus and set up a meeting to ask my questions.” Dayna stood and walked to the door.
“I’ll page you when he gets back. I intend to be present.” Nicole didn’t flinch when Dayna spun around with a flinty expression.
“Fine.”
Nicole sucked in air and let it out slowly. The pounding behind her eyes began to build up even more. She tried to ignore it as she dialed Marcus’s mobile number.
Marcus circled the block three times before he spotted Shaun, who had appeared in the short three minutes it had taken Marcus to circle back. Shaun strolled along and puffed on a blunt cigar. Though his pace seemed leisurely, his eyes scanned his surroundings. Marcus turned into the lot of an office building. He found an empty space, parked, and walked quickly down the sidewalk toward Shaun.
Shaun’s usually jaunty grin stretched his wide mouth tight. The glitter in his eyes wasn’t good-humored, either. “Hey, dude.”
“What the hell is up with you, Shaun?” Marcus blurted out when he got within a few feet of him.
Shaun nodded to the east of where they stood. “There’s a little sandwich shop down the way. I’m hungry. Let’s go.” He started off.
Marcus fell in step beside him. “I want to know what’s going on.”
“Don’t we all,” Shaun replied and kept walking.
Ten minutes later they were seated across from each other, both with their hands folded atop a bright yellow table. Shaun had a tall plastic cup of strawberry soda. Marcus refused his offer to be treated. They sat in a corner away from the only other two customers having a late lunch.
“Well?” Marcus frowned at him.
“Can’t decide on the ham and cheese po’boy or the roast beef. Gotta be careful. I haven’t had a chance to work out in the last week or so.” Shaun patted his flat abs.
“Forget the menu and start talking,” Marcus grumbled, careful to keep his tone low.
“I’m having a few problems. Nothing I can’t handle.” Shaun lifted a shoulder.
“Handle as in skip out on your condo lease and drop out of sight. Exactly who is after you for money?” Marcus leaned forward as he spoke.
“Don’t trip, man. I’m gonna bounce for a few days then come back str
ong. I’ll pay everybody, eventually.” Shaun waved a hand. “That’s not why I called you, though.”
“This thing with Olandon—”
“I’m through with that chump. I’ve given him too many chances. Whatever he’s gotten himself into this time is his problem.” Shaun’s mouth twisted in a sneer.
“He’s implicated in the thefts of our customers. I find that real strange.” Marcus stared at Shaun.
“Look, man, I admit to maybe going too far to help family. But that’s it.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” Shaun returned his gaze without blinking for several moments.
“So, tell me exactly why you disappeared,” Marcus said finally.
“I owe some business partners, ran short on cash. I didn’t want to leave town without letting you know.” Shaun sipped through the straw.
“What?” Marcus blurted loudly. When the servers behind the counter glanced at them, he tried to appear relaxed.
“You need to chill, man.” Shaun looked around. “I’ve got some business interests that should pay off soon. First I gotta take a short trip.”
Marcus shook his head slowly. “I sure as hell hope you’re not doing something really stupid.”
“When have you known me to be stupid?” Shaun grinned.
“First time for everything.” Marcus continued to stare at him with a taut frown.
Shaun sighed. “Okay, since you just have to get in my business. I bought some cheap goods in Hong Kong that I’ve had in storage. Remember I went on that trip six months ago?”
“Yeah.” Marcus nodded. “Another one of your ideas to make a killing in the import business.”
“Right. Well, my partner bailed. I finally tracked him down and found where he’d stored the goods. I had to use a little firm persuasion.” Shaun tapped a fist into the palm of his hand.
“You did what?” Marcus said, this time careful to speak softly.
“He’ll be fine once they take the cast off,” Shaun quipped. Then he grew serious again. “I’ve got a market for the stuff, and then my money problems will be solved.”
Marcus weighed his explanation. He couldn’t find holes in the story. Yet he knew Shaun too well. “Olandon fits in there somewhere.”
“I hired that fool to help me move the stuff. He never showed. I keep trying to save his sorry ass only because my grandmother asked me to. Not anymore.” Shaun shook his head hard.
“Shaun, don’t cover for him. If you know anything about his involvement in these thefts, tell me now,” Marcus pressed.
“I swear, Marcus. I might bend the law until it almost breaks, but none of that gangsta stuff.” Shaun clamped a hand over Marcus’s wrist. “You know me.”
Marcus studied his intense expression. Neither spoke for several minutes as Marcus considered his explanation. Shaun had his faults, but sneaking into stores after hours to steal wasn’t his style; at least not since their teen years in the Fifth Ward. Still, Marcus could not ignore the gut feeling that Shaun was being Shaun. His account might be the outer layer concealing the core truth.
“Yes, Shaun. I do know you. I hope all you’re into is debt because of a bad but legal import deal.”
Shaun wore a crooked grin. “You’re not even gonna stick it to the Summers fat cats. Where is the dude I know and love?”
“Shaun, listen to me. My pal Dayna—”
“That hot lady detective? You havin’ way too much fun without me.” Shaun laughed and sipped more soda.
“Dayna will probably connect Olandon to you. I need to know if there is any reason he could pull you down with him,” Marcus said with vehemence.
“Everything is cool with me.” Shaun shoved a set of keys toward him. “I left my Escalade at your place. All my worldly goods are in there, sold most of the other stuff. I’ll call you.”
Marcus looked at the keys, then at Shaun. “You haven’t told me everything.”
“We’ve got a lot of friendship between us, and trust. I always thought we’d have trust. Yeah, we’ve had our moments. But when it comes down to it I’m there for you and you’ve been there for me.”
Seconds ticked away as Marcus studied Shaun. Finally he nodded. “You need to be careful who you hang out with, man.”
“Tell me about it. Two days tops and I’ll take my junk off your hands. I’ll treat you to steak at Brennan’s.” Shaun’s facial muscles relaxed into his trademark easy smile that had charmed so many. He rose and looked down at Marcus.
“You owe me steak and lobster for all this drama.” Marcus stood.
Shaun laughed and waved goodbye. He took time to flirt with one of the servers behind the counter before he left. Marcus couldn’t help but smile with affection as he followed him. With one last grin, Shaun walked quickly down the street. Marcus watched him cross to a pay parking lot and get into a white Ford Focus with a rental license tag.
Marcus went back to his car. He checked for digital messages on his mobile phone. Nicole had left her number and added 911 after it. She picked up on the first ring.
“I’m sorry. I got tied up and—” he started to explain, then stopped. Nicole’s near frenzied voice blasted through in a stream of words. He listened, and his stomach twisted.
“Slow down, Nicole. Did you say murder?”
twenty-two
Nicole willed her hands to loosen their tight grip on the arms of her chair. She felt surrounded by the full force of the police department. Dayna sat across from her, her face unreadable. The newcomer, a short husky man the color of milk chocolate, seemed to be considering whether or not Nicole was a suspect. Homicide detective Larry Holmes wore an expression of infinite patience, as though used to waiting out confessions. His partner, Frank O’Connor, watched her every move. All four sat around the round table of the seating area in Nicole’s office. Determined not to be the first to blink, Nicole clenched her teeth to keep from talking. Detective Holmes cleared his throat at last. He looked more like a high school principal, with his gold wire-framed eyeglasses and starched white shirt.
“How well did you know the victim?” Holmes blinked at her through the lens.
“We met a few times. She dated my cousin.” Nicole thought of the ashen color of Russell’s face when she’d seen him last night. “Naturally he’s devastated.”
“Dated,” Holmes repeated and paused. “How serious were they? Engaged?”
“Russell seemed very much in love. They hadn’t announced an engagement.” Nicole shifted in her seat.
“You said he seemed very much in love. Maybe you don’t think she felt the same.”
Nicole took her time answering. “Like I said, I only met her a couple of times. Mostly I heard Russell talking about her.”
“But you didn’t say ‘They seemed very much in love,’” Holmes persisted.
“The few times I saw them together she was very affectionate.” Nicole felt a flash of anxiety at the look he gave her.
“Your cousin is at home,” Holmes murmured. He rubbed his chin as he looked out the window of her office.
“Yes.” Nicole bit back the urge to remind him she’d already said Russell had gone home.
“I’ll interview him later,” he said as though talking to himself. Then he glanced at Nicole. “What do you know about Ms. Manning?”
“Only what Russell told me, that she came from a prominent family in California. I think he said San Jose, or maybe it was Sacramento. She worked in fashion marketing. I don’t know where.”
“None of which is true,” Dayna said.
“Aliyah Manning grew up in a New Orleans housing project. Her family moved to the Fifth Ward in Houston when she was thirteen. She had three children by the time she was eighteen, all being raised by relatives. She has a history of arrests for passing bad checks, receiving stolen things, and felony theft.” Holmes rattled off the account.
“Busy girl.” Nicole’s mind raced as she digested the information.
“You think your cousin might have found out?”
O’Connor squinted at Nicole.
Nicole glanced at Dayna for a cue. She didn’t get one. Dayna kept her expression blank. “I don’t think so. They were still tight the last time I talked to him.”
“I see.” Holmes seemed to consider whether or not he believed her. “What about these thefts?”
Nicole started at the sudden shift. “What?”
“Your customers have had problems. One of them thinks your employees are involved.” Holmes glanced at Dayna.
“Yeah. Tameka Grant, for one,” Dayna said.
“We haven’t found any kind of widespread conspiracy, if that’s what you mean. And what does this have to do with Aliyah?” Nicole asked. The three detectives exchanged glances.
“Ms. Manning knew Shaun Jackson,” Holmes said.
“Okay.” Nicole waited.
“One of our suspects in the LaSalle Jewelry Store robbery is related to Jackson,” Dayna said. “Olandon Jackson.”
“Did Mr. Reed know Ms. Manning?” Holmes asked the question in an offhand manner.
“Aliyah came to the office several times to see Russell. Marcus knew her in the sense that they’d met that way.” Nicole glanced at Dayna again. Still no cue.
“I see.” Holmes waited again.
“What is all this about?” Nicole said.
“Just seems like a lot of strange coincidences,” O’Connor replied. “Burglaries that progress to an armed robbery and now a murder. They all link back to Summers Security some kinda way.”
“Are you suggesting that Marcus, Russell, and I are suspects?” Nicole looked at each detective in turn.
“We’re just trying to figure out what it all means, Ms. Benoit.” Holmes wore the expression of a kindly uncle.
“Right.” Nicole didn’t feel reassured at all. Her temper started to simmer.
“So, you don’t know this Olandon Jackson who happens to be the cousin of your vice president’s best friend?” Holmes spoke in a level tone. One bushy eyebrow lifted as he gazed at her.
“No,” Nicole said in a calm voice. “I don’t know the second cousin twice removed of my secretary’s hairdresser either.”
Dayna sucked air. “Funny.”
“Lady, this isn’t a joke,” O’Connor put in. He started to go on, but Holmes lifted a palm.