Kiss Lonely Goodbye

by Lynn Emery

  “I like your sense of humor,” Holmes nodded, though he didn’t smile.

  “Thanks.” Nicole worked hard to ignore the jittery feeling of having three top cops pissed at her. Put the safety lock on your big mouth.

  “This particular cousin is on a list of suspects, not to mention his criminal history.” Holmes went back to looking pensive for several more seconds. “Where did you say Mr. Reed is right now?”

  “On his way back from a meeting,” Nicole replied.

  “Hmm. Tameka Grant has interesting things to say about his friend Shaun.” Holmes looked at her expectantly.

  “I see.” Nicole folded her hands in her lap. She pretended not to notice Dayna’s muttered curse word or O’Connor’s glower.

  Holmes appeared undisturbed by her response. He nodded again. “Yes, indeed. She thinks he’s somehow involved. A strange coincidence.”

  “She thinks. She’s never seen Shaun or talked to him.” Nicole tilted her head to one side.

  “No, she hasn’t,” Holmes admitted. His half-smile appeared apologetic.

  “Interesting. Guilt by association.” Nicole crossed her legs.

  “We’re fleshing out all the twists and turns.” Holmes spread his hands out.

  “Good. That’s what we’re hoping for here at Summers Security.” Nicole smiled back at him.

  “I would think so, since your business depends on trust,” Holmes replied. “I’m sure your clients want to know you’re fully cooperating with us.”

  “We’ve told them so.” Nicole brushed nonexistent lint from her navy blue skirt.

  “Shaun Jackson has a few skeletons in his closet,” O’Connor blurted out.

  “He and Marcus grew up in the Fifth Ward. I know about it.” Nicole glanced at him briefly, then looked at Holmes again.

  “Did you know that Mr. Jackson has been accused of fraud in several telemarketing schemes?” Holmes said in a quiet voice.

  “Accused, not convicted?” Nicole asked.

  “He’s slippery,” O’Connor said.

  Nicole looked at Dayna. “What do you think? You’ve known Marcus for awhile.”

  Dayna looked at her colleagues before she answered. “Nobody here is suggesting Marcus is dirty. There’s just no evidence. Right now we’re looking at a jumble of facts. We need to see what fits and what to throw out.”

  Nicole had the feeling she’d made that point to them before. “Of course.”

  O’Connor’s cell phone played a musical tune. He unhooked it from his belt, stood, and answered. He left the room still talking low. “Yeah, what is it?”

  “You don’t know Shaun Jackson well.” Holmes repeated what Nicole had already told him twice.

  She pushed down irritation. “I’ve only met him a few times.”

  “Larry, come over here a minute.” O’Connor beckoned from the open door.

  “Excuse me.” Holmes strode out.

  When they were alone Nicole turned to Dayna. “What the hell is wrong with you accusing Marcus?”

  “I didn’t accuse him,” Dayna snapped back as she glanced over her shoulder toward the door. “But this crap with Shaun stinks. He’s been slippin’ and slidin’ around the law for a long time.”

  “You really think Marcus helps him scam people?” Nicole glared at her.

  “No, I don’t. But Marcus is extremely loyal to the guy. They’ve got ties strong as blood.” Dayna bit her lower lip.

  Nicole started to protest, then paused. Marcus had few ties that had lasted, even fewer people he had been able to count on over the years. Could he let a sense of loyalty lead him to protect his friend and betray Summers Security? Then she remembered the talks they’d had about the company’s future while holding each other close. She couldn’t be that big a fool or Marcus that good an actor.

  “No. Marcus might try to save Shaun, but he wouldn’t be his accomplice. Not even by shielding him.”

  “I hope you’re right. He—” Dayna broke off when the two detectives came back in.

  O’Connor stood with his legs apart and both hands on his hips, suit coat pushed back. “More pieces are falling into place by the minute.”

  Dayna glanced from him to Holmes with a frown. “What?”

  “That meeting Mr. Reed had was with Shaun Jackson,” Holmes said.

  “Oh sh—” Dayna clamped her lips together to cut off the expletive.

  Nicole fought the dizzy dip the floor beneath her seemed to take. She breathed in and let it out slowly. Seconds ticked by as the three detectives stared at her. Finally Nicole stood.

  “If that’s all, I need to get back to work,” she said, amazed her voice sounded steady.

  O’Connor opened his mouth, but Holmes cut him off with a sharp glance. He reached into his jacket, took out his card, and dropped it on the table.

  “Have Mr. Reed call me. Soon,” Holmes said.

  “I’ll tell him.” Nicole didn’t touch the card or look at it.

  “Goodbye.” Holmes walked out of her office.

  O’Connor followed him, after casting a solemn glance at Nicole for effect. Dayna stayed behind for a second, seemed about to speak, then followed the two men out. Nicole dropped into her seat.

  “What are you up to, Marcus?” she muttered.

  Cat entered Nicole’s office without knocking. “He’s back.”

  Nicole sprang from her chair and strode past her. Seconds later she arrived at Marcus’s office. “No calls, no interruptions,” she instructed his wide-eyed secretary.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Shelly replied promptly.

  Marcus had his back to her but spun around when she slammed the door. “Nicole, what the hell is going on?”

  “Excuse me, but that’s my line,” she snapped. “Start with your buddy Shaun, aka the sleazeball con man.”

  “What did the police say?” Marcus rubbed his chin with one hand.

  She studied him through narrowed eyes for several seconds. Guilt stamped his face, giving him a shifty look she’d never noticed before. “You’re prepared to cover for him.”

  Marcus took his hand away from his face. His eyes sparked fire. “Let me explain something about Shaun and me, okay? I met him on an empty lot when I was nine years old. Three boys twice my age and size were beating the hell out of me. Here comes this lanky kid swinging his fist like a crazy man, and he saves my ass. Since then he’s had my back. You don’t know anything about the obstacles we faced.”

  Nicole walked closer to him. “Don’t hide behind the fact that you grew up poor. Poverty doesn’t excuse robbery or murder.”

  He blinked as though each word she spoke slapped him hard across the face. Marcus exhaled like a man who had been holding his breath too long. He sat down hard in the executive chair behind his desk. “I need you to understand, that’s all.”

  “Then give me some answers. Shaun knew Aliyah. Was she part of the thefts from our customers? Did Shaun know about them, too? Was he in on it with his cousin and—”

  “I don’t know.” Marcus rubbed his forehead and frowned. “I just don’t know. Shaun says he didn’t know anything about what Olandon was up to, that he tried to help him stay out of trouble. Look, Shaun has his faults.”

  “Yeah, that’s one way of putting it,” Nicole retorted. “The police call his faults larceny and felony theft by deception.”

  “Stop it.” Marcus jabbed a forefinger at her. “Shaun comes close to the line. Okay, he’s crossed it more than a few times.”

  “This is your defense of him? Please!” Nicole threw up both hands.

  “But,” Marcus shouted, “slick talking somebody out of money? Sure, that’s Shaun. Setting up a questionable investment scheme? He’s right there. But he’s not into robbery and he sure as hell isn’t into murder.”

  “Tell me something. How close have you two been in, say, the last couple of years? You know all his friends and what they’re into, Marcus?” Nicole walked to his desk and leaned on it with both palms flat. “Because if you answer yes, then—�
�

  “What? I’m a criminal, too?” Marcus stared at her hard. “All us ghetto boys are the same underneath. Sure we can get cleaned up. But deep down we’re gangstas dressed real nice. Is that what you’re saying?”

  “The police don’t believe in all these coincidences. Neither do I. Aliyah lied about her background.” Nicole gasped when Marcus looked away. “You knew.”

  “Not at first.”

  Nicole’s eyes narrowed. “She and Shaun were lovers?”

  “A long time ago. Shaun swore to me it was over. He didn’t stay with one woman for long,” Marcus replied.

  “Another admirable character trait. What does he say about the murder?”

  “I don’t think he knows.”

  “Oh come on!” Nicole slammed her hand on the wooden surface of his desk.

  “He didn’t mention it when we talked today!” Marcus yelled back at her. “Shaun would have said something.”

  “The police must be following him, or you,” Nicole added, and frowned. The thought struck her suddenly. “Damn, I should have known.”

  Marcus looked up at her sharply. “What?”

  “You knew Aliyah, too. You wanted to take over, but Uncle Hosea went back on his verbal promise—”

  “Hold on, Nicole.” Marcus stood.

  “Kelli told me you were putting out the word about starting your own security company.” Nicole backed away from him. A horrible picture formed in her head, awful images flashing like a camera snapping pictures.

  “Honey, listen to me.” Marcus came around the desk with his arms outstretched.

  Nicole felt a sting at another image that popped into her head—Aliyah smiling seductively as she stood close to Marcus.

  Marcus must have seen something in Nicole’s eyes. He shook his head and walked toward her. He stopped when she held up both hands as a shield.

  “Maybe the plan got away from you. Did your pals Shaun and Aliyah get greedy? Aliyah grew up in your old neighborhood, too. Maybe Shaun wasn’t the one she was sleeping with.” Nicole swallowed hard.

  “You know that’s not true,” Marcus said quietly.

  “I have no idea what’s true and what’s not these days.” Nicole opened the door.

  Russell shoved her aside. “Him! He killed her. I saw the way you looked at her. When Aliyah wouldn’t give in you killed her!”

  Andre rushed in and grabbed Russell’s arms. “Come on, man. This is not a good idea. The cops are here and—”

  “Good. They can arrest Marcus!” Russell pushed Andre hard until he hit the wall.

  Cat hurried in and shut the door. “They’re coming down the hall right now.”

  “I’m ready for them. What about you two?” Russell glared at Nicole and Marcus.

  Nicole planted one palm on Russell’s chest and shoved him down into a chair. She put her face close to his. “Shut up and listen. You’re a suspect, too. Aliyah lied to you. Maybe you found out she was screwing around behind your back. She was a ghetto girl out to get your money and maybe she even used you to set up those thefts.”

  She spat out the theory in a rush. Seconds later they heard Shelly’s voice outside trying to stall Detective Holmes. Everyone froze. A hard knock made them all jump at the same time.

  “They can’t possible think I—” Russell blinked rapidly. A single drop of sweat rolled down his face. He whimpered when a harder series of knocks sounded.

  “Mr. Reed, we really need to talk,” Detective Holmes said through the door. “Let’s do this easy. I wouldn’t want my officers to damage this nice solid wood door.”

  “Everybody listen to me,” Nicole said low. “We’re in this with Marcus whether we like it or not.” She turned to him. “And I sure as hell don’t like it, but right now I don’t have a choice.”

  “Nicole—” Marcus started forward.

  Nicole cut him off when she opened the office door. Detective Holmes came in with Dayna and two uniformed officers. Dayna stared at Marcus as if sending him a silent message. Holmes glanced around until his gaze settled on Marcus.

  “Good morning,” Holmes said.

  “Hello, Detective Holmes. What can we do for you?” Nicole stepped between them.

  “I need to have a little chat with Mr. Reed here.” Holmes nodded toward Marcus.

  “Fine.” Nicole managed what she hoped was an easy smile. She turned to Russell, Cat, and Andre. “Excuse us, please.”

  “I’m staying right here to correct any lies you two tell.” Russell crossed his arms.

  “Leave,” Nicole said through clenched teeth.

  Holmes turned abruptly to face Russell. “You’ll have a chance to give your statement very soon. Right after these officers search your office.”

  “What?” Nicole and Russell said in unison.

  “Actually we’re going to search the entire office. Won’t take long. One of our detectives is on your computer system,” Holmes continued calmly as though discussing a routine detail. “Andre Allen?”

  “Sir,” Andre croaked and blinked hard.

  “You’ll need to assist Detective O’Connor. He’s already at one of your computers in the conference room, I believe. Thank you,” Holmes added.

  “Like we have a choice,” Nicole said in a tight voice.

  “Oh, speaking of which.” Holmes took out a long white envelope. “Warrant to search the premises.”

  “For what?” Nicole took the envelope without opening it.

  “Evidence, of course,” he replied in a distracted tone.

  Holmes nodded to the officers, who left with Andre. Then he glanced around the room as though conducting his own visual search. He walked around the desk and looked out the window. Nicole beckoned to Cat, who hurried to her side.

  “Call our lawyer. Fax him this and explain what’s going on,” Nicole said to her. Cat nodded and slipped from the room quietly.

  “All in order,” Holmes said over his shoulder.

  “I’m sure it is.” Nicole joined him at the window. She followed the direction of his gaze. “Ready to start?”

  Holmes sighed as though in no rush. “Nice. Summers Security has been very successful. Hosea Summers was quite a character.”

  Nicole felt like a character in a vintage mystery movie. “He had his way of doing things.”

  “Like leaving his business to a niece instead of his own son.” Holmes faced them.

  Russell took the bait. “My father was an old, sick man who was unduly influenced by her parents.”

  “I thought you wanted to question Marcus,” Nicole said, ignoring her irate cousin.

  “Based on his reputation, Mr. Summers didn’t sound like the kind of man who could be manipulated. He thought a lot of Mr. Reed, gave him a lot of authority.” Holmes looked at Marcus.

  “My father could be spiteful and irrational,” Russell grumbled. He shot a heated look at Marcus.

  “Must have been a huge disappointment when Mr. Summers left the business to Ms. Benoit,” Holmes said.

  “His will won’t stand up. My father was seriously ill, probably not mentally competent and—”

  “I was talking to Mr. Reed,” Holmes broke in.

  “It was his company. He had a right to leave it to whomever he chose.” Marcus appeared unruffled.

  “You had an agreement, though. Mr. Summers promised that he would sell you his interest in the company. He lied to you, obviously.” Holmes walked over to stand directly in front of Marcus.

  “He changed his mind, yes. I accepted it,” Marcus said carefully.

  “I don’t think you did, not that easily. You made it clear to several of your biggest clients that you would go out on your own soon. So, if Summers Security suffered, you would benefit.” Holmes cocked his large head to one side.

  “Starting my own business isn’t a crime. People do it every day. Raiding my employer’s client list may not be considered ethical, but it’s not against the law,” Marcus said with a lift of one shoulder.

  “No, it’s not.” Holm
es shot a quick glance at Nicole, then back at Marcus.

  “You were planning to stab me in the back. No wonder you acted funny when I talked about us being partners.” Russell scowled at him, then looked at Holmes. “More evidence he was behind those crimes.”

  “Seems you had all kinds of options.” Nicole stared at Marcus, anger bubbling in her stomach like acid.

  “I never once considered working for Russell. And as disappointed as I was that Mr. Summers went back on his word, I didn’t plot to ruin Summers Security.” Marcus spoke in an even tone.

  Nicole had to admire his composure under such pressure. Of course he was cool as ice. Look at how well he’d deceived her. She turned away from him to the view outside his window.

  “How well did you know Aliyah Manning?” Holmes asked.

  “I only met her once or twice. Yes, I know she and Shaun had been involved at one time,” Marcus replied.

  “When did you find out?” Holmes walked around the room picking up objects from the desk. Then he peered at the flat-screen computer monitor.

  “A few weeks ago. Shaun told me after we saw Aliyah and Russell here.”

  “So, you knew she wasn’t from a prominent family with money. You had to suspect she was up to something,” Holmes said.

  “Wait a minute. Aliyah and I loved each other,” Russell protested. “She was probably embarrassed about her background. But that doesn’t mean she was a criminal.”

  “Aliyah Manning had an arrest record, Mr. Summers. She was scamming elderly men with money by the time she was in her late teens. I’m sorry to put that news so bluntly.” Holmes watched Russell over the wire rim of his eyeglasses.

  “I don’t believe it,” Russell said stubbornly.

  “You think these charges were all a mistake,” Holmes said in a dry tone. “Or maybe you found out she was lying.”

  “It wouldn’t have mattered. I loved her.” Russell lifted his chin.

  “Hmm.” Holmes appeared skeptical but said no more for several minutes. A slender white man with blond hair, dressed in a steel gray suit, came in without knocking. “Detective Ferris is our computer expert.”

  Ferris nodded a greeting to them all, then turned to Holmes. “I finished up.”