Killer Romances

by Dana Delamar, Talullah Grace, Sandy Loyd, Kristine Mason, Dale Mayer, Nina Pierce Chantel Rhondeau, K. T. Roberts, H. D. Thomson, Susan Vaughan

  “What about security?” Zach asked, his voice much calmer.

  Bradshaw shrugged. “They’ve checked every floor, every nook and cranny of this building, without so much as a sign of her anywhere. But as you well know, it’s not unusual for patients to leave the ER if they’ve been waiting a long time.”

  “Okay, then let’s head on down to security.” Jessie stared at Zach and Bradshaw waiting patiently for them to make a move toward the walkway.

  “Fine,” Zach noticed the expression on Jessie’s face and shooed her on, “Go!”

  They trailed behind her quickened steps, exiting through the double doors down the long hallway. A strong medicinal smell attacked Jessie’s nose. She held her breath, trying to avoid inhaling the sickening sweet, disinfectant-like smell reminding her of when her mother was in the hospital after an automobile accident. The blood-soaked bandages decaying in the wastebaskets until an orderly could remove the trash didn’t help.

  “What did security say about their apparent lapse in vigilance?” Zach asked Bradshaw.

  He scoffed. “The same thing we’d say. How do you prevent something like this from happening when there’s complete chaos?” Bradshaw turned to face him. “The other issue is the newly minted interns infiltrating the ER. Let’s face it, their focus is on saving lives, not playing guard dog.”

  Zach shook his head. A young intern passed looking tired, as though he hadn’t slept in weeks. He nodded an acknowledgement.

  “Security is right down here to the right,” Bradshaw directed.

  Jessie, who was already several feet ahead of them, disappeared behind the door.

  “Was Jane conscious?” Zach asked.

  “She was,” Bradshaw said, “but she was confused. She didn’t know her name, what happened or where she was. She couldn’t tell me anything.” He rubbed his eyes. “I’ve seen enough of these cases during the course of my career to know she was traumatized.” Bradshaw coughed. “I think she may even have a touch of amnesia.”

  “Swell,” Zach said, “We have a victim who doesn’t know who she is roaming the streets, or she was kidnapped by our mystery assailant . . . or worse yet, maybe dead.”

  “While we waited together,” Bradshaw added, “I told her as soon as her wounds were tended, someone from the NYPD would take her to a state facility until we learned her identity, because I was sure someone was looking for her.”

  “You told her all that?”

  “Well, yeah. I didn’t want to lie to her. She was looking for some answers.”

  “Geez, Bradshaw. You were so worried about her listening in on our conversation because she was scared, did it ever occur to you that you startled her yet again even more by telling her the truth.” he criticized.

  “I thought I was helping her.” Bradshaw glared at Zach. “Stop treating me like I’m a rookie. I’ve been doing this job for forty-five years—longer than you’ve been out of diapers. I sure as hell don’t need you treating me like I’m a moron.”

  A muscle flickered in Zach’s jaw from frustration by the insufficient evidence they had. He was angry with Bradshaw for leaving their victim in a hallway along with other patients, and his overall disregard for Jane Doe. He tightened his lips in a thin line. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry,” Zach said. “I’m frustrated we have no leads and the one lead we did have, is gone.” The pair entered the small security office. Jessie was already in a deep conversation with one of the guards. The man looked up when the detectives stood and watched them.

  Jessie pointed to the two men. “They’re with me.”

  “What’s up, Jess?” Gerard asked.

  “Exactly as Detective Bradshaw informed us. Nada.” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “At least we have her DNA from the skin you found on the window and the nightgown she wore.”

  “Uh, no. We don’t have the nightgown either. By the time I got to the orderly, he’d already contaminated it.”

  Zach threw up his hands. “Swell, and the bad news is if she’s not in the system, there’s no way to track her anyway.”

  The trio left the security office and walked back through the tunnel.

  “We’ll check the missing persons database to see if we can find a match,” Zach said. “Let’s pay a little visit to Tony. He and Lenny were best friends. He must know something.”

  She turned to Bradshaw. “Thanks for helping us out.”

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help, Jessie,” Bradshaw said.

  “It’s all right, Detective. Shit happens. As much as we’d like to think we have everything under control, it doesn’t always work out that way.”

  “Thanks, Jess.” He smiled at her, and glanced off Zach. “I’ll see you at headquarters.” He nodded a farewell to Zach and walked up ahead.

  “See you at headquarters,” she called after him. “Get some rest tonight.” He waved his hand in the air and continued.

  When he was out of earshot, Zach fixed her with an angry stare. “Why are you giving this guy a free pass? He lost our victim.”

  “I’m not giving him a free pass, Gerard. This could have happened to any one of us, and you know it. It seems to me I remember a certain someone, who—”

  He cut her off, suddenly defensive. “Fine! I don’t need a rundown of the faux pas I’ve made on the job. Point taken.”

  Zach checked his watch. “Tony should be at his old hangout by now.”

  “Good. Let’s go find out what he knows.” She studied his profile for a short while. His mouth was set in irritation. “Besides the no leads, Gerard, what else is bothering you?”

  His jaw flickered. A few minutes of silence passed between them before he spoke. “Do you have something you want to tell me, Jess?”

  “Nothing you don’t already know.”

  He reached in his shirt pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “Oh really? Then what’s this?”

  She reached over and snatched the paper from his hand. She recognized it as one of the three threatening notes she’d received. “Where did you get this?”

  “It fell out of your pocket when you went to the restroom at Lizzie’s Diner after we showered and changed at your apartment. So now do you want to tell me about this?”

  “It’s really no big deal, Gerard. It’s a prank. You know, the new boss is here, and the guys think I’m getting special treatment. It’s a test, that’s all.”

  “And why would you be receiving special treatment?” his eyebrows rose.

  “I don’t know. Because I’m cute?” she chuckled.

  “You’re not that cute.”

  “I’m not?” she grinned.

  “Listen up, smartass. So you actually believe this came from someone in the department?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “What makes you think it’s not a criminal who’s threatening your life? Suppose he’s been released, and now he wants to get even with you. Or how do you know it’s not a member of a criminal’s family?”

  Her stomach clenched. “I guess I don’t. But no one has tried to break into my apartment or tried to attack me on the street.” She rubbed her hands on her slacks to dry her clammy palms.

  “So you’re just going to dismiss this? Is that it?”

  “Pretty much,” she nodded.

  “How many of these have you received?” he inquired.

  She fell silent, but the heat of his ardent stare told her she’d better answer. “Okay. It’s the third one.”

  “The third one? And when were you planning to tell me . . . your partner?”

  “Look, Gerard. Even if it isn’t someone from the department, I can handle this myself. I’m a big girl now—I know how to use a gun.”

  “You slay me. You’re always so busy trying to prove how tough you are. The funny thing about that is you lose sight of what’s real and what’s not. We all know you’re capable of taking care of yourself, but you’re just as vulnerable as the rest of us. If you think it’s someone in the department, fine, then I’m going to ask around. If
I find out one of those assholes is playing games here, I’ll string him up by his balls—”

  His voice went silent in her ears. His comment had stoked the fire burning inside her. A tingle appeared in her belly. She forced herself to stop the dreamy thoughts and tuned back to his conversation.

  “ . . . doubt any of the guys would be so dumb. Do you think any one of them would risk their career to play a prank on you?”

  “It’s possible if they thought they wouldn’t get caught. What about all the politicians who cheat on their wives convinced no one will ever find out?”

  “Oh, Jess, get real, will you? You’re not worth losing a job over.”

  She was taken aback, the sting of his comment hit like a sucker punch to the gut. “Okay, I apologize. I should have told you.”

  “Damn straight you should have. And, while we’re on the subject, when had you planned to tell me you dated Harwell? Is that why you thought the guys might think you’re getting special treatment?”

  “Who told you that?” she snarled.

  “It doesn’t matter. I heard it, okay? Is anything going on between the two of you now? Because, man, if you think I want to partner with the boss’ girlfriend, we’re finished.”

  “Are you out of your freakin’ mind? I don’t date married men.” She shook her head in disgust. “That was a long time ago. I was a foolish young girl.”

  “So, why is the rumor still following you?”

  “How should I know?” His question hit a nerve. Her nostrils flared, and she snapped back. “So then, my theory isn’t all that far fetched after all. Is it?”

  “Perhaps. I doubt anyone would want to get in the middle of that. A newly ordained lieutenant screwing his subordinate?” his hand flew in the air. “Now, that’s really asking for trouble.”

  She turned away from him and stared out the window. Under normal circumstances she loved to people watch, but this time, the only thing she saw was red.

  “How long ago did these notes start?” he asked.

  “Recently . . . within the last two weeks. Okay?”

  “What are WE going to do about them?”

  “WE?”

  “Yeah, you heard me right. WE!”

  They exchanged glances, a sudden awkward moment passed between them. She’d never seen him so angry, and for that matter, he’d never made her this angry either.

  “So, now you’re my Guardian?” she gaped.

  “You bet your sweet ass I am. As partners, we need to know what’s going on with each other. Something like this on your mind could make you careless . . . take unnecessary chances. I cover your ass, you cover mine . . . that’s how it works, Jess.”

  “Oh stop. I don’t take chances.”

  “You just did, Tate.”

  She knew he was mad. He rarely, if ever, called her by her first name. She released a sigh and held up her hand. “Okay, enough.” She gazed out the window again and noticed Tony. “There he is. He’s in front of Cutter’s bar with his cronies.”

  Zach parked the car. When Tony saw them, he took off in the opposite direction. The pair raced after him, and caught up in an alley. Tony was about to climb over a chain link fence until Zach latched onto him and threw him to the ground. He snapped the cuffs on his wrists, and pulled him upright. Tony sat on the pavement, his back leaning against the wall, while the two detectives bent over, their hands holding onto their knees, trying to catch their breath.

  “Who are you running from, Tony?” Jessie asked.

  “I don’t know anythin’.”

  “You don’t know what?” Zach asked. “Who killed Lenny?”

  “I didn’t do it,” he said, a painful distortion crossed his face when Jessie reached behind him and gave his cuffs another hard tug.

  “Hey Gerard,” she chided, “Tony said he doesn’t know anything.”

  Tony was shaken, his eyes blinked like he was tapping out in Morse code.

  “Tony, why are you so nervous?” Zach asked, and pulled the man to his feet. He turned to face his partner. “I think we should take Tony down to the precinct for questioning.”

  The twitch on Tony’s jaw line increased, and he started to jump around. “No. Please don’t. I can’t let anyone see me with you.” Tears filled his eyes. “I’ll come down to the station by myself.”

  “Seen by whom? Who are you afraid of?”

  “I have a family. I can’t,” he shook his head. “I can’t.”

  Zach looked at his partner. “What do you think?”

  “Okay, Tony,” she said. “Here’s the deal. You have a half hour to get to the station. If you’re not there in thirty minutes, we’ll find you . . . and you know we will,” she nodded as she spoke. “Then we’re going to cart your ass off to jail. You got that?” She removed the cuffs from his hands, “thirty minutes, Tony.” She checked her watch. “T-h-i-r-t-y minutes,” she spelled out, then glanced at her watch again, nodding her head with the movement of the second hand, “tick tock, tick tock, you have twenty-nine minutes left.” Tony took off like a shot, rounding the corner as though someone was chasing him.

  “Whoa,” Gerard said, “he’s really scared.” Zach shook his head. “I can’t believe how much he’s aged since the last time we saw him.”

  “Yeah, he does look a lot older. He has dark circles under his eyes. Did you notice that?”

  “I did. Maybe his wife is keeping him up late.” Zach winked at his partner.

  “Well, something is keeping him up at night, but I don’t think it’s his wife. He knows something about Lenny’s death.”

  “Okay,” Zach said, “let’s get back in the car and wait for him down the street, out of sight. I have my doubts about him coming to the station house.”

  “He’ll be there,” Jessie assured.

  They returned to their vehicle without comment. Zach eased the car away from the curb, and turned in her direction. “You like that bad cop shit, don’t you?”

  “I do, Gerard. That’s to show the creeps I’m no pushover.”

  He chuckled. “You like to make these guys tow the line.”

  “Yes, sir. That’s my lot in life. You’d better watch out—you might be next.” She was happy the air had cleared. She didn’t like having friction between them. It made for a long uncomfortable day.

  A short distance away, Zach was stuck in traffic close to the subway’s entrance where they watched Tony walk down the steps to catch the train.

  “See, Gerard, I told you he’d come. Ye of little faith.”

  “Okay, you won.” He cocked his head to the side. “By the way, we still have a little unfinished business to discuss,” he inched the car up a car length.

  “No we don’t. That conversation is over.”

  “Oh no, it’s not. I swear, Jess, I’ll go directly to the lieutenant if you don’t start talking.”

  She gave him a glaring arched brow. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “You don’t want to test me, do—” He stopped talking when he saw Tony walk back up the stairs. “See,” he pointed, “that little weasel never intended to head downtown. Now, who has little faith?”

  Jessie jumped out of the car and darted in between the traffic until she reached Tony. She flipped him around and threw on the cuffs before he even realized what was happening. Shocked, Tony jerked back until she dragged him toward the car and shoved him into the back seat. Onlookers merely shook their heads and continued walking unaffected.

  “What were you thinking, Tony?” she demanded. “I just told Detective Gerard to have more faith in you—that you were going to show up at the precinct just like you promised. You keep this up, you little weasel, and I’ll throw your ass in jail so fast your head will spin. You got that?”

  Tony remained silent, his body shaking.

  “Yeah, Tony, you’re developing a bad track record.” Zach looked at him through the rear view mirror. “So what was that all about?”

  “I ain’t never done that to you before.” Tony’s words came out inte
rmittently. “I’m scared, that’s all.”

  Zach cut the engine when they reached the station house. Exiting the vehicle, Jessie opened the back door and grabbed a hold of Tony and shoved him through the opened precinct door. “Why are you so scared?” Tony shrugged and continued down the hall until they entered the interrogation room.

  “You giving me a reward?” Tony asked. Jessie swung him around and pushed him into a chair.

  Zach gave a hearty chuckle. “You’re scared about someone seeing you, yet you’re asking for a reward?” Zach’s eyebrows rose. “Why? Would you be more forthcoming if we paid you?”

  “Forthcoming?” Tony asked.

  “Yeah. In other words, would money help your memory?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Listen, scumbag,” Jessie said, “Your reward is staying out of the slammer. Let me remind you there’s still those drug charges against you. That is, unless you’d rather do your time?”

  “No. No. I was just asking. I can barely feed my eight kids in this economy. I just thought—”

  “Yeah, I know what you thought. You thought you could squeeze a little more out of the department. Well, forget it. You’re not the only one feeling it. We’re all feeling it. Okay, party’s over, down to business. Lenny was living with you and the family. Is that right?” Zach asked.

  “Yes. He was living with us since his wife died.” Tears welled in Tony’s eyes, but he remained speechless, fidgeting nervously in his chair, his feet tapping against the floor.

  Zach hammered at him. “Who killed your friend?”

  “I . . . I . . . I don’t know nuttin’, Gerard.”

  “We think you do. Was it this Sonny guy who owns the place, and maybe Lenny was being too friendly? Asking too many questions?”

  “I ain’t ever seen this Sonny guy.” Tony’s bottom jaw jutted out, a clear indication he was lying.

  Jessie interrupted. “Then why are you so afraid?”

  “Because Vito tells us he’s a badass, and not to mess around with him.” He rubbed the side of his face with his shoulder. “Listen, the only reason Lenny and I agreed to work at the chop shop was for you guys, but Vito’s warnings scared us.”