by W L Knightly
As he started his car, he checked in the backseat, and then as he turned the key, he half expected his car to blow up. Once on the road, he felt much better, but he couldn’t stop the feeling that his days were numbered.
Chapter 4
Jake
It seemed like a bad time for the chief to be pulled off the case and be replaced with a temp, but Jake had seen stranger things happen before when a case as violent as the Hangman’s was being investigated. Especially after the death of a fellow officer at the hands of the offender.
While Jake tried to understand how the chief felt about being named a possible target, he couldn’t see how O’Connor would follow those orders instead of fighting to stay. Jake wasn’t going to quit now, even though the Hangman had warned him to do so.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” asked Jo, who had been quiet for most of the ride to Tanner’s apartment.
“I don’t know. What’s on your mind?” He had a feeling she was focused on the case, which was where he needed to get his own mind and stop worrying about the chief.
“The chief,” she said. “I can’t believe they removed him.”
Jo thinking the same made him feel like they were a good match for partners. “It’s only temporary, right?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I’ve seen this kind of thing stick. I mean, they must have more of a reason to pull O’Connor away. And depending on the competence of his replacement, I’d say they could decide to make this a permanent thing.”
“You mean if this chief is better than O’Connor?” he asked. He couldn’t see that happening, especially since O’Connor had been doing a good job. Unless there was corruption and the powers that be knew about it. “It’s hard to say.”
“Think about it. If the Hangman wants him dead, perhaps that’s enough reason for someone to put their eye on the chief and his record. Maybe this new chief will look into it and find something she deems important enough where she could unseat him?”
“She’d have to be a vicious bitch to do that.”
Jo gave a half-hearted chuckle. “And yet, it’s entirely possible. I hope for our sakes that’s not true.”
Jake had to agree. With any luck, the new woman wouldn’t be the type of person he would loathe working for, not even for the short time he had left.
“I still want to know what the Hangman has on the chief,” he said. “I’m not buying that there’s no reason for O’Connor to be a target. The Hangman is calculated. He’s done his homework on all of his victims. He’s seen their records and has been following their wrongdoings. He knows something about Chief O’Connor.”
Jake slowed the car and turned into the apartment complex. There were a few people coming and going, and one old woman sat out on her balcony as if it was her day to stand watch. She eyed their car like they had no business being there as they passed by.
Jo looked out the window toward the woman and waved, which earned her an even more suspicious look. “Let’s hope Tanner is home, and we can find out more about our killer.”
“And that we’re not trying to pump a dry well. He may be out of information. It depends on how long the Hangman’s employment lasted alongside Tanner.” He pulled into the parking space nearest Tanner’s unit.
Jo nodded. “Well, here goes nothing.” She opened her car door, and Jake did the same, following her as she took the lead toward Tanner’s.
As they approached, Jake saw the door was slightly ajar. Tanner was nowhere in sight. “That’s odd.” He approached slowly and palmed his gun.
“I’m with you,” said Jo. “It doesn’t feel right.” She pushed the door open. “Tanner?”
“It’s Detectives Thomas and Calloway. We need to talk.”
The house was strangely quiet, as if there wasn’t a hum of energy in the room, not even from the appliances.
“I don’t like this,” whispered Jo. She stepped inside, carefully checking all directions, her hands wrapped tightly around her gun.
“Tanner? If you’re here, speak up, man.” Jake got a sinking feeling, wondering if Tanner lay dead in the back of the apartment. He made his way through the front and down the hall.
“He’s not here.” She walked over to the kitchen. “There’s no telling how long he’s been gone, but my guess, it’s been a minute.” She turned and found a note on the counter. “Jake, look at this!”
He came down the hall after finding the rest of the house empty too. “Did you find something?”
“I’d say so. Just what he wanted us to find. I’m guessing this is why he left his door open.”
“Nothing here worth taking, that’s for sure.” He walked into the room and found Jo staring at the counter with a hard look on her face. Seeing the letter, he walked around the counter and looked over her shoulder.
“It’s a note,” she said. “From Tanner. He got scared.” She turned her head toward Jake, who hovered over her shoulder, and she stepped back.
“Sorry,” he said, stepping aside. He had been in her personal space a little too much, and while she didn’t seem to mind, he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. “Didn’t mean to crowd you.”
“It’s okay. What do you make of it?”
Jake hadn’t gotten a good look enough to read. “DT, I thought you’d be back. Things are getting too hot, and it’s time I look out for myself.”
“DT,” Jo said. “Detective Thomas. At least it’s not the same as the other letters you’ve been getting.”
“Yeah, this was definitely meant for us. I just hope that he had a chance to get away before the Hangman found out he’s been talking.” With the note left on the counter for anyone to see and the fact that the door was still open, Tanner might not have made it out in time. The Hangman could have gotten into the house and read the letter too. “We have to find him.”
“I have a feeling he isn’t going to be easy to find,” said Jo. “I think we shouldn’t waste time going to find him.”
“I know. You’re right. I didn’t want to have to talk to his boss, but since Tanner isn’t around, I have to involve someone else. We’ll go to the construction site and see if we can find someone in charge.”
“That’s just what I was going to suggest. He might be able to tell us something. Maybe he knows where Tanner is hiding.”
Jake smiled. “That’s true, but Tanner said the Hangman worked with him for a short time. If he remembered him, chances are his boss does too.”
“I think he should. But will he talk?” Jo didn’t look too convinced.
“Only one way to find out.” He walked over to the nearest cabinet and wondered if the man even owned any plastic bags, much less gallon-sized where he could secure the letter. When he turned up emptyhanded, he found a roll of plastic wrap. “This will have to work in a pinch.”
“I think it will do just fine. Someone needs to look at that. Maybe something on it will match something on the other letters.”
“Or it could be a waste of Kevin’s time. Either way, it’s worth it.” He gave a quick smile and then carefully wrapped up the wrinkled paper.
When he was done, he turned and headed toward the door, and Jo hurried along behind him.
“Wait up,” she said, not only catching up to him at the door but pushing ahead of him. “Leave it open.”
“I’m with you. If he’s watching the house, he won’t think we’ve been here.” Jake left the door open barely a crack, just the way he found it.
They hurried across town to the construction site, but when they arrived, there was no crew there. “Shit,” said Jake. “They aren’t working today.”
“Let’s go to the office. There has to be someone around. A guard? There is a lot of equipment here.”
Jake looked around and found a small trailer. “There. We’ll see if there’s anyone inside.”
He wondered if that was where Tanner could have gone, but when he approached, a large bearded man in a strained undershirt opened the door. “Can I help yo
u?” he asked, scratching his gut.
“Is the crew somewhere else today?” Jake asked.
“Who wants to know?” He narrowed his eyes, and Jake held out his badge.
“I’m Detective Thomas. I’m trying to find the boss of this operation.”
“He’ll be back on Monday. He had an inspection earlier, so he gave the crew the rest of the day off.”
“Do you know where he lives?”
The man gave Jake a sideward look as if he wouldn’t tell him if he did. “No, and I wouldn’t bother looking for him this weekend. He was supposed to be going on a fishing trip. He bragged about it all fucking week.”
Jake and Jo exchanged a look, and then she turned her attention toward the man. “Thank you, sir. You’ve been very helpful.” She turned on her prettiest smile and then went toward the car.
Jake followed. “Were we doing good cop, bad cop or something? You sure turned on the smile for that creep.”
“He probably needed it,” she said, giving Jake the same look. “I guess we’re screwed until Monday unless you want to try and ruin a man’s fishing trip.”
“Nah. Even if we found him, I don’t think he’d be too cooperative if we mess up his weekend.” Jake supposed he would have to take up fishing to pass the time his early retirement would bring. He really had no idea what he was going to do with all of the free time.
“I guess it’s just you, me, and a letter,” said Jo as they both got back in the car. “Let’s get down to forensics and see what Kevin can tell us.”
“I agree. You know, you’re really going to do okay when I’m gone.”
“Just okay?” She breathed out a pleasant laugh and then gave him the side eye.
“Oh, excuse me. I think you’ll do an amazing job. Incredible? How about phenomenal?” He watched as her face lit with a smile. “You’ll do just fine. By then, I’ll have caught all of the bad men.” His teasing tone earned him a narrowed look.
“Oh? I guess there won’t be any more crime once you’re gone? Is that what you’re saying?”
“I’m sure you’ll have every bad man in town shaking in their shoes.” He grinned, but Jo didn’t seem amused.
“You just wait. I bet my record is way better than yours.” Just when he thought he’d gone and pissed her off, she smiled and reached over to give him a nudge. “Come on, let’s go catch this bad guy together. I might even let you take a little of the credit.”
Chapter 5
Jake
As Jake and Jo headed into the forensic unit, he held his breath that Kevin could help them. “Let’s hope our chief of forensics hasn’t gone home to get some sleep.” He stopped and held the door open for Jo.
“He’s certainly due a little rest. The last time we were in here, I think he fell asleep once while talking to us.”
“He was a bit tired, but he’s addicted to his job, so that’s a good thing. I don’t like dealing with his assistant.”
Jo smiled. “I don’t think I’ve met his assistant yet. As a matter of fact, I think I meet new people daily still. I’ll be glad when I run out of people to meet.”
“Well, you’re not missing out on anything when it comes to this one. The woman is a real piece of work.” Jake tried to put it mildly. He hated the bitch and her crooked ways. If it weren’t for Kevin, the entire forensic unit would be a huge compromised mess.
Jo’s brows rose. “A woman? What’s her name?”
Jake led the way down the long hallway. “Nina Kline. She’s been on Kevin’s heels for years now, likes to posture and tries to push him out, but Kevin is so good at what he does, she couldn’t make him look bad if she tried.”
“How come I get the sneaking suspicion that she’s tried?”
“Because she has. Countless times. It usually backfires, but she manages to somehow keep her place. She has a lot of people in her corner, but they are telling her to be patient. She’ll get her turn. Until then, she’s stuck being second in charge and hates every minute of it. I will say, she is one of the subtler corrupt.”
“I bet that makes for a hard time. Poor Kevin.”
“Yeah, she doesn’t make it easy, but Kevin remains a true professional. I don’t think Kevin would leave this job for anything. He’ll probably die here.” Jake stopped at the end of the hall in front of the window where he saw Nina sitting behind the glass and Kevin nowhere in sight.
“Shit,” he mumbled.
Nina looked up, as if sensing Jake’s displeasure and feeding on it. She slapped on a forced grin and then narrowed her eyes at Jo as if she were supposed to be the only woman in the room. She reluctantly waved them back with her.
“Hello, Detective,” she said as Jake and Jo walked into the room. “Is this bring your girlfriend to work day, or did you get a new partner?” She looked Jo up and down and then shook her head, turning her chair to face them.
Jo stuck her hand out, and the other woman, who was dressed in a crisp white lab coat, looked at it like it had shit on it.
“I’m Detective Jo Calloway.”
Nina turned her nose toward the air. “I don’t shake hands, but it’s good to see the department hired a woman to keep this one in line.” She looked Jake up and down as if she could devour him.
Jo stood a little taller, looking down at the woman, only because Nina was sitting. “I’m his replacement. He’s not my babysitter.”
The news seemed to sting Nina as her face twisted into a scowl. “I guess I should be happy that they’ll allow a woman in a leadership position around here. I’d ask you who you had to sleep with, but…” She looked at Jake as the insinuation was left hanging in the air.
The words didn’t sit right with Jo, and Jake could see the minute they registered on her face. “I beg your pardon?” Jo took a step toward the woman.
“Relax,” said Nina, holding up an arm. “I was only kidding.” She scooted her chair back from Jo.
Jake thought he better step in and diffuse the situation before Nina learned exactly who she was messing with. “She’s only bitter because no one wants to promote her.”
He had also turned the woman down on a few occasions, and now he was especially glad he hadn’t let things go too far. She was attractive, with dark hair and eyes to match, but those eyes seemed haunted in a way, as if they had seen way too much horror for one life. Considering her job, Jake didn’t hold it against her.
“Forgive me for having a hard candy shell,” she said. “I’ve just learned that the men around here are assholes. You’ll learn that too soon enough.”
“Actually, I’m sure I won’t. I’ve had no trouble with anyone thus far. Now, cut the bitchy bonding, and take this letter. We need a full report on it. And don’t mistake me for one of your misandrist types. I appreciate that we’re both women working in male-dominated careers, but I’m no man-hater.”
“Noted.” Nina gave her a sharp look then smiled like a snake. “Nice shoes.” She took the letter from Jo and walked over to a nearby table. After a moment of standing there, she glanced over her shoulder. “You can leave now. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
And just like that, they were dismissed.
Jake choked out a laugh and then took Jo by the arm. “Come on, let’s get back to work.”
Jo beat Jake to the hallway and took a look at the window as they walked away.
“Wow, when you said she was a piece of work, you weren’t kidding.” Jo shook her head. “I’ve never wanted to hit someone in the face that soon after meeting them.” Jake looked down to where Jo doubled her fists. “My mother always said that ladies don’t throw punches, but I’m sure with women like Nina around, she would tell me I could make an exception.”
Jake smiled. “She tends to bring out that kind of anger in people. I don’t know how Kevin deals. Somehow, he focuses on his job and leaves the drama to her. She’s already been reprimanded several times, but nothing ever happens to her.”
“Reprimanded? For what?” She gave him a sideward look.
“Not logging things properly. And it nearly cost us one of our last cases. She’s so busy trying to get ahead that she does sloppy work.”
Jo stopped in her tracks. “Can we trust her with the letter?” She didn’t seem too convinced. “Maybe we should have waited until Kevin came back.”
Jake shook his head and stopped with her. “It’s okay. We’ll check on it later. I’m sure she can handle it.” He started to step away, looking across the lot for his car.
“I guess we’ll see.” She sighed. “Let’s go by the office for a minute.”
As they headed across the parking lot separating forensics from the station, Jake’s phone rang. He glanced at the thing long enough to see O’Connor’s name. “Chief? How’s it going? I didn’t expect to hear from you this soon.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve always been too curious for my own good. So, tell me, any new leads? What are you and Jo up to today?” He sounded different than normal, but Jake thought that a little of that strange, uncomfortable feeling was to be expected.
Jake took a deep breath. “Just following leads. There aren’t any new ones. Our boy Tanner is MIA, but he left us a letter. We just left forensics. We’re going to have to wait until Monday on our other lead, so we’re going by the office to do a bit of brainstorming.”
“What? Monday?” O’Connor sounded as if he couldn’t believe it. “A lot could happen between now and then. Is that the best you’ve got?”
“Yes, at the present time, it is.” Jake didn’t know what the man had expected to happen in such a short time.
“What the hell have you been doing all of this time?”
“Working on the case. You know how these things go.” He shrugged and looked at Jo, who smiled.
O’Connor cleared his throat. “Have you met the new chief?”
“No, but I suspect it won’t take long.” Jake glanced at Jo, who looked as if she were bored.
“She was supposed to call a meeting and introduce herself.” From the sound of the chief’s voice, Jake could imagine his expression. His eyes had to be narrowed, and the wrinkles on his forehead had to start well up on top of his bald head, creating a ripple effect that left a permanent mark.