“Oh, Miss Clayton I do declare. I’m not sure if you call what we do behaving ourselves.”
“Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Back to work.”
Chapter 89
Alexis Wade was trying her best to seek bail for her clients.
“Randall Cummings was arrested for impersonating an EMT,” she stated. “He was doing what his employer asked. Nothing harmful to anyone. Teresa Kelsey was arrested for stealing a few documents from her husband’s autopsy report. I believe she has the right to that information, Your Honor.”
“Ms. Wade,” Judge Canton replied, “Mrs. Kelsey may have had a right to her husband’s records, but she did not have the right to steal them. She will be placed under house arrest. Bail is set at five hundred thousand dollars. I am requiring an ankle monitor to be worn until trial begins.”
“What about Randall Cummings, Your Honor? I’m not aware of any other charges pending at this time.”
“I will set bail for Mr. Cummings at two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars and placed under house arrest with ankle monitor until the outcome of the trial.”
“Your Honor, that seems a little steep for driving an unmarked ambulance.”
“Counselor, do not undermine my decisions. Would you rather I hold both of your clients without bail?”
“No, Your Honor.”
Chapter 90
“How on earth are we going to get Cole to rat out his Boss?” Lake asked. “We need to figure out what his ties are to the two victims. I thought for sure that crazy, stuffy Teresa had something to do with this. I’m still not convinced she didn’t. After all, the Sergeant was fooling around on her. I wonder if he was keeping his encounters to just this young lady. Maybe he had others and one of them was angry enough to hire Cole?”
“Possible,” Reese agreed. “Very possible. Although, we never saw him with anyone. Then again, we never saw him with Kei Lien, either. Obviously, someone did. But who?”
“Teresa hired Cole to follow her husband. She knew he was fooling around on her, but didn’t know who with. Suppose, just suppose, Cole found out who that someone was and decided to take money from this person to kill the Sergeant. You know, like playing both sides against the middle. “Lake now fidgeting in his desk chair, my ass is sore, “we need new furniture in here.”
“But what about Chandler? Reese said. Where did he come into the mix? Who hired Cole to kill him?”
“Maybe Cole did that on his own after seeing what was happening to Kei Lien. Although, he did say Chandler was already stabbed, he just finished the job.”
“Even if you are right, we still don’t know who the Boss is. That’s what we need. Let’s try to speak to Cole again. He’s admitted to so much already. It’s hard to believe he would keep this person a secret much longer.”
“Whoever this Boss is, they must have bigger and better plans for Cole.”
Chapter 91
Reese decided to take it upon herself to approach Tim Cole one more time. He was sleeping in his cell when she banged on the cell bars.
“Mr. Cole, wake up.”
Tim sat up, shook his head back and forth a few times, ran his filthy hands through his even dirtier hair and lifted one side of his buttocks and farted. He smiled to himself, cleared his throat and spit on the cell floor.
“Well, Detective, what brings you to my newly appointed housing development?”
“I brought you a cup of coffee. I can hand it to you through the bars if you like.”
“Really? You remembered to bring me coffee, Detective?”
Tim liked this treatment.
Reese reached through the bars to hand him the small Styrofoam cup, which easily slid through the bars with a little squeeze. She had her other hand on her weapon, just in case he planned on grabbing her arm.
“Mr. Cole, I’m sorry we’ve been so hard on you. I do believe you were trying to protect that young girl from any more pain.”
“My coffee tastes okay, but it’s only half a cup. It’s not very hot.”
“I won’t lie to you, Mr. Cole. It’s not hot on purpose. I prefer it that way, in case inmates try to scald me with it. The cup is not full, so I could squeeze it through the bars.”
Tim smiled at her honesty and liked that about her.
“You and I both know your fate. I wish it weren’t true, but you are accused and frankly guilty, of murdering a lot of people. You must pay the price for that. But would it be possible for you to answer a few more questions for me?”
Tim retreated to his cot and sat down. Reese could see his face soften just a bit. She waited patiently for an answer.
“You can call me Tim.”
“Thank you, Tim. We know you didn’t plan this on your own. So why are you trying to protect whoever it was that helped you carry out these crimes? You said you heard Mr. Chandler’s chest gurgling. You said you went over to finish the job by pushing the knife in further. Do you know the person who stabbed Chandler? Was that person still in the room with you?”
Tim began to get red in the face, like it always did when he was upset or nervous. This time Reese was on top of the situation.
“Take a few deep breaths and have a sip of your coffee.”
Tim did as he was told. He rather liked someone caring about him. It was the first time ever, except for mom.
“I love my Mom,” Tim said out loud.
“I know you do, Tim. I think she would want you to help us find out about these awful men that hurt your friend. Don’t you?”
“Yes. Maybe. I’m not sure.”
“What aren’t you sure of, Tim? You’ve already been hurt, many times I’m guessing. So why hide the person that made you do these things?”
“Because. She said she would light a fire and burn me alive.”
“Who said that?”
“Detective Clayton, what do you think you are doing?” Raymond Schmidt interrupted.
Reese spun around to see Tim’s attorney standing behind her.
“My client has nothing further to say to you. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, I do,” Reese answered. “Tim and I were just having a little coffee that’s all. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, we were,” Tim agreed. “But it’s not really hot enough. That’s what I was just telling her.”
Reese nodded her head at Timothy Cole to thank him for not ratting her out.
He would never tell her, but Raymond Schmidt was more concerned for Reese’s safety than whatever information Tim was giving her. He knew this guy had tricks up his sleeve for every situation. He never let on to Reese his concerns. Which is the way it should be. He was Tim Cole’s attorney and not supposed to be Detective Clayton’s friend, confidant, or protector.
Reese, annoyed that it was another missed opportunity, left to go home. She called Emerson on his private cell.
“We need to talk now.”
Emerson didn’t often hear that tone of voice from Reese.
“I’m almost to your apartment anyway,” he told her. “I’ll meet you there.”
Chapter 92
Daniel made it a point to visit Kei Lien at least every other day. His dad filled the other time slots. He knew his dad didn’t mind going to visit because he could tell there was a connection between Mary Elizabeth and his dad. He didn’t have any issues with that at all. It was just like Minh said, it’s time for the living, not the dead. His mom would approve of this woman, for sure. When this scenario with Kei Lien was resolved, he was sure the two would become one.
“Good Morning, how are you feeling today?” Daniel said to Kei Lien. “Do you remember me?”
“Yes, you are my friend Daniel, right? Where is my other friend, Tim?”
Daniel did not know how to answer, so Mary Elizabeth jumped in.
“Sweetheart, Tim can’t be here today, so Daniel is here instead.�
��
“I know he can’t be here if he is in trouble. I know he’s in trouble. That lady yelled at him for a long time. Maybe she was yelling at my father or the gift from Santa. I don’t know now.”
“Do you know the lady?” Daniel asked calmly. “Do you know her name by any chance? Has she been to your house before?”
“The day I ran away, she saw my Dad doing those things to me. I opened my eyes once and she was peeking through the door. I don’t think my dad saw her. He just told me to close my eyes, like he always did. I heard the woman and my friend Tim talking later. Before I ran away.”
This was the first time that Kei Lien had put more than one sentence together, yet alone a whole bunch of them. Maybe she will have a chance to recover, Daniel thought.
Kei Lien drifted off to sleep. Her breathing was easier today and she wasn’t thrashing. Perhaps she needed to say these things, Daniel thought.
“This is so bizarre,” Daniel told Mary Elizabeth. “What do you think we should do now? Should we call the detectives or your son? I’m at a loss.”
“Me, too. I say let her rest. I will call my son in a little bit to tell him what just happened. I think too many people in the room make her agitated. So, let’s leave her be for now.”
“I will tell my father when he gets back tonight. He needs to know as well.”
“Daniel, please be careful. We know nothing about this other woman. We certainly don’t know what she is capable of, or even who it is. If she was seeing Kei Lien’s father, then that is a motive. Oh jeez, listen to me. I’ve been hanging around my son too long. I’m beginning to sound just like him.”
Daniel had to laugh. Even though the situation was very scary, he knew he needed to tell someone and that someone would be his dad. Daniel took one more peek into Kei Lien’s room and softly whispered, “Sleep my friend. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
He glanced over at her wonderful, caring nurse and asked if he could give her a hug.
Chapter 93
When Reese arrived home, Emerson was sitting on her doorstep anxiously waiting to hear what happened to upset her so much. He helped her with her things and unlocked the door to her apartment. Once inside he put his arms around her.
“Whatever this is, we can fix it.”
He kissed her cheek, never once trying to get her into bed.
“Sit down and I’ll get you a drink before you tell me what’s going on. What would you like?”
“I would like this case to be over with soon, but a beer will be fine for now.”
“What the hell happened?” he said.
She proceeded to tell him what she had done. Interrogating Cole as he sat in his cell.
“Are you nuts? You know what a danger he is. What were you thinking?”
“I know...I know...but I had to take the chance. I was making headway too, until his attorney walked in.”
“Oh my God! Reese, he could ruin this whole case for us if he thinks you were questioning him without counsel. What were you thinking?”
“Relax. I told him I was just bringing him some coffee. Believe it or not, he actually backed up my story and didn’t throw me under the bus.”
“Interesting. So, what did Tim tell you before he came in?”
“There is definitely another suspect involved and Cole is obviously too afraid to identify her.”
“Her? It’s a woman? How do you know that?”
“Because he said she told him she would light the fire and burn him alive.”
“I don’t know. Burn someone alive? That sounds more like something Cole would do. Are you sure he wasn’t just making up a story to throw you off the trail? Or maybe Teresa or Randall put him up to spinning this tale. Remember when we first brought Teresa in? She was furious with Cole and ordered him not to say another word. She obviously has some kind of control over him.”
“I’m going to trust my instincts on this one, Lake. Do I think the guy is a life-long serial killer? Yes, I do. But he also tried to protect Kei Lien and told her he was her friend. That’s got to count for something. If there was another woman involved, could she have been having an affair with the Sergeant? Or maybe she was involved with Chandler and she found out what he was doing to his daughter?”
“Interesting theories. Let’s talk to Teresa again to see if she knew anything about the person her husband was having an affair with. She could have a name or possibly even some photos, if Cole took any when he was doing surveillance for her. Teresa also said she thought Adam Chandler was running a whorehouse. Maybe Teresa could give us names of other men who frequented the Chandler home. Maybe it’s another disgruntled wife?”
“Great idea!”
“One thing is for sure. You have to be the one to start that conversation. Teresa and I seem to have a love-hate relationship. We love to hate each other.”
Reese laughed, picked up a decorative throw pillow off the couch and threw it at him. Emerson tried to dodge it, but it bounced right off his head tousling his hair.
“Hey! I’m just speaking the truth,” Lake joked.
“Yeah, I know. I’ll wait for her to make bail and approach her one-on-one.”
“Enough shop talk for one night. I’m starving. Do you feel like going out for dinner or should we order in?”
“Wow! You’re going to take me out in public? When we’re not working? To an actual restaurant and not a fast-food joint?”
This time Lake picked up the pillow from the floor and tossed it at Reese. She batted it away with a flirty grin.
“Well, you are kind of hot in your work clothes, but maybe a dress would be nice for this evening.”
“Oh my God. You called me hot.”
“I’ll call for a reservation at the burger joint down the street.”
“You do that, you jerk, and I will not be inviting you back here for a drink.”
“Come here,” he grabbed her by the arm, pulling her close, and kissed her with amazing passion. “Now stop being a smart ass and get dressed. Or undressed. It’s up to you.”
“What am I going to do with you? Never mind. Do not answer that question. I’ll be ready in a few minutes. Go make those reservations.”
Chez Don Wie, one of the finest restaurants in Cromwell, was nearly full. Reese didn’t know how he managed to get a reservation so quickly, but glad he did.
“Good evening,” the waiter said, on the top of his game. “Welcome. May I get you a nice bottle of wine this evening?”
He was holding a bottle wrapped in a white linen towel.
“I don’t think so right now,” Reese replied, “but I would like a cocktail.”
“Very well. What may I interest you in this evening, miss?”
“How about a Manhattan?”
“I’ll have the same,” Emerson said. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
He left the couple alone and Emerson smiled at Reese.
“Are you feeling a little more relaxed now that you are on personal time? By the way, you look beautiful this evening.”
“Why, thank you,” Reese said, flashing him a big smile. “I somehow don’t think we are ever on personal time. And this is a lovely place, Detective. I hope you brought your wallet. If not, we will be doing private duty for a while.”
She paused for a brief second. “Do you mind if I say something work related?”
“Do you think I’m dumb enough to say no? Especially when I know you are packing heat some place on that body of yours? What have you got? I’m all ears.”
“What if Cole was being paid by two women at the same time?”
“Possible. I’m going to try and talk to Randall. He’s the other cog in this wheel. I can ask questions even with his attorney in the room. Maybe I can get him to slip up a little.”
“I’ve made arrangements wi
th Mary Elizabeth to see Kei Lien tomorrow afternoon. Maybe she will be more helpful after a little rest. Hopefully we both have a bit of luck.”
The rest of the evening was just about having good food and eventually a nice bottle of wine. Once back at Reese’s apartment, she noticed how different her date was acting. He really seemed to care about her. He took his time undressing her, kissing her neck, her back and shoulders. Running his hands through her hair. He was always attentive to her needs, but tonight more so than ever. Every kiss, every touch, was sensual. His kisses went to her navel, where he lingered, driving her crazy with desire. He then climbed on top of her and whispered, “You have the most amazing body.” He entered her with passion, making her wait for that release. When she was nearly ready, he took the long strokes like always, to heighten her orgasm. But this time he said to her, “I love your body, Reese. And I love you.”
Reese was floored. He had never told her he loved her before.
“I love you,” she said, nearly out of breath, having the best orgasm she could imagine.
She lay with him still inside of her, holding him, not wanting the moment to end. Tears began to glisten in her eyes. When he softened and slid out of her, he stared deep into her watery eyes.
“I mean it. I do love you.”
Chapter 94
Teresa made bail by putting up the equity in the hotel as collateral. Not surprising. Randall, on the other hand, was left in jail, certainly not able to pay that amount of money. He was in shock that Teresa, the person he had tried to protect since he started working at the hotel, would not bail him out.
“I’m already paying for your attorney,” she told him. “It won’t hurt for you to stay in here for a little while longer.”
Upon hearing this news, Officer Allen Manning saw an opportunity to start a long over-due talk with Randall Cummings. Detectives Lake and Clayton were not in the building, but he knew this was his chance to get Randall to come clean.
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