by Angela Ford
Basia’s hope grew.
“You can say goodbye to her. My wife and I have made amends. Isn’t that right, darling?” Darek’s evil grin and the gun pointed in her back was a warning. Darek put the phone on speaker and nodded to Basia to speak.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Riley” Her voice was shaky when she said his name. He knew Darek would be listening.
“Are you hurt, Basia?”
His heart wrenched at the thought of her in pain and in fear for her life. He knew Darek Bernard’s mission to kill her was not going to happen now, not yet anyway.
“No, I’m not hurt”
Such few words from her mouth only confirmed Darek had the phone on speaker and he’d probably threatened her not to say too much. He was right when he heard Darek command Basia to say goodbye to her lover for good.
“Riley, I’m like your mother; I don’t like to say goodbye. Remember?”
Basia’s words were soft and gentle. At first he wondered what she meant, then he remembered when she left him one night and he said Ta-Ta. He knew it had confused her. Later he’d figured out that she believed he’d mentioned the Tatra Mountains. He clarified that he meant to say goodbye, and it was a saying his mother used instead of goodbye. Riley didn’t know back then that the Tatra Mountains were the last place she’d been with Darek. It was where she planned Darek’s death and he—hers. Darek spoke into the phone and told Riley he’d say goodbye for her. Then the call ended.
He turned to Kennedy. “He wants to take her back to Poland.”
Kennedy’s look consisted of surprise and confusion. Riley knew they hadn’t profiled him to kidnap her and force her back to Poland. He’d come to New York to kill her and inherit her money. Darek’s plans fell apart with the mistakes he made. Riley figured the man’s only plan now was to take her back with him. He apparently wanted her alive and back in his control. He had to be threatening her with something, but what?
“Why?” Kennedy interrupted Riley’s thoughts.
“His plan was to sneak into the country and poison Basia, return to Poland, and claim his inheritance. Once he saw she was living too fine on her own, and enjoying the money he believed should be his, his motive changed to torture. The best way to torture her is to eliminate anyone she was close to, kill her, and go back to Poland. Now his existence is known. If he kills her now, he knows he’ll be at the top of the suspect list. I’m the only one that survived his plan, and the only way to keep her from me is to threaten my life if she doesn’t obey.”
Kennedy agreed, “Happy to have you back, Detective.”
Kennedy’s phone rang. He answered and then informed Riley he was right. Basia’s car had just been reported at JFK Airport. Kennedy flipped the siren on and Riley raced in between traffic. He told Kennedy to call the precinct and have them send pictures of Darek and Basia to security at the airport, especially International departures.
Riley slammed on the brakes, and the tires screeched as he pulled up along the curb in front of the International entrance at the JFK. They raced through the doors and flashed their badges at a security guard. Kennedy quickly informed him of the kidnapping in process. The security guard reached for his radio and received confirmation. He requested security to International departures. Riley frantically searched through the crowd for Basia. Kennedy and the security guard, not far behind him, spread out in different directions.
Riley spotted them and placed his hand on his gun. He slowly moved through the crowd. They waited at the check-in counter. He saw Basia turn her head to the crowd. He could see Darek’s arm rested against her back and figured he had a gun. He whispered into his radio to Kennedy at which counter he spotted them and mentioned he believed Darek to be armed. Basia’s eyes met Riley’s. Those Mediterranean blues showed fear. His eyes moved suddenly to the floor and back. He hoped she would understand to drop or move to the side if she could. Riley pulled his gun slowly from the holster. Before he could get his finger on the trigger someone in the crowd yelled out gun.
Shit! He whispered. Darek turned and spotted him. He took his hand away from Basia’s back and pointed his gun at Riley. Basia dropped to the floor.
“NYPD, drop your weapon.” Riley ordered. Darek smiled.
“No, you cannot have her, Detective.”
A gunshot echoed in the airport and Basia lifted her hands off her head. She turned to see Darek fall to the floor, and then looked up to see Kennedy a few feet away. Basia heard Riley’s voice and felt a hand touch her arm and help bring her up. Her eyes met Riley’s. His eyes welled with tears.
“I knew you would understand. I never want to say goodbye.”
Riley touched her face. “You will never have to say goodbye.”
Her lips parted to speak but not a word came out. His lips met hers and the rest of the world disappeared, until a clearing of the throat was heard. Riley released from the kiss and turned to Kennedy.
“Thanks, partner.”
Riley reached out to shake hands with Kennedy. His partner had taken Darek down before he had the chance to pull the trigger on Riley.
“Anytime, that’s what partners do.”
Kennedy then asked Basia if she was hurt. She shook her head and thanked him. Security cleared the crowd and Kennedy spoke with the police. He smiled and nodded to Riley. Riley understood that meant he would take care of the rest and to get Basia out of there. Riley removed his jacket and wrapped it around Basia. She trembled from shock. He put his arm around her and led her out of the airport.
Riley opened the passenger side door for her and Basia turned to face him.
“I just remembered what Darek told me. He’s implicated my old college roommate as his accomplice. She supplied the thallium. Damn! It slipped my mind. Riley, we have to verify a few things to get a warrant for her arrest. She’s not getting away with this. She’s as much to blame for the murders of my friends as Darek is.”
Basia’s eyes filled with tears. Her anger soared to its highest.
“Basia.” He took her in his arms and held her tight. He brushed through her hair softly with his hand. “Calm down. We’ll go straight to the precinct. I’ll get Kennedy to meet us there.”
Riley calmed her enough and she climbed into the passenger side of his car. He started the ignition and called Kennedy’s number.
“Kennedy, can you meet us back at the precinct? Basia got Darek to admit he’d had an accomplice.” Riley paused and turned to Basia. “What’s your college friend’s name?”
“Lynette Goodwin”
Riley almost dropped the phone, “As in Dr. Goodwin, the forensics pathologist from the morgue”.
“Yes, I’ve known her since college. I still can’t believe Lynette is caught up in this mess.”
Basia looked as horrified as Riley felt. He couldn’t believe it either.
“Yeah, that’s what she said. We’ll see you at the precinct.”
Riley ended the call and shifted the gear into drive. He couldn’t stop thinking about Lynette. He didn’t know whether to confess to Basia that she’d been one of his one-night stands or remain silent...
“What the hell...”
Riley looked up when he heard Kennedy enter the precinct.
“Lynette? The good-looking morgue chick is connected to the brownstone murders?”
Kennedy stood in front of Riley’s desk and waited for an answer to his ramble. The confused expression on his face only made Riley chuckle. “Yes, the morgue chick is connected.”
“How? Is anyone going to elaborate?” Kennedy drilled and Basia finally stood with a heavy sigh.
“Lynette and I went to college together. She came home one summer to Poland with me. And then she came to my parents’ funerals. She met Darek then, but I had no idea the two kept in touch or schemed to plan my death. It just doesn’t make sense. I still can't believe she’s caught up in this mess.”
“But what’s her motive? Money?”
Riley looked up from his computer screen. “Som
etimes it’s the ones you’d never suspect.”
“Money, even good folk sometimes can be bribed,” Kennedy blurted out.
“No. Not Lynette. She’s not like that. If she needed money she’d ask. Trust me. I saved her ass a couple times in college.”
“Well, I hate to burst that bubble but here it is. There’s an offshore account under her name with a hefty balance.”
Riley looked up at Basia. “Did Darek still have access to your money?”
Basia looked sick. Her skin grew pale. She swallowed hard.
“I hadn’t checked. I thought he was dead. The past couple of days have been so crazy, finding out he was alive and trying to kill us.”
She reached over Riley and pressed a few keys.
“This was deposited last December, just before our hiking trip.” Basia paused. “I remember my dad was doing renovations before his death. Before our hike, Darek told me the contractors needed to be paid. He had signing authority on my dad’s business. I think we need to have a chat with Lynette.”
Riley took Basia into his arms.
“I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all of this because of two very selfish people.”
Basia looked up into his eyes. Her eyes held sadness.
“I’m so sorry that Beth and her friends had to suffer because of those two.”
Riley placed his hand on the back of her head. He drew her in gently against his chest and held her tightly.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Detective, are you making house calls now?”
Lynette leaned her head against the door with a flirtatious smile. Riley moved to his left a few inches to allow Basia into Lynette’s view. The corners of her mouth dropped.
“Basia? What are you...what is Riley...?”
Lynette shook her head and opened the door further to allow her guests to enter her home. She began to close the door when Riley announced Kennedy had come too. Lynette turned to Kennedy’s hello. She then closed the door and stood with a surprised look on her face.
“So, is someone going to speak up as to why you’re all here?” Lynette then added, “Together?”
Riley turned to Basia. Her expression told him she wanted to take the lead on this one. She turned her focus to Lynette.
“I’m going to cut to the chase here, Lynette. Why did you help Darek obtain thallium?”
“What?”
Lynette’s jaw dropped. “What the hell are you talking about, Basia? What thallium?”
Lynette turned to Riley with a questionable look.
“Does this have to do with the poisoned dead woman that landed on my table?”
She looked back and forth at Basia and Riley. “I didn’t know her, but you both seemed quite interested in her. Someone want to tell me why the hell you think I had something to do with this?” Lynette threw her arms in the air and sighed heavily.
Basia continued, “We traced a large sum of money deposited into an offshore account in your name. You met Darek at my parents’ funeral. He told me a friend of mine from college was his accomplice to get the thallium.”
“What on earth are you talking about Basia? I never conspired with Darek on anything! And I don’t have an offshore account or a large sum of money.”
“Who’s this, Lynette?” Riley interrupted. He’d picked up a framed picture. “Is this—” The front door opened and stopped him mid-sentence. The woman who entered allowed him to finish his sentence.
“Dr. Richards?”
“Someone planned a dinner party and didn’t inform me?”
Dr. Richards looked to Lynette for her answer.
Lynette sarcastically snapped, “Not a dinner party, Nicky. They think I’m part of a murder conspiracy.”
“What? You?” Dr. Richards laughed and then looked at Riley.
“Detective, it’s nice to see you again.” She then turned to Basia. “And Basia, it’s been awhile.”
Kennedy cleared his throat. Riley figured he had no idea who the woman was. Nicky turned in Kennedy’s direction. Riley made the introduction, “Detective Kennedy, meet Dr. Nicole Richards, or Nicky, her friends seem to call her.”
Riley leaned into Basia and whispered, “You know Dr. Richards?”
Basia kept her focus toward the doctor. “I haven’t seen her since college and for good reason.”
Those few words triggered a thought in Riley’s mind. His arm nudged Basia and took her focus to the framed picture he held. Her shocked look travelled to Lynette.
“You and Nicky? When did this happen?”
Lynette seemed uncomfortable.
“Last year. I didn’t say anything to you, Basia. I know you two aren’t the best of friends.”
Nicky interrupted, “She’s right, Basia. My love life is none of your business. Though you seem to enjoy first dibs on whom I want.”
Basia turned to Nicky. “Lynette and I had one drunken crazy night together in college. I didn’t know you had feelings for her. But you didn’t have to go sleep with my boyfriend.”
“I didn’t,” Nicky announced defensively and then added rather sarcastically.
“Yet what goes around comes around, darling. Darek was a nice piece of ass for payback.”
Kennedy cleared his throat. “Is there anyone in this room that hasn’t slept together?”
Riley laughed, “You and me but that will never happen.”
Kennedy nodded in agreement with that remark. Riley set the framed picture back on the shelf and turned. He paced the floor.
“So, Basia, you slept with Lynette in college. Nicky and Lynette are now sleeping together, but Nicky slept with Darek last year? Do I have it right so far?”
Lynette eagerly added, “And again this summer.” Then Lynette looked at Basia.
“I didn’t know it was Darek. I knew she’d met up with a man on her European vacation, just before we moved in together, but she never told me it was your husband. Then she’d confessed this summer he visited and she’d cheated on me.” Lynette looked at Riley.
“Sorry. You were payback. Didn’t think you’d mind. Everyone knows you only do one-night stands.” Lynette shrugged her shoulders and then smiled at Riley.
He chuckled and then Basia grabbed his arm.
“You slept with Lynette?”
Her eyes travelled between the two.
Riley nodded. “But it was before we met.”
Nicky walked over and stood in front of Basia and Riley. Her angered tone made the hair stand on his arms.
“You two are sleeping together? Seriously, Basia, why must you always have first pick? You selfish, spoiled, rich bitch!”
Kennedy interrupted with humor and snickered, “Sounds like an episode of The Young and The Restless. I’m so glad I’m happily married and love my wife.”
Riley glared at Kennedy. He stopped laughing and then cleared his throat. Riley inched over to stand between Nicky and Basia.
“Right now, I’d just like to know about your affair with Darek Bernard. I think you need to open up a little, Doctor.” He stressed her title. Riley dished a little of her own therapy back at her. Nicky laughed.
“Attempting a counseling session, Detective?” She stressed his title, as he’d done with hers. “That’s my job.”
“It won’t be after I arrest you for conspiracy to commit murder.”
The corners of her mouth dropped and her smile disappeared.
Kennedy cuffed Nicky after her confession. He informed Riley he’d take her to Homicide for booking. Kennedy then suggested Riley take Basia home. Riley thanked him.
“I hope you strongly consider coming to my precinct tomorrow morning. I’m in need of a partner. One I know that has my back at all times.”
Kennedy smiled. “That’s what partners are for. See you in the morning.”
Riley patted Kennedy on his arm. “Good to hear.” He then added, “Partner.” Riley turned to find Basia and Lynette in a hug. He walked toward them.
“I’d join in on a group hug but
that might be awkward.”
Lynette laughed. She stood back from Basia’s embrace.
“Not at all, Riley; I hope we can still be friends. I don’t have any feelings for you. You were simply payback for Nicky’s indiscretions. But I guess she wasn’t done with that either.”
Riley got that impression too. It appeared Dr. Richards had alternative therapy planned for him.
“Of course, Lynette; who else would put up with me at the morgue?”
She laughed and then wrapped her arms around both Basia and Riley.
“It’s good to have friends you can trust.”
Basia agreed and then genuinely asked Lynette if she was going to be okay.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Nicky was a mistake—a big one. I can’t believe she used me just to use my name and credentials to cover her own ass. And for what—an offshore bank account?”
Lynette sighed heavily. Riley smiled. “Don’t worry, Lynette, the right man will come along.”
“Or woman,” Basia added. Her remark made them laugh.
“Well, at least we can laugh about this screwed up mess.”
Riley shook his head. “Women confuse me; no wonder I like one-night stands.”
“Not anymore,” Basia replied with a grin.
Riley placed both hands on Basia’s face and moved in for the kiss he so desired.
“Okay, lovebirds. Get out of my house and take this to your own home.”
Lynette gave them a gentle shove toward the front door. Riley’s eyes met those Mediterranean blues he loved. Now he could read them perfectly.
“I have scotch at my place.” He winked.
****
Riley offered that drink when they arrived at his place. He helped her sit down on the sofa. Her body still trembled. She watched him pour the scotch. It took her memory back to the first night she’d met him at the bar. He had looked so lost and lonely. Her heart went out to him. Then she remembered her request for first-names-only. She laughed at the thought.
Riley handed her a glass. “What’s so funny?”
“I was just remembered the first night we met. Our first scotch together. I believe I requested a first-name-only.”