CC’s own mother had done the same when she was all of fifteen. She didn’t hesitate throwing the teenager out on the streets when she discovered that she was gay. Then again it might have had more to do with CC’s constant accusations regarding her step-father’s depraved behavior.
Fortunately, Caitlin wasn’t a typical teenager. Unknown to her mother and stepfather, she already had two jobs and had rented a room. She had prepared herself for the day her so-called parents would exile her from her kid sister’s life.
“So what do you think?” she eagerly asked her commanding officer.
“I think it’s worth a look,” he said. “And a little fresh air wouldn’t kill you.”
“No kidding.”
“Yeah, about that.” He sounded hesitant. “Let me know how you like working with Mulligan.”
“Yeah?”
“Just a thought. Max is leaving an open spot. As you may suspect, cutbacks are coming. He did me a real favor by turning in his papers.”
“Which would mean that there really isn’t an opening.”
“Yeah, there is,” he mumbled. “Andy.”
“Damn.”
“Not a word,” he said. “He’s had his chances. How many different ways can you tell a guy to sober up or get out?”
“True enough.” CC couldn’t help agreeing. Andy had long passed being a functioning alcoholic. A drunk with a gun wasn’t a good combination. “Does that mean I’ll be riding with Frank?”
“I haven’t decided.” He surprised CC with a smile. “You’re a very popular gal these days. Everyone wants Max’s chair.”
“Normally, I’m only popular during baseball season, thanks to my season tickets. What’s making me the hot chick all of a sudden?”
“You’re kidding right? You have the highest closure rate in the city.” He shook his head. “Hell you’ve banged up two serial killers. That Fisher idiot, and let’s not forget back when you were uniform you were the one who collared Jeffrey Charles West.”
“Geez.” She flinched. “That sick fuck. That was dumb luck, and you know it.”
“I hate when you act all humble. It usually means that you’re going to hit me up for something big or do something incredibly stupid.”
“Maybe I’ll do a little of both just to annoy you.”
“Out! Try to do something useful.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Mulligan! Let’s roll!” she shouted across the squad room.
“Where to first?”
“The employment agency. It’s getting late. I’d like a quick chat with them before they close for the night. Then we should swing over and have a chat with the Sterns.”
“I take it you’re driving?”
“You catch on quick.”
Chapter 4
Val made good time getting to Boston. The tip about Beaumont’s whereabouts sounded too good to be true. The caller wished to remain anonymous. Nothing new about that. Most people didn’t want criminals to know that they were the ones who ratted them out. If the tip wasn’t bogus, Beaumont would have arrived at 7:00 p.m. at the Peter Pan bus terminal located at South Station, Boston. By the time the tipster had called in, it was too late to catch the bus at one of its stops. They were going to try to catch the bus on its route. It all seemed a little iffy by the time Val entered the conversation. The best hope seemed to be to catch the runner when he got off the bus in Boston.
If the information was good, this would be a very quick and hopefully satisfying trip for Val. Which might calm her boss down. He was less than pleased when she phoned and tried to explain why she was putting her personal time on hold. If it weren’t for the words “child molester,” he probably would have told her to stay out of it.
Once she had the okay, she tried calling the Boston field office. After speaking to Deputy Finn of the Marshal Service, Val was less than happy. She got the distinct impression the man was doing nothing more than blowing smoke up her butt. Upon arriving in Boston, her suspicions were confirmed. Nothing had been done. No be-on-the-look-out alert, better known as a BOLO, was issued, the local cops hadn’t been notified, and not one person thought it prudent to swing by the bus terminal to check out the story. Finn’s attitude irked her. She knew his type. “I’m a man and I’ve been doing this longer so don’t tell me how to do my job.” She hated guys like Finn. No matter how wrong or pigheaded they acted, she had to work with them and deal with the fallout.
After trying to discuss the matter with Finn face-to-face, she was no longer upset. She was pissed off beyond belief. It was all she could do to keep from whipping out her stun gun and expressing her displeasure. She resisted the urge and politely excused herself from Finn’s office. She took a calming breath and reached for her cell phone.
“Tanner, it’s Val. Who do we know in Boston?” She listened to Tanner’s suggestion. “No I’m not looking to get laid,” she growled. “I need to step on some toes. I’ve got to get around an arrogant bureaucratic dipstick. Got a name?” She couldn’t help pumping her fist when Tanner supplied her with an all-too-familiar name. “Yeah, that’ll wake up the locals. No, I’ve got his number, back from when we did that little job together in Bogotá. Thanks, Tanner.” Val punched in the number. After jumping through several hoops, she reached her caller.
“Val? How the hell are you?”
“I’m fine, sir. Just hit a little problem in Boston,” she said. “I hate to bother you.”
“Knock off that ‘sir’ crap,” he scolded her playfully. “Just tell me what you need.”
“Just looking for a little interagency cooperation.”
* * *
CC was humming as she navigated the streets of Boston. It felt good to be outside and doing something. She prayed that the girl would be found safe and sound. If it weren’t for the nagging feeling that something was amiss, she would have sent Mulligan on her way. The employment agency had little to offer. Mrs. Stern failed to contact them to inform them that Annie was no longer in their employment. Which in itself sent up a red flag. If Annie had just up and quit as the Sterns claimed, why wouldn’t they report her actions to her employer?
CC parked in front of the oversized monstrosity that was the residence of Natalie and J.M. Charles Stern. She quickly surmised that the Sterns were Village Hills people, the type that felt a need to distinguish which part of the city they lived in. CC couldn’t stomach snarky posers who lived to prove that they were better than everyone else.
“This should be interesting,” she muttered as they approached the front door.
“You again?” Mrs. Stern seemed surprised. “Now what?”
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Stern.” CC took the lead. Her tone was pleasant, masking her disdain.
Mrs. Stern was thin with signs of going to the gym on a semi-regular basis. Her fashionable yet still age-appropriate clothing matched her neatly coifed hair. Something about this woman immediately irked CC. It was the way she spoke, her lips never quite parting. It was very Wellesley or Vassar, very Village Hills. The cold, polite tone of someone who was quite certain they were better than you and most people walking the planet. Basically she was a snob. CC hated boorish people who assumed that the world truly did revolve around them.
“I’m Detective Calloway, and I believe you’ve already met Detective Mulligan.”
Mrs. Stern simply grunted in response. Not a guttural grunt, just an annoying throat clearing that informed the officers that they were wasting her precious time.
“I know you’re a busy woman,” CC said. “Ms. Fraser’s parents have been a nuisance. Detective Mulligan tried to explain that a girl that age is capable of anything.”
“That is what I have been trying to tell you people.” It hadn’t escaped CC the way Mrs. Stern stressed the words you people. It was a primitive maneuver to once again inform CC and Leigh that they were wasting her time. “The girl was a whore, spreading her legs for anyone.”
The unexpected harsh words were another tip-off that something was mos
t definitely amiss in the Stern household. Mrs. Stern stood there, her thin arms folded tightly against her chest. CC studied her for a moment, mentally sizing up the woman. After Mrs. Stern released a dismissive sigh, CC went into action. She took a step back so she wasn’t towering over the tiny woman. She clutched her chest as if she were in shock.
“My goodness.” CC shook her head while Leigh gaped at her. “I’m sorry, but having that element around your family must have been extremely trying. Still, you know how some parents are. The Frasers won’t believe what is blatantly obvious. If it’s not too much trouble, could we have a look around Annie’s room? There might be a clue as to where she ran off to.”
“No.” Once again her tone was polite, yet CC could detect an underlying bitterness.
“Mrs. Stern—” Leigh said.
“I said no.”
CC took a calming breath while casting a reassuring glance at the formidable Mrs. Stern. She had quickly deduced the only way to get anything out of this woman was to bow down before her. She needed to let Mrs. Stern think she had the upper hand. It was a classic chess move, just like the one Emma had cornered her with earlier that morning.
“Detective. Mulligan,” she said to Leigh, “Mrs. Stern has been through enough. She trusted that girl to look after her children. My apologies, Mrs. Stern. She isn’t married. Divorced,” she said in a hushed tone. To further forge their solidarity, she waved her wedding band in Mrs. Stern’s direction.
Mrs. Stern released a deep sympathetic sigh as if to say that she understood. Leigh’s jaw dropped as she watched the exchange.
“I am sorry to bother you with all these petty details,” CC said. “When Annie left, how did she do it?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Did she call a cab, walk, or perhaps a friend came and picked her up?” CC relished the fact that Mrs. Stern finally seemed off balance.
“She just left.” Mrs. Stern hesitated. “Like I told this one.” She wagged a finger at Leigh. “Up and quit and walked out the door. Probably to the trolley stop at the bottom of the hill.”
“Mrs. Stern.” CC’s voice oozed with sweetness and light. “We won’t disturb you any further. Although I can’t promise that we won’t return. I wish that I could, but as I’ve said before, the girl’s parents just won’t listen to reason.”
“If you must.”
Mrs. Stern thrust a dismissive wave and closed the front door. The detectives silently shuffled back to the car.
“I don’t miss the old Crown Vics,” CC said as she stood before the sleek black SUV. “These are more comfortable and fit in a little better. Okay, time for our next move.”
“Can I just ask what that was all about?” Leigh seemed more curious than angry.
“That lady isn’t going to let us in,” CC said. “I know her type. She’s right, and the rest of the world should shut up and listen to her. The kids are probably pampered little snots.”
“From what I’ve seen of the Stern boys, yes they are,” Mulligan said. “We’re not going to find out anything if we don’t get a peek in the girl’s room.”
“We need a nosy neighbor.”
“A nosy neighbor?”
“Everyone has one or is one.” CC scanned the pristine tree lined neighborhood.
“Across the street,” Leigh said. “Every time I’ve been here, I noticed a nice older lady out in her garden, watching me. Nothing overt, but how much pruning does a bush need? There she is.” Leigh waved to the silver-haired woman who appeared to be attending to her rose bushes.
CC smiled when the woman returned the wave. “Nosy and friendly. I love it. The icing on the cake would be if she hates Mrs. Stern.” They made their way across the street.
“Good morning,” Leigh said sweetly. “I just love what you’ve done with your yard. I’m Detective Mulligan and this is Detective Calloway.”
The woman flashed a perfect smile. She stripped off her gardening gloves and offered her hand. CC was impressed by the woman’s firm handshake. Maybe she did spend all day in the garden.
“Thelma Himple. Just like Cagney and Lacey. Oops, sorry. You must get that a lot.”
“Yes,” CC said and smiled. “But we never get tired of it. Just wish some of our cases were as exciting as theirs. It is far too nice a day to spend it back at the station doing paperwork.”
“I miss the distinction of having four seasons,” the neighbor said, “but I have to admit having summer so late in the year is nice. Confuses the bejesus out of my crocuses, though.”
“Having the same problem at my place,” CC said. “Loving the weather, but it’s a new house and the garden is shabby in comparison to yours.” CC rambled, fully aware that Mulligan was carefully watching her. “I hate to bother you, Dr. Himple . . .” CC abruptly cut herself off when she noticed the older woman’s eyebrows lift, apparently questioning how CC knew of her occupation. “My apologies. I noticed your name on the mailbox. Occupational hazard. We notice things.”
Dr. Himple nodded. CC instantly liked this woman who seemed completely at ease with herself and the world in general. So unlike her neighbor.
“Speaking of noticing things…” the doctor began to say hesitantly. “The police seem to have taken an interest in my neighbors. Tell me there’s something scandalously exciting happening.”
“Wish we could.” CC smiled, wishing she could share their suspicions with the kindly older woman. “We just had a few questions about the Stern’s au pair.”
“Annie?”
“She hasn’t called home in over two weeks, and her parents are very concerned.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Have you seen or heard anything that might help us track her down?”
“You think she ran off?” She gasped. “Not that one. If anything I’d be looking at…” Her voice trailed off as she seemed to realize what she was about to say.
“What is it, Doctor?” Mulligan asked. “Her parents are terribly worried.”
“I don’t know anything certain.” Dr. Himple hesitated. “It’s just that, well, Natalie wasn’t very nice to the girl. If you ask me, I think she was jealous. Then again, when wasn’t she jealous? You’d think that husband of hers was Warren Beatty. “
“When was the last time you saw Annie?”
“A couple of weeks ago,” she confidently answered. “Annie may have been very young, but let me tell you, she was quite reliable. Those two boys were more than a little difficult to handle. Annie is a good kid. Very polite and the patience of a saint.”
“Do you think Annie might have had enough and thrown in the towel?” CC asked.
“No.” The response was adamant.
“Even with Mrs. Stern’s snotty behavior?”
“She wouldn’t. Annie was humbled by her parent’s scraping the money together so she could make this trip. She couldn’t let them down.”
CC and Leigh thanked the good doctor for her time before deciding to pay Mr. J.M. Charles Stern a visit at his office. CC tensed slightly as she made her way through the mid-afternoon traffic. Navigating the streets of the financial district was difficult enough; adding the lateness of the hour turned it into a horrible experience.
“I liked the way you handled yourself,” Leigh said. “It’s true what they say about you.”
“What do they say?”
“That you could sell snow to an Eskimo.”
“Hah!” CC barked, thoroughly amused by the comment. “Right. That lady was easy. I’m guessing by all the time she’s spending in the garden that she’s retired and probably not by choice. Doctors hang on forever. They talk about retiring, but they’re addicted to their work. Dr. Himple seems to have a lot of time on her hands. I’m willing to bet she’s a widow. Also sticking her with a lot of free time. She just needs someone to talk to.”
“I doubt that the Sterns make for good company.” “There didn’t seem to be anyone else on the block around her age. Too many minivans, which means middle-aged or twenty-something soccer m
oms. Something I seriously doubt that Dr. Himple has a great deal in common with.”
“You’re thinking no kids?” Leigh seemed to be intrigued by CC’s assessment.
“The house is too small. By the looks of it, she’s lived there for a long time. Annie was probably very bright and well spoken. I think she and Dr. Himple enjoyed chatting.”
“Yeah, the Sterns don’t strike me as the type to do a coffee chat with the staff.”
“From the vibes I get from Mrs. Stern, I have a feeling that most of the world doesn’t meet her exacting standards.”
“How did you know that I’m divorced?”
“Lucky guess.” CC said. “Very few cops get through with only getting hitched once.”
“You let those ladies think that you’re married to a man. Why?”
“They assumed. Although I think the doctor wouldn’t have batted an eye, Mrs. Stern would have tried to act overly cool with it. I wouldn’t have gotten as much out of her as I did. She places her family above all else. She also thinks they are above anyone and everything. I made you out as a lost divorcee and me a happily married woman. Next time I’ll let slip that I’m married to a doctor. That should narrow the gap just a wee bit.”
“So, if you’re the happily married one and I’m the hapless blonde floozy, does that make me Cagney and you Lacey?”
“No.” CC chuckled.
“Why? Because Sharon Gless was so much hotter than Tyne Daly?”
“See, you do catch on quick.” CC finally found a place to park. “Now, we need to get moving.”
“And just what is your game plan?”
“Ever play chess?”
“Yes, with my dad. Why?”
“Familiar with the term ‘removal of the guard’?”
“Kind of. You want to remove Mrs. Stern’s protection so…”
“So she’s vulnerable. And when you’re vulnerable, you make mistakes.”
“What about a squeeze? You know building up pressure until she can’t keep up with our moves?”
“If we try that, she’ll have her defenses up. Or worse, her lawyer on our butts,” CC said, impressed by Mulligan’s knowledge of chess. “If we can catch her off balance, we’ve got a shot at finding out something other than the fact that Annie is missing.”
Checkmate (Caitlin Calloway Mystery Book 2) Page 4