Checkmate (Caitlin Calloway Mystery Book 2)

by Applewater, Mavis

  She stripped and showered and donned more comfortable clothing. In the kitchen, she put on the tea kettle. A quiet house after a long day called for one of two things: a long hot bubble bath or a nice hot cup of tea. If the night was rocky enough, both were needed. The kettle whistled, and she set about brewing her tea. The knock on the door that connected Stevie’s side of the house to theirs wasn’t a surprise.

  Stevie had probably been waiting up for either her or Caitlin to get home and, when she heard the tea kettle, decided to visit. How good it felt to have family so close. Her own family was back in Maryland, which wasn’t that far. Yet, there were times when it felt like a million miles separated them. Having Stevie and their niece, Emma, just a door away felt comforting.

  “Morning,” her sister-in-law said.

  “Come on in. Can I get you a cup?”

  “No thanks. Just waiting up for you crazy kids.”

  They settled on the sofa. Jamie flipped on the television out of habit. She selected the local news station and turned the volume down so she could chat with Stevie.

  “How did the meeting go?”

  “Good.” Stevie handed Jamie an expensive-looking 4g phone. “I got a new client and some free stuff to share. I’ll transfer from your old one. It will take a moment.” She explained connecting the phones to her laptop with a cable. “Once this is in place, your new account will be activated.”

  “Cool.” Jamie studied the new gadget before retrieving her old cell for Stevie. “This is nice. I can shoot movies in HD, go online, and probably bake a pie. I love it.”

  “I have one for Caitlin as well.” Stevie finished transferring Jamie’s information. “You can go online and download about a gazillion different apps. You know just in case you have a sudden need to know the weather in Istanbul.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. Thank my new client.” Stevie handed the shiny new phone back to Jamie. “I was getting worried after losing three clients this year. One went belly up, another decided to cut back and do their own website, and Marcus Styles died. Not a big surprise. Everything that man ate was deep fried. This is the first year I’ve not only failed to gain new clients, I’ve lost some. Of course it happened right after we bought this place. Don’t get me wrong, I love this house and the neighborhood.”

  “I know.” Jamie reluctantly set aside her new toy. “Your condo was paid off, and now we have a mortgage and a bad economy. Like I said yesterday, we’re ahead. Don’t worry. If the hospital starts cutting back, I know I can find work. And it seems CC feels certain that if the department starts making cuts she’s going to be okay. Speaking of which…” Jamie’s attention was drawn to the television. “I think this is why she’s working late.” She turned up the volume.

  The overly perky newscaster said, “Natalie Stern, mother of two from Boylston Village Hills, will be arraigned this morning facing charges of assault and possibly murder.”

  “She tasered her husband right in the jewels,” Jamie said. “Poor guy won’t have any feeling in his tackle box anytime soon.”

  “Work!” Stevie gasped as CC entered the house.

  “Whatever happened to doctor-patient confidentially?” CC teased her wife. She gave Jamie a quick kiss, shuffled into the kitchen, and studied the chessboard.

  Jamie laughed. “I respect it. But if you think anyone who was working the ER tonight didn’t go home and tell someone about poor Mr. Stern getting his nuts toasted, you’re sadly mistaken. So, did she kill the nanny?”

  “Yes,” CC called out. “She’s going to be arraigned in a couple of hours.”

  She finally made her move. “That’ll teach you,” she said, gloating, before she remembered she was playing with a child. “Tell Emma it’s her move,” she told Stevie when she returned to the living room. “Nice phone.”

  “I have a new client.”

  “Great news, sis.”

  “And she got free stuff.” Jamie was already playing with the new gizmo.

  “It’s huge,” CC noted.

  “I have one for you.”

  “Oh, my old phone is fine,” CC said while Jamie snickered.

  Jamie understood that her wife feared new gadgets because she was more than a little technologically challenged.

  “Your phone barely holds a charge anymore. Give Stevie your old phone, and let her explain what this new one can do.”

  “I just need to download the information from your SIM card,” Stevie tried to explain while CC reluctantly handed over her old cell phone.

  “The what?”

  “It’s a tiny chip inside your phone,” Stevie said. “It holds all of your information in your old phone. The new one is different. Same theory but different.”

  “But what about my numbers? I don’t know any of them.”

  “That is why I’m downloading all of your information,” Stevie patiently explained. “This new phone is a smart phone. You can listen to music, surf the web, send email, take pictures and videos, check the weather—”

  “Can I make phone calls?” CC grumbled, shedding her coat.

  “Yes.” Stevie impressed Jamie by the way she stayed calm. “I’ll go over everything with you.”

  “Just show me how to answer the phone and dial out. Oh, and I need to know how to shut the ringer off, for when I’m in court.”

  “Caitlin,” Jamie said, “say thank you.”

  “Thank you, Stevie.”

  “It’s okay, James, I’ve known my dear sister all of my life. Her limits when it comes to the technological advances of the twenty- first century aren’t a revelation. If I hadn’t insisted, she’d still be trying to use a beta max and dealing with basic cable. Not to worry. I’ll show her how everything works, so she won’t bug you to do it later.”

  “You are such a good sister in-law.”

  “I am.”

  “I don’t need to do a bunch of stuff,” CC tried to argue.

  “Probably not,” Stevie said. “But when you see everyone else doing it, you’ll get all cranky.”

  “I can’t even send a text.”

  “Now you can.” Stevie pulled CC down onto the sofa and showed her how to slide the images around. “In fact you can send a voice text by tapping the little microphone. Or just use the keypad and type. That way you won’t end up cursing at the autocorrect.” CC’s eyes widen with delight. “See you’ll love this new phone.”

  “I hate the way they keep changing things,” CC said.

  “No, you don’t.” Stevie laughed. “You hate that Emma is better at these things then you are. She’s a kid. Which means she’s going to surpass all of us. She already texts twice as fast as I do.”

  “She’s too young to be using a cell phone.” CC gave a huff.

  “I agree, sis.” Stevie showed another feature to CC, well aware that her sister’s attention was already drifting. “Emma has a very basic phone that allows her very limited calling. I only caved in so she could get in touch with one of us in case of emergency.”

  “Okay, I’ll try the new phone.”

  Jamie couldn’t help laughing as Stevie painstakingly took CC through the basic steps to operating her new phone. She listened so she could work her own phone and help CC when she got stuck.

  “I don’t see why you would need a phone to film a video,” CC said. “But thank you. I hate to cut things short, ladies. I need to take a quick shower before I head downtown for the arraignment.”

  “I need to get back and check on Emma. Enjoy the phones.” Stevie excused herself.

  Jamie followed CC upstairs to the master bathroom. “Long day?”

  “Yes.” CC yawned and, much to Jamie’s delight, stripped off her clothing. “It felt good.”

  “You’re not the type that’s happy with being idle.”

  “Sitting around doing nothing while the crime rate was going up didn’t feel right.” CC stretched out her tired limbs.

  “Hmm.” Jamie sighed. “Nice stretching.”

  “Pe
rvert,” CC teased giving Jamie one last peek before she stepped into the shower. “I think once the paperwork and court appearance are out of the way, I’ll duck back here and try to catch a nap.”

  “Mulligan seemed nice,” Jamie said absently, her mind far too busy watching CC lather her entire body. She was pleased that CC took extra care to rub soap over her firm full breasts.

  “The boss is thinking of teaming us up together after Max clocks out,” CC said. “He’s worried about pairing two women together.”

  “The more things change,” Jamie grumbled.

  “There’s going to be a spot open. With Max retiring and Andy not able to clean up his act, our department is going to be safe from any cuts.”

  “Think there will be cuts?”

  “Don’t you? I’m lucky. Seniority wise, I’m smack dab in the middle, so I won’t get hit.” CC rinsed off, and the sight of the soap sliding down her body nearly made Jamie swoon. “The Boss said my closure rate is so high there have been a lot of requests to ride with me.”

  “I keep telling you that you’re the best.” Jamie wrapped CC up in towel. “And not just at catching the bad guys,” she added before stealing a lingering kiss.

  “I wish we could play hooky today.” CC sounded wistful.

  “The weekend will be here soon enough,” Jamie added before she stole another kiss.

  Chapter 11

  Stevie took a deep breath when she stepped out into the crisp autumn air. The year was passing too quickly. They had just planted the asters to bring a little color to the yard, and now it was time to get back to raking up the leaves. Jamie was busy getting ready for an early meeting at the hospital, and Caitlin was wrapped up with her new case.

  Stevie decided that she’d enjoy the fresh air. The fact that it was right about the time for Misty to deliver the mail was a happy coincidence. She tugged on her work gloves and began her work, keeping a careful eye out for the lovely mail carrier. She shivered slightly, unable to shake the feeling that she was being watched.

  “Cop car.” She spotted the sleek black SUV slowly circle by.

  “That seems to be the general consensus.” Misty startled her.

  “Folks have been noticing it for about a week now. Freda and Ethel, the older couple down the block, called it in. The cops said they’d check it out.”

  “Really?” Stevie made a mental note to talk to her older sister about it. “Wait, those nice old ladies are a couple?”

  “Oh, yeah. They got married a few years ago when the laws changed. For the longest time, I didn’t realize it either. Turns out they’ve been together for almost sixty years.”

  “I’m loving this new neighborhood more and more.” Stevie stole a glimpse of Misty’s well-toned biceps. Silently, she cursed the change in weather that forced the attractive woman to stop wearing shorts on her route.

  “You’re a nice addition,” Misty said shyly.

  Before Stevie could think of something to say in response, Jamie rushed out from her side of the house. “Stevie? I’m running late. Would you mind calling the plumber?”

  “No problem.” Stevie cringed as Misty handed her a bundle of mail and went on her way. Jamie shouted her thanks before taking off.

  “Great. Missed my chance to chat up the hot mail lady, and now I have to wait around all day for a plumber. This day sucks.”

  * * *

  On that late September morning, Malcolm Fisher was in his favorite place in the world. Swinging his nine iron on a lush field of green. He was having the best game of his life.

  “Not getting too much sun are you?” his caddy, Josh, asked.

  “What?” Malcolm coughed.

  “You’re red all over.”

  Malcolm looked down at his arms before scowling. “Damn, never even felt it. Go in the bag and grab my EpiPen will you?”

  “You got stung?”

  “Must have. Wonder when the little bastard nailed me?” he grumbled as Josh handed him the EpiPen. “I just need to find a place to. . .”

  “No one is around,” Josh said. “Want me to do it?”

  “Fine.” Malcolm felt humiliated as he lowered his checkered pants slightly. “Just make it quick. I’m really not in the mood to have someone wander by and catch me with my pants down.”

  “Not to worry.” Josh flipped off the cap from the yellow device and placed the plunger against Malcolm’s thigh. Then he pushed and the medicine entered Malcolm’s body.

  Malcolm’s face turned crimson. He fell and began convulsing. Before the ambulance could arrive, Malcolm Fisher was dead.

  Detective Brooks attended the funeral. The two men shared an uneasy relationship. Brooks had spent years pursuing Simon. Malcolm hadn’t thought much of the detective in the early days. After Simon’s arrest in Boston, Malcolm finally accepted that Brooks wasn’t a misguided idiot. It was Brooks who made the call to Boston.

  Chapter 12

  The day his father died, Simon had been summoned from his cell. No one told him why he was being escorted to a private conference room. He was shackled to the table and left alone. Simon tried to look timid as he sat in the sterile room.

  “Dr. Richards and Dr. Watkins. I’m honored. What brings you around? Writing another book, Dr. Richards?”

  Amelia Richards didn’t even flinch. After spending quality time with Dr. Fisher, she had made it clear that she was ready to do whatever needed to be done in order to keep this man incarcerated for the rest of his natural life.

  “I have some bad news for you, Simon,” she said. “Your father passed away this afternoon.”

  “Dear God, no.” Simon buried his face in his hands and appeared to be sobbing. “When is the funeral?”

  “Day after tomorrow.”

  “I assume my lawyer will work out the details.” He sniffed. “My poor mother must be beside herself.”

  “Simon.” Dr. Watkins cut in. “You won’t be attending. The chaplain will meet with you if you would like some counseling or perhaps a chance to pray.”

  “What?” Simon slammed his fist against the flimsy table he was shackled to. His tears magically vanished. “This isn’t right. My father died. I should be there to comfort my mother. I have the right to say goodbye to him.”

  “No, you don’t,” Dr. Richards said. “You lost that right when

  you murdered nine innocent women.”

  “No one is innocent.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked. “How this makes you feel?”

  “How do you think I feel?” he shouted. “My father is dead, and I can’t even say goodbye. All because of some vengeful, delusional dyke. I want my lawyer. I am going to my father’s funeral.”

  “We’ll contact your attorney,” Dr. Richards said. “But, just so we are clear, because of your attempts at escape you won’t be allowed to attend. It’s time for you to accept that actions have consequences. In fact, it’s past time. We can discuss this in more detail if you’d like to set up a time to meet.”

  “We’ll see.” He waved her off. “At least, my father died doing what he loved. Nothing meant more to him than a good day out on the golf course.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” Dr. Richards said. Simon was escorted back to his cell.

  “He’s a piece of work,” Watson said with a grunt. “No way a judge lets him out. Of course it helps that his lawyer doesn’t really seem interested in helping him. The day of his last hearing, I swear she was chanting Three Blind Mice under her breath. Some of them are nuttier than their clients.”

  “Harvey, didn’t you hear what he said?”

  “About no one being innocent?” He shuddered. “Yeah, that little bastard gives me the creeps.”

  “Not that.” Dr. Richards fought to calm herself. “He said at least his father died happy on the golf course.”

  “We never said—”

  “No we never said, and he didn’t ask how or where his father died. How did he know?”

  Chapter 13

  CC ha
d the day off and was busy with Emma, carving pumpkins. She loved days like this. Just time alone with her niece. It reminded her of when Stevie was little and she taught her baby sister how to carve a pumpkin. It also reminded her of when she was just a little younger than Emma. Sitting around the kitchen table, her mother busy cooking, her father and brother each taking turns to help her carve the perfect pumpkin. Life was simple, and her family was truly happy. That was before her brother, Donny, succumbed to the pressure of being bullied. Before her father and mother began to fight. Before her father chose to work long, exhausting hours rather than come home. Before her father, overwrought from stress, fell asleep at the wheel of the family Buick.

  “That is a very scary pumpkin, peanut,” she said. She frowned slightly at the Orioles cap Emma still insisted on wearing. Her cell phone rang before she could conjure up something clever to say that might encourage Emma to start wearing her Red Sox cap again. “Saved by the bell. Calloway,” she greeted her caller without checking the number. She was just relieved that she managed to answer the phone. Normally, with the new phone the call went to voice mail before she could swipe the answer button properly.

  “It’s Brooks.”

  “Hey, hold on. Emma, put the knife down for a moment. I need to take this call. No, carving until I’m back . Got it, peanut?”

  “Yes.” Emma pouted, but she did as CC told her.

  “Brooks?” CC’s stomach churned as she ducked into the living room. She fumbled with the phone, still trying to get comfortable with the new gadget. “What’s going on?”

  “Relax,” he said. “Simon isn’t on the lam or anything.”

  “Shit, you scared me.”

  “Language!” Emma scolded her from the kitchen.

  “Sorry, I’ll put a dollar in the jar.”

  “What?”

  “My niece busted me for cussing,” CC sheepishly said. “What’s up?”

  “Malcolm Fisher died.”

  “When?”