Chasing Ghosts

by Lee Driver

  Dagger didn’t remember Thomas mumbling more than one complete sentence and wondered in what monastery Esrey found this guy. After Thomas left to do God knows what with his notes, some of the guests retreated to the veranda with brandy in hand, leaving the women at one end of the table and Esrey and Dagger seated across from each other at the other end of the table.

  Cardinal Esrey studied Dagger over the rim of his brandy glass. Dagger had stuck to coffee through dinner. “You look like a man who might have a lot to confess,” Esrey said.

  Dagger should have worn a white suit instead of a black suit and shirt with a granite-colored tie. At least he would have looked less like a hit man. He had found the cardinal’s dry sense of humor rather engaging.

  “My conscience is clear,” Dagger said with a smile.

  “You have a certain dangerous aura about you.”

  “It’s the suit. I think anyone who dresses in all black makes people cautious.”

  Esrey chuckled at that comment. “Of course.”

  Dagger had found the cardinal to be quite knowledgeable on many subjects and able to hold his own when it came to discussing politics with the mayor. When the subject came to the Bible, Dagger had just sat back and listened. It wasn’t one of his favorite subjects, seeing that he was an agnostic. His only contribution to the discussion was to say the Bible was a nice behavioral tool but it was too bad not enough people practiced it. This had warranted him a burying of Sheila’s nails into his thigh.

  “Do you believe in divine intervention, Mr. Dagger?” Esrey asked.

  “Would have helped if your quarterback had steered those planes away from the Twin Towers.”

  Esrey smiled. “I love a challenge, Mr. Dagger, and you are quite a challenge.”

  “It’s just Dagger.”

  “Dagger.” The cardinal took a sip of brandy, then set the glass down and studied the contents of the glass for several minutes. “Haven’t you ever seen anything that made you question your lack of belief? That made you think, ‘this is the most miraculous thing I have ever witnessed.’ You have never felt like that?”

  Dagger couldn’t help but think of Sara. He couldn’t explain her abilities but were they really divine? If he hadn’t witnessed them firsthand he would have never believed it. Then he thought of Demco. Demco’s abilities, though, were all manmade, he was sure of it.

  “Do you believe in evil?” Dagger countered. “And I don’t mean the staged exorcisms.”

  “I noticed you avoided answering my question.” Esrey studied Dagger for the longest time. Then he leaned forward, forearms on the table. His tone was hushed so the women at the end of the table couldn’t hear. The cardinal’s eyes were penetrating when he stared at Dagger. It was as though he were searching for Dagger’s soul and couldn’t find one. “I have a feeling, Dagger, that you have witnessed both.”

  Now she was angry. Not only did Sara have to carry the brunt of the hard work while Dagger was eating caviar and drinking champagne, but she had almost been killed. It didn’t take her long to shower and change and drive over to the Tyler mansion. She slammed out of the Ford Torino which was still rattling after she turned off the engine. This made her angrier. Dagger had taken the Beemer and left her with the choice of an aging Torino, a black Taurus or the Lincoln Navigator which she felt was too large for her to drive. She would have preferred the Beemer.

  The look on her face dared the valet to take her car keys, complain about the eyesore of a car she left at the curb, or look twice at her legs. She gathered the black shawl around her bare shoulders and marched up the stairs. Her P32 was in her purse and it would take all of her control not to pull it out and shoot Dagger.

  Security let her pass without even checking her purse. She walked up to the bar set up in the foyer, ordered a glass of white zinfandel, and glared at the bartender when he asked to see her driver’s license. She tossed the bartender a five and walked away. It was close to ten, dinner had probably been served hours ago. She could hear violin music playing, probably something to eat dessert by.

  The doors to the ballroom were closed. The thought of flinging open the doors and marching in brought back memories of Sheila. That was definitely something Sheila would do. Sara took a sip of wine to calm down. Her hands hadn’t stopped shaking and her head was still reeling after seeing a second Paul Demko. Were they twins? Who was the dead man in the closet? And did the truck explode or did Demko explode?

  “Sara?”

  She turned to find Robert Tyler stepping out of a side room, cell phone in hand. “Sorry I’m late, Mr. Tyler.”

  Robert Tyler oozed wealth. Distinguished gray hair and fine lines only added to his appeal. It was easy to see where Nick got his good looks.

  “I thought you couldn’t make it.” “My plans changed.”

  “Great. We’ve already eaten but I could have Lily bring you a plate.”

  “That isn’t necessary. Just thought I’d stop in for a few minutes.”

  “Wonderful.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and led her to the ballroom. “You’re almost like family.”

  “I am?”

  “Of course. If I have anything to do or say about it, Nicholas is going to someday settle down and start a family. And I can’t think of anyone more suitable.”

  Sara didn’t like where this conversation was going. “I’m not sure what Nick told you but he and I are just friends.”

  “Of course.” Tyler gave her a wink. “Whatever you kids call it these days.”

  He led her down the hall to a study. A study in the Tyler mansion was like a single family house at a residential country club. Area rugs separated cozy sitting areas. The local librarian would kill for the number of books stocked on Tyler’s shelves. All heads turned as she walked in. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the cardinal whose vestment was trimmed in scarlet. Then her eyes drifted to Sheila who was sitting on the arm of Dagger’s chair, her fingers spinning through the hair in his ponytail. There were only six other people in the room. Sheila’s mother gushed at Sara’s black lace shawl which added a little flash to the conservative black dress. Leyton Monroe chewed on an unlit cigar and gave her a passing glance. Seeing Sara reminded him of the wedding that never happened between Dagger and his daughter. The cardinal gave her a polite nod while Dagger’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

  Sara wandered over to a table of desserts and grabbed a small éclair. Dagger suddenly appeared behind her. He whispered, “What are you doing here?”

  She turned to face him, held up her drink. “Getting a glass of wine.” Her shawl fell from her shoulders and she saw his eyes move to a spot on her neck.

  “Is that a bruise?”

  Sara pulled the shawl up, draping one end around her neck. She could still feel Demko’s arm against her throat. Dagger moved in closer then turned to scan the room, his back to the table.

  “What’s happening, Sara?”

  Suddenly Tyler’s cell phone rang, followed by Leyton’s cell phone. Next, two of Cardinal Esrey’s security guards were digging in their pockets for their phones. Obviously it took some time for the hotel authorities to first discover there was a body on the burning truck, then determine which floor the victim jumped from.

  Sara watched the guests with amusement. “Let’s see. The bugs were planted, found a briefcase on a table, a dead guy in the closet, and I killed Demko.” She popped the éclair into her mouth.

  Dagger moved in front of her. “You want to run that one by me again?”

  Sara pointed at the rush of bodies nearing the exit. “That is probably the police notifying the cardinal that someone fell out of his twelfth floor window, although it was actually two people but just one hit the ground. Oh, and by the way, he also exploded. It was quite a sight.”

  Dagger stared at her for a beat. “You’re wrong, Sara. Maybe it looked like him.”

  “I know what I saw.”

  “My, my. A lover’s quarrel?” Sheila pried answers from them with her eyes. It was the
reporter in her.

  “This is a private conversation, Sheila.”

  Sheila backed down from Dagger’s glare. “Daddy and I are going over to the Ritz. There’s supposedly a murder/suicide. Thought you’d like to come with. Maybe we can get a drink afterwards.”

  “No, thanks. Murders make me nervous.”

  She walked off in a huff. Dagger turned back to Sara. Her hand shook as she raised the glass to her mouth. Dagger pulled it away. “Have you eaten anything besides the éclair?”

  “I don’t think I can.”

  “Robert,” Dagger called out to Tyler. “Can we get Sara something to eat?”

  Lily was more than happy to bring out a plate of crab and cocktail sauce, cheese and crackers, fruit, and hot tea for Sara.

  Dagger settled her at the end of the table. Either Sara’s skin had a healthy glow or anger was radiating from her body. He reached over and pulled the shawl down. The bruise was already starting to fade but still looked tender. He saw a blur of black and scarlet approaching.

  “I don’t believe I have officially met this young woman.” Cardinal Esrey pulled out a chair and sat down. “Mind?”

  “Not at all, Your Eminence.” Sara introduced herself. The shawl fell from her neck and she saw the cardinal’s eyes move to the bruise and then swiftly snap to Dagger as though recognizing his fingerprints. She felt compelled to explain. “Dagger and I work together. Since he was already committed to this dinner tonight, I took a surveillance assignment. My suspect got a bit aggressive.”

  “I hope you got the best of him.”

  Sara couldn’t help but smile. “You could say he won’t be a problem anymore.”

  Anna Monroe turned on the large screen TV which had on-the-scene camera footage of the burned out vehicles in the parking lot behind the Ritz. A large tarp covered the body of the man who had fallen out of the suite. Speculation was that the jumper had broken the window in order to commit suicide. More speculation centered on a radical group targeting the church over pedophile priests. The victim in the parking lot had yet to be identified. Police were not forthcoming on the body found in the suite other than to say it was one of the security guards hired for the cardinal’s visit.

  “Your Eminence,” Robert whispered. “I believe it is best you and your assistant stay here for the time being.”

  “I’m going to need some clothes and my briefcase,” the cardinal said. “I had worked on my speech on the plane but I need to finish it.”

  “The police are advising that you cancel your speech,” Robert said.

  “Out of the question. I won’t be bullied into changing my plans.”

  “How about if I send someone to your suite to pick up a few things and your briefcase,” Robert suggested. “I know the police chief. I’m sure there won’t be a problem getting your things packed up.” He immediately turned to Dagger. “Would you go? Maybe you can get an update from Padre.”

  “Sure. I’m one of Padre’s favorite people.”

  CHAPTER 10

  “Oh, this is making my night even better.” Padre grimaced as Dagger stood in the doorway to the Cordova Suite.

  “Nice to see you too, Padre.” Dagger had a big smile and a handshake for Padre.

  The sergeant ignored Dagger’s outstretched hand. “You aren’t coming in so get that out of your head right now. I already turned away Sheila and her father. Where were you tonight?”

  “Why am I always at the top of your suspect list?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” Padre led Dagger away from the entrance and to a sitting area near the elevator.

  “I wish you would quit your grudge against me because of that Friday the Thirteenth case.”

  “Oh? You mean because you aged me ten years and turned what little hair I have left grayer?” Padre huffed.

  “If you must know, I was having dinner with the cardinal at the Tyler residence. Tyler sent me to pick up a few things for the cardinal since he will be staying with him.”

  Padre motioned toward a couch by the atrium and took a seat across from Dagger. “Lightning hasn’t struck from the sky so I find it hard to believe you were breaking bread with a man of the cloth.”

  “I break bread with you.” Dagger winked at the cop.

  The elevator doors opened and two medical assistants rolled a gurney out onto the floor. Padre waited for them to leave before resuming.

  “We found a housekeeping cart outside the suite, the door bolted from the inside, a security guard in the upstairs bedroom dead, and a guy who decided to take a flying leap out of the window. And how was your night?”

  “Caviar, crab legs, beef medallions, great desserts.” Dagger leaned back and fingered his diamond stud earring. There was something in Padre’s eyes that told him the cop was holding out on him. He wasn’t sure what exactly but Dagger had seen that look in Padre’s eyes too many times before.

  “Where’s the maid?” Dagger asked.

  “We thought she might have heard a commotion and taken off. According to management there shouldn’t have been anyone working tonight. And why didn’t she take the cart with her?”

  “What could the cardinal have worth stealing?”

  Padre dug in his pocket and pulled out a stick of gum. He took his time refolding the paper for later use. “Looks like there was a fight or struggle of some sort but it doesn’t look like robbery was the motive. The wall safe hasn’t been tampered with. Hotel security opened it and there’s still cash and important papers in there. One of my guys is calling the cardinal to get a verbal list of what he had in the suite. We did sweep the place and found three bugs.”

  “Spiders?”

  Padre just glared at him.

  “Sorry. There are just so many food blessings and ring kisses I can sit through in one night. I’m a little slap happy.” He watched Padre massacre the gum then start to blow bubbles. “Any suspects?”

  “Found some red hairs in several of the rooms. Too long to be a man’s.”

  Dagger cocked his head. “You don’t think the cardinal was…you know.”

  Padre drilled him with another stare.

  A female police officer approached carrying a suitcase, a suit bag, and a briefcase. “The hotel manager said they would deliver the rest of his clothes tomorrow.”

  Padre thanked her and stood. “I have to get back to work.”

  “Any information you want me to beat out of the cardinal?”

  Padre laughed, another boisterous laugh that snapped off as quickly as it had started. “Always the comic.”

  Before delivering the items to Cardinal Esrey, Dagger had first stopped at Skizzy’s to go through the briefcase thoroughly, looking for secret compartments, which proved fruitless. The only item worth copying was the cardinal’s travel itinerary. Dagger was curious if it had changed any since the one Skizzy found on Demco’s computer. A quick call to Sara garnered him a chill through the airwaves he hadn’t felt before. She was still pissed but did manage to steal a glass the cardinal had used. Being an honest and moral person, compared to his own devious nature, Sara had explained to Robert that Dagger needed to exclude the cardinal’s prints from any others that might be found in the hotel suite. Sara had left out the little detail that Dagger wasn’t investigating the possible theft in the suite. Perhaps he finally was rubbing off on her.

  Dagger scanned the cardinal’s prints into the computer and zipped them off to Skizzy to check through AFIS to verify the cardinal’s identity. Padre had taken pictures of every inch of the suite and planned to show them to the cardinal tomorrow to attest to the contents and confirm that nothing had been stolen.

  Sara hadn’t said one word to him since he returned home. He could feel eyes drilling a hole in his back. The bruise on her neck had vanished completely, a testament to her rapid healing abilities. His ribs still ached and his bruises looked like he had gone six rounds with Ali. He turned from the computer to find Sara sitting on the couch, bare feet propped on the coffee table. She w
as flipping through pages of a magazine barely looking at the pictures, her tanned legs clad in floral capri pants. One of his jobs was to keep her safe and she was almost killed tonight. Maybe involving her wasn’t the right thing to do.

  “I said I was sorry, Sara. If I had known it was going to be dangerous, I would never have sent you.” Other than drilling him with those laser blue eyes, she said nothing.

  After several additional seconds of chill, Sara tossed the magazine on the coffee table and announced, “I want my own car.”

  Dagger blinked. “What?”

  “I want my own car. You drove the Beemer and left me with that rattle trap you call a classic. The truck isn’t something I care to drive in heels nor is my motorcycle, although the truck no longer exists since that’s the vehicle Demko Number Two fell on. The Navigator is as long as a limo and too cumbersome for me to handle and I’m not familiar with the Taurus. I want something that’s mine.”

  “So, that’s all it takes.” Dagger moved her feet and plopped down on the coffee table in front of her. “Bodies fall on you, you fall out of a window, almost get blown up, but all you want is a car. A woman after my own heart.” He grabbed her hands and held on tight, thankful that her fear of people no longer applied to him. His patience had paid off and seeing the smile radiating on her face filled him with a thrill that could only be equaled by the purchase of a new weapon. Sara never asked for much. Not like most women. Sheila used to drag him off to jewelry stores for the latest bauble that caught her eye. He felt it was a waste of money. Not to be denied, Sheila would buy it for herself and tell her friends that it was a present from Dagger.

  “What kind of car do you want?”

  “A PT Cruiser convertible.”

  “Done.”

  Sara cocked her head, not sure she heard him right. “Really?

  “Really.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” She jumped from the couch and ran up the stairs to her bedroom.