by W L Knightly
Of course, it is, you brain-dead cunt. “My father is a senator, for Christ’s sake, Dannie. I can’t go breaking laws. Besides, it’s not when it’s done through the agency and proper channels. They do it all the time. The information becomes public well before the book is released. I mean, I do have to write the fucking thing. We’re talking years.” He shook his head and took a sip of his wine. “Look, don’t worry about it, okay? I’ll just try and figure out something else. Hopefully, someone else won’t take the idea first. I wouldn’t even mention it to anyone and give them the idea. Once that happens, they’ll be the one with fat pockets.”
“How much would I make if I find the files? You said that they pay the sources.”
He had her right where he wanted her. “My publishing company does for sure. But, look. I don’t want you to do anything you don’t feel up to doing.”
About that time, Kendra walked out and joined her husband. She was in her chair and had already taken a sip from her glass of water by the time she glanced up and saw him.
Her face paled, especially when she saw Dannie sitting with him. He hoped it hurt her like a kick in the pussy. He looked equally as shocked so she wouldn’t be suspicious.
They gave their orders, and then as they sat waiting, they watched as the Bodins’ food was brought out, the asshole Tate still eating the fish he was so obsessed with as poor Kendra picked around at a salad.
Finally, after being much quieter, Dannie leaned in closer. “I’ve been thinking about the proposal you made. I don’t see any reason we should give anyone a chance to line their pockets. If you can guarantee me some of the action, and by that, I mean cash money and no trace, I’ll get you anything you need.”
He smiled big with feigned heartfelt appreciation. “Dannie, you’re amazing.” He reached for her hand and held it on the table, and Kendra coughed loudly.
Not only had she caught his attention, but the attention of Dannie as well. “Hey, that’s Judge Bodin.”
He looked at Tate. “I’ll be damned. This is a small city. What are the chances?”
Dannie shrugged. “I hope he didn’t overhear our plans.”
“He’s too far away,” Kyle said. “And it’s not like we’re breaking any laws.” He took a sip of his drink and glanced at Kendra out of the corner of his eye.
Later, after their meal came and Kendra got up from her table to go to the bathroom again, he excused himself from the table.
He was out of sight from Tate and Dannie when she walked out and found him taking a fake call near the men’s room door. “Kyle?”
“Hey, how are you?”
“Don’t give me that how are you crap. Are you here to spy on me?”
He took a step back. “Wow, that’s a pretty shitty and self-centered thing to say, Kendra. You ditched me, and I’m trying to move on.”
“Who is she, and how long have you known her?”
“I’m ashamed to admit it was the day we broke up actually. I mean, look at her. She’s gorgeous and that body?” He wanted to make her self-conscious, and what pregnant woman wasn’t that way about her weight? “Sorry. She’s just got me feeling shit I haven’t in a long time. I think you were right. I mean, I love you, but maybe this is what we needed, you know?”
“Well, I guess I’m happy for you. I’ll take it that invitation is null and void?”
“Kendra, I’m just trying to move on from you. I mean, you’re still in my heart. I will always love you, but even if you and I sneak around, I need someone full time in my life. But of course the invitation is still there. If you came back to me, I’d go with you in a heartbeat, but I’m just trying to respect your wishes. It’s always been whatever you want, Kendra. I just want you and the baby to be happy. That’s how much I love you.”
“You better get back to your date.”
“Thanks. It’s good to see you smile.” He patted her on the arm. Soon, he’d be able to touch her anytime he wanted and in any way. He’d have her and the baby, and there wouldn’t be anyone standing in the way.
He just needed Dannie to get the details of the case, and then he could get rid of Tate Bodin Madden-style so the other man could take all the blame. A copycat crime that will go undetected.
She walked away, and he waited a minute before returning to the table too. He and Tate made eye contact, but the man didn’t know him from Adam. He gave him a quizzical look, blank and boring, the way Kendra used to describe him when they’d meet up.
He sat down at the table, and Dannie was still working on her meal. “Yours probably got cold,” she said before taking another bite of her pasta salad.
“I got a phone call from my publisher while I was in the john. He said that if you could get me the sources, he could pay you up to twenty grand.”
Dannie’s eyes widened. “Really?” She got a sassy look as he nodded. “Then count me in for sure.”
Kyle smiled and raised his glass. “To a beautiful partnership and a budding romance.”
“I like the sound of that.” She ran her foot against his under the table. “I’m ready to get out of here and show you just how appreciative I am.”
He called for the check, and when they rose from the table, passing Kendra and Tate who were being served dessert, Dannie leaned in and kissed him.
So far, all was going according to plan, and in a few days, Tate would be dead, and Kendra would be back in his arms.
Chapter 30
Jake
Jake was just getting out of the shower when he got the text from Leigh, wanting him to call. He dialed her number, and she answered the phone with a voice full of regret. “Hey, Jake. I just wanted to apologize for earlier. I didn’t mean to show my ass or to make things harder for you or Jo.”
“I think that’s exactly what you wanted, but all you really did was upset her. It’s not cool. I have to work with her.”
“I was thinking about how you said that maybe I could come by sometime and wondered if you were up for it?”
“Well, it’s late, it’s raining, and I’m naked. It’s probably not a good idea, unless you want to spend the night.”
“I’m not opposed. I’ll pack my toothbrush. It doesn’t have to mean anything, you know? It’s all what we make it. And I’d like to make it just like we had it before.”
“Do I need to come and pick you up?”
“No, stay naked. I just need your address, and I’ll be right over.”
“I’ll text it to you. See you soon.” He hung up the phone and sent the address. That was when he saw that he had a missed call from Jo, but he wasn’t about to get her riled up. If it was important, she would have texted.
He put the phone on the bedside table. Then he finished drying his hair and tossed the towel into the hamper. He put on some deodorant, brushed his teeth, gargled, and flossed. Then he combed his still-wet hair and beard and went to the kitchen to find some wine and two glasses, which he took to the bedside table. Even though he hadn’t used condoms with Leigh before, he decided to play it safe and put them in the nightstand drawer.
He decided to change his sheets, and while he was putting the last pillow in a fresh, clean case, he heard a knock at the door.
His cock responded to the sound, and he walked across the living room and opened the door.
Jo’s jaw went slack as she looked down at him, and he jumped behind the door and tried to hide himself. “What the fuck, Jake?!”
“I, um, I thought you were someone else.”
“Oh. Well, shit. I tried to call you. They found Preston.” She was turned away with her hand shielding her eyes from his nakedness.
“Damn, really?”
“I can handle it. Just meet me there.”
“Fuck. Just wait. I can put on some pants.” About that time, Leigh pulled into the drive. Jake waved from around the door, and Jo pegged him with a hard look before storming toward the car. “Jo, wait!”
By the time he got his pants on, Leigh was backing out to let Jo leave.
He ran up to her window, which she only put down a little because of the rain. “It’s work. I have to go.”
“Call me when you get back home?” She was disappointed. “I don’t mind starting without you.”
“It could be hours, Leigh. I’ll call you though.” He patted her car as she rolled the window up and drove away. Then he locked his house and got in his car. He sped across town, calling Jo for details.
“Where are you?” he asked when she answered the phone.
“The Prestons’ house. He was found by a neighbor who was checking on the place after they saw a man leaving and got suspicious.”
“Jo—”
“Just get here.” She ended the call.
When he arrived at the scene, there were already several others there, all waiting for him to make his grand entrance. Jo wouldn’t even look at him when he arrived. She seemed hurt and angry, and he felt like a total asshole. “Where is he?”
“The study,” she said, leading the way. “I’ve asked them to give us a minute. Kevin is on the way with Gary, and Sam and me are the only ones who have been in the room so far. The neighbor got sick in the hall, and I had one of the officers clean that up. No sense in smelling that shit, and it didn’t contaminate anything in the room.”
He could still smell the stench of it in the air as he went down the hall. The closer he got, he could smell the stench of piss and blood, mixed with a faint trace of something else; something like pipe tobacco. He went in to find Preston hanging from a hook in the ceiling.
“If he’d only answered his fucking phone,” Jake mumbled.
“Yeah, it would help if others did too.”
“I’m sorry, Jo. I’m so embarrassed.”
“Why? I should have called again. It was busy once and then rang and rang, then voicemail. It was my bad. I’m sorry. Let’s just process this scene, and you can get back to your girlfriend.”
“She’s not my—”
Jo threw him a hard look, and he knew to shut his mouth.
He walked around the bloodstains on the carpet and looked at the wall. The gameboard was barely filled in. “Any ideas about his word?” There were two blanks filled in with the letter E.
“There is no telling. I think we should look for another letter from the Hangman.”
Jake agreed, and while they had fallen into professional mode, he still felt like a total fool. He could still see the look on her face and how it had changed when she saw Leigh’s car. “We’ll check his body before we bag him. The last letter was on Chief O’Connor.”
“I think he’s made it part of his MO at this point. Which means I’m expecting it.” He noticed the man’s forehead and the cigar butt that was sitting in the puddle of blood.
“There’s the strange smell,” said Jo, pointing down at it. “Looks like Madden put it out on his forehead.”
“We were just here, Jo. What if he was already inside? We saw the print. We saw the gate.” He couldn’t help feeling like he was responsible for dropping the ball. He’d been busy fucking Leigh when he should have been with Jo at the residence. Maybe this could have been prevented.
“I know,” she said. “It’s been a day for bad decisions.” She took out her phone and snapped photos.
When the silence had gotten to be too much, Jo cleared her throat.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“Just thinking about you. Standing there. Naked. The look on your face when you saw it was me.”
“I guess I’m never going to hear the end of this.”
“You’re the one who said I’m supposed to fit in, and if I’m going to get ribbed now and then, I’ll have to start dishing it out.”
“Great. I should have kept by big mouth shut.”
“Well, for the record, the girl in the bar was wrong.”
“Damned right she was.” There was nothing small about him.
Jo laughed, and about that time, Kevin came into the room. “Okay, kids, are you ready for me to work my magic?”
“Yes, I think we have all we need for now. But we want to know if you find a letter.”
“Sounds good. I’ll yell out for you. It’s turning into a circus out front with the neighbors.” He walked in with his kit and Gary followed behind him.
Jo and Jake stepped out and waited in the hallway. Sam came over to stand with them. “I’ve got the guys outside telling the neighbors to clear out. I had one old woman hit me with her cane, and her dog growled at me.”
Jo chuckled as she looked through her photos. “I think I have some good ones.”
Sam looked over her shoulders. “They look okay to me,” he said. Then he leaned in closer. “Hey, go back a few? Who was that girl?”
“Oh, I took a photo of a girl we’re looking for. Her name is—”
“Missy,” said Sam.
“You know her?” Jo and Jake asked at the same time.
He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal that he did. “Kind of,” he said. “She works at the Rockford.”
“What do you know about the Rockford?” Jake asked. Sam didn’t seem like the type to frequent the place.
“I know a lot of things. This girl is nice, and she works at the registration desk.”
“How well do you know her?” asked Jo.
“I didn’t sleep with her if that’s what you’re asking. But she did give me a great deal on a room. And she let me comp dinner because I’m a cop.”
There was arguing out in the hallway. “I’m not going all the way in. I just wanted to talk to Sam.”
Sam’s face twisted like he didn’t know what to think. The three of them glanced down the hall to see Dannie turn the corner. “There he is. See? No dead body.”
Lang was behind Dannie. “I tried to stop her, Sam.”
“What are you doing here?”
Dannie was dressed in a tight silk dress and looked as if she was on her way home from a date. “I just thought I’d come by and see what was going on.”
“Why? There are things here you don’t need to see.” Sam grabbed her arm, and she slapped at his face.
“Let me go!”
“Why this sudden interest in a crime scene, Dannie? You can’t be here. There’s evidence, and you’ll have nightmares. I’m trying to do you a favor. Now come on!”
She turned her head and tried to glance into the room where Kevin and Gary were going over Preston’s body with a fine-toothed comb. “I heard about it on my scanner and was curious. I’m not leaving. Half of the people out there don’t belong. Besides, I’m going to hear about it anyway.” She looked at Sam. “You’re just jealous because I was out with another man.”
Jo had had enough of the woman. She was not only bringing her personal shit to the table, but she was a hindrance. “You need to leave, Dannie.”
Dannie looked at Jo like she had some nerve. “You are a woman, and you get to stay.” She turned toward Sam. “This is why our relationship isn’t working. You’re not only a jealous pig, but you’re sexist.”
“That’s enough Dannie,” said Jo. Her commanding voice turned Jake on.
“Come on.” Sam picked her up and carried her out of the house.
“What the fuck was that all about?” Jake could not believe she’d showed up. “Do you think she’s high?”
“She’s up to something. She’s been acting strange, and remember how she wanted to ask you questions about the case?”
“Yeah, I agree. Something’s off. And all I can think about is going to the Rockford.”
“What is so special about the place? I mean, I heard my father say he was staying there, but I didn’t think anything of it.”
“Your father was at the Rockford, and our girl, Missy, is at the Rockford? Coincidence?”
Jo shook her head. “I think not. Madden’s got himself an extra pair of eyes.”
“The Rockford is where people go to have discreet sexual encounters. It’s a known fact that they cater to that type, especially people of power.”
/> “Like my father.” She let out a sigh.
Kevin walked out of the room. “Hey, I found this tucked into his back pocket.” He handed him a letter. It was folded in half, and despite the body fluids that had gotten everywhere, it was dry.
Jake took the letter and opened it. The handwriting was all too familiar. “Detective, by now you think you know who I am. Congratulations. However, I regret to inform you that Kellen ‘K.C.’ Madden died a long time ago. He was killed by the justice system, and you, my friend, are chasing ghosts. You won’t find me until I’m finished. Sincerely, The Hangman.”
Jake hated the way he called him a friend, and he was just about to speak when Jo beat him to the punch. “Man, I want to get him.”
“Looks like it’s time you and I check into the Rockford.”
Want More?
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Devious Crime, Book 4 continues the story.
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About the Author
WL Knightly is a thriller/murder mystery co-writing pen name for USA Today Best Selling Authors Lexy Timms and Ali Parker.
When she’s not writing, Lexy can be found dealing in Antique Jewelry and hanging out with her awesome hubby and three kids.
Ali is a CPA turned fiction writer who is married to her best friend and travels the US as a nomad. She spends her days writing, traversing the city and chasing her last kiddo in the house, a teenage quipper with too much time on his hands!
The two friends met years ago when they both started writing and publishing in various young adult genres and needed a critique partner. The rest is history…
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Hidden Crime
The Hangman Series, Book #3
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Copyright © 2019 by WL Knightly
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