BURNING INTUITION (Intuition Series Book 2)

by Makenzi Fisk

  “What’s wrong with a regular knot, or a bow tie? What in the world is wrong with a good solid bow tie? The kind that’s already done and has the clip on the back.”

  He glowered at Erin. “I think you’re tying a Half Windsor. I need an Eldridge Knot. You’re my best man. Didn’t you practice this?”

  “I didn’t have time to practice the pretentious Eldridge…” Regret choked the last of her sentence and she dropped her hands.

  “It wasn’t your fault that Derek Peterson’s rotten spawn hurt Allie. Look on the bright side. You got her. The kid’s going to jail. Allie will be fine, and if we ever get this figured out, I’ll know how to tie an Eldridge Knot at your wedding.”

  “A man died.” Erin clenched her jaw. “Lily’s friend’s father.”

  “The way I heard it was that it was no big loss to society. He was abusing his kids, beating his wife. He owed money to bad men. It was a matter of time before someone put him in the ground. If it was his own daughter, his victim, so be it.”

  “I don’t think his daughter did it. Not on her own anyways.”

  Zimmerman squinted at her. “My friend’s husband—”

  “Constable Audette.”

  “Yes.” He waggled his shoulders the same way he did when he said whatever. “Constable Audette found a note in the parking lot from the victim. It sounded like the guy thought his kid was extorting money from him and he refused to pay. That, and the abuse are clear motive. That kid—”

  “Nina,” Erin prompted.

  “Nina,” the shoulder waggled again, “is going to juvy until she’s an adult. She won’t be eligible for day passes for a long time.”

  “I don’t think they call it juvy in Canada, and stop it with the shoulder thing. You’re wrinkling your suit.” She smoothed his collar. “Hold still.” He was handsome, in a big dorky sort of way. She couldn’t ask for a better extra-brother.

  “I’m sorry about how it went down in the Canadian court system.” He put a hand on Erin’s arm. “You did good, Erin. How could you possibly fathom that she would be able to plea bargain like that?”

  “Unbelievable.” Erin whipped the skinnier tail over the wider one and brought it around to the neck loop. “Remember that case up in Canada a while back where that couple, you know the one…”

  He nodded. “The serial killers. The guy who raped all those women and the wife who helped him. They killed her own sister.”

  “That’s the one.” Erin yanked the tail around again and shoved it through the loop. “She convinced the authorities that she was a poor victim in all of it. Testified against her husband in return for a light sentence in a minimum security facility.”

  “That’s what Lily did.” Zimmerman placed two fingers between his exposed Adam’s apple and Erin’s angry fingers. “The note implicated the other girl, the motive pointed to the other girl, and Lily said she had no idea what the girl was going to do. Claimed she was forced to set fire to the van after Nina murdered her dad. They dropped the fire-setting charge in exchange for her testimony.”

  “What about her attack on Allie?” Erin clenched her jaw.

  “They plea bargained that to aggravated assault.”

  “It should have been attempted murder.” Her teeth gritted against each other. “Why didn’t Lily get charged for the theft of the truck? She hurt a police officer.”

  Zimmerman shook his head. “He could only identify Nina, and Nina wouldn’t testify against Lily.”

  “So, one count of mischief and one of aggravated assault. She has no prior record.” He lifted his fingers from his throat to count and Erin cinched the tie tight. He squeaked.

  “If Lily hadn’t stabbed Allie, she probably wouldn’t do any time at all?” Was it fate? Would Lily be walking free right now?

  “It looks that way. At least she will be off the street for a while.” Sweat dripped down Zimmerman’s temple. “Could you go easy on my throat?”

  “She’ll get day passes after, what, a year? I’ll cringe every time I read about her shopping at the mall with her escort.” Erin looked at the knot. It was off center.

  “Don’t be so rough on the Canadian justice system. They didn’t match her prints to the break-in at your friend’s house until after they’d offered her the deal to testify.”

  Erin snorted.

  “I made sure Morley Falls requested her prints and Bert in Ident tied them to the ones from the Dolores Johnson case. The ones you found. Lily actually bragged about that arson when she got to juvy. Did you know?”

  Erin’s jaw dropped.

  “The prosecutor won’t extradite a kid. Not for a half-assed confession and a trifle of circumstantial evidence. But here’s the kicker. She recanted her accusation that her father ever touched her. Sexually, I mean. She fabricated the whole thing. Her story changed so many times that it cast doubt on his conviction.”

  “You’re kidding me. So he served a year for assaulting a police officer.” Erin touched the scar on her bicep through the sleeve of her tuxedo.

  “Yup. My buddy in the parole office says he’s applied for a P.I. license.”

  “Is that even possible?”

  “Since the conviction wasn’t a felony…” Zimmerman left the rest unsaid. “Did you hear that he earned himself a prison nickname?”

  “A nickname?”

  “Van Gogh.” Zimmerman loved his gossip.

  “They named him after a crazy one-eared painter?”

  “Yup. Another inmate bit off part of his ear in a fight. He wouldn’t file a complaint, said he did it to himself, just like that painter.”

  “Fitting. Erin gave the knot one last tug and it settled into the spot directly below Zimmerman’s Adam’s apple, perfectly centered. “Let’s get off this topic. I don’t want to ruin your big day.”

  “Yeah, my big day.” His huge hands trembled in his lap.

  She needed to distract him before he went down in a quivering heap. “How’s your mom?” She pursed her lips to keep the snicker in.

  “I’ll never be able to un-see what I saw.” His forehead squeezed together in the middle.

  As soon as they’d returned to Morley Falls, she’d discovered why his mom had never seemed too concerned about her back alley stalker. Allie had sensed it long before when she’d said he didn’t need that big surveillance system. He got more than he bargained for when he viewed those recordings.

  “I assume you’ve properly met her new boyfriend. Is he nice?” Erin bent to brush an imaginary particle of dust from the toe of her shoe. A gleeful snort escaped.

  Zimmerman sighed. “Yes, Henry seems like he treats her okay. I just wish my mom had told me, instead of letting me think she had a stalker.”

  “With a red sports car.” Erin sucked in a guffaw and smoothed the crease she’d made in her trousers.

  Zimmerman looked at her and she looked back. His mouth curved into his trademark goofy grin. “I chased that poor man around for a month and a half before I caught him on video. Making out with my mom like a couple of teenagers!”

  Erin’s laughter exploded from her belly and, this time, he joined in.

  “You thought she was afraid to live on her own, but all this time she was just dying for you to move the hell out.” Erin clapped him on the shoulder.

  There was a knock at the door and a six-year old boy in a tuxedo blustered into the room. His shiny shoes danced beneath him in excitement. “Let’s go. Let’s go. Let’s go.”

  “Jimmy, you’re the most handsome time-keeper, ring-bearer I ever saw.”

  “You look great in a tuxedo too, Auntie Erin.”

  She smoothed a tuft of hair on the crown of her nephew’s head. “Where are your sisters today? Didn’t they come?”

  “They are home with the flu. I get to stay at grandma’s house for the weekend. Mom said she didn’t want three kids sick all at once.” He made a face. “I’m glad I’m not sick. I’m glad Z-man is marrying my boss.”

  “Your boss.” Erin laughed. “Don’t you
sound like a big businessman?”

  Jimmy stuck out his chest. “Gina says I’m her best minnow catcher and all the tourists come to the Stop ’N Go to buy them. I’m saving up for a real microscope.”

  “Why am I not surprised?”

  Jimmy tugged down the front of his jacket and hopped up to fist-bump Zimmerman. The two exchanged admiring glances.

  “You look like a grown-up,” Jimmy said, and the groom blushed.

  Erin blotted the sweat on her friend’s forehead with her handkerchief and arranged it in her pocket, making sure the corners lined up. She straightened his tails and took a step back. Jimmy was right. “A respectable church wedding. I never would have figured it. I’m so glad Gina talked you out of that fantasy character theme wedding.”

  “I wasn’t really going to…” Above his flushed face, his crew cut was razed with precision. He got to his size fourteen feet and took a great gulp of air.

  Erin blotted his brow once more with her handkerchief and stuffed it sideways into her pocket, just in time to steady him. “Come on, buddy. Let’s get you hitched before you pass out.”

  * * *

  Allie cracked the door open a sliver to peek down the hall. The prelude song had started. She turned to Gina. “Are you ready?”

  “I’ve been waiting for this man all my life. Of course I’m ready.” Hair upswept, one tendril twirling down her temple, Gina was a beautiful bride. The brilliant energy surrounding her was enough for two. She placed a hand over the belly bulge in her wedding dress and stroked the lace with her fingertips. “This baby will love his daddy as much as I do.”

  “Chris is a lucky man and I’m so proud to be your maid of honor.” Allie reached out for her hand and led her to the door.

  “You look pretty in that pink satin suit.” Gina adjusted her veil and smiled. “Here I go, a-waddlin’ down the aisle.”

  Allie stifled a laugh and opened the door wide.

  Waiting with his personal care attendant, Gunther Schmidt straightened from his walker and pushed it aside. His suit was rumpled from where he had been sitting, but he’d showered and shaved today. He waved an impatient hand in the direction of the walker and the attendant rolled it away.

  Gina held out her arm and Gunther threaded his through. She would support him, as she always had. His grizzled jaw quivered and then his mouth bent into a satisfied smile.

  “I’m so happy you could be here to give me away.”

  “Ya know I love ya like a daughter.” He ground his knurled fist into a watery eye.

  “I’m glad you like your new place,” Gina whispered.

  “Bah, who wants to live all alone in a dang swamp anyways?” He shuffled one foot forward. “Too many skeeters. ‘Tween me and dat property developer, I got da better end ‘a da stick.” He took another step, faltered and met Gina’s eyes. He sighed. She nodded and Allie closed in on the other side. Gunther gripped Allie’s arm with his free hand and balanced between them.

  “Chris and I are happy you’re just down the street. The baby will need a grandpa.” Gina smiled at him and he dipped his head.

  A tear streaked down his cheek. “I never seen two more gorgeous women in my whole sorry life.” He shuffled forward, one foot playing catch-up with the other. His attendant shadowed them, ready to produce the walker at a moment’s notice. Gunther shot a stern look over and straightened his spine.

  By the time they neared the chapel and caught a glimpse of the lightheaded groom, the Wedding March had ended. Across the rows, guests craned their necks and children gawked. Up front, Zimmerman’s mother peered back, her brow wrinkled. A balding man next to her put his arm around her shoulder and the wrinkles disappeared. Gamely, the piano player started again. Allie grinned. The song might need to be played a few more times before they reached the front.

  The piano player glanced up before starting the song for the third time. Eyes bright, he was clearly enjoying the challenge. Gina stepped across from her future husband and Jimmy hopped on his heels, eager to do his job.

  Gunther sank into a chair someone had slipped behind him before he could protest. He leaned forward and gasped for breath.

  Zimmerman’s face split into a crooked smile when he looked into Gina’s eyes. His trembling fingers stilled, his shoulders squared. Beside him, Erin was dashing. She wore a matching tuxedo, fastidious in appearance, except for the scrunched kerchief protruding from her pocket. Erin’s energy was anxious, a quarterback who’s just thrown the ball and now waits for her star player to catch it.

  The officiator stepped forward and began. As he pontificated, Zimmerman’s skin paled. His eyes rolled up. Erin squeezed his arm, fingers digging through the fabric until her friend’s eyes snapped forward. He gulped air.

  The officiator turned to him. “Do you, Christopher Anthony Zimmerman, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward until death do you part?”

  Zimmerman’s Adam’s apple bobbed but no words came out. He tried again and his voice squealed before reaching its manly tone. “I do.”

  Jimmy skipped in place and held out the rings before he was asked. The officiator turned to Gina. “Do you—”

  Gina’s knees buckled and Allie caught her before she went down. “The baby’s coming!”

  Zimmerman froze. “It’s too early. Too early.” He tucked Gina, with her big belly, into his chest. “It’s too early!” He ran, pregnant almost-wife in his arms, white gown fluttering like a dove in flight. His mother covered her face with her hands.

  “What about the rings?” Jimmy shouted.

  Erin and Allie raced after Zimmerman and helped him find his truck keys. She opened his door and Zimmerman loaded his bride into the passenger side.

  “Call the midwife.” Gina squeezed Allie’s arm. “Tell her to meet us at the house.”

  Pain shot through Allie’s brain and a baby boy with blue lips whimpered. Her heart squeezed in her chest. All the baby dreams. This is what they were about. “No! You can’t have a home birth.” She gripped Gina’s shoulder.

  “But I planned a natural birth. Chris and I wanted…” Gina tilted her head back and groaned. “Tell the midwife to hurry.”

  Zimmerman shut the door and raced to the driver’s side.

  Allie blocked him. “Promise me. You must promise.” Round-eyed, he prodded her out of the way but she stood firm. “Listen to me! The baby is in danger. Take Gina to the hospital in the city.”

  “Listen to her, Z-man!” Erin shouted.

  He stared at her for a moment and slammed the door. The rear wheels skidded on the road when he put his foot on the gas. He turned to the left. He was going home.

  Electricity pounded from one end of Allie’s brain to the other. Waves of energy crashed against her skull. Pressure squeezed her throat. She couldn’t breathe. She sank to her knees in the parking lot. Erin lifted her to her feet.

  “The baby…” Storm clouds gathered in Allie’s brain.

  “Look.” Erin pointed. Zimmerman’s truck flashed past, headed the other direction. He had listened. He was taking Gina to the hospital in the city.

  Allie wrapped her arms around Erin’s neck and sobbed into her tuxedo collar.

  “The baby will be fine?” Erin smoothed her hair.

  “Yes.” Relief flooded every molecule of her body. “A bigger hospital will have what he needs.”

  “Then don’t cry, Baby. We’re going to be godparents.” Erin held her at arm’s length. “You’re so hot in that outfit. You should wear that every day.” She brushed a tear from Allie’s cheek with her thumb. “Let’s get our dog to my parents’ house and we’ll go meet the new kid at the hospital.”

  Allie motioned to the lawn in front of the church. “I think we’ve already found a capable dog-sitter.”

  Jacket off, tie sideways and one pant leg tucked into his sock, Jimmy circled the lawn with t
he puppy on its leash. His brow furrowed in concentration.

  “Thanks for walking our dog.” Erin caught up with him when his circles got smaller. “Would you like to dog-sit for us for the rest of the day?” The puppy altered his course and went back. Allie joined in and the boy-dog duo veered around her.

  “We’re not walking, we’re searching.” Jimmy followed the dog and Erin trotted to keep pace. “He’s helping me.”

  “How is he helping you?” Allie asked.

  “Well, he’s a dog. He’s got a nose, hasn’t he?” Jimmy puffed his cheeks in exasperation.

  “What are you searching for?” Allie knew he’d find what he sought, in a minute. In her mind, there was a flash of gold, a brilliant sparkle.

  “I was playing and I lost the rings.” Jimmy put his head down and tugged the leash. “Go find them Doppler.”

  “Doppler?” Erin stared at him.

  “You named the dog?” Allie asked. The name suited the pup.

  “Of course. He wanted a name.” Jimmy said matter-of-factly.

  “He told you that?” Erin shot Allie a look.

  Allie shrugged. She hadn’t made him say that. She hadn’t even been around to influence him. They’d been up north in Winnipeg chasing Lily.

  “What do you mean?” Erin quizzed him.

  Jimmy sighed. “Well, he didn’t exactly talk because everyone knows animals can’t talk. I just know that if I was a dog, I’d want a name.” He pointed a finger at Erin’s chest. “You didn’t give him one, so I had to.”

  Erin exhaled.

  Allie smiled at Jimmy’s reasoning. “How did you choose the name?”

  Jimmy sighed again. “It’s obvious. You know what the Doppler effect is, don’t you?” He eyed them dubiously. “That’s how a police radar works to catch speeders.” He tilted his head at Erin when she didn’t respond. “Come on, Traffic School 101.”

  Erin grinned.

  “Okay, so here’s an easy explanation. You know how the sound a car makes is higher when it’s coming toward you than after it has already passed? It’s lower after it passes because the sound waves are farther apart. That’s the Doppler effect.” He pointed to the dog. “That’s kind of how his nose works, only with smells instead of sounds. He can track where I was playing. He can even tell from one step to the next which one is more recent so he follows it in the proper direction.” Jimmy put a hand on his hip. “That was in the dog book you gave me for Christmas.”