The Veiled Cage (Lady Lawyer Series Romantic Suspense Novels Book 1)

by Johansen, Rita

  “The owner of the neighboring cabin, Carol Lawrence, smelled wood burning.”

  “Yes, Jazz. Good.”Ruby scanned her team, eyes glinting.“They could be coincidences.”

  “But you don’t believe in coincidences,”Justin, Jasmine, and Colin said in unison.

  “No, I don’t. It all means something. What else?”

  “Friday was Susan’s birthday,”Jasmine said.

  “Yes, that matters.”

  “Abusers love to ruin special occasions. Longhorn picked Valentine’s Day,”Arianna said, and searched Ruby’s eyes.

  “I’m okay,”Ruby said for Arianna’s benefit.“Ari’s right.”

  “And it’s another piece to consider,”Amy said.“Who wouldn’t figure in that a woman would wear an impractical outfit for murder on her birthday? The killer is male, and it’s personal.”

  “Does it fit the profile for him to have an accomplice?”Ruby asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you, Amy. Jazz, walk us through the traffic flow, please.”

  “Yes, sir.”She gave Ruby a jaunty salute.

  “She’s a natural fit to the team,” Amy murmured to Colin.

  “Yes, I adore her.”

  “Proceed.”Ruby gave Jasmine an exaggerated bow and sat to gulp coffee.

  “With Colin’s help, I animated the traffic to and from the cabin. Colin?”

  Colin tapped his PSC and an aerial view appeared on the center wall screen.

  “At approximately six-thirty, a green truck drove to the cabin followed by a blue car,”Jasmine narrated.“About fifteen minutes later, a rattletrap came down the road. It parked here, behind the blue car. At around seven, the truck left, and returned fifteen minutes later. Five minutes after the truck’s return, the rattletrap and blue car left. Around eight, a black sedan pulled into the driveway where the blue car had been. It stayed until around ten-thirty, when Ruby and I saw its driver get in and take off.”

  “Whose car was it?”Emilio asked.

  “Stuart Johnston’s.”

  “What about the others?”Emilio followed up.

  “I’ll take that one,”Justin said.“Thanks, Jazz.”

  She beamed at him and sat in her seat with a sigh.

  Justin sauntered to the front of the room, smiling at Arianna as he passed.“I ran the truck’s plates. It’s registered to Jerald Combes. As for the other vehicles, Susan has a blue car. I collected mud samples from the driveway, and from the tire of Susan’s car. They match. Her car was at the scene. The rattletrap was unidentified.”

  “Until this morning,”Ruby added.“Alfred introduced another player into the mix. Jerald Combes was at Alfred’s on Friday morning to pick up a piece of jewelry for a business acquaintance—Anthony Priestley.”Ruby nodded at Kottke.

  “Anthony Priestley is twenty-seven years old. The feds looked at him during their investigation into a coke ring run by a Mexican cartel, and nothing stuck.”

  “The same ring that was dismantled during the big federal bust six months back?”Colin asked.

  “Same ring,”Kottke confirmed.

  “What kind of vehicle does Anthony Priestley drive?”Emilio asked.

  “Nicely done, New Guy. Colin, put it on-screen, please.”

  Colin complied.

  “It looks like a rattletrap,”Amy said.

  “There’s more,”Kottke continued.“There was a missing-person report filed yesterday night for Anthony Priestley.”

  “Who filed it?”Emilio asked.

  “His mother and a woman who claimed to be his best friend—Elizabeth Priestley and Rebecca Phillips. Ms. Priestley’s record is squeaky. Phillips is charged with felony possession of cocaine, and is currently represented by counsel.”

  Colin stood.“I have an update on that front. Ruby, I put it on your calendar but didn’t want to disturb you. Ms. Phillips called to make an appointment. I booked her for seven tomorrow morning.”

  “She fire her previous lawyer?”

  “Yes.”

  “Lady Luck strikes again.”

  “Do you want me to move the appointment?”

  “No, that’s perfect. Good work, team.”Ruby retook control of the room.“We need to figure out what happened to Anthony Priestley. Is he a murderer? Did he chicken out and flee? Is he in a hidey hole somewhere? Is he an eyewitness who hasn’t come forward? Is he even alive?”she peppered.

  “Did Stuart Johnston and Anthony Priestley kill Jerald Combes?”Amy asked.

  “Yes, we have to pursue all viable possibilities,”Ruby said.

  “Why would Johnston kill his best friend?”Jasmine asked.

  “The motive could be a classic,”Justin said.“Greed. I found Jerald’s will at his residence. Johnston was set to inherit everything from Jerry if he knocked Susan out of the picture.”

  “He struck me as a killer.”

  “It’s not just based on Jasmine’s killer instincts,”Ruby said.“Jazz and I paid a visit to Levi Hollins, the charging attorney—on paper, at least. Johnston spoon-fed him the PC statement. If you’re writing a PC statement and submitting it to the on-duty judge at midnight on a murder case, wouldn’t you also ask to search the house? He restricted it to the cabin and Susan’s car. Why the car and not the house? Makes sense if you know where the knife is. What did we find in the house? Who would have had an interest in keeping it hidden?”

  “Surveillance equipment. It confirmed Susan was in the residence all night.”

  “Right, Kottke. What were the forensic results?”

  “It was Jerald’s blood. The tox-panel revealed cocaine. Candace also found anti-coagulant.”

  “So we have in the blood trail an additive to stop blood from clotting. Here’s another piece. Jazz, what did we notice alongside the blood trail?”

  “Gravitational drops.”

  “Combine that with the pieces missing from Susan’s kitchen collectibles—”

  “And you have a person or persons laying a tidy trail to Susan Combes,”Emilio concluded.

  “Yes, and I bet one such person is Stuart Johnston. Kottke?”

  “Johnston’s prints were found on Susan’s car—the door handle, the steering wheel.”

  “He was so cocky about his misdirection he didn’t bother to wear gloves. Johnston didn’t factor us into his plan.”

  “Why aren’t we going to Rebecca Phillips and finding out what she knows about her friend?”Jasmine asked.

  Amy Larson stood.“I’ll take this one, Ruby. If they are involved in illegal activity together, Rebecca may have filed the report to cover his tracks. If Anthony is in hiding, then alerting her could cause him to go deeper.”

  “It is also possible she genuinely doesn’t know his whereabouts,”Ruby added.

  “What do you have in mind?”Colin asked.

  “We’ll gather intel today and have a better idea of the players. We’ll dig deeper into Jerald’s activities. Alfred mentioned a farm property that Jerald Combes had converted into a private lab.”

  “I have more on that front,”Justin said.“I spoke with Jerry’s boss at Tycon. Jerry was gung ho about DNA experimentation and wanted to move forward with it—fast track it to human trials. His boss not only didn’t give him the green light, he pulled the plug.”

  “How did Jerald react?”Amy asked.

  “He was pissed for a while. Then he was fine. Before the project pull, he’d come in earlier than anyone and leave later. After, he’d come into work on time, do his job, and leave.”

  “When was his project yanked?”

  “About seven months ago.”

  “We need to find out what Jerry was doing on that property,”Justin said.

  “I traced it.”Colin pulled up a photo.“Here’s the public-access aerial. It hasn’t been updated in ten months.”

  “Who owns it?”Emilio asked.

  “Susan Combes.”

  Ruby pumped her fist and gave Colin a smacking kiss on his cheek.“Well done, you brilliant, beautiful man.”

 
; “What are we celebrating? I want in,”Jasmine said.“Who wants a kiss?”

  Focused on Arianna, Justin missed her hopeful glance.

  “It figures Jerald would say he inherited the property,”Ruby said.“Contrary to Jerry’s belief, Susan exists apart from him. And her independent existence is recognized by the state. Her property was not his, and neither was she. She’s authorized us to access her property as needed to conduct her case. It’s time we do our own recon on the stalker’s activities. Any ideas for surveillance?”

  Emilio stood.“If I may, I can assist in this area.”He tapped his own handheld device, which looked quite similar to the units Flick had supercharged for the team, and an image appeared on-screen.

  “What’s that? A robo-bug? Don’t we have enough real-life bugs around?”

  Emilio laughed and grinned at Jasmine.

  “It is a bug, in a manner of speaking. It has an astral satellite’s sight, a bumblebee’s size, and an express chopper’s speed.”

  “Thank God it doesn’t look like a mash-up of the three,”Ruby said.

  “Its audio detection is four-hundred times that of a human. You’re looking at the latest in drone technology.”

  “No way. That’s a drone?”

  “Yes, equipped for surveillance only. It isn’t armed. If captured, it self-destructs.”

  “Into a poof of smoke?” Colin asked.

  “I’ll show you.”He entered a series into his device, and the drone flattened and emitted a sticky substance.

  “It looks like a squashed bug,” Ruby said.

  “Precisely.”

  “What’s that goo?”Justin asked.“Acid?”

  “No, that would certainly alert its captor something’s off. It’s histamine and irritant. It causes skin to break out in hives, ensuring the drone’s prompt release, and likely further destruction.”

  “Under the captor’s boot,”Ruby said.“Clever.”

  “One finds much inspiration in the natural world to advance technology.”

  “When can we deploy the drone?” Colin asked.

  “It’s been my latest pet project so I’ve taken to carrying it with me.”

  “You keep a prototype in your pocket?”Ruby eyed his blazer.

  “Don’t be silly. It’s in my office.”

  “Your office?”She raised a brow.

  “Say the word and I’ll release Jaspyr.”

  “He has a name,”Jasmine said.“Like a pet robot. Would it break your heart if Jaspyr gets squashed?”Jasmine looked up, eyes wide.

  Ruby rolled her eyes.“I’m sure he’d build another.”

  “Thank you for your concern, Jasmine. It would console me to know he met his end for a good cause.”

  Ruby scanned the assembled talent in satisfaction.“Team, let’s spring Susan. Once we show up on Monday, we have to start playing our cards. Otherwise, we let the state’s version stand, and Susan’s held without bail for the duration of this case. We’ll meet tomorrow, same time, to review what we collect today.”

  “Well, on that note.”Kottke broke into raspy song.“I’m going down to Lucky Town. Going down to Lucky Town.”He offered his hand to Amy.

  She accepted and fell into step with him. Soon, her rich alto harmonized.

  “I wanna lose these blues I’ve found. Down in Lucky Town. Down in Lucky Town.”

  Ruby grabbed her PSC and called over as she walked to the door.“When you’re done goofing around, we have killers to catch.”

  “Ruby, you’ll learn as you get older to never turn down the opportunity to dance.”Amy responded without missing a beat.

  Emilio held out his hand to Ruby.“May I?”

  She held out her hand and jerked her head to the drone on-screen.“May I?”

  “In my office.”

  “Yeah, your office,”she echoed, amused.“Glad to see you’ve settled in. Grab it and meet me in my office, please.”

  Ruby pulled Arianna aside.“You have access to the file. Let Colin know if you need anything. You know best how to help Susan. I . . .”Ruby held up her hands.

  “What you’re doing for her matters.”Arianna laid a hand on Ruby’s shoulder.“I’ve prepared a room for her at my ranch.”

  “Thanks.”Ruby clasped Arianna’s hand.“I have to go give a certain someone a piece of my mind.”She darted her eyes to where Emilio sat conversing with Jasmine.

  “Go easy on him, Ruby. I like him.”

  “Jazz, you’re with Kottke today,”Ruby tossed over her shoulder as she strode to her office.

  Emilio excused himself and went to Arianna.“We haven’t yet met. I’m Emilio.”

  Arianna shook his hand.“I’m—”

  “Arianna Ramirez. I’m fascinated by your work.”

  “Well, you’re welcome at my ranch any time. It’s a small operation, nothing like yours.”

  “Do not diminish your work so. It matters. It would be my honor to see it. And allow me to reciprocate and show you my ranch whenever it suits you.”

  “In Segovia?”

  “Yes, if you don’t mind a bit of travel.”

  “I’ll take you up on that. Thank you,”she said, dazed.

  “It’s my pleasure.”

  Justin fell into step beside Emilio as he entered the hall, and said,“There’s something you should know about Arianna and me.”

  “Are you involved?”

  Justin shifted.“Not exactly.”

  “Would you like to be?”

  Teeth on edge, he said, “Yes.”

  “Then why, I wonder, did you dance with Amy?”

  “Are you going to give me any trouble?”

  “I think you’re giving yourself enough, my friend. My interest lies elsewhere. If I may, I’ve kept her waiting.”He clapped Justin on the back, and continued on to Ruby’s office.

  “Well, I’ll be damned.”

  Chapter 14

  Emilio found Ruby pacing.

  “Where do you get off?”

  “What do you mean?”He sat on her desk and admired a luminescent orb, appearing casual. His grip gave away his effort at composure.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you’re a gazillionaire?”

  “It’s refreshing to be simply another team member working toward a noble end. I’d prefer it stay that way. This is your investigation and your team to lead, not mine. My e-skills are at your disposal, and any connections that may be useful. I have no desire for special treatment.”

  “Good, because you won’t receive it. And my law firm is not some rich man’s charity. I insist on paying you a consulting fee.”

  “As you wish.”

  “And you’re right. I’m responsible for securing the best outcome for Susan. I require full disclosure from my team, and that means no material omissions. I don’t care if you own half the free world. I care if you have the skills to pull off your part in securing justice for Susan.”

  “In the spirit of full disclosure,”he said, setting the paperweight aside and rising. “I must tell you I’m captivated by you.”

  “You must be accustomed to having whatever you like. I have no interest in being bought, and the same goes for Arianna. Stay away from her.”

  His eyes darkened.“I don’t buy women, Ruby. I always respect a woman’s wishes.”He leaned forward, and she felt the warmth as he breathed out his words.“Tell me you’re disinterested.”

  “Right now, I’m interested in tracing the surveillance equipment, and in conducting our own surveillance.”

  He leaned back and studied her.“As am I. Give me half an hour to run a trace.”

  “You have it.”

  He shot her a grin and left her office.

  Ruby shut the door behind her, and walked down the hall.

  “Ruby?”Amy called from the conference room.

  She poked her head in.

  “I could see you twitching from here. Are you all right? I heard that Emilio has quite the effect on women.”

  Ruby turned a finger in a circular motion.“I ca
n see those matchmaking wheels turning, Amy. Toss a wrench in, because I’m not hot for him or anything—just bothered. That man is impossible. He’s presumptuous and . . .”She grasped for the right word.“Arrogant.”

  “My, he has worked you up. I think that Justin checked his emotions pretty well today, don’t you?”

  “What? Oh, yeah,”Ruby said, distracted.

  “They remain quite obvious to all except Arianna. It’s not unusual for emotions buzzing between two people to be apparent to all but them. Watching the beginning of a love story is like those first weeks of spring. Everything is bright, full of hope.”

  Ruby relaxed at the mention of Arianna.“Yeah, it’s a real kick to watch. Hopefully, when they finally get mushy, they don’t do it in front of me.”

  “You’re a hopeless romantic, Ruby.”

  “You know I want her happy. He’s a good guy. He knows her history, and won’t repeat it.”

  “I believe that’s why Justin is taking his time. He doesn’t want to spook her.”

  “Her hair will turn gray at this rate.”

  “She does have gorgeous hair.”

  “Hair and love. I’d rather talk case strategy.”

  “Relationships are messy, unpredictable,”Amy pressed on.

  “They sure are.”

  “And also thrilling, full of meaning.”

  “For some. I’m maxed out on girl talk. Mind if we move on to talking about the case? I could use your help.”

  “Not at all. What do you need?”

  “Another set of eyes.”

  “You have them. Whom or what are we going to see?”

  “Susan’s neighbor, Deanna Connelly. Susan fled to her house during an incident. Deanna sided with Jerald.”

  “Abusers can be very charming.”

  “Yes, and have double standards of conduct.”

  “You’re thinking a romantic relationship?”

  “Jerald got jealous over the damn dentist. That’s a pretty tight leash. Maybe he gives himself a lot more latitude.”

  “Yes, double standards are common with abusers.”