by Jerry Cole
“Maybe not completely. But Jake, and his mother, said that Adam came back different after meeting that guy. It was like he had touched a dangerous side of Adam, and he was taking full advantage of it. He was more domineering, paranoid.”
Kyron thought about what Eric had witnessed.
“Maybe it was drugs.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I’ve just witnessed a couple of producers confronting Eric and demanding to know when they were going to get their money.”
“Oh?” Kyron heard Raquel’s tone pick up now there was something interesting. “I thought you said things were quiet there.”
“No violence happened. Eric told me he heard something about moving stuff away from their regular clients and saw them handling a bag of white powder.”
Raquel grunted.
“Well, drugs in the music industry is nothing new. But what’s the connection to Schoenauer?”
“I’m not entirely sure, other than what my gut is saying.”
“And what does that gut of yours say about this?”
Kyron stretched out his leg and tried to stop it from shaking, but it didn’t work.
“Sounds like Adam Schoenauer found out about it and made sure he was a part of the business. That McCormack and Manning did as they were told, or he was going to tell the authorities. Blackmail them into a slice of the profits, essentially.”
Raquel was silent for a moment. Kyron could hear a tapping on the other end. His boss was more than likely tapping her pen away on the table, as she was prone to do when she was thinking.
“That’s a gamble, Kyron. They could have given him up as well.”
“Adam Schoenauer was very good at getting out of things, even with the cops.”
“Men like him shouldn’t be allowed to get away with what he’s done.”
Kyron sighed.
“That’s what happens when you grow up in a small community. Everyone knows everyone, but that means they can close ranks. Even if the person in question is a piece of shit, he’s one of the community. The cops do try, and they did in the past, but it’s a slippery slope investigating someone influential. They could lose their jobs.”
Kyron had witnessed it first-hand. His father hadn’t got out of it, but he wasn’t one of the elite. He was just a regular guy who put everyone’s backs up. Adam Schoenauer was the same, but he just had money to go with it.
“He wouldn’t get away with that in Jacksonville.” Raquel snorted.
“Probably why he wasn’t successful in getting Eric fired in Tallahassee.”
“He really tried that?”
“That’s Eric’s guess. But Schoenauer forgot that small town rich men who bully their way through life don’t get anywhere with the bigshots in the cities.”
Kyron would have liked to have been sitting in on that moment when Schoenauer was attempting to bribe Eric’s employers to fire him because he wanted them to. He would have enjoyed seeing the bully getting taken down a few pegs. Then the bully would have been throwing his toys out of the cradle.
“What are the names of the producers you mentioned again?” Raquel asked. “I can get their names run through Sandy.”
“Paul McCormack and Gerard Manning.”
“Okay, Sandy should be able to find something. And Louise Lakin was discharged from hospital this morning.”
That was something. Louise didn’t seem the type to be hysterical for long. There was an inner strength in Louise Lakin that stopped her from completely falling to pieces.
“At least she doesn’t seem to have many lasting effects. I can’t see her completely mourning Richard after what he said to her.”
“What do you think made the change?”
“Exposure to a toxic man, I guess.” Kyron rubbed at the back of his neck. His shoulders were starting to tighten up. “Or maybe Adam gave Richard drugs as well. Make him more pliable.”
Raquel hissed. “That’s a bit of a stretch. Richard was an attorney. He would have undergone regular drug tests. That would have wrecked his job.”
“What else have we got to go on?”
Right now, all they were doing was clutching at straws. It was early days, and that was the time when things were found that were important to the case in question. Right now, things were just a mish-mosh and nothing seemed to be fitting together. Raquel sighed.
“I suppose you’re right. Oh, the pathologist for Panama City contacted me a short while ago. Something odd happened at the morgue.”
“Isn’t that an everyday occurrence?”
“I mean really odd. When Adam Schoenauer’s body went into the morgue, he had both his ears. But when he took the body this morning to start the post-mortem, both of his ears were missing.”
That had Kyron sitting up.
“You’re saying someone broke into the morgue and purposefully cut off the ears of one of our victims? Why the fuck would anyone do that?”
“Souvenir, sending a message. Look, you’re asking me something that I can’t possibly answer.”
That was when Kyron heard the scream.
Chapter Six
“You are one lucky bastard.”
Eric looked up to see Jenna sashaying into his office, giving him a knowing smirk. He sighed and went back to his work.
“What are you talking about?”
“Special Agent Horton. Talk about yummy.” Jenna fanned her face with her hand. “Phew. Ever seen a Ross Kemp documentary?”
Eric rolled his eyes. He had heard several of his female co-workers talking in corners about Kyron. Quite a few of them had sneaked a peek into Eric’s office, just to catch a glimpse of the man. Eric had been close to snapping and shouting at everyone to fuck off.
“Jenna, you’re supposed to be working, not drooling.”
“I think I’m allowed. I’ve got nothing better to do.”
“Then we’re clearly not working you hard enough.” Eric tried to focus on his work. These lyrics weren’t going to write themselves. “Kyron isn’t here for your arousal, or anyone else’s.”
“It’s Kyron now, is it?” Jenna giggled. “That was quick. I never thought you were that fast.”
“Jenna!” Eric huffed and sat back. “He’s a friend from high school. I knew him when we were teenagers. He just happened to be the one who got the case.”
Jenna’s eyes were wide, her mouth open. Then a knowing look came over her and she waggled her eyebrows.
“So, how long have you two…?”
“Never!”
“You may say that, but from your reaction, I’d say your brain hasn’t stopped thinking of what might have happened.”
Eric could feel his face getting warm. He didn’t want to discuss his private life, not right now. And Jenna was far closer to the truth than Eric wanted to admit.
He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Kyron. Even as he worked, in the back of Eric’s mind it had rested, waiting for moments where Eric was distracted. And it was annoying. His lyrics were becoming less what the client wanted and more on the erotic side. Eric could get the singer banned if he published those lyrics.
Now was not the time.
He growled at Jenna.
“I hate you.”
Jenna laughed.
“No, you don’t.” She flopped down on the couch, cross her slim legs. “Is he single?”
“Who?”
“Come on, who do you think I meant? Agent Kyron Horton.”
That gave Eric pause. He honestly didn’t know. Kyron hadn’t mentioned anything about his personal relationships. Although Eric was beginning to wonder if Kyron was in a relationship. He wouldn’t have had such a sexual reaction Eric earlier if he was in a committed partnership.
Even then, the thought of Kyron with anyone else didn’t sit well with Eric.
He was in deep shit.
“As far as I know he is. He hasn’t mentioned anyone, and I don’t see a ring.”
“I see.” Jenna smacked her lips. “Then he
’s fair game.”
“Jenna, I don’t want to know what you want to do with my friend.”
“My, you’re snappy all off a sudden. I remember a time when you and I gushed over guys together, wondering who could pull him first.”
Eric winced. He and Jenna had done that before. Jenna had been like a little sister. They were similar in mannerisms and there was a competitive streak in each of them. Eric wouldn’t have been surprised if someone spliced their DNA and found that it matched.
He slumped in his chair, running his hands over his face.
“Sorry, Jen. I guess I’m still a little jumpy after what happened.”
Jenna’s expression softened and she gave him a gentle smile.
“I get it. I really do. My sister witnessed a murder a while back. She was almost killed herself, but she managed to get away.” She shook her head, her expression now pained. “She was like a zombie for ages afterwards. We were very worried about her.”
Eric stared at her.
“Shit, I’m sorry. I... I didn’t know you had a sister.”
“You never asked.”
There was a knock at the door. Then the door opened and a young Asian man in blue overalls stuck his head into the room.
“Package for E. Schoenauer? Reception said I was to bring it straight up.”
“That’s me.” Eric stood and went to the door. “Who’s it from?”
“No return address. Just got told to bring it here.” A clipboard was thrust into Eric’s face. “Sign here.”
Eric signed, and the clipboard was snatched away from him very quickly, the courier retreating and leaving the package in Eric’s hands. Eric turned the box over. He felt something bump around inside, but it didn’t sound breakable.
He wasn’t expecting a package of any kind. And the postmark was smudged, so there was no chance of knowing where it was from. He went back to his desk, still staring at the package.
“What have you got?” Jenna stood up and tried to look. “Anything nice?”
“If you let me open it, I can find out.”
“You don’t know what it is?”
“No, I wasn’t expecting anything.”
Eric put the box on the desk and opened it, taking off the brown paper. It was a cardboard box, filled with what looked to be tissue paper inside when Eric lifted the lid. He removed some of the paper.
And then jerked back from the desk when he saw what was inside.
“Oh, shit.”
“What?” Jenna looked inside. Her face paled and she staggered back. “Is...is that…?”
Then she started screaming.
***
They had found Adam Schoenauer’s ears. In a box sent to Eric via a courier. As soon as Kyron had seen the package for himself, he had pushed Eric and Jenna out of the office, telling them nobody went in, and then he ran after the courier.
But the man had vanished. Somehow, he had managed to get out of the building in the short time between delivering the package and Eric opening it.
Kyron was furious with himself as he called for backup. If he hadn’t been elsewhere, maybe he could have caught up with the courier. Then they would have an idea where the package had come from and who was the sender. But he hadn’t been there, and now their best lead had disappeared.
Eric and Jenna were in distress. Jenna more so, whimpering and wailing as she sat huddled in her cubicle, wrapping her cardigan around her shoulders as she rocked. Eric sat with her, doing his best to comfort her, but Kyron could see he was struggling to deal with what he had seen. It wasn’t something anyone should have to witness, finding their father’s ears in a parcel addressed to you.
To Kyron, it sent a message. If the killer could get to Schoenauer in the morgue, past security, then he could get to Eric.
That meant Eric was another target. He was supposed to have died that night. This was a scare tactic, to remind him not to stop looking over his shoulder.
It was a power trip. Killers loved those. Kyron hated them.
There was no chance he was leaving Eric at the office. He needed to get Eric back to his condo, where he could be more secure, and they could monitor his visits. Raquel promised to arrange for a uniformed cop outside the house to keep an eye on the place, but Kyron didn’t trust anyone but himself to keep Eric safe. His boss had been unsure of letting Kyron go anywhere with Eric, considering she knew of the tension between the two men, but she let it go. Kyron was glad about that. He would have fought it all the way if Raquel said someone else was to guard Eric.
That was Kyron’s job alone.
Eric was still shaking as they headed out to his car. Luckily, there was nothing wrong with it, but Eric was not in a state to drive. Kyron took the keys from his hand and urged Eric to get into the passenger seat. Eric said nothing on the drive home, simply staring out of the window. Kyron wished he knew what to say, but there wasn’t really anything appropriate he could say. Not after what had happened.
They remained in tense silence until they turned onto Eric’s street. It had only been a few hours since they had left, but the atmosphere was different. Kyron glanced over at Eric, who was still staring out the window. He couldn’t begin to imagine what he was feeling. Even with the issues between father and son, there was still a part of him that mourned the man.
Kyron wondered if he would ever be this conflicted if anything happened to his parents.
Then he saw the saw outside Eric’s house and a dark-haired woman sitting on the porch. As he drew closer, Kyron realized it was Louise.
What was she doing here?
“Eric.” Kyron leaned over and nudged his passenger. “You’ve got a visitor.”
“Huh.” Eric looked up, his expression slightly dazed, and then he focused on the woman. “Oh.”
“Did you know she was coming over?”
“No.”
They pulled into the driveway. Eric was out first, heading over to the front door. Louise stood as he approached, and Kyron watched as she hugged him tightly. He tried not to growl at the sight. He was a fool for thinking this was anything other than two friends comforting each other.
His head needed seeing to.
Climbing out, Kyron locked up and walked over to the pair. Louise had finally pulled back, touching Eric’s face almost like a lover.
“How are you holding up? I’m so sorry about your family.”
“I’m holding up as well as I can.” Eric’s voice was tight. “How about you?”
“I…” Then Louise saw Kyron reach them. For just a moment, she froze, and then she gave Kyron a nod. “Agent Horton.”
“Miss Lakin. What are you doing here?”
“I... I was just passing and I wanted to make sure Eric was okay.”
“I’ll live.” Eric stepped around Louise and headed to the door. “You want to come in?”
“Erm…”
Again, Louise looked at Kyron. Kyron had a sudden feeling that Louise was put out that he was there. What was she up to? Then she turned back to Eric.
“Okay. Just for a moment.”
That sounded forced. Kyron was more on the alert. Nothing had put his back up regarding Louise during their initial interview, but something wasn’t quite adding up with her now. Kyron followed her inside and they trooped into the kitchen. Louise glanced at Kyron again as she joined Eric at the center counter.
“Does Agent Horton have to be in here as well?” She sounded teasing. “Are you considered that much of a suspect?”
“It’s for his own protection, Miss Lakin.” Kyron said, a little too sharply. “Mr. Schoenauer’s severed ears were delivered to Eric at his workplace. He needs someone around him in case he becomes victim number five.”
“Wait, what?” Louise’s mouth fell open, her eyes widening. “Someone cut off Adam’s ears during the murder?”
“No, when he was in the morgue.” Eric responded. He had taken off his jacket and laid it over one of the stools. “The killer sneaked in and defiled the body.”
Louise’s expression looked horrified. But Kyron didn’t buy it. Something was off, but he wasn’t quite sure what at that moment.
“Shit.” Louise breathed. “That’s disgusting. And I thought the situation was bad enough as it was.”
“Tell me about it,” Eric grunted. His expression softened. “I’m sorry you lost Richard.”
“I’m not sure if I should accept your condolences.” Louise leaned on the counter. “I’d ended things with him just an hour before.”
Eric glanced at Kyron. Kyron shook his head and stepped back. If Eric could get something out of her, he was staying out of it.
“Why didn’t you end it? Last time I spoke to you, things seemed to be okay.”
“It was the way he talked about you that put me off.” Louise made a face. “He was a total bastard by that night. I don’t know what made him change in the time we were together, but I didn’t like it, and I said it was over. I wasn’t having it. He didn’t like that. I don’t think he even accepted the breakup.”
Eric stared. He whistled.
“Wow. I didn’t realize things were that bad.”
Louise grunted.
“I think he was more pissed off by the fact I refused to get into bed with him. He kept calling me frigid, saying if I loved him that I would be fucking him.”
That was certainly nothing like this guy Kyron had known at school. Richard was the sort who would respect a woman for that decision. He was starting to sound more like his dad now.
“If you didn’t want to have sex before marriage, it’s your choice.” Eric reached out and touched Louise’s hand. “Don’t fret over it. Richard was a bastard for trying to make you sleep with him.”
“Doesn’t matter now. Richard’s gone.” Louise looked up at Eric, giving him a sweet smile. “I wish he’d been more like you.”
“Me?” Eric looked confused. “Why me?”
“Because you’re a dream for any girl. It’s a pity you prefer guys. I’m sure you’d have all the girls queuing up for your attention.”
“I still do with those who don’t believe I sleep with men.” Eric’s mouth twitched. “The reactions I get are quite interesting.”
