Once they had been seated at a table in the bar, Miguel ordered the first round of drinks. It was a little too cool to sit on the patio. Tap 42 was well known for its wide selection of craft beers and really fabulous gourmet burgers and bar food. By the time the beers were delivered to their table, they were ready to order. Kaylin was going to do her best to move the evening along for Gabby’s sake.
“Gabby, want to come to the ladies’ room? The guys can keep our stools warm.” Kaylin reached over and gave Jack a peck on the cheek and a wink. He knew that Miguel Gatto was not her favorite person.
“Sure. Let’s go.” When they got into the restroom, Gabby turned to her. “You couldn’t have said you had a headache or something? Really, Kay. Thanks a lot. You know he makes me nervous. The less time I have to spend in his company the better. And I hate when he puts his hand on my back. It makes me cringe.”
“So, tell me how you really feel.” Kaylin grinned at her friend. “I know, I know. It just would have seemed so rude to turn him down.”
“I don’t want him buying my dinner.”
“Not to worry. Jack always picks up the tab, and I’m sure he will tonight. I didn’t know he was acquainted with Miguel. I wonder what that’s about.”
“Ha! He’s probably a secret member of The Black Iris Club.”
“Do ya think? I’ve never seen him there, and even when we don’t play there, Jack always walks through at night just to check on things.”
“I was just kidding…but maybe…no. It couldn’t be. Mr. Stick-Up-His-Ass Gatto? No way. That would almost make me like him better. Almost.”
They returned to the table. The guys were on a second round of beers when the burgers were delivered. Kaylin loved the lamb and goat burger. Jack always got the Prohibition. And the roasted Brussels sprouts were to die for.
Conversation gravitated to the trial since it was on everyone’s mind. If by some fluke Baker was acquitted, a serial killer could be returned to society to wreak havoc again. Thank God they had a backup prosecution waiting in Sarasota County if necessary. Jack had a vested interest in the success of the trial since his receptionist, Lucy, of whom he had been very fond, had been one of Baker’s victims. He wanted to see him go down, and go down hard. They were all hoping for the death penalty.
When they were ready to leave Kaylin said, “We’ll drop Gabby off. It’s on our way.” Even though it was out of their way, she wasn’t going to leave Gabby to ride with Miguel.
Miguel looked disappointed but smiled and said good-byes and see-you-tomorrows to everyone. “I’ll see you at the office tomorrow, Gabriella.”
They were quiet in the car on the way to Gabby’s place. She lived in a houseboat docked on a deepwater canal off the Intracoastal Waterway behind her parent’s Bayview Drive home. “Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate your going out of your way.”
“No problem, honey. We don’t mind, do we, Jack?”
“Not at all.”
“You guys are great.” She laughed. “When am I going to find my Prince Charming?”
Kaylin knew that Gabby was happy for her and Jack. They had been seeing each other exclusively since the summer, and things between them were just as hot and explosive as they had ever been. They had their arguments and misunderstandings, but they always worked through them. If she was honest with herself, Kaylin would have to admit that Jack always made sure they worked through them. That often meant his playing the Dom card with a smack on the butt to get her attention. She wouldn’t admit that she loved that. She absolutely would not because then he would be doing it all the time. It was hard to stay mad at him—even in Dom mode. He would drag her to bed, and then it was really hard to stay mad at him when she was naked and his mouth… Nonetheless, Jack didn’t take any of her shit, and she didn’t take any of his. It made for a volatile relationship, but one that was extremely passionate. Much to her dismay, she had never been able to get the drop on him again, not that she didn’t try.
Gabby continued. “I didn’t want to get in the car with Miguel. He’s never gone completely around the bend with me, but I can feel it in him. I don’t want to give him the opportunity to be really inappropriate. Then I’d have to do something about it, and I’m not ready to make a career move right now.”
Jack said, “I doubt he would force himself on you, Gabby. That would be against his code, so to speak. Consent is everything.”
What the fuck? Had they hit the nail on the head in the ladies’ room? Kaylin knew Jack would not answer her directly if she were to ask if Miguel was a member of the club. She didn’t remember seeing his name on the membership list she and Del had reviewed at the beginning of the investigation, but there could be any number of reasons for that. Maybe he was no longer a member because of his political office. She would just have to keep her eye out for him when she was there. She now had a mission. She knew Jack would not approve, but what he didn’t know…
* * * *
The following day the jury asked for clarification on some points of testimony, and then they asked for transcripts of the Medical Examiner’s testimony regarding Lucy Evans. It did not look like they were going to come to a quick verdict, much to Gabby’s dismay. She just hoped that her closing argument had hit the nail on the head—or in Baker’s coffin. She didn’t want to feel she had not done an adequate job for the victims when Miguel had let her take the lead. That would really suck.
The phone on her desk rang. She picked it up. “Hey, Gabby. Any word from the jury?”
She filled Kaylin in on the jury’s requests for additional information and clarification. “That could be good or bad. At least they are taking their responsibilities seriously. I just hope I did a good enough job on the summation.”
“Gabby. You did a great job. If you don’t get a conviction, it will be a freak of nature, a fracture in the Universe, a fissure in the space-time continuum.”
“Oh hush. You’re too funny. Thanks for lifting my spirits. I just need to settle my nerves. They’ll come in when they come in with guilty or innocent, or possibly a hung jury, but we’ve done our best, so all we can do now is wait.”
* * * *
The call from the Court Clerk came in the following day. The jury had brought in a verdict. Court would reconvene at one o’clock that afternoon. Kaylin knew that Gabby was extremely nervous. She had tried murder cases before, but this was her first serial killer. Wow. A milestone moment. What a world.
Jack picked her and Del up at BSO for a ride to the courthouse since parking was tight. She knew there was no way he was going to wait for “News at Five” to find out what the verdict was. They all congregated outside the courtroom waiting for the deputy to open the doors to spectators. They managed to snag seats right behind the prosecution table. The tension was so thick in the room you could cut it with a knife.
Kaylin turned her head slightly and got Alan J. Baker in her peripheral vision. The bastard was wearing a new blue pinstripe suit and had a fresh haircut. He probably wanted to look good for his after-court photos. He had gathered quite a cult following since his arrest, and it made Kaylin sick. This current trend of romanticizing vicious criminals, making them media celebrities, infuriated her. There was nothing glamorous about him. Soon he would be receiving fan mail on death row—with any luck. Then he’d have a website, and some poor demented woman would want to marry him in prison. The world was a crazy place.
The clerk called the courtroom to order. “All rise. Judge Martin Johnson presiding.” When the courtroom had settled back down again, the judge asked the jury foreman if they had reached a verdict. At his affirmative reply the clerk took the folded paper from the foreman and handed it to the judge who read it while every person in the room held their breath. He then handed it back the clerk who read, “We, the jury, find the defendant, Alan J. Baker…” He paused a moment for drama and then continued. “Guilty of murder in the first degree of Lucy Evans.” And the litany of charges continued. He had been found guilty of four counts of f
irst-degree murder and numerous related charges. The jury was polled and the verdict was unanimous.
Kaylin threw herself into Jack’s arms, and he squeezed her tight. The judge boomed, “Order in the court, or I will clear this courtroom.” When it had quieted down again, he continued. “We will now adjourn this proceeding. We will reconvene for the sentencing hearing on December 15, 2014. Court adjourned.” Alan J. Baker was led away in handcuffs—and not the fun kind.
Kaylin turned to hug Gabby but was shocked to see her in the arms of Miguel Juan Carlos Gatto-Alba. That was a very unprofessional display for the staid, uptight, and very Latin male State’s Attorney. Kaylin did not know what to make of that. From the shocked look on her face, neither did Gabby. Hmm, maybe still waters ran deep. Ha! Maybe they ran kinky. She still wanted an answer to that question.
* * * *
Jack and Kaylin dropped Del off back at BSO. “How about a late lunch? Timpano on Las Olas should have quieted down by now. I could use a drink.” Las Olas Boulevard was a beautiful, tree-lined east-west thoroughfare that ran from the downtown area for several miles all the way to the beach. It was a picturesque gathering place where people strolled the street in the evenings and congregated along the Riverwalk for jazz and art festivals.
“That sounds great. My nerves have been tied in knots for days.”
“I know. I could feel it. Your body didn’t even fully relax after you were asleep. You tossed and turned all night. Did you have nightmares about him breaking into your house?”
“I know I dreamt about him, but I don’t remember the dreams.” Jack thought that was probably not true, but he was going to let it go. He knew Kaylin didn’t want him to feel bad that he had not been there either before or after the attack. He felt guilty about it nonetheless. That he had cut her loose like that, left her at the mercy of a serial killer, did not sit well. It was something he would have to live with.
* * * *
Kaylin and Jack were shown to a cozy booth in the trendy Las Olas Boulevard restaurant. The lunch crowd was gone, and the restaurant was quiet. Kaylin ordered a white wine spritzer. It was a workday after all. Jack had his customary scotch on the rocks. After a healthy sip he said, “Well, that’s all over but the sentence, and of course, the years of appeals. At least the bastard will be locked up where he can’t hurt anyone else. Baby, I’m so sorry that I left you exposed out there and he almost got you. That still gives me nightmares.”
“Jack. You have to let that go. We had a fight. It’s over. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. It’s okay, babe. Really, it is.” She took his hand in hers and squeezed. He had to get over this.
“Okay. I’ll let that go if you’ll accept this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. He opened it, took the ring out, and reached for her hand. “Will you marry me, Kaylin? I hope it isn’t too soon, but I’ve had this ring for a while.”
Kaylin stared at the ring. It was a doozie—at least three carats surrounded by a diamond-encrusted band. Geez. She would definitely list to port with that on her hand. She looked into Jack’s eyes and saw the love and uncertainty there. “You big goof! Of course I’ll marry you—if you promise to let all that guilt about Baker go. I love you, baby. I may not say it as often as you do, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel it, and it kills me when I see that guilt in your eyes.”
“Deal. Let’s have a toast. Start planning the wedding, subbie. I won’t want a long engagement.” He reached over and kissed her hard and wet. She sighed. Jack Dalton Brown was her knight in slightly tarnished armor—but he was hers.
“Whatever you say, Master.” The waiter who had been standing by opened the bottle of champagne and poured two flutes—after his eyes had gone as wide as saucers. Kaylin giggled as the champagne bubbles went up her nose.
THE END
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SKYEMICHAELSBOOKS
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I was born in New Jersey and grew up an only child on a small farm in the “Garden State.” My father grew acres and acres of flowers for commercial florists and various produce, such as tomatoes. My high school years were spent at Wayne Hills High School, where I was not one of the popular, preppy kids, or one of the hoods—which kind of left me in limbo as I wasn’t one of the brainiacs either. Weekends were spent going into “the City” and Greenwich Village with my friends and doing a lot of things I probably shouldn’t have—don’t tell my grandkids!
After attending Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair, New Jersey, I began a career as a legal secretary and then a paralegal. I moved to Florida and currently live in Davie, Florida, with my dog, Snickerdoodles, aka The Dude. I was married for eight years but have been single for many years. My major addiction is jewelry, but any kind of shopping will do for a fix!
After my longtime job as a paralegal was ended by the economic downturn, I decided to turn lemons into lemonade and finally write the stories I’d had in my head for many years. I had always wanted to write romance novels, but my family and job kept me too busy.
My major interest aside from my family and friends is horses. I enjoy putting an animal character into my stories if possible. I am extremely “low-tech” and probably should have been born in the 1800s, as I enjoy driving a horse and buggy for fun. I also enjoy horseback riding, but the ground has gotten harder and further away over the years.
I have a small farm and vacation home in Ocala, Florida, which is my favorite place in the world. There’s nothing as wonderful as swinging in the hammock in the shade and listening to the music of the wind in the pines while cuddled under a quilt reading a good book.
Books have always been my escape into love and adventure, and through reading, I have been able to be many people, do many things, and go to many wonderful places I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to be, do, or see.
I hope that all hardworking women who have a moment to put up their tired feet and relax with a cup of coffee—or a glass of wine—will feel like they have had the opportunity to enjoy a trip to beautiful South Florida, my own backyard. I hope they also enjoy getting to meet my fantasy friends and experiencing something new and different with a touch of hot romance thrown in for good measure!
For all titles by Skye Michaels, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/skye-michaels
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Kaylin's Pursuit [The Black Iris Club 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 13
