Damaged Hope (Street Games Book 3)

by L. K. Hill

  Gabe rapped on Shaun's door once before opening it. Shaun glanced up as they entered and relief immediately eased his face. They really had all been looking for her. Shaun stood and held out a hand, which Kyra took. “I’m so glad to see you safe, Ms. Roberts.” The genuine relief in his voice made Kyra’s heart ache.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said, turning to include Cora and Gabe in her gaze. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I didn’t mean to worry everyone so.”

  Shaun nodded. “Please sit,” he motioned to one of the chairs in front of his desk. Cora took the second one while Gabe stood behind Kyra and rested a hand on her shoulder. She could feel his nervousness. He wanted to touch her, as if to make sure she were real. It made her chest hurt.

  “How much does she know?” Shaun addressed Cora and Gabe.

  “I told her how much the victim looked like her,” Cora answered. “I didn't quite get to the key.”

  “The key?” Kyra asked.

  Cora nodded. “We found a key in the victim’s throat. It apparently looked exactly like the one Gabe gave you to his house."

  Kyra shifted her eyes to Gabe, who still looked as disturbed as she’d ever seen him look.

  “It truly might be the same key,” he said quietly. “Same shape. Green paint in the same place.”

  “While I’m glad you’re okay,” Shaun said, “the next problem is, the same person who's been killing prostitutes in the Mire obviously killed this woman. The same one who figured out what hotel you stayed at before and vandalized the door with the word “GAAP.” It’s obvious he wanted us to believe this woman was you.”

  Greater surprise bloomed in Kyra’s chest. “He did? The hair and clothes might be coincidence. What else is there?”

  Heaviness like boulders settled in Kyra’s stomach, and her hand slowly came up to cover her mouth as Shaun explained about the word carved into the victim’s stomach.

  “I’m sorry,” Shaun said quietly. He’d stopped speaking and she hadn’t moved. “I know this is a lot to digest.”

  Kyra shook her head. “I’m fine. It's just…why would he…? I don’t mean to sound ridiculous, but it doesn’t sound like something the killer would do.”

  Shaun nodded. “Agreed. It’s definitely a different MO for him. But it’s obvious he’s targeting you.”

  Kyra shook her head. “No, I mean there’s something…off about it. Other than the obvious. Are we sure this is the same killer?”

  Shaun sat back in his chair, as if considering the idea for the first time. He looked at Gabe.

  “I don’t see how it couldn’t be, Kyra. Chyna talked about GAAP, who tried to hurt her. Someone wrote the word on your hotel room door. Even putting this incident aside, it suggests the killer who’s going after the girls vandalized your door. Someone made this girl look like you, but she's still a prostitute. Other than the similarities to you and the mutilation, everything else about the crime scene tells me it’s the same guy. We found a key in the mouth of the last victim, so that’s the same. Though we don’t know what that key opens either. This girl even had the liquid soap sprayed on her, like the other girls.”

  Kyra nodded. He was right. No way it could be anyone else.

  Tyke suddenly burst into the room. The three of them looked up in surprise. His eyes fell on Kyra and relief filled them. "You're okay?" he asked.

  Kyra nodded. He must have just heard she was here.

  "She was in Mesquite the entire time," Gabe said softly.

  "Ah what the hell?"

  Tyke looked at Kyra and checked his tone. "I don't mean you. I mean, I'm so glad you're all right, but," he threw his hands up. "What the actual hell? What was the point of this. Whoever this bastard is creates all this drama. And for what? You were fine the whole time? He must have known the charade wouldn't go on for long. Even if Cora hadn't remembered your scar, the DNA would have come back and confirmed it wasn't you."

  "I agree," Cora said. "Why mutilate the face when we could confirm identity other ways? Why would he want us to think you were dead for so short a time?"

  "Exactly," Tyke said. "What's the point?"

  Cora opened her mouth, hesitated. "I know we don't have concrete evidence for this, so we shouldn't jump to conclusions, but I gotta say: it feels like this is all about Gabe."

  Kyra looked at Gabe, who raised an eyebrow. "Why?" he asked.

  "Whoever took your brother has always focused on you. The rosaries over the years, the coin with the name Gaap on it. You are the only one who would have recognized that key. The only one it would have meant anything to. No one else in the city would have reacted the way you did. I think he specifically wanted you to believe Kyra was dead. This has got to be the same guy."

  Gabe shook his head. "He'd be practically elderly now, Cora. I don't see how he could still be doing something as physical as what it takes to murder these girls."

  Kyra opened her mouth and all eyes turned to her. "I'm with Gabe on that. No one has seen this guy's face, so we have no idea how old he is. But witnesses saw him just before he killed Mallory Butler. They described a tall, strong, muscular man. Maybe he's twenty, or maybe as old as forty or fifty and in really great shape. But seventy? I really doubt that."

  Cora nodded. "Okay. The other option is that there are two people involved here."

  "Three," Tyke corrected. "What about Hammond. We've had him in custody so he can't have killed this last girl. So we're looking at an old man who took Dillon twenty-five years ago, and is still sending things to Gabe. Then there's Hammond. We don't know that he's ever killed, but he's definitely involved. And a third, younger man who is murdering prostitutes in the Mire."

  "But can we be certain this is all part of the same thing?" Kyra asked. "I mean, all we have to go on is the Gaap coin, right?"

  "And the fact that he zeroed in on Gabe by faking your death. I mean, the fact that Gabe gave you that key, and no one knew it. And all the similarities…" Cora trailed off, sounding awed.

  "I agree," Tyke said. "It's too weird to be a coincidence."

  "There's something else," Gabe said. “I’ve been thinking about this a lot the past few hours, too. While waiting for someone to call me.”

  Kyra suppressed a smile. He sounded more like himself than he had since she’d arrived. The relief she felt at him being irritated with her again felt so acute, it brought tears to her eyes.

  “The murders of these prostitutes started a few weeks ago. Around the same time as the twenty fifth anniversary of Dillon’s disappearance.”

  “Another coincidence?” Cora asked, the skepticism in her voice showing what she thought of the idea.

  “How does Hammond fit in?” Kyra asked.

  “We’re not sure yet,” Shaun answered. “He was placed in proximity to Gabe for a reason, and I don’t believe we fully understand what it is yet. Back to what I said before. We need to know if this is Gabe’s key, or a replica. If it is his, then this man has already found your hotel and been inside.”

  Kyra shook her head slowly. “I can’t know for sure until I check, but I don’t think it could possibly be the same key.” She turned to Gabe. “I still have yours.”

  “You do?” She detected relief in Shaun’s even voice. “Can I see it?”

  “Well…I don’t have it on me.”

  “Kyra,” Gabe growled and threw his hands up with irritation.

  His tone surprised her. “What?”

  “The point of me giving it to you is to keep it on you in case you need a safe place to go.”

  “That’s when I’m in the Mire,” she said firmly. “Or Abstreuse at least. I always keep it on me then, Gabe. I went to Mesquite. It’s not like if I got into trouble there I could hoof it back to your place here.”

  He looked placated. A little.

  She heaved a deep breath and turned back to Shaun. "I have a secret compartment in my luggage. I leave the luggage in my hotel room all the time when I go into the Mire. I need a place to keep important things—like my ID, c
redit cards. We all know how often things can go missing out of hotel rooms.”

  Shaun nodded. “So you keep your documents in this secret compartment? Has anything ever gone missing out of it?”

  “No, never. My luggage is locked anyway, but if anyone went through it, they wouldn't find this pocket. It’s not a normal, zippered compartment. I put it in specially. You can't find it unless you already knew it's there. I left Gabe’s key in it when I went to Mesquite.” She rose. “I’ll go check it now. I'm telling you, the key will be there.”

  “You’re not going alone.” Gabe’s tone brooked no argument.

  “He’s right,” Shaun said. “Until we’re sure this guy hasn’t been there, that would be stupid. Gabe or one of our unies can accompany you to check. Kyra, even if the key is safe and sound, it's best you switch hotels again, to be safe.”

  Kyra nodded. “I’m okay with that.”

  “Good.” Shaun sat forward and Cora and Gabe rose. Shaun gave Gabe a questioning look.

  Gabe nodded. “I’ll go with her.”

  A knock came at the door followed by Tyke poking his head in. “Gabe, you have a phone call, Man.”

  “Take a message,” Gabe said.

  Tyke hesitated. “You’re gonna want to take this, Gabe.” The seriousness in Tyke’s tone made them all freeze.

  “Give me a minute,” Gabe said to Kyra. She nodded, following him out of the office along with Cora, who motioned her to come into the bull pen. Gabe took the phone call from Tyke’s desk phone. Kyra stood too far away to hear what he said, but an expression of concern came over Gabe’s face. Whatever he heard on the line wasn’t good.

  After two minutes, he set the phone down, looking disturbed. Then he motioned her to come toward him. She met him at his desk. Cora and Tyke stood behind their chairs, waiting for Gabe to explain.

  “What is it, Gabe?”

  Shaun’s voice sounded in her ear, making Kyra jump. She hadn’t realized he’d followed them out of his office or come up behind her.

  “Something’s going on with Hammond. He’s throwing himself into walls again, like he’s trying to commit suicide. He told Hunt he’d only stop if they brought me down to see him.”

  Kyra raised an eyebrow. Again? This was normal behavior for this Hammond guy?

  Gabe threw her a pleading glance. “Go,” she said quickly. “I’m fine. One of the unies can come with me. Go deal with…what you gotta deal with.”

  He nodded. “Thanks.”

  “Actually,” Cora said, “I’d like to accompany you, Kyra, if it’s okay with you.” She looked at Shaun. I’ll take one of the unies too.” She looked askance at both of them.

  Shaun nodded and Kyra shrugged. “Fine with me.” She looked at Tyke, who surveyed the scene with a worried expression. “You coming too?” She’d been kidding, but he shook his head, looking self-conscious.

  “I can’t. I have my own cases. Busy right now. They can’t wait.”

  Gabe dug through his desk, looking for something, which turned out to be car keys. Meanwhile, Cora leaned toward Tyke and dropped her voice to a whisper Gabe couldn't have heard.

  “Maybe you should go with Gabe, Tyke. He needs the support.”

  Again, Tyke looked embarrassed. “I wish I could, Cora. This can’t wait.”

  Kyra kept her head down, pretending she couldn't hear the private conversation.

  “What can’t?” A judgmental edge tinged Cora's voice.

  “I’ll explain later,” Tyke said in a sharp whisper. Out loud he said, “You gonna be okay, man? I should come with you—”

  Gabe put up a hand. “I’m fine. See to your cases.”

  He turned to Kyra and gave her a helpless look.

  “Let me walk with you out to the lot," she said.

  He nodded.

  “Gabe, Cora,” Shaun said. “Keep me updated." They both nodded.

  “I’ll meet you out there in five,” Cora said.

  Kyra and Gabe walked side by side down the corridor. She waggled her fingers at Doug as they passed through the lobby. He acknowledged her with his eyes.

  Kyra waited until they’d reached the solitude of the parking lot before speaking to Gabe. “I’m sorry,” she said softly, as they headed for his dark sedan. “I’m sorry all of this with your brother’s case is so…disturbing. I’m sorry for what you went through today.”

  “It wasn’t your fault,” he said. “Well, not entirely,” he threw her a sidelong, irritated glance, which she pretended not to notice.

  When they reached his car, he turned and took her gently by the wrists, turning her to face him. “I’m…so glad you’re okay.” His voice sounded steady, but so soft, she thought emotion must hide there.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. He rested his hands on the small of her back at first, then his arms slid more tightly around her, pressing her fully against his chest. A noise that sounded suspiciously like the station doors opening came from behind Kyra, and they both let go at the same time.

  “I should go,” he said softly. Even in the dark she could see his eyes. The reluctance there was so strong, she wasn’t sure he actually meant to leave.

  “You can,” she said gently. “I’ll be fine with Cora.”

  Emotions blundered across his face again, and she leaned in toward him. “What is it, Gabe? Tell me.”

  “I’m afraid you’re going to disappear on me.”

  Understanding filled her, and with it, regret. “I won’t, Gabe,” she said firmly. “Not like Dillon. I promise. I’m not a defenseless child. You know that.”

  He nodded, still not moving to get into his car.

  Kyra rose up on her tiptoes one more time and kissed his cheek. Her heels thudded softly on the pavement as she looked up at him. He surprised her by ducking his head and kissing her on the mouth. It wasn’t deep or long, but a quiet desperation filled it. When his lips left hers, leaving her breathless, he rested his forehead against hers, cupping her face with one hand. Then he pulled away, ducking into his car and pulling out of the lot without looking back.

  Kyra watched him until darkness swallowed his taillights. The click of heels on pavement announced Cora’s presence.

  “You ready?” she asked from ten feet behind Kyra.

  Kyra turned. “Yes.”

  “I assume you want to drive your car back to your hotel?”

  Kyra nodded.

  “I’ll drive with you. Officer Morris there,” she pointed to a uniformed cop standing beside his cruiser. The door stood open and he stood behind it, one foot poised to get in. “Will follow us in his car. Okay?”

  Kyra nodded.

  *******

  Twenty minutes later, Kyra and the two cops arrived at her hotel room. She handed Officer Morris her key so he could enter first and flick on the lights. It took all of fifteen seconds for him to survey the room and glance into the bathroom before motioning them in.

  “I’ll be out here if you need anything,” he said to Cora, and moved to wait in the hall.

  “Thank you,” Cora said, and shut the door behind him.

  Kyra moved farther into the room. Beside the bed stood a cheap, moveable wardrobe. She kept her clothes in there, and always stowed her luggage in the bottom. Opening the double doors, she fell into a squat to dig through and find the right piece.

  “Anything look out of place right off the bat?” Cora asked.

  “No, nothing.”

  The silence stretched as Kyra pulled stray pieces of clothing from the closet and deposited them on the floor so she could get a better grip on the wheeled suitcase.

  “So,” Cora said conversationally. “Something going on between you and Gabe?”

  Kyra rolled her eyes as she pulled the luggage free. “You saw him kiss me in the parking lot,” she muttered.

  Cora stepped into the fluorescently-lit bathroom and studied her reflection in the mirror. She shrugged. “I was being polite.”

  She came to sit on the bed as Kyra hefted the
piece of rolling luggage—light because nothing filled it—and laid it out on the bed.

  “So are you sleeping together?”

  Kyra wanted to roll her eyes, but couldn’t. “Not that it’s any of your business,” she said softly. “But, no.”

  “Who’s putting on the brakes? Him or you?”

  Kyra barked a mirthless laugh. “Me. It’s definitely me.”

  “Ah,” Cora said quietly. “Why?’

  Kyra glared up at the other woman. “Is this why you wanted to come with me?”

  Cora gave a kind of half, self-conscious smile. “Kinda yes, kinda no. I didn’t come here to grill you. Honestly. It’s just my morbid curiosity. I came because I want you to know…” She hesitated

  “What?” Kyra asked when she trailed off.

  Cora looked at her, then straightened her spine, turning to face Kyra fully. “I don’t think I have to have the he’s-such-a-great-guy talk with you, right?”

  “No. Please don’t.”

  Cora sighed. “I guess I want to make sure you know how much he cares about you. How much this is all affecting him. I saw the way he reacted when he thought that body was you.”

  “How bad?” Kyra asked softly.

  “I’ve never seen him react so violently to anything before, Kyra, and this is Abstreuse city for crying out loud.”

  Kyra forsook the luggage and sat beside Cora on the flowered bedspread. “I know. I know how much he cares, and how much it affects him. I just don’t know what to do about it.” Cora opened her mouth and Kyra hurried on. “I know it sounds bitchy. I care about him, too, Cora. Deeply. But I can't simply abandon my search for Manny. I don't think I'll ever fully be able to explain why to any of you. I simply can't. This is why I didn't want to become a CI in the first place. Bringing others into this. I was just fine when it was only me at risk. But now…" She sighed. "I knew Gabe was an exceptional guy the first time I met him. I told him not to let himself care for me." She studied her hands. "I know it doesn't work that way," she muttered.

  “No,” Cora cut in firmly. “It doesn’t.”

  “What happened today? What he went through? I feel awful.”