Blushing, she said, “Me either.”
*
She walked back into the chamber room, startled when she walked into Angelo.
“Touching,” he said sarcastically.
“I thought you were waiting in the garage?”
“No, I decided to wait here and check out your cop.”
“He’s not my cop. I’m only dating him. I don’t own him.”
“How far have you two gone?”
She hated her skin. The heated flush spread from her head to her shoulders. Sure her skin matched the flaming red of her hair, she replied, “It’s none of your business.”
Laughing, he said, “Relax, I didn’t mean anything by it, but now I know.”
He reached out, gently touched her cheek. She pulled back. “I can’t control the reaction. It’s the curse of being a redhead.”
“Why are you taking chances, dating a cop?”
“He’s the first man I’ve dated since being separated. I didn’t know he was a cop until I accepted the date and found I really liked him.”
Talking too much, she thought. The word dangerous came to mind when she thought of Angelo, more dangerous than Phil.
“I don’t want any trouble. I’m doing the job I promised and I’d like my private life to remain private.”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with us, it will.”
“Great.” She needed a shot for her frayed nerves. First Tommy and his insane actions last night. Now Angelo. What’s next? If it wasn’t for Trevor, she’d run away and start over somewhere else. Because, unless she were fired, Kyra knew she’d be doing Phil’s dirty work for the rest of her life. Did the people she burned have families? Were they looking for them?
Shaking her head, Kyra put those thoughts out of her mind, thinking if she didn’t she’d go crazy. Were they the same kind of people as Phil or were they ordinary people like her, trapped in a mistake?
Jake was a special man. She wasn’t willing to throw him away. She also understood he could go from gentle to hard in a matter of seconds. How far could she go with him, if she continued to work for Phil? Needing to be away from Angelo, her thoughts rattled around in her head, confusing her. She stepped into her office to finish up the paperwork on today’s burials.
The timer went off at six o’clock. Kyra headed back into the chamber room and started emptying the oven.
“Do you have an urn with you, Angelo, or do you want me to put the remains in one of the cardboard ones?”
“I have one with me. I’ll get it. How much longer before you’re finished here?”
“Another half hour. I still have to remove any metal before I run them through the processor.”
“You mean the grinder.” He smiled.
“No, the processor.” She smiled back.
“Right. I’ll get the urn.”
*
Kyra was surprised when Tom called earlier today to discuss their dinner plans. She figured she wouldn’t hear from him for at least a couple of days. But with his parent’s connections, and their money, he posted bail and was out within twenty-four hours. Not only did criminals have rights today, but money talked and the rich could get around anything, she thought.
Running into the restaurant twenty minutes late, she spotted Tom and Trevor sitting in the corner, eating their dinner. He knew she’d be late. Kyra had called him an hour ago to tell him. The bastard hadn’t waited for her. Soon she wouldn’t have to put up with his little control games. God, how did I put up with them for so long?
“Couldn’t wait, Tom?” Her tone nastier than she planned.
“No, we couldn’t. Trevor was hungry. You know his routine.”
Hardball, well, she could play too. “Hi, Trev.”
“Hi, Mommy. Don’t be mad, I was really hungry.” Oh shit.
“I’m not mad at you, Trev.”
“Don’t be mad at Daddy either, okay?”
“Okay, just for you.” And she meant it. “I have to get my food, I’ll be right back.”
After she sat down with her food, Tom started in on her, pointing to Jake in the corner at another table. “Why’d you bring your watchdog? Goddamn, Kyra, you know I was drunk. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not an excuse. Tom, we’re not here to discuss last night. We’re here to give Trev time with his parents. Civil time with his parents,” she stressed.
“We will talk later,” he demanded.
His tone held a hard edge, a veiled threat. Christ, he still doesn’t get it. In his own way, he’s threatening me—time to put him in his place again.
“I have plans later, Tom, so we’ll talk when it’s convenient for both of us, not just for you.”
He grabbed her wrist as she brought the burger to her mouth. “If you think your little stunt last night is going to gain you custody of Trev, think again.”
Just when she was starting to have some sympathy for him—Pow!—he killed it. Kyra dropped her voice to a whisper. Tom needed to lean over to hear her.
“Remove your hand, and the charges stand. You will not ruin our son’s life with your petty grievances. Stand up and be a man for once in your life. Take responsibility for your actions. You can’t rely on your parents forever.” Kyra saw Jake stand, ready to pummel Tom. She shook her head ‘no.’
Tom’s face turned redder than hers ever could. She thought he would explode on the spot. He let go of her wrist. Kyra put her burger down to rub her wrist.
“Are you ready, Trev?” He stood up and grabbed Trevor by the arm.
“Ouch, you’re hurting me, Daddy.” Trev tried to pull his arm away from Tom’s grip.
“Tom, let him go.” Kyra’s tone left no room for argument.
“Sorry, buddy. I didn’t realize I was so strong.”
“I’ll take Trevor home when he finishes his dinner. He needs to play awhile longer. It’s why he likes it here, Tom.”
Again, her tone told him to back off. Tom looked down at her. Watching the conflict play over his face, she thought, what did I ever see in him? Then he turned, looked behind him, and stared Jake down. Kyra saw Jake had started to stand again and waved him to sit.
“Trev, why don’t you go play in the ball thing? You can finish eating when you come back.” Children aren’t stupid and Trev is no exception, Kyra thought. He looked from his mother to his father and left them to their fight. Kyra hated when they fought in front of him.
“Well, aren’t we good parents?” she said.
“If you’d control your tongue, we wouldn’t have a problem.”
She felt like the cartoon where the steam gathered in her head and then blew, spewing steam from the top of her head. “You’re a fool, Tom, and an arrogant bastard. You started this the minute I walked in. This is not the time or the place for this. But believe me, we will have this out.”
“Oh, you bet. Have him home in an hour or I call the police.” He stormed out.
Jake walked over and sat beside her. “Are you okay?”
“No.” Jake reached for her and she pushed him away. “Sorry. Please, don’t hug me in front of Trevor. It will only confuse him right now.”
“Okay. Do you want to leave?”
“No, I want Trev to have some normal time. Let him play.”
“Do you want some coffee?”
“No, I want something stronger, but coffee will have to do. Thanks for everything…for being here tonight.”
Kyra looked at him and tried to smile, but her heart wasn’t in it. He took her wrist, looking at the marks Tom put on her. Kyra saw the anger fill his eyes and pulled her wrist back.
“He’ll pay for hurting you,” Fire shot out of his eyes.
“Jake, he didn’t hurt me. He’s just frustrated.” A lie—she wanted to diffuse the situation. The last thing she needed was for Jake and Tom to go at each other.
When Jake got up and went to the counter for the coffee, Trevor ran over to her. “What’s up, Trev?”
He looked so serious. “You and Daddy aren’
t going to live in the same house again, are you?”
“No, baby.” Her eyes teared up.
“Don’t call me a baby, Mom.”
“Sorry, I forgot. I know you’re such a big guy. I promise I won’t do it again.”
“Good.”
They took Trevor home an hour and a half later. Kyra didn’t know if she was being petty by not adhering to Tom’s timetable, or if she thought Trevor really wanted to play longer in the ball area. Jake followed her to Tom’s to make sure he didn’t give her any trouble. Tom was subdued when she arrived.
“Can we please talk, Kyra?”
“I won’t be alone with you, Tom, not after last night. You’ve changed.” She stood at the door, refusing to go in.
“You make me crazy, you always have.”
“Oh come on. Stop the bullshit and grow up, Tom. We’re divorcing. Remember, going to the casino was another one of your ideas. Accept responsibility for your actions. Isn’t that what you said to me just before you kicked me out, leaving me with nothing?”
“We can’t get past it, can we?”
“No.” She turned to leave.
“Kyra, I really am sorry. I thought you’d stop gambling, come to your senses. I screwed up.”
“Yeah, you did.” She walked down the steps, climbed into her car. Kyra drove around the block, stopped her car, and started crying. She jumped when Jake knocked on her window then he used hand motions for her to lower it.
“Do you want to leave your car here and drive with me?”
“No.”
“Are you okay to drive? I’ll follow you to your house.”
“Okay, I’ll see you there.”
The tears never stopped falling as she drove home. By the time she parked her car in her slot, her emotions were on empty. Last night’s pleasure seemed years away. Kyra wanted to be alone, but she couldn’t kick Jake out after he’d stood by her.
He had her car door open before she could let herself out. “Come on, I’ll fix you a drink.”
“I warned you about baggage, Jake. Remember, it’s your own fault for hanging around,” she said, trying for humor, but missing her mark.
“I’ll remember. I also remember last night’s passion and I’ll hang around, hoping for more,” he joked back.
“It seems like a lifetime away right now.”
They walked up the stairs to the condo. Once inside, Kyra started toward the kitchen. Jake stopped her.
“Sit down and relax. I’ll get it. What do you want, a drink or coffee?”
“I want a drink. You don’t have to wait on me, Jake. I’m not injured.”
“I want to wait on you. Say thank you and sit down.”
“Thank you, I’ll have—”
“I know—a rum and Coke with lemon, not lime.”
“Okay then… I’ll just sit here.” Kyra sat on the couch, put her feet up, resting her head back on the headrest, and then closed her eyes. She wished she could scoop Trevor up, take him away, and protect him from the ugliness that had become her life.
*
Jake walked to the doorway between the living room and kitchen with drinks in hand and a compress for her head, but stopped short. He felt helpless as he quietly observed her. The pain and agony on Kyra’s face ripped at his heart. He’d heard every word she and Tom exchanged, but more, the hurt in Kyra’s voice resounded in his head. Jake gave her credit for controlling her temper and emotions in the restaurant. In the same situation, he didn’t know if he could. He walked farther into the room, talking so he didn’t startle her.
“Here’s your drink. No, don’t get up.” He sat on the edge of the couch and pressed the cold compress on her head.
“That feels good, thanks. Are you a nurse?” She smiled.
“Don’t insult me. I’m a doctor. Want to play?”
“Insult you…I think you just insulted an entire profession, though playing doctor does sound good.”
“Just rest, I’m only joking.”
“Jesus, Jake, you spend more time trying not to get laid.” She smiled when she saw the shock on his face. “What?”
“I would’ve never thought you had a gutter mouth. I like it.”
“Good, I’m trying it out.”
“Smart-ass.”
“That’s me.” Kyra sat up, kissed him.
“How did I rate a kiss?”
“For being there and not judging me.”
“Lie back down, rest for a bit. It’s been a tough night. Do you want anything?”
“Just you,” she said, as she put her arms around him. Jake wrapped his arms around her, leaning his forehead on hers.
“Not going to rest, are you?”
“You rest your way. I’ll rest mine.” She snuggled into him, nestling her lips to his neck just under the jaw.
“I won’t be responsible for my actions. You’re making me crazy.”
“Promises, promises.” She laughed.
He stood, walked out of the room.
“Hey, where are you going?”
He walked back, looking down at her. “Hay? What am I, a horse?”
“Sorry. Where are you going, Jake?” She exaggerated every word.
He bent down, picked her up off the couch, and carried her into the bedroom. “I’m off to do battle. I pray I’ll survive.”
“We can only hope.”
“Oh, you’ll have to do your part to make sure I survive. But you might be the death of me yet.”
“Hmmm.”
Unceremoniously he dropped her on the bed and dove in after her.
Chapter Twenty
Thankful the rest of the week was quiet, Kyra mapped out a payment plan for Trevor’s college fund. She couldn’t give it all to Tom up front. It needed to look like it was coming from her paycheck. Besides, she wasn’t sure if Tom would retain custody of Trevor. Could she trust him to put it into Trevor’s fund? He’d better give her a receipt for the money.
Jake had called earlier, asking if he could stop by, but it would be late because he was on rotation. Naturally she said yes. The sex was incredible and to her amazement it got better every time. Jake proved to be an experienced and generous lover. She loved being with him.
The bell sounded like a bullhorn in the night, waking Kyra from a sound sleep. Dazed, she walked over to the door, looked out the peephole. Unlocking the door she let Jake in.
“I woke you, didn’t I?”
“That’s okay. I just dozed off.”
Bending down, he gave her a kiss, hugged her tightly.
“Do you want coffee?”
“Do you have beer?”
“Yes, sit down.”
He followed her into the kitchen. “You should have told me you were tired.”
“I’m okay, it was a busy week.” She reached into the refrigerator, moving things around until she found the beer. Grabbing one for him, she asked, “How’s your job going?”
They walked back into the living room. Kyra picked up her paperwork from the coffee table and turned it face down into a neat pile. It was force of habit to protect the privacy of each family.
“I’ve been assigned the Missing Persons department along with homicide until they find a lieutenant for the department. I don’t think they’re in a hurry, either. There’s been talk of other departments absorbing it. I’m afraid it’s my department they’re considering.”
“You don’t seem happy about it.”
“It’s more work, not more money or recognition.”
Kyra folded her legs up under her, pulled the afghan off the back of the couch. She ran her hand over it, enjoying the texture, as well as the colors. She’d done a professional job when she crocheted it. It was mauve and blue with Celtic cables spaced every six inches. Knitting and crocheting became boring so she stopped doing both along with so many other things. No wonder she was ripe for the excitement gambling offered.
“Earth to Kyra,” Jake nudged her.
“Sorry, a walk back in time. What were you saying?”
“I should leave and let you sleep. After our week I know I’m exhausted. I’m sure you are too.”
“No, really, I was looking forward to your company. Tell me about this new department.”
“All right. It’s exactly what the name infers, Missing Persons. When an individual is reported missing, the detectives take the information but don’t act on it until after forty-eight hours in the case of an adult. You’d be surprised how many don’t want to be found. We’ll act sooner if it looks like foul play. Depending on the evidence, it either stays a missing person case or it’s turned over to homicide.”
“Does it happen often?” Kyra needed to know.
“Eight out of ten times the person shows up, but the one they turned over to me today I think is dead.”
“Why?”
“He’s been missing a week. His apartment was ransacked. As far as his mother could see, nothing was missing. Somebody was looking for something. He was also a heavy gambler. According to his ex-wife, he’d bet thousands on the games each week. She said he’d bet on how fast an elderly woman would cross the street before a light turned.” Jake face scrunched up.
“So you think he owed somebody a lot of money?”
Shit, did I cremate him this week? What were the odds? Why did I assume all the bodies came from the other end of the state. My God, could anything lead back to me? If so, would I have to deal with Jake? Would he arrest me? The thought made her stomach turn. What would happen to Trevor if I was in prison?
“His type always does. And the stupid ones think they can get away without paying.”
“You always pay,” she whispered.
Drawing her into his arms, he held her tightly. He probably thought she was talking about her divorce. What would he do if he found out she was involved with Phil? The thought scared her, because she knew Jake respected the law above everything else.
“This guy was into the mob pretty deep. That’s an unhealthy thing, when you can’t pay.” He turned her chin up so he could look into her eyes. “You’re not into the mob, are you?”
Her body jerked at his question. She pulled away from his embrace to look up at him. “Where did that come from, Jake? You don’t think I have enough trouble with Tom? You want to add more?”
Burn in Hell_A Jake Carrington Mystery Page 14
