Checkered Past (A Laurel London Mystery Book 2)

by Kappes, Tonya

  “I don’t know.” He shook his head. His sexy eyes dipped. His hair flopped when he lowered his chin, hanging his head. “Somehow, you have got to get the keys and figure this out.”

  “You swallowed the keys,” I reminded him.

  “When I was coming to after I had fainted, I heard them saying something about the keys and the sting operation. They had me ID’d as the person they were meeting and already tried and convicted me for killing the tellers and agent; I knew enough their key was important. Only I didn’t know how to tell them apart. With quick thinking, I swallowed them knowing they would come out through my shit.”

  My face contorted and I turned my head in disgust.

  “It took a couple of days for the keys to come out and a couple of days was all it took for them to send me to Eddyville.” His nose curled. “It was kind of nasty going through my shit, but I knew it was my ticket to freedom. Even a few guys in the pen beat the hell out of me because they were working for the thief that got away. I had to be careful. I told them I didn’t have it.”

  “But you did?” I asked. He nodded. “Where is it?”

  “In the binding of a book in the prison.”

  “What book?” I asked.

  “Love in the Time of Cholera.” The sound of my favorite novel of all time dripped out of his mouth. “When I found it in the library, I knew it was fate. It was shelved in the small romance section of the library and inmates didn’t read the romance section. They wanted to learn about the law books and how they could get around the system so I knew it would be safe in the binding.”

  “And how do you expect me to help you?” I asked the most important question.

  “I need you to get the key back and find out what the hell is in that safety deposit box and make me a free man.” His story was so believable I almost fell for it.

  “This is crazy.” I jumped up and ran my fingers through my hair. “Too crazy.”

  “I know. It could be a movie.” He got up and grabbed me by my arms to stop me from falling apart right there in front of him.

  Once he steadied me, his large hand took my face and held it gently, forcing me to stare back into his eyes.

  “I’m not lying.” He was so close to my face, I could feel his breath on my lips.

  I wrenched myself away from my ridiculous preoccupation with his arresting face.

  “No. No.” I shook my head. “No. This is preposterous.”

  “It’s not. I have proof in that fucking book!” he yelled, stomping his boots in the dirt. “You can go to the prison. Get the book and get the keys.”

  “And just how am I going to get into a men’s prison?” I asked the most obvious question.

  “I’m sure you, of all people, can figure it out.” He put a lot of faith in me.

  “Sally was working on this?’ I asked.

  “Yes.” His voice lowered.

  “And we see where that got her.” I pointed out the obvious. “But the craziest thing of all.” I paused. “I believe you.”

  He rushed over and drew me into his arms. The touch of his lips on mine sent a shock wave through my entire body.

  I pushed him off me. Only the burning desire, an aching need for another kiss hit like a shotgun had just pierced my heart.

  “Let’s get one thing clear,” I warned him with my hand in the air. “This,” I gestured between us, “has been over since the four hours of me standing at the altar ended in my heart shattering. I’m smarter than ever and will never let you touch me again.”

  “We’ll see,” he warned and looked over me seductively before I jumped back in the Old Girl and got the hell out of there.

  “Where have you been?” Jax Jackson was sitting on the front porch steps of the house.

  It looked like Trixie had already gone to bed. The house was dark, a faint light coming from the hallway had to be the night light Trixie always left on for the orphans so they could see if they got up in the middle of the night.

  “Out.” I slammed the car door behind me. I flung my hair to the side, threw my hand on my hip and stared at him.

  “Out where?” He stood up, legs apart in the stupid cop stance that I hated.

  “I don’t owe you an explanation,” I informed him and trotted up the steps past him.

  He grabbed my arm and flung me around, sending fire through my every nerve. My emotions jumbled within me. He was the polar opposite of Willie. Why couldn’t I be attracted to a normal everyday kind of guy that wasn’t attracted to danger? Willie and Jax, good or bad trouble was around both of them.

  “You do when you work for me on a very serious case that I believe you know more than you are letting on.” He dropped his hand. “And I can’t let you get hurt.”

  “Good night.” I turned back, but he grabbed me again.

  “So?” His eyes snapped to me again. “Where have you been?”

  “I really don’t think it’s any of your business nor Eric’s.” I pinched my lower lip with my teeth. I hadn’t planned on letting him know I knew the plan he and Eric devised.

  “What does Eric have to do with this?” He gestured between the two of us. “Not that we are an item, but you know and I know there is something here.”

  “You know and I know Eric wants you to use your charm on me to get answers about Willie Ray Bowman.” My words were sharp and by the look on his face, stabbed him exactly where I wanted them to. His heart. “I think it’s best I not work on this case anymore. You can tell Eric good luck. And any information I might have about Willie and our past is where it’s supposed to be.” I jerked my arm away. “The past,” I spit and used my key to get into the comfort of my home.

  My chest heaved up and down in the quiet of the dark entryway. My back was planted up against the door, my eyes were closed. My heart sank. Willie was my past and he was only here because he needed me. Jax was here. In the present.

  Tears stung my eyes.

  “Screw you, Willie.” I wiped a tear dripping down my cheek. Willie was still messing up my life after all of these years and the only way to get him out was to get the key from the prison and get him out of here . . .forever!

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sweat dripped off my hairline when I sat straight up in bed. I looked at the clock. It was four thirty in the morning and probably too early to call Antonio, but I had to. Somehow my subconscious woke me up. Derek had asked Antonio where he worked and he said he worked for the jail system. It might not be the right jail, but it was a jail.

  I flipped on the side table light next to my bed and grabbed my hobo bag off the floor, dumping its content on the comforter. Henrietta didn’t bother lifting her head. She stayed curled up on the pillow next to me.

  I spread the gun, leather tobacco pouch, makeup, notebook and all the other contents around until I found my phone. I scrolled through the past call history and hit the green button when I saw Antonio’s name.

  “What?” Antonio sounded like an angry bear from the other end. “What do you want?”

  “I need a favor. And I’ll pay you five thousand dollars.” I knew it was going to take a lot of cash to get him to do what I needed him to do.

  “I’m listening.” He sounded a little perkier.

  “I need to get into Eddyville and I need you to tell me how I can.” Once I got in, I could easily get around. I had a knack for thinking quick on my feet.

  “Five thousand dollars?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Easy.” He snickered. “Be at Friendship Baptist Church tomorrow morning around ten.”

  “You mean ten as in a few hours or ten as in like tomorrow tomorrow.” I had to get it straight in my head since it was technically already morning of tomorrow.

  “Laurel, you are a head case. Ten as in a few hours.” He yawned. “There is a bus with some of the local women from there and in Louisville. They go to the prisons and tutor, preach, counsel or whatever the fucking loser prisoners need.”

  “Antonio, for being such an ass, you
really are coming through for me.” I felt giddy, though it was going to be harder than I thought.

  My past with Friendship Baptist Church pastor, Pastor Wilson and his wife Rita, wasn’t very good.

  “I’m not sure whether that is a compliment or if I should be offended,” he said. “Either way, I’m going back to bed.”

  “Yeah, me too. Thanks.” I hung the phone up, flicked off the light.

  It seemed liked I had just closed my eyes when my alarm chirped. I groaned when I realized I had to do my community service. The sound of thumping made me pop up. I picked up Henrietta off the pillow and got out of bed following the noise downstairs to the kitchen.

  Trixie had a long, thick stick in between her legs. She was using a knife as if she was whittling something.

  “Morning! Coffee is ready. Biscuits and sausage on the counter. Butter is in the dish.” She didn’t look up at me.

  “What are you doing?” I wiped my hair from my face and rubbed my eyes, trying to get them open a little more.

  “Aliens can’t be killed by guns. So I’m going to make me a javelin.” She held the stick in the air and pretended to throw it.

  I scratched my head and walked over to her. It was a pretty good start, though I knew she’d never use it.

  “I think you are talking about vampires.” I yawned.

  “Nope. I was up all night working on this.” Her eyes pierced the space between us from behind her glasses. “I saw it on the TV while waiting up for you.”

  I moseyed over to the cabinets and got a mug and a bowl. I put Henrietta on the floor. I poured a little cream in my mug and some in the bowl, put the bowl on the ground next to Henrietta; she immediately started to lap it up. I poured myself a big hot cup of coffee and grabbed a biscuit. The knife slid through the room-temperature butter and I smothered it all over the biscuit. There was nothing better than room-temperature butter. My favorite.

  “When I got home, you weren’t up. The house was locked up tighter than bark on a tree.” I shoved half the biscuit in my mouth. The yummy feeling oozed over my body. “These are so good.”

  Trixie was an excellent cook when she wanted.

  “I heard Jax here last night.” She shucked the knife along the stick, creating smooth lines. “It seems you might have two suitors.”

  “Nonsense.” I shook the notion out of my head. “They are nothing but trouble. Both of them.”

  “I wouldn’t mind one of them since the aliens are coming.” She held the stick out in front of her, and then leaned it up against the table. She got up and walked over to me. “Listen here, I don’t know what you have planned with Willie and I do love that boy, but I love you more.” Her expression was pained, as though she had been wounded. “I couldn’t imagine you going to jail. I know I’m not your momma, but I love you like you’re mine.”

  “I know.” I gave her a quick hug. “I’m going to be fine. I think I can prove Willie was framed and I’m going to see what I can find out today.”

  “How?” she questioned me.

  “Let’s just say I’m going to make a visit to the prisons with the good people from Friendship Baptist Church.” I smiled.

  “Laurel London, you know Pastor Wilson hasn’t forgiven you for what you did,” she warned.

  “Well, God has.” I winked, grabbed another biscuit and trotted upstairs to grab a shower and get ready to head down to the docks.

  I had decided on a pair of khaki’s and a pink tee along with a pair of loafers. How hard could community service be? Derek was probably not going to have me do much since we were friends and all.

  The docks weren’t busy. I parked between Porty Morty’s and the Walnut Grove Journal. The sound of construction coming from the casino was loud and in full force. They were on a mission to get it done. I was glad. It was going to bring jobs to the city and we definitely needed it.

  “Good morning.” Derek greeted me in his good ole boy voice. He put a duffle bag on the ground next to his feet.

  He must’ve not been on vacation anymore. He stood there in his cop blues, his hair high and tight, his eyes shone in the sunlight.

  “Yes it is.” I was feeling a little better about getting into the prison. “Say, do you think I’ll be done by ten?”

  “Depends on how fast you go.” He used his foot to push the duffle bag toward me.

  “What’s this?” I loved gifts. “A gift?” I asked with excitement.

  “I know you love clothes.” He mouth tipped up in a grin. “Go on. Unzip it.”

  Eagerly, I bent down and unzipped the bag.

  “Orange!” I saw a hint of my favorite color. I dug in and pulled out an orange jail jumpsuit. “Are you kidding me?” My brows rose.

  “Nope.” He pointed toward the river. “You are summonsed to picking up trash from here down to the new casino site.” He pointed to the bag. “There are plenty of garbage bags in there.” He pointed to the dumpster next to Porty Morty’s. “You can throw them in there when they are full.”

  “But I wore my loafers.” The riverbank was always wet and dirty.

  “I guess you should’ve worn old tennis shoes.” There was pleasure in his eyes. “Trixie had us dumpster dive plenty of times.”

  “Good morning.” Donna Marple crept up behind us.

  “Hi, Donna.” Derek smiled a smile I had never seen.

  My eyes narrowed. I looked between them.

  “Hi, Derek.” She blushed. “Are you keeping everyone safe and sound this morning?”

  “I am.” He grinned exposing his bright white teeth.

  Donna pushed her glasses up on her nose. “How was your vacation?”

  They talked as though I wasn’t there.

  “Wonderful. Thanks for asking.” He finally realized I was still there. He gulped. “What are you doing down here this early?”

  “I’m going in the newspaper to see about some old clippings. For you.” She pointed to me. “I might have some more pictures of The Gorilla holding the same baby.”

  “The Gorilla?” Derek glanced at me, confusion written all over his face. “Why are you looking into the mob? The crime is over.”

  I swallowed. My mouth went dry. My heart beat a million miles a minute.

  “I. . .” I grabbed the bag. “I have to get started.”

  There was no way I could tell Derek about my past or the money. Ben Bassman told me I couldn’t tell anyone or it would put everyone at risk. This was why I was on a mission to figure out my past.

  “Do you want to get a coffee?” Derek asked.

  “Not with this thing on,” I said.

  “Not you, Laurel.” Derek’s brows formed a vee. “You, Donna.”

  “Oh. Sure.” She chirped. My jaw dropped. “I’ll let you know what I find out, Laurel.”

  “Be sure to pick up all the trash. And I mean all,” Derek warned before he walked off with Donna.

  I was still stunned. Was there something going on between them that I didn’t know about? A ping of jealousy stuck me.

  What the hell was wrong with me? There was no way the only three men in my life were going to be loyal to me and me only. But the feelings I was having bothered me. I shook the thought of the men in the back of my head and put the jumpsuit on over my clothes.

  Porty Morty’s had a boat dock. It was a perfect place to start. Otherwise, I would have had to climb down the embankment and I wasn’t willing to do that.

  I had to keep a close eye on the time. There was no way, trash all picked up or not, I was going to miss the bus to the prison at ten o’clock from Friendship Baptist Church.

  The city needed to get the mowing people down to the docks to mow and maintain the embankment. I was sliding all over the place in the mud. It was getting all over my shoes.

  “Shit,” I grumbled and picked up an old beer can.

  “Welcome to my home.” The voice came from out of the brush before Charlie Haskel showed himself.

  “Charlie, you nearly gave me a heart attack.” I held my han
d to my chest.

  “You nearly gave me one,” he spouted back from his toothless mouth. He tugged at the edges of his small knit hat. “What the hell are you doing in that bright orange outfit?”

  “I have to do some community service.” I hated to admit it.

  “I thought you were doing better?” He asked, “Are you going back to your criminal ways?”

  “How did you know about that?” My eyes narrowed. It wasn’t like Charlie and I ever had long conversations. Or any conversations for that matter. In fact, this was the first time we were ever alone. Like really alone.

  “I might be homeless, but I’m not stupid.” He growled. “I know things. People don’t realize I’m around when they start gabbing. I sort of blend in.” He perked up a bit. “I hear a lot of things. Know a lot of secrets.”

  “Uh.” I bent down and picked up another piece of trash. This time it looked like a condom wrapper. I sighed. “Nasty.”

  “I know about Willie Ray Bowman being in town and I know people are looking for him.” He rubbed his stubbly face. His nose was wide and flat.

  “Everyone in town couldn’t miss that one since all the FBI agents are swarming around.” I continued to walk forward. I didn’t have time to waste on the town drunk.

  “The bad men are looking for him. Looking for a key.” Charlie called.

  I quickly jumped around.

  “What did you say?” I asked.

  “Two bad men were down here on the dock last night.” Charlie walked out of the brush. “You got any money?”

  Of course. He had information I needed and I wasn’t getting it for free. I dug down in the duffle bag where I had stuck my hobo bag and pulled out a twenty.

  “Tell me.” I held the twenty-dollar bill in between my fingers in the air.

  He walked over and plucked it from me.

  “They were talking about finding him before the FBI because they knew he had a key they needed. And if he turned the key into the FBI, they would know Willie was an innocent bystander who had gotten in the way.” He sat down on the bank looking at the twenty-dollar bill.

  “Did you get a look at them?” I asked.

  “Nope.” He tapped his head. “I got night blindness. I can see in the light, but it was pitch dark down here.”