A Murder State of Mind Boxed Set

by Jude Pittman

  "You could've told me." Kelly couldn't keep the edge from his voice.

  "I thought about it, I really did, but how would that have looked? Cam was counting on you and I figured if you knew about that twenty grand, you might think Cam took it, and then maybe you'd drop the investigation."

  "It might have worried me a little but I wouldn't have dumped Cam because of it. Didn't it occur to you that money might have something to do with the murder?"

  "Course it did. That's why I kept my mouth shut. I knew Cam must've taken that note, so it kind of figured he took the money at the same time. I could understand all that. He's been having a tough time keeping the bar afloat and we all know what the Hideaway means to Cam. What I wasn't buying, though, was the idea Cam murdered Anna. I know Cam and whatever else he is, he's not a murderer."

  "So what do you think happened to the money?" Kelly asked.

  "It beats the hell out of me but now I know Cam didn't take it, I sure would like to know who did. The thing is, Anna did say that money was mine. She only put it in the box for safe keeping until Monday when I was going to pick it up. So, if we do find out who took the money, you think there's any chance I might still get it?"

  "I don't know, Bubba. I'll have to ask Krystal. She's the beneficiary, so technically, I suppose the money's hers but she's a decent person and if she believes Anna intended the money for you, I think she'd honor her mother's wishes. Of course, first thing we got to find out is who does have that money."

  "I know. Like I said, I thought Cam stole it but now I know he didn't, it's a whole different can of worms."

  "I do have one idea I'm working on," Kelly said. "But I don't know yet if it's going to lead anywhere."

  "What's that?"

  "Just something that's been bugging me. That money Frank inherited from his sister. Just out of curiosity, did you ever hear him mention an inheritance from his sister before he suddenly came into the money?"

  "Well, I'll be damned! That son of a bitch! I never thought about it before but he never said a word about expecting any money until he bought that fancy boat. I'll kill him myself if he ripped off Anna's money."

  "Whoa. Calm down." Kelly put out his hand. "We don't know Frank had anything to do with the missing money. It's just speculation and I think we've had enough killing around this place."

  Bubba grinned. "Shucks, I was only letting off steam. I think you might have something, though. What are you planning to do about it?"

  "I've already asked a friend on the force to make some inquiries. Like I said, I'm not really sure of anything. It's just suspicion. Now, whatever you do, you keep this to yourself. I don't want you going off half-cocked and jumping Frank before we even know if there's anything wrong with his story."

  "Okay. But it's going to be damn hard to do."

  Kelly said goodnight and called Jake back from the creek where he'd been nosing around with the ducks and the two of them headed back to the cabin.

  Inside, Kelly got a beer and went back to the recliner. Bubba hadn't told him anything new but talking out his suspicious helped him formalize his thoughts. Now, if the beer just helped to make him sleepy, maybe he'd manage to get some shuteye before daylight rolled around.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Kelly tossed restlessly, chased by dreams. Or maybe he was chasing the dreams. In the depths of shifting light and dark, it was hard to tell. A golden-haired child clutching her stuffed kitty moved into the corner of his vision. She was in trouble. He could see her trembling, hear her rapid breathing. She needed help but she was moving so fast. He had to catch her before she opened that door, the one that just appeared from nowhere. Too late. Her chubby hand pushed against the wood and light from a reading lamp bathed a corner of the room. A man lay on the floor, his head smashed and broken like a Jack-O-Lantern after a fall from the porch on Halloween night.

  The child called out. "Daddy!" She bent to pat the man’s face, the way little girls always did when waking their daddy up from a nap. Her fingers plunged into a hot, sticky mass, and her hand came away clotted with something slimy. She screamed. The scene shifted and the room morphed into a living thing, a monster, with the mouth of a roaring furnace. It opened its jaws and out of the smoke came Lynda. Her long, blond hair tumbled over her shoulders and fell in golden waves to her breasts.

  "Lynda!" Kelly called her name and she floated over the flames and into his arms.

  "Oh, my God!" He held her tight. "I thought I'd lost you again."

  "You can't lose me," she whispered. "Look!" She pointed toward the fire. Kelly turned and gasped. In the mouth of the beast stood Krystal.

  "Kelly!" she called. "Help me, please!"

  "No!" The scream tore from Kelly's throat as he fought to free his paralyzed limbs. Then a coarse, wet tongue licked his face and released him from the grip of the dream.

  "Damn, that was a bad one," he groaned.

  Jake jumped down from Kelly's chair and stood watching while Kelly cleared his head and got to his feet.

  "Thanks!" Kelly leaned over and hugged Jake.

  He hadn’t had one of those dreams in three years and it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out his relationship with Krystal had been the catalyst.

  He almost called her before he looked at the time. Half-past twelve. Nope, too late to call. So what should he do now? Sleep was out of the question. He wouldn't risk having that dream again. And he couldn't shake the feeling he needed to touch base with Krystal.

  "I can't help it, Jake," he said. "I feel like an idiot but I'm going to drive on over to the apartment and see if those girls are all right."

  He grabbed his jacket and headed outside to get Old Blue. Krystal and Penny would probably be sound asleep but what the hell, the drive would do him good. He needed a chance to calm down and most of all he needed to make sure Krystal was okay.

  It was one of those clear, cold nights when the highway rolled like a long, black ribbon under a diamond-studded sky. Kelly cranked his window down and let the cold air blow the gremlins out of his head. He didn't want to think right now. Or even try to. Things were too complicated. He just wanted to feel the cold, hard plastic under his hands and listen to the wind howl through his window.

  Even at midnight, traffic zoomed along Jacksboro highway. Most of the bars were still open and the glare of neon lights comforted him. By the time he hit Camp Bowie Boulevard, he'd calmed to the point where he had half a mind to turn around and head back home. But there was still that other half—the part of him that wasn't quite sure about dreams and still recalled the stories he'd heard of otherworldly warnings and strange coincidences. It might be a bunch of crap but Kelly knew he'd never rest until he checked on those girls.

  The sirens started about two miles from the apartment. Of course, they didn't mean a thing. Sirens went off all night in the city. Still, they set his nerves on edge and his foot pressed harder on the gas pedal.

  The closer he got, the louder the sirens screamed. Kelly couldn't keep the hard knot out of his stomach. Two blocks from the apartment, he gave up all pretense of calm. Fire trucks blocked both ends of the street and screamed into the night.

  Kelly slammed on the brakes, rammed Old Blue into a parking space and yanked the door half off its hinges. His feet hit the concrete flying. Across lawns, over retaining walls and past two apartment complexes, Kelly ran like a man with the devil on his heels. When he rounded the corner of Krystal's building, a cloud of thick, black smoke choked the breath out of his lungs. His eyes burned and his breath came in short gasps but he kept running, with only one thought in his head. He had to get to Krystal's bedroom and get her out.

  "Please, God," he begged. "Don't let me be too late."

  Kelly raced around the complex until he reached the apartment. He stopped outside Krystal's bedroom window, yanked off his jacket, rolled it into a ball and smashed his hand into the glass. He saw the blood spurt up his arm. He felt nothing. Up and over the sill he went, letting go and falling into a pile of down
y pillows.

  "Krystal!" He screamed her name.

  She didn't answer. He crawled off the bed and stumbled across the smoke-filled room.

  "Krystal!" He pulled open her closet and groped around inside. "Where are you?" He backed out and started for the door. His hand felt the wall and found the light switch. Choking and retching, he wiped his burning eyes and tried to see through the faint glow of light. Nothing moved. The room was empty. Where was she? Had they gotten her out? He couldn't breathe.

  Talking aloud, using his own voice to keep himself calm, he stopped at the door and felt the wood. It burned his fingers.

  "No, don't open it," he said, yanking back his hand. "It's too hot. She's not in here. They must've gotten her out. Stop it now. Steady. Don't panic. Got to get back out of here. Back to the window. Okay, careful now, over the sill."

  Putting all his strength into the effort, he heaved himself through the window and crashed to the ground.

  "Hey!" A fireman grabbed his arms as he struggled to stand. "You can't go in there," the fireman said.

  "Penny!" Kelly croaked. "Got to check her room. Where's Krystal?"

  "Take it easy," the fireman said, forcing Kelly back to the ground. "Our guys are inside. They'll take care of them. That's a nasty gash on your hand. We better get the medic over here to take a look."

  Kelly stared at the blood-crusted wound. The painful throbbing finally registered in his brain but he pushed it aside.

  "Look!" he shouted.

  Another fireman stood framed in the window of Penny's bedroom with a blanket-wrapped bundle clutched in his arms.

  "Medics!" Kelly's companion shouted and raced to help his partner. Seconds later, two white-coated medics rushed up with a stretcher and the fireman handed his bundle out the window. The blanket dropped away and Penny's long black hair fell like a web onto the white-sheeted stretcher.

  The medics pushed the stretcher away from the fire and clamped an oxygen mask over Penny's face. Kelly let out his breath. At least she wasn't dead.

  "That's everybody out," Penny's rescuer said to Kelly's companion. "Who's this?" he asked, pointing at Kelly.

  "Friend," Kelly choked.

  "Okay. Better move back. Your friend is on her way to the hospital."

  "Krystal." Kelly managed to control his voice. "Her roommate. Where is she?"

  "Sorry. I don't know. She's not inside, though. The apartment's empty. Maybe she's out front."

  "Thanks!" Kelly struggled to his feet. "I'll go take a look.

  Kelly circled the complex a dozen times while the firemen finished the cleanup. Krystal was nowhere in sight. He approached an onlooker, and borrowed his cell phone to call Gus. He’d blown out of the cabin without his. Gus listened to Kelly's story and asked to speak to the fire chief. Kelly found the chief and handed over the phone. After a short conversation, the chief handed it back to Kelly.

  "No one but Penny was hurt in that fire," Gus said. "Krystal must've been out somewhere."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Positive. The chief says his men have checked all the units. Everyone's safe."

  "Thanks," Kelly said, reassured. "I'll head on over to the hospital and check on Penny. Maybe she'll know where I can find Krystal."

  "Okay, I'll meet you there. I don't want to get you stirred up again but the chief says they found a gas can in the girls' living room. This could be connected to Anna's murder. I'll want to talk with Penny myself. You're not a relative, so you'll need clearance to get inside. Why don't you wait for me out front?"

  "Okay. Thanks, Gus."

  * * *

  "What happened to your hand?" Gus asked, when he walked up to Kelly in front of John Petersmith Hospital.

  "It's nothing," Kelly glanced at the bandage. "Just a cut from breaking the glass in Krystal's window. The medics taped it up."

  Gus nodded. "Let's go then. Penny is on the fifth floor."

  With Gus in the lead, they strode through the front doors, crossed the crowded lobby and stepped into one of the elevators. On the fifth floor, Gus headed down the hall to the nursing station. A tall, gray-haired nurse looked up from reading one of the charts. Gus pulled out his identification and asked for Penny's room number.

  "She's in five-sixteen," the nurse said, satisfied with Gus' credentials. "Straight down the hall and turn to your right. I'll page her doctor."

  "Thanks." Gus said and started down the hall with Kelly at his heels.

  Gus knocked gently and pushed the door open.

  Penny lay on the stark white sheets with her hair fanned out across the pillow. Kelly caught his breath. She looked like one of the china dolls he'd seen in a gift shop.

  Gus walked over to the bed and sat down in a chair. Kelly stood back and watched. Penny's arms lay stiff against the sheets.

  Gus touched her hand and her eyelids fluttered open. Fear sprang into her eyes and she squeezed them shut. Quickly, Kelly stepped up to the bed and crouched beside her. "It's okay, Penny," he said. "Detective Graham is here with me."

  Her eyes opened to narrow slits, then widened in recognition. "Penny, where's Krystal?" Kelly stroked her hair.

  "Krissie no home," she said.

  "I know." Kelly nodded. "Where is she?"

  "Not know. I go shopping. Come home. Krissie say man call from Houston. Talk with her about mother. Krissie go."

  "Go where?"

  "Not say. Maybe see uncle?"

  "She said she was going to see her uncle?"

  "No. But she say go to Houston. I think maybe she talk to uncle." Penny's breath had started coming in short gasps.

  Gus reached over and touched Kelly's arm. "Better take it easy," he said.

  Kelly flushed and drew back. "I'm sorry. I didn't think."

  Gus nodded. "I know. Maybe we should wait for the doctor before we ask her any more questions."

  Kelly nodded and smiled down at Penny. "Sorry," he said. "I got a bit carried away."

  Penny blinked and tried to smile. "I worry for Krissie too. Hurts a little." She placed her hand against her chest.

  Kelly stroked her hand and smiled. "Don't talk. I'll find out where Krystal is. She'll go crazy when she hears about you. As far as she's concerned, you're her sister."

  Penny smiled a real smile and blinked back tears.

  The door to the room swung open and a tall man wearing a white coat strode into the room.

  "I'm Dr. Hankins," he said. "You're the police detective?"

  "Detective Graham," Gus said, standing and offering his hand. "The nurse seemed to think it was okay for us to wait here in the room."

  Dr. Hankins nodded. "She's going to be fine. There was quite a lot of smoke inhalation but we don't expect any permanent damage. We'll keep her a couple of days for observation."

  "I'll just ask her a few more questions then," Gus said. "If that's okay?"

  "Fine. As long as she stays calm." He stepped up to the bed and bent over Penny. "I've spoken to the university. They've been in touch with your parents and they're flying in from China tomorrow."

  "Oh." Penny gasped. "They are frightened?"

  "No, they're okay. They just want to be with you. Don't worry now. I'll let you talk to these gentlemen for a couple of minutes, then I want you to get some sleep. Okay?"

  "Thank you," Penny said.

  "Five minutes." The doctor turned to Gus.

  "On the button," Gus said.

  Dr. Hankins nodded and strode out of the room.

  Gus sat back down in the chair and smiled at Penny. "This man Krystal spoke with on the telephone…did she mention his name?"

  "No." Penny shook her head.

  "Can you remember what she said about her mother?"

  "Say man know why mother killed."

  Gus stiffened. "She said that?"

  Penny nodded. "I ask her not go but she say she must. I say please call Mr. Kelly but she say no."

  Kelly clenched his fists and clamped his lips to keep from interrupting Gus' interrogation.

&
nbsp; "What time did Krystal leave the apartment?" Gus asked.

  "Maybe ten." Penny squinted, trying to remember. "I make tea after shopping. We sit. Krissie have milk, then say she go. I get very sleepy. Go to bed."

  Gus looked at Penny and nodded. "You've been a big help. I don't think we need to bother you any more right now."

  Penny looked at Kelly. "You find Krissie."

  "You bet I'll find her." Kelly took her hand. "And she'll call you herself, the minute I tell her what happened."

  "Thank you." Her eyes fluttered shut.

  Kelly and Gus walked quietly out of the room. Outside, Gus turned to Kelly.

  "I want to have a word with that doctor before we leave," he said. "How ‘bout I meet you down in the lobby?"

  "Sure," Kelly said. "I could use some air."

  "Okay. I won't be more than ten or fifteen minutes."

  Kelly paced back and forth in front of the doors. He almost wished he smoked. Gus' behavior puzzled him. He obviously wanted to ask the doctor something he didn't intend to share with Kelly. Probably something about Krystal. Gus knew Kelly had fallen hard for her. He wouldn't be likely to share any fears he had for her safety. He didn't need to, though. Kelly already suspected that the man who'd called Krystal was the murderer. It scared the hell out of him. And where the hell was Gus? He'd said ten minutes. It had been at least twenty. Damn it all, Gus was a cop. He ought to know Krystal's life could be in danger.

  Finally, Gus came through the door and Kelly rushed to meet him. "We need to get going on this," he said. "Krystal’s caller is probably Anna's killer."

  "Hold on, pal," Gus said. "What do you think I've been doing? I had to ask the doctor some questions. The rest of the time I've been on the phone to Houston. Krystal's uncle hasn't seen her—or so he claims. I didn't like his attitude. The Houston boys are putting out an APB on Krystal. Detective Petrie is getting a search warrant for Andrew's residence and you and I have seats on the three o'clock flight to Houston."