Premonition (Detective Jade Monroe 4)

by C. M. Sutter

  She reached for my coat and hung it in the entryway closet. There was enough room in that closet for about three coats.

  “Small place you have here,” I joked. “Old man Myers must have taken one apartment and broke it down into two. He’s kind of thrifty that way.”

  We both laughed.

  “Well, this place is okay for one person, and of course, none of the furnishings are mine. Maybe someday I’ll find the perfect town to settle down in and buy a house I can decorate in my own taste.”

  “What, North Bend isn’t to your liking?”

  “Sorry, that sounded bad. I’ve been here two years and—oh, never mind. Coffee?”

  “Sure, but show me the apartment first.”

  “Okay,” Kate said as she chuckled, “that will take three seconds.”

  We walked the short hallway. I peeked around her bedroom door, then across the hall to the bathroom. We turned around, took a few steps, and were back in the kitchen and living room area.

  “Humph, this place really is meant for one.”

  Kate grinned. “Told you so.”

  We sat at the corner table squished between the kitchen and living room. Kate poured a cup of coffee for each of us. My purse, hanging over the chair back, held the folded piece of paper with the information about the most recent missing girl. I wanted to wait a half hour before bringing anything up. This time needed to be seen as a friendly visit too.

  “I know you aren’t here socially, Jade. I mean, it’s a workday for you. Why don’t we cut to the chase?”

  Kate rose and walked to a small closet at the end of the kitchen. She carried out a cookie jar.

  “Pantry?”

  “Sort of. It’s a broom closet too.” She opened the jar and placed six cookies on a plate then brought it to the table. “You like chocolate and nuts, don’t you?”

  I shook my head. “You’re freaking me out right now.”

  She laughed. “Okay, so spill. Why are you really here?” She chomped on a cookie and stared at me.

  “Kate, I really do want to know you better, meaning outside the sheriff’s department walls. I’m actually very intrigued by your abilities, and I’d like to know more about the psychic world you live in.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate that. There’s time for that, but for now, I feel like something is weighing on your mind.”

  “There is.” I bit into the chewy chocolate treat. “A group of teenagers in Evansville, Indiana, found Deidra.”

  “Was her death violent? I’m sensing it was, and she was killed with a knife, wasn’t she?”

  “Yes, but I can’t go into details.”

  “These men have to be caught soon, Jade. They’re just getting started.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of. Kate, Deidra was found in a warehouse near a rail yard.”

  Kate squeezed her temples. She looked stressed. “Yeah, that makes sense—multiple buildings in the area and sounds of train whistles. They were all in my dream.”

  “Your abilities are uncanny.”

  “But I’m not taken seriously by most people.”

  “And I apologize for that. I’ll admit I was skeptical myself, but I’m trying to change. That’s why I want to know more about the psychic world.”

  “Well, I didn’t plan it—it’s the way I was born. I don’t know if it’s something I should feel blessed or cursed with. There’s something I want your opinion on as well.”

  “Okay, shoot.”

  “I’d like to be taken more seriously by the community and law enforcement. What do you think of me becoming a police officer? I have plenty of free time to go to the academy. I already know a lot from working with detectives in Nashville and Chicago. Those are major cities and police departments that didn’t think I was a nutcase. The course is only four months long, and I already have an associate’s degree.”

  “That’s right. I remember you saying you went to Atlanta Technical College, but you didn’t mention what you studied.”

  Kate grinned. “Would you believe criminal justice?”

  “No kidding? I bet you and my sister, Amber, would get along really well. I think it would be a wise move on your part. You would have the respect of the community as a police officer, and you can contribute your expertise from the psychic world when you think it could be helpful. I’m on board—you should go for it.”

  “Really, you don’t think it’s a dumb idea?”

  “Not in the least.”

  “More coffee?”

  “Sure, thanks. There’s something else I want to go over with you, Kate.”

  She filled both of our cups and sat back down. “Yes?”

  I opened my purse and brought out my cell phone and the folded sheet of paper.

  “I want your opinion on this young lady that went missing. Is there any chance at all she could be the blonde from your dream?”

  Chapter 39

  Robert

  “We need to pick up a burner phone for you, Bobby. It’s stupid now that we’re using two vehicles to pull over every time we need to talk.”

  “I’d have to fill out information, though. Let’s get walkie-talkies instead. As long as we drive near each other, the service should be fine.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. That is a better idea. I’ll check for someplace close by.” Tony sat at the table in their room. Checkout was in a half hour. The brothers had eaten and showered. Other than picking up the walkie-talkies, they wouldn’t need to stop again until they reached Chicago.

  “There’s a Walmart four miles up. We’ll have to detour off 41 for a couple of miles to get there, though.”

  “Yeah, no biggie. Let’s do it. We’ll grab whatever else we may need as long as we’re there. Let’s get the hell out of here. Just make sure we’ve got everything.”

  They checked out of the motel and threw their suitcase in the van. Robert followed Tony on the side streets of Terre Haute as he led the way to the nearest Walmart.

  Once inside, Tony and Robert found the electronics department at the back of the store.

  “That’s surprising,” Robert said as he read the information on the most expensive walkie-talkie set. “I guess things have changed in the last ten years. It says this set has a communication range of thirty miles.”

  “No shit? How much is it?”

  “A hundred bucks. A burner phone would cost that much, anyway. Let’s get them and some batteries.”

  With a bag of snacks, water, the walkie-talkies, and batteries, the brothers crossed the parking lot to their vehicles. They set up the two-way radios, divided the snacks and water, and drove away. They were back on the highway, en route to Chicago, a half hour later.

  Chapter 40

  I was back at the sheriff’s department by eleven thirty and in the middle of explaining to my colleagues that Kate didn’t think Jillian Wiley was the same woman as the one in her dream.

  “Did she give you a reason why?” Clayton asked.

  Billings piped in, “Weren’t both women young and blond? And the vehicle in her dream was a light-colored hatchback car, wasn’t it? She was right on with Deidra Nelson.”

  “Yeah, you’re correct with all of those comments, but she said the photographs didn’t match closely enough. Don’t forget that the sketch Marie made of the blonde in Kate’s dream was very detailed. I scrolled back to the picture of that sketch I took with my phone and compared the two, and she’s right. I don’t think it’s the same girl, either.”

  “Good, that’s one less person we need to concern ourselves with,” Jack said.

  “That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?” I scowled at Jack. Sometimes his blatant honesty was startling.

  “Sorry, but it’s true. Jillian was going from Evansville, Indiana, to Chicago, Illinois. Neither of those cities are in Wisconsin—not our problem.”

  Clark checked the time on his watch. “Jack’s right. Anyway, it’s noon. You two head over to the courthouse after lunch and sit in on Mandy’s trial for an hour.”

>   “You got it, boss.” My phone rang just as I was about to put my coat back on. I told the guys to go ahead, I’d catch up. We were going to Omicron for lunch. “Hello, Sergeant Jade Monroe speaking. How may I help you?”

  “Jade, Detective Amoroso here.”

  “Hi, Joe. What can I do for you?” I sat back at my desk. This could be a lengthy phone call.

  “I watched a news segment this morning about a missing girl.”

  “Jillian Wiley?”

  “Yeah, that’s the one. You must have watched it too. Do you think she’s possibly the same blonde as in Kate’s dream?”

  “I’ve already asked her, and she says no.”

  “Really? I thought we might have something there.”

  I sighed. “I did too.”

  “No chance, huh? Didn’t she see something with an interstate sign in her dream?”

  “Um, it was a detour sign that ended up taking the woman through farm country.”

  “Yeah, that might not fit, although nobody knows exactly where Jillian went missing. Hang on.”

  Amoroso clicked off, and I was stuck listening to elevator music for several minutes. I was hungry, and my stomach was growling. I tapped my fingers to the sleep-inducing music while I waited.

  “Sorry about that. Earlier today I spoke with the Evansville PD. They were going to get in touch with Jillian’s parents to find out if they knew her usual route to Chicago.”

  “Did they know?”

  “That was them calling back. They said she normally took the interstates just for the speed. Her usual route was east on 64 to Louisville, north on 65 to Gary, and finally north on 90 to Chicago. Not much farm country in that area or detours off those interstates. Oh yeah, here’s something else that’s crazy. Evansville PD got a call yesterday from an elderly lady that lives in an affluent neighborhood. She found a purse hanging on the front doorknob of her house. The wallet was missing from the purse, but there were two emergency contact numbers inside a zipped pocket. Both numbers went to Deidra Nelson’s kids. It was her purse.”

  I groaned. “Oh, for God’s sake, Joe, that is so weird. How are her kids handling the news of her death?”

  “Badly. They’re staying at her home in Nashville until after the funeral. Who knows what they’ll do with the house. They both grew up there.”

  “You know, that makes me wonder about something.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You said the purse was found in an affluent neighborhood. Wouldn’t you think some of those houses have surveillance cameras?”

  “Good point. I’ll call the PD back and ask if that residence had a surveillance camera or if any homes facing that one do. You’ll hear from me yet today.”

  I clicked off and grabbed my coat and purse. “Boss, do you want me to get you something for lunch?”

  Clark leaned back in his chair, as if in thought. “Omicron, right?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Okay, how about an order of ricotta cheese crepes?”

  “You got it, boss. I’ll be back in an hour with your crepes and that update from Amoroso.”

  Omicron was the typical Greek-style restaurant on South Main Street. Kate and I had gone there earlier last week, but with the enormity of the menu choices, a person could go there every day for three months before they’d be repeating their meal. I didn’t mind going there again so soon, and the guys liked the food.

  Jack waved me over when he saw me enter through the double glass doors. At lunchtime, this restaurant was usually packed. I excused myself through the crowd waiting to pay their bills and reached the guys. A gold carafe sat in the center of the table.

  “I hope that isn’t empty.” I picked it up and jiggled it—no sound. “Thanks, guys.” I waved the waitress down and asked for more coffee.

  “Who was calling when we left?” Jack asked.

  “Amoroso.” I thanked the waitress for the second carafe of coffee and poured myself a cup.

  Billings snickered and smacked Clayton on the shoulder.

  Clayton gave him a sour face. “What the hell was that for?”

  “Don’t you think Jade and Amoroso are getting pretty chummy?” Adam said.

  “Yeah, actually, I do.”

  The three of them began ribbing me.

  “Knock it off. He’s a cop, for Pete’s sake.”

  “Yeah, what’s your point?” Jack asked. “I bet you’ve already Googled him to see what he looks like.”

  “I have not.”

  Jack pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and did an online search for Joe Amoroso’s name at the Nashville police department.

  “Ha! There he is.” He passed his phone to Adam and Chad so they could take a look.

  “Let me see.”

  Jack chuckled. “No way, do your own search.”

  I did and smiled. “Humph—all of you can shut up now. Actually, he’s a pretty handsome guy. It must be the Italian in him. Anyway, Kate brought up something interesting earlier. She wanted my opinion of her becoming a cop. She doesn’t feel she gets enough credit as a psychic investigator alone.”

  “That’s what she’s calling herself?” Clayton huffed.

  “No. Actually, the Nashville police department called her that.”

  We ate lunch in silence and headed back to the station at one o’clock. On my passenger seat, I had a Styrofoam container with four hot ricotta cheese crepes in it. Lieutenant Clark would wolf those down in no time.

  After I delivered lunch to the lieutenant, Jack and I walked to the courthouse. Upstairs, we flashed our badges to the officer standing guard at the door of the courtroom where Mandy’s trial was taking place. We were allowed in and took seats at the back. The trial had just resumed after the hour-long lunch recess. It appeared that the final witness for the defense was Mandy’s own aunt Jane, Dean’s sister. Jane explained how the twins were very polite, normal kids growing up. They were close until Dean took his family to live in Madison. According to Jane, until the girls were thirteen, they were wonderful, healthy children, without any psychological problems that she had ever noticed. She said Dean never complained about anything in the phone calls to her until Alice’s mother died.

  “What happened then?” Mandy’s court-appointed attorney asked.

  “When Alice’s mother died, Alice went berserk. She began communicating with invisible characters, according to Dean. He wanted to have her exorcized, but instead she went to an institution for six months. I don’t think she was ever right in the head after that. Dean and the girls lived through the worst of her craziness, and it took its toll on them. Now three people in that family are dead, and my only surviving niece is deeply disturbed.”

  “Do you think Mandy is a psychotic killer, Mrs. Phillips?”

  “No I don’t. I think she’s a victim that did some terrible things, either by force or by fear. In my opinion, she should be released to an institution that will keep her safe and help her regain a part of the sweet girl she once was.”

  I squeezed Jack’s hand as we sat in the gallery and listened. He knew I hoped Mandy wouldn’t end up in a maximum security prison. She wasn’t vicious or savvy enough to live in that type of environment for the long term. Somebody would do her in.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Phillips. That’s all the questions I have at this time. You can return to your seat. The defense rests, Your Honor.”

  “Very well—we’re going to adjourn for today. I want closing statements on Monday, then the case goes to the jury.”

  The judge cracked the gavel, and we stood. Jack and I exited the courtroom with the few other people that had watched the trial.

  Chapter 41

  We returned to the bull pen, where I did a final shiver before I took my coat off and hung it. Clark asked Jack and me to come in and take seats in his office. He wanted an update on Mandy Blakely.

  “Well, first off, boss, her nose looks better, and her eyes aren’t dark purple anymore.”

  Jack added that the br
uising was now a shade of yellowish green.

  “The defense rested today, with Mandy’s aunt being the last person to testify. The judge wants closing statements on Monday, and then it goes to the jury.” I flicked a piece of fuzz off my wool pants. “I’m thinking they’ll come to a quick decision given it’s a holiday week. People usually have guests coming in from out of town and meals to plan and prepare.”

  Clark sighed. “True enough, but that isn’t a good reason to rush through a decision. Mandy Blakely’s future is in their hands. Any thoughts?”

  Jack spoke up. “I’m leaning toward the secured institution.”

  Clark turned toward me. “Jade?”

  “I have to agree, boss. Mandy isn’t a cold-blooded killer. I’d like to sit in on the verdict. I’ll take my dad along if they do come to a decision next week.”

  “Sure, we can arrange that. Okay, what’s the latest news from Nashville?”

  “They heard about the missing girl from Evansville. Nobody knows much yet if there’s any kind of connection with Deidra Nelson’s case. Detective Amoroso told me that Deidra’s purse was found hanging on a doorknob of an upscale home in Evansville.”

  “That’s a new one.”

  “Yeah, I’d say. Since he is in contact with the Evansville PD, I suggested they check to see if any homes in that neighborhood have surveillance cameras. He’s going to get back to me on that.”

  “Good idea. Nothing on the BOLO yet for the truck?”

  “Not that I’ve heard, sir.”

  “Okay, good enough. How much do I owe you for the crepes, Jade?”

  “My treat, boss. I hope they were good.”

  “Thanks, they were delicious.”

  My desk phone rang as I stood to leave. I excused myself and walked out of Clark’s office.

  “Sergeant Jade Monroe speaking. How may I help you?”

  “Jade, Joe here.”

  “Hi, Joe. What have you got?”

  “A couple of things—first, the good news. Apparently, there was a video camera at a home across the street from the woman that called in Deidra’s purse.”

  “Great. What did the camera show?”