Two Ways to Die: A Java Jarvis Thriller

by Erin Wade

  “No, somehow Penny and Beau are keeping a lid on it,” Chris replied. “If we can just deal with one thing at a time, we’ll be okay.”

  “Which oven is on the blink?” Java asked following Chris into the kitchen.

  “This one,” Chris opened the large oven door. “The top heating element isn’t working.”

  Java jiggled the heating element and discovered it was loose. She caught hold of the heat unit and pushed it hard into the socket and smiled when it clicked into place. She turned on the oven and the top and bottom elements glowed red.

  “Why didn’t I think of that?” Chris mumbled.

  “I think we’re all still shell shocked from yesterday’s experience,” Java soothed her. “I’m glad today will be crazy busy. It will keep our minds off other things.”

  ##

  The staff of Java’s Place stood silently looking over the supper club one last time before opening the door and allowing the crowd that had gathered to enter.

  “I’d like to say a little blessing, if no one minds,” Kat smiled.

  Everyone nodded and Kat prayed out loud. As everyone echoed her amen, Java opened the door and Java’s Place took on a life of its own.

  Java greeted the town’s elite and several politicians as they were led to their tables and treated like royalty. She glanced at Jody Schooley when he entered with a very attractive brunette that bore an uncanny resemblance to Kat.

  “I trust I’m sitting at your table,” a throaty, sexy voice hummed in Java’s ear.

  “Déjà, of course,” Java laughed. “Follow me.” Java knew Chris would want to kill her for upsetting her seating chart, but thought it was a good idea to get upstairs and away from others who would expect the same treatment Déjà was getting.

  “I’ve heard rumors,” Déjà said as she sat down. “Not good rumors.”

  “Um,” Java nodded for her to continue.

  “Lafayette, yesterday.” Déjà raised an eyebrow.

  “How do you know about it?” Java asked.

  “You forget I reign over the voodoo realm, darling,” Déjà smirked. “I am very aware of what my followers are doing.”

  “I hope you’re aware of whoever slaughtered the Claymore family in Lafayette,” Java scowled. “I also hope it wasn’t one of your followers.”

  “You insult me, Java Jarvis,” Déjà’s throaty response shocked Java.

  “Tell me what you know!” Java demanded.

  “Six people murdered. Black man, white woman,” Déjà said. “Four children. I have no idea who did it.”

  “A name, Déjà, I need a name. Who told you about the murders?”

  Déjà pulled her purse onto her lap and rummaged through it withdrawing a folded piece of paper. She shoved it toward Java. “This was under my door this morning. Why would someone feel it necessary to give me this information?”

  Java unfolded the paper and read the facts of the murder that were written in blood on the paper. She slipped the sheet into her pocket cognizant that both she and Déjà had compromised the evidence by handling it. Penny can pull a blood sample from it and see if it matches our crime scene, she thought.

  The balcony began to fill as customers climbed the stairs to join Java and Déjà in celebrating the holiday. The laughter and frivolity of the diners seemed incongruous with the turmoil roiling in Java’s mind.

  The band began to play, and Lindy Rochelle led Kat to the dancefloor.

  “Someone’s courting your woman,” Déjà pointed out.

  “She’s not my woman,” Java said through gritted teeth.

  “You want to dance?” Déjà tilted her head toward the dancefloor.

  “I get to lead,” Java grinned knowing the ebony beauty would be the one leading.

  ##

  Jody Schooley stood and took the hand of the woman with him leading her to the dancefloor. Java was surprised by how well Jody danced.

  “Even Jody gets to lead,” Java pretended to pout as Déjà moved them around the dancefloor.

  “He’s the taller of the two, sweetness,” Déjà chuckled. “Like me.”

  Jody tapped Java on the shoulder, “Change partners,” he grinned passing Java his brunette partner and pulling Déjà into his arms.

  “This should get interesting,” Java snickered as Déjà struggled to follow Jody.

  “You’re an excellent dancer,” the brunette said to Java.

  “Thank you,” Java responded. “We haven’t been introduced. I’m Java Jarvis.”

  “Java Jarvis,” the brunette repeated the name as if trying it out on her tongue.

  “Do you have a name?” Java teased.

  “Amanda,” the woman replied. “My name is Amanda.”

  “Do you like women, Java Jarvis?” Amanda asked.

  “Um, that’s a strange question,” Java responded. “Do you like women?”

  “I like men and women,” Amanda declared. “I especially like you.”

  “Thank you,” Java wished the dance would end so she could return Amanda to Jody.

  “I’d like to take you to bed,” Amanda whispered in Java’s ear.

  “No, I . . . um . . . I’m not—” The music stopped, and Java grabbed Amanda’s arm leading her back to Jody.

  Déjà slipped her arm through Java’s and dragged her toward the elevator to return to their table in the balcony. “Don’t ever let him dance with me again,” Déjà’s throaty growl filled the elevator. “He’s all hands.”

  “Did he grab you?” Java laughed at Déjà’s indignation knowing that she could have decked Jody at will.

  “He stopped short of grabbing,” Déjà fumed. “All he could do was stare at my breasts and rub against me.”

  “Um, they’re a pair,” Java stammered. “I . . . I mean Jody and Amanda are a pair not your, uh . . .”

  “I know what you mean, sugar,” Déjà laughed.

  ##

  The band began Kat’s introduction and the brunette made her way to the stage, touching outstretched hands and speaking to those who were vying for her attention. She stepped onto the stage and leaned into the microphone. Java couldn’t pull her eyes away from Kat’s beautiful face. She loved everything about Kat Lace, the way she moved, the way she smiled, the way she glanced in Java’s direction and the way she sang.

  As Kat’s set ended Beau and Penny joined Java and Déjà at their table. Java watched as Lindy walked to Kat and led the singer back to her table.

  “I’ll be right back,” Java strode to the elevator. She intended to share Thanksgiving dinner with Kat she didn’t give a damn what others thought.

  Kat watched as Java made her way to their table. She wondered if this was going to be a sparring match or if Java would be cordial to Lindy.

  “Lindy,” Java started, “I’m having a private Thanksgiving dinner for the folks I’m thankful for all year long. I hope you won’t mind if I steal Kat for a little while.”

  “I won’t be long,” Kat patted Lindy’s hand and stood. “It’s tradition.”

  Lindy watched them walk away wondering what had just happened. She shrugged and ordered another drink. Kat would return that was all that mattered.

  ##

  “I do believe you are mellowing in your old age,” Kat kissed Java on the cheek as the elevator ascended to the balcony. “At least more diplomatic.”

  “Mmhmm,” Java grinned. “I really wanted to flip her chair over backwards and step on her face.”

  “Oh my, you truly did exercise self-control.” Kat smirked.

  CHAPTER 28

  The shrill of her cell phone pulled Java from dreams of Kat. She noted it was still dark outside as she reached for the offending device. “Jarvis,” she groaned.

  “Java,” Penny’s voice was unusually shrill. “I’m on my way to get you. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  “What’s going on?” Java squinted her eyes trying to get them to focus in the dark. “It’s five in the morning.”

  “I’ll tell you when I get th
ere,” Penny insisted. “Now, get dressed.”

  Java pulled a sweater from her closet and a pair of jeans. She pushed a pod into her Keurig and let it start brewing as she pulled on her socks and boots. She combed her long blonde hair into a ponytail and brushed her teeth. The machine delivered a full cup of coffee and cut off as Penny squealed to a stop in Java’s circular drive.

  For the first time in a long time, Java slipped on her shoulder holster, racked her Glock and holstered it. She hoped she wouldn’t need it today but had a strong feeling she would. She pulled on her favorite black leather jacket to cover the firearm.

  Penny leaned over the truck’s console and shoved open the door on the passenger’s side. “Get in.”

  “And good morning to you too,” Java frowned. “What’s got you in such a state?”

  “Guess!” Penny barked.

  “Oh, hell no,” Java gasped. “Please don’t tell me The Basher struck again last night? That’s two days in a row.”

  “You called it,” Penny sipped her coffee. “Crowley, Louisiana, a white woman and three children.”

  Java checked her watch, “About two-and-a-half hours away. Same driving time as Lafayette.”

  “Yeah,” Penny confirmed. “This is the first time no man is involved. The sheriff said the woman is a local prostitute with illegitimate bi-racial children.”

  “The killer could leave Orleans at nine-thirty and arrive at the crime scene by midnight,” Java figured. “Go on their killing spree then get back to New Orleans around five in the morning. Damn Penny, if I had a suspect, I could pin down their alibi or lack of one. My only suspect is standing trial as we speak while a killer is continuing his rampage.”

  “If this scene is similar to the others, we may have an innocent man on trial.” Penny pointed out.

  “No way,” Java declared. “I’m certain Budro Latour is guilty. Too much evidence points to him. But I’m equally certain he has a partner.”

  “I’ve never had a case like this,” Penny seethed. “All the chaos and not a single usable clue. Thirty-two people have been slaughtered since January first. Thirty-two, Java.”

  “Did you notify the others?” Java asked. “Is the rest of my team meeting us there?”

  “No,” Penny answered. “I want to go over every inch of this scene myself. We must be missing something.”

  “Just the two of us?” Java rasped.

  “I will leave no stone unturned,” Penny raised her voice.

  “What’s the address?” Java asked an uneasy feeling settled over her.

  “It’s in the GPS,” Penny motioned toward the dashboard. “I want to get there by sunrise.”

  “Just the two of us?” Java questioned again.

  “Yeah,” Penny huffed. “You are the only one I trust to be as thorough as I.”

  Java sipped her coffee and looked out the window at fence posts flying by. Penny must be driving a hundred, she thought.

  CHAPTER 29

  “Your destination is ahead on the right,” The GPS announced as Penny slowed the truck. “You have arrived at your destination.”

  Penny turned off the engine and surveyed the house and its surroundings. It was silhouetted by the gray dawn. The yard was immaculate. The house was neat and freshly painted. It didn’t look like home to a prostitute trying to make ends meet with three children.

  “Where’s the crime scene tape and officers securing the place?” Java quizzed. “There’s no blood on the sidewalk. Are you certain we have the correct address?”

  “Let’s take a look,” Penny said reaching for the door handle.

  “No,” Java grabbed her wrist. “Something’s not right. Who called this in? Who did you speak with?”

  “The sergeant on duty,” Penny mumbled. She pulled out her notebook and flipped the pages. “A Sergeant Renfro. 131 Harper Lane. This is the address he gave me.”

  As they talked, they watched a light move around inside the house as if someone carrying a flashlight were moving from room to room.

  “I don’t like this, Penny,” Java cautioned. “Hopefully we’re at the wrong address. Are you carrying a gun?”

  “Yes,” Penny nodded. “And I’m very good with it.”

  “Let’s hope you won’t have to show me,” Java uttered. “Call into the sheriff’s office and double check the address.”

  Java listened as Penny verified the address. “They said they didn’t call me,” Penny frowned hanging up. “They have no crime scene.”

  “Someone is setting us up,” Java surmised. “You cover the front door. I’ll go around back. And Penny, don’t hesitate to shoot if you feel in danger. Here, put in this earbud so we can maintain contact.”

  Penny flipped the switch that would keep the truck’s interior lights from coming on when they opened the doors. They slipped out of the truck and ran to the side of the house.

  Java watched as Penny made her way to the front door then moved quickly to the back door. She couldn’t see the light in the house. Whoever was inside had turned off the flashlight.

  “Ready, Penny,” Java whispered.

  “Yes,”

  “On three—” Shots rang out stopping Java’s countdown.

  “I’m hit,” Penny gasped. “He’s running around the house.”

  Java flattened against the house and readied her Glock. The man ran around the corner and stopped in panic when he saw Java.

  “FBI,” Java yelled, “Drop your gun.”

  The man raised his gun and fired at Java, missing. One shot from Java’s Glock tore off his right shoulder. He fell to the ground scratching at the dirt for his gun. As Java approached, he grabbed the gun with his left hand, pointed it at her and fired. Java’s next shot took off the side of the man’s face throwing him backwards onto the ground.

  Java kicked away the gun and ascertained the man was dead then sprinted to the front door to check on Penny.

  Penny was on her feet, leaning against the house. Blood dripped from her elbow. “It’s a clean through shot,” a twisted grin played on her lips, “but it hurts like hell.”

  Java called for an ambulance and notified the sheriff’s department of the incident.

  “There’s a first aid kit in the truck,” Penny informed her. “You need to stop the bleeding.”

  Java helped her to the truck, opened the back and located the kit. Penny was right, it was a clean shot. Java stuffed gauze into the holes and secured it with an ace bandage. “That should hold you until a real doctor can stitch it up,” she reassured Penny. “I’m going to see if I can find any identification on our shooter.”

  “Go ahead,” Penny agreed. “I’ll be fine, and you need to find out as much as you can before the locals get here.”

  Java entered the house through the front door. The early morning sun was casting shadows everywhere, but it was easy to tell the house was empty. No one lived in it.

  She checked all the rooms just in case someone was hiding in them. After clearing the house, she walked to the body in the backyard. The man was lying on his back. There wasn’t enough of his face left to identify him.

  Java pulled back his jacket with the barrel of her gun. A wallet and cellphone were in his inside pockets. She holstered her gun and pulled on gloves.

  She pocketed the man’s cellphone and rifled through his wallet. A driver’s license identified the man as Raymond Latour.

  “Damn,” Java hissed. “What the hell is going on?”

  She slipped Raymond’s wallet back into his jacket pocket. I’ll let the locals figure this one out, she thought.

  ##

  The sheriff wasted no time declaring Raymond Latour’s death a justifiable shooting in self-defense. The local crime lab ran the usual tests on Java’s gun then returned it to her.

  Penny spent a couple of hours in the emergency room as they attended to her bullet wound. Java called Karen and reported to her. “It looks like Raymond was his father’s accomplice. I’m certain Budro will try to get off by swearing Raymon
d is the only killer.”

  “No doubt it is a battle we’ll have to fight,” Karen agreed.

  Java paced the hospital waiting room putting off her call to Kat. She knew the brunette would be furious that she had left Orleans without letting her know.

  Her phone rang and Kat’s face on the screen made Java’s heart skip a beat. She took a deep breath and answered the phone.

  “I just received a phone call from Beau,” Kat’s voice wavered. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” Java answered. “I’m fine.”

  “Then I’m going to kill you when you get back,” Kat threatened. “What is wrong with you, Java Jarvis?”

  “Kat cut me some slack,” Java begged. “I’ve had the day from hell.”

  “When will you be home?” Kat asked.

  “Hopefully tomorrow morning,” Java answered. “The doctor wants to keep Penny overnight and I must drive her van back. The bullet was a clean through shot, but she’s going to be in a sling for a few weeks.”

  “I still don’t understand why you didn’t notify the rest of the team,” Kat cajoled. “That’s not like you.”

  “I thought Penny had notified everyone,” Java mumbled. “Can we discuss this when I get back?”

  “Of course,” Kat’s tone softened. “I . . . I just worry about you, baby.”

  “That’s good to know,” Java replied. “I think about you all the time.”

  “Call me as soon as you hit the Orleans city limits tomorrow,” Kat sighed. “We’ll hold down the fort until you return.”

  CHAPTER 30

  The next morning Java rushed to the hospital anxious to get Penny and return home. Penny was dressed and pacing the floor waiting for the doctor to sign her release forms.

  “You don’t act like someone who’s been used for target practice,” Java grinned.

  “If you mean I’m rearing to go,” Penny snapped. “You’ve got that right. Where’s that doctor?”

  “Right here, Ms. Short,” the doctor entered the room. “I’ve signed the release forms. You’re free to go.”

  “But you must ride to your vehicle in this chair,” a nurse pushed a wheelchair toward Penny.