by Cade Brogan
“It is,” Rylee said, removing her cap, and finger combing through her hair. She’d spent the entire day replaying the events leading up to her breakup with Kenzie. There’d been no sign of problems, no warning whatsoever. She was already stirred up, why not have dinner with her? She took a quiet breath. “After you,” she said.
Kenzie looked up when they entered.
“So what’d I forget?” Rylee offered as a greeting.
“Forget?” Kenzie asked, her eyebrows squishing together.
“Yeah,” Rylee answered, “I figured that’s why you were here.”
“No,” Kenzie responded, her thin smile exchanged for an unsettling pensive expression, “nothing like that.”
Chapter Fifteen
Kenzie closed her eyes, savoring her first bite. “Mmmmmm…”
“You know there’s nothing good about that, right?” Rylee commented, a slow smile slithering across her face. “Can’t be anything good about an entrée where one bite fulfills an entire day’s caloric requirements.” She glanced at the stove. “I mean there’s probably enough left in the pan to feed at least six-hundred.”
“Hush,” Gladys said softly, glancing to Omar and smiling.
“Mmmmmm,” Kenzie moaned. “I can’t remember the last time I had alfredo this good.” She glanced to Gladys, adding, “Probably the last time you made it for me.” Her brow crinkled. “I think it was for my birthday.”
“It was,” Gladys answered, her eyes twinkling, “I’m glad you like it, honey. I make it the same way my mama did, rich and slow.”
“Four bites and counting,” Rylee teased on. “That ought to do ya ‘til Wednesday.” Her eyes widened. “Oops, there went a bite of garlic bread.” She shook her head, making a tisking sound. “There goes Friday.”
Kenzie looked up, her chewing halted. “You are as ornery as ever, Rylee Isabelle.” Her eyes danced watching Rylee’s reaction to her response.
“Oooh, smack down,” Rylee said, palming her chest in an exaggerated manner. “Low blow.”
“See,” Kenzie said, cocking her head, “two can play at this game.” She tipped her chin down as her eyebrow rose. “So you better watch it.”
“Oooh,” Rylee answered, shoveling in a giant bite of her own, “you’re right,” she chuckled, her voice lifting playfully, “I better watch out.”
“Yes you had, Rylee Isabelle,” Kenzie responded with firm eye contact.
Gladys picked up her coffee cup. “We’ll be on the porch,” she announced, catching Omar’s eye. “Come along, dear, let’s leave these two to spar on their own.”
“It’s good to see ol’ Rylee so relaxed and jovial,” Omar commented quietly as they walked off.
“It certainly is,” Gladys responded.
***
“Refill on your drink?” Rylee offered, standing.
“No, you go ahead, I have plenty,” Kenzie said. She met her gaze as she sat back down. “I wanted us to talk,” she continued. “That’s why I came over. But I don’t think this is the time or the place.” She looked away, her lips pressed together, and her head shaking gently.
“Okay…” Rylee responded, her voice taking a lift. “But if you’re worried about my grandparents coming in, you don’t have to.”
“I’m not worried,” Kenzie said, swallowing as she met her gaze. “Just not today, okay?”
“Okay,” Rylee responded with a slow nod, “whatever you say.” As she took a breath, her posture straightened. “You could come over for dinner one evening,” she continued. “I don’t live too far from your work.”
“I’d like that,” Kenzie said, her tone soft, and contemplative. “Abby’s gone for another week.”
“How about tomorrow night?” Rylee asked. She leaned in, adding, “I could order Chinese.”
“I’d like that,” Kenzie repeated, a thin smile crossing her face. “Moo shu—”
“Pork,” Rylee finished, holding her gaze. She remembered everything about this woman, even the things she wished she didn’t. “And crab rangoon,” she added quietly.
“Yes,” Kenzie responded, gently biting her lower lip, “and crab rangoon.”
***
“Unbelievable,” Rich muttered, returning the receiver to its holder.
“What is?” Rylee asked. “Is she sending it over?” The last autopsy report had arrived within a couple of days.
“I’m not sure,” Rich answered. His mouth hung open and he shook his head. “I think you need to be the one to call her next time. She definitely likes you better.”
“Nonsense,” Rylee said, rolling her eyes. “Likes me better,” she echoed under her breath. “That’ll be the day.” She cocked her head, asking, “So, what’d she say?”
“In a nutshell?” Rich continued, “that she didn’t appreciate me calling to harass her and that she’ll send over the report when she’s damn good and ready.”
“What a bitch,” Rylee said. “Man did I ever have her pegged.”
“Yes you did,” Rich agreed.
“So, did she at least say what the poison was?” Rylee asked. “Whether it was the same?”
“It wasn’t,” Rich answered. “She said she found cicutoxin this time, which means it’s poison hemlock.”
“Okay, so at least we know that much,” Rylee said, squinting as she looked away. “Wonder why he didn’t use wolfsbane.”
“Dunno,” Rich said, popping a donut hole in his mouth, and adding, “maybe we’re wrong about it being the same guy.”
“We’re not,” Rylee said for the umpteenth time.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Rich agreed. “It’s probably the gardener boyfriend. Good lead, huh?”
“Yeah,” Rylee responded with a slow nod, “I hope so.” She shook her head. “It just feels like we’re on the wrong track somehow. I want to swing by the botanical gardens on our way over to see him. See if they have a reference on poisonous plants we can borrow.”
“Good idea,” Rich said. “Let’s drop by the church while we’re over there too. Maybe pick up the tape from yesterday, and the ones for the couple weeks prior to what you already viewed.”
“Okay,” Rylee said. “I’ll let her know.” She swiped the screen of her smartphone, telling Kenzie the plan and moving on to personal business. “Uh-huh…Oh yeah…Uh-huh,” Rylee continued, smiling. “Like I’m gonna mess with your fortune cookie before you get there.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “Okay, then…” She bit her lower lip. “See ya in a bit.” When she ended the call, she found Rich waiting to meet her gaze.
“Uh-huh…Oh yeah…Uh-huh,” he teased with considerable exaggeration. “Now don’t you be messing with my fortune cookie… Messing with her fortune cookie,” he laughed, shaking his head. “Somebody’s getting it on with her old girlfriend.”
“And somebody’s got an overactive imagination,” Rylee said, averting his gaze. She adjusted her 9mm. “You coming?” she asked, stepping away.
“I’m coming,” Rich said, laughing. “Uh-huh…Oh yeah…Uh-huh.”
“Shut-up Winters,” Rylee muttered, suppressing a smile as they made their way through the bullpen. Thank God, most of the detectives were already out on cases.
***
The white male in his mid-thirties wore coveralls and a white t-shirt. He switched off his trimmer and looked up when the unmarked squad car pulled into his driveway.
Rylee got out as Rich completed his radio transmission to the precinct. “Good morning,” she greeted, moving toward him. “You Marcus?” she asked.
“Yeah,” the guy said, “what’s this about?”
“We just need to talk with you for a minute,” Rylee responded, her eyes darting to the door. “That your wife?” she asked, referring to the young blonde in shorts so short that they’d hardly been worth putting on.
Marcus shook his head. “No, my girlfriend,” he answered, rubbing the back of his neck. He stole a quick glance down the south si
de of the property. “So, what’s the problem?” he asked.
Rylee stepped closer. “Like I said,” she answered, noting that his blinking had become more rapid, “I hope we don’t have one.” Her finger twitched softly against her weapon as his hand movements became flighty. “We just need to talk to you,” she said. “Nothing to worry about. We just need you to answer a couple of questions for us.”
Marcus flung the gas-powered trimmer into her face. It bounced off of her chest as he bolted.
Rylee took off after him, had him pinned by the time Rich got there.
“You okay?” Rich asked.
“Couldn’t be better,” Rylee said, her eyes narrow, and her lips pressed flat. Fleeing a police officer was not, by itself, illegal, which means she’d have had to let him go, had he not assaulted her. “You’re under arrest,” she said, yanking him to his feet, and securing his hands behind his back.
Marcus jerked.
Belligerent bastard, Rylee thought. See how cocky you are after we get a search warrant. “Settle down, bud,” she said sternly, jerking back. “You have the right to remain silent,” she continued, “and anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” She opened the back door of the squad car. “You have the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford one, one will be provided for you at no cost.” Unfortunately, now he’d lawyer-up and wouldn’t say a word. “You understand your rights?” she asked, making direct eye contact.
“Yeah, I understand ‘em,” Marcus spat, jerking as he added, “Get your hands off me, Dyke.”
“Okay,” Rylee continued with a slow breath, “so with your rights in mind, are you willing to speak with us?”
“Not on your life, pig,” Marcus shot back. His eyes widened with a glance to his girlfriend. “I’ll take that free attorney you talked about.”
“Watch your head,” Rylee warned, shielding the top of it with her palm as she maneuvered the suspect into the backseat of the squad car. It wasn’t until she dropped in on the passenger side that she noticed the blood. “Crap,” she muttered, checking the mirror, and applying pressure to the gash on her forehead.
“Might need a stitch or two,” Rich said.
“Maybe,” Rylee answered, checking the mirror again, “but it might be slowing down.” She dabbed the wound gingerly. “Let’s get him booked,” she added, “then, if it hasn’t stopped, I’ll have you drop me off at the ER.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Rich responded.
Chapter Sixteen
Two, three, and four-story red brick buildings lined the street on both sides. Rylee’s was the only one with rounded bay windows. The structure had the look of an upscale office building that had been refurbished and sold off as condos. All of the buildings had steps, usually three, leading down to the concrete sidewalk. There were no trees or flowers. The urban dwelling birds had fallen silent by the time Kenzie made her way to the door.
Rylee’s voice came through the speaker within a moment of her finger leaving the round golden button. “I’ll buzz you in,” she promised as the ‘L’ rumbled nearby on its overhead track. With that came the shriek of an obnoxiously loud buzzer.
“Thanks,” Kenzie responded, “I’ll be up in a minute.” She said hello to a middle-aged woman with a small dog as she made her way to the elevator. The woman nodded but didn’t reciprocate the greeting. So impersonal, she’d never understood how Rylee could be drawn to the inner city. She pressed ‘2,’ the doors hissed closed, and then reopened. She followed the arrow pointing toward condos two-ten through two-fourteen. Two-ten’s door was ajar. “Hey there,” she chirped with a broad smile. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
“No problem at all,” Rylee responded, smiling back. “Come on in.”
“What happened to your face?” Kenzie asked, her eyes full of concern.
“Oh, this?” Rylee responded, touching her butterfly stitches. “I ran into a trimmer shield.”
“A what?” Kenzie asked, her eyes widening as an eyebrow lifted.
“A trimmer shield,” Rylee said again. “You know, the guard that’s on your grass trimmer.”
“Oh…okay,” Kenzie said, making a face.
“Well, actually, it ran into me,” Rylee continued, turning toward the kitchen. “Can I get you a drink?” she asked. “I’ve got pretty much all the ones you used to like.” She’d stopped at the grocery store on the way home from the hospital.
“Strawberry Crush?” Kenzie asked.
“Yep, Strawberry Crush,” Rylee answered.
“I don’t think I’ve had that since college,” Kenzie said, her eyes sparkling, “How fun.”
“Well, you’ll have it tonight,” Rylee responded with a wink. “I remember how much you used to like it on vanilla ice cream.” She retrieved the bottle from the refrigerator and twisted off the cap. “You want it over ice?”
“Yes, please,” Kenzie said, still studying her injury. “So, how’d you say that happened again?” she asked.
“A suspect hurled a trimmer at me,” Rylee said, briefly meeting her eye, “just before I arrested his ass for assault and took him to jail.”
Kenzie sighed softly. “I always knew you’d walk in your grandpa’s footsteps,” she said. “Always knew it. I used to wake up some nights,” she continued with a swallow, “thinking about what I’d do if an officer showed up in the wee hours of the morning to tell me you weren’t coming home.” She felt tears burn behind her eyelids. “Did you know your grandma did that all the way up until the night before your grandpa retired?” she asked.
Rylee nodded, her breath catching in her throat. “Yeah,” she responded, “but what I do is nowhere near as dangerous as what he did. Being a homicide detective is nothing like working the streets in narcotics.” Their gazes locked softly. “You have to believe me, Kenz, it’s different. You know I wouldn’t lie to you.”
“I know,” Kenzie responded, “but different or not, you could still be shot.” She shook her head, adding, “or clobbered by a trimmer guard.” With her next breath, she forced herself to move on. “But it’s not my business,” she said, “and I need to stay out of it.” She smiled thinly. “I’m just glad you’re okay, that’s all.”
Rylee cleared her throat, sliding her hands into her pockets. “Chinese should be here in fifteen minutes or so,” she blurted out, the knot still heavy in her stomach. “Want to take a look around?”
“Sure I do,” Kenzie answered, smiling. “Your place is totally you.”
“Thanks…I think,” Rylee responded with the raise of an eyebrow. It had an eclectic look, more functional than color coordinated. “Got another coonhound,” she announced. “His name’s Buckshot.” She turned to catch Kenzie’s eye with a gentle smile. “You’ll like him. I think he kind of looks like Wrigley, especially in the face.”
“I’m sure I will,” Kenzie responded. Wrigley had been their dog when they were on 53rd, back when she thought they’d spend their lives together. It hadn’t dawned on her that she’d missed having one until then. Maybe she should think about getting one for Abby. She’d like that. She trailed behind Rylee to the largest bedroom. “Well hello. Buckshot,” she greeted, lowering down to rub the canine’s ears, “what a cute name you have. I’ll bet you’re some kind of hunter.” She glanced back to Rylee. “You’re right,” she said, “he does look like Wrigley, and more than just in his face. With his black mottled coat and tan markings over his eyes, he could’ve been their old dog’s twin.
“That’ll be dinner,” Rylee announced when the bell rang. She sprinted down the hall, pressing the button, and saying, “I’m buzzing you in. Come on up. Two-ten, first door on your right.” She released the button and left the door ajar. “We’ll have to split the crab rangoon three ways,” she said, “because Buckshot loves ‘em.” She met her dog’s eye on the way to the kitchen. “You go lay down until I call you,” she said firmly. She smiled as he walked off. “Our new trick,” she bragged with a wide smile. �
��Impressive, huh?”
“Very,” Kenzie responded. “He’s definitely smarter than Wrigley was.” She looked up when a woman with similar skin tone pushed through the door. Her well-defined body reminded Kenzie that she hadn’t visited the gym in quite a while.
“Just set it on the table,” Rylee called out as ice cubes clinked in the background. “I paid by credit card.”
“Excuse me,” the woman said, her eyes surveying Kenzie up and down as she stepped by.
Kenzie cocked her head, frowning, eyeing her as well.
“Looks like I arrived just in time for dinner,” the woman said, touching Rylee’s shoulder from behind. She tiptoed up to kiss her cheek, adding, “I hope you ordered crab rangoon.”
Kenzie clenched her teeth. It doesn’t matter, she told herself. She took a deep breath through her nose and let it go. You both have lives of your own now.
Rylee turned, glancing briefly at her, and then back to the woman. “Chastity,” she growled, exhaling. “What the hell are you doing here?” She slammed the ice cube tray onto the counter, leaving those that bounced where they were. She looked over, desperate to catch Kenzie’s eye.
“Don’t be mad, honey,” Chastity said, her voice dripping with sensuality. “I’m just looking for my necklace,” she added. “You know, the one my daddy got me for my birthday, the one with the emerald and little diamonds?” She tilted her head. “I can’t imagine where I could have lost it. You care if I go back and check the bedroom?”
“Make it quick,” Rylee snapped, pinching her brow. “And then get on your way.” She swallowed hard when she met Kenzie’s gaze.
Kenzie poked her tongue into her cheek and collected her purse off the couch. “You go ahead and see to your company,” she said with a stiff smile. “We’ll do this another time.”
“Kenzie…wait,” Rylee said, her hands animated as she moved toward her. “Wait, Kenz… please. This isn’t what you think.”
