Close Enough to Touch (Rylee Hayes Thriller Book 1)

by Cade Brogan

  “Ahhh, yes,” Joanna responded, licking her lips, “I remember her. Wasn’t she the one with the butterfly tattoo?”

  “Yeah,” Rylee said, flipping open her notebook, “that’s her.”

  Joanna’s smile hardened. “Well, obviously I’ve not had the opportunity to review my notes,” she said, inhaling a long breath, “but I’ll see if I can help you.”

  “Thanks,” Rylee responded, thinking, bitch, “I’d appreciate that.” She glanced at the page and then up. “So about wolfsbane,” she continued, “I’ve been doing some reading…” She paused. “And I was just wondering, how you knew that’s what it was that killed her?”

  “I didn’t,” Joanna responded, cocking her head with direct eye contact. “Did you read my report?” she asked, lifting both eyebrows.

  Arrogant bitch, Rylee thought. Of course I read your report.

  “I’d say not,” Joanna continued, “because if you had, you’d know that the cause of death was asphyxia. I had suspicions with regard to underlying causes, but that’s all.” She smirked, shaking her head. “I suppose I could’ve mentioned the plant as a possible contributing factor, but I couldn’t have given you more than that because it wasn’t there to be had.” She pursed her lips. “I’d have to check my notes to see exactly what I said.” She exhaled loudly. “But there’s no way I can work that in before the week after next,” she added.

  “Week after next is fine,” Rylee said, reaching into her pocket for her smartphone. “Why don’t we go ahead and schedule an appointment.” If there was one thing she knew for sure, it was that Rich’s notes were accurate. Interesting that Joanna would say something during the autopsy that she’d later deny she could’ve known. Rylee looked forward to exploring the topic.

  “Certainly,” Joanna responded, flashing a pasted-on smile, “let’s do that.”

  Rylee entered the date on her calendar and extended her hand. “Thanks for taking time to meet with me,” she said, meeting her gaze. “Just trying to figure a couple things out.”

  “No problem, today was relatively light,” Joanna responded, standing to walk her to the door. “You said you had a couple questions,” she added, “but you only asked one.”

  “Yeah, I did,” Rylee answered, smiling thinly, “but the other one can wait until next week.” She tipped her cap, saying, “Have a good weekend.”

  ***

  Rylee dialed Kenzie’s number as she was heading for the parking lot, pressing ‘speaker’ when she answered. “Do I have time to make a quick stop?” she asked. “I’m thinking about going to church with you on Sunday and need to pick up some clothes.” She wanted to see if the woman was there. If she was in attendance, she’d interview her.

  “Okay…” Kenzie responded, drawing out the word with a slight lift to her voice.

  “That’s okay, isn’t it?” Rylee asked. “I mean it’s for my case,” she added, “so we wouldn’t have to walk in or sit together or anything.”

  “Of course it’s okay,” Kenzie responded. “All of it. You just surprised me, that’s all.”

  “Yeah, I’ll bet,” Rylee chuckled, shifting back to the reason she’d called. “So, do I have time to stop?” she asked.

  “As long as you’re not too long,” Kenzie answered. “I have a cheese soufflé in the oven that won’t be as good if I have to re-heat it.”

  “Thirty minutes,” Rylee said, “that’s all I need.” With the late shift and a stop, dinner would already be late.

  “That’s fine,” Kenzie responded, asking, “you want a spinach or lettuce salad?”

  “Spinach…like you used to make,” Rylee answered. “You know, with the mandarin oranges and almonds?”

  “I know,” Kenzie chuckled softly. “The ingredients are already set out on the counter.”

  ***

  Rylee parked in the loading zone, collected her mail, and sprinted up the stairs.

  “You been on vacation?” the woman in two-fourteen asked.

  “No, just staying a few nights with my girlfriend,” Rylee responded, bending down to pet her dog. “Come to think of it,” she added, smiling, “I guess that is kind of a vacation.”

  “I’d say,” the woman said, smiling back. “Well, have a good evening,” she added, stepping onto the elevator.

  “You too,” Rylee said, walking briskly to two-ten, and inserting her key. As her door hinge squeaked, Mr. Calissi appeared in his doorway. “Hey there,” she said. “Sorry I missed you the other day.”

  “We were at home,” Mr. Calissi said. “Just didn’t get to the door before you left.” He chuckled, adding, “You young people, always in a hurry.”

  “Yeah,” Rylee said, shaking her head with a smile, “just like I am tonight. Something you wanted to tell me?”

  “Just that you had a visitor,” he said, “the night you got called out.” The old guy didn’t move so fast, but he heard everything around him. “I think your company was in there, but she didn’t come to the door.”

  “Okay, well, thanks,” Rylee answered, nodding as she stepped off. “Hard to tell who it was.”

  “What I wanted to be sure you knew,” he continued, “was that I think she was messing around with your lock.” He lifted both eyebrows, making direct eye contact. “That, and she said she was there to see you, but she didn’t knock.”

  Rylee cocked her head, moving back. “She?” she asked.

  “Yeah, she,” the neighbor said, nodding. “A young woman. Couldn’t see much of her though. Couldn’t even tell what color her hair was.” He nodded, narrowing his eyes. “That’s what made me suspicious of her. Warm as all get out, inside and out, and there she was all covered up under this scarf that did absolutely nothing for her.”

  Rylee swallowed. “You talk to her?”

  “For a minute,” Mr. Calissi responded. “I no more than stepped out my door though, than she got all shifty-eyed, and skittered off. Said she’d come back later or something, but I haven’t seen her come back around.”

  “And you’re sure it wasn’t my old girlfriend?” Rylee asked.

  “Chastity?” he asked, shaking his head. “No, oh no, it wasn’t her.”

  “Okay, well, thanks for telling me,” Rylee said, her stomach hardening like cement in the hot sun. “I’d better get going.”

  “You’re welcome,” he responded. “One of these days, we want to have you over for meatloaf.” He nodded. “Your new girlfriend too if you want.”

  “Sounds good,” Rylee responded, saying again that she needed to get going.

  “See ya Sunday,” he said, closing his door.

  Rylee visually inspected the lock before going in. She didn’t see any sign of tampering but would have it dusted just to be sure. She grabbed her blue suit on its hanger, planning to wear it without a tie. The last thing she wanted was to flip Kenzie’s church people out. Dress trousers and a jacket were probably as much as they could tolerate. She started her engine, dialing Kenzie’s number as she pulled out.

  Chapter Thirty

  Joanna ducked down as Rylee emerged from the building. Her stop had been unexpected, which was exactly why she’d opted to shadow her. She had to be sure of her whereabouts before making her move on Kenzie. She rose up, ever so slightly to peek out. Rylee nodded to a neighbor and climbed into her truck, the beam of her headlights bathing the cars in the circle drive before shining down the road. Joanna started her engine, speeding off, miles above the speed limit for several blocks. Her senses were heightened, watching for cops. They clipped along—way too fast—on an unfamiliar route. “Where in the world are you going?” she asked out loud. When Rylee stopped at the traffic light, she stopped seven lengths back. To her right, a neon sign flashed, ‘rooms for rent by the hour.’ To her left were mom-and-pop businesses with bars on their windows. She rolled her car window up and checked to assure that her doors were locked. Sodom and Gomorrah, she thought. Some shortcut. When the light turned green, she breathed a sigh of
relief, shaking her head when Rylee left rubber on the pavement. They slowed, approaching the blue house. When Rylee turned into the driveway, Joanna pulled over, carefully avoiding the streetlight. She turned off her engine, rolling down her window, and breathing in the sweet smell of spring after a rain. Thunder rumbled softly in the distance as she opened the water meter application on her phone, noting that the low-flow indicator was hardly moving. She collected her night vision binoculars from the glove box and got comfortable. She was sure they hadn’t had dinner and the shower would come much later.

  ***

  Rylee took a bite, closing her eyes. “Mmmm,” she moaned, “so good.” She moaned again, chewing slowly to savor the bite. “Did you always put bacon in it?” she asked, swallowing.

  “No,” Kenzie responded, smiling, “not always, just when I was gonna serve it as the main course.”

  “Oh, okay,” Rylee said, “because I didn’t remember it being in there before.” She looked up, saying, “I like it.”

  “I’m glad,” Kenzie said, taking a bite.

  “I like everything you make,” Rylee added, forking spinach salad, and meeting her eye. “I like that you cook for me.”

  “You’re easy to please,” Kenzie responded, smiling thinly.

  “I don’t think so,” Rylee said with a mouthful, “but thanks.”

  Kenzie took a breath before changing the topic. “So…” she said quietly, “Abby comes home tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Rylee responded, her chewing halted. She swallowed hard, meeting her eye. “Look,” she continued, “we’ll get this serial bitch sooner or later…” She shook her head; her lips pressed tightly together. “But until we do…” Her head continued to shake and she exhaled loudly. “Until then, I’ve just gotta be around here on Sundays.”

  “I know,” Kenzie said, “and that’s okay.” She hesitated before continuing with what was on her mind. “I just wanted us to talk about it again.” She swallowed, peering into her eyes. “It’s just gonna be hard, that’s all.”

  “What is, Kenzie?” Rylee asked directly. Her face tightened when she looked up. “Dating me or telling your kid that we are?”

  “Both,” Kenzie responded, crossing her arms, and adding, “Until I tell her.” She fingered her garnet necklace. “I know it’ll end up being okay,” she continued, “I know it will. Once I tell her.” She took a breath, releasing it, and sighing, “I hope.”

  “I need to get some air,” Rylee said quietly, glancing to the corner. “Come on, Buckshot.” She clipped on his leash and stepped onto the porch.

  Kenzie followed. “Here,” she said, offering a small umbrella, “You might need this.”

  “Thanks,” Rylee responded, “I won’t be long.”

  ***

  Joanna perked up. Right on schedule, she thought. She lowered down as Rylee walked by on the opposite side, feeling certain that she hadn’t noticed her. She glanced at her watch, nine o’clock. Close, so close, she thought, feeling fluttery in the pit of her stomach. As Rylee moved out of sight, she lifted up, sliding her fingers down the leg of her pants to double-check the syringes and blowpipe. Ready when you are, she thought. She furrowed her brow as Kenzie stepped onto the porch. She watched her look both ways and then go back inside. She looked worried, like maybe they’d fought. If so, Joanna hoped they’d have time to smooth things over before she took her life. She ducked down when Rylee retraced the path she’d just walked, glancing once again at her watch, nine twenty-five. At nine-thirty, she pressed ‘speaker’ and dialed. “Are you in position?” she asked without saying ‘hello.’

  “Yes, ma’am,” the courier said, “with your parcel on the seat beside me.”

  “That’s good,” Joanna responded. “Stand by for my call.”

  “Will do,” the courier answered. “And you want me to say what you told me, right?”

  “Correct,” Joanna said curtly, repeating, “stand by for my call.”

  ***

  With each creak of the old steps, Rylee resolved to get a handle on her emotions, to act like an adult. In recent days, she’d been like a firecracker, her fuse lit, and ready to go off. “There you go,” she said, releasing Buckshot. She headed for the kitchen, certain that Kenzie would still be finishing up. “I’m sorry,” she said softly, gathering her into her arms. She kissed her forehead and held her close. “I’ll get my head wrapped around this, I promise.”

  “I know you will,” Kenzie responded, adjusting the dishtowel she’d tossed over her shoulder. “And I am going to tell her,” she said more forcefully. She took a breath and released it slowly. “I just didn’t want to do it the second she walked through the door.” She shook her head. “Not after she’s been gone for almost two weeks.”

  “I get that,” Rylee responded, brushing Kenzie’s cheek with her fingertips.

  “And before I do tell her,” Kenzie continued, swallowing hard, “I have to figure out what comes next.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean,” Rylee asked, holding a breath.

  “The sleeping together part,” Kenzie responded, biting her lip. “It’s not the way I taught her, you know?” She crossed her arms, taking a deep breath. “I’d be furious if she came home and announced she was having premarital sex with some boy.”

  “She’s a kid, Kenz,” Rylee responded, locking gazes, “and we’re grown-ups.”

  “I know that,” Kenzie said, “but I raised her to have what I thought were my values.”

  Rylee’s jaw tightened as she stepped to the window. Her eyes narrowed as she peeled back the shade, looking out.

  Kenzie followed, slipping her arms around her from behind. “I’m not saying we’re not gonna have sex,” she said quietly, laying her cheek between Rylee’s shoulder blades, “I’m just saying that it’s gonna be hard to explain that we are to my daughter.”

  “Everything’s fine and then it’s not,” Rylee responded, her upper lip curling. “One minute you’re in a different place and the next you have a problem. I can’t get a grip on what you want from me.”

  “Patience,” Kenzie choked softly, “that’s all.” She met her gaze directly. “This is huge, Rye, and I need a minute to think about my daughter.”

  “Take five,” Rylee said, walking off.

  Kenzie followed. “What’d I say?” she asked, taking a seat beside her on the couch. “I didn’t mean that you were impatient with me. I just meant that patience was what I needed from you right now.”

  “I know,” Rylee responded, looking over, and falling silent. “Sorry I keep acting like a jerk.” She shook her head. “I just can’t seem to help myself.”

  “You never act like a jerk,” Kenzie responded with tender eye contact, “not even in your worst moments.” She palmed her cheek, adding, “I wish you’d tell me what’s going on with you.”

  “Nothing you need to worry about,” Rylee answered with a slow shake of her head. “Just dealing, that’s all.”

  ***

  An upstairs light switched on in the hallway.

  The remaining living room lamp switched off.

  Rylee was heading up.

  The master bedroom light switched on. Soon, Kenzie would take her shower.

  Joanna dialed, ordering, “Now. Call me when it’s done.” She wet her lips, checking her watch, ten-nineteen. Not long now, she thought, her fingers twitching against the syringes in her pocket. It was unfortunate that the detective would be the one to find her. But she asked for it, she told herself. “That she did,” she responded, nodding. When her cell rang, she answered, “yes,” on speaker.

  “Package delivered,” the courier reported. “I told her what you told me to tell her…Bought it hook, line, and sinker… Couldn’t wait to get me off her porch.”

  “Excellent,” Joanna responded. “I’ll wire your payment shortly.” With that, she terminated the call. Not long now, she thought, smiling. Not long at all.

  Chapter Thirty-One
r />   Like storm clouds on the horizon, the tension had built throughout the evening. It was the last night before the kid came home. Why couldn’t Rylee just do what she needed to do? She sucked in a breath, fearing that after tomorrow, everything would be ruined. If only she’d been able to talk things through, to talk ‘em through like a normal person would do. She knows you better than anyone, she told herself. She knows you’re not always rational when it comes to your feelings. She wouldn’t have given you a hard time. She’d have just listened patiently and helped you work it through. She’d have helped you like she always used to do. She climbed the stairs with less pep than usual. Shake it off, she told herself. Don’t take this into the bedroom. She took a deep breath, resolving to make the most of what was left of the evening. In no time, her mood had lifted, and she was enjoying the view. God, she was beautiful.

  Kenzie slid her shorts down and lifted her t-shirt, tossing both items into the laundry. When she caught Rylee’s eye, a slow smile eclipsed her mouth. “Hi,” she said softly, biting her lower lip. “How long have you been standing there?”

  “A while,” Rylee responded, strongly aware of her own heartbeat.

  “You’re in a better mood,” Kenzie murmured, smiling back, “I’m glad.” Her gaze lingered, and her lips parted.

  “I am,” Rylee said, taking a breath as a warm flood reached her center. “Come here,” she murmured, sitting down on the end of the pillow-top bed. “I want to hold you.”

  “I need to take a shower,” Kenzie responded with firm eye contact. “Then, I’m all yours.”

  “Come here,” Rylee repeated in a steady, lower-pitched tone. She spread her legs, aching to touch her. “Just for a minute. Then, you can take your shower. I promise.”

  “I know that look,” Kenzie murmured, touching her throat, and coming toward her.