Not Quite Right (Indigo Love Spectrum)

by Tammy Williams

  Rogers motioned to the empty chair next to the mayor. “Yes, McGraw, sit down. We need to discuss some things.”

  Steed sat and took a cursory glance at the mayor. “What is it?” he asked.

  Mayor Benjamin turned sideways in the chair. “You were the lead investigator in the Warwick case, correct?”

  “Yes, sir, I was,” Steed replied, hating that stupid question. He had been the only detective back then. Malena Holston, a sorority sister of Jackie’s, had been hired as the newest detective a month earlier. Steed liked her. It was different sharing office space with a woman who loved plants and goldfish, but Malena was hard-core. A wife, mother, and great detective, Malena handled her business. “The Warwick case has been closed for two months. Is there a problem?”

  “I would say there is,” Rogers answered. “I want you to take a look at this and tell me what you make of it.” He tossed a file to the edge of the desk.

  Steed picked up the manila folder and scanned the four pages within. “It’s fingerprints, sir,” he said, not quite understanding the point of all this.

  “You notice anything about these particular prints?”

  “There are at least two different sets. A couple of the pages have the different prints together.”

  “That’s right, Detective,” said the mayor. “Can you guess why that is?”

  Steed rubbed his clean-shaven chin, getting a strong suspicion this meeting wasn’t about his promotion. “I can’t begin to guess, Mayor. What’s the problem?”

  “The problem is those are two different sets of fingerprints. One set belongs to Kenneth Warwick, and the other to a man named Jason Hyde.”

  “Jason Hyde? Should that name mean something to me?”

  “Yes, I think it should,” Rogers answered. “Seems his fingerprints were on the gun that killed Kenneth Warwick.” Rogers clasped his hands and leaned over the desk. “Think you can explain that to me?”

  * * *

  Darci placed the last of her knick-knacks on the fireplace mantle, kicked the box labeled “Living Room” to the flattened stack in the corner, and scanned the room. As she’d expected, her overstuffed peach-colored living room group complemented the crème-colored carpeting and walls perfectly. With her paintings, her photos, and her crystal figurines all around, Darci’s old home was officially her new home, and it felt strange and exciting.

  Up-and-coming professionals of every race and nationality had transformed the working middle class neighborhood to an upwardly mobile suburbia. Laughing children played at the corner park constructed five years earlier, while their sitters read romance novels or gabbed about the latest gossip while managing to keep a watchful eye. Things were different, but one thing remained the same, the neighborhood was about family. And even with Jackie, Carl, and their brood a few houses away, Darci didn’t have one. At least not like the ones surrounding her on every side.

  Darci walked over to Jackie and her doctor husband, Carl, who were sprawled on the couch taking a much-deserved breather. “Okay, I think we’re done,” she said, plopping next to Jackie.

  “I can’t speak for my wife, but I’ve been done since I pulled this couch in here.” Carl grunted as he rotated his shoulder. “My young brothers-in-law didn’t waste any time leaving once that U-Haul hit the driveway,” he said.

  “In their defense, Tommy and Jay did fly to New York, load the truck, drive it here, and help take most of the items out when we arrived.”

  “Yeah, well, they could have helped take them all out. They’re younger than me. What about Steed? Did the card accompanying that large bouquet of peach roses he sent over explain his absence?”

  Darci smiled. Just the mention of Steed’s name made her feel like some silly schoolgirl, and gave her more than a passing thought of achieving the family her home was missing.

  She leaned forward, inhaling the fragrant display on her coffee table. “Steed had to work, but I’ll see him later.”

  “From the glow on your face, I can tell you’re counting the minutes until he’s here,” Jackie teased.

  Darci’s face grew warm. “I’m not glowing.”

  “No, you’re blushing,” Jackie corrected with a laugh. “You really missed him, huh?”

  “Yeah, I did. I can’t believe how much I did.”

  “Okay,” Carl said, standing. “It sounds like girl talk is coming on, and I’m not in the mood to listen. So, I’m gonna let you girls have your talk. I’ll drive home and take a nap before my shift at the hospital.”

  “I didn’t mean to run you off, Carl. Actually, I was about to order up some lunch. I wouldn’t have been able to get this place settled without you two.”

  “We didn’t mind helping, and I don’t mind leaving. I have the E.R. tonight, so a nice nap will do me a whole lot of good.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. You ladies enjoy your talk.”

  “Thanks again, Carl.”

  “You’re welcome.” Carl gave Jackie a kiss and whispered something in her ear that evoked a giddy laugh.

  Darci grinned. She loved watching them. After eighteen years of marriage, Jackie and Carl still acted like newlyweds. “I see the magic is still alive,” she said as Carl walked out the front door.

  “When you have the right man, it’s very easy to keep the fire burning. His long hours at the hospital and my late classes at the university sometimes make finding time a challenge, but we love each other, so we make it work.” Jackie clutched Darci’s hand. “Now, about you and Steed?”

  “What about us?”

  “You tell me. You’ve been seeing quite a bit of him.”

  “I haven’t seen him in a week.”

  “Only because you were out of town. “I bet you talked to him every night.”

  The warmth in Darci’s cheeks returned.

  Jackie laughed. “I got my answer.” She kicked off her sneakers and pulled her feet up under her bottom. “This is great, Darci. Steed’s a good man.”

  “He is a good man. He certainly keeps me guessing.” Darci laughed. “My first impression of Steed was that he was a gorgeous jerk, but there’s so much more to him than a hot body and bad attitude. He’s sweet, very polite and well-mannered, and he has a crazy sense of humor. He’s not the most talkative guy in the world by any stretch, but you mention police work and he’s off. Then, there’s another part of him. Steed’s had a lot of pain in his life.”

  “In regard to his father?”

  “Yeah. Sometimes, I think he’s about to tell me more about it, but then he stops. He’ll change the subject, or divert my attention with um—” She cleared her throat. “Other things.”

  “Other things?” Jackie said, bobbing her head.

  “Not that other thing,” Darci readily answered, feeling where her cousin was headed. “Not quite.”

  “Does Steed know about…”

  “It hasn’t come up.”

  Jackie laughed. “I won’t touch that one, Darci, it’s too easy. But seriously, you’ll have to address this soon.”

  “Maybe not.”

  “How do you figure?”

  “Because I think I’m in love. That changes things.”

  “You think you love Steed?”

  “Yeah, I really think I do, but I don’t know.” Darci sighed. “I came home for my best friend’s funeral, and even after two months, I haven’t accepted he could have killed himself. But somehow, because of Steed, I’ve been able to make a grudging peace with what the facts show.”

  Jackie shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

  “Neither do I. Like I said, I think I love Steed, but I still don’t think Kenny could commit suicide. And I’ll admit it’s crazy to think that, but I do. Which is why I’m confused about my feelings for Steed. Do I know I love him, if I can’t know Kenny killed himself, even when everything says he did? How can I be sure of one when I can’t be sure of the other, and they both feel so absolutely right?”

  “I’m good at solving problems, so l
ong as they are of the math variety. I can’t help you with this one, but you know who can. Talk to Steed when he comes over tonight.”

  “And tell him what? I think I love you, but I think Kenny didn’t kill himself, too?”

  “You don’t think he already knows that last part?”

  “I don’t think he does, and why should he? It’s what we butted heads over from the very beginning. My disagreeing with him put a question on his ability to do his job. Who wouldn’t be angry about that? Steed’s a great cop, he’s up for a promotion, and I’m not going to upset him with my feelings, especially when it won’t change anything.” Darci hugged a pillow to her chest and sighed. “This worries me,” she said. “As a reporter, I’m trained to keep my personal opinions out of my stories, and I do that, but Kenny committing suicide is so wrong. And granted, this is emotional for me, but I’m keeping my reporter’s mind here. And my facts tell me Kenny wouldn’t do this. To accept he did will destroy everything.”

  “Come again?”

  “My instinct. As a reporter, it’s easy to get things to click because facts make it easy. But this doesn’t click. These facts are off. How can I continue to do my job well and trust my feelings for Steed when I have questions about facts I shouldn’t have? I don’t doubt Steed’s ability for one second, but I know Kenny. What am I supposed to do with this?”

  “Talk to Steed.” Darci’s cell phone rang. “Maybe that’s him now,” Jackie said.

  Darci checked the caller ID and rolled her eyes. “No such luck.” She placed the phone to her ear. “Yes, Eva.”

  Jackie stood and pointed toward the hall. “I’ll be in your bedroom,” she mouthed.

  Darci nodded as Jackie disappeared into the bedroom.

  “Where have you been?” Eva asked, her tone sharp.

  “Away,” Darci answered. “Are you ready for rehab?”

  “I’m not going to any damn rehab. I don’t need it.”

  “Then I don’t think we have anything to discuss.”

  “I need to get into Kenny’s house.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “I think I left something when I stayed there. The key I have doesn’t work anymore.”

  “Because I had the locks changed. Tell me what you left and I’ll get it for you.” Darci grimaced. Why did she said that? She hadn’t been near Kenny’s house since the shooting, and she was in no rush to go. She’d allowed Mr. Clayton access to have the place cleaned, the wall repaired, and the locks changed, but going in herself…

  “I can get it myself,” Eva said.

  “Feel free, if you can find your way in without breaking any windows or locks.”

  “It’s my brother’s house.”

  “That he left to me, and I won’t let you in there to find things to pawn to support your habit.”

  “Fine! It’s a ring. A diamond and emerald ring. I must have dropped it when I used the shower in Kenny’s master bath. I took it off in the bedroom and it’s probably somewhere around there. Just find it and let me know when you do.”

  Abrupt silence followed Eva’s words. Darci tossed the phone on the table and cursed herself. Why did she let herself get caught up in Eva’s crap?

  * * *

  Kenny watched as Eva paced the room. He’d seen less anxious lions in cages at the zoo. She clearly needed a hit, and her constant motion was making him dizzy. He rubbed his face, feeling the wiry whiskers that had grown. He glanced at his reflection in the toilet/sink. With the beard and his hair growing out, he looked like caveman. He’d been here way too long. “Stop the pacing, Eva. It’s not helping,” he said.

  “The only thing that will help is for me to get my money. Are you sure this is going to work?”

  “Did Fritz put the letter in the house?”

  “Would he have gone through so much trouble to get a key to those new locks if he hadn’t?”

  “Then Darci will find it.” Kenny drew a breath. “She’ll find the letter, read that I reconsidered forcing you into rehab, and then you’ll get your money.”

  Eva’s glazed eyes brightened. “I’ll get my money?”

  “Yes.”

  Her squeals of delight filled the room. “Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.” She clasped her hands together. “What I can do with that.”

  “I can only imagine.”

  Kenny closed his eyes. This letter, the bridge that would lead Eva to his money, was also his only hope for salvation. Please, God, let Darci remember the code. She had to find him and get him out of this mess.

  * * *

  “There’s been a mistake.” Steed closed the file and dropped it on Rogers’ desk. “Those prints belonged to Kenneth Warwick.”

  Jacob crossed his arms. “And how do you know that?”

  Steed frowned. The mayor’s tone was a lot harsher and a whole lot more accusing than he liked. Jacob Benjamin could be upset about losing Darci, whom he never had in the first place, but intimating Steed didn’t perform his job correctly was another thing.

  Struggling to keep his growing anger in check, Steed met Jacob’s gaze and addressed his question. “I know because I saw the gun by Warwick’s hand. CSU tested the prints and they came back as Kenneth Warwick’s. I studied the scene inside and out. It was suicide.”

  “How do you explain Jason Hyde’s fingerprints?”

  “I can’t explain them. Who is Jason Hyde?”

  “That’s what you need to find out, McGraw.” Rogers handed over the file. “Holston can help you with the details.”

  Steed dropped the folder to his lap. “How did this come about anyway? The case was closed. What made you look again?”

  “You were up for a promotion, Detective. A promotion that hinged upon how you handled this case,” the mayor answered. “I wanted to ensure all T’s were crossed and I’s dotted. I guess it’s a good thing I checked.”

  Steed rolled his eyes. Yeah, just great. “Actually, Mayor, this promotion hinged upon how I handled Darci and her thoughts on this case. She didn’t want to believe her friend killed himself, and it was put upon me to convince her of the truth.”

  Mayor Benjamin sat up in his chair. “Is she convinced?”

  Instead of answering with the true response of ‘No,’ Steed said, “The case was closed, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, it was.”

  Steed gritted his teeth as he glared at the mayor. It took all he had not to flatten him.

  Rogers cleared his throat, pulling Steed’s attention from the mayor. “McGraw, just get with Holston and look into this,” he said. “The last thing we need is for word to get out that something has gone awry with this case.”

  “Yes, sir, I’ll get right on it.”

  “You do that,” Benjamin added in his authoritarian way. “I understand Darci will be anchoring the local news in Warwick’s place. It will not bode well for any of us if this case is not as cut and dried as you’ve always said.”

  “I’m well aware of what Darci does for a living, and I wouldn’t worry about her painting the department in a bad light.” Steed gave Benjamin’s shoulder a pat as he made his way to the door. “She has a soft spot for me.”

  The mayor’s disgusted grunt gave Steed the slightest bit of satisfaction, but it was the only bright spot in the whole meeting. No promotion and lots of flack. He slammed the folder against his thigh as he walked to his office.

  “Detective?” called Jackson.

  Steed didn’t miss a step as he continued to his destination. “What is it?” he asked, loosening his tie.

  “You have a few messages,” the young officer answered, getting in step behind Steed. “One is from Ms. Clarke.”

  Steed turned around and snatched the pink slips from the smiling officer. “Thanks.” He got to his desk and searched for Darci’s message. A smile touched his lips as he read. She had gotten in a few hours earlier, and wanted him to call when he had a moment. Feeling better than he had since he stepped into Rogers’s office, Steed grabbed the phone and dialed her n
umber.

  “Hello, you,” Darci greeted. “Thanks for the beautiful roses.”

  “You’re welcome.” Steed sighed, her happy voice just the lift what he needed. “You sound wonderful,” he said. “Did you have a good trip?”

  “It was productive, a little sad saying good-bye to everyone, but Sterling is where I want to be. Jackie is helping me get squared away. How has your day been?”

  He flicked the edge of the file and sighed. “That’s a story for another time. I can’t wait to see you.”

  “How long do you plan to wait?”

  Steed smiled. “Not too long. There’s something on my desk that needs my attention, but I have every intention of leaving this place at five. So, I guess I’ll see you at five after.”

  She laughed. “Just get here in one piece.”

  “I will. I really missed you, Darci.”

  “I missed you, too. See you soon.”

  Steed hung up the phone, and with a renewed sense of purpose, opened the Warwick file. What’s with these fingerprints, and who the hell is Jason Hyde?

  CHAPTER 10

  The grandfather clock in the living room chimed five times. Darci smiled. Steed would arrive soon. She dashed over to the hall mirror. The floral print baby doll dress made her look cute and the updo hairstyle sexy. And after ten glorious minutes in the shower, she felt refreshed after a long day of unpacking boxes, dusting, stocking the house with groceries, and cooking dinner.

  Umph. When had she turned domestic? Add to that anticipating the arrival of her man from a long day at work—she had a flash of a brown June Cleaver flitting around the kitchen, baking cookies, and humming a happy tune. Why did that picture seem so appealing? Was her new old neighborhood rubbing off on her?

  The ringing doorbell gave her little time to consider the question. She dashed to the door. Steed was nothing if not punctual.

  Bright blue eyes and a dazzling smile warmed her from the sudden blast of the brisk November air. “Darci.” Steed gathered her in his arms and seized her mouth in a kiss.