Burn in Hell: A Jake Carrington Mystery (Volume 2) (Jake Carrington Mysteries)

by Marian Lanouette

  Maybe on her next weekend visit, she and Trevor would just disappear. Was it fair to Trevor to uproot him from all he knew? Wasn’t it best for a child to be with his mother? They’d have to leave the country. Trevor didn’t have a passport. It wouldn’t matter. They’d both need fake ones anyway, so they couldn’t be found. Which one was better or safer for Trevor—Witness Protection Program or just disappearing? She wished she could ask Jake. Would he help her? Was he sleeping with Mia tonight?

  Kyra dragged herself into work the next morning. Walking directly into her office, she by-passed Dina. A few minutes later, Dina walked in with a cup of coffee and placed it in front of her.

  “Thanks. I didn’t sleep last night, so I’m going to lock myself in my office today.”

  “Jake’s seeing the other woman?”

  “Dina, I can’t speak about it,” Kyra said, on the verge of tears.

  “I overheard everything yesterday. If you need to talk about it or want to grab a drink after work, I’m here.”

  “Thanks for being a good friend, Dina.”

  Around three o’clock, Phil called. “Kyra, I’m sending the undertaker over now. He should be there in an hour.”

  Crap! Nothing like giving someone notice. “Phil, this means it won’t be finished until after six. If any of my trustees stop in, they’ll question why I’m processing so late.”

  “It can’t be helped. One hour.” He hung up without waiting for her reply. Kyra wished someone would off Phil.

  *

  Around five a.m. Jake decided sleep wasn’t happening tonight or this morning he corrected. A shower should clear his head he decided. A quick breakfast then he headed into the station. First thing he did was checked his emails and inbox. Damn, no results yet from yesterday’s search. He placed a call to the lab. He needed the results immediately on the fingerprints that were found on the scene. He opened his first email. Louie’s report on the Wade case was there. Jake switched gears from missing persons to homicide. God, his head was crowded.

  Louie stopped in unexpectedly yesterday on Mrs. Wade and caught her with Wade’s best friend. The friend Wade was supposedly drinking with on the night he shot himself. The same friend, who according to his statement left Wade at the bar drinking and alive. Louie’s conclusion was pretty much Jake’s conclusion—maybe both the wife and the friend killed Wade. Jake made notes on the printed report for Louie to check out the life insurance policy, including the beneficiaries. Plus, he wanted Louie to investigate Mrs. Wade’s alibi more thoroughly. He wanted another interview with both the wife and the friend, Kevin Long, afterward. At least something was popping on one of his cases.

  Putting the Wade file aside, he pulled out his file on Church. After reading both his notes and the lab reports, he read Louie’s. He put his feet up on his desk, closed his eyes to let the information run around in his mind. The number-one clue to the case in his opinion was Stack and his lack of action. He didn’t like looking at another cop, but there were some who thought they were above the law. Jake found that unacceptable. The wall of blue pissed him off sometimes. They’d make him the target of their anger if he locked up Stack. Jake didn’t want to put Stack in front of IA until he was sure. Taking his feet off of his desk, he grabbed his phone and dialed Shamus’s extension. He expected to get voicemail, surprised when his captain picked up.

  “What’s up, Jake?”

  “I’d like to take you for coffee this morning, or lunch today.”

  “Is this about what we discussed yesterday?”

  “Yes.”

  “You feel that strongly about this?”

  “I do, Shamus, but I’m not ready to make it official yet.”

  “We’ll go after roll call.”

  “Thanks.” Jake hung up, turned toward his window, put his feet up on the casing, and closed his eyes again. Laying out his day mentally, going over the steps required to prove or disprove Stack’s innocence was draining. Jolted from his thoughts by a loud, hard knock at his door, Jake spun around. Not surprised to find Stack standing there.

  “Yes, Carl?” Hmmm! Stack’s looking for a fight. The body language signaled his attitude long before he opened his mouth. Looks like he slept in his suit.

  “I’m going to close the door, Lieutenant.”

  Jake nodded. “What do you need?”

  “I need to know why you’re taking over my case. What gives you the right?”

  Oh yeah, Jake thought, here we go. “It’s standard procedure when a lieutenant takes over a department to review all cases, Carl, and give his attention to ones he finds that aren’t being handled according to procedure. I felt this case needed extra attention.”

  “Why?” Jake gave Stack credit for his ability to keep his composure.

  “Why? It seems the procedure your last lieutenant set up for every detective to follow on all missing persons cases wasn’t followed on this one. I decided to review it and see why.”

  Stack took an unoffered chair, folding his hands over his bulging belly before he spoke. “Lieutenant, this guy’s been reported missing before. If you checked my notes, you’d see he gets involved in poker games around the state and doesn’t know when to quit or contact his family. His mother’s jumped the gun three times in the last three years.” Stack smiled. It reminded Jake of a teacher talking to a slow student. Well, Carl, you don’t know me. Won’t this be fun, dealing with him? If it wasn’t such a serious matter, Jake would’ve played him, but he decided this situation needed a head-on-collision approach.

  “I saw your notes, Carl. I just don’t understand why you didn’t follow procedure.”

  “Maybe frustration—taking the time out to investigate this guy pulls me away from my other cases…people who are truly missing and require action.”

  Oh, he was good, Jake mused. He’d missed his calling. Stack could’ve been an actor. “I understand frustration, but procedures are in place to not only protect the public, but to cover our asses. By not following procedure, Carl, you lost valuable time in the recovery of this person. It looks like this time he’s really missing.”

  Jake studied Stack as he searched for an answer. “I’d be glad to take the case back and check all the usual spots where he gambles to make sure he’s not just off on a winning streak.”

  “I think it’s a good idea, but we’ll work it together, and from different angles. You pursue your angle. I’ll follow the evidence—it’s pointing to a grab.”

  “What evidence?” Jake noticed Stack was starting to sweat when a drop of water ran down the side of his cheek. Stack swiped at it with irritation. Good, he was losing his cool.

  “Some kids in the neighborhood saw him escorted from his house by three men.”

  “When did they come forward?”

  “They didn’t.” Jake wasn’t giving anything away. He wanted Stack to ask.

  “They didn’t? Then how do you know they saw anything?”

  “Because I canvassed the neighborhood and found a witness.” It’s called doing your job, Jake thought.

  “Lieutenant, you sure they’re not pulling your leg?”

  “Carl, I didn’t get where I am today by being gullible. I have street experience. So yes, I’m absolutely sure, just as I’m absolutely sure this case was mishandled.”

  “You put that in my file and I…I’m going to the union…to my rep—you can’t take a case from me, you arrogant bastard.” He jumped up, pointing a finger at Jake. “If you’re looking for a fight, Lieutenant, you’ve got one.” Now we see the real Carl Stack, Jake mulled.

  “I’m reserving action and judgment until we resolve the case. You’re dismissed.”

  Stack stood there with his mouth gaping. He started to talk; then shut his mouth, speaking in a quieter voice—Jake assumed he did so to cover his outburst. “I’m not looking for a fight, but I won’t back down either.”

  “You’ve been dismissed, Detective. And Carl, I don’t take insubordination from my men, let that be a warning to you.” Jake watch
ed Stack storm out of his office and wondered how he’d react now that he knew his actions were being reviewed. Jake purposely tipped his hand to put things into motion.

  Louie walked into his office without knocking and closed the door. “What was Stack doing here?”

  “I’m not going to discuss personnel with you, Louie.”

  Louie stared at Jake, shrugged his shoulders, and changed the subject. “You get my report on the Wade case?”

  “I did. I agree with your findings.”

  Jake handed Louie a copy of his printed report, with notes and directions on it.

  “Did you arrange a follow-up interview with both of them?”

  “I did and stressed I wanted to interview them together.”

  “Good, but first, read my notes. I’m sure you’ve already got the insurance information. Make me a copy of it and nail down the wife’s alibi—then we’ll re-interview them. Let’s see who breaks into a sweat first.”

  “Okay, it’s scheduled for noon.”

  “Push it out to later in the afternoon. This gives you more time, plus it gives them each more time to sweat the details.”

  When Louie left his office, Jake immediately typed up his notes on the meeting with Stack and printed out a copy to hand to Shamus over coffee. The meeting told Jake two things. One, Stack wasn’t stupid. He clued right into why Jake took the case from him. And two, he knew how to cover his ass. Jake needed to find the other complaints and review dates and times of the reported disappearances. He opened the Church file and re-read Stack’s notes. He didn’t list the dates of the other reported disappearances. He wasn’t going to make Jake’s job easy.

  *

  Stack knew Carrington was an ace investigator. It took all his control not to lose it in his office. Sweat dripping down his back, Stack tried to figure out his next move. He needed to make sure Carrington was able to find the old files. Taking blank complaint sheets from his drawer, he loaded them into his briefcase, headed out. He told his sergeant he needed to do a follow-up on a case. Instead he headed home. Sitting at his kitchen table with the complaint sheets, a calendar, and a tall glass of gin and tonic, he got to work. He was more afraid of Phil Lucci than he was of Jake Carrington. Both could damage him—Jake his career, Phil his life.

  The more he drank the more courage he found. He’d find a way to disgrace Carrington and bring him up on charges. Boy, wouldn’t that solve both his problems. If he could pull it off somehow, it would have to raise his worth in Phil’s eyes. He could demand more money for the information he supplied him.

  How could he do that? He slapped his head as an idea entered it. He could ask Phil to have one of his women file a complaint and make sure Carrington was the investigator. Then have the woman file a sexual harassment complaint or a rape charge against the lieutenant. That ought to tie him up for a while. Stack laughed as he fixed himself another drink. The thought of that arrogant bastard defending himself amused Stack through his third drink. Without thinking, he picked up his home phone and called Phil.

  “Hello.”

  “Phil, its Carl Stack.”

  “What number are you calling me from?”

  “I’m home, Phil, don’t worry.”

  “You stupid bastard, are you drunk?” Who is he to talk to me like that?

  “Nobody’s going to trace my phone, Phil. I have an idea about how we can stop Jake Carrington from interfering in our business.” Stack rubbed his ear. The bastard slammed the phone in his ear. Anger spurted out of every pore. Who did the bastard think he was?

  An hour later, partially sober, Stack started to shake. He couldn’t believe he’d called Phil—and on his home phone, no less. Jesus, he was losing it. Not only did he give Carrington ammunition, he made Phil Lucci mad. The last thing a person wanted to do was to make Phil Lucci mad. He wouldn’t care if he was a cop or not. How do I fix this? Calming down, Stack thought Phil couldn’t touch him. He knew too much about his organization and where all the bodies were buried. Somehow, that didn’t make him feel any better.

  Nothing in his fucking life went right. His wife left him. His kids didn’t talk to him and his girlfriend called him a pig and dumped him last week. Now he’d aggravated Phil Lucci, and his nice, easy job looked like it would be going away. Maybe he should cash in his bonds and take off. Hell, why should he let Carrington scare him? Stack’s bravado didn’t last long. He poured himself another drink for courage, this time stronger.

  *

  “Angelo, get in here,” Phil screamed.

  “I heard. He’s becoming a real problem, Phil. We need to take care of him, and now.”

  “I agree. How are we going to do that?”

  “Let me think about it. I’ll let you know as soon as I come up with something, unless you have any ideas?”

  “Right off the bat, I can think of several, but nothing smart.”

  “I need to make a few phone calls. Let’s discuss it after I do some research,” Angelo said, as he left the room.

  Phil sat at his desk, thinking. Though he knew this screw-up had nothing to do with Kyra, inevitably it all seemed to lead back to her and her cop. Would it be best to get rid of Stack and Kyra together or stagger them? If he did this right, he could lay the blame for Kyra’s death on her husband and Stack’s on Carrington. Phil smiled at his thoughts and the different scenarios that played over in his head. He’d wait and see what Angelo came up with before he presented his ideas on the subject. Oh yes, he would definitely enjoy these disposals. What a shame to waste a woman like Kyra, though—maybe he’d get a little taste of her first and show her what she missed out on by choosing the cop.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Jake met with Shamus and outlined what he’d discovered about the Church case. Both agreed Jake didn’t have enough evidence to present an official complaint to IA. Shamus gave Jake the go-ahead to continue his investigation. The captain laid out the guidelines. Not so much to cover Stack, but to cover Jake in case the investigation blew up in his face.

  The meeting took about an hour. Jake got back to his office around ten-thirty. He created a password-protected file on his computer and named it something unrelated to Stack. He reached for his cellphone to call Kyra when Louie walked into his office. I really need to remember to close my door. Jake shook his head.

  “Here are your copies of the life insurance policy. Mrs. Wade’s the sole beneficiary. Only last month Dwight Wade increased his policy from fifty thousand to two hundred fifty thousand. It looks like that was his death warrant.”

  “Looks like it. How about her alibi?”

  “It’s hard to substantiate because she really didn’t have an alibi. She was home with the children while her husband was out drinking.”

  “Call the bartender at that dive again. Re-verify the time that Kevin Long left that night and call his employer to see what time he started work the next day. It’s surprising the guy didn’t die of alcohol poisoning with his level of intoxication. Also ask the bartender if Dwight Wade normally got that trashed when he frequented the establishment.”

  “I’ll get back to you on this. I set the appointment with Mrs. Wade and Mr. Long for four-thirty today.”

  “Okay.”

  When Louie walked out of his office, Jake reached for his cellphone again just as it started to ring. He really needed to call Kyra. Looking down at his phone, he saw Mia’s number highlighted. Why was she calling? She said she wouldn’t talk to him until Monday. What gives?

  “Hi.”

  “Hi, Jake, I wanted to touch base with you today.”

  “This is a surprise. I thought we were connecting on Monday?”

  “I was curious. How did it go with Kyra?”

  “I haven’t talked to her yet, it’s been a busy morning here.” Pissed off, at the idea of Mia pushing him around, Jake took a deep breath before he said something stupid.

  “Okay…I’ll call you tonight?”

  “Mia, please don’t call. I’ll be with Kyra. I don’t mean t
o rush you, but I have to go. It’s a zoo here today.”

  After he hung up, Jake walked over to his door and closed it. Picking up his phone, he punched in Kyra’s number.

  “Hello?”

  “Kyra, are you okay? You sound terrible.”

  “Nice way to greet someone, Jake. I had a bad night.” Her voice sounded strained. Was he the cause?

  “Me too. I’d like to see you tonight, are you free?”

  “No, but damn reasonable.” Her attempt at humor failed.

  “What time’s good?”

  “I’m not free until eight.”

  “That’s good. I’m having a busy day too. Do you want me to bring dinner?”

  “That sounds good, Jake. I’ll see you later.”

  Jake placed his phone on his desk and stared at it. She’d hung up on him, not waiting for a reply. Jake was surprised when she didn’t ask him how it went last night. Which he figured was good because he wanted to tell her in person. He decided on the Steak and Brew for dinner. After he emailed their meal choices and time of pick-up to the restaurant, he turned his attention back to the Church case.

  Again, Jake checked his email, happy to see the fingerprint results were there from the lab. Also attached—the report on who those fingerprints belonged to. Way to go Neville, Jake thought, raising his coffee cup in a salute to the nerdy lab tech. Naturally, one set belonged to Church, one was an unknown, the other two sets belonged to known criminals with mob connections. Gus Spinala, age forty-two, did two years at Sommers for assault. Two years. Jake shook his head. Why did they bother to get these guys off the street when the system put them right back out there again? The second guy was Pat Doyle, age thirty-seven. He did five years for assault with a deadly, and racketeering. Racketeering? Jake figured enforcer was more like it. Nowhere in either file did Phil Lucci’s name come up—in fact, the only name that came up in both files was an Angelo Rainford.

  Jake did a run on Angelo Rainford. He only did one stint for armed robbery back in nineteen ninety-two—well, well, look here, Jake thought. Angelo did his time at Radgowski, at the same time that Phil Lucci did his time there. Angelo was two years younger than Phil. Jake didn’t believe in coincidence. There had to be a connection. Following his train of thought, Jake grabbed a pad. Starting with Stack, he drew a line then added Church. Adding another line to continue his thought pattern, Jake added both Spinala and Doyle along with the unknown man. Next, he added Rainford and Lucci. Adding a last line, he drew one from Lucci back to Stack. He wasn’t sure why, but Jake put Kyra’s name in the center. What did she have to do with Stack and Church? Lucci was the only connection here to Kyra. Or was he?