“That will help, Kyra. As promised, I’ll go to bat for you, but I don’t know how much impact my word will have now.”
Chapter Forty
Jake made sure his recorder was on while Louie processed Kyra. She leaned into Jake when Louie walked to the other side of the room.
“Jake, I need to ask a favor.”
“I’m not in a giving mood, Kyra.” But he looked down at her and felt a pull of sympathy tug at his heart.
“I understand, but it’s not for me, it’s for Trevor.”
“Shoot.”
“I…I need you to go to family court and tell them my last words pertaining to his custody.”
“Last words, Kyra? Don’t be so dramatic.” He was being a hard-ass, but he couldn’t help himself—she’d betrayed him.
“Please, I need to say this before your partner gets back.”
“Okay.”
“Jake, please talk to the judge and play this tape. I don’t want Tommy to have custody of Trevor. Lately he’s been drinking, and let’s not forget that he tried to rape me. I’m glad I pressed charges. My parents would be a stable force in Trevor’s life, and he needs that to grow up normal. Tommy never scared me in our marriage, but over the last two months he’s changed. Can you do this?”
The emotions that played over Kyra’s face tugged at his heart strings. She really loved her son and only wanted what was best for him. The child shouldn’t suffer because he was mad at his mother. Besides, he didn’t feel that Tom Russell deserved custody of him either.
“I’ll do it for Trevor.” He cut off what she was about to say and turned away. “Here comes Louie.” He turned back to her.
All of a sudden Kyra didn’t look good. As she walked forward she staggered, and saliva foamed at the corners of her mouth. Jake grabbed her arm to steady her and realized she was having difficulty breathing.
“I need a medic over here,” he yelled. Gently, he picked her up then laid her out on the bench in the booking area.”
“What the hell, Jake?” Louie said, as he ran over.
“I don’t know. I think she took something. She was talking about her last words. I thought she was being dramatic. Get someone fast, Louie,” he begged.
“They’re on their way, Jake. Kyra, can you hear me?” Louie yelled.
Jake patted her cheek to try and bring her around. He was losing her. “Kyra, its Jake, squeeze my hand if you can hear me.” If he wasn’t looking for it, he would’ve missed it. The pressure was so faint he wouldn’t have felt it.
“I need to know what you took.” She opened her eyes and Jake knew she was on her way out. He noticed each movement required great effort on her part.
“I’m sorry.” She gasped for air. “I…love…Trev…you.”
“Kyra, conserve your energy. Don’t speak.” Jake shouted, trying to keep her conscious.
“Had…to…” Kyra’s struggled for air and Jake placed his lips over hers and tried to breathe for her. He started chest compressions, even though he knew it was too late.
A hand pushed him away. “Sir, we’ve got her.”
Helplessly he stared down at Kyra while the EMT’s tried to revive her, but nothing brought her back. Tears running down his checks, he climbed into the ambulance with her and rode to the hospital. She was pronounced dead upon arrival. The doctor promised to call him after the autopsy to let him know what killed her.
Tired and angry, Jake sat in the emergency room’s waiting area. He didn’t know where he was supposed to be. Blinded by the lights in the room, he rubbed his eyes and dropped his head into his hands and cried.
“Jake,” Louie said, quietly.
“There wasn’t any reason for it, Louie.”
“There never is.”
“She probably would’ve gotten only a suspended sentence or community service.”
“I know.” Louie put his arm around Jake’s shoulder.
“It doesn’t make sense.”
“She would’ve lost her son. That’s what probably pushed her over the edge.”
“The doctor said it looked like some kind of poison, but he won’t know until the lab work comes back.”
“Whatever it was, it was fast-acting. No matter what you did, you couldn’t have saved her, Jake.”
“The doctor said that also.”
“Then it must be true.”
“It doesn’t help.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“I liked her. She had a great sense of humor. I fell in love with her, Louie.”
Jake wiped his face with the back of his hand. Looking around, he noticed how crowded the waiting room was and he couldn’t remember coming out here.
“I’m mad at her.”
“You have a right to be.”
“No, really mad. I can’t believe she threw her life away.”
“She must’ve been really desperate to do it, Jake. She didn’t have many options.”
“There are always options.”
“Come on, I’ll take you home.”
“I need to go in and talk to Shamus and IA.”
“I cleared you for today. You have a nine o’clock appointment with the captain tomorrow and then a ten o’clock with IA. I need your recording. Was it on after I walked away?”
“Yes, but I want a copy.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
“Who’s going to do the notification?”
“I figured you’d want to.”
“Yes.”
*
Jake sat at the bar, throwing back shot after shot. Trying for numb, but the alcohol hardly had any effect on him. Cleared of any wrongdoing in the Kyra Russell case, he’d been reinstated. For the past week he’d been taking the jokes and the ridicule from the other guys. He’d about had his fill of it. He looked like a fool for not noticing the signs earlier. Christ sake, he was a trained investigator. Controlling his temper had taken all of his willpower and then some. His immediate department knew better than to bust his chops, but hey, he was their boss.
He raised his glass and signaled Pat. “What are you trying to do here, Jake?”
“Get drunk.”
“That isn’t the way to handle this.”
Pat knew everything, even though he was retired. Jake looked at him through bloodshot eyes. “What did you hear, Pat?”
“The usual bullshit.”
“Yeah. Well, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to put up with all the comments and the fisheyes.”
“You’ll do it for as long as it takes.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Jake.”
He should’ve known that Kyra wouldn’t have been able to live cooped up in prison. She died before they even finished booking her. The medical examiner said it was a slow acting poison, derived from some kind of plant. The scientific name he used was Zygadenus venenosus otherwise referred to as deathcamas. He had ignored her difficulty in breathing, chalked it up to nerves, thought she was hyper-ventilating. But she’d started to stumble and stagger as she was being booked. She was dead when she hit the bench. The EMT’s couldn’t revive her. Jake guessed he should be grateful she didn’t die at his house, but he couldn’t find it in him. Once again he blamed himself for another young woman’s death.
Kyra would have been sentenced to only a couple of years in prison. Then she would have been out and able to be with her son. He still couldn’t figure out why she thought death was better. My God, she threw her life away. The waste of a life—her life—that made him so mad at her. Unreasonable, yes, but still mad at her. She took her own life in a careless gesture, while his sister Eva’s life was discarded like trash. No, he couldn’t forgive Kyra.
“Pat…put the bottle on the counter.”
“No can do, Jake, you know the law.”
“Well, keep it handy then. I don’t want an empty glass, got it?”
“Got it.” A good bartender knew when to walk away, and Pat was good.
Jake started to brood again and think of Kyra when a hand landed on his arm. Jesus, he never heard the person approach.
“Jake?”
He stared, trying to focus.
“Can I sit down?”
“I’m not in the mood for company,” he said turning away.
“I know, and I’m really sorry about Kyra.”
He turned back. “I didn’t love her like I love you, but she got under my skin.”
“I know.”
“Why are you here, Mia?”
“I figured you needed a friend and an ear to listen. Mine are free.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Then I’ll sit here and drink with you, okay?”
“It’s a big bar, suit yourself.”
Would she walk away from him again? Pride wouldn’t allow him to ask her to stay. It had to cost her to be here, he thought.
“Okay.”
Silence. Mia was going to wait him out. He should have called, but he didn’t have it in him this week.
“What do you want?”
“I’m not going anywhere, Jake. You need a friend and I hope I’m still one.”
“You’re much more.”
“I know…”
“Pat.” Jake hailed the bartender.
“Yes, Jake?” He paused and turned. “Hi. Mia, right?”
“Yes. Hi, Pat.”
“What’ll y’ave,” Jake slurred.
Mia motioned Pat away. “Jake, why don’t we get that drink somewhere else?”
“Like where?”
“Your place or mine, it doesn’t matter.”
“Do you still love me, Mia?”
Taken by surprise, Mia answered honestly. “Yes.”
“Me too.”
“You love you too?” she joked, trying to lighten the mood. He was in a full ‘Irish Brood,’ not good.
“No, no, you know what I mean,” he practically yelled.
“Relax, Jake. I know what you mean.”
“Do you want to leave?”
“Yes, only with you.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
*
When they got settled in at Jake’s house, Mia made coffee instead of drinks. Jake started telling Mia how he felt about Kyra.
“Don’t downplay your feelings, Jake. She was a lovely woman who got in over her head. Gambling’s a disease, and hers was terminal. I’ve been a little jealous of her since I first saw her with you that night. I’m not proud of that, but I felt betrayed that you were with her so soon after me.”
“I didn’t love her the same way that I love you. I can’t explain it.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
“Mia, I love you with my whole being…”
“Is this the Irish thing popping out?”
“What Irish thing?” Mad she was making fun of him. He’d had enough of that lately.
“Relax, Jake. The Irish love their misery. I know. I’m Irish.”
“Let me finish, please, because I’m only ever going to talk about this once.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“I started dating Kyra because I liked her sense of humor and she was a distraction. God knows, I needed a distraction. She took my mind off of you. I could see she was troubled and instead of that pushing me away, it drew me closer to her. I’m sorry if this is going to hurt you. She was sweet, funny, and smart, but that deep-down connection didn’t happen for either one of us.” He stopped talking. Eyes focused in the distance, he picked up his coffee cup and sipped.
“She knew I loved you. We spoke about that after we met you, that time we were out. She told me to go back to you and try forgiveness because that kind of love only came once in a lifetime. She said she had it with her ex, but she threw it away.”
“I knew I liked her for a reason.”
“She was insightful into everyone else but herself. She had no self-respect left, and toward the end I saw it play out in her life and our relationship. I ignored it because the sex was incredible and I couldn’t stop. I hardly ever thought about you…unless I was alone. I traded in one pain for another.” He stopped to gather his thoughts and looked at Mia.
Silence.
“Well?”
“Well what, Jake?”
“Do you want me to continue?”
“Yes.”
“I never stopped loving you. It was impossible, but I tried to move on… I know now how ridiculous that sounds. I wasn’t thinking straight when we stopped seeing each other.”
“I wasn’t either.”
“I never planned on dating anyone else after you. I met Kyra and we hit it off and started dating. She wasn’t you, Mia. I hope you can understand what I’m saying?”
“I can.”
“I love you and I want to fix what’s wrong.”
“I know most of it was me, but I really do need my independence. I can’t be suffocated.”
“I didn’t know I was suffocating you,” he said, bitterly.
“Shit. I’m screwing this up. No you weren’t, that’s my point. I was.”
“I’m confused.”
“It’s hard. I clung to you and I hated myself for doing it, when things went wrong. Then I pushed you away when things were going fine, and you…you walked away. You didn’t even fight to keep me, Jake. That’s what hurt the most. Why didn’t you make me stay?”
“Make you stay?” Dumbfounded, he stared at her. “Because, Mia, it’s unlawful to restrain a person.”
“You didn’t try to stop me from leaving that night.”
“I gave you what you asked for and wanted, Mia.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“I’m a pretty simple guy, you’re going have to explain,” he said, totally confused.
“I see. I don’t know if I can.”
“Well, if you can’t, how am I supposed to know,” he asked, frustrated.
“I know, Jake, trust me. You were supposed to come after me and tell me that everything could be worked out,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Mia, were we even in the same room? You left me no opening, you made it final.”
“No, Jake, you did. Your stubborn Irish pride said ‘all or none.’”
Jake stared at her and couldn’t find the words to respond. If he lived to be a hundred, he’d never understand women.
“So we weren’t together because of me?”
“Yes…no…oh, Jake, we’ve both been such fools. We have a lot to work out, but I miss you—I need you and I want you. It hurt so much to see you with Kyra. I told you that already.”
“You never said you love me.” He looked into her eyes as he pulled her into his arms.
“I love you, Jake Carrington.”
He crushed her to his chest, kissing her with all the pent-up passion that he’d buried deep inside for the last two months. His anger dissipating as he deepened the kiss. Breaking away, he looked deep into her eyes.
Tenderly he kissed her on the lips. “But first, I have to make love to you. I missed you so much.”
She moaned her answer. As they walked from the kitchen, Jake pushed her up against the wall in the hallway. Breaking the embrace, he picked her up and carried her to his bedroom.
“It’s time for you to capture my flag.”
*
Coming in 2016, book three, Mated for Life: A Jake Carrington Mystery.
I hope you enjoyed the book. If you love/liked this book please leave a review on the site where you purchased the book. Many thanks, Marian.
About the Author
Amazon Bestselling author Marian Lanouette/Merry Holly is a multi-published author in both mystery and romance. She is also the creator and author in the Season of Series. Born in Brooklyn, New York she is one of ten children. She took to writing to explore new and adventurous places. While her friends traveled on planes for vacation, Marian traveled in books. With an overactive imagination, it didn’t take long for her to start creating her own characters and stories. Th
e first two books in Marian’s series The Jake Carrington Mysteries were released in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Mated for Life the third book in the series will be published in late 2016. Season of Surprises and Season of Thrills will release respectively in October 2015 and December 2015.
Marian has had many interesting careers throughout her life. The most interesting was as an office manager for a local cemetery/crematory. When needed she also helped out with the cremations (thus, Burn in Hell was created from her vivid imagination.) She’s likes to tell you that she’s an accountant by day and a writer by night.
As an avid reader, she discovered mysteries by reading the Daily News as a youngster. Intrigued by the real life crimes, and how the police worked and eventually solved them, ignited her imagination beyond the ordinary. She’s also likes romance and mixes both the mystery and romance genres with intriguing results.
Marian is a member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America.
She invites you to discover these wonderful characters and share your impressions at: [email protected] or on her website at www.marianl.com
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Look for the next book in the series Mated for Life at the end of 2016. She invites you to discover these wonderful characters and share your impressions at:
[email protected] or www.marianl.com or Twitter @AuthorMarian or on Facebook
*
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Also Available by Marian Lanouette
If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery
A Mystery Novel by Marian Lanouette
Are rules really meant to be broken? Jake Carrington finds out the hard way the answer is no! Dating Chloe Wagner was a huge mistake, and Jake should have known better—he’s investigating the murder of Chloe’s sister. Now Chloe is the number one suspect in that murder. If she’s convicted, Jake could lose not only his rank, but his job. If that’s not bad enough, he’s got a stalker on his hands, someone who’s threatening his fledgling relationship with the lovely Mia. Things are getting just a little too personal for comfort!
Burn in Hell: A Jake Carrington Mystery (Volume 2) (Jake Carrington Mysteries) Page 31
